Cross time caper

[Arsenal]

Mike walked with the rest of the group, feeling as if he had some new insight into the pair of women after the last vision. No wonder Morgan had such an animosity, but he wished she would learn not to spread it around so well. Mike could easily think of several good men who would not walk their daughters down the aisle defending this group. It did not make him angry, actually more sad that she was unable to see that due to her dad being the biggest dick ever.

He looked aroun dthe room, much less interested overall than the others. Even as he realized that time was passing different here, he was concerned that time was wasting, especially once he got a look at them. Especially Nicolas. he was bigger, although he seemed not to notice. Mike wondered if he grew in strength proportionally as men normally do as they age into their mid to late 20s.

If that is the case, young man could REALLY be a beast.

He turned quickly as a large disk opened and lingered. He drew his weapons and activated the Stealth mode on his suit, become largely invisible as he entered with the group...

 

[Seer]

First stop...

<< everyone travels through the disc and without Morgan to direct, there's no telling WHERE or WHEN they will be.>>

<< in the blink of an eye, they find themselves... NEW YORK CITY, but its different, highly stylized in a technological way. its much cleaner, the buildings all seemed to have a more smooth and high tech design, the cars do as well. people are walking but its rather quiet....there's a very orderly feel. its definately not the six's own timeline.>>

<< as the group stands, they are IMMEDIATELY accosted by floating "electro eyes", large metallic spheres bearing the MYSTECH emblem, but the eyes merely SCAN them....>>

Electro eye: dna scans concluded. one human with normal genetic structure, two with mutant genetic structure, one with unique hybrid sigature, mystech design. NO traces of magick of witch craft. you may proceed.

<< the floatinig metallic sphere zooms off. it was looking to see if any of them were WITCHES or MAGICK users? just where were they? a poster on the storefront near by said it all.....a picture of a man....RICK RILEY! in a SUIT , POINTING out ala' "Uncle Sam"...>>>

Poster: do the right thing, protect our children, REPORT A WITCH!

<< clearly there was something going on, the tide had changed...from being anti mutant to anti WITCH. From available satellite systems and other information, Haleigh would determine that they were approximately 10 years in the future of an alternate timeline's Six. not only that...but Haleigh, Delilah and Mike were in their "future selves bodies" and they would notice the physical changes about them (different hair styles, clothing, etc) ....NICOLAS was the only exception...for reasons yet to be known.>>

<< the next step was to go to Illustra, which was still standing and looking magnificent as ever, b ut they would have to go in as VISITORS...not knowing if this Illustra was "pre" or "post" exposure that they had endured in their own timeline. it was the only way for them to possibly locate the alternate versions of Ava, Alison, Morgan (though it would be a "minor" version) , Alycia or even Sharon. For all they knew, Cameon , Alexis or BLAZE could be in this Illustra ...but it was a start....and certainly better than standing there.>>

<< as they proceeded, they noticed shocking advertisements in Times Square..for a PUBLIC BROADCAST EXECUTION!! but who it was to be executed was not revealed, only another clip of Rick Riley who was now GOVERNOR of NEW YORK, rambling and raving on about the EVIL of witchcraft. >>

 

[Persephone]

Alternate Ava

"Volume up."

:: The large flat pannel plasma screen television increased in volume as Ava stood poised, listening to the news broadcast of the public excecution. With her arms folded across her chest Ava narrowed her eyes while listening to the anchor woman explain the details of the excecution. Closing her eyes she shook her head in almost a defeatest way...::

"Mute."

:: Turning away from the television, it was apparent that this was an alternate version of Ava, just from mere looks alone. Although she physically looked the same [thanks to her immortality], Ava's waist length chocolate locks were now a mid chest length golden honey brown, slightly curled and parted to the side. Dressed in much more casual attire, this timeline's Ava definitely didn't dress as sophisticated and 'hard' as the six knew 'their' Ava too. It was indded an interesting contrast.

:: Walking over to the dining room table where Alison [alternate] sat, Ava leaned her body into one of the neatly tucked chairs, looking down at her friend. ::

"The broadcasts are becoming more frequent.."

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah instinctively patted herself down, making sure everything had made it. She recognized New York City...but it was...clean. Orderly. Her clothing had also changed with her surroundings. She was wearing a dark pinstriped pant suit, the jacket covering a tight fitting corset, and her long legs ended in matching dark heels. Her hair, now reddish brown, was slicked back into a tight bun. What was going on?

Suddenly a metallic sphere was in her face, and she started.

"Holy crap!"

She turned to the others after they had been in turn scanned, and apparently, approved.

"What the hell was that?"

She turned and jumped again, seeing a poster of none other than Rick Riley.

"I don't like the way this is going, at all. Stop me before I draw a mustache on him."

She joked, but the hairs on the back of her neck were standing up. If Alison had wound up here, she could be in all kinds of trouble.

"Where would they go if they had ended up here?"

 

[Harbinger]

Alternate Alison

Alternate Ava

"Volume up."

:: The large flat pannel plasma screen television increased in volume as Ava stood poised, listening to the news broadcast of the public excecution. With her arms folded across her chest Ava narrowed her eyes while listening to the anchor woman explain the details of the excecution. Closing her eyes she shook her head in almost a defeatest way...::

"Mute."

:: Turning away from the television, it was apparent that this was an alternate version of Ava, just from mere looks alone. Although she physically looked the same [thanks to her immortality], Ava's waist length chocolate locks were now a mid chest length golden honey brown, slightly curled and parted to the side. Dressed in much more casual attire, this timeline's Ava definitely didn't dress as sophisticated and 'hard' as the six knew 'their' Ava too. It was indded an interesting contrast.

:: Walking over to the dining room table where Alison [alternate] sat, Ava leaned her body into one of the neatly tucked chairs, looking down at her friend. ::

"The broadcasts are becoming more frequent.."

:: Alison sat across from Ava. They shared a LARGE mansion in a secluded area outside the city. Alot had changed....and not for the better. Alison was now the CEO of Illustra, its influence was felt globally, with several smaller branches including in L.A., Milan, and London. It was a more than a fashion empire, it was a MEDIA empire that rivaled mystech in terms of prominence...and while the two conglomerates offered courtesy to one another in public, behind the scenes, the treachery was the same as it had been in mainstream time.::

:: but there was a REASON why Alison was CEO, why she and Ava lived together far outside the city...::

:: as Ava remarks on the broadcasts....Alison finishes a cup of coffee. Her hair is now BLONDE, and far longer, she's wearing a cutting edge Dolce & Gabanna black leather tie back halter top, a tailored D&G black leather jacket for "cover up" of her exposed back and a matching D&G black leather skirt along with stilletto high heels. a VERY severe yet sexy look for the witch, who now seemed more brooding.::

Yes...they have...

:: Alison trailed off. it was obvious to Ava that this was bothering Alison but she was once again pushing back any discussion of it as she hurridly stood up, grabbing her gucci leather attache, her hand held device and a few other items.::

I've gotta get to Illustra, the limo's outside waiting. meetings today...(including firing 100 people as she continued to streamline costs and keep Illustra's profits high....putting people out of work so casually, something that neither she NOR morgan would have done in mainstream time)


You know the drill....keep Victoria in the house....and no matter how much she wants to...NO MAGICK.

:: as she hurried out of the kitchen she turned back...::

you be safe Ava. I'll see you later.

:: and with that, Alison walks with the gate of a high powered professional woman. her limo outside awaits to take her to Illustra.::

 

[Seer]

to Illustra

<< the members of the six were to make their way to Illustra, at least it was HERE and still STANDING....not destroyed like in their time, but it, like so many other things was different here. the building had a different design, the office park was different as well and as the team drew near, the glass doors instantly slided open.>>

automated voice: welcome to Illustra Inc, Image is everything!

<< they came into the crystaline Lobby, but there was no trace of MORGAN'S influence anywhere. it seemed much more cold, compartmentalized...no soft lull of voices in the air, only modern jazz music...and a picture of ALISON MARBLE where Morgan's picture once was, high above for all to see. they would see that Alison was now BLONDE and the look on her face...beautifull but the COLDNESS in her cobalt blue eyes was more pronounced.>>

<< Haleigh would immediately sense that HER technology was no longer in use here...but something...SOMEONE else was now behind the technology that powered Illustra. It was a DNA signature that SEEMED familiar...but something about it was different on a fundamental level [more on who it is later.] it was safe to assume that the "six" didnt live here....but could they get any information from the receptionist?>>


Meanwhile

<< more reports of Rick Riley's popularity were being played on slowly rotating media screens. something about his crusade against witches and the evil of witch craft....and how this was a holy war.>>

 

[Persephone]

Alternate Ava

:: Sighing out as Alison diverted away from the subject of the excecution Ava decided not to push the topic. As she stood from the table preparing to head to Illustra, Ava watched quietly. ::

You know the drill....keep Victoria in the house....and no matter how much she wants to...NO MAGICK.

"Don't worry, she'll be fine."

:: Alison headed for the door while Ava glanced out the window...hearing Alison stop, Ava looked back at her. ::

you be safe Ava. I'll see you later.

"You too..."

:: And with that, Alison left. Standing in the large dining room alone, it seemed like forever ago that everyone had come together for a dinner party....as dysfunctional as they might have been, Ava missed the madness. Now it was just quiet and alone. ::

Auntie Ava! Auntie Ava!

:: Turning to see Victoria running into the dining room, the 10 year old little girl was wearing a pink childrens evening dress with her cheeks a severe shade of pink and her lips stained red with lipstick. Ava's somber mood soon brightened as Victoria ran over hugging Ava around the waist. Smiling, Ava returned the hug, running her hands down the little girls curly brown locks. ::

"Well don't you look beautiful, princess."

:: Ava knelt down, fixing a bit of the smudged lipstick with her thumb. ::

I made myself look like mommy!

"I can see that. You did a pretty darn good job."

Yeah, I know. I think I want to be a cosmopolitan when I grow up.

:: Laughing softly, Ava wrinkled her nose. ::

"I think you mean cosmetologist."

That too! Where's Auntie Alison? I wanted to show her my dress."

"Oh sweetie...Auntie Alison left for work already. But i'm sure she would think you look fabulous."

She's ALWAYS at work. Why can't I ever go visit her there like I used to?

"Victoria, we've gone over this already...Illustra isn't a playground, it's a place where people have to work."

That's dumb. I can make it a playground if I want to!

:: Ava's face became serious as she grasped her hands around Victoria's shoulders. ::

"Victoria, you know the rules...absolutely NO magick. No spells, twitching of your nose, or tricks, do you understand me? Alison and I don't want anything to happen to you."

Like grams?

:: Sighing out, Ava pulled Victoria into a hug, gently rubbing her back. ::

"...Lets not think about that, alright?"

:: Looking at Victoria, Ava gave her a reassuring smile before cupping her cheeks with her hands. ::

"No magick?"

No magick...I promise.

"Good....now go play, okay?"

Kay! Love you!

:: Giving Victoria a kiss on her forehead, Ava watched as she ran out of the room, disappearing around the corner. Closing her eyes, Ava parted her lips with her tongue before exhaling out loudly....::

"Love you too, princess..."

 

[Black Widow]

Haleigh glanced around, lowering her firearm.... she was instantly aware of her position and the date/time, even without looking at her surroundings, but she wanted to get a feel for her surroundings as well. It was cleaner, more streamlined... and there was an atmosphere of order, highly organized structure. After a few seconds, large metallic spheres approach and attempt to identify them. Haleigh instinctually gestures to the others to remain calm, as if she anticipates them to react defensively [especially in the case of Mike or Nicolas]

"Stand down. There is no need for alarm, threat level is minimal. They are only scanning drones with the intention of ensuring there is no magickal entity among us."

She said, seemingly not realizing that she sounded more.... mechanical than usual. She looked different as well. Her hair, which was straw-colored, sunkissed blonde and shoulder length before, is now a platinum blonde... there is a hint of metallic silver in it when the light hits it just right, and it is cut shorter, jawline length and brushed back out of her face. Her eyes are concealed behind silver rimmed, 'Aviator' style sunglasses and she wears a leather jacket, black pants with cargo pockets that are well fitting, and boots. Delilah requests that somebody stops her from drawing a moustache on a poster of Rick Riley. Haleigh seems to take this quite literally, and grabs Delilah by the crook of her elbow, her grip rather tight, and she pivots Delilah around to face her.

"Stop. Do Not vandalize the poster."

She says, before releasing her hold on Delilah and responding to the next question.

"We have arrived in this timeline ten years in the future. Without further investigation, it is impossible to tell if it is ten years in the timeline WE are familiar with, ten years from the timeline Ava and Alison were transported to, or in another alternate altogether. It is possible that they arrived here and have been surviving for ten years. It is equally possible this is not the same timeline. Illustra is 2.2 kilometers Northeast of our current position. We should proceed there for more information."

She moves fluidly in the direction of Illustra, assuming the others will follow. They reach the building within minutes and Haleigh notices the various changes to the lobby. A picture of Alison's hangs where Morgan's once did... the place feels colder, less personal. Haleigh slows to update the others on changes they cannot immediately see.

"My company's services are not utilized to secure this building anymore. Someone else.... familiar... unidentified. Floorplans indicate the residential floors are no longer occupied. We should attempt to extract intel from the receptionist to help determine more conditions of this timeline."

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas emerged with the team into a totally different New York than he remembered. The SMELL of the city itself was different...more antiseptic. A quick mental scan determined the date and time well enough, but as he stepped forward, the group was stopped by metallic spheres. Haleigh gave their purpose and cautioned against defensiveness, but she sounded...different somehow. He took a casual closer look into her mind and found it to be nearly befuddling at first, her binary code more prominent than he knew it to be normally. If not for his own previous readings on binary code in order to understand her better, she would have him completely befuddled. He filed that information away for the moment as they walked to Illustra. Once they arrived, it was apparent that things had changed a LOT. Alison now seemed to be the guiding influence here, and there were none of the characteristic traces of Morgan at ALL. As Haleigh spoke of getting information from the receptionist, Nicolas quick-switched his clothing as he passed a doorway to a more fashionable business suit with a matching hat. It seemed appropriate from what he plucked form a couple of good-looking ladies on the way here, and he walked up to the receptionist, his voice completely changed to a authentic British accent.

Hello there. My my! Things have really changed here in the last few years, haven't they? It's been ELEVEN years since I stepped through that door.

Nicolas was not yet trying to ask her anything DIRECTLY. What he was doing right now was a old telepathy trick. Ask a person anything, and they think of the answer, even if they choose not to consciously give it to you. It was in this way that he expected to take a mental journey through the last ten years with the receptionist...

 

[Seer]

Inside of Illustra

<< inside of Illustra, the group took in the immediate setting, noting that Morgan's influence was non existent and judging by the giant picture high above, that a now blonde Alison was in charge. There were no residential floors here either.>>

<< the group drew near to the receptionist, and as she turned to face them, sitting at her wrap round console, she looked at them suspiciously.>>

Hello there. My my! Things have really changed here in the last few years, haven't they? It's been ELEVEN years since I stepped through that door.

<< the woman was older, probably late 40's, but she presented herself very elegant...and was definately not naive. She recognized Delilah Trelevan, Cheif of NYPD police as well as Haleigh Davidoff, who'd won COMPLETE autonomy from MysTech many years ago and was one of the FEW "experiements" that lived and walked freely among the citizens of NYC. Mike was a high ranking, commanding officer on the NYPD and was frequently shown to be assisting Delilah.>>

Receptionist: << glaring at Nicolas with slight confusion...it almsot seemed like she recognized HIM...but for not so good a reason.>>

Ms. Trelevan....we havent seen you here since....well...since the incident 10 years ago. Ms. Marble doesnt like us to talk about it much....but with the execution coming...it's been all over the place and everyone's talking about what originally happened...

<< she looks at Nicolas again...shownig signs of uneasiness.>>

....what did you say your name was?

<< the receptionist was moments away from summonining Illustra's chief of Security, someone whom the rest of the team would know well but would be surprised as to her current state. if this man standing before her was the person who he impossibly LOOKED to be....then there MUST be some sort of WITCHCRAFT going on...>>

<< but why would Delilah and Mike be complicit to acts of witchcraft??>>

<< things were just beginning to get more layered for the members of the six at this moment.>>

 

[Black Widow]

Haleigh, Delilah, and Mike all remained a few paces away from the reception desk as Nicolas approached it and attemtped to start innocent conversation. Haleigh detected subtle changes in the woman's vitals and expertly translated her body language. Haleigh surreptitiosly inserted a nearly undetectable earpiece in Nicolas' ear so that she could speak to him without the receptionist's knowledge.... and she simultaneously place one in Delilah's and Mike's ears for future use.

"Rampage. Disengage the receptionist and return to our position. Your presence is arousing suspicion. [turning to Delilah] Morningstar. You have been recognized and recieved positively. Instruct the human that the involvement of security personnel is not neccessary. Request that she identifies the parameters of the 'incident' to which she refers. I will run identification checks on each of us to determine who she assumes we are."

It takes her mere seconds to compile the information, and she tells the others what she has found when she is done.

"Our credentials have changed. Morningstar is Chief of Police. Arsenal is her highly ranked subordinate. I am a freestanding agent of my own devices. Current information on Rampage is missing. Coupled with the fact that his appearance did not change upon arrival, it is probable that he has NO active alternative in this timeline. This could be due to death or he might have abandonned this reality in search of a more suitable one."

 

[Seer]

Illustra

<< the limo arrives, going down below ground and Alison is ushered into an express jet tube that will zip her to the TOP floor where her executive office is. she does not know that cross time alternates of her FORMER team are in the building...or that NICOLAS is present. indeed, she's doing a very good job of keeping her status as a witch on the low.>>

<< on the top floor she is greeted by a small army of assistants, they flurry around her as she struts with style in her outfit and attache to her massive circular office.>>

meanwhile:

<< as the six continue to adjust to their changes, Haleigh has become more analytical, making it easier for her to LEAD the group. everyone BUT Nicolas has assumed the life of their alternate in this timeline, and Haleigh has already named the reason in one of several possibilities.>>

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah requests that somebody stops her from drawing a moustache on a poster of Rick Riley. Haleigh seems to take this quite literally, and grabs Delilah by the crook of her elbow, her grip rather tight, and she pivots Delilah around to face her.

"Stop. Do Not vandalize the poster."

Delilah pulls her arm away from Haleigh. "Ow! Jeeze, Haleigh, I thought at least YOU could take a joke. God!"

Delilah rolls her eyes as they continue on as suggested to Illustra. The place sure was different - colder, harder. Something was missing, and that something was Morgan. She saw the huge photo of Alison. So Alison was in charge here now? But even so, Alison wasn't this severe.

As Nicolas tried unsuccessfully to British charm the receptionist, the woman indicated she knew who Delilah was, and that she'd been here before. That was good - at least she KNEW Alison in this timeline. But what had happened that had caused her to stay away from Illustra?

"Morningstar. You have been recognized and recieved positively. Instruct the human that the involvement of security personnel is not neccessary. Request that she identifies the parameters of the 'incident' to which she refers. I will run identification checks on each of us to determine who she assumes we are."

Delilah couldn't help but turn and give Haleigh a funny look, before turning back to the front desk.

She smiled down at the receptionist. "Yes, nice to see you again. [indicating Nicolas] No need to alert security - he's a colleague visiting from out of the country and sometimes he's a bit out of place here in the States. Tell me, what DO the employees here know about 'the incident'?"

As the receptionist begins to answer, Delilah received the information from Haleigh that she is now the CHIEF of POLICE! Delilah swallowed hard and tried to keep the shock of it off of her face. She stood up a little bit taller.

Wow. It's what I've always wanted...

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas sensed the scrutiny of the woman and was a bout to address it differently when Haleigh advised to disengage. Interesting nomenclature, but he did as told and stepped back a bit as Delilah the CHIEF OF POLICE intervened. Mike was her trusted high-ranking subordinate, and as for Nicolas? Nothing. He was unchanged, unlike the others, and Haleigh ascertained it was either due to death or leaving the dimension. He had a sinking feeling he knew which one it was, especially since he had no mental impression of his other at all. He kept up his facade, responding to Delilah as he stepped off behind her a bit.

No problem here, madam. It seems I've caused a stir.

He continued to scan minds nearby for clues as Delilah and Haleigh took charge...

 

[Seer]

Illustra's office park

<< there was much to understand, and it couldnt happen quickly enough at this point. many peculiar things stood out and this was only the BEGINNING.>>

<< as Nicolas stepped back and Delilah approached the receptionist, the woman seemed more relaxed with her, and yet...>>

Receptionist: Ms. Trelevan...you know I can't talk about that...if Ms. Marble hears....I'll lose my job!

<< she paused for a moment..>>

meet me...in the office park in 10 minutes. I'm going on lunch...i can talk to you then.

<< the receptionist wanted to tell Delilah that she flat out didnt buy her story about Nicolas being a colleague. she was almost CERTAIN he was "the monster" that Ms. Marble had spoken of. but he was supposed to be.....DEAD? it HAD to be a manner of sorcery that brought him here again and it was her duty, her obligation under the law to report ANY acts or SUSPECTED acts of witchcraft to someone in authority...>>


<< as Delilah indicates to the others to follow behind but remain unseen, she meets the receptionist in the Office park at the appointed time.>>

Receptionist: Ms. Trelevan...that man...that man you're with.. he looks just like the man who...killed Morgan Victoria 10 years ago! The man that Dr. Karen Victoria killed...that's why she's going to be executed ...TODAY actually. Governor Riley says that Witches are a menace to society...you know that.

When i saw him...i couldnt explain it....but i KNEW it had to be him. He looks just like that man...Ms. Marble forbids us to ever say his name. But how else could he be here...except by an act of WITCHCRAFT?

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas stood hidden from the receptionist as she spoke candidly to Delilah. As she spoke, he could "hear" her thoughts even more clearly, and they were HORRIBLE. In this timeline, he had killed Morgan. At least supposedly. It was all hard for him to grasp, to comprehend how or why he would have doen such a thing. Barely keeping himself together, he "spoke" to Delilah.

I am...linking us all telepathically as needed.

He was going to communicate more, but he simply couldn't. Even though HIS Morgan was very much alive, his heart was torn with grief for THIS timeline's Morgan. Not to mention Karen. Alternate or not, he couldn't let her die. He simply couldn't...

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah used years of experience in policework to keep her face blank, the shock of what she has just heard hidden carefully behind a mask. Morgan was dead! And Nicolas had killed her?! None of that made sense - but she would have to worry about that later. Right now, there was the more pressing issue of explaining Nicolas' presence away enough to keep this woman from contacting anyone else about it.

Delilah smiled her "good cop" smile.

"Excellent, excellent job."

She sent a quick mental message. Nicolas! Have Haleigh manifest some small high tech looking device in my pocket, now!

As the woman looked at her quizzically, she explained.

"The governor is concerned that, with the execution so close at hand, there might be a surge in witch activity, especially around Illustra. The man I indicated was my 'colleague' is actually a NYPD dectective. This little device"

She pulls the "gadget" manifested by Haleigh out of her pocket and held it up for the woman to see.

"This device - made by our friends at MysTech - allowed us to change his physical appearance. Not witchcraft, just technology. This was all a test. We're hoping his apparent presence will flush out any witch insurgents. But you did exactly what you were supposed to do. Well done - you are truly an asset to this company and your country."

Delilah leaned in conspiratorally.

"I'm sure I don't have to ask that you be discreet in this matter."

Dumbass...she added silently.

 

[Seer]

more pieces to the puzzle

<< as Delilah cooly handled the situation, calling upon years of experience in human interaction and police training, she manipulated the receptionist enough to get the woman to speak freely. but she got more than she bargained for. as she quickly "covered up" the appearence of "the monster", the receptionist seemed relieved.>>

Receptionist: oh...thank god. i thought for a moment that....

<< she looks up to where the sky scraping Illustra pierces the sky.>>

Ms. Marble...she's not going to be here today, if that's why you came. she had some off site meetings but I'm sure she wouldnt mind if you visited her at her home.

<< Delilah would be smart enough not to push her luck in trying to get the address, something she apparently should have known. she would have Haleigh use her cyberpathy to obtain a GPS reading for Alison's residence.>>

I'm going to leave now. I guess we'll be seeing you on the broadcast of the execution tonight though.

<< and with that, the receptionist leaves, unaware that she's been totally duped.>>


<< but NOW, at least the group has something more to go on. Nicolas didnt change because his "alternate future self" is DEAD. Karen had killed HIM in retaliation for killing Morgan...but WHY? none of it made sense and it was apparent that before they moved on to the next timeline via stepping disc...they'd have to play along with this as long as it took for another disc to open. the next step....to find Alison..and there was no telling WHAT SHE would do. Ava hadnt been seen or spoken of yet either.>>

 

[Persephone]

Alternate Ava

FLASH

Morgan: "WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS!?"

:: Closing her eyes, Morgan's screams echoed in her mind as she stood outside on the large balcony overlooking the mansions vast yard. The day was cold but sunny; a winters wind rustling the trees surrounding the property. But as serene as the day was...as much as Ava had wanted to enjoy it, memories of that night kept hounding her. ::

FLASH

Morgan: "NICOLAS! STOP! PLEASE!"

:: Rubbing her hands roughly down her face like she were trying to will away the memories, Ava inhaled deeply before opening her eyes. She wasn't there when it happened....but Alison and Karen showed her via a scrying glass. Ever disgusting and horrible details. Every scream, every plead, every moment leading up to her death. It happened ten years ago, but with the excecution only hours away the memories resurfaced. It felt like it just happened yesterday. ::

FLASH

Nicolas: "You take it bitch! Every last inch of me you fucking WHORE!"

:: Gripping the balcony railing tightly, Ava's knuckles went white. She never liked Nicolas....something always made her question his actions...but she kept her mouth shut because Morgan loved him. But even now, 10 years later, Ava felt partly responsible for what he did to her....if she had only ACTED on her hunch rather than brush it off the bastard would have never touched her! Never RAPED and murdered her. ::

Flash

Alycia: "I implore you, judge! Do NOT let this man free! He brutally raped and murdered an innocent woman! The mother of his child....you can't simply let him off on a techni--"

Judge: "My decision has been made. Nicolas King, I find you NOT GUILTY for the rape and murder of Morgan Victoria. You are free to go."

Karen: "NO! NO! YOU CAN'T DO THIS!" YOU CAN'T DO THIS!"

:: Karen's pleads...her tears...the look of utter pain as she collapsed into Delilah's arms flashed into Ava's mind. Hanging her head forward, Karen never got over the fact that Nicolas got off for Morgan's murder....he had connections; paid off the judge and jury to find him not guilty. Karen was a basket case for weeks...she vowed to get revenge and make him pay...That's where all of this began. Karen taking jutice into her own hands and MURDERING Nicolas. ::

FLASH

Judge: "I sentence you, Karen Victoria, to be EXCECUTED for the murder of Nicolas King. You will be BURNED at the stake, just as any filthy witch should be. Let this be a lesson to ANYONE who practices witchcraft and wizardry, YOU WILL be found and BURNED."

:: Sighing heavily, Ava turned away from the balcony and finally moved back into the mansion. As she walked through the livingroom and up the stairs she passed pictures of Alison and Morgan posed in the livingroom after Morgan had found out she was pregnant. And another picture of Karen and Morgan from when Morgan was just a child. The walls were filled with memories...memories that Alison never spoke about. Memories that she would much rather forget. Ever since Morgan's death, Alison went far and beyond the analytical and marble hearted woman she was known as. She completely retreated into herself...basically becoming an uncaring robot. Ava took care of Morgan's daughter, Victoria, after Karen was taken into custody because everytime Alison looked at her Ava could tell it ripped apart her heart. Alison basically lived at Illustra for those reasons....::

:: Finally making her way up to the mansions attic, honestly, Ava didn't know why she chose to go there...sometimes she just did. It was a calming room...almost like Morgan's spirit was present. Walking over to the podium holding the Darkhold, Ava's hand slid across the dusty cover. It was at that moment she noticed something different.... ::

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah retreated to where the others had hidden themselves.

They had some answers, but not nearly all they needed. Why had it been so long since she had seen Alison in this timeline? The receptionist had said she would see Delilah on the televised execution. Why was that? What part of all that was she? Was she helping Rick Riley? That couldn't be, not in this timeline, not in any timeline. She put a hand to her forehead.

"So, I assume you guys heard all that. What next? Haleigh, can you get a bead on Alison's house in this timeline? And any word on who or where Ava's counterpart is?"

She stole a glance in Nicolas' direction, wondering how he was taking all of this. She felt sorry for him, a little bit anyway. It wasn't HIM, but still. It probably felt that way to Nicolas.