God loves, man kills

[Artemis]

Outside Charope, LLC

Alycia would hear a slow, slow clapping break through the night air. Valkyrie stepped into the pool of illumination of a street light.

“Oh, B-ravo, Amazon. Br-avo.”

!?

:: She immediately turned to the direction the CLAPPING was coming from, and there stood...ASHLEY OLDENBURG!?::

Her tone was FILLED to the brim with sarcasm.

“Not that I would expect any better from someone of…your kind.”

She wrinkled her nose up at the last bit, as if she could SMELL Alycia from where she stood.

“The Amazons never did have any sense of what it means to take an honorable kill.”

:: Alycia looked utterly astonished, nevermind that Ashley's tone and statements REEKED of snobbery and ignorance...but of ALL THE TIMES to make a PEST of herself!? NOW!? Alycia couldnt even CARE what Ashley thought of her OR Amazons at this moment, though in another time and place, s he'd GLADLY take the woman to task on what was CLEARLY an UNINFORMED OPINION about an immortal warrior race of women blessed by the GODDESSES themselves::

"They’d much rather use their gifts on weaker team mates for no reason.”

She shrugged.

“Guess that’s why they secret themselves away: can’t hold up in a fight against a REAL enemy.”

Are you....ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!?

:: Alycia bellowed::

That young woman was just ATTACKED by a rabid anti-mutant TERRORIST GROUP - THE PURIFIERS. She's BADLY HURT! You've been here ALL THIS TIME and you didn't even TRY to HELP HER?

:: Alycia turned all the way to face Ashley, and was seething with a mix of disbelief and ANGER::

You ...ARROGANT BOTTLED BLONDE VIKING BITCH!?

Why are you HERE!?

You tried harrassing Domionique Deveraux and got your ass handed to you so now you're here to see who ELSE you can bother?


:: closing the distance between them::

YOU'RE the face of the NYPD these days?

I didn't realize the force was trying to titillate its citizens rather than PROTECT them.

No wonder the Purifiers are running roughshod over INNOCENT CITIZENS by the dozen.

People are being hurt and killed...and YOU slink around dark corners like a swedish streetwalker and seek to amuse yourself at the expense of others.

CLEARLY you have nothing better to do with your time than STALK and be an obtuse , disrespectful, antagonizing TROLL.


Get LOST you, you animated broom from fantasia, before I rearrange YOUR face like I did theirs!

 

[Valkyrie]

Outside Charope

Are you....ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!?

Ashley held her left hand out, her face making a “wtf” expression.

“Pfft. What’s your point?”

This one seriously needed meds. She was getting all freaked out already. They were barely into verbal sparring.

That young woman was just ATTACKED by a rabid anti-mutant TERRORIST GROUP - THE PURIFIERS. She's BADLY HURT! You've been here ALL THIS TIME and you didn't even TRY to HELP HER?

Ashley scoffed.

“I don’t know that girl.”

She glanced casually in Ana-Leigh’s direction.

“Meh, she’ll live. No death glow.”

You ...ARROGANT BOTTLED BLONDE VIKING BITCH!? Why are you HERE!?

Ashley put a finger to her lips, and took a few steps forward.

“Well, you see, I was kind of bored, so I thought to myself, ‘Hey, Ash, where could I go to see a really unimpressive fight between a prissy lawyer with a stick up her ass and some religious zealots?’ And I wound up [spreads her arms wide] here. Plus it’s not arrogance if you can back it up.”

She winked and made a clicking sound at Alycia.

You tried harassing Dominique Deveraux and got your ass handed to you so now you're here to see who ELSE you can bother?

She pointed to herself.

“’Ass handed to me’? [chuckles] Please. [gives Alycia a once-over before nodding] You were one of those girls who were deathly afraid of the words ‘this will go on your permanent record’, weren’t you?”

YOU'RE the face of the NYPD these days? I didn't realize the force was trying to titillate its citizens rather than PROTECT them.

Strikes a pose.

“It’s the full package.”

Typical Amazon. Even her name calling was pathetic.

No wonder the Purifiers are running roughshod over INNOCENT CITIZENS by the dozen.

She held up a finger in the air.

“Hey, my job is to cover up MUTANT crimes, not ones by ordinary flat scans. I don’t get paid enough overtime for that shit.”

People are being hurt and killed...and YOU slink around dark corners like a Swedish streetwalker and seek to amuse yourself at the expense of others.

“Who else would I seek to amuse? And, I know the state of the American school system is really appalling and everything, but CLEARLY I used to live in what is present-day Norway.”

Get LOST you, you animated broom from fantasia, before I rearrange YOUR face like I did theirs!

She made a “hmm” face.

“Well, I’d have to lie down and make myself unconscious, then, wouldn’t I? What are you going to do, break my ankle like you did to Vivica? That was REAL classy, by the way.”

Valkyrie cracked her neck as she morphed her face into that of a rotting skull.

“Besides, I can rearrange my face all on my own.”

 

[Rampage]

Valkyrie cracked her neck as she morphed her face into that of a rotting skull.

“Besides, I can rearrange my face all on my own.”

Mmmmm....sexy party trick right there. If you ladies will excuse me...MWAH!

Nicolas already had teleported down and scooped Ana-Leigh up to get her to safety. He knew she would survive, but she was a cute kid and there was no need for her to have 15 or 20 reconstructive surgeries. So, Nicolas kisses the rotted cheek of Valkyrie before teleporting them away...

...to Nicolas' suite at the Parthenon. He lays Ana on the bed and forces a sip of a potion with Egyptian glyphs on it into her mouth as he calls out to Isis.

Aunt D! I know you are busy, but I need your help! A kid I know was just hit by the Purifiers and she is burned, 3rd degree burns, all over her body. I gave her a sip of the potion you gave me for emergencies, but I need your healing for her and a place where she can be safe. I think that she will be an active target until we can get this Purifier shit sorted.

 

[Matrix]

It was all there. All of it.

Richard had no degree to be sure, but the intensive training from the Black Queen herself and his own powers and abilities and DRIVE had made him formidable in terms of investigation. And he had it ALL.

The Senator - excuse us - FORMER Senator was funneling money laundered through military contracts (what? you thought that people REALLY paid 2000 dollars for a HAMMER?!) into WillPharma who was using it to develop anti-mutant weaponry in anticipation of smearing the name of mutants and starting a race war that they ALL would benefit from. Thi sis where the Purifiers came in. The thought was that they could hide in the shadows and target mutants, waiting for when they were struck back so they could twist the story, create anti-mutant propaganda and legislation, and then everyone gets rich selling anti-mutant technology and going at this war. Damned impressive plan.

Too bad he was about to fuck all of that smooooooooth up.

All of the story was linked by file after file and he was ready to forward it wherever it needed to go. PLUS he had trumped up debts to the HC that allowed them to 'seize' all of Senator Stryker's assets, with him signing it electronically with the thumbprint scanner he had on his OWN laptop. So now, no more cash to WillPharma, and no more guns made to go against mutants. And he would be the ultimate scapegoat, a symbol of racism and how the powerful could prey on those different than themselves. He even had serial numbers of weapons delivered and where they were sourced based on the hack he managed into WillPharma from Senator Stryker's account. They would probably be able to match ballistic and other weapon signatures back to these numbers. Good day all around considering. So he decided to report in ABOUT when Nicolas did, to Isis herself.

Miss D! I have all of the files needed to destroy Stryker's reputation and track the money from his hands to these weapons used by the Purifiers. And all of Stryker's assets are now property of the Black Court. I am now ready for battle. Please advise.

 

[Artemis]

Outside Charope



“Well, you see, I was kind of bored, so I thought to myself, ‘Hey, Ash, where could I go to see a really unimpressive fight between a prissy lawyer with a stick up her ass and some religious zealots?’ And I wound up [spreads her arms wide] here. Plus it’s not arrogance if you can back it up.”

She winked and made a clicking sound at Alycia.

Really?

Reminds me of the one about the "pointless, inept and woefully ignorant cop who was in way over her head and had to get her skull bashed in."

She pointed to herself.

“’Ass handed to me’? [chuckles] Please. [gives Alycia a once-over before nodding] You were one of those girls who were deathly afraid of the words ‘this will go on your permanent record’, weren’t you?”

No, I AM the one people came to when they wanted their record wiped CLEAN....OR the one they were afraid would RUIN their record and reputation.

“Hey, my job is to cover up MUTANT crimes, not ones by ordinary flat scans. I don’t get paid enough overtime for that shit.”

Oh so NOW you remember what your job is? Perhaps you should try DOING IT. And you wonder why people don't trust or respect the police?

“Who else would I seek to amuse? And, I know the state of the American school system is really appalling and everything, but CLEARLY I used to live in what is present-day Norway.”

Swedish streetwalker, Nordic nympho... you see one pale faced, bottle blonde bimbo, you've seem them all.

::Ashley wasn't the ONLY ONE who could paint with a broad brush and since the wench seemed to enjoy throwing out bias, she shouldn't mind getting some back.::

She made a “hmm” face.

“Well, I’d have to lie down and make myself unconscious, then, wouldn’t I? What are you going to do, break my ankle like you did to Vivica? That was REAL classy, by the way.”

Valkyrie cracked her neck as she morphed her face into that of a rotting skull.

“Besides, I can rearrange my face all on my own.”

:: Alycia was now right in front of Valkyrie when the woman manifested a HORRID visage. Alycia's hazel eyes widen with confusion and disbelief and she swallowed HARD as she suddenly felt a CHILL and a wave of nausea as she gripped by uncertainty!::

what....what's WRONG with her....with me!?

::She places her hands to her temples, calling on the wisdom and serenity of Athena, and almost immediately...::

Mmmmm....sexy party trick right there. If you ladies will excuse me...MWAH!


Nicolas already had teleported down and scooped Ana-Leigh up to get her to safety. He knew she would survive, but she was a cute kid and there was no need for her to have 15 or 20 reconstructive surgeries. So, Nicolas kisses the rotted cheek of Valkyrie before teleporting them away...

::Nicolas' voice and his sudden appearance beside Valkyrie, along with the realization that he had Ana-Leigh in his arms and was gettingher the help she needed? She shakes her head, exhaling slowly::

Bright lady, thank you!

:: And as she centered herself once more...she immediately lashes out, SLAMMING her right fist across Valkyrie's jaw in a strong right cross, uppercuts her in the stomach and pulls her head DOWN by her hair before bringing KNEE up into the woman's face as she flips back::

I don't care WHAT you think about my alteraction with Vivica. That's NONE of your business and I'm going to make SURE you're LAID OUT ON THE STREET NOW, BITCH!

 

[Isis]

From the Warehouse to the Parthenon

Bishop's Warehouse




“Huh. Missed calls from Alycia and Haleigh. And ZACH. No texts, though, so it couldn’t be THAT urgent. Probably just want to treat me like a criminal some more.”

She started to call Haleigh, then stopped, and scrolled to Zach’s name instead. She texted: “Purifiers= St. Patrick’s” and put the phone away.

Isis indicated the portable mutant scanner on the ground.



She knelt and picked it up.

“Yeah, whatever. Let’s go.”

:: Isis looked at Morningstar for more than a few moments, not moving. She realized the woman DIDN'T know what happened to Cameron or her teammates in the last few hours. That was probably what those missed calls were about.::

Delilah...

:: Isis said in an even tone::

I am sorry to be the one to tell you this.

Your teammates were trying to contact you because....not too long ago this evening, around the time I was released from the NYPD, the Purifiers attacked them with a laser guided missle. They captured Cameron, and murdered 41 mutant orphans. Several of the Six sustained physical and psychological trauma.

I sensed the deaths of the children myself.

:: An experience that she cant even express in words right now. Suffice it to say that sometimes, having the abilities she had came with a HEAVY price.::

Nicolas confirmed the rest to me.

:: Delilah was already in rare form. This news would not sit well with her, but Isis decided that it would be more insulting and ultimately unfair to withhold it from from her. At least NOW she could make her choices, right or wrong, with full knowledge.::

:: And as Delilah began to react, Isis began to sense contact from BOTH Richard and Nicolas! She placed her hand to her temple::

Aunt D! I know you are busy, but I need your help! A kid I know was just hit by the Purifiers and she is burned, 3rd degree burns, all over her body. I gave her a sip of the potion you gave me for emergencies, but I need your healing for her and a place where she can be safe. I think that she will be an active target until we can get this Purifier shit sorted.

Miss D! I have all of the files needed to destroy Stryker's reputation and track the money from his hands to these weapons used by the Purifiers. And all of Stryker's assets are now property of the Black Court. I am now ready for battle. Please advise.

:: Opening her eyes again::

Before we proceed, My assistance is needed. The Purifiers have attacked and burned a young mutant girl. We must return to the Parthenon at once.

[telepathically to Richard]: Excellent work, Richard. Be sure the files are copied and secured..."just in case". There have been significant developments since we were last in contact. Return to my suite at the Parthenon at once! I shall meet you there soon. Delilah will be in my suite while I assist my nephew in helping a survivor of a Purifier attack


:: Lifting her hands, the sound power builds up as she and Morningstar are teleported away from the warehouse, back to the Parthenon, in her suite.::

My Black Knight, Richard will be arriving here shortly with vital information for me. I shall return momentarily.

:: Isis immediately disappears and REAPPEAERS in Nicolas' suite and finds him watching over the badly hurt Ana-Leigh::

:: Isis immediately moves to her bedside::

This poor child!

:: The goddess Isis was known as a protector of women, her compassion and sympathy to the plight of the weak and those in need was something that has made her endure in the passing centuries. In a POST-SET time, Dominique has had to remember her goddess' words to her, about HONORING their covenant. And during this dark time when the Purifiers were terrorizing and spilling much blood, the avatar had been doing all that she could. Some she could not save, but THIS one she could::

:: Summoning the scepter of Isis into her grasp as she gestures and weaves a pattern of golden power above Ana-Leigh::

:: A glowing field of golden light slowly falls down over the body of Ana-Leigh, gently "kissing" her form all over on all levels, and in keeping with Isis' province as the goddess of healing and rebirth, Dominique proceeds to channel her magicks to HEAL and RESTORE Ana-Leigh's body and spirit, removing all pain, all signs of the attack, all trauma. Her hair and clothing are also repaired.::

:: Ana-Leigh reflexively GASPS with renewed deep breath and vitality, and Isis immediately sedates her with a sleep spell::

I commend you, Nicolas, for calling me. You did the right thing.

:: She looks down at the young girl::

We will move her to my suite, where my mystic wards will bar the entry of anyone outside of those I have pre-selected. Its an added precaution I placed in the wake of that boorish COW Oldenburg and the Purifiers. My Black Knight will watch over her as an added measure of protection.


:: Isis RETURNS to her suite, with Nicolas and Ana-Leigh and at her direction, he places her in the posh guest room::

She will rest now. My spell ensures that. When she awakens her body and her mind will be at peace and she will bare no sign of the attack or the injury.

Who is she?

:: She knew Richard would arrive anytime now. But now There was a chance for Isis, Rampage and Morningstar to communicate before they all moved forward. She was fine to continue to work with Morningstar, in fact she found it easier than working with a larger number of them, but they were ALL about to face a large beast head on...::

 

[Matrix]

From the Warehouse to the Parthenon

Excellent work, Richard. Be sure the files are copied and secured..."just in case". There have been significant developments since we were last in contact. Return to my suite at the Parthenon at once! I shall meet you there soon. Delilah will be in my suite while I assist my nephew in helping a survivor of a Purifier attack.

Yes ma'am.

Richard gets back to the work as assigned by his Queen. Starting with preparing additional backups and placing them where only she or he could find them. Then, he changed again, preparing to take the wind. He decided to take an efficient but decidedly more fun approach, turning himself into a small SR-71 Blackbird and taking the short flight back to the Parthenon...

 

[Rampage]

:: Isis immediately disappears and REAPPEAERS in Nicolas' suite and finds him watching over the badly hurt Ana-Leigh::

:: Isis immediately moves to her bedside::

This poor child!

:: The goddess Isis was known as a protector of women, her compassion and sympathy to the plight of the weak and those in need was something that has made her endure in the passing centuries. In a POST-SET time, Dominique has had to remember her goddess' words to her, about HONORING their covenant. And during this dark time when the Purifiers were terrorizing and spilling much blood, the avatar had been doing all that she could. Some she could not save, but THIS one she could::

:: Summoning the scepter of Isis into her grasp as she gestures and weaves a pattern of golden power above Ana-Leigh::

:: A glowing field of golden light slowly falls down over the body of Ana-Leigh, gently "kissing" her form all over on all levels, and in keeping with Isis' province as the goddess of healing and rebirth, Dominique proceeds to channel her magicks to HEAL and RESTORE Ana-Leigh's body and spirit, removing all pain, all signs of the attack, all trauma. Her hair and clothing are also repaired.::

:: Ana-Leigh reflexively GASPS with renewed deep breath and vitality, and Isis immediately sedates her with a sleep spell::

I commend you, Nicolas, for calling me. You did the right thing.

:: She looks down at the young girl::

We will move her to my suite, where my mystic wards will bar the entry of anyone outside of those I have pre-selected. Its an added precaution I placed in the wake of that boorish COW Oldenburg and the Purifiers. My Black Knight will watch over her as an added measure of protection.


:: Isis RETURNS to her suite, with Nicolas and Ana-Leigh and at her direction, he places her in the posh guest room::

She will rest now. My spell ensures that. When she awakens her body and her mind will be at peace and she will bare no sign of the attack or the injury.

Who is she?

Nicolas stood quietly while Dominique worked. It was always miraculous every time he saw HEALING, true healing, and so he watched with equal measures of awe and thankfulness as the pretty girl was restored. Watching her, seeing what they did to her, just added to the fire that he already had in terms of this particular battle to come. SHE was why they had to win, the future of people who were and are different than others.

He held her as Isis teleported them all to her suite. Seeing Delilah, he nods. He was glad to see she was OK to be honest, even if she did probably still hate him.

He laid Ana down as Dominique inquired about her.

She is the intern of Alycia Barnette, not even old enough to drink. She has been working behind the scenes at Alycia's direction to connect all of the money, find out who was behind the money, and pass that information along in a way that will destroy those responsible. She was being evacuated away from the rest of us and to somewhere safe when the Purifiers attacked her...I think as just a target of opportunity for being a mutant. Alycia called out to me and by the time I came she was already killing the pair but Ana was in...well, you saw the state she was in. She is a brave young lady and a powerful mutant. Have you two found out anything that might help her, or US? We are set to attack St. Patrick's cathedral but our encounters suggest they will be ready. Any information for me OR for Ana in her project is welcome.

 

[Valkyrie]

Outside Charope

Oh so NOW you remember what your job is? Perhaps you should try DOING IT. And you wonder why people don't trust or respect the police?

Valkyrie laughed.

“Yeah cause lawyers have such a terrific reputation. You know what they say: those that can’t do, go to law school.”

Swedish streetwalker, Nordic nympho... you see one pale faced, bottle blonde bimbo, you've seem them all.

“Have you always been this intimated by sex? Or is it just confident women that make you feel insecure? Did the Amazons know how inferior you think women are before they let you join their little club?”

No wonder Alycia had holed herself away on the island of Lesbos.

Nicolas King suddenly appeared, very rudely INTERRUPTING, to pick up burn victim girl. He tried to get cute, but she put a hand on his chest and pushed him away into a stiff arm before he teleported out.

“As if!”

She turned back to Alycia, with a “did you just see that?” look.

“Look at him – he CARES about that girl and he’s wasting time. Why don’t you yell at him?”

:: And as she centered herself once more...she immediately lashes out, SLAMMING her right fist across Valkyrie's jaw in a strong right cross, uppercuts her in the stomach and pulls her head DOWN by her hair before bringing KNEE up into the woman's face as she flips back::

I don't care WHAT you think about my alteraction with Vivica. That's NONE of your business and I'm going to make SURE you're LAID OUT ON THE STREET NOW, BITCH!

Ashley feigned yawning.

“Man, it is a good thing I’m immune to disease, because I could have caught something from you right there.”

Valkyrie picked up the nearest car and threw it at Alycia.

“Vivica is on my team, so that MAKES it my business. But loyalty is something someone like you could never understand."

 

[MorningStar]

Warehouse to the Parthenon

I am sorry to be the one to tell you this. Your teammates were trying to contact you because....not too long ago this evening, around the time I was released from the NYPD, the Purifiers attacked them with a laser guided missile. They captured Cameron, and murdered 41 mutant orphans. Several of the Six sustained physical and psychological trauma.

Delilah looked down at the floor. Her jaw clenched. Her muscles tensed. Her hands were balled into fists. She nearly began to shake with rage.

“How could this happen. How could they LET THIS HAPPEN.”

Delilah's fists were glowing with green energy. Suddenly her arm shot out to the side and unleashed a photon blast at the nearest wall, blowing chunks of brick clear off and exposing the metal plates beneath.

Before we proceed, my assistance is needed. The Purifiers have attacked and burned a young mutant girl. We must return to the Parthenon at once.

"The Parthenon? I don’t have time for that we need to get to-“

But Isis had already teleported them.

Delilah paced. They all sat there. And did NOTHING. They just LET CAMERON BE TAKEN. They just ACCEPTED it, because HER ROYAL BITCHINESS ALISON said it was so!

Isis had left to tend to the girl who had brought them here, and then returned not much later, with the girl AND NICOLAS. She asked who the girl was, and Nicolas filled them in.

She is a brave young lady and a powerful mutant. Have you two found out anything that might help her, or US? We are set to attack St. Patrick's cathedral but our encounters suggest they will be ready. Any information for me OR for Ana in her project is welcome.

“How about information for ME about how in the HELL you let Cameron be taken by those PEOPLE?! One minute he’s safe in the Parthenon and I leave to get YOUR AUNT out of jail and suddenly the Six decide to take a field trip and hand Prophet over to the people we KNEW were gunning for him! What part of ‘keep him in the Parthenon’ was difficult to understand?!”

 

[Black Widow]

Haleigh had heard a scuffle, and crept up the side alley with her firearm in the low-ready position as she moved to check on Alicia, who had been gone far too long to just see her assistant off.

Alycia: CLEARLY you have nothing better to do with your time than STALK and be an obtuse , disrespectful, antagonizing TROLL.

Well I don't think THAT is entirely fair.... I know you're mad at me, but I just wanted to......

Alycia: Get LOST you, you animated broom from fantasia, before I rearrange YOUR face like I did theirs!

Come ON, I was just getting used to being called a blender.

Haleigh rounded the corner to see just WHO Alycia was talking to.

Ashley: Well, I’d have to lie down and make myself unconscious, then, wouldn’t I? What are you going to do, break my ankle like you did to Vivica? That was REAL classy, by the way. (Valkyrie cracked her neck as she morphed her face into that of a rotting skull.) Besides, I can rearrange my face all on my own.

oh, not THIS bitch again...... wait, Alycia BROKE Vivica's ankle? Where the fucck was I?

And THEN, an absolute street brawl broke out, and it was ALYCIA that took the first swing.

Alycia: I don't care WHAT you think about my alteraction with Vivica. That's NONE of your business and I'm going to make SURE you're LAID OUT ON THE STREET NOW, BITCH!

Shit..... I don't want to be the one to save that slut from a well deserved ass kicking.....

Haleigh re-holstered her sidearm and approached Alycia from behind, reaching around and trapping her arms before pulling her back.

"Alright THERE Amazon, steady now. This is a terrible time for you to be charged with attempted murder of a police officer."

She said quietly in Alycia's ear before looking up at Ashley.

"And YOU, detective..... don't you think your racial profiling is going a bit far? Or do you just REALLY have a thing for girls?"

Ashley: Man, it is a good thing I’m immune to disease, because I could have caught something from you right there.

Valkyrie picked up the nearest car and threw it at Alycia. Haleigh slung Alycia to the pavement, threw herself on top of the woman, and held up a hand, catching the vehicle on its side as it bared down on them and HOLDING it above them for a few tense second before setting it down, half on the sidewalk. The detective was saying something about Vivica, but Haleigh hardly had the patience to listen. She looked down at Alycia with concern, as if to ask 'you okay?'. The former ADA nodded, and Haleigh pushed herself up to one knee, manifesting a rocket launcher as she got up.

"You wanna play catch, bitch?"

And then Zach bust through the front doors of Charope.

Zach: Valkyrie! I'm glad you're here, we were just discussing a plan of attack on the purifiers base at St Patrick's.

Haleigh about gave herself whiplash tossing her gaze to Zach, who was approaching that detective bitch with open arms. Haleigh lowered the rpg with an exasperated sigh.

"Valkyrie?? Fucck my luck, THIS is your contact at the NYPD?! I should have known. You've got quite an Achilles heel for beautiful blondes."

 

[Rampage]

“How about information for ME about how in the HELL you let Cameron be taken by those PEOPLE?! One minute he’s safe in the Parthenon and I leave to get YOUR AUNT out of jail and suddenly the Six decide to take a field trip and hand Prophet over to the people we KNEW were gunning for him! What part of ‘keep him in the Parthenon’ was difficult to understand?!”

Nicolas was momentarily furious. But just for a moment. It was good to see D care about anything to be honest. And so his flash of anger dissipated and he decided to explain.

I knew of Aunt D's involvement in hunting the Purifiers and that it made her a target as well. I went with Cam and a few others to see her rehearsal and talk about things when your friends in New York's finest decided to make us choose between letting her go with THEM and having a brawl. In the aftermath of that we were hit with a missile while riding down the street while another missile killed 41 children. As we pulled ourselves from the wreckage they came for him. I killed everything that came through the portal, but something reached partway through and grabbed him, something that should not even EXIST here. It cannot be...HERE.

Nicolas knew what he saw, but he did not want to say it, make it more real than it already was.

 

[Artemis]

Outside of Charope, LLC


I know PLENTY about loyalty, even BEFORE I became an Amazon, it was one of my core principals! and I do NOT have to justify myself to a pompous whore like YOU!

Haleigh re-holstered her sidearm and approached Alycia from behind, reaching around and trapping her arms before pulling her back.

"Alright THERE Amazon, steady now. This is a terrible time for you to be charged with attempted murder of a police officer."

She said quietly in Alycia's ear before looking up at Ashley.

Haleigh! I...

"And YOU, detective..... don't you think your racial profiling is going a bit far? Or do you just REALLY have a thing for girls?"

Ashley: Man, it is a good thing I’m immune to disease, because I could have caught something from you right there.

You have SOME NERVE, you look every bit of HALF PAST DEAD. ZOMBIES look healthier than you do, so you really shouldn't be worried about catching anything, you already look like the WORST that death has to offer!


:: Alycia shot back at Ashley as Haleigh now held her and kept her from approaching Valkyrie once again::

She picked up the nearest car and THREW it at Alycia

::GASP!::

:: Alycia eyed the car as it came sailing through the air toward herself and Black Widow. She DID have the ability to effectively dodge this AND turn it into her advantage but...::

Valkyrie picked up the nearest car and threw it at Alycia. Haleigh slung Alycia to the pavement, threw herself on top of the woman, and held up a hand, catching the vehicle on its side as it bared down on them and HOLDING it above them for a few tense second before setting it down, half on the sidewalk. The detective was saying something about Vivica, but Haleigh hardly had the patience to listen. She looked down at Alycia with concern, as if to ask 'you okay?'.

:: Nodding affirmative, she eyed Valkyrie with contempt as Haleigh stood up to face her. Alycia got up on her feet as well::

"You wanna play catch, bitch?"

The hybrid pushed herself up on one knee, manifesting a rocket launcher

:: Glaring at Valkyrie, Alycia held out her hand and a sparkling trail of energy can be seen flowing down, soon the sparkling SILVER BOW of Artemis manifests in her hand and she poses, taking aim while a shaft of Zeus' divine lightning forms in the prepped bow::

You want to throw CARS at people? You think you're so powerful?

It's much better to GIVE than to RECEIVE so how about a ROCKET from Black Widow AND abolt of DIVINE LIGHTNING from ME to YOU!

And then Zach bust through the front doors of Charope.

Zach: Valkyrie! I'm glad you're here, we were just discussing a plan of attack on the purifiers base at St Patrick's.

WAIT....WHAT!?

Haleigh about gave herself whiplash tossing her gaze to Zach, who was approaching that detective bitch with open arms. Haleigh lowered the rpg with an exasperated sigh.

:: Alycia looked at Zach, feeling somewhat BETRAYED by this...SHOCKING revelation. THIS was his contact!? THIS was who he'd been working with!?::

"Valkyrie?? Fucck my luck, THIS is your contact at the NYPD?! I should have known. You've got quite an Achilles heel for beautiful blondes."

::After a few moments, Alycia relaxes her body and disengages her archer pose, lowering her hands as the silver bow and divine lightning disappear::

ZACH!

:: She says with dismay::

This woman is TRASH! How can you be working with her!?

 

[Recall]

Charope Inc.

"As much as the idea of riding in there like the Calvary and blasting holes in everybody really turns me on, it's not a good tactical plan. I've got more information to share TOO. I traced the nano bot tech back to its manufacturer, and nobody is going to like it....... but it was developed by Wilpharma. There's more, too. Wilpharma recently made a sizable 'charitable' donation to the..... I don't know, nunnery? Anyway, the nunnery/clergy associated with St Patrick's. It's fair to assume they got more than money in the 'donation', based on our recent experience with them. We have to assume they got all the latest anti-mutant weaponry."

:: Vivica's ears perked once she heard the technology belonged to WilPharma. ::

"I have contacts with TerraSave...whatever evidence you have, please let me have a copy of it. TerraSave has been trying to stop WilPharma ever since the bio terror incident at LAX, the one where my..."doppelganger" seemingly betrayed the Six."

"If WilPharma is connected this, in ANYWAY, then that means Sharon's senate seat successor, William Stryker is not too far behind. He managed to divest himself from WilPharma after Viper was defeated...but he was able to COVER UP his involvement. He's made no secret of his anti-mutant stance and HE'S probably the one providing financial support to the clergy or whatever it is at St. Patrick's, and why that cathedral has been able to remain closed off all this time without anyone in authority questioning it."

"Whatever we're doing tonight. We need to make sure any tributaries are cut off too. Between my office and TerraSave, we can finally get the ball rolling on ROOTING WilPharma OUT."

:: Vivica nodded. ::

"Interesting enough..some of my last bit of field work in Europe involved stopping a heavy artillery delivery to a relatively unknown entity called Meridian Industries. Based on the freight we were able to recover there was suspicion that these weapons might have belonged to WilPharma and this "Meridian Industries" was trying to set itself up as a MysTech like entity overseas...most of it was disregarded as rumor, but I investigated it heavily with my contacts...and while it might not be connected to Stryker himself..it's definitely worth taking a look at..."

:: Alycia left to ensure that Ana-Leigh was given a safe journey home while the rest of the group continued to tend to their wounds and wait for the right time to pounce on St. Patrick's Cathedral. This reprieve didn't last long as Vivica could hear the rumblings of an attack happening thanks to her enhanced senses. She stood from her medical bed. ::

"Alycia and Ana-Leigh are under attack outside!"

Nicolas was the first to leave via teleportation and not far behind him running down the stairs were Zach and Haleigh followed by Vivica herself. As the three of them blasted through the doors and round the corner Vivica could hear a familiar voice in the distance.

“Vivica is on my team, so that MAKES it my business. But loyalty is something someone like you could never understand."

"Shit. It's Ash!"

:: Vivica felt embarrassed that in her anger for Alycia she had forgotten to turn off her visual link to Oracle in the Clocktower...meaning that both Ashley and Zizi had seen the altercation. As Alycia retorted, Valkyrie went and picked up a car HURLING it at Alycia. Vivica couldn't help but have a smile creep up on her face for a brief moment. While the women had just made progress towards a better relationship, she couldn't help but laugh at all the times she had wished she could have done to Alycia what Ashley was doing right now. ::

:: Thankfully Haeigh intervened and JUST before things got a little too ugly, Zach stepped in. ::

"Valkyrie! I'm glad you're here, we were just discussing a plan of attack on the purifiers base at St Patrick's."

:: This revelation did not go over well with Haleigh OR Alycia. ::

Haleigh: "Valkyrie?? Fucck my luck, THIS is your contact at the NYPD?! I should have known. You've got quite an Achilles heel for beautiful blondes."

Alycia: "ZACH! This woman is TRASH! How can you be working with her!?"

:: Vivica stepped in as everybody put down their weapons and looked at Zach as if they were shooting darts through his face. ::

"Well...one man's trash is another man's kick ass Police Officer and friend."

[looking at Ashley]

"Come on now, boo. Play nice with the other girls! For me?"

[turning to Alycia and Haleigh]

"You know Zach wouldn't trust somebody unless they deserved it...[eyeing Ashley up and down]..She may be a little rough around the edges..but who isn't? And she's damn good at what she does."

[turning back to Ashley]

"Is Zizi okay? I haven't been able to make contact since the Purifiers attacked."

 

[Firebird]

Blaze listened as they connected the dots on some of the tentacles of this thing. Alycia and Vivica may have hated each other for a while, but here was another example of how they both were often working toward the same goals.

There was no need for either of them to waste time or energy hating each other when they wanted the same things, and they had MUCH in common. It was a good thing, even if one or both of them didn't see that yet.

Blaze was encouraged because this could only serve to strengthen the combined force of the group as a whole when they finally struck BACK at the Purifiers and anyone supporting them in anyway!

Blaze had grown worried too and once Vivica confirmed what Haleigh and Nicolas had suspected, they were all outside at Alycia's side. Firebird took a grim view of Valkyrie, even as Zach and Vivica seemed to speak of her as a trusted partner and even FRIEND


"Haleigh, Alycia, are you two alright!?"


The fire elemental inquired as she stood beside Alycia and Sharon, who noticeably commanded her silver eyemask to return and was now in full Silver Swan appearence, was now in front of both of them closer to Haleigh, while Vivica was positioning HERSELF between The Six and this....STRANGER.


"No offense, Viv, but this aggressive viking chick is no friend of OURS [ The Six]. This is the SECOND time she's harrassed one of OURS [ referring to Dominique and now Alycia]. If she is so trustworthy, Why has she caused nothing but TROUBLE for us? why is she constantly after US?"

"Can you say with certainty that you know what her motives are? Because all we've seen from her is rudeness and aggression. Why should we trust her?"

"She better just keep her distance from Alycia, Haleigh or the rest us"


Silver Swan: OR She'll SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES!


Blaze continued to eye the woman, regarding her very suspiciously. A subtler aspect of Blaze's power allowed her to sense the presence of malevolence and people who wished to do harm. She felt this coming from Valkyrie like a BEACON. The woman had little care OR regard for people around her, that much was clear.And after everything they'd been through the last two days, the losses they'd sustained, the realization that several people were not what they seemed? THE SIX had no reason to trustANY stranger who presented herself as hostile on the two occassions she'd encountered them so far.

Still, Blaze and Sharon both held back...for NOW...out of respect for Vivica and Zach, willing to at LEAST trust THEM. Viv was right, Zach wouldn't knowingly expose the Six to a foe and neither would Viv. Still, this Valkyrie chick was about as "charming" as a cobra.

 

[Recall]

Outside of Charope Inc.

:: Vivica waved her hands in the air in an almost like "We Surrender!" type of movement. It was time for her to at least talk some sense into The Six with regards to this team.

"Well..no offense taken but I feel like something needs to be highlighted here. While Dominique Devereaux has proven herself as an ally to you in certain situations..it should not be forgotten that she is The Black Queen of The Hellfire Club..one third of The Sisterhood..and while their may be a truce between your two groups...I feel like it shouldn't be forgotten that The Sisterhood AND The Hellfire Club have their own agenda...and assuming that ANY of them are going to remain good on their word for too long just isn't SMART...and her actions don't just effect YOU as a group..they were effecting the mutant population at large. I hate The Purifiers as much as the next person but let's be real..before they started targeting your OWN..you had no idea what was going on...we DID..and WE were already investigating.."

"While Ashley may not be your cup of tea..OUR team has been investigating The Purifiers cause since it's beginning in the city. *I* was the one who found out that Dominique has been stripping Purifiers around town and together WE made the judgment call that it would be better to have people who..despite what YOU think...ARE on our side to do the investigation. If stories like that become national headlines it puts ALL mutants in the same position we were in during The Bishop Era..a place I'm sure nobody wants to return to. We didn't know if Dominique was working with you..had plans to break up The Sisterhood OR the truce and we needed more information. There was no getting around bringing Dominique in..not in the political climate we live in now...WE just made sure it was the RIGHT people who brought her in..."

"When Sally, Cassandra, Blaze and I were attacked outside of Club XS..I alerted Ashley to the situation so that when law enforcement inevitably showed up..it was the RIGHT kind of law enforcement. A team that wouldn't leak any unwanted details to the press and contain the scene correctly...a team that was on the scene before Clandestine themselves...and right as the Purifiers were about to close in on Cameron..another of our contacts..Oracle managed to jam the signals in the planes as well as the street..which bought us VALUABLE time...not to MENTION that while we've been at Charope..Valkyrie and Oracle have been on the scene looking for any clue that could lead us closer to rescuing Cameron and Cass..and MORE importantly STOPPING a threat that wants to exponge NOT JUST THE SIX..but MUTANT kind."

"Nobody is pulling the wool over your eyes..Zach has been taking charge in putting together a team to deal with things specifically like this in the city. He pulled me in and gathered the rest of us. We all want the same thing..and sitting here wondering if Ashley is friend or foe ISN'T going to help ANY of us reach the SAME goal. You don't have to like ANY of this...but it didn't take a full initiation and proving YOU were worthy for any of them to help figure things out...things that ultimately will benefit you...You may think this is US getting into SIX business..but this is business that is just NOW involving The SIX..."

:: She was sure they wouldn't like any of that explanation but it was the truth. Dominique was a wild card. While she maintained a closer relationship with The Six as of late..she always maintained her independence from ANY group. And she was aggressive. She took vengeance as her own because of her need to help but in a world that JUST GOT OVER the effects of Bishop, nobody..mutant OR sorceress could afford to operate like that. The magnifying glass was still there and The Six were lucky that with all this fighting going on in the CITY that they weren't OUTED again. ::

:: Like it or not..the fate of mutant kind couldn't always be left in the hands of The Six. No matter how often they were involved, their lives were not the only ones at stake anymore..as shown by the death of all those small children earlier. Everybody who was a mutant or a supporter had stake in defending their own and protecting each other. ::

 

[Persephone]

Ava could see Sharon's guilt slowly subsiding as everyone agreed that she was not the reason for The Purifiers. But the goddess could understand why she would feel that way...Ava still blamed herself for those children's deaths. Logically she knew The Purifiers were to blame, but if she had gotten her shit together sooner, maybe she could have done something to change Alison's vision. The whole damn night was a lot of shoulda, coulda, woulda's for the whole team.

Suddenly, Ava could hear Alyica's screams from the medical bay. The amazon had left to escort Ana-Leigh to the parking garage to make sure she got to a safe house safely....Nicolas immediately disappeared from the room, and everyone began to run for the parking garage. Ava went to follow, but hesitated....Her eyes fell upon Simon, and she could see by the look on his face that he was still struggling by what had happened....and everything that was still happening now. Walking over to him Ava looked into his eyes while taking his hand.

"Thank you...for what you did for me out there. I won't forget it....and neither will they [the six]. I know this is hard...and scary...but you need to pull it together and help us, okay? You have amazing abilities, Simon. You can use them to STOP these asshole and avenge those kids."

Ava gave him only a moment to contemplate what she said. She needed to get down to the garage.

"You with me?"

Seeing Simon nod, Ava nodded back.

"Come on."

Jogging out of the medical bay, Ava and Simon both ran down to the garage where shouting and banging could be heard. Rounding the corner, Ava stopped mid stride once seeing Ashley.

"Whoa!"

Unlike everyone else, Ava could see Ashley in her TRUE Valkyrie form without feeling the stomach turning affects. Her hallowed, death-like face. Her skeletal body frame. Her massive WINGS. A perk of being a God...if you want to call it a perk.

"A Valkyrie? Haven't seen your kind around in a while."

Ashley's Valkyrie form slowly began to fade away, revealing her human form. A vast improvement. Realizing that she's been working with Zach and Vivica....was the reason Dominique was arrested...AND the reason why Alycia had a black eye...Ava folded her arms across her chest and raised her eyebrows.

"Nice to see you live up to your reputation."

Vivica made a long speech about the objecting being not just the six's and whoever the hell her new group was. Honestly, it was long winded and she tuned out for half of it. BUT Vivica made a point. A brawl in a parking garage when the purifiers had Cass and Cameron was counter productive. They ALL needed to get their shit together so they could rescue their people and kill the purifiers.

"Vivica's right. As hard as that is to say. We need to focus on Cameron and Cass. And if they [the BoP] can help us...then LET THEM help us."

 

[Valkyrie]

Outside Charope

I know PLENTY about loyalty, even BEFORE I became an Amazon, it was one of my core principals! and I do NOT have to justify myself to a pompous whore like YOU!

“Well, duh, apparently you do. And you can call me a whore all you want – I’m not ashamed of my sexuality. You should really look into counseling for that. But if loyalty is such a big thing for you – what the hell were you doing beating the shit out of someone who was supposed to be your ally?”

Black Widow then came out of freakin’ nowhere. Can’t a girl get into a good old-fashioned scrap anymore without being interrupted every five seconds? No wonder humans todays have so many issues. These Six people probably went to the bathroom in pairs too. She realized Black Widow was talking.

"And YOU, detective..... don't you think your racial profiling is going a bit far? Or do you just REALLY have a thing for girls?"

“Was that supposed to be an insult? Everyone knows I like girls. In my bed, anyway. I’d say it’s nice to see you again, but, well...”

Black Widow caught the car she had thrown at Alycia, and set it down.

Valkyrie made an exaggerated pout.

“Spoil sport.”

And now Black Widow was holding a rocket launcher, and Alycia did some Amazon bullshit involving a bow.

"You wanna play catch, bitch?"

She sighed.

“I was a shield maiden to ODIN for gods sake, do you think I’m afraid of you and your little toys?”

She crossed her arms over her chest.

And at that point, Zach came out of the building. What the hell? Was every mutant and meta in New York in this building?

Valkyrie! I'm glad you're here, we were just discussing a plan of attack on the Purifiers base at St Patrick's.

“What’s to plan? We go inside and make them all dead. [shrugs] It’s not brain surgery. Though I think a couple of these chicks need some.”

"Valkyrie?? Fucck my luck, THIS is your contact at the NYPD?! I should have known. You've got quite an Achilles heel for beautiful blondes."

“Oh don’t worry, we’re not fcuking. [pause] Yet.”

She turned to Zach and winked.

"ZACH! This woman is TRASH! How can you be working with her!?"

Vivica ALSO now came outside. And walking surprisingly well on that broken ankle. They must have had a healer visit.

"Well...one man's trash is another man's kick ass Police Officer and friend."

Valkrie grinned at the now MASS of people in front of her.

“Ta da.”

She smirked.

“Not sure I’d go all the way to friend though. We’re teammates…colleagues really…”

"No offense, Viv, but this aggressive viking chick is no friend of OURS [ The Six]. This is the SECOND time she's harrassed one of OURS [ referring to Dominique and now Alycia]. If she is so trustworthy, Why has she caused nothing but TROUBLE for us? why is she constantly after US?"

“Hey, SHE attacked ME. And Viv. I think she has anger management problems.”

"Can you say with certainty that you know what her motives are? Because all we've seen from her is rudeness and aggression. Why should we trust her?"

“Hey Alycia, when you’re in for the sexual repression therapy, maybe they can throw some anger management in there for free. And Fire Retardant: I don’t trust you so I don’t really care if you trust me.”

"She better just keep her distance from Alycia, Haleigh or the rest us."

OR She'll SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES!

She stared at them for a second.

“Are you serious?”

[turns to Vivica]

“Are they serious?”

She turned back to Sharon and Blaze.

“I am literally quaking in my boots right now. What, are you gonna tell my mom on me? Well, she’s dead.”

What was with these people? They were young enough without acting half their age. Vivica was trying to smooth things over between her and the rest of mutant nation. Why was anyone’s guess. She was not their ally and they weren’t her’s. And she didn’t care if they didn’t like her, didn’t trust her, or whatever: as long as they got the hell out of her way.

"I feel like something needs to be highlighted here. While Dominique Devereaux has proven herself as an ally to you in certain situations..it should not be forgotten that she is The Black Queen of The Hellfire Club..one third of The Sisterhood..

“And an uber bitch.”

”and while their may be a truce between your two groups...I feel like it shouldn't be forgotten that The Sisterhood AND The Hellfire Club have their own agenda...and assuming that ANY of them are going to remain good on their word for too long just isn't SMART...and her actions don't just effect YOU as a group..they were affecting the mutant population at large. I hate The Purifiers as much as the next person but let's be real..before they started targeting your OWN..you had no idea what was going on...we DID..and WE were already investigating…You may think this is US getting into SIX business..but this is business that is just NOW involving The SIX..."

“Viv – we don’t need to justify ourselves to these people. And we’ve got someplace to be. We need soldiers: not a circus.”

Here cold stare lifted to the opening door. Fashionably late to the party was Persephone, who Valkyrie recognized from one of Oracle’s super boring information sessions on mutants of note. This one she remembered though because it was actually somewhat interesting. She had been a bad ass bitch in her day. There was something about cross-time alternates in there too but she had been dozing off at that point. FINALLY someone worth talking to.

"Whoa! A Valkyrie? Haven't seen your kind around in a while. Nice to see you live up to your reputation."

And she even picked topics that actually interested Ashley.

“Likewise.”

"Vivica's right. As hard as that is to say. We need to focus on Cameron and Cass. And if they [the BoP] can help us...then LET THEM help us."

“Bullshit – you can help US.”

Poor Viv was STILL trying to make everyone be friends.

"Is Zizi okay? I haven't been able to make contact since the Purifiers attacked."

Oracle: “I’m fine.”

 

[Oracle]

Outside Charope

“I’m fine.”

Oracle wheeled herself up the sidewalk to where quite a crowd had formed. Steel walked beside her.

“Valkyrie, stand down.”

She put herself in between Valkyrie and the Six. Even though she could tell that Ashley was being her usual charming self, Valkyrie was still her teammate. If there was an issue, there would be no question as to what side Oracle was on. She addressed Recall.

“Your comlink must have been damaged in the explosion. Here.”

She tossed her a new one, before turning back to those assembled.

“Now.”

Seeing Zach in the crowd, she waved to him brightly.

“Hi Zach!”

She put on her serious face again.

“As I was saying: for those of you who don’t know me, my code name is Oracle. This is Steel, and you have apparently met Valkyrie. I’m not quite sure what’s going on here but Recall and Persephone are right: the important thing here is that we know where the Purifiers are, we’ve seen their tech, and we are in a position to carry out a rescue mission. Right now, that’s all that matters.”

She began to turn away.

“My team is heading to St. Patrick’s Cathedral to stop the Purifiers. Any of you who want to join us is more than welcome. Valkyrie, get to your weapons cache and join back up with us asap – we’ve wasted too much time already.”

 

[Steel]

Outside Charope

He waited for Valkyrie with Oracle as she called in some additional team members. Following her down the street near where Valkyrie was to meet back up with them, he was silent. He could not stop thinking about the crime scene they had just come from, all the poor children who had been killed or hurt. The lives that were destroyed. To John, taking a life was the greatest sin possible. Whoever takes life steals everything.

He could barely contain his anger. The things he would do to the Purifiers when he got his hands on them…

Voices were up ahead and he instinctively moved forward so he could shield Oracle if he needed to. These streets at night were not a particularly safe place to be for a female in a wheelchair under any circumstances – not that he would ever say that to Zizi’s face. He knew she was capable, but not having the use of her legs WAS a handicap, even if SHE didn’t see it that way.

Steel then could hear Oracle’s friend Vivica’s voice. And ASHLEY’s. What trouble was that girl getting herself into now? It had only been a few minutes since she’d left them.

“As I was saying: for those of you who don’t know me, my code name is Oracle. This is Steel, and you have apparently met Valkyrie.

At the mention of his name, Steel transformed himself into his organic steel form. He watched the new faces closely for any sign of mal intent while Oracle promised their support to the effort against the Purifiers. As she finished, he added his two cents.

“I know what the Purifiers did to those kids. And they are going to pay, I promise you that.”