Morningstar

[Rampage]

Nicolas was starting to get antsy. He was waiting, as asked, but he could sense SO MUCH of what was going on, including Prophet doing a juggling act he was pretty sure he could not imitate himself. But it was becoming a bit much even for Cam, and he could sense the concern emanating from the psionic and Nic could see that the energies Cam was directing were solid, but still tenuous. The demi-god could not do anything ELSE right now, but he COULD give Prophet a boost.

Cam would notice the load lightening, his connections strengthening as his power increased, somehow magnified. He would immediately know who the gift was from....

 

[Ruby]

The Otherworld – Castle




:: The witch bitch was VERY angry at Alison and attempted to attack her, but was thwarted by both Ava and Blaze! She joined the rest of her teammates as they rallied around Persephone, Firebird, and Harbinger. She couldn’t help but grin. Her team – her FAMILY – was back together again…even if some of them weren’t on speaking terms, they were still UNITED against a common enemy! And MORGAN was with them again! It made Cass happy, and hopeful that in the future she could make up for lost time, time in which she was still in bondage by a LIE that had been spoken over her for many years while she was in captivity in Germany; a LIE that she shouldn’t be allowed to have friends, or any kind of happiness, because she would only destroy them. ::

:: Badiane showed up, and tried to threaten them, blah, blah, blah. That’s when Badiane revealed Alexia…who was looking pale, exhausted, and very SAD. Cass was horrified…and could no longer keep her emotions in check. She knew what it was like to be away from her mama and her home and it made her ANGRY to see another little girl go through that same experience. Still, she steeled herself and made herself focus on the mission at hand. ::

:: Cass could only look on in horror as tendrils shot out of the black hole and started draining the LIFE from Alexia! ::

NO!

:: Seething, Cass was breathing heavily, shocked and horrified by what she was seeing. Seeing Alexia in TERRIBLE pain, compounded by her own memories of being tortured as a little girl, made Cass lose it and her eyes began to glow a bright YELLOW. Her whole body was shaking. ::

”STOP IT, YOU MONSTER!”

Badiane: “It is TOO LATE. The black dream hole WANTS ALL OF HER ENERGY NOW!!!”

:: Cass gritted her teeth as she heard Alexia screaming until her precious voice broke. That was IT. Furious with rage, Cass charged forward with Blaze, Ava, Cameron, and Nicolas, not hearing Alison warn them until it was TOO LATE. She SHRIEKED as the attack went sideways, and she went flying backwards, but Harbinger used her TK to cushion their blow and keept them from further harm. Cass got up and was PISSED OFF. ::

”She's SURROUNDED by a BARRIER between US and her that will ABSORB all projections. The MORE energy we devote to trying to break through and attack her, the more powerful and vicious will be the deflection BACK at us!”

*pissed*: “What the FUCK do you think we should do then?!”

:: Cass wasn’t the only one who was agitated, it would seem. ::

Nicolas: *protests*: ”Ali?!"

” I KNOW it's BAD...STAND FAST!” :: She replied with force :: “Would you deplete yourselves in an effort that will lead to NOTHING?!”

:: As much as Cass wanted to tear Badiane from limb to limb, Alison had a point. Her barrier, which was strong enough to withstand their attacks, would continue to drain them of their own energy. Cass’ shoulders slumped a bit when she realized this. She looked up at Badiane and gasped in horror and shock at…Darkchilde! Now, Cass had never met Darkchilde but thanks to Cameron’s vision that he showed her back at The Parthenon way back when, she knew what she looked like. ::

MORGAN?!

:: Cass couldn’t help but shrink back. From Cameron’s vision, it was clear that this BITCH was BADASS. But at what cost would this do to MORGAN? Cass looked nervously up at the two. Alison’s gesture caught her eye. ::

The moment you act, you too will decloak...but DON'T worry! Ruby” :: looking over, and gesturing for Cass to draw near:: “Is going to keep you safe. She has the power to do so.”

“Do you trust me?”

:: The faerie nodded, and Harbinger smiled, nodding back with reassurance::

“Good. Your help is going to make all the difference.”

:: Cass looked down at the scared faerie and nodded, smiling softly. ::

“You’ll be safe with me.”

“Ruby, be ready. When the moment is at hand to defend Perle from Badiane's wrath, her life will depend on YOU.”

:: She blinked once when she realized that somebody’s life depended on HER. She nodded seriously and was all business on the outside, but inside, she was truly touched. She would NEVER have been tasked with something this big earlier in her time with the Six. It was a big deal to her, and it showed that she was finally getting settled within the Six. It also showed the GROWTH that Cass had experienced. It was an honour and a privilege to be standing with these people and fighting alongside them. ::

“Okay. I’ll be ready.”

:: Alison continued to give orders, and people were getting into position. ::

Harbinger: “Perle....Firebird....move into position, Ruby, keep your eyes open. Black Widow and Bishop are going to begin their descent soon.”

:: Cass nodded once and kept her eyes on Perle. She would do WHATEVER it takes to make sure that the faerie would survive. ::

 

[Seer]

<< A view of the candy ship>>

<< Silver Swan and MorningStar are on the ship, they stand together, with Sharon holding on to Delilah to keep her as calm and steady as she can while Bishop and Black Widow try to carry Alexia away to safety.>>

<< Together, they are watching in awe and more than a little concern as they see their DARKCHILDE bringing a vicious personal battle to Badiane.>>

------------------------------

He tried as best as he could to shield Alexia’s body with his own, not knowing where the next attack would be coming from, and braced for impact with the ground.

“It’s alright, I’ve got you.”

Alexia: “Are you really my daddy?”

“Yes, baby girl, I am. I will always come to save you, no matter what.”

Alexia: "It hurts..."

"Shh...it will be all better soon, I promise."

Alexia: "Is the Silver Swan here? She's my friend, you know."

<< Haleigh can't help but feel an involuntary reaction throughout her body at the sight of Morgan, now as this darkchilde. The first time SHE saw Morgan like this...it resulted in Haleigh DYING. Even now, her very BODY is not her original, due to Morgan DESTROYING the original. She was the FIRST casualty in the Inferno Event. But not even THAT could keep Haleigh from fullfilling her destiny.>>

<< Still, she notes the change in Morgan's dark form, and this time, she apparently transformed into it consciously, rather than do to a descent into madness, as was the case during the Inferno.>>

<< If ever there was a time and a place to cut loose, and anyone more deserving OF it, it was that overgrown, sugary sweet bitch Badiane. She knew in a roughouse, Morgan was no slouch, and she trusted that the sorceress had considered the consequences of taking this form before doing so. It was part of her's and Harbinger's plan, and now it was time for Haleigh to do her part.>>

<< With one last look at Sharon and Delilah, the hybrid climbs up on the very edge of the ship.>>

<< Having timed her magnificent leap from the candy ship just right, Black Widow has propelled herself through the air, taking advantage of the apparently suspension of NORMAL laws of gravity and physics that have been in play on this mysterious otherworld.>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< Spellbinder vs Badiane! Spellbinder doesn't TRY to restrain herself as she has already forced Badiane BACK a few a steps. But not only is this a struggle of magickal dominance, but also PHYSICAL, and for all of Badiane's power, she apparently LACKS physical fighting ability, while Spellbinder has trained in hand to hand combat from MorningStar, Black Widow, and more recently Rampage and Arsenal, so as to maximize effective use of her super strength. She puts it to BRUTAL use, as she forces one of Badiane's hands down, preventing her from unleashing a mystic blast, and then delivering a BONE BREAKING punch across Badiane's jaw with her right hand cross. For the first time since she revealed herself to them, Badiane is ON THE ROPES and that wicked smile of her's? Spellbinder just knocked it off her face.>>

<< But Harbinger's "view" of the situation was about to come to pass...>>

BADIANE: UGGHHHH!!! NO!!!! I WILL NOT BE DENIED!

-----------------

<< Black Widow soon dives down and manages to catch up with Bishop and Alexia. She's now directly above/"on top" of Bishop. For anyone else, this would have been an IMPOSSIBLY awkward moment, but Black Widow and Bishop have both proven time and again, they are not hampered by typical inhibitions>>

Black Widow: What a RIDE.... ::a beat passes:: NOT A WORD, Bishop. This AIN'T my idea of a fantasy.

<< Haleigh hears Alexia ask about the Silver Swan, and smiles, hoping that she can help Alexia treat this moment like some wild RIDE. Prophet was doing his job, keeping her calm as best he could with his psi powers and easing the pain she'd just experienced. >>

Black Widow: Yes, the Silver Swan is here. She's with your mommy right now. Now you just hold on to your daddy, and we'll be....

Badiane: DEAD! You'll be DEAD!

-----------------------------

<< Badiane suddenly CONTRACTS from Spellbinder's expanse. Her entire body begins to glow and crackle with energy.>>

Harbinger: SPELLBINDER. PULL BACK! HER ENERGY.....SHE'S CHANNELING...

<< She was going to say BLACK'S dark energy, but it's too late.>>

Badiane: BEGONE, DEMON SORCERESS! NOT EVEN YOU CAN STOP ME NOW!

<< Badiane's physical form EXPLODES, transforming into the DARK ENERGY, and she IMMEDIATELY directs herself upon SPELLBINDER, bombarding the witch on a myriad of levels. Spellbinder's screams of PAIN are like STARS exploding in her current stature, and any fragile since of calm and hope that some may have had is BLOWN AWAY as Badiane assaults Spellbinder.>>

Harbinger: SPELLBINDER....GET OUT NOW!!!

<< The precog cries out!>>

<< A chime sounds off, but Badiane's attack shifts and expands WILDLY around Spellbinder, COMPLETELY removing all sight of her. It's as though she's being DEVOURED! Soon...all sight and sound of Spellbinder is LOST, and it does not appear that she TELEPORTED either.>>

<< Firebird, Rampage and Harbinger are the most visibly distraught. Blaze grabs on to Harbinger's arm, screaming with shock and disbelief. But the precog does not move. She stands, with one arm given to Blaze, and her other hand holding on to Rampage's TIGHTLY, silently commanding him to stay his hand, even NOW that Badiane has seemingly murdered Spellbinder.>>


<< EVERYONE present can't help but realize...things are about to get MUCH WORSE>>

Badiane: And NOW you're FINISHED!

<< Badiane does NOT return to her previous form, but rather she directs herself INTO the black hole! It begins to ripple and expand a bit, before sparkling and then BLASTING to life. Badiane has now MERGED with the black dream hole!>>

<< She begins her cosmic symphony of power and chaos now>>

Badiane: ALEXIA IS MINE! She is the key to the black dream hole, and the DOOM OF ALL WHO TRY TO KEEP HER FROM ME! BEHOLD.

<< Star fire builds up all around the swirling vortex, the power can be HEARD....and as Badiane's vengeful eyes LOCK on to Black Widow and Bishop, she FIRES upon them!>>

<< The first blast is a broad beamed torrent of flame energy. It hits them like a tidal wave. Black Widow holds it together, taking the BRUNT of the blast, but Bishop is not completely spared.>>

<< Sharon and Delilah exclaim from the ship, but they CANNOT go to their aid!>>

Badiane: NO ONE DEFIES ME AND LIVES. NO ONE!

<< Another BLAST. This one is more vicious than the first. Black Widow's body actually RADIATES from this blast and Bishop's clothes are now beginning to BURN. Prophet is hit HARD by the psychic backlash from Alexia, who's fear is now spiking into TERROR and PANIC.>>

Black Widow:....DAMMIT....Bishop....STAY UNDER ME.....

Bishop: << he coughs....it's like being hit by a TRUCK...and then getting nailed by a BLAST FURNACE. Alexia is screaming. Black Widow is sheilding them with her own BODY, her durability and tenacity are magnificent...but he knows not even SHE can take too many more shots like this. He remembers what he saw in central park. Something ORORO taught his little girl!>> Alexia.....DANGER.

<< And just in time too. The moment the little girl calls up her protective energy bubble, her father and Black Widow are hit AGAIN, this time LONGER. Bishop BARELY manages to hang on to consciousness, and loses his grip on Alexia. >>

Badiane: DIE!

<< The witch powers up for a shot that will be BEYOND fatal to them both.>>

 

[Harbinger]

:: Harbinger shut her eyes tightly as Spellbinder was enveloped by Badiane's dark energy attack. She trembled for a moment....as Blaze reflexively sought her as an ANCHOR, while Rampage struggled to allow him to remain by Harbinger's side. Her brother was BLASTED out of his psychic rapport with Alexia due to the feedback caused by the girl's PANIC. ::

:: Harbinger KNEW how hard this was for them. Both on the ground, and on the ship...but she HAD to remain focused on the ones still within Badiane's crosshairs! Black Widow, Maxim and ALEXIA.::

::She tried to pull away from Blaze and Nicolas, but...they both HELD ON to her. She didn't have to be a telepath to know what they were feeling. She was registering those same feelings, but with Spellbinder gone, if she DIDN'T do her part...it would all be meaningless.::

:: She PULLS away from Blaze and Nicolas and moves over to Perle, bending down to meet the dream faerie at eye level::

Perle....

:: She said with a voice that was a bit strained as she struggled to IGNORE her personal feelings, much like that night in the aftermath of the Blue Moon.::

....Are you ready??

:: The faerie kept a brave face and nodded. Harbinger looks at Ruby and nods to her, before standing up to fix her colbalt blue eyes on Alexia, who was now surrounded by her protective energy bubble, and a badly hurt Black Widow and Bishop, who were nearly unconscious, not too far behind her.::

:: she calls to Firebird::

FIREBIRD. You're needed now. Are you READY??

Badiane's next blast will KILL....VAPORIZE them.

:: She can "SEE" Alexia up close in her minds eye....and her face contorts with GRIEF as the girl's abject terror mirrors the look SHE had in her dream-turned-nightmare.::

Hang on, Alexia.

Badiane: NO ONE DEFIES ME AND LIVES. NO ONE!

<< Another BLAST. This one is more vicious than the first. Black Widow's body actually RADIATES from this blast and Bishop's clothes are now beginning to BURN. Prophet is hit HARD by the psychic backlash from Alexia, who's fear is now spiking into TERROR and PANIC.>>

Black Widow:....DAMMIT....Bishop....STAY UNDER ME.....

Bishop: << he coughs....it's like being hit by a TRUCK...and then getting nailed by a BLAST FURNACE. Alexia is screaming. Black Widow is sheilding them with her own BODY, her durability and tenacity are magnificent...but he knows not even SHE can take too many more shots like this. He remembers what he saw in central park. Something ORORO taught his little girl!>> Alexia.....DANGER.

<< And just in time too. The moment the little girl calls up her protective energy bubble, her father and Black Widow are hit AGAIN, this time LONGER. Bishop BARELY manages to hang on to consciousness, and loses his grip on Alexia. >>

Badiane: DIE!

<< The witch powers up for a shot that will be BEYOND fatal to them both.>>

Perle....now!

<< Perle lifts her magick flute and plays an urgent but beautiful melody, shutting her eyes and CONCENTRATING as she manages to open a LIGHT CIRCLE in Badiane's barrier!

Firebird, GO!!!! Get Alexia down to safety first, THEN go to Black Widow and Bishop's aid!

 

[Firebird]

Badiane: It is TOO LATE. The black dream hole WANTS ALL OF HER ENERGY NOW!!!

<< Badiane squeezes the child tighter. Thunder crashes once more and Alexia screams until her voice cracks.>>

"NO!!!"

<< Members of the Six on the ground CHARGE forward, each of them releasing an attack against Badiane's form. Only Harbinger holds back...and the reason why becomes painfully apparent.>>

Flying through the air once more, intending to unleash an attack on Badiane, the fire elemental collides with the barrier and is painfully jolted before being repelled backward! The pain was so intense that she lost her sense of direction. Thankfully, Harbinger cushions her in mid air and lets her down gently with her TK.::

"UGHH!!! That really HURT"

Others wanted to try again, but Alison commanded them to stay where they were. She totally understand why Ruby and Rampage protested. In her heart, she couldn't just see them STANDING here while Alexia was being destroyed, but there was a PLAN that they had to work with if they were going to succeed. It wasn't always easy to follow the Harbinger's directions because they didn't know why or what was coming, but this is where TRUST comes in.

"This isn't easy, Alison, to stand here and WATCH like this."

<< And just as it became BEYOND unbearable, with Badiane's obscene look of utter JOY to top it all off as she sacrifices Alexia Morganna to the Black Dream Hole. Her look of joy SUDDENLY becomes a look of PAIN and utter SHOCK as she is STAGGERED by massive eldritch bolt that CRASHES DOWN, slamming into her HEAD and assaulting her on a variety of levels.>>

ENOUGH!

<< Chimes sound off...>>

NO MORE, Badiane!!!

<< Spellbinder emerges from a stepping disc, But NOW she appears in an "updated" form of her DARKCHILD persona. Additionally, she now MATCHES Badiane's physical dimension. She found a spell of POWER, combining it with her own link to the eldritch dimension of Limbo, the source of her basic mutant power. She has COMBINED the two, drawing on Limbo's energy...and now? >>

<< For some in the Six, this is their FIRST time seeing Spellbinder's dark aspect. For OTHERS, it's a haunting reminder of the LAST time they saw it...but there's something DIFFERENT this time. BEYOND the LOOK...it's CLEAR that she's NOT out to destroy anyone BUT Badiane! Still, several members of the Six wonder WHAT kind of cost this will have on MORGAN if she should survive. >>

Blaze's hand flies up to her mouth as she stares in disbelief.


"oh god...Morgan...what have you done!?"

But as Delilah watched, she noticed something different about THIS Darkchilde: different from Morgan during the Inferno, different from the Darkchilde they had met in Limbo. She was…centered. In control. When it mattered most, Morgan had mastered her powers. For her.

:: To Firebird::

Firebird, your power as a true fire elemental is what we'll need. When Perle opens the portal, get through it to the other side of the barrier, go for Bishop, Black Widow and Alexia. They'll NEED you.

Blaze nods, not taking her apple green eyes off of her SISTER. What kind of risk was Morgan taking!? But then again, considering who this was for, this is truly an example of how far Morg will go to protect her family. She seemed to be in control, not wild and unrestrained like during the Inferno Event. Still...This giant sorceress from another world was out to destroy them all using the power of children's dreams and energy, and now Morgan MATCHED her size and was the darkchilde! this was all so...SURREAL!

Perle....Firebird....move into position, Ruby, keep your eyes open. Black Widow and Bishop are going to begin their descent soon.

Blaze moved, but could not take her eyes off Morgan. She felt that something was WRONG.

"Be careful Morg, she won't fight fair!"

Badiane: DEAD! You'll be DEAD!

<< Badiane suddenly CONTRACTS from Spellbinder's expanse. Her entire body begins to glow and crackle with energy.>>

Harbinger: SPELLBINDER. PULL BACK! HER ENERGY.....SHE'S CHANNELING...

<< She was going to say BLACK'S dark energy, but it's too late.>>

The fire elemental's eyes widen with FEAR...

"TELEPORT OUT OF THERE!"

Badiane: BEGONE, DEMON SORCERESS! NOT EVEN YOU CAN STOP ME NOW!

<< Badiane's physical form EXPLODES, transforming into the DARK ENERGY, and she IMMEDIATELY directs herself upon SPELLBINDER, bombarding the witch on a myriad of levels. Spellbinder's screams of PAIN are like STARS exploding in her current stature, and any fragile since of calm and hope that some may have had is BLOWN AWAY as Badiane assaults Spellbinder.>>

Harbinger: SPELLBINDER....GET OUT NOW!!!

<< The precog cries out!>>

Blaze was ready to take off once more, and fly to her sister's aid, just like the night they first "MET" when the Six's cross time caper landed them in HER original timeline! But she'd just slam into that damn BARRIER again. She was powerless to get through it...she couldn't get to Morgan!

<< A chime sounds off, but Badiane's attack shifts and expands WILDLY around Spellbinder, COMPLETELY removing all sight of her. It's as though she's being DEVOURED! Soon...all sight and sound of Spellbinder is LOST, and it does not appear that she TELEPORTED either.>>

<< Firebird, Rampage and Harbinger are the most visibly distraught. Blaze grabs on to Harbinger's arm, screaming with shock and disbelief. But the precog does not move. She stands, with one arm given to Blaze, and her other hand holding on to Rampage's TIGHTLY, silently commanding him to stay his hand, even NOW that Badiane has seemingly murdered Spellbinder.>>

"...Morgan?! what happened? DID SHE ESCAPE....IS SHE...."

She CLUNG to Harbinger's arm...hoping Alison would tell her SOMETHING, while at the same time, she "SCREAMED" to her sister via their psychic rapport. She looked over at Nicolas.

"I....I CAN'T sense her! And she won't answer me via our rapport! That mean she's unconscious. Or...."

Blaze was TRYING not to freefall into despair, but watching what just happened, the WAY it happened, she suddenly began to wonder if they weren't ALL in over their heads. But she faced nightmare scenarios before, and sometimes ALONE even. She had to hold it together then, she had to do it now. Alexia's life depended on them, and the final blow to Badiane would be delievered by MorningStar. That too was part of Harbinger's vision and they hadn't reached that point, so all Blaze could do was hope....and FOCUS.

Badiane: ALEXIA IS MINE! She is the key to the black dream hole, and the DOOM OF ALL WHO TRY TO KEEP HER FROM ME! BEHOLD.

<< Star fire builds up all around the swirling vortex, the power can be HEARD....and as Badiane's vengeful eyes LOCK on to Black Widow and Bishop, she FIRES upon them!>>

<< The first blast is a broad beamed torrent of flame energy. It hits them like a tidal wave. Black Widow holds it together, taking the BRUNT of the blast, but Bishop is not completely spared.>>

<< Sharon and Delilah exclaim from the ship, but they CANNOT go to their aid!>>

Badiane: NO ONE DEFIES ME AND LIVES. NO ONE!

<< Another BLAST. This one is more vicious than the first. Black Widow's body actually RADIATES from this blast and Bishop's clothes are now beginning to BURN. Prophet is hit HARD by the psychic backlash from Alexia, who's fear is now spiking into TERROR and PANIC.>>


Bishop: << Something ORORO taught his little girl!>> Alexia.....DANGER.

<< And just in time too. The moment the little girl calls up her protective energy bubble, her father and Black Widow are hit AGAIN, this time LONGER. Bishop BARELY manages to hang on to consciousness, and loses his grip on Alexia. >>

"She's gonna kill them BOTH!"

Perle....

:: She said with a voice that was a bit strained as she struggled to IGNORE her personal feelings, much like that night in the aftermath of the Blue Moon.::

....Are you ready??

:: The faerie kept a brave face and nodded. Harbinger looks at Ruby and nods to her, before standing up to fix her colbalt blue eyes on Alexia, who was now surrounded by her protective energy bubble, and a badly hurt Black Widow and Bishop, who were nearly unconscious, not too far behind her.::

:: she calls to Firebird::

FIREBIRD. You're needed now. Are you READY??

"YES!"

A red aura of energy forms around the fire elemental as her power begins to swell up within her.

<< Perle lifts her magick flute and plays an urgent but beautiful melody, shutting her eyes and CONCENTRATING as she manages to open a LIGHT CIRCLE in Badiane's barrier!

Firebird, GO!!!! Get Alexia down to safety first, THEN go to Black Widow and Bishop's aid!

Firebird takes off, like an arrow just shot by Artemis herself! she flies at high speed, straight for the light circle that is her way through the barrier.

*PLINKT!*

Firebird passes through the light circle! It's like a low level version of Spellbinder's stepping disc, but it gets the job done, she passes through one space into another, now on the otherside of the barrier. The light circle closed behind her.

"And JUST IN TIME!"

Blaze changes her course, and climbs up into the air with perfect form.

Carefull...don't want to jar Alexia when I meet her downward descent....

Demonstrating her spatial awareness and the refined application of her powers, enhanced by the maneuverability training Arsenal put her through not too long ago, the fire elemental intercepts Alexia with NO jarring impact to the young girl.

"Hi Alexia! I'm Firebird, and I'm here to help! "

Without wasting anytime, Firebird brings Alexia all the way down to the ground, setting her down.

"Now I'm going to get your daddy, and my friend. Be right back!"

It was easy to put on a brave face, and try to help steady Alexia. But inside, Blaze was SICK with grief and WORRY about her sister, about what was going to happen to them all!

Back in the air once more, now closing in on her next "pick up", the closer she gets to them, the more apparent their condition becomes.

"Shit...this is BAD!"

Badiane: DIE!

<< The witch powers up for a shot that will be BEYOND fatal to them both.>>

<< This blast is bigger than the others, more violent too! If it collides with Black Widow and Bishop, they will be vaporized instantly!>>

"NO!"

Firebird narrows her eyes, which are now glowing red. Her red aura of energy FLARES OUT with blasting sound, manifesting the PHOENIX raptor form that she first displayed during the fight with the purifiers. She increases her speed, and maneuvers AROUND Bishop and Haleigh, now hovering in mid air, IN THE PATH of that torrent flame blast coming from them.

"NOOOO!"

The blast COLLIDES with Firebird's phoenix raptor effect, with a STUNNING energy feedback on both sides, making it HARD for everyone (except MorningStar) to SEE at this moment. But when the fury of the energy disappears, Firebird REMAINS! A bit WINDED, but otherwise ALIVE and unhurt!

"My power! it....it allowed me to BLOCK that energy attack! It must be FIRE/FLAME based!"

This part of Harbinger's plan had WORKED! Firebird's power and physiology allows her to survive in inhospitable conditions such as the vacuum of open space, or even FATAL conditions such as exposure to radiation, or "universal" class poisons. As a fire elemental, she is an omega level mutant able to deal with flame in ALL of it's forms/states, including lava and plasma.

But no time to rest on her laurels NOW! Blaze wastes now time, swooping around and down, catching up to Black Widow and Bishop.

"I've got you both, now. Relax your bodies."

The fire elemental was physically stronger than any baseline human, AND some mutants. She possessed a level of strength greater than her crosstime counter part as well, and while FLYING, she is able to carry very heavy burdens. So now, she takes the strain off the bodies of Black Widow and Bishop, carrying them down to ground level and gently setting them down.

"There. I've got them, Harbinger...."

Badiane: But who's got YOU?

Blaze spins around and looks up toward the menacing Black Dream Hole, now merged with the deep space witch.

Badiane: You're nothing but a PARTICLE. In your dreams, you see yourself as a STAR in the heavens, instead, you fly around like a demented comet, with one destination. OBLIVION!

"Says the woman who merged with a BLACK HOLE."

Badiane: I WAN'T ALEXIA!

"You won't get her! We won't let you have her! You....may have taken my sister, but you WON'T survive TONIGHT Badiane!"

Badiane: OHHH so BRAVE! YOU MAKE THIS TOO EASY!

 

[Seer]

<< Badiane, now channeling the power of the black dream hole for her violent delight, was preparing to fire upon Firebird! Firebird, for her part, stood tall and kept a brace face in spite of the looming danger over her. The fire elemental could withstand one of Badiane's attacks IF it was fire/flame based, but what if it was something else? >>

<< Spellbinder was gone. Black Widow was down. The group still had several heavy hitters in their midst, but could they MATCH Badiane's escalations? Would they be able to survive long enough for MorningStar to fullfill her destiny, as Harbinger had foreseen?>>

<<A flashing, alternating view of the swirling black hole, with Badiane's glowing eyes now manifesting within it, and then Firebird, who stands fast, ready to sheild her friends and Alexia, who is utterly exhausted.>>

Badiane: How did you even get THROUGH my barrier!? You never should have come here! You don't belong! << in this place OR this time>> But I can fix THAT! When I'm finished with you, Firebird, even the stars in heaven will weep over your destruction!

<< Thunder crashes, the black hole glows once more, as the energy swells up, ready to be released in some violent, terrible attack on Firebird.>>


<< But on the the other side of the barrier. Harbinger is relieved that Firebird was able to retrieve Alexia, Black Widow, and Bishop. But the BARRIER prevented them from reuniting with the rest of the team! Perle did not have enough of a link to Spellbinder to create a fully active stepping disc, and the little faerie was now very worried, as she found herself DECLOAKED. Harbinger knew what was coming. >>

Harbinger: Perle, try to remain calm. No matter WHAT happens...don't move from where you are now. Ruby....<< the precog nods to her>> ...get ready.

<<Badiane's original target was Firedbird, but suddenly she saw, she REALIZED WHO was responsible for Firebird breaching the barrier.>>

Badiane: YOU!!!

<< Her eyes now fixed on Perle.>>

Badiane: You treacherous, disobedient, interfering little sprite! YOU'RE STILL ALIVE!? You HELPED her. You stand with them AGAINST ME, after ALL I've done for you!? Up till NOW I've only TOYED with you all because it amused me. But I've wasted ENOUGH TIME AND ENERGY!

<< The swell of power that was building up now forms JUST ahead of the black hole, spriling around like a chaotic, verticle oriented cyclone>>

Badiane: I'll PURGE YOU ALL, starting with YOU, little Perle, and then I'll CONSUME ALEXIA, using her power to UNLOCK the barrier between me and the rest of cosmos!

<< She narrows her glowing eyes, and the sprialing energy BLASTS FORTH, charing madly for Perle, who's eyes widen with shock and FEAR. >>

<< Ruby, who was just a few steps behind Perle runs forth, stepping in front of the dream faerie>>

Ruby: Oh NO YOU DON'T!

 

[Bishop]

Bishop and Alexia descended slowly, and then Black Widow did her part, landing basically on top of him.

NOT A WORD, Bishop. This AIN'T my idea of a fantasy.

“I’ve had this one a time or two…usually with Scarlett Johansen though.”

He craned his neck, still holding tightly to Alexia, trying to see what was happening with Badiane.

“If you’ve got a plan, do it now - we’re sitting ducks out here!”

Because they were no longer cloaked by Spellbinder’s magick. And it seemed as if Spellbinder herself was down if not out for the count.

ALEXIA IS MINE! She is the key to the black dream hole, and the DOOM OF ALL WHO TRY TO KEEP HER FROM ME! BEHOLD.

“Hate to break this to you, toots, but Alexis is MINE. I made her and you will NEVER have her in your grasp again.”

Clearly, Badiane was a FEMINIST because she sent flames rocketing towards them. True to her word, Black Widow shielded him and Alexia as best as she could, but he felt the impact like a freight train and the heat like a blast furnace. She attacked again, and he could see his clothes burning and feel his body armor melting from the heat. He tried to calm Alexia, whispering to her soothing words, but she became more and more afraid. He gritted his teeth against the pain.

....DAMMIT....Bishop....STAY UNDER ME.....

“That’s…what…she…said…”

And then he remembered – the park. What the faerie had said…

“Alexia.....DANGER.”

Alexia took a deep breath and a shield of dark energy formed around her. He didn’t know if it would protect him or Black Widow, but all that mattered was that Alexia was safe from Badiane.

They were hit a third time, and it was all he could do not to pass out. He swam through the fog in his mind, willing himself to keep his hold. But he was losing his grip…

Out of nowhere, Firebird was there, taking Alexia to safety. He saw a bright flash of orange, and then he was being lifted.

"I've got you both, now. Relax your bodies."

And then he allowed the blackness to take him.

 

[Black Widow]

He wasn't in the mood for jokes. She couldn't really blame him, since it WAS his soul mate and his daughter on the chopping block here. He responded to her, calm but defensive, stubborn. She got the feeling he had NO PROBLEM sacrificing any -- or ALL-- of them for Alexia and Delilah. He wasn't looking to get any of the rest of them home. It bothered her on some level, but she didn't correct him. She needed his only focus to be the mission. He lacked the ability to help any of the rest of them in any substantial way. She found THAT fact more frustrating.

Delilah, I mean really, a FLATSCAN? I know he's hot, but he's USELESS outside the bedroom!

Sharon: Black Widow, Spellbinder's cloaking spell still holds but.... she must NOT be disturbed! She's once again tapping into Badiane's own mystic energies in order to use them against her. IF Badiane somehow senses this, or discovers us, you & I will HAVE to block for her! We must give Spellbinder the time and room she needs to work for as long as we can!

Haleigh nodded and they all moved closer together and blocked off Spellbinder. Badiane was taunting them with Alexia in her fist, and it was truly painful to see Delilah in such a state of distress. Bishop held her back and convinced her to wait. Even Haleigh wanted desperately to do something, but Alison begged them to wait.

Harbinger: I KNOW it's BAD...STAND FAST! :: She replies with force:: Would you deplete yourselves in an effort that will lead to NOTHING?!

Morningstar: We can’t wait! It’s killing her!

Bishop: She’s going to be allright. You have to trust Harbinger, trust Spellbinder. Wait for the right time. You have to pull yourself together. Focus! Focus on what you are about to do. So that you can ram that bitch’s smug smile up her fat ten story tall ass.

Spellbinder-- correction-- DARKCHILDE appeared. Haleigh seemed momentarily surprised. The LAST time she saw Morgan in this form, she died. It was a very vivid memory. She hoped Morgan didn't harbor any lingering animosity towards her.

She got over me fuccking Nic, didn't she?

Harbinger's eyes appeared and she gave them their cue. Haleigh and Bishop moved to the edge of the ship. Haleigh indicated to Bishop that he should take a knee. She leaned over at his side and grabbed a fistful of his collar with her left hand.

Bishop: Try not to enjoy this too much, Red.

"No promises."

She replied in his ear, placing her right hand on his ass. It was as firm as it looked.

"You do a lot of lunges and squats, Beast? Tuck your chin and tighten up your body, or the sudden acceleration will give you whiplash. Ready?"

He indicated yes and Haleigh watched Morgan take on Badiane. Her heads up display was filled with streams of information; distances, trajectories, Bishop's weight, the calculus of this realm's reduced gravity and the g-forces it implied. She had to impose enough force and acceleration to get him TO the target, but not so much that he passed out. The average human could only handle about 5Gs. She was able to calculate in a split second, all the while she tracked and estimated the proper TIMING.

Wait for it...... NOW!

With carefully measured effort, she scooped Bishop up and exhaled audibly as she threw him at Alexia. Then she climbed the railing and got ready to jump after him. She glanced back at Sharon and Delilah, silently wishing them good luck with a nod. Then she leapt off the ship. It was easy to control her own trajectory, as she could mentally move all the metals in her own body. IT was as instinctive as breathing. She arcs through the air, dodging Morgan's attacks on Badiane and vice versa, then diving down through it all again to catch up with Bishop and Alexia. She landed on top of him, and pressed her body against his. She grabbed the back of his neck with one hand, his bicep with the other, and hooked her ankles behind his achilles.

"What a RIDE.... ::a beat passes:: NOT A WORD, Bishop. This AIN'T my idea of a fantasy."

Bishop: I’ve had this one a time or two…usually with Scarlett Johansen though.

"That better be a pistol tucked into your waistband, you son of a bi--scut eating bulldog."

She caught herself and remembered Alexia was right there, pressed in between their torsos in a little cocoon of safety. She was asking about Silver Swan.

"Yes, the Silver Swan is here. She's with your mommy right now. Now you just hold on to your daddy, and we'll be.... "

Badiane: DEAD! You'll be DEAD!

Bishop: If you’ve got a plan, do it now - we’re sitting ducks out here!

"YOU DON'T SAY!"

She shot back sarcastically as she controlled their descent. They still had a long way to go but Haleigh knew that Bishop and Alexia had much lower tolerances for negative Gs so she couldn't allow them to fall any faster. Badiane BLASTED them, and Haleigh took the direct force of the attack, shielding Alexia completely and most of Bishop. She managed to keep quiet but it was not pleasant. Her suit took a good deal of abuse for her, but it wouldn't stand up to another blast.

Come on everybody, distract that bitch!

She knew they were trying. Another direct hit from Badiane. Haleigh felt like she got hit by the SUN. Her body suit was overwhelmed, obliterated. Haleigh's back was charred to a crisp. Alexia screams in terror. They fell a little faster for a few seconds, reaching the threshold of their G-force limit before Haleigh was able to gain control again and slow them back down.

"....DAMMIT....Bishop....STAY UNDER ME....."

She could feel his body losing tension. It was much harder to shield him if he couldn't keep a stable form. Even his grip on his daughter seemed to slacken a bit.

Bishop: That’s…what…she…said…

Oh, NOW IS THE TIME TO FUCKING JOKE!

She wanted to punch him but she knew he was about to pass out anyway. Another strike from Badiane would probably kill him. Alexia was the higher priority.

Bishop: Alexia..... DANGER.

He knew it too. Alexia created a dark energy shield but as weak and tired as she was, it was barely substantial enough to protect HER. Haleigh and Bishop were still exposed. They were hit again. Haleigh couldn't control their speed anymore. They went into free fall. Haleigh let Bishop go and pulled Alexia from his grasp. She couldn't protect them both, but Alexia was still small enough. She pushed him away, out of range. As she wrapped her arms around the kid, the skin on Haleigh's body tore like tissue paper, revealing the musculature and frame underneath. She couldn't hear anything except Alexia and the roar of the blast.

"Hang in there kid, it's gonna be ok, I've gotcha now, hold on.... hold on to me."

Her nerve endings were seared shut. She didn't even feel the pain anymore. Her heads up display was streaming alerts nonstop though. She only had to stay alive long enough to get them too the ground safely. She could manage that. She sent a thought out over her 'firewall'.

Nic.... I'm dying. You've gotta take the girl when we land, no one ELSE here will be capable of taking these direct hits!

And then there was FIREBIRD.

Blaze: Hi Alexia! I'm Firebird, and I'm here to help!

Haleigh passed Alexia to Blaze, then caught sight of Bishop. He was on the edge of unconsciousness, falling at terminal velocity. Haleigh still had some strength left. She wasn't going to make it but she could probably save the girl's father. It would be up to everyone ELSE to save Delilah. Haleigh streamlined her body and let herself pick up speed. She fell so rapidly, she broke the sound barrier, but she could WITHSTAND these higher Gs. She slowed herself just before she reached Bishop, and grabbed him by the wrist. It took all she had to slow him down as well. She wasn't going to make it all the way to the ground, but if she could just get them close enough so that the fall wouldn't kill HIM, she would let go.

Badiane: DIE!

Haleigh looked up to face the final blow. She put herself in front of it again, and took her last breath. Firebird appeared again, and BLOCKED the blast that would have ended the legend of Black Widow. Haleigh breathed a sigh of relief. Bishop passed clean out.

Hmph. Pussy.

Firebird set them both down on the ground. Haleigh realized there was a BARRIER separating her, Alexia, and Bishop from the rest of her team. Her job wasn't DONE just because she was running out of steam. Badiane was focused on Firebird and Perle for the moment. Haleigh crawled over to Alexia and provided cover for her.

"Get behind me Alexia. It'll all be over soon."

 

[Ruby]

The Otherworld – Castle




:: Badiane had MURDERED Spellbinder! At least, that’s what it looked like to Cass and judging from the other’s reactions, they thought the same thing. Cass was sad about that. When Morgan had finally came back, it seemed that both of them seemed to be on the same page with regards to moving forward for once. Cass looked at Perle sadly and kept her eyes on the little faerie. She had a life to protect, and she was going to protect it at ALL COSTS. But then… ::

Blaze: *frantic*: "I....I CAN'T sense her! And she won't answer me via our rapport! That mean she's unconscious. Or...."

:: Cass was visibly rattled when she heard this. ::

No! Must…keep…focus…

:: Even ALISON was struggling to hold it together, even as she was struggling to hold both Blaze and Nicolas together. But she remained on the mission at hand. ::

Perle....

:: She said with a voice that was a bit strained as she struggled to IGNORE her personal feelings, much like that night in the aftermath of the Blue Moon.::

....Are you ready??

:: The faerie kept a brave face and nodded. Harbinger looks at Ruby and nods to her, before standing up to fix her colbalt blue eyes on Alexia, who was now surrounded by her protective energy bubble, and a badly hurt Black Widow and Bishop, who were nearly unconscious, not too far behind her.::

:: she calls to Firebird::

FIREBIRD. You're needed now. Are you READY??

Badiane's next blast will KILL....VAPORIZE them.

:: Cass nodded back at Alison and focused on the little faerie. Another blast from Badiane came towards Black Widow and Bishop. ::

Alison: “Perle…NOW!”

:: The faerie lifted her magick flute and played an urgent but beautiful melody, shutting her eyes and CONCENTRATING as she manages to open a LIGHT CIRCLE in Badiane's barrier! Cass watched Badiane carefully, as well as keeping an eye on Blaze. But something went wrong. Firebird couldn’t get back to them! She looked at the faerie in front of her, who was visibly shaken as she was now decloaked. Badiane realized just WHO was responsible for this new trick and turned towards the small faerie. ::

YOU!!!

<< Her eyes now fixed on Perle.>>

You treacherous, disobedient, interfering little sprite! YOU'RE STILL ALIVE!? You HELPED her. You stand with them AGAINST ME, after ALL I've done for you!? Up till NOW I've only TOYED with you all because it amused me. But I've wasted ENOUGH TIME AND ENERGY!

<< The swell of power that was building up now forms JUST ahead of the black hole, spriling around like a chaotic, verticle oriented cyclone>>

I'll PURGE YOU ALL, starting with YOU, little Perle, and then I'll CONSUME ALEXIA, using her power to UNLOCK the barrier between me and the rest of cosmos!

<< She narrows her glowing eyes, and the sprialing energy BLASTS FORTH, charing madly for Perle, who's eyes widen with shock and FEAR. >>

NOW!

:: Cass ran forth and stepped in front of the faerie. ::

”OH, NO YOU DON’T!”

:: She threw up her hands, psionically activating her psychokinetic bubble, which would protect them BOTH from Badiane’s blast. It was BLACK in colour when it activated! ::

 

[Harbinger]

"There. I've got them, Harbinger...."

Badiane: But who's got YOU?

Blaze spins around and looks up toward the menacing Black Dream Hole, now merged with the deep space witch.

Badiane: You're nothing but a PARTICLE. In your dreams, you see yourself as a STAR in the heavens, instead, you fly around like a demented comet, with one destination. OBLIVION!

"Says the woman who merged with a BLACK HOLE."

Badiane: I WAN'T ALEXIA!

"You won't get her! We won't let you have her! You....may have taken my sister, but you WON'T survive TONIGHT Badiane!"

Badiane: OHHH so BRAVE! YOU MAKE THIS TOO EASY!

Firebird set them both down on the ground. Haleigh realized there was a BARRIER separating her, Alexia, and Bishop from the rest of her team. Her job wasn't DONE just because she was running out of steam. Badiane was focused on Firebird and Perle for the moment. Haleigh crawled over to Alexia and provided cover for her.

"Get behind me Alexia. It'll all be over soon."

But for now, it's time to REMOVE another piece of Badiane's advantage!

he BARRIER prevented them from reuniting with the rest of the team! Perle did not have enough of a link to Spellbinder to create a fully active stepping disc, and the little faerie was now very worried, as she found herself DECLOAKED. Harbinger knew what was coming. >>

Harbinger: Perle, try to remain calm. No matter WHAT happens...don't move from where you are now. Ruby....<< the precog nods to her>> ...get ready.

<<Badiane's original target was Firedbird, but suddenly she saw, she REALIZED WHO was responsible for Firebird breaching the barrier.>>

Badiane: YOU!!!

<< Her eyes now fixed on Perle.>>

Badiane: You treacherous, disobedient, interfering little sprite! YOU'RE STILL ALIVE!? You HELPED her. You stand with them AGAINST ME, after ALL I've done for you!? Up till NOW I've only TOYED with you all because it amused me. But I've wasted ENOUGH TIME AND ENERGY!

<< The swell of power that was building up now forms JUST ahead of the black hole, spriling around like a chaotic, verticle oriented cyclone>>

Badiane: I'll PURGE YOU ALL, starting with YOU, little Perle, and then I'll CONSUME ALEXIA, using her power to UNLOCK the barrier between me and the rest of cosmos!

<< She narrows her glowing eyes, and the sprialing energy BLASTS FORTH, charing madly for Perle, who's eyes widen with shock and FEAR. >>

<< Ruby, who was just a few steps behind Perle runs forth, stepping in front of the dream faerie>>

Ruby: Oh NO YOU DON'T!

:: Harbinger marshals the rest of the group to be ready to ADVANCE(!?). It's clear from her behavior that she's seen what is coming. ::

Right on time, Ruby!

:: Cass ran forth and stepped in front of the faerie. ::

”OH, NO YOU DON’T!”

:: She threw up her hands, psionically activating her psychokinetic bubble, which would protect them BOTH from Badiane’s blast. It was BLACK in colour when it activated! ::

:: Ruby's psychokinetic bubble shields Perle and herself, and, driven by Ruby's resolve, will hold long enough. She also has the reserve of psychic energy that Harbinger diverted to her from earlier, which is now contained in her exquisite ruby pendant. Badiane's attack continues, but....::

Ruby doesn't stand ALONE, Badiane. You've become CARELESS in your effort to prove your dominance!

:: The celestial CLOCK effect that had been slowly turning in the heavens above/around them began to GLOW, a blue hue that matches the precog's colbalt eyes.::

By attacking Perle, you've just DROPPED YOUR BARRIER, and removed OUR obstacle!

:: Rampage, Prophet and Persephone rush forward together, reaching the fallen Black Widow, Bishop and the still "bubbled' Alexia, along with Firebird. Persephone kneels down, seeing to her sister, while Prophet makes contact with Alexia. He knows that they're reaching the final act of this battle, and with Bishop unconscious, he does NOT Alexia to witness what is coming without some kind of support and buffer. Rampage joins Firebird, ready to assist her in whatever they could do against Badiane.

Hold on, Ruby....

:: Harbinger holds out her hands, her TIME STAFF manifests in a swirl of darkly glowing orbs::

Badiane, you may have changed forms, and even MERGED with this power source, but your ATTACKS STILL MOVE in TIME and this space!

:: The garnet jewel at the top of the time staff begins to GLOW and hum, as she twirls the staff with speed and strikes a pose, shutting her eyes.::

And NOW that there's no more spatial barrier between us...I can SLOW THEM DOWN!

:: The "Numerals" of the celestial CLOCK begin to glow even brighter as a mournful bell TOLLS and the precog activates her power, combining the movement (TK) and Chronal forces and channeling them with her WILL and emotion through the Time Staff::

:: The space around them begins to RUMBLE and the sounds around them WARP...as Harbinger SLOWS DOWN Badiane's assault against Ruby...and slowly begins PUSHING the blast BACK away from Ruby::

Goddess....PLEASE....

:: Harbinger is one of earth's strongest telekinetics, her movement power doesn't simply effect matter in a variety of forms, but ALSO TIME. She has manifested this in various ways, most commonly Temporal WARP fields or TK traps to "catch/hold" and SLOW DOWN a person to a snail's pace. She's proven that she can move/direct an INCREDIBLE amount of matter/force, from Nimrod's lasers, and Master Mold's repulsor blasts, to the physicality of the mutated Kyle Kelly, BUT she ALSO experienced what it felt like to reach her upper limit, and DEPLETE herself during the Blue Moon.::

:: KNOWING what kind of effort this move would take, she didn't shy away from it, but NOW that she's fully committed, there's a REFLEX of emotion running through her...a FEAR that she'll not have enough POWER, that she'll FAIL much like she did in her nightmare, like she ALMOST did during the Blue Moon. Once again, Cameron is able to register this, DESPITE her actively keeping him locked out. It's a sign to him that her defenses are starting to strain...even CRACK.::

Ruby....Take Perle and rejoin the others!

They may NEED you to help sheild them. I'll keep HER busy. Now, use the TIME I've bought you...and GO!

YOU CAN'T STOP ME, HARBINGER! Your body will BREAK before I will!

:: True enough, if Harbinger did COMPLETELY stop time in such a large space, she would likely DIE herself. But that's not what was needed. That's not what her goal was.::

Ram...RAMPAGE....GET TO Silver Swan and MorningStar! The end game....is nearly at hand!

 

[Firebird]

They were slightly away from the others. As Persephone showed a look of worry and concern while holding her badly hurt sister, Blaze checked Bishop. This WAS bad, and it's a miracle that Bishop is still alive! But he was not as different from the Six as he liked to beleive, despite being only human. He knew about love, loss, CURSES, pain, DEATH and even RETURNING from death in the wildest, most mind bending ways! Looking at him now...it was hard NOT to feel some sympathy for the man, despite him bringing about one of the darkest era's in The Six's life (in this timeline). Sympathy maybe...but NOT trust.

Blaze never thought of him as an ALLY during this caper. He was another person in NEED of their help, and no matter how he felt about them, or what was going on, he would never have gotten this far without them. Now, in this moment, his very LIFE was in THEIR hands. Without Spellbinder or Harbinger, there was no HEALER among the group to assist Black Widow and Bishop. Still, They were not completely without resources!::

:: Firebird and Persephone both kneeled over their fallen.::

" Persephone, I can help their skin calm and help their bodies REVERSE and recover the heat related damage, can you use your elemental powers to provide them with hydration and restore their internal moisture balance, and some oxygen therapy for their lungs?"

:: Persephone picked up on Firebird's plan, and it was a very sound idea. Use their individual powers over their respective elements to help the bodies of Black Widow and Bishop boost their own natural recovery processes, and help them return closer to homeostasis! The goddess nods and they both begin their work.::

:: This is an aspect of her power that she first demonstrated to the "Mainstreams" when Prophet and Rampaged stopped HER from passing through the Seige Perilous. She lashed out against Nicolas, transforming into a MAGMA form, and giving him 3rd degree burns through several layers of the skin of his hand, both inside AND out. When Cameron and Nicolas talked her down and she'd realized what she'd done, she was filled with remorse and wanted to help make it...make HIM better.::

::FLASH!::

"This is not my way...I don't hurt my friends, even when times are bad. But I CAN help fix this."

With slight hesitation, Blaze lifts her hands toward Nicolas' badly burned hand. She places them directly on his hand!

"I'm not a healer like my sister...but when it comes to burn wounds...injuries caused by fire and flame related energy, I do have the power to reverse the effects and boost a body's natural healing response..."

There's a soft hum as the palms of Blaze's hands glow red. Using her power in one of its most gentle but crucial ways, she pulls back the effects of the burns caused by her magma form from all of Nicolas' epidermis, dermis and even the subcutis. The cells that died are revived and Nicolas' own healing is boosted to a level even he couldnt have manifested on his own without external assitance. ALL pain associated with her attack is pulled out as well, replaced with a soothing, cooling sensation.

"It's a part of my power that, in my timeline, Morgan helped me hone, since it's a quasi-healing power. Karen and Haleigh helped me to enhance my ability to use it effectively with the medical and scientific knowledge. I'd used it to help burn victims that we had rescued on various missions."

The process she is working with her power concludes...and Nicolas' hand and wrist are restored from her attack.

Persephone: We should work on Haleigh first. Her hybrid nature will no doubt allow her physiology to respond to our efforts faster and pick up where we leave off. She'll be back on her feet faster, and we NEED her. We DON'T need him.

Firebird nodded in full agreement.

"Let's get to work."

And so, the fire elemental activates this aspect of her power, carefully, but urgently working on Black Widow first, who's body would respond to this supportive, quasi-healing power first and more quickly. Combined with Persephone helping to calm their lungs and rehydrating their bodies using her powers in this finely tuned manner to perform a sort of respiratory and hydro therapy, Black Widow's own hybrid physiology would soon help her to be back on her feet.

Minutes pass, but Harbinger has managed to keep Badiane OCCUPIED and given them a respite! They needed to make sure this effort on the precog's part was NOT in vain.

" Bishop will take more time...and we'll have to be slower...more gentle with him. Despite his pumped up bod, he's still a flatscan. His body will not respond as quickly as Haleigh's and will need more support from us. "

As the two women begin working on Bishop, Firebird notes the look of disdain on Persephone's face. She can't help but smirk.

"Ava, you're so much like Morgan in this moment. She would be feeling some kind of way about having to help Bishop. It's ironic, isn't it? All the shit he talked when we arrived here, complaining that we were wasting time helping free Sharon from Badiane's spell...and now here WE are...devoting..."

Persephone: WASTING...

"Okay....WASTING OUR time on HIM. He doesn't think mutants do good, or that we help. But every MOMENT from this point forward that he has, he'll OWE to TWO mutants. "

Persephone: There's NOTHING he could do to repay US for what he's done to us, Firebird. Not you, me, your sister, and ESPECIALLY not Delilah! We're just doing what the Six does BEST. We're letting our DUTY to be there for EACH OTHER OUTWEIGH our CONTEMPT for this ignorant lout. We're letting our LOVE for Delilah lead us to action. This is all for Delilah and Alexia, and knowing that he'll SUFFER from guilt over Delilah in a way that none of us could inflict on him is an apt punishment, one that he NEEDS to be conscious for.

Whatever levity Blaze found in their conversation moments earlier was gone now. But Ava wasn't lying on any point. They finished their emergency therapy/assistance on Bishop, and soon, he would be regaining consciousness.

"Welcome back, Hales. "

Firebird smiles a bit as Persephone greets her sister.

"We're here...those of us who are left. :: referring to Morgan, who's whereabouts or status were still not immediately clear:: We helped stabilize you and Bishop with our elemental powers in carefully applied use. We're not healers...but we did what we could. Bishop should be coming around soon. Ali, sent Rampage to Silver Swan and MorningStar Alexia's with Prophet and Ruby, and Harbinger...well...."

Goddess....PLEASE....

:: Harbinger is one of earth's strongest telekinetics, her movement power doesn't simply effect matter in a variety of forms, but ALSO TIME. She has manifested this in various ways, most commonly Temporal WARP fields or TK traps to "catch/hold" and SLOW DOWN a person to a snail's pace. She's proven that she can move/direct an INCREDIBLE amount of matter/force, from Nimrod's lasers, and Master Mold's repulsor blasts, to the physicality of the mutated Kyle Kelly, BUT she ALSO experienced what it felt like to reach her upper limit, and DEPLETE herself during the Blue Moon.::

:: KNOWING what kind of effort this move would take, she didn't shy away from it, but NOW that she's fully committed, there's a REFLEX of emotion running through her...a FEAR that she'll not have enough POWER, that she'll FAIL much like she did in her nightmare, like she ALMOST did during the Blue Moon. Once again, Cameron is able to register this, DESPITE her actively keeping him locked out. It's a sign to him that her defenses are starting to strain...even CRACK.::

"She's gotten us this far, but I don't know how much longer she can last...OR what WE can do to help her!"

" I think the moment of truth....MorningStar's moment, is about to be at hand."

 

[Ruby]

The Otherworld – Castle




:: The blast came, scaring poor Perle who clung to Cass’ legs. ::

Perle: “Ruby, I’m…I’m SCARED! I don’t want to die…”

"We WON’T die, little one.”

Not if I can help it!

:: Throwing up her hands, she activated her psychokinetic bubble and SHIELDED them both from Badiane’s assault. Cass grinned. ::

“See? Look, I’m shielding BOTH of us now!”

:: She felt strong as she continued to shield them both from Badiane’s assault. She had more than enough energy to boost her, if need be. ::

Ruby doesn't stand ALONE, Badiane. You've become CARELESS in your effort to prove your dominance!

:: The celestial CLOCK effect that had been slowly turning in the heavens above/around them began to GLOW, a blue hue that matches the precog's colbalt eyes.::

By attacking Perle, you've just DROPPED YOUR BARRIER, and removed OUR obstacle!

:: Rampage, Prophet and Persephone rush forward together, reaching the fallen Black Widow, Bishop and the still "bubbled' Alexia, along with Firebird. Persephone kneels down, seeing to her sister, while Prophet makes contact with Alexia. He knows that they're reaching the final act of this battle, and with Bishop unconscious, he does NOT Alexia to witness what is coming without some kind of support and buffer. Rampage joins Firebird, ready to assist her in whatever they could do against Badiane. ::

Hold on, Ruby....

:: Cass’ bubble was still standing, strong and powerful. Badiane’s blasts were NOT getting through, and that was the way Cass liked it! Perle even managed to be brave enough to open one eye and watch from where she clung to the succubus’ legs. ::

Badiane, you may have changed forms, and even MERGED with this power source, but your ATTACKS STILL MOVE in TIME and this space!

:: The garnet jewel at the top of the time staff begins to GLOW and hum, as she twirls the staff with speed and strikes a pose, shutting her eyes.::

And NOW that there's no more spatial barrier between us...I can SLOW THEM DOWN!

:: The "Numerals" of the celestial CLOCK begin to glow even brighter as a mournful bell TOLLS and the precog activates her power, combining the movement (TK) and Chronal forces and channeling them with her WILL and emotion through the Time Staff::

:: The space around them begins to RUMBLE and the sounds around them WARP...as Harbinger SLOWS DOWN Badiane's assault against Ruby...and slowly begins PUSHING the blast BACK away from Ruby::

:: Cass felt – and heard – the rumbling around them. Soon, Cass could sense that the attacks were slowing down! Still, she kept the shield around both her and Perle. ::

Nice one, Ali!

:: Until, finally, the assault stopped. Tentatively Cass unshielded both her and Perle and looked at Alison. ::

*grateful*: “Thanks, Ali!”

Ruby....Take Perle and rejoin the others! They may NEED you to help shield them. I'll keep HER busy. Now, use the TIME I've bought you...and GO!

:: Ruby picked up Perle, who flung her little arms around her neck and held tightly, and joined her teammates. Ruby whispered to Perle. ::

”You’ll be safe with us, I promise…”

:: As she joined her team, she heard Badiane, and she did not like what she heard! ::

YOU CAN'T STOP ME, HARBINGER! Your body will BREAK before I will!]

*frightened*: “ALISON?”

:: She could see the toll that it was taking on the precog. ::

 

[Bishop]

He could hear voices, but he couldn’t move. Not at first. Then he was able to blink his eyes, slowly. His vision cleared. He rolled over on to his stomach and pushed himself onto all fours. He shook the cobwebs out of his head then stood, willing himself to stay upright.

Alexia: “Daddy!”

Alexia ran to him. He scooped her up into his arms, and she threw her arms around his neck.

Alexia: “You were hurt!”

He gave Firebird and Persephone a knowing look.

“I’m better now. Mommy’s friends helped me. Shh…just rest now.”

He turned Alexia’s face away from the battle going on behind them. He spoke gently to her.

“Alexia, you need to save your strength just now. But if you get scared, if anything is about to hurt you, you raise your shield, okay? You don’t need to wait for the signal word, you can do it yourself. You’re a big girl now. Alright?”

Alexia nodded and buried her face in his shoulder. He hugged her tight to him.

He looked at Firebird, and indicated Persephone with his head.

“She’s right you know – you shouldn’t have wasted your time on me, you had others to protect.”

He glanced down at Alexia.

“Thank you for saving my daughter.”

Then he matched Firebird's gaze.

“And, for the record, if I thought all mutants were bad, I would have let Bianca kill you all – I certainly wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of finding her and then taken a sword through the chest to stop her. I may be an asshole, but at least I don't revel in other people’s suffering and then pat myself on the back and call myself a saint because of it. And I certainly don't treat my friends the way you treated Delilah.”

He started to move away from them.

“I don’t owe you shit.”

 

[Seer]

<< Firebird started to reply at Bishop with biting venom, but Persephone gently placed her arm in front of the fire elemental's approach, >>

Persephone: Forget it, forget HIM, Blaze. We don't need validation from a flatscan. We've got more important things to worry about.

<< Pointing toward Harbinger, who's magnificent effort against Badiane was starting to take a toll.>>

-----------------------------------------

<< Rampage had disappeared! He COULD have leaped high up through the air to reach the floating ship, but at the last moment, before Harbinger faced off against the big bad, he had a "meeting of the minds" with Alison on the ASTRAL PLANE, where she, or rather her signature astral manifestation of floating eyes, communicated to him. She gave him the exact coordinates of the ship, and told him to AVOID making him an obvious target of Badiane and to use his power to teleport vast distances by psychokinetically SHIFTING himself in and out of the astral plane!>>

<< It was a sound move, and he knew it. It would allow him to save his energy and focus for what he was needed for most!>>

<< And so, the mutant demi-god teleports, psychokinetically shifting into the astral plane, then using the visual coordinates provided by Harbinger, he finds the candy ship, and times his shift OUT of the astral plane just right to allow himself to appear on deck of the ship just a step behind Silver Swan and MorningStar.>>

Sharon: Delilah...we MUST trust that this all part of Harbinger's plan. Spellbinder's....apparent sacrifice was NOT in vain. Your daughter is FREE now, she's safe with Bishop and the others.

<< Sharon turns to see him, and soon Delilah does as well.>>

Rampage: Sharon, Delilah. Harbinger sent me here to help.

<< Stepping forward, he takes a moment to look at both women. The moment he starts his next sentence, he knows that the sequences of final events Harbinger predicted will start unfolding. There's no changing it, he understood that now.>>

Rampage: Delilah, Harbinger advised me of the role I am to play assisting you in your takedown of Badiane. In order to do that, I'll need to touch your mind. I have the ability to absorb and redirect psionic energy to create a "Neural Jumpstart" in the mind of another mutant. This will enhance ALL your physical and mental capabilities, removing any mental circuit breakers or psychosomatic blocks that might interfere with you transducing the amount of sonic power Silver Swan sends at you and then releasing it in any form of light you can conceive. If you're ready, we can begin now. Harbinger warned me that the moment you and Sharon begin your attack on Badiane, the ship and all of us will decloak, and be targets of the witch. I am also here to keep the ship IN TACT.

Silver Swan: :: The mutate knew it was time. There was no denying or delaying. To do so would only increase the danger to Alexia, who was FREE and safe for NOW.:: Delilah.... :: She called to the mutant before Rampage, now standing behind Delilah, would places his hands on either side of her head and begin his psionic move::

:: Sharon, who's silver eye mask had returned over her face, faced Delilah.:: May the goddesses aid us both. :: She hugs her friend:: It is an honor to stand with you.

:: Sharon looks at Nicolas as she hugs Delilah...allowing her emotion to convey just a bit as she squeezes Delilah a bit tighter for a moment. Sharon and Nicolas share a silent look between them, before she slowly lets Delilah go and moves back.::

Rampage: This may HURT for a brief moment, and I'm sorry for that. I will minimize the pain as much as I possibly can, but from that pain, you will find your mutant ability to transduce sound and release it as light AMPLIFIED to near FULL potential, allowing you to maximize the sonic power Sharon delivers to you in a way that would not have been possible before.

:: Rampage lifts hands hands, holding them at either side of Delilah's head about, about her temples. Soon, the psionic energy signature associated with his power begins to manifest around his hands, then around her head. For a horrid moment, it feels as if someone just SLAMMED a SLEDGE HAMMER into Delilah's BRAIN! ::

:: Sharon steadies Delilah as she staggers from the PAIN, supporting her body and encouraging to hold on and not fight Nicolas' mental contact with her mind, but Nicolas is no amateur with his power. Just as he aided Spellbinder in her final battle with Circe, he now aids MorningStar as she readies herself to strike at Badiane for the life of her daughter and all those other children, all of creation! ::

Rampage: MorningStar, Silver Swan, go and GET that intergalactic bitch!

<< Silver Swan nods to Nicolas, and then looks to MorningStar>>

Sharon: Are you ready?

<< MorningStar moves to very front edge of the bow. Rampage then telekinetically lifts her up in the air, and supports her in place, allowing her the perfect view and position from the ship as it orbits the black dream hole, now containing Badiane. By doing this, MorningStar will not have to worry about maintaining her physical form in an upright position. >>

<< Silver Swan then lifts off the ground, hovering not too far behind MorningStar.>>

Silver Swan: We now begin.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<< Down below.>>

<< Black Widow, Persephone, Firebird, Ruby and Prophet stand ready to help Harbinger in ANY way they can, when suddenly...the precog cries out. It's a scream of both defiance AND the need to be FREE of this burden. All sight of her is LOST as Badiane's last attack FINALLY seems to power THROUGH Harbinger's temporal WARP and SLAMS DOWN on the spot where the witch once stood. The blast hits the ground with such force that it causes the surface hit by the collision to DENT and almost CRATER>>

Ruby: NO!!! NOT HER TOO!!!

<< Firebird, Persephone and Ruby all look visibly upset. Did they just BOTH of their witches!?>>

Prophet: NO!!! She's NOT dead. I'd KNOW it if she were.

<< Badiane's laughter is heard all around them. The witch seems QUITE amused and pleased now as she swells with power and excitment inside the black dream hole.>>

Firebird: WOULD you, Prophet?! I CAN'T sense Spellbinder via OUR psychic rapport as siblings, what if yours with Alison is affected the same way?

Black Widow: It's not over YET...and every other move on her chess board has played out the way she planned...Firebird, we've got no choice BUT to believe now, KEEP IT TOGETHER, AND CARRY ON until this is FINISHED.

Harbinger: I'm.....not dead.

<< Her cold, but noticeably weakened voice, is heard and as they all turn toward the direction it came from, they see her...laying on her side...still holding on to her Time Staff, but visibly shaken and weakened right now.>>

Harbinger: Badiane was right...I couldn't hope to...stop a black hole...but I managed to SLOW HER DOWN....long enough to...

<<Persephone and Firebird try to help Harbinger get up.>>

Black Widow: No, let her rest. Her vitals...she does not NEED to be on her feet right now. Alison, did you bring any elixirs with you that we can give you now?

Harbinger: You...have...

<< Black Widow would recall that Harbinger REGULARLY mixed and sent Haleigh an ongoing supply of vitality and restoration potions that she would carry with her in her virtual storage vault, It was sort of like a mini dyson sphere, that she could keep any number of objects in and mentally access with her technopathic powers from WHEREVER she was in order to retrieve the objects for use in that space. It was one of the ongoing procedures that she and Alison created following the "death" of Morgan at the hands of Master Mold when the two of them became co-leaders of the Six, and it was something they had kept going until recently. After Haleigh and Alison recovered from the initial confrontation following the events of the Blue Moon, they resumed it.>>

<< Black Widow accesses her mini dyson sphere and brings forth one of the elixirs.>>

Black Widow: Here, Alison. Drink this. Persephone, Firebird, bring her over there and keep her covered, she's earned this moment to rest. We need to be closer together Ruby, Prophet, you're with me. We still need to keep Alexia covered until this is OVER.

<< The goddess and the fire elemental gently lay a fatigued Harbinger down, she's now nearby Bishop and Alexia. Bishop has a moment to see the witch in a way he never imagined he would. >>

Black Widow: NIC! What's going on up there on the ship! We're running out of time and the longer this goes on, the more chance Badiane might have to power up and ADAPT!

------------------------------------------------------

<< Her answer would reveal itself soon enough. >>

<< Back on the ship, now that all were in position, and MorningStar was as ready as she'd ever be, Silver Swan opens her mouth and begins to SCREAM!>>

<< Sonic Waves can be seen traveling forward from her open mouth as the air between her and Delilah distorts and the space vibrates>>

<< A tornado. A roaring jet engine. The collective battle cry of 100 amazons. These are just a FEW sound comparisons that can be heard...FELT....as the Silver Swan unleashes her SONIC SCREAM.>>


<< It can be heard EVERYWHERE all around! But for those on the ground, they are MERCIFULLY spared the deadly impact and effect that the scream would have on them if they were on the ship. Rampage is not so lucky. Still, because he is not in the direct PATH of Sharon's sonic power, he is spared direct impact and damage. He can hold steady and endure, far more than anyone else could if they were in his spot right now.>>

<< But BADIANE registers the start of Silver Swan's sconic scream as well! She soon SEES where it's coming from, as MorningStar, Silver Swan, Rampage and the candy ship are all VISIBLE to her!>>

Badiane: YOU AGAIN? I TIRED of you annoying pests! It's time I ended this! ENDED YOU!

<<From within the black dream hole, Badiane's immense eyes GLOW....and the candy ship, along with all those on it, are encased in a glowing orange sphere. Badiane's eyes FLASH and the sphere of her power DETONATES, seemingly BLOWING UP THE SHIP!>>

<< For those watching on the ground, it's the most HORRIBLE turn of events.>>

<< But even as the smoke from the violent explosion begins to clear....they are SHOCKED to see that the ship REMAINS intact, TOTALLY unaffected!?>>

Badiane: WHAT?! BUT HOW!?

<< Eldritch chimes sound off in the air around them, and they see a FLICKERING image of a glowing violet, slowly turning turning pentagram of PROTECTION that encircles the ship! Spellbinder's MAGICK!>>

Firebird: "Spell's power signature! Her SPELL around the ship HELD, that means she must still BE ALIVE!"

<< Ruby, Perle, and Persephone all exclaim with relief that the ship was not destroyed, that those on board were alive, AND that Spellbinder might still be alive. Black Widow smirked, remembering her last conversation with Morgan on the ship. She knows Morgan must be doing something "OUTSIDE THE BOX" now. But no need to let anything be known to Badiane. On the ship, Rampage stands tall, he felt a SURGE of hope knowing that Morgan MUST still be alive after all! But to the task at hand...>>

Rampage: SILVER SWAN, DON'T STOP! Even IF Spellbinder's shields fail, I CAN hold the ship TOGETHER.

<< From Badiane's eyes, BLASTS of concussive power fire upon the ship, one after the other, three times! Spellbinder's shields HOLD, but for how long?>>

Badiane: HAVEN'T YOU LEARNED? YOUR WITCHES CAN'T PROTECT YOU FROM MY POWER!

<< Badiane continues to assault the ship! She won't stop until she smashes it and kills all aboard!>>

<< MorningStar's body is now GLOWING, she couldn't stop herself even if she wanted to. She's glowing BRIGHTER than some of the stars in the open space around them. Silver Swan's sonic scream has excited her mutant metabolism, and now, with Rampage's neural jumpstart removing any of her body and mind's mental circuit breakers, her power is working like a symphony, building in such a crescendo that she's never felt before. >>

<< Silver Swan, who's blonde hair is now flowing as she presses forward, shutting her eyes and increasing her sonic scream's power level to the "SWAN SONG." this level of her power, as defined by Mystech, allows her to- among other things- devastate VAST areas as large as some metropolitan areas, completely leveling or shattering most objects, structures and LIVING BEINGS. But even THIS level of her power is WELCOMED by MorningStar's primed body, her very genetic structure!>>

<< The most eerie thing about the sight of Silver Swan and MorningStar together now, is that NONE of them can HEAR Sharon's terrifying sonic scream anymore, or ANYTHING ELSE around them for that matter! Because of Rampage's neural jumpstart, Morningstar's status as a living transducer is letting her REACH OUT and ABSORB all available sound around them.>>

<< It becomes necessary for Prophet to now act as a psychic switchboard, allowing himself AND his team to communicate and "hear" each other telepathically. the ULTIMATE psionic "conference call." The only three people he CAN'T link with are Harbinger, Black Widow and Silver Swan. Black Widow, because of the psychic FIRE WALL placed in her mind by MALICE following her restoration on Sheena Island, and Silver Swan because her mental map and thoughts as the Silver Swan are very complicated and slippery, like quicksilver, requiring a level of effort and concentration to connect or breach that Prophet does nothave the time for now. He knows that Sharon is committed to her task and will not shrink back. Finally there's Harbinger- because of her psi screen. While their special intimate psychic rapport as siblings were RESTORED by Alison, she can...and has shown that she WILL LOCK Prophet OUT when she's upset or angry. She's been ANGRY with him for most of this caper and even now, she has not let him back in. But he IS sensing that her WALL against him is starting to strain...and even CRACK since the NIGHTMARE he saw her experience.>>

Badiane: What is HAPPENING....is there...a SPELL OF SILENCE now!?

<< But she can't even hear her own voice anymore!>>

<< MorningStar's moment of truth is AT HAND!>>

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah breathed a small sigh of relief as Bishop and Black Widow successfully caught Alexia and got her away from Badiane. But she could do nothing as Badiane viciously attacked them in retribution, sending powerful flaming attacks that seared their skin. FIREBIRD stepped in and thankfully rescued a scared but unharmed Alexia, then went back for Black Widow and Bishop. Surprisingly, Persephone and Firebird proceeded to heal Black Widow AND Bishop. She honestly would have expected them to let him die. Not too long ago, she would have too.

But her relief was not to last long. Delilah watched in horror as Spellbinder was seemingly destroyed by Badiane. She grabbed Sharon’s hand, searching the space in front of her, looking for a stepping disc to appear, but none did.

“She can’t…she can’t be gone! Alison would have seen it…”

Delilah...we MUST trust that this all part of Harbinger's plan. Spellbinder's....apparent sacrifice was NOT in vain. Your daughter is FREE now, she's safe with Bishop and the others.

Delilah touched a hand to her heart, and nodded. She couldn’t feel this grief now. Though she knew she would not have time to feel it later, either.

Delilah heard Rampage behind her, and she also turned to face him.

Delilah, Harbinger advised me of the role I am to play assisting you in your takedown of Badiane. In order to do that, I'll need to touch your mind.

“Do whatever you have to do, I trust you.”

May the goddesses aid us both. It is an honor to stand with you.

Delilah hugged her back, holding on tight.

“And with you.”

This may HURT for a brief moment, and I'm sorry for that.

Delilah smiled at him – not sarcastic, but warm.

“I’ve been through childbirth – bring it on.”

Rampage put his hands on either side of her head, and then…

There was the pain.

She staggered, but Sharon held her steady.

MorningStar, Silver Swan, go and GET that intergalactic bitch!

“Nicolas – take care of everybody. Tell them…tell them goodbye.”

She turned to Silver Swan.

Are you ready?

Delilah nodded, and then she began to levitate off the bow of the ship. She could see her target dead ahead.

From behind her, the Silver Swan unleashed her sonic scream, and they were no longer cloaked. The ship beneath her erupted into a fireball. But…nothing happened. Spellbinder’s magick! A small smile came over Delilah’s lips.

“Way to go, Morgan.”

SILVER SWAN, DON'T STOP! Even IF Spellbinder's shields fail, I CAN hold the ship TOGETHER.

“You can do this, Rampage. You own this bitch!”

But then Silver Swan’s scream intensified, and Delilah threw her head back as the sound rushed into her. Her arms went out at her sides as if she were collecting it in her arms. Her eyes glowed green, her body glowing brightly, BLINDING. Her body absorbed it all, hungrily taking all that Silver Swan could give, and more. She took in all the other sounds in this remote corner of space until there was nothing left. And the rest was silence…

Delilah’s eyes took one last look at her daughter, clutching tight to Bishop, and to her team there on the ground. She had made mistakes, but this was for them, all of them. To keep them safe. To keep her child and all the other children viciously abused by Badiane safe.

Her body was positively humming with power. She felt like she could do anything, she was so overflowing with energy. Her light was everywhere, everywhere but one place. It called to her, this section of space without the light. It needed to be expunged, brought into the light.

“Eat me, you psychotic pedophile bitch.”

And with a smile Delilah’s eyes narrowed, and she thrust her hands forward, unleashing a blast of green light directly at Badiane. As Silver Swan continued to sing behind her, the power she expended was replenished. The light morphed from green to a rainbow of colors and finally into a pure white beam. Delilah held nothing back, throwing everything at the black hole. Badiane would never touch her child, or any child, again.

 

[Bishop]

On the ground

They threw around the word “flatscan” as if it were an insult.

But he didn’t have an opportunity to respond – as if it would make any difference in their small minds – because Badiane’s attack broke through Alison’s defense and it looked like the witch was vaporized. Even Bishop gasped.

But she wasn’t dead.

Badiane was right...I couldn't hope to...stop a black hole...but I managed to SLOW HER DOWN....long enough to...

Alison didn’t need to finish that sentence. She was laid down near to where he stood holding Alexia. He knelt and touched Alison’s arm.

“You did good. You bought them the time they needed – it’s up to Delilah now.”

No sound came out of his mouth, so he could only hope that she understood what he was trying to say. He stood again, his eyes now locked on the bright light in the sky that he knew was Delilah.

And then fire was everywhere – Badiane had blown up the ship! Every cell in his body screamed, but he kept still, not wanting to frighten Alexia. But as the explosion cleared, somehow, the ship was still there. A purple pentagram surrounded the ship, just as he had seen around Spellbinder earlier. So was she alive? If Spellbinder was, then that meant there was hope.

If she can do that, surely she can save Delilah…

 

[Prophet]

:: Prophet was engaged in one HELL of a psychic dance, and while he was able to amazingly maintain control over the various balls he was juggling in the air, he wouldn't be able to keep this up for much longer. Thankfully at that moment he felt a surge of energy from Nicolas flow through his body. He had been so involved and focused on his tasks that he had forgotten that demigod had asked him to let him know when he needed a boost. Thankfully, after many capers together, they had a sort of sense about each other. They knew when to step in for the other instinctively when needed, and Cameron needed it in this moment. ::

"Thank You Rampage! Well timed assist!"

:: He listened as Alexia told him stories of Limbo, while simultaneously feeding and recycling energy through the sleeping children on the ship in order to stabilize their vitals and to minimize any lingering emotional distress that might be seeping into their minds via the battle that was happening around them. While they may have been unconscious and in a dream state, their subconcious minds could still be picking up the horrors of battle, so Cameron was working overtime to ensure that wasn't happening. Prophet couldn't focus on the battle around him as much as he would have liked, but he knew that Spellbinder was facing off against Badiane in a brilliant display of magick. She seemed to be pulling her own when a tremor of fear shot up Cameron's body as his eyes widened. ::

"That ENERGY..it can't be...it's...BLACK!"

:: His mystical senses were going off as DARK ENERGY erupts into the battlefield immediately enveloping Spellbinder in a haze of black and dark smoke like energy. He split his focus once more to the battle. ::

"Morgan! GET OUT NOW! Teleport out NOW!"

:: And just like that, she was gone. Completely dissappeared from battle. This didn't add up to Cameron. That energy, while it had nearly killed Morgan a FEW times in her life, it normally wasn't that easy. He looked down at his sister, and although she seemed distressed, something was off and it didn't take their sibling bond for him to know this. The others feared the worst, but Cameron had the ability to communicate and see the dead, a mystical attribute he didn't often tap into. Morgan wasn't dead, but she also wasn't in the realm of the living. His pupils dilated as he searched the astral plane, his ability of flash premonition, giving him a striking vision of clarity at what was about to transpire. ::

"She can't possibly think she can pull that off...!?"

Firebird: "I CAN'T sense her! And she won't answer me via our rapport! That means she's unconscious. Or..."

[Cameron interjected]

"NO! Stand FAST Firebird...none of this is over yet! I promise!"

Badiane: ALEXIA IS MINE! She is the key to the black dream hole, and the DOOM OF ALL WHO TRY TO KEEP HER FROM ME! BEHOLD.

<< Star fire builds up all around the swirling vortex, the power can be HEARD....and as Badiane's vengeful eyes LOCK on to Black Widow and Bishop, she FIRES upon them!>>

<< The first blast is a broad beamed torrent of flame energy. It hits them like a tidal wave. Black Widow holds it together, taking the BRUNT of the blast, but Bishop is not completely spared.>>

<< Sharon and Delilah exclaim from the ship, but they CANNOT go to their aid!>>

Badiane: NO ONE DEFIES ME AND LIVES. NO ONE!

<< Another BLAST. This one is more vicious than the first. Black Widow's body actually RADIATES from this blast and Bishop's clothes are now beginning to BURN. Prophet is hit HARD by the psychic backlash from Alexia, who's fear is now spiking into TERROR and PANIC.>>


Bishop: << Something ORORO taught his little girl!>> Alexia.....DANGER.

<< And just in time too. The moment the little girl calls up her protective energy bubble, her father and Black Widow are hit AGAIN, this time LONGER. Bishop BARELY manages to hang on to consciousness, and loses his grip on Alexia. >>

:: Prophet squinted his eyes as the light of the attack ripped through the battle area as Haleigh's body began to RADIATE with light from the strength of the attack. This was not looking good, but for some reason, his body told him to trust Harbinger and Spellbinder's course of action. ::

"AHHHH!!!"

:: His mind singed with pain as he began to experience the spiking mental anguish of Alexia flare up, so much so that it almost caused him to lose his connection to her COMPLETELY. But instead he called upon his empathy as waves of calm began to wash over the young girl who was in her protective bubble. ::

[via thoughtcall to Alexia] "Alexia..you're okay. I promise. Just hold on to me, with your mind okay? Your dad and I can keep you safe. He's got your body, and I have your mind, so just stay here with me. Please."

:: Firebird went to work and secured Alexia in a BRILLIANT display of power. This entire battle had been a true testament to the ability of the firebird and in space, she was even BETTER. Cameron now more than ever, felt honored that he had worked so hard to convince her to stay, because WHERE would they be without her right now? Prophet didn't want to think about it. ::

:: Badiane went Mommy Dearest on Perle who was feeling vulnerable and very afraid. Thankfully Ruby was able to intervene with her barrier, augmented by the energy she was able to asborb earlier. ::

:: Ruby's psychokinetic bubble shields Perle and herself, and, driven by Ruby's resolve, will hold long enough. She also has the reserve of psychic energy that Harbinger diverted to her from earlier, which is now contained in her exquisite ruby pendant. Badiane's attack continues, but....::

Ruby doesn't stand ALONE, Badiane. You've become CARELESS in your effort to prove your dominance!

:: The celestial CLOCK effect that had been slowly turning in the heavens above/around them began to GLOW, a blue hue that matches the precog's colbalt eyes.::

By attacking Perle, you've just DROPPED YOUR BARRIER, and removed OUR obstacle!

:: Rampage, Prophet and Persephone rush forward together, reaching the fallen Black Widow, Bishop and the still "bubbled' Alexia, along with Firebird. Persephone kneels down, seeing to her sister, while Prophet makes contact with Alexia. He knows that they're reaching the final act of this battle, and with Bishop unconscious, he does NOT Alexia to witness what is coming without some kind of support and buffer. Rampage joins Firebird, ready to assist her in whatever they could do against Badiane.

Hold on, Ruby....

:: Harbinger holds out her hands, her TIME STAFF manifests in a swirl of darkly glowing orbs::

Badiane, you may have changed forms, and even MERGED with this power source, but your ATTACKS STILL MOVE in TIME and this space!

:: The garnet jewel at the top of the time staff begins to GLOW and hum, as she twirls the staff with speed and strikes a pose, shutting her eyes.::

And NOW that there's no more spatial barrier between us...I can SLOW THEM DOWN!

:: The "Numerals" of the celestial CLOCK begin to glow even brighter as a mournful bell TOLLS and the precog activates her power, combining the movement (TK) and Chronal forces and channeling them with her WILL and emotion through the Time Staff::

:: The space around them begins to RUMBLE and the sounds around them WARP...as Harbinger SLOWS DOWN Badiane's assault against Ruby...and slowly begins PUSHING the blast BACK away from Ruby::

Goddess....PLEASE....

:: Harbinger is one of earth's strongest telekinetics, her movement power doesn't simply effect matter in a variety of forms, but ALSO TIME. She has manifested this in various ways, most commonly Temporal WARP fields or TK traps to "catch/hold" and SLOW DOWN a person to a snail's pace. She's proven that she can move/direct an INCREDIBLE amount of matter/force, from Nimrod's lasers, and Master Mold's repulsor blasts, to the physicality of the mutated Kyle Kelly, BUT she ALSO experienced what it felt like to reach her upper limit, and DEPLETE herself during the Blue Moon.::

:: KNOWING what kind of effort this move would take, she didn't shy away from it, but NOW that she's fully committed, there's a REFLEX of emotion running through her...a FEAR that she'll not have enough POWER, that she'll FAIL much like she did in her nightmare, like she ALMOST did during the Blue Moon. Once again, Cameron is able to register this, DESPITE her actively keeping him locked out. It's a sign to him that her defenses are starting to strain...even CRACK.::

Ruby....Take Perle and rejoin the others!

They may NEED you to help sheild them. I'll keep HER busy. Now, use the TIME I've bought you...and GO!

"Alison! What the HELL ARE YOU DOING?!"

:: She was doing too much. In an effort to destroy Badiane, she was performing a MIRACULOUS display of power. It was too much power. If she kept going, she would kill NOT ONLY HERSELF, but EVERYBODY else in the area. All of this would be for nothing. Even if the others survived...HOW would they get home? WHAT would they be coming home to? ::

"DO WHAT SHE SAYS AND FAST! We don't have much TIME!"

:: Cameron didn't have the luxury of worrying about the others. Alison's defenses against their sibling bond were lightening, almost CRACKING and Prophet could feel it. Just then Badiane's attack seemed to break though Harbinger's mighty display, SMASHING down on her. ::

Ruby: "NO! NOT HER TOO!!

"NO!!! She's NOT dead. I'd KNOW it if she were."

Firebird: "WOULD you, Prophet? I CAN'T sense Spellbinder via OUR pyschic rapport as siblings, what if yours with Alison is affected the same way?"

:: Haleigh spoke up ::

Black Widow: It's not over YET...and every other move on her chess board has played out the way she planned...Firebird, we've got no choice BUT to believe now, KEEP IT TOGETHER, AND CARRY ON until this is FINISHED.

"SHE'S NOT DEAD!"

Harbinger: "I'm...not dead."

:: All of this is about to be interrupted by the operatic display of the Morningstar. It was time and just as they noted Morgan's energy signature flicker in the air, Cameron knew it was almost time for him as well. As Sharon ignited her Sonic Scream, everything became heightened to a sensational degree. All of them could barely see, and COULDN'T hear. She was playing her part, and he couldn't look. He WOULDN'T watch Delilah die. He wouldn't survive seeing it. He FOCUSED on the task at hand while allowing his teammates to telepathic hear and experience each other. ::

"Sorry, Harbinger...but your brother is paying you a VISIT!"

<< BOOM! >>

:: Prophet mentally CRACKED the barrier that was keeping him from linking with his sister as he entered her psyche in a STRONG and pulsating way. ::

"Alison! We don't have time for this...Morgan really can't be...she isn't going to try and SAVE DELILAH is she? She'll die! The time to keep me locked out is OVER. We need to minimize casualties. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON!"

 

[Harbinger]

:: There were limits, CONSEQUENCES for all the Six when it came to their powers. For the witches among them, one of those "red lines" was the use of a necromancy spell. The only one among them that had SURVIVED igniting that forbidden spell was Karen Victoria, and even so, that process left HER forever altered. Her adopting the code name Shadow Weaver was more than a mere act of vanity.::

:: For Harbinger, being to sense, perceive and actively manipulate the forces of TIME made her unique among the world of the occult. She could subject people and even localized AREAS to temporal stasis, but using her power to STOP TIME on a celestial scale?! That was a "red line." She might SUCCEED, but she'd DIE, and the damage caused by her doing that would precipitate massive collapse in this sidereal string of reailty. ::

:: That she pushed herself and her power anywhere NEAR to that red line during this caper meant something, and for individuals as perceptive as Bishop and her brother Prophet, it wasn't at all hard to guess WHAT. What Alison may not display in WORD, she would often do in ACTION. She and Morgan both were trying DESPERATELY to balance the scales with Delilah and remind her of what she meant to them, how they REALLY felt about her.::

:: She was doing too much. In an effort to destroy Badiane, she was performing a MIRACULOUS display of power. It was too much power. If she kept going, she would kill NOT ONLY HERSELF, but EVERYBODY else in the area. All of this would be for nothing. Even if the others survived...HOW would they get home? WHAT would they be coming home to? ::

"DO WHAT SHE SAYS AND FAST! We don't have much TIME!"

:: Cameron didn't have the luxury of worrying about the others. Alison's defenses against their sibling bond were lightening, almost CRACKING and Prophet could feel it. Just then Badiane's attack seemed to break though Harbinger's mighty display, SMASHING down on her. ::

Ruby: "NO! NOT HER TOO!!

"NO!!! She's NOT dead. I'd KNOW it if she were."

Firebird: "WOULD you, Prophet? I CAN'T sense Spellbinder via OUR pyschic rapport as siblings, what if yours with Alison is affected the same way?"

:: Haleigh spoke up ::

Black Widow: It's not over YET...and every other move on her chess board has played out the way she planned...Firebird, we've got no choice BUT to believe now, KEEP IT TOGETHER, AND CARRY ON until this is FINISHED.

"SHE'S NOT DEAD!"

::FLASH!::

<< INSTANT REPLAY>>

<< Black Widow, Persephone, Firebird, Ruby and Prophet stand ready to help Harbinger in ANY way they can, when suddenly...the precog cries out. It's a scream of both defiance AND the need to be FREE of this burden. All sight of her is LOST as Badiane's last attack FINALLY seems to power THROUGH Harbinger's temporal WARP and SLAMS DOWN on the spot where the witch once stood. The blast hits the ground with such force that it causes the surface hit by the collision to DENT and almost CRATER>>

:: In that terrifying moment, SECONDS before the blast made CONTACT with Harbinger, she LET GO, and BLINKED OUT. But she was barely conscious, and could not MOVE herself anywhere specific. the ONLY thing that propelled her was the need to ESCAPE and SURVIVE.::

I'm....not dead....

:: She reappeared on the opposite end of where she had been, but she was completely fatigued. Now laying on her side, trembling and barely conscious::

:: Persephone and Fierbird try to help her up, but she can't stand. Black Widow scans her vitals and commands them to let her rest. She administers an elixir to Alison, knowing that it will have therapeutic effect on her soon enough, and tells the rest of the team to allow her this respite. They move her near Bishop and Alexia. She barely registers them...her colbalt blue eyes are partially open, and she briefly makes out the form and shape of a beautiful little girl...::

Alexia...free now....

Badiane was right...I couldn't hope to...stop a black hole...but I managed to SLOW HER DOWN....long enough to...

Alison didn’t need to finish that sentence. She was laid down near to where he stood holding Alexia. He knelt and touched Alison’s arm.

“You did good. You bought them the time they needed – it’s up to Delilah now.”

No sound came out of his mouth, so he could only hope that she understood what he was trying to say.

:: She did. ::

::And now, the moment of truth was at hand.::

:: All of this is about to be interrupted by the operatic display of the Morningstar. It was time and just as they noted Morgan's energy signature flicker in the air, Cameron knew it was almost time for him as well. As Sharon ignited her Sonic Scream, everything became heightened to a sensational degree. All of them could barely see, and COULDN'T hear. She was playing her part, and he couldn't look. He WOULDN'T watch Delilah die. He wouldn't survive seeing it. He FOCUSED on the task at hand while allowing his teammates to telepathic hear and experience each other. ::

"Sorry, Harbinger...but your brother is paying you a VISIT!"

<< BOOM! >>

:: Prophet mentally CRACKED the barrier that was keeping him from linking with his sister as he entered her psyche in a STRONG and pulsating way. ::

"Alison! We don't have time for this...Morgan really can't be...she isn't going to try and SAVE DELILAH is she? She'll die! The time to keep me locked out is OVER. We need to minimize casualties. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON!"

............

:: Harbinger was beginning to stablize. She was no longer in danger of completely crashing, thanks to Haleigh's timely application of the elixir. ::

:: But NOW, her brother, Prophet, sensing how WEAKENED her wall against him was, came SMASHING through, restoring their psychic rapport and making contact with her!::

How....HOW DARE YOU!

:: She was angry, but far too weak to make it a FORCE. Cameron pressed ahead. He would not let her push him back OR OUT, this time. He....he seemed to be MORE AWARE than she anticipated. Somehow, he had a sense of what She & Morgan had been planning, what Morgan was REALLY going to do.::

Oh...Do NOT...interfere, Cameron. You will RUIN EVERYTHING.

:: Her astral form, it was flickering, not nearly as strong or vital as it should be right now, but her PREFERRED manifestation, a pair of floating cobalt blue eyes, remained moderately strong, and so...she shifted from her basic form, to the preferred form, allowing her to better communicate with Cameron.::

Cameron...please(!?) ...DON'T interfere. We have come TOO FAR, and though you may sense some pieces, you don't yet know the PATTERN, OR what YOU'LL be needed for!

:: She was relenting on keeping him blocked out. He was right, this just wasn't the time for THAT. But....::

Now....hold yourself together...and let me do this last thing...and I'll...WE'LL see this through the end, TOGETHER.

 

[Seer]

A Star Is Born

But then Silver Swan’s scream intensified, and Delilah threw her head back as the sound rushed into her. Her arms went out at her sides as if she were collecting it in her arms. Her eyes glowed green, her body glowing brightly, BLINDING. Her body absorbed it all, hungrily taking all that Silver Swan could give, and more. She took in all the other sounds in this remote corner of space until there was nothing left. And the rest was silence…

Delilah’s eyes took one last look at her daughter, clutching tight to Bishop, and to her team there on the ground. She had made mistakes, but this was for them, all of them. To keep them safe. To keep her child and all the other children viciously abused by Badiane safe.

Her body was positively humming with power. She felt like she could do anything, she was so overflowing with energy. Her light was everywhere, everywhere but one place. It called to her, this section of space without the light. It needed to be expunged, brought into the light.

“Eat me, you psychotic pedophile bitch.”

And with a smile Delilah’s eyes narrowed, and she thrust her hands forward, unleashing a blast of green light directly at Badiane. As Silver Swan continued to sing behind her, the power she expended was replenished. The light morphed from green to a rainbow of colors and finally into a pure white beam. Delilah held nothing back, throwing everything at the black hole. Badiane would never touch her child, or any child, again.

<< Badiane, at FIRST, laughed at what seemed to be a foolish, and PITIFUL attempt at attacking her in her current form. But she didn't know what The Six's end game, or how far they'd go. She'd severely underestimated them ALL. She could no longer hear herself talk!>>

<< At FIRST, the black hole was unfazed by MorningStar's attack, but as Silver Swan continued and began her sonic crescendo to the Swan Song, MorningStar, NO LONGER inhibited by her body's built in circuit breakers, thanks to Rampage's neural jumpstart, began to POUR IT ON. What started as a powerful stream of light, began to INCREASE in it's intensity, moving UP the spectrum to WHITE...then to STARLIGHT. The beam increased from broad, to ALL ENCOMPASSING, the POWER went from continuous, to OVERWHELMING.>>

<< Rampage could NO LONGER view them with his BODY'S eyes. MorningStar's light was now lighting up the space all around them brighter than any one star could possibly be.>>

<< The others on the ground, were ALL forced to avert their eyes, covering their eyes/faces. Even Black Widow could no longer rely on her PHYSICAL eyes, and her ELECTRONIC sensors were beginning to SCRAMBLE from the level of light she was being surrounded by!>>

<< Badiane's voice, if it could be heard, was beginning to WARP...she was now a PASSENGER in the form she had taken as the black hole itself begin to fluxuate in CHAOS!>>

<< Silver Swan CONTINUED on...and MorningStar's BODY was no longer visible by any human means. But she still in human form...and thus...could NOT triumph in the ultimate goal YET.>>


<< FLASH!>>

<<A horizontal two way SPLIT view. A pair of VIOLET eyes on the top panel, a pair of COLBALT BLUE eyes on the bottom panel.>>

The voices of Spellbinder and Harbinger speak out, but ONLY MorningStar, Prophet and Rampage can "hear" them.

<< a THIRD panel shifts into view, now making a THREE WAY SPLIT VIEW. MORNINGSTAR, inside her explosion of LIGHT.>>


Spellbinder: Only the BIRTH OF A STAR....

Harbinger: Can CORRECT the DEATH OF STAR...

Spellbinder: ...Which IS what a black hole ultimately is.

Harbinger: Badiane sought to consume all of creation through the sweet energy and dreams of children...

Spellbinder: And now...she is confronted with the one thing she CAN'T consume...

Harbinger: The LIGHT.

Both Witches TOGETHER: Morningstar, woman, warrior, mother of Alexia, daughter of LIGHT, we aid thee in this, thy FINEST HOUR!

The Witches continue: From all around this space of black, cold and fear....WE, the daughters of HECATE...COMBINE our magickal powers

Harbinger: TO MOVE...

Spellbinder: and CIRCUMVENT

Both: TIME AND SPACE.

Both: We SUMMON the LIGHT of the stars all around MorningStar! We SUMMON the light within and without! Come to her NOW and bring your celestial power! Kiss her and RELEASE her from her mortal form. Where Silver Swan's SONG ENDS, LET MorningStar's CELESTIAL SONG BEGIN. Let her SHOW her light, let her BE THE LIGHT. LET HER BECOME THE STAR THAT VANQUISHES BADIANE'S MIGHT!

<< Eldritch chimes AND a mournful bell toll sound off IN perfect tandem, as Spellbinder and Harbinger, with ONE LAST push from Silver Swan, and the foundation laid down by Rampage, help MorningStar to EVOLVE, TRANSFORM, and SHED her human form. A STAR IS BORN.>>

<< MorningStar is something BEYOND a force of nature now, as her assault against Badiane EXPLODES beyond any human dimension, and OVERLOADS the black dream hole. Badiane's screams are not even hers, as they too are swallowed up in the celestial BRILLIANCE of MorningStar's unavoidable JUSTICE upon her. Her eyes roll up, but she is not allowed the MERCY of unconsciousness, as the Black Hole she was once apart of is now DESTROYED>>

<< In the MIDST of that final DESTRUCTION, we see Rampage LEAPING across the horizon, GRABBING Silver Swan, who by now, had STOPPED screaming, but REFUSED to abandon her position, wanting to be with Delilah until it was over just as she promised!>>

<< Rampage and Sharon HOLD ON TO EACH OTHER and CRY OUT in unison as an explosion of near SUPER NOVA proportions begins! He TELEPORTS, psychokinetically shifting himself and Sharon on to the Astral Plane, then OUT of it, with them reappearing on the ground with the others, who are all SCREAMING with PAIN and FEAR as they can't comprehend what's happening. Their senses are being OVERLOADED and even if they retain consciousness...their brains are overloaded and they are "DAZZLED".>>

<< The only one among them that is mercifully spared the unfortunate PHYSICAL consequences the others are experiencing is Harbinger. But that's ONLY because she is still barely conscious, not upright or looking upward, and primarly operating on the astral plane now. But she will not escape the ultimate PAIN.>>

<< Ruby, aided by her reserves of PSIONIC POWER stored in her ruby pendant, and diven by her WILL to protect her Six Family the way she never could have protected her ORIGINAL family, holds her hands UP, encasing the Six, Bishop and Alexia in a LARGE BLACK psychokinetic bubble!>>

<< The destruction of Badiane and her Black Dream Hole sounds like an exploding STAR, and the space that it once occupied in HURT, PAIN and GREED is now CLEANSED and HEALED by MorningStar's LIGHT.>>

<< Even NOW, Delilah REMAINS AWARE, she RETAINS her sense of SELF. It's a testimony to the POWER of the witches' spell, which is DRIVEN by the LOVE for their FRIEND, MorningStar. >>

<< Badiane is GONE. MORE than GONE, for darkness CAN'T abide in the light!>>

<< Now, Alexia is SAFE, all of the other children are truly FREE, and this time and space will CARRY ON.>>

<< MorningStar feels a sense of awareness, power and serenity she's never felt before! She can't possibly WASTE time tyring to process the sensations she's feeling...for her "HEART" is focused on one thing, her DAUGHTER. In this moment of celestial glory and power, she "MOVES", her mind, her consciousness moves down to where Alexia, and Bishop are, and as she moves, she unconsciously changes forms...no longer simply a STAR , but now a beautiful "RAY OF LIGHT" that flows down and surrounds her daughter, bathing her in a warm, comforting, glowing presence as Delilah "kisses" her daughter and somehow communicates with her on a level beyond mere words, and even telepathy. It's something like what Karen and Morgan share via their psychic bond as mother and child.>>

<< These precious moments that she spends with Alexia...there are Delilah's LAST moments of consciousness in this plane of reality. She CAN'T stay in this form, and MUST move on.>>

<< She pulls away from Alexia, from ALL of them. Even IF she wanted to stay, she could not. She belongs to heavens now.>>

<< The Six- MINUS Spellbinder, Bishop, and Alexia...are all left behind now, on the now calm and eeriely SILENT otherworld. The floor beneath them, is now CLEAR of the dream coffins, the children have ALL disappeared, returned to their home worlds. PERLE has disappeared too.>>

<< The Six family....all alone...MorningStar...GONE.>>

<< The reality hits them....the grief and PAIN begin to close in them.>>

-----------------------------------------

<< FLASH!>>

<< MorningStar is losing her hold on the level of consciousness she possessed as a HUMAN mutant. She is transcending her original form in all ways now...taking her place among her NEW family, the STARS in space. There's no fear though, no sadness. This is where she belongs now...and she will LIVE in this form, far longer than ANY of the Six, even PERSEPHONE could imagine. But her life will FOREVER be in the cold, black, vastness of outerspace...>>

<< in the LAST fleeting moments of her sense of self...>>

<< A voice cries out in the heavens above, but NONE on the ground , save Prophet and Harbinger will "hear it".

"MorningStar....DELILAH....NO!"

<< A golden stepping disc opens up in that space, and Spellbinder, still in her DARKCHILDE form, but appearing in a spectral, ghostly glow, LEAPS forward and GRABS HOLD of "MorningStar"...or some aspect of her....and then DISAPPEARS again.>>

<< The others on the GROUND, save Cameron and Alison, did NOT hear or perceive this event. They are too busy trying to process what's happened...and their descent into GRIEF.>>

<< We see Rampage, with Silver Swan and Firebird in his arms. He holds onto them tightly and they both lean into him for comfort that he can't provide for them OR himself. Blaze openly weeps for her MorningStar AND her sister.>>

<< Harbinger, who had struggled to her knees, preparing to AID Ruby in shielding them all, found that the psionic succubuss was more than up to the task! And it's just as well...because now...after EVERYTHING that happened, even though she'd "SEEN" it...she prooves that she DOES have a heart, one that is now BREAKING as she begins to CRACK with grief that is on PAR with what she displayed in the Aftermath of the Blue Moon!>>

<< Persephone, with tears running down her face, tries to steady Harbinger, holding/hugging her, and Prophet soon wraps his arms around Harbinger. She INITIALLY tries to resist him. Her emotions SPARK with a flash of ANGER and resentment toward him, but he AGAIN DENIES her, and will NOT let her pull away, and she GIVES IN. She, Prophet and Persephone are together. >>

<< Black Widow steadied Ruby, and calmed her down enough to coax her to deactivate her psychokinetic bubble, ASSURING her that the danger was past and that she'd kept them SAFE through the final moments. Ruby looks at Black Widow, who silently affirms that she did good...but the hybrid is now left with a HORRIBLE feeling...one that she hasn't felt SINCE the Master Mold caper. The two of them slowly move, together, toward Persephone, Harbinger and Prophet joining them, as they, along with Nicolas, Sharon, and Blaze now reel in the HORRIBLE state of agony.>>

<< And then there's Bishop...and little Alexia.>>

<< After all he'd been through, all he'd ENDURED. He had his little girl. The Six helped him, helped Delilah, and she saved them ALL, even beyond this place they were in. He had Alexia, but now DELILAH was lost to him...AGAIN. It seemed that the curse had taken on a whole NEW method of bringing him PAIN and agony.>>

 

[MorningStar]

With the stars…

Starlight flowed from her hands, pouring into the black hole. And then it wasn’t just coming from her hands, but from her entire body. She was CONSUMED by the light, brighter than the sun. Delilah could feel the black hole breaking under her power, and Badiane with it. But it wasn’t enough. More, she had to give it more…

Then she could hear voices, where there had been silence now there was only the melodic, dynamic words of the spell – Harbinger and Spellbinder united in perfect harmony.

The birth of a star…

MorningStar cried out in triumph, as the light from innumerable stars came to her, fueled her even further, pushed her over the precipice. Nothing could stop her now, no darkness could stand in her presence, she was everything: the power, the energy, the LIGHT.

“I have looked into the universe. I am the morning star, sent to banish the darkness of night. You cannot hope to defeat me. You are tiny, Badiane, and these champions and their world are protected. The sun and the moon, the day and the night, I control them all. I bring life, but also DEATH.”

With that MorningStar’s power exploded, her self transcending her body, becoming pure light, one with the energy flowing out of her. She could feel Badiane’s screams though they made no sound. The black dream hole dies under her brilliance, and with it, Badiane.

She was herself, but not. She was MorningStar, but she had no body, no human form. She was something more. Radiant, mighty, invincible. This was what she was always meant to be, one with the starlight within her. All her anger was gone, all the hurt and disappointment and regret. There was only peace…and LOVE.

In this form she could move without effort, just by willing it, and at the speed of light she was there, surrounding her daughter. Bathing Alexia in her glorious luminosity. Alexia could feel the pure love coming from her mother, as warm a hug as if they were in each other’s arms, as gentle a kiss as if Delilah stood next to her daughter. Telling her without words that everything would be okay now, that Delilah was alright and that Alexia would always be safe. Alexia could feel Delilah smiling upon her, mini fireworks erupting all around her.

But it could not last. She could feel herself being pulled elsewhere, to her rightful place. For it was not with these humans anymore, it was there, in the sky, with the stars and planets, the nebulae and quasars. As she moved away from them, they would all feel one last message from her: Goodbye…

As the last vestiges of her human self were melting away, her final movement while she had a semblance of form was to smile. Everything had been part of the plan, to get her here, her true home.

"MorningStar....DELILAH....NO!"

Those names were familiar, but surely not her’s. No, she was astéri, stella, seba. She was above human names. She had to move into the sky, to her new family…

But suddenly she was ripped away…