The Blue Moon

[Bishop]

Aerie - Infirmary

Bishop sat in the hallway, his head leaning back against the wall, waiting for news. It was tearing him up inside, not being able to do anything to help. Despite his personal feelings about the members of the Six and their team, he knew Karen was in there with Delilah and that SHE at least would do everything in her power to keep Delilah from harm.

Karen comes out of the room, and Maxim jumps to his feet.

Bishop, go inside now. Delilah is being prepped for an emergency cesarean section! Her body is surrounded by some unearthly glow and her systems are shutting down in cascade effect. It’s as though something is draining all the life and light out of her. I have seen to it that she was sedated.

He nodded solemnly to her.

As a measure of protection for her and medical precaution…I would have used my magicks to scramble her power , in case it was somehow working against her…but with the blue moon…I can’t.

Maxim could tell how distressed Karen was, how much it bothered her that her magick had not come through for Delilah. He put a hand gently on her shoulder.

“You did everything you could. Delilah would not ask for more than that.”

He moved into the room. It was true what she’d said, a dark cloud literally hung over Delilah. He had to wonder what the others would do if they knew what was really happening, as he did? That it was his child causing the aura?

He sat down in the chair next to Delilah’s bed, taking her hand again as he had done earlier. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was ragged. She was dying. He knew he didn’t have long with her, with them, before they would be taken into surgery. He knew this might be last time he saw them. Maxim blinked back tears as he looked down into Delilah’s face and smiled.

“I wouldn’t trade a second we had, in any lifetime.”

He rested his head on Delilah’s stomach.

[to the baby]

“We haven’t known each other long, but I love you and I will always be your daddy, and I will always love you.”

Raising his head, he stood and leaned over Delilah. He stroked her hair, kissed her forehead.

“I love you. Forever.”

Sharon, in a moment of kindness, quietly told him it was time, and ushered him gently out of the way while the medical staff wheeled Delilah to surgery.

All he could do was watch her go.

 

[Rampage]

As they stood waiting, Nicolas' nerves were on edge, his senses straining for any advantage in this wasteland.

Finally, he saw what had to be the lamp of Charon and the slow near-drift of his vessel to shore. Charon was mysterious; he resembled the descriptions from myth, and he was a large fellow, as tall as Rampage himself. In another time and place, were the stakes not so high, Nicolas would have taken the time to examine him more closely. But today, he paid the toll and climbed aboard, reaching back to help an increasingly apprehensive Spellbinder and allowing his curiosity to go unsatisfied.

He helped her sit and then sit close beside her, placing his arm around her waist and willing his duster to encompass them both. His right arm held his axe fast; it lay across his lap with the blade extending to cover Morgan's lap as well. It gave her a good a view of his golden blade and the dark sigils of Set that covered it as she would likely ever get.

He held her fast, leaning over and whispering in her ear.

No matter what you see, we can defeat it. I can defeat it. We WILL get to Circe and set this all right. And...and you SMELL incredible. And when we get done with this I am taking you to Venice on a gondola ride. To clear our cultural palates of course.

Nicolas adding the last part to lighten the mood, as was often his style. He held her close and continued to be vigilant.

 

[Harbinger]

Minerva's mansion- Observatory

:: The echo of clicking high heels breaks the silence in the air leading up to and around the great hall as Harbinger, now in costume and carrying her Time Staff approaches, flanked by Shadow Weaver and Isis.::

:: Though her magick is weak, she is PHYSICALLY restored, for now, thanks to Demeter’s “Kiss”. She looks more vital than she has in the past 24 hours but her facial expression is rather grim as she surveys all of the fallen artwork, statues, light fixtures and more from the wave of dark magick attack that just bombarded the mansion::

She’s enjoying herself. She’s using the magick displaced from earth to the underworld and she’s toying with us. I don’t have to be a precog to know she will soon strike in ernest.

Come.

:: She beckons for everyone present to follow her. They arrive to an express, restricted access elevator::

I’ve hardly had need to use the express elevators in this mansion. I would usually BLINK across vast distances of this place if I wanted to save time, or take the stairs. Since I can’t do the former and the latter is simply not an option at a time like this, here we are.

:: the enter and silently zoom up to the Observatory, the crown of the mansion that reaches up into the sky. This multi-level observatory is equipped with powerful, off-world technology used for a variety of functions including surveillance, communications and information gathering. There a various command posts and stations in the observatory as well as a small armory and apothecary that was installed by Alison after she took over the mansion. The dome is capable of opening open and closing. Alison causes it to open just enough to the size of a large man-hole cover.::
While there’s still time…

:: She looks down at her time staff, the large garnet jewel that crowns the staff is glowing, pulsating and emitting a soft humming sound. It's an alert that danger is moving across all time threads leading to HER domain.::

:: After a few moments, she brushes some of her blue/black hair back, exhaling as she speaks to them all::


There’s no guarantee that we’ll survive this. Spellbinder and Rampage could fail, dying in the process and if that happens, Hecate’s original prophecy will come to pass and she will possess Spellbinder’s body, allowing her to return to Earth and pick up right where she left off many moons ago. But by then, WE in this room, along with this mansion will have been destroyed…atomized. The very island on which the mansion sits will CRACK and SPLIT open and with the veil between Earth and Underworld at its weakest under the Blue Moon, Circe will return through here, the place where Barbara Minerva had long kept her at bay until that last red moon, when Barbara sacrificed her life to help US defeat Circe.

The magick of this place…is all but gone. The same with the magickal power of Shadow Weaver, Isis and myself. BUT…

:: holding her Time Staff out with both hands horizontally::

My time staff, Isis’ scepter- coupled with her the source of her power originating from a different pantheon, Shadow Weaver being the mother of Earth’s sorceress supreme, give us a considerable reserve.


:: She looks among the group, her colbalt blue eyes fixing on Karen and Dominique::

I’ll need it all to try and stop this spell.

The rest of you, block for us. Once we begin our effort, if we are interrupted in anyway, the current of magick we are channeling will be broken and we will be too weak to reignite it.

 

[Prophet]

Mansion - Great Hall to Observatory

As soon as it began it was over. Nobody was talking, everybody was on edge. Cameron knew that Morgan was more than qualified to handle Circe, but he couldn't help wondering if she had failed. If she had not made it in time. He also knew that this quest was important for her. She needed to prove to herself that there was a reason that she was the leader of their team. Cameron prayed for all of them, that she was successful. Something good had to come out of this.

Floors below, Cameron could FEEL Delilah's body weakening. She was crashing and did not have much time. And that baby was to blame. The only problem was that Cameron wasn't exactly sure where to place his anger. Hecate? Delilah? Bishop? And if he took a moment, none of that really seemed to matter at this moment. The circumstances were what they were and no amount of argument or misplaced emotion would change that. His only mission now were to protect his family and fight tooth and nail to ensure that Delilah, Bishop AND that baby had a chance at something together. As narcissistic as he had been in the past, Cameron, truly deep down was a family person. It was the one thing he had truly been robbed of in his life, and if Delilah wanted that for herself? He would support her with every last breath in his body and STOP whoever wanted to get in the way of that. No matter how "dysfunctional" the family might be.

[letting out a sigh]

"Circe really is one for dramatics isn't she?" [regarding the silence]

He didn't dare say what he knew of Delilah's condition. After facing fallen comrades, the last thing they needed to know was that all of their efforts might be in vain, and besides, he was now aware of his sister's presence and she was heading to the Great Hall, presumably with Isis and Karen. That they could know.

"But in more positive news...I can sense my sister stirring, which means Dominique and Karen must be awake and as "well" as they can be. They should be joining us shortly..."

The doors opened and sure enough, Harbringer, Shadow Weaver and Isis entered the great room, looking FAR better than they did a few hours ago. He gave his sister a respectful nod, knowing this was not the time to fall over himself about how glad he was to know he was okay. He did the same thing for both Isis and Shadow Weaver. He could sense a great amount of uncertainty from all three of them.

"Glad you could join us..."

Alison addresses the group.

Alison: "Come."

Not quite what he was hoping for, but he and the others joined her as they arrived to an elevator door.

Alison: "I’ve hardly had need to use the express elevators in this mansion. I would usually BLINK across vast distances of this place if I wanted to save time, or take the stairs. Since I can’t do the former and the latter is simply not an option at a time like this, here we are."

The elevator led them to the vast and breathtaking observatory. The trinkets and tools of this place gave it a very almost "ancient" feel, and Cameron couldn't help but be a little fascinated by everything around him, taking in all their was to see as Alison continued to inform the group.

Alison: There’s no guarantee that we’ll survive this. Spellbinder and Rampage could fail, dying in the process and if that happens, Hecate’s original prophecy will come to pass and she will possess Spellbinder’s body, allowing her to return to Earth and pick up right where she left off many moons ago. But by then, WE in this room, along with this mansion will have been destroyed…atomized. The very island on which the mansion sits will CRACK and SPLIT open and with the veil between Earth and Underworld at its weakest under the Blue Moon, Circe will return through here, the place where Barbara Minerva had long kept her at bay until that last red moon, when Barbara sacrificed her life to help US defeat Circe.

[continuing]

Alison: My time staff, Isis’ scepter- coupled with her the source of her power originating from a different pantheon, Shadow Weaver being the mother of Earth’s sorceress supreme, give us a considerable reserve. I’ll need it all to try and stop this spell. The rest of you, block for us. Once we begin our effort, if we are interrupted in anyway, the current of magick we are channeling will be broken and we will be too weak to reignite it.

Damn. Things were not looking good for them, but Cameron wasn't worried. The fact that he even had the CHANCE to fight for his life was a comforting one. He had been kidnapped, beaten, tortured, KILLED and ABANDONED his entire life by women of the supernatural variety, and had all but resolved himself to it. He was no LONGER that victim. He was a FIGHTER, and though he may be outclassed, and though he may not have spells of things of the like, he had TENACITY and COMPASSION, and skills that simply couldn't be taught or bestowed upon others.

"Then we will make SURE that doesn't happen. Arsenal and Charope need to be first line of defense against oncoming attacks, I'll play second string, and if they get past THAT? Firebird, torch them into another dimension entirely. We have no more time for small talk. Get into places.."

[looking at Isis, Harbinger and Shadow Weaver]

"Please, begin to prepare yourselves. It's time to save our girls..."

Bossy as it may have sounded, he knew that this group had worked so well together earlier that there would be no EGO, no need to BICKER about whether or not that was a good plan. Every single one of them was more than capable in their own way, and in any position, they would all look out for each other. This was merely a formal request to get into position.

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Minerva's- Observatory

<< Shadow Weaver stood to Harbinger's right. She looked more like her elegant, poised self, wearing her latest costume design in black. >>

<< She looks upon Charope, Firebird, Prophet and Arsenal, who she notices is wearing his mask and goggles (designed by Black Widow). He only dons the mask when he's operating in a far more aggressive, methodical, KILLING mode. But there's something else...>>

Michael...

<< she takes a moment to speak after Alison and Cameron finish as they arrive up to the observatory>>

Michael, The last time you & I were were here together, in costume, FIGHTING together...was that night that SET appeared. He hurt you...hurt my daughter...and I...

<<FLASH!>>

<< Minerva's mansion, not even a year ago, the night that SET manifested through his son...Nicolas>>


<< Set sends SHARON flying back at them with such force.>>

Karen: LOOK OUT!

<< she disappears with Blaze in tow and REAPPEARS by Mike as the creature snatches Haleigh and then points at him. Delilah goes to Sharon, who already shows signs of being alive. >>

you LEAVE HIM ALONE!

<< as Mike refuses the demon's offer, he is struck down...and Karen's face says it all...the hurt and the pain. first her daughter, then Sharon...now Haleigh and Mike. >>

circle of protection! I call upon your power now,
heed your daughter's call a vortex of wind to clear the air!


<< the spell BLOCKS any further damage to Mike's lungs and reverses the effect, as the man can now breath. Karen looks at the monster...her face enshrouded in shadow...its the FIRST time that SHE has manifested this look. So much is at stake. Her daughter's freedom and well being, her companion, her friends...and She is offended to her CORE>>


You attack my daughter, my friends...and my companion....my DAUGHTER!

You've HURT HER!

Stupid, FOOLISH CREATURE!

<< her cape begins to blow as her hair flows as well.>>

the BOND between a mother and her CHILD is MORE POWERFULL than ANYTHING you could fathom. I will do WHATEVER I have to do to STOP you from taking her!

SHADOW WEAVER shall SHOW YOU what that MEANS!

<< for those who had been present in the appropriate timeline, they would REMEMBER SHadow Weaver, the alternate version of Karen. that MAINSTREAM would come to adopt this name NOW of all times...was it a foreshadow of her following the same path as her counterpart? at this moment, it meant that she was SUPREMELY PISSED.>>

GIVE ME MY CHILD!

<< lifting her hands, as a variant chime sounds.>>

Birina katath, dronmor eilith
corsat eilith, Draktar azir, draktar tolem
Shadows swell and darkness reigns
Thy soul is rent asunder!

<< the glowing halos of dark magick swell around the doctor's hands. She then gestures toward the demon as she calls upon an ANCIENT and POWERFULL spell from the Darkhold, the spell activates, summoning the vengefull spirits of mystic beings too abominable to remain on this plain of existence...the spell takes on the form of swirling , violent shadows as they reach out from all sides around the creature and attempt to render him asunder on ALL levels..spiritual, mental, physical...draining him of his life force.>>

...That was the night I became SHADOW WEAVER. Before I even found out about my cross time alternate that The six encountered in another timeline, where I...SHE... was

<< looking at Dominique for a moment>>

The BLACK QUEEN in the Sisterhood.

I accessed a level of arcane magick so DARK that it changed me to my SOUL. My HANDS became crone-like after casting the necromancy spell to bring you back to life at the end of the Set caper...Hecate healed me...but I learned THEN more than ever know before...what Morgan and Ororo feel like.

<< She looks at Michael, his mask can't hide him from her eyes. She looks at Firebird, Prophet, Charope, Harbinger and Isis>>

Now here we are....again. Only this time...my magick is all but gone, whlie my daughter and nicolas risk their lives to fight a sorceress who is not only a direct rival to Morgan for Hecate's power but will ALSO POSSESS HER BODY if she dies in combat and there's NOTHING I can do about it.

<< Karen balls up one of her black opera gloved fists as she bows her head and closes her eyes tightly as Blaze steps forward to place a comforting hand on Karen's shoulder>>

Delilah Trelevan, a girl that I watched grow up with my daughter, and who is very much like my own daughter, is now below ground...in her last moments of consciousness just a few minutes ago...I held her hand. She was so weak...so TERRIFIED...and I...

<< she takes a moment>>

I did everything I could for her in my capacity as a doctor...but why do i feel like it wasn't enough? She could be dying at this very moment!

I should be there with her...just as she's been there for my daughter many times before even when I could NOT be. But my magick FAILS ME.


And if i DON'T join with Harbinger and Isis in our last ditch effort to try and sheild us from Circe...there wont be ANYTHING left of ANY of us...

<< Karen is clearly upset>>

 

[Arsenal]

Karen looks upon Mike and starts to talk about the last time they fought together like this. The time she became Shadow Weaver. The time she harnessed magic as dark and dangerous as anything he'd seen.

But now? The Blue Moon had sapped her powers and she was feeling useless...HELPLESS. She was breaking down in front him, in front of them all.

Now here we are....again. Only this time...my magick is all but gone, whlie my daughter and nicolas risk their lives to fight a sorceress who is not only a direct rival to Morgan for Hecate's power but will ALSO POSSESS HER BODY if she dies in combat and there's NOTHING I can do about it.

<< Karen balls up one of her black opera gloved fists as she bows her head and closes her eyes tightly as Blaze steps forward to place a comforting hand on Karen's shoulder>>

Delilah Trelevan, a girl that I watched grow up with my daughter, and who is very much like my own daughter, is now below ground...in her last moments of consciousness just a few minutes ago...I held her hand. She was so weak...so TERRIFIED...and I...

<< she takes a moment>>

I did everything I could for her in my capacity as a doctor...but why do i feel like it wasn't enough? She could be dying at this very moment!

I should be there with her...just as she's been there for my daughter many times before even when I could NOT be. But my magick FAILS ME.


And if i DON'T join with Harbinger and Isis in our last ditch effort to try and sheild us from Circe...there wont be ANYTHING left of ANY of us...

<< Karen is clearly upset>>

While she spoke, Mike pulled back his mask and goggles in one move and stood in front of her, his hands on her sides.

KAREN VERNA VICTORIA!!

His booming voice and her full name got her attention as she looked up at him, her eyes widened.

We are all aware of what we do NOT have. But what we DO have is each other. All of us, with whatever skills we bring to the table. Morgan and Nicolas WILL beat this bitch's head in. Delilah will have this baby and we will find a way to deal with whatever that brings. And we will make this fucking stand right here right now. Got it? GOOD.

Michael lifts Karen up and plants a kiss on her lips. He sets her down quickly and pulls down his mask

Go knock 'em dead Shadow Weaver. We have a family to save.

Mike pops her briskly on the bottom as they turn to take their positions. It should be noted that Shadow Weaver raised an eyebrow...and said NOTHING.

You guys heard Prophet!! Man your positions...bring the pain.

 

[Isis]

The Observatory

:: Isis joined Harbinger and Shadow Weaver in meeting the others and arriving in the observatory. Now physically restored and in her costume as the Black Queen of the Hellfire Club, the sorceress largely kept silent as Harbinger spoke, followed by Prophet as he encouraged them to prepare themselves. she happened to be standing near the telempath. He seemed just as strong and BOLD in a time of battle as he was in personal matters. She continued to eye him for a moment before finally shifting her aqua blue eyes to look at Shadow Weaver.::

:: Isis had sympathy AND empathy for the witch. She was WORRIED for Nicolas. Circe may have been linked to the Olympians in her origin, but her power and TERROR was known across time and space. If DID defeat and slay Spellbinder, she would surely destroy Rampage as well and from his blood and broken body would rise SET! She had MUCH to be concerned about::

Shadow Weaver has every right to be concerned for her daughter. I too am concerned. If Circe does indeed destroy them both, then SET will return to earth, using his son, NICOLAS' blood as his doorway out of the hell that I damned him too on Aerie.

:: Arsenal quickly grabbed Karen and in a way that was both forceful but also deeply personal and encouraging to her in a way ONLY someone she was intimate with could be, he helped her pull herself together. Isis looked on for a moment. Arsenal had defied her directly when she and the Sister had lead an attack on this mansion to destroy Nicolas that same night Set appeared and Karen had become Shadow Weaver. He was a man of such courage and valor. She couldn't help but admire his resolve, despite his status as a normal base line human. His love for Shadow Weaver was apparent too.::

Their family dynamics flow their interactions ...even in times of battle...

:: This was something that MALICE spoke on when she reconstituted the Sisterhood after she herself had been restored. The Sisterhood had since borrowed a leaf from the Six and learned to function as a more cohesive TEAM unit and it was what had given them such a hard hitting edge when they struck back at the Six. All of this was BEFORE Set. NOW, they co-existed, honoring a truce that had been established largely because of SET...and indirectly, her nephew, Nicolas, who was now in the Underworld with Spellbinder. The Sisterhood was her team, but NICOLAS was HER family. Her only living link to her sister, his mother. Yes, she secretly WORRIED for him too just as Karen worried for her daughter. But worry was ineffective in times like this. She didnt cower before SET and she would NOT cower before CIRCE!::

Nicolas will not fail....he will not fail your daughter, Karen, and he will not fail ME.

:: Nodding in agreement with Arsenal, Isis brings forth her sceptre .::

Let us go forward.

:: As Harbinger moves to the center of the observatory directly under the center opening of the dome, Isis stands at her 3 o'clock while Shadow Weaver stands at her 9 o'clock. Charope and Arsenal form one barrier of defense, Prophet another and Firebird the final wall. A formidable group indeed, but would it be enough?::

Shadow Weaver...

When the time comes, take hold of the sceptre of isis with me, share it with me. it will help us as we help to sustain Harbinger.

 

[Circe]

Circe's attack

[ the magicks of earth have ebbed and flowed away, through the weakened veil into the underworld where Circe has DEEPLY DRANK, filling her dark, vengeful soul with POWER once more, the power of a GODDESS LEVEL SORCERESS!]

[ On the Isle of the Gorgon, deep within the ancient stone, mysterious halls of the dark castle that she has now taken as her own private domain (with one notable resident still roaming the halls), she now floats high above in her throne room. on a floating platform sits the small scale, exact replica of Minerva's aerie & mansion]

The time has COME!

[ Says the wicked sorceress, as her dark purple hair flows, along with her gown while the air, now whipped into a wind, charged with the displaced magicks, howls with fear]

The magicks of earth, PARTICULARLY around Minerva's Aerie, are at their WEAKEST under the power of the Blue MOON!


Harbinger and her little INSECT companions CANNOT get more power, as long as the blue moon remains in effect!

[ Circe says with smug confience as she grins with wicked delight and lifts her golden bangle bracelet adorned arms slightly, halos of dark purple energy forming around her hands.]

Now. LET THE GREAT SPELL OF DESTRUCTION.....BEGIN!

[ Lifting her hands up like a conductor preparing to conduct a FURIOUS sympthony of violence, Circe CRIES OUT with a cathartic release as thunder BOOMS across that area of the Underworld around the Isle of Gordon so forcefully that it causes WAVES across the river styx, where Rampage and Spellbinder are making their way across!]

[ What happens next, can only be described as CHAOS!]

[ Huge, JAGGED BOLTS of dark purple magick CHARGE DOWN upon the small scale, exact replica of Minerva's aerie and mansion. Strike after strike, until finally a FIELD of this incredibly powerful dark magick ENVELOPS the replica and bombards it without a moment's pause! As she begins the attack in the underworld, it manifests with a much GREATER and TERRIFYING impact and intensity on EARTH on the actual target itself!]

[ Circe SMILES like a demented cheshire cat as her unholy laughter rings out across the area around the isle of the gorgon. Rampage and Spellbinder would hear it and SEE the glowing feedback from the magickal CHAOS attack she is conducting]

I WILL DESTROY YOU ALL!

[The Six hear it in the air around them at the mansion even as the defeaning roar of the attack rages. Spellbinder and Rampage hear it as well in the Underworld]

 

[Artemis]

Observatory

:: Alycia remained uncharacteristically silent. Being back with her friends in the Six, it felt natural enough...and thankfully they had gotten over the horror that turned out to be a mystech life model decoy posing as Alycia during the Viper caper. That had unnerved Alycia herself when Alison told her about it. That COULD have been the way she went after what she survived in Arklay mansion. But it wasn't and here she was now. Plenty powerful and capable of defending herself, protecting her friends and doing whatever needed to be done.::

:: Still in this quiet moment in the observatory, she couldn't help but wonder just how things WOULD turn out for them. Would they die making their last stand here? She no longer feared death. She'd escaped it twice before and since her time with the Amazons, she came to understand that there is no greater way to die, than in battle defending yourself and those you care for.::

No amazon admits defeat, until the last breath is crushed from her breast.

I don't fear death and if there's any chance that Delilah will survive birthing her baby into this world, I want to do all I can to give her and that innocent a chance.

Spellbinder is this world's sorceress supreme. Circe isn't. Spellbinder has the Soul Sword. Together with Rampage, they will get to her. WE just have to hold THIS place together and block for the witches long enough....

:: her face tightens with determination::

We WILL.

:: Taking position along side Arsenal. It wouldnt be long before ALL of them were ROCKED off balance as the mansion, the island, the bedrock of the island were all ROCKED to the core by...::

ATHENA! This is the most powerful magickal attack I have seen on this island since the red moon!

::the onslaught was INCREDIBLE. As Alycia did her best to steady herself, she looks back to see the three witches standing together in their positions::

[ Circe SMILES like a demented cheshire cat as her unholy laughter rings out across the area around the isle of the gorgon. Rampage and Spellbinder would hear it and SEE the glowing feedback from the magickal CHAOS attack she is conducting]

I WILL DESTROY YOU ALL!

[The Six hear it in the air around them at the mansion even as the defeaning roar of the attack rages. Spellbinder and Rampage hear it as well in the Underworld]

Bright lady protect them...give them the strength to stand against Circe....

 

[Harbinger]

Observatory- all together now

:: the garnett jewel in Harbinger's staff begins to glow brighter, emitting a curious humming sound that is rather loud when suddently::

[ Huge, JAGGED BOLTS of dark purple magick CHARGE DOWN upon the small scale, exact replica of Minerva's aerie and mansion. Strike after strike, until finally a FIELD of this incredibly powerful dark magick ENVELOPS the replica and bombards it without a moment's pause! As she begins the attack in the underworld, it manifests with a much GREATER and TERRIFYING impact and intensity on EARTH on the actual target itself!]

[ Circe SMILES like a demented cheshire cat as her unholy laughter rings out across the area around the isle of the gorgon. Rampage and Spellbinder would hear it and SEE the glowing feedback from the magickal CHAOS attack she is conducting]

[The Six hear it in the air around them at the mansion even as the defeaning roar of the attack rages.[/quote]

:: Harbinger, Shadow Weaver and Isis steady themselves and remain in position::

ATHENA! This is the most powerful magickal attack I have seen on this island since the red moon!

::the onslaught was INCREDIBLE. As Alycia did her best to steady herself, she looks back to see the three witches standing together in their positions::

:: Looking to Shadow Weaver, then Isis::

Join your hands together, with BOTH of you holding Isis' sceptre at my 12 o'clock. The magick and defenses of Minerva's mansion...are all but GONE. I'll need yours and your help to try and BLOCK Circe's spell!

But for how long!? Oh if only Spellbinder and Rampage...

We must deal with what is before US, Shadow Weaver. We must do what WE can. The rest...much as I am loathe to say...is up to the sister fates now...

:: Shadow Weaver and Isis stand at Harbinger's 9 o'clock and 3'clock, forming a circle around her by joining hands, both holding Isis' scepter behind Harbinger at her 12 o'clock::

:: She lefts her Time Staff all the way up above her head, standing as tall and poised as she can, planting her high heels evenly apart on the floor beneath her. She looks up to see the horrifying power signature of Circe crackling, blasting and bombarding all around them::


I call upon the forces of the Outer Dark,
Those who remain nameless and formless in the void
Grant US your power to shatter this assault from our foe most dread!

I WILL DESTROY YOU ALL!

:: Their individual energy signatures manifest and move around their "circle" several times, magnified each time they pass through Isis' sceptre before finally flowing UP through Harbinger's Time Staff. their energies FLASH, COMBINE AND IGNITE THE SPELL!::::

LET OUR MAGICK GO FORTH TO BATTLE THIS EVIL!

:: The three sorceresses shut their eyes, committing themselves to the full ignition of this spell! the distinct mystical sounds of Isis and Shadow Weaver's power signatures manage to sound off in an unusual HARMONY before a rushing chiming sound, a CRASH of thunder and the haunting, mournful toll of a clock tower BELL that is associated with Harbinger unleashing the HIGHEST LEVELS of her power, rings out against Circe's laughter.::



:: Suddenly, sparkling BLUE jagged bolts and orbs of magick can be seen all around the air and mansion COMBATTING AND REPELLING Circe's attack with all their might! The spell is sustained by the last inate reserves of mystical energy in the witches and their talismans, PROPELLED by their individual and collective FORCE OF WILL! It is a truly magnificent effort to behold...but for how long can even THIS last??::

 

[Seer]

The light that FAILED

<< The battle, the STRUGGLE is at hand. No quarter asked, and NONE given. As the chaos of a magick firefight in and AROUND the mansion, the very island itself RAGES, there is ANOTHER devastating struggle unfolding below ground, in the state-of-the-art infirmary.>>

<< Bishop, all but powerless in his situation, watches without any attempt to keep his emotions hidden as Silver Swan and the medical team race against time and increasingly adverse circumstances to deliver a baby that brings with it a dark future for Delilah, one that may be at hand...and at an END now.>>

<< Bishop and Cass can ALSO see on the large flat panel monitors, the events unfolding elsewhere in the mansion, specifically the observatory. Whatever his feelings about magick or magick users, or mutants and methumans as a whole, he now saw Harbinger, Shadow Weaver and Isis, all surrounded by Arsenal, Prophet, Charope and Firebird, putting up one VALIANT effort against the unholy onslaught of Circe. This may not have been his PRIMARY focus, but it did factor into what WAS his primary focus...>>

<< FLASH away from the monitors and Bishop's pained, intense eyes, to DELILAH TRELEVAN, one of the most powerful mutants in this world's time. Childhood friend of Spellbinder, NYC Police Officer, Member of the Six, Saver of the world many times over; Loved, respected, misundersood; the LIGHT, in every since of the word. But After that fateful, terrifying moment where she sought to drown herself in the aegean sea, we learned there was MUCH more to the beautiful mutant transducer. Not only was she Bishop's tragic lover in this lifetime, She had her OWN unique relationship with the life altering theme in the Six's world known as "cross time". She and Bishop had loved one another, to their doom, in one lifetime after the next. Haunted by a curse cast upon them by a vengeful scorned lover in an age when even the OLYMPIANS were not known. It followed them through each lifetime, always leading their love to end in DEATH for one by the other's hand, or BOTH.>>

<< Hecate offered her a chance to BREAK the curse, but it would mean losing the child she was now carrying inside of her, a child conceived with Bishop. Once again, showing how though she was close to Morgan, Alison, Blaze and the others, she was far different from them in so many ways, she chose to keep the baby. The Six, having learned a hard lesson about misunderstanding her and taking her for granted, rallied around her and supported her, up to this very moment we are seeing now. The moment where Harbinger's terrifying nightmare is more than likely coming to pass right in front of Bishop's eyes.>>

<< Delilah Trelevan. Bishop's lover for all the ages. THE LIGHT. He is powerless as THAT LIGHT is rapidly being depleted, EXTINGUISHED, by a darkness, the darkness of a new life. It shouldn't be this way though....should it?>>

<< A lingering view of Delilah's pale, near lifeless face. Flashing back to Bishop's pained, concerned face.>>

<< The red alert sirens play their rhythmic sonic chaos in time to the flashing red lights around the infirmary. Machines beeping, scanning, giving feedback; Medical staff rushing this way and that, Silver Swan in the middle of it all, leading the effort to deliever one life and SAVE another.>>

<< But as the chaos ABOVE is now reaching a FEVER PITCH, the deadly CLASH of opposing magicks causes something ODD and BIZARRE to occurr, ALL through the mansion.>>

<< Suddenly, EVERYTHING and everyone (outside of the "EYE" of the storm in the observatory) is moving SO. SLOWLY. Even the ALARM and the RED LIGHTS are now moving SO. SLOW.>>

<< It's an effect that some in the six have experience ONCE BEFORE.>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< a burning hot, EVIL night in New York City. innocents scream, demons cheer, magick radiates and BLOOD RUNS. The INFERNO.>>

<< that traumatic event unleashed by a truly MAD Spellbinder given over to the "darkchild" persona of her soul as she rains fire, magick and vengeance down upon the city and intends to bring LIMBO TO EARTH.>>

<< it was a different time for the Six. A different roster but it was the FIRST of many times they would face a mortal threat from one of their own!>>

<<....the battle raging atop the bldg. between Spellbinder vs. Ororo, Guardian and her own mother Karen Victoria as they fight to save her...themselves AND the city. THe battle reaches its violent fever pitch as Spellbinder attempts to bridge Limbo to Earth via NYC. The firefight/power struggle between the witches & ororo AGAINST earth's modern day sorceress supreme reaches its breaking point as their colliding energies backlash out in every which way, including spiraling down/striking the building at various levels. Spellbinder had opened this horrific gap and now Ororo, Guardian and Karen were prepared to use their very LIVES to close it and STOP Spellbinder.>>

<< in that final moment of no return...the EYE of the storm seems to be upon them...upon that lone woman in her office as a BOOMING explosion is heard...but it fades out almost as soon as it rocks the air around her...there's a bizarre bright LIGHT...and everything EXPLODES...and yet FREEZES in mid motion!>>

<< For anyone NOT in the center of that demonic storm, they were caught in the riptide of opposing magicks...pulled out of "synch" with time and space as the RIFT from "natural laws" being OBLITERATED by forces so dark now yawns wide with chaos and ANGER.>>

<< Bishop feels like his very HEART could literally stop at any moment. Not from FEAR. It literally feels that each breath, each heart beat will be his LAST!>>

<< With each suspenseful. SLOW. heartbeat...now in synch with the slowed down alarm and pulsing red lights...he sees the LIGHT AND LIFE of Delilah become weaker. and. weaker.>>

<< He sees Silver Swan. Her strong, COMMANDING voice, now slowed down, sounding like something out of a dream...a NIGHTMARE as she escalates their efforts.>>

<< How many moments pass like this? Each one more hopeless than the next!?>>

<< Each moment. Each heart beat. seems to come slower. and. SLOWER.>>

<< And then...a heart DOES stop. DELILAH'S. Monitors flatline. system alarms sound. now in a HAUNTING, mournful town due to the MASSIVE temporal riptide effect throughout the mansion.>>

<< Silver Swan brings forth the baby as the medical team immediately to close up...this tiny body...COMPLETELY covered in DARKNESS, SHADOWED. The dreadful dark energey RADIATES from the baby, IMMEDIATELY vaporizing several members of the STAFF! Silver Swan, who is well nigh invulnerable, YELLS for EVERYONE to EVACUATE the room.>>

<< HEARTBEAT. ALARM. RED ALERT. SO. SLOW>>

<< Bishop is FORCIBLY held back by Ruby, who's superior vampire strength prevents him from trying to get to Delilah, Sharon or the baby.>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< shaking her head with disappointment at Delilah.>>

You REALLY should learn to listen to Harbinger. But you'll learn soon enough.

<< The moment of Harbinger's vision for Delilah has come to pass. Delilah Trelevan's LIGHT has been extinguished. Swallowed by a DARKNESS growing insider of her in the form of her own baby. Delilah Trelevan is DEAD.>>
.
<< SLOW. LINGERING. TERRIFYING. views of Silver Swan struggling to control the VIOLENT outburst of dark power from this new life. The light has been extinguished and at this moment, DARKNESS falls across the infirmary.>>

 

[Bishop]

Aerie - Infirmary

He paced. He sat down. He stood up. He looked into the room. He turned his face away. It was like his internal organs all wanted to jump outside of his skin at once.

He couldn’t watch her die.

He couldn’t waste a moment he had with her.

He hadn’t cried from the moment he left the funeral until today. Today it was as if he was made of the stuff.

Did he believe she was going to make it? Delilah believed. In these people. Sharon, who he’d come to kill. Who Delilah had chosen over him. Would it be enough just to believe in it, that she could be saved. And the baby too…the baby. He didn’t even know if it was a boy or girl. He closed his eyes in anguish – he felt like he was dying too.

And then the sound.

The sound of the heart rate monitor. The flatline. He moved forward with such fury. SLAMMED his fists against the glass.

“Save her.”

Screaming.

“SAVE HER!”

Now the people inside the room were screaming. Sharon was yelling. He didn’t understand what was happening. He could glimpse his child. Covered in darkness but HIS CHILD. He had never seen anything like it. It was beautiful.

His legs had felt frozen in place but now they were SCREAMING to him, “GO!” He had to get in there. Get to the baby. Protect the baby. They were his only thoughts. He rushed into the doorway, but there were hands on him, holding him back. He was still screaming, fighting, until Ruby shoved him back into the hallway. He stopped trying to get inside.

“No.”

He knew she was dead.

“No.”

They weren’t reviving her.

“No!”

He ran his hand through his hair as he paced once again, his body starting to shake.

“NO!”

He started to walk away, down the hallway. After a few steps, at once he lost all feeling in his body and he fell to the ground.

He didn’t try to get up.

 

[Spellbinder]

Underworld- Isle of the Gorgon

<< Rampage comforted and encouraged Spellbinder. His concern was in sharp contrast to his rather fearsome form. But by now, all of the Six knew that judging a book by its cover was not the best thing to do.>>

<< As they journeyed along, ferried by the mysterious, silent Charon, Morgan began to feel a bit queasy.>>

There's magick all around...the magick displaced from earth and it's SHIFTING ...moving in a current that I can FEEL...but I can't access it directly!

<< Spellbinder's soul sword flickers with its own energy, the blade begins to glow and pulse with a soft humming sound.>>

My sword is reacting to it as well. The magick is being drawn to a focal point by force...

<< at that moment...>>

[ Lifting her hands up like a conductor preparing to conduct a FURIOUS sympthony of violence, Circe CRIES OUT with a cathartic release as thunder BOOMS across that area of the Underworld around the Isle of Gordon so forcefully that it causes WAVES across the river styx, where Rampage and Spellbinder are making their way across!]

[ What happens next, can only be described as CHAOS!]

[ Huge, JAGGED BOLTS of dark purple magick CHARGE DOWN upon the small scale, exact replica of Minerva's aerie and mansion. Strike after strike, until finally a FIELD of this incredibly powerful dark magick ENVELOPS the replica and bombards it without a moment's pause! As she begins the attack in the underworld, it manifests with a much GREATER and TERRIFYING impact and intensity on EARTH on the actual target itself!]

[ Circe SMILES like a demented cheshire cat as her unholy laughter rings out across the area around the isle of the gorgon. Rampage and Spellbinder would hear it and SEE the glowing feedback from the magickal CHAOS attack she is conducting]

I WILL DESTROY YOU ALL!

[The Six hear it in the air around them at the mansion even as the defeaning roar of the attack rages. Spellbinder and Rampage hear it as well in the Underworld]

<< She and Nicolas both heard...FELT that world shattering crash of thunder and then, a most spectacular, spectral light show can be seen as streams and bolts of dark magick are flying all about the ancient fortress on the isle of the gorgon>>

It's her! She's launching some sort of attack...

<< And just as the waters of the river styx began to wave and ripple, Charon delivers them to the shores of the isle of the gorgon. Rampage is off first & he then quickly helps Spellbinder, who does her best to ignore the silent, eerie Charon as his whole body seems to turn rather stiffly, watching them disembark.>>

We'd better make tracks! With this kind of power being used, the others at the mansion wont be able to with stand her fury for long! We need to get to her!

<< rushing chimes sound off as Spellbinder takes to the air, flying to cover more ground to the actual ancienet fortress in the center of the island. Rampage leaps through the air, covering a vast distance, and though not able to fly, is able to keep up with the sorceress.>>

<< As Spellbinder and Rampage both land on the ancient stone steps looking upon the expanse of this mysterious place.>>

<< They can hear the sounds of mystic chaos echoing...even though they are still far from reaching Circe>>

She's DRUNK with power, Rampage. Even if she had any talismans set up to warn her of our arrival, I can sense that she's too wrapped up in her symphony of chaos to care!

<< still the journey deeper into this place would not be easy. they both knew that.>>

<< She noticed Rampage looking about, before finally settling on something off in the distance to their right...>>

Nicolas...what is it? What are you....

<< She takes a few steps forward before seeing....>>

<< DIOSKILOS, the ferocious, demonic canine guardian of Medusa! But he's already DEAD?! Laying on his side, with a look of shock twisted permanently into his face. BOTH of them. >>

<<Spellbinder didn't know who or what this creature was...or WHO he was in the service of, but Rampage did. He had been expecting this creature to be the first line of defense on the island, but someone had already gotten to him. Circe? Considering how long she'd been here...if she had killed him, he'd be nothing but BONES by now. This was recent...giving Rampage even more cause for concern as he explained who this creature was to Spellbinder, looking around to see any evidence of them being watched...>>

 

[Firebird]

Minerva's Observatory

The Fire Elemental was poised and battle ready. Anybody who tried to get past her would be burned beyond recognition. If she could, she'd melt Circe down to nothingness herself!

As the witches steadied and prepared themselves, Blaze had an intense look on her face.

"Good luck Morg! You & Nicolas both!"

She thought to herself, hoping her sister could still "hear" her in the Underworld. But soon, she could barely here her self THINK as her open green eyes opened WIDE with a start!

"SHIT!?"

She didn't even think about it. It just came out of her mouth as the whole mansion around them was now shaking so bad it looked and felt like it would CRACK in two at any moment!


She instinctively lifts off the ground just a few feet, hovering now with her red fire aura around her and looking up to the dome to see through the viewing hole the magickal power that was beating down on the mansion. She could hear Circe's evil voice as well as the wicked witch tells them she'll destroy them. To this, Blaze's apple green eyes sparkle in defiance.

"Not without a FIGHT you wont, you decrepit wanna be sorceress supreme REJECT!"

Harbinger, Shadow Weaver and Isis mount a magnificent defense against the attack.

"It's WORKING...the mansion is starting to stabilize but...."

<< Suddenly, EVERYTHING and everyone (outside of the "EYE" of the storm in the observatory) is moving SO. SLOWLY. Even the ALARM and the RED LIGHTS are now moving SO. SLOW.>>

<< It's an effect that some in the six have experience ONCE BEFORE.>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< a burning hot, EVIL night in New York City. innocents scream, demons cheer, magick radiates and BLOOD RUNS. The INFERNO.>>

<< that traumatic event unleashed by a truly MAD Spellbinder given over to the "darkchild" persona of her soul as she rains fire, magick and vengeance down upon the city and intends to bring LIMBO TO EARTH.>>

<< it was a different time for the Six. A different roster but it was the FIRST of many times they would face a mortal threat from one of their own!>>

<<....the battle raging atop the bldg. between Spellbinder vs. Ororo, Guardian and her own mother Karen Victoria as they fight to save her...themselves AND the city. THe battle reaches its violent fever pitch as Spellbinder attempts to bridge Limbo to Earth via NYC. The firefight/power struggle between the witches & ororo AGAINST earth's modern day sorceress supreme reaches its breaking point as their colliding energies backlash out in every which way, including spiraling down/striking the building at various levels. Spellbinder had opened this horrific gap and now Ororo, Guardian and Karen were prepared to use their very LIVES to close it and STOP Spellbinder.>>

<< in that final moment of no return...the EYE of the storm seems to be upon them...upon that lone woman in her office as a BOOMING explosion is heard...but it fades out almost as soon as it rocks the air around her...there's a bizarre bright LIGHT...and everything EXPLODES...and yet FREEZES in mid motion!>>

<< For anyone NOT in the center of that demonic storm, they were caught in the riptide of opposing magicks...pulled out of "synch" with time and space as the RIFT from "natural laws" being OBLITERATED by forces so dark now yawns wide with chaos and ANGER.>>

Everything around Blaze moves...FEELS slow. Even SHE, hovering in the air...feels like she's STUCK and can barely move!


Voices, sounds, movements....EVERYTHING. IS. MOVING....SO. SLOW.

"WHAT...is....HAPPEN....ING!?"

She yells...baffled by the warped sound of her OWN voice...

Of all of them in this room, only PROPHET would recall the last time something like this happened. He had been in the center of the INFERNO...which did not occurr in Blaze's own native timeline.

 

[Rampage]

They were sitting in Charon's boat when the air around them seemed to erupt, crackle with magical energy, centered on the island approaching them.

I WILL KILL YOU ALL!!

Charon landed as the light show continued in earnest, his boat starting to shake from the rippled water of the Styx.

We'd better make tracks! With this kind of power being used, the others at the mansion wont be able to with stand her fury for long! We need to get to her!

<< rushing chimes sound off as Spellbinder takes to the air, flying to cover more ground to the actual ancienet fortress in the center of the island. Rampage leaps through the air, covering a vast distance, and though not able to fly, is able to keep up with the sorceress.>>

<< As Spellbinder and Rampage both land on the ancient stone steps looking upon the expanse of this mysterious place.>>

Nicolas immediately began to look around, determined not to be caught unawares. After a second, he thought he saw something and moved towards it.

Nicolas...what is it? What are you....

DIOSKILOS. The demon dog protector of Medusa herself. I was prepared to kill it, but something beat me to it very recently and rather easily...

Nicolas began to look around in earnest, starting to scan psionically for anything or ANYONE ususual. He motioned for Morgan to speak VERY softly.

Whatever did that is still around here, has to be. Stay close Spell and look to disk yourself away if need be.

 

[Prophet]

Minerva's Observatory

Prophet stood STRONG and ready for battle. This was their only chance and their only shot at saving Delilah. But then...

"Delilah...NO!"

He sensed the "light" leave her body as he could mentally see the heart monitor flatlining in his mind. They had failed. Delilah was DEAD and her baby was looking to prove itself MORE than dangerous. Cameron wanted to break down for a moment. If there was anybody that deserved to be happy, to have a healthy baby, it was Delilah. She had given so much to the team at the detriment of herself, that he was incredibly angry.

"God DAMMIT!"

The mansion SHOOK with an explosion of power and energy, shaking it to it's core. Circe had made her move. Things were looking grim and they had already lost ONE life tonight [although the group did not know this yet]. Cameron would be DAMNED if another life was wasted tonight. Closing his eyes, he centered himself, amidst the chaos and the confusion as he ignited his EMPATHY, instilling his team with the feelings of HONOR and PRIDE as well as BRAVERY. They would feel an infusion of confidence within themselves and a desperate need to protect each other. He didn't dare extend this effect to the magick users as he couldn't risk breaking their conversation.

"STAND STRONG TEAM! THIS ISN'T THE WORST OF IT..."

He was right. The Mansion was THROTTLED with power, an explosions. Prophet's pupils dilated as he was taken back to that night a few years ago..

<< Spellbinder whipped her head around..her glowing red eyes shining through the fog..she heard the voice and the commotion.....but there was no way to tell her facial expression because of the face plate.....she began moving in the direction of the noise....holding her sword out a bit...as she searched>>

I know you're here. come out...come out where ever you areeeee

<<stepping on the skull of a dead human being...crushing it under her foot as she laughs softly. Karen and Ororo were no longer in sight..they had taken their positions strategic....as Spellbinder moved cautiously through the dense fog>>


<< as she drew nearer to the group, the din of the flames from the sword could be heard.........>>

Prophet....the same bloodline that links you to your sister..gives you access to her magickal signature even if it is on a minimal level...and that is why i just have to say........TAG YOURE IT!

<< raising the soul sword high....as she brings it crashing down...intending to split cameron in TWO....the thunder BANGS so loud it seems that the plateau shakes to the core as cold air begins to blue the fog back.....the fog does not dissipate quickly at all...as it is almost "stubborn".....but nevertheless Morgan has found her prey>>

"The Inferno! Circe is DRUNK ON POWER!"

He quickly braced his feet into the ground, feeling completely disoriented.

"Everybody...FIND---Fii--nd your balance!"

<< the sword smashed the ground it hit....leaving scorch marks and flickering flame in its wake....as Spellbinder immediately swung the sword side ways...LOPPING OFF one of the heads of the clones/imposters of Prophet>>

You cannot escape me, worm. I shall have your head as my center piece....when i dine on your SOUL!


<< the fog began to wane....as an eerie chime played in the air...the skies were now black. it was night time once more...and the red moon hung low. the plateau over looked an enchanted NYC skyline that was ancient looking, stone, demonic....and the lights that once eminated from office windows were now glowing eyes of demonic faces on the building...all smiling in anticipation>>

<< the perimeter of the platform itself now came to life with a glowing , cascading trial of silver mystic flame..that licked inward toward anyone who came too close to its borders...>>

<<Spellbinder wasted no time....now seeing ALL of the "camerons">>

you forget boy...that i have a spell that allows me to SUPERCEED your mental defenses..and control YOUR BODY with magick and YOU cannot stop yourself from obeying my every whim.

<< she held her armoured hand outward....as a dark violet halo formed around it>>

the real cameron will STEP FORWARD and stand still!

<< she seized hold of Cameron just as Belasco had done with Shadowcat when he made her surrender her weapons...before transforming her>>

<<turning slightly...and seeing blaze, Morgan continued to control Cameron and compell him to come forward.>>

STAY BACK child....or you will suffer the consequences!

He was taken back to that night. When his words has nearly cost him his life and the lives of the entire city of New York. Darkchilde was LOST in her darkness, harnessing her magick in ways that NOBODY save for Ororo had even known were POSSIBLE. She was BRUTAL and CUNNING. And NOW, it appeared that CIRCE was at that level as well.

<< she looked down. but there was no facial expression....only the glowing red eyes that shown through the eye slit in the face plate. standing tall and posed...the cold, aura of her being touched Cameron...slowly washing over him like a fog does a harbor>>

You have had this coming for quite some time boy. This is for all the women that you have EVER disrespected....including your sister....whom you dont DESERVE to have in your misbegotten bloodline.

<< raising the soul sword above her head...gripping it with both hands>>

DIE by my hand cameron King...and say hello to your MOTHER....you pitifull INSECT

<< the din of the flames from the sword began to grow louder....as the sword gleamed and sparkled....Spellbinder laughed softly as the winds began to swirl in the clouds above...as she brought the sword down with a mighty swing......>>

If not for the interruption of Ororo and Karen using their magicks at their PEAK levels, EVERYBODY would have died. And with Alison, Dominique and Karen at LESS than perfect or peak levels. He feared for the VERY WORST. Their ONLY hope was Morgan and Nicolas. There were be no other way out of here. They were not strong enough. But he would NEVER let the others feel what he was feeling. He increased his surge of emotion to the team, strengthening their resolve hoping to bypass any fear they may be having to stay clear minded and READY to do WHATEVER they could.

"God Help Us..."

 

[Seer]

Monsters and meetings in the afterlife

<< Help indeed.>>

<< As the dark purple and sparkling blue magickal energy signatures violently battle for dominance in and around the mansion and the island, the bizarre temporal riptide effect finally begins to correct itself, returning everything and everyone to normal speed, leaving a lingering, slight disorientation for them all except the three witches, who are deeply committed to their cause.>>

<< But one problem is replaced with another. With the veil between the earth and the underworld at its weakest under the blue moon, and all of the magickal energy having flowed across dimensions, now being crammed BACK in a most unnatural, violent way, this causes a dimensional rift to TEAR OPEN in the very air in the observatory...and from that unnatural opening of time and space emerges a gigantic, terrifying WRAITH CREATURE.>>

<< This creature is incredibly tall and dispite its thin, lean appearence, has strength more than equal to Rampage or Silver Swan and a savage, predator's edge to ago along with it. The creature FEASTS on the flash and MARROW of humans, particularly mutants and is capable of cutting through almost ANYTHING with its massive scythe blade arms. The creature is beyond any attempts at mental domination and can survive most harsh envrionments.>>

<< As it drops down to the floor landing in a 3 point position, it looks upon Charope, Arsenal, Prophet and Firebird...and ROARS with agression before standing to full height, expanding and RUSHING FORWARD TO ATTACK.>>

<< If these four are not careful, they will become nothing more than food to this creature, before he moves on to devour the three witches in the center of the observatory.>>

----------------------------------------------------------------
<< The Infirmary>>

<< Bishop is among those who finds himself returning to normal sense and speed. He BARKS at Ruby to stand aside as he rushes to Delilah's side. As he grieves, soon he will remember the Silver Swan, who carried away the baby, fearing what she might have done to it. >>

<< He finds her in high tech nursery, with the baby, now looking like a NORMAL human appearing baby, inside of a curious looking isolette that has a FORCE FIELD around it. The force field will block any energy given off from the baby, absorbing it, as well as protecting the baby from any external threats as well. >>

<< Silver Swan conducts an apgar exam using the technology in the infirmary, along with amazonian techniques. She ignores Bishop's first few attempts at questions, before finally responding to him.>>

<< ELSEWHERE in the Infirmary lies Delilah Trelevan...who may look whole in body, but the life force, the LIGHT has seemingly been extinguished, along with several of the medical staff that were attending her. It has been a night of terrifying beginnings and numbing endings...but for every passing...there is a journey.>>

<<Zooming in on Delilah's cold, pale, lifeless face.>>

<< FLASH!>>

<< Delilah drifts across the endless, mysterious expanse of the Astral Plane. She's not exactly sure where she is...or even why. It hasn't registered completely to her that she is no longer on earth, no longer among the living. >>

<< But as she starts to collect herself and gain proper orientation, as the terrifying, tragic reality begins to register to her, she blinks her eyes and suddenly finds herself at...>>

<< Athena's Parthenon...>>

<< In all of its full, golden, bright glory.>>

<< The warm white light in the sky outside is calming, clearning her mind, the breeze seems to carry with it, a whisper of a call for calm and serenity. Something....someone is coming Delilah's way...>>

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

<< The underworld>>


<< Spellbinder and Rampage have journeyed far and deep inside the mysterious temple lair. The echoes of Circe's chaos symphany disturb the ancient walls and pillers. Spellbinder doesnt immediately recognized the significance the WARNING of the stone statues they see in various places about them but Rampage does....he sees the looks of FEAR and DESPAIR etched in their faces in a way no sculptor could create. He senses the FAINTEST lingering of a soul...a consciousness that has long lost a battle for the home it once called a BODY within these statues. These were men...who had been confronted by MEDUSA!>>

<< She was here. Somewhere. But Nicolas couldnt pinpoint her. He KNEW she was here. This was her island, even if Circe had taken it over. >>

<< Spellbinder and Rampage continue to cautiously explore as they search for the way leading directly to Circe, but the halls and rooms seem to lengthen and shift. No doubt the result of her MAGICK overrunning this place.>>

<< But soon, they found themselves in a particular room that had pillars with ancient inscriptions on them, the walls had similar effects as well. There were large floor torches about this room providing flickering haunting illumination of more statues, some laying on the floor in various positions. Several near by an ornamental pool that hand vines growing around the pillars at it's four corners...and one statue even IN the pool looking as though it had been trying to get out.>>

<< Rampage knew this was not a good thing and soon...his fears were confirmed as his enhanced senses heard a soft, feminine growl that seemed to travel on the angry winds flowing in and around the temple lair. Then he and Spellbinder BOTH hear ...a strong sounding RATTLE....the kind that a RATTLE SNAKE makes. This sound, UNNERVES Spellbinder...>>

<< FLASH!>>

Demeter: But the way there is long, and filled with danger. She must not go alone.

Athena: RAMPAGE. You earned earned favor as my champion in these modern times. I call upon you now, take up your axe and journey with Spellbinder to Limbo and from there, to the Underworld. Help her...

Hecate: Protect her.

Demeter: Give her the strength and courage she will need, for there are dangers that will be geared to play upon her most primal FEARS.

<< This was one of Spellbinder's most crippling, primal fears...SNAKES. But MORE than a mere snake...this was...MEDUSA!.>>

<< Rampage steps in front of Spellbinder, placing arm out to his side and moving her behind him. She's shaking....and the rattling grows strong....CLOSER.>>

Nicolas....Rampage....a....snake!?....it sounds so...close!

SHHHHHH!

<< as he moves them, together as silently as possible, using his own psionic ability to cast a SHADOW around them to buy them time, the now hide behind a large pillar, near a petrified statue.>>

<< The female growling can be heard once more...and now slithering, as a terrifying silhouette seems to glide across a wall on the other side of the large room.>>

<< She's coming......she's HERE....MEDUSA now has entered into the ancient auditorium.>>


<< Spellbinder's fear elevates to TERROR and mystic chimes sound off as Rampage struggles to keep her QUIET. >>

<< The gorgon raises up on her large, slithering serpentine body, looking about the room. She KNOWS someone is here. She may not see them yet...but she is an age old TITAN a HUNTER and a PREDATOR. Many have come before Spellbinder and Rampage...and NONE have survived against Medusa. The creature is possessed of savage instinct , fighting and hunting skills, she can move with TERRIFYING speed or crawl and prowl with unnerving suspense. Her lower body is that of a giant serpent, which she can use to batter or ensnare, constrict and CRUSH her foes. she is an archer on par with ARTEMIS, capable of firing arrows with such speed and force that they can shatter STONE, the arrow heads are also poisoned, paralyzing their foe upon contact and making it impossible for the target to escape Medusa's most DEADLY power, the power to turn ANYONE she looks in the eye to STONE. FOREVER. >>

<< She moves forward, now sliding slowly down the stairs, to the floor where Rampage and Spellbinder are , but far enough across the large auditorium that they have room to maneuver. But at this moment... they dare NOT make a sound as the creature continues to investigate...>>

 

[Spellbinder]

Terror in the temple

<< down into the temple lair, through one hall after another. Spellbinder wasn't afraid of getting lost because no matter what, she could teleport herself and Rampage out. But she felt a terrible sense of dread. Her soul sword seemed to reflect at as well as the blade continued to glow and hum...wishing to protect it's mistress. >>

<< She and Rampage walked side by side, with Nicolas on her left, keeping a watchful eye. They heard Circe's chaos but it echoed throughout this place and the halls seemed to warp and lengthen even as the looked down one passage or rounded a corner to the next.>>

This place is overrun with magick. Visual perceptions and physical "laws" are almost useless at this point.

<< They soon find themselves in a dark, mysterious looking room. An auditorium of sorts. with curious decorations, inscriptions on the pillars and an odd silence that defied the dominating ehoing chaos around the other parts of the temple.>>

There's an odd..."cozy" feeling about this particular room. It seems to be largely OUTSIDE of the sounds and the very vibe that sweeps and flows around this place, it's....

<< she pauses as she continues to look around noticing the flickering flames from floor torches and then...>>

These statues...there's more of them here than anywhere else that we've seen so far...

<< She inspected one closely...and as she GENTLY touched it with her gloved hand...she thought she heard the cry of an OLD MAN [Nicolas sensed the consciousness of a man petrified by Medusa LONG AGO] as the statue seemed to SNAP from its cemented place on the ground beneath, fall back and SHATTER>>

<< She cries with a start as she stumbles back a bit...>>

I ...I barely touched it...I


<< Rampage was about to reveal to her the dreadful reality of what...or WHO that statue was...but then...he stopped. He seemed to hear something...>>

<< Rampage knew this was not a good thing and soon...his fears were confirmed as his enhanced senses heard a soft, feminine growl that seemed to travel on the angry winds flowing in and around the temple lair. Then he and Spellbinder BOTH hear ...a strong sounding RATTLE....the kind that a RATTLE SNAKE makes. This sound, UNNERVES Spellbinder...>>

A SNAKE!? and it sounds so...CLOSE....and LARGE...like...

SHHHHHH!

<< She looks at Rampage with anxiety and ANGUISH in her violet eyes as he moves her back behind and then backs them up, positioning them behind a large pillar, with another STATUE just to her immediate right. her violet eyes shift to the statue, then to Nicolas before peering over his shoulder to see...>>

<< The female growling can be heard once more...and now slithering, as a terrifying silhouette seems to glide across a wall on the other side of the large room.>>

HECATE!? what...what is THAT!? NICOLAS!?

<< She WHISPERS with a fearful tone as mystich chimes sound off and she grips her Soul Sword tightly...>>

 

[Bishop]

The Infirmary

Bishop staggers to his feet. It had been as if time itself was about to stop, but now it was moving again. It had been too long. Their chance to save her was finished.

He walks slowly – hardly having the strength to lift his feet one by one off the ground – to the operating room. Ruby is still there, dutifully blocking the doorway.

“Stand. Aside.”

It’s like a low growl. He doesn’t yell, yet Ruby obeys without question. He kneels next to the bed where Delilah lays. He takes her cold, lifeless hand and holds it to his cheek and weeps.

Suddenly he stops, looks around him. Where is Sharon? Sharon took the baby. He gently lays Delilah’s hand back at her side and rises, furiously searching with his eyes. He had to find her. NOW.

He searches the hallway quickly, roughly interrogating several of the medical staff, until he is pointed to the nursery. He finds Sharon, who appears to be doing a medical exam on the baby. The baby had lost the dark aura he could tell. But there was something around the bed it lay on – a forcefield not unlike the one that had imprisoned him in his hospital room when he was last on Aerie.

He questioned her urgently, though not angrily. He was still afraid of what she might do – not unwaware of her enmity for himself, nor her strength and past record in losing control of it.

“Sharon? Sharon, what are you doing to the baby?”

She didn’t answer him.

“Is the baby okay?”

Again she didn’t answer.

“At least tell me if it’s a boy or a girl.”

 

[Artemis]

Feminum Bracelets

....the chaos and the confusion as he ignited his EMPATHY, instilling his team with the feelings of HONOR and PRIDE as well as BRAVERY. They would feel an infusion of confidence within themselves and a desperate need to protect each other. He didn't dare extend this effect to the magick users as he couldn't risk breaking their conversation.

"STAND STRONG TEAM! THIS ISN'T THE WORST OF IT..."

:: Charope was prepared to lay down her life in battle, but she wouldn't lie to herself about HOPING for the chance to live life anew in this world now that she had finally returned to it from Themyscira. Still, to stand by her friends in the Six again, it not only was the right thing to do, but it FELT right to her, now that she was something more than "....only human"...even though she never understood that the Six respected her valor and courage AS a human.::



:: The forces of magick rendered the laws of nature as time slowed down to a nightmare-ish pace. She felt sick to her stomach as she attempted to steady herself. she turned to look at Arsenal, who was struggling as well. They ALL were. The forces at work...at WAR here were behind their power but for the sake of all that was here and BEYOND these walls, they had to brave this temporal riptide effect.::

:: Then a rift opens and emerging from it...::

UGH!....the creature REEKS of evil! It's as though it emerged from DOOM'S DOORWAY ITSELF! I've this in the halls of Themyscira's Oracle, Minnelope.

:: she tightens her fists as she lifts her arms in a defensive ready stance, her silver feminum bacelets gleaming with readiness::

It's a WRAITH. They are inter dimensional worms that grow into powerful, ruthless predators! They feed on the flesh, blood and MARROW of humans, especially mutants!

They....

:: Alycia's hazel eyes widen as she watches the creature roar and CHARGE. It crouches down, fixing its glowing, red energy SPARK emitting eyes...and from those eyes come BLASTS of glowing red energy::

ALYCIA!

Athena...PROTECT ME!

:: She stands fast and tall in a defensive stance, planting her boots firmily on the ground as she lifts her arms and balled fists. ::

:: the energy beams charge for her but she moves swiftly, as only an amazon could and DEFLECTS the first blast with her RIGHT wrist, specifically the feminum bracelet. Then she moves again to meet and DEFLECT the second blast with her left wrist bracelet!::

::a SECOND round of deadly eye beams!::

:: Alycia looks at them without wavering and moves with speed and finesse, blocking/deflecting them once again, giving Arsenal more than enough time to add a counter measure.::

:: This battle WILL escalate, Alycia knows that...but the creature was certainly NOT expecting her to be able to deflect it's blasts. That surprise, coupled with Arsenal's next move will help draw the line for the creature to try and cross as Prophet and Firebird close the space between them and the witches, preparing to back the front line up.::