The Blue Moon

[MorningStar]

Aerie - Infirmary

Delilah waited impatiently, NERVOUSLY, while Maxim was gone. She had waited so long…and this is why she had come back. But the weight of responsibility was now crashing down on her. What had she been thinking? She was no-one’s mother. She couldn’t even take care of herself most of the time, let alone someone else. She would be a terrible-

She didn’t finish the thought because at that moment, Maxim stepped into the room with a tiny bundle against his chest, and JOY overpowered every other thought in her head.

He set the child in her arms. She adjusted the blanket away from the little face. Her daughter’s face. She had never been this happy in her entire life.

“Hello, little girl. I’m your mama, yes, and this is your daddy, and I love you so much.”

She paused.

“Both of you.”

She looked up at Maxim, who stood next to them, looking down, smiled and thought:

This is our family. We are a family. At last.

And then the darkness took her.

 

[Bishop]

Aerie - Infirmary to the Nursery

Everything was perfect. This is how it should have been when she was born, he thought. But that didn’t matter now. They were together, and everything was fine. Everything was just fine.

He could move to LA, and give up the life. He could take care of Alexia while Delilah worked as a cop, or with her foundation, or with The Six: whatever she wanted to do. They would be a family. They would be all that mattered to him. They WERE all that mattered to him.

Delilah told him that she loved him, he smiled down at her, he touched the baby’s cheek…

And then Delilah’s eyes closed. Her maternal instinct kept a strong hold on the baby in her arms, but she was unconscious. The heart rate monitor next to the bed and still hooked up to her registered a flat line.

No, this is wrong. It’s not supposed to be this way!

He quickly but carefully took the baby from Delilah’s arms and placed her in the waiting isolette, putting up the forcefield once again as he yelled with everything he had.

“SHARON! HELP! SHARON!”

Delilah looked worse by the second. He noticed the dark tendrils that still connected the child to its mother, even through the forcefield. Through the chaos he wheeled the isolette out of the OR, taking it back down to the nursery and away from Delilah, praying that would save her.

He slumped into a chair in the nursery, staring at the isolette. He was afraid to take down the forcefield so he could hold his child. Afraid that even at this distance the daughter could hurt the mother.

The baby was crying, and so was he.

He put his head in his hands.

Everything was ruined.

 

[Silver Swan]

Infirmary

[ It couldnt have happened any sooner. As she was finally making her way back to the recovery room, she heard Delilah...her HEART stopping, the BABY crying...an odd energy sound...BISHOP...]

He quickly but carefully took the baby from Delilah’s arms and placed her in the waiting isolette, putting up the forcefield once again as he yelled with everything he had.

“SHARON! HELP! SHARON!”

Delilah looked worse by the second. He noticed the dark tendrils that still connected the child to its mother, even through the forcefield. Through the chaos he wheeled the isolette out of the OR, taking it back down to the nursery and away from Delilah, praying that would save her.

He slumped into a chair in the nursery, staring at the isolette. He was afraid to take down the forcefield so he could hold his child. Afraid that even at this distance the daughter could hurt the mother.

The baby was crying, and so was he.

He put his head in his hands.

Everything was ruined.

Athena grant me the wisdom...

[ She lifts off the ground, FLYING down the hall to the exam room where she had been with the baby earlier, grabbing a golden object she had one of the support staff bring her when Bishop wasnt looking. Zooming to the Recovery room, she lands, grabbing Ruby & turning the girl to face her]

When i tell you...I want you to active the POWER dampener component of the isolette.

[Bishop hears this, but Sharon does not stop for his approval and commands Ruby to listen to HER and act on her mark. She holds her hand up to Bishop for SILENCE as she stand behind the slumped over Delilah and bends down]

Ruby! NOW!

[ Cass activates the power suppression field of the isolette while Sharon places a POWER NEUTRALIZING COLLAR on Delilah! It's a shocking thing to see...but...]

Stand back Bishop. If I my theory is correct...Delilah should revive shortly. Do NOT interfere.

Ruby...open the touch portals of the isolette. the force field and power suppression fields will not effect Bishop.

Bishop, go to your daughter, comfort her and take her out of this room, back to the nursery. Return here after you've helped her settle.

NOW!!!

[ He stands there, silently questioning her actions until she bellows, using only a FRACTION of her sonic power to RATTLE him to attention and obey, as Delilah's life seemed to depend upon the next few moments]

Ruby, get Delilah over to the bed. I shall begin standard reviving techniques...

[ But there was no need, Delilah was already starting to come BACK. She hadn't completely flatlined yet. Sharon SEVERED the link between her and the baby, whom she theorized had some sort of energy based power that right now, INSTINCTIVELY locked on to her mother, who also had energy based powers. ]

Delilah?

[ As the mutant slowly returns to consciousness, she feels the COLD armoured hand of Sharon, who carefully checks her pulse and uses herpower to listen as her body's internal systems all began to returning to normal levels]

Remain still. There was an incident, but you are already in the midst of recovery. Bishop is with the baby and will return shortly.

[ She stands up and moves away for a moment, turning her back before Delilah notices that she's wearing a COLLAR...a POWER NEUTRALIZING collar! By now, Bishop had settled the baby and returned for this part...]

It was a necessary measure to save your life. Your baby is apparently a mutant...with energy based powers. Most mutants do not manifest their abilities until puberty. There ARE some rare exceptions...my son [Kyle] was one of them. Nicolas another.

The baby has no conscious control over her power & we don't know exactly what sort of power table she has...but like any newborn...she is instinctively reaching out...latching on to you, her mother, in whatever she can...& that includes her power signature somehow locking on to yours...draining it...draining YOU.

When you nearly flatlined just now, Bishop called me for help. I arrived just in time.

The power neutralizing collar was necessary for me to severe the link, to save your life. I understand that this is upsetting...and i take NO pleasure in this. But again...I did what was necessary to save your life.

Hold still and I will remove it now.

 

[Firebird]

Observatory

Not since the night she first MET this [for her, ALTERNATE VERSION OF] the Six in her own native timeline, had Firebird felt such urgency in battle. The stakes were so high...but She, along with her team mates kept meeting the treats head on and beating them! She promised her sister they'd hold down the fort and they were doing it...or so they thought.

The fire elemental's eyes, briefly sparkling with excitment and the rush of VICTORY, soon popped with shock as she saw Karen Victoria fall, then Dominique. Alison was all that remained and the whole place seemed to get a whole lot more chaotic.

"This...this is BAD!"

Firebird always used humour and tried to take a light hearted approach to things whenever she could...but suddenly the gravity of their possible DESTRUCTION seemed to confront her from all around as she saw these two powerful witches fall looking lifeless, while Harbinger's pain registered even to HER. Though she wasnt a precog, she knew how TOUGH Alison was and the seer would NEVER go down without giving her all and then some. It looked like she'd reached point BEYOND that! What now!?

"Charope! Come on, let's get Isis out of harm's way and give Prophet room to work! Arsenal has Shadow Weaver."

With Prophet taking the lead, the fire elemental quickly assists the amazon in gently and safely removing Isis from the sacred space to a safer area. She knelt down on one side of Isis while Alycia knelt along the other side, confirming the woman had a pulse...

"I don't know a whole lot about Isis...I never met my timeline's version of her. I know she only came here tonight because of the truce between the Six and the Sisterhood and because she's Nic's aunt and the whole curse of Set issue...but everytime I've seen her in battle, she's always brought with her a style and finesse. She shows little fear even in the face of odds like tonight. For what she did to help Harbinger...help US...and for Nic's sake...I hope she survives..."

The fire elemental never had a problem giving credit where credit was due, even when it came to a powerful, cold, aloof sorceress who merely tolerated her out of necessity. This woman showed she was just as brave and bold as anyone else in this room. She earned her rest. Blaze knew they might ALL join her...in ETERNAL rest...but she'd done all she could now.

"It's out of her hands...Karen's too...it's out of ALL of our hands really..."

Blaze silently PRAYS to the goddess to help Cameron help ALISON....and also...

"MORG!....PLEASE...we're running out of time!"

 

[Artemis]

The observatory

:: Alycia's face showed concern and growing worry as Shadow Weaver and Isis fell away from Harbinger. Before they could all be cemented in their growing worry, Prophet spurs them on, rushing to Harbinger's side to help her in a truly intimate way::

:: Charope assists Firebird in lifting and carrying Isis to relative safety, while Arsenal brings Shadow Weaver. they place the two fallen witches together, keeping watch over them as the place seems to be ready to tear apart and come down ON them.::

Isis is, in her own way, an honorable woman. Some things are BEYOND "good" and "evil".

We have done all we can...that is all that can be asked or expected. If we ARE to go to our death...we will not do so cowering. It's not the way of an amazon...nor is it the way of the Six.

:: Looking over to Arsenal and the unconscious Shadow Weaver::

Her vitals?

:: She asks him as she takes one of Karen's hands in her own::

These two women have all but sacrificed themselves in standing against this evil...they both deserve honor. We will guard them even now and if we go to our deaths...we go together.

:: Of course Alycia wanted MORE out of her life as she'd just begun to live it anew, but she was not afraid...nor would she be selfish.::

:: Blaze seemed lost in thought for a moment...or maybe prayer...or maybe trying to reach out to Morgan, whom they had no word on if she had succeeded...if she was even still alive!::

:: Alison begins to falter...::

Something's wrong...Alison looks like she may be....

Blaze: "NO! No, Alycia, don't you say it! Cameron won't let her...he CAN'T!"

:: Nodding slowly::

May Athena make that so....


:: and then just when it seems that things will go from bad to worse....::

BRIGHT LADY!

<< Spellbinder’s chimes SOUND OFF AGAINST the roar of Circe’s spell…and then the garnett jewel of Harbinger’s Time Staff illuminates BRIGHT RED! That mournful bell TOLLS as the SPELL bombarding the mansion and island is BROKEN….the magick SHATTERS and scatters away from the mansion and island.>>

<< There’s one last VIOLENT rush and LURCH of everything, before all begins to balance and settle. The red alert status of the mansion continues for a few minutes more, but now without the roaring din of circe’s direct onslaught, it is the loudest thing in the air. Soon, the computer sensors register the mansion being stable and cease the siren, but the red lights continue to flash.>>

:: Firebird and Charope shut their eyes and instinctively cover Isis, bracing each other while Arsenal does the same with Shadow Weaver...but then...::

The assault...it has...STOPPED!? Spellbinder and Rampage must have been successfull!.....

:: Looking around and then up...through the hole in the dome::

But the blue moon REMAINS...

:: then to Cameron, who catches Alison as she crumbles::

And Alison...

 

[Arsenal]

They broke the dome through and neutralized that attack. Now it was up to the witches.

Arsenal was already behind Karen when she fluttered, then fell. He heard someone say something but he was too busy catching her to hear it. He pulled back his hood and studied her, checked her vitals...she was alive but unconscious.

Next to them Isis fell as well. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him to keep her from hitting her head, but he rolled her to her side as he saw others would come to help.

Cam held Ali's hand...she looked like she was next but he was doing... SOMETHING. It seemed to buy them some time but no idea how much. He looked to the sky and thought of the tainted pair, Spellbinder and Rampage. They needed to make this work and work NOW.

C'mon...c'mon...

Her vitals?

:: She asks him as she takes one of Karen's hands in her own::

These two women have all but sacrificed themselves in standing against this evil...they both deserve honor. We will guard them even now and if we go to our deaths...we go together.

Mike placed a hand for a second n Alycia's shoulder.

Her vitals are fine overall. And yeah, we make our stand here. If this is it, its been a honor.

Mike took away his hand, pulled his mask and re-shouldered his weapon. Anything not them that moved was going to get hot-shotted.

Just as it looked darkest, he heard Spell's chimes and the assault ended. The complex was going apeshit but at least now he could do SOMETHING. He picked up Isis in one arm and Karen in the other.

To the infirmary!!!

Arsenal raced back to where they could get some help for the fallen witches.

 

[Prophet]

Minerva's Observatory

His sister was crashing at a rapid pace. Try as he may, his heartbeat was racing along with her. They were in a state of deep connection thanks to their sibling bond and Cameron was filtering far more emotion into his sister than he probably should have as HE was feeling the strain as well.

Alison: I...have...failed...

Cameron was FEELING everything his sister was feeling, trying furiously to channel that pain into himself to keep her going, he was growing weak.

"Goddammit...Alison...This is--I'm sorry..."

He was losing her, and in trying to help her, he was losing himself. She had moments, seconds. As much as he would have loved to "go" with his sister, he had to pull away so to speak. He had to stop. Cameron couldn't leave the group behind and his sister would have been PRETTY pissed at him on the otherside.

The mansion was being torn apart. As if the world itself were about to burst. Isis was down, Karen was down, and his sister was down as she collapsed into his arms. He held her with all his might before pulling her off to the side. He looked at the others.

"I'm so sorry. I tried. It has been an honor to know each of you! Stand strong! Til your last BREATH!"

Charope: BRIGHT LADY!

<< Spellbinder’s chimes SOUND OFF AGAINST the roar of Circe’s spell…and then the garnett jewel of Harbinger’s Time Staff illuminates BRIGHT RED! That mournful bell TOLLS as the SPELL bombarding the mansion and island is BROKEN….the magick SHATTERS and scatters away from the mansion and island.>>

<< There’s one last VIOLENT rush and LURCH of everything, before all begins to balance and settle. The red alert status of the mansion continues for a few minutes more, but now without the roaring din of circe’s direct onslaught, it is the loudest thing in the air. Soon, the computer sensors register the mansion being stable and cease the siren, but the red lights continue to flash.>>

It stopped. It had all stopped. They were alive. Everything was peaceful, even with the flash of red lights which were ominous in contrast to the blue moon.

Charope: The assault..it has..STOPPED?! Spellbinder and Rampage must have been successful! But the blue moon REMAINS... And Alison..

Cameron took a defensive stance, huddling over his sister in a "maintain your own space" kind of way. He looked around.

"They haven't been successful yet... This just means that the battle has BEGUN.. and that means there are MORE rounds to come.."

[brushing his sister's hair out of her face]

"We need to get them some kind of assistance...We need to do something and NOW. My sister is weak, I don't know how much longer if at ALL she can hold on.."

[to himself] "This is why magick is FAR more dangerous than any MUTANT power..."

 

[MorningStar]

Aerie - Infirmary

Her eyes fluttered open at the cold touch of Sharon’s hand taking her pulse.

“What...what happened?”

Bishop came back into the room, without the baby. Her heart began to race with panic as she looked to him.

“Did I…hurt her?”

Bishop held up a hand and tried to smile.

Bishop: “No, no. She is just fine. Sleeping.”

“What happened?”

She asked again.

It was a necessary measure to save your life. Your baby is apparently a mutant...with energy based powers.

Delilah shook her head and looked from Sharon to Bishop.

“But that’s not possible – our mutant powers don’t manifest until later. It was that way for me, and Morgan…”

Most mutants do not manifest their abilities until puberty. There ARE some rare exceptions...my son [Kyle] was one of them. Nicolas another. The baby has no conscious control over her power & we don't know exactly what sort of power table she has...but like any newborn...she is instinctively reaching out...latching on to you, her mother, in whatever she can...& that includes her power signature somehow locking on to yours...draining it...draining YOU.

Her hand went to her mouth.

“My god…”

Sharon removed the collar from around her neck, the collar that had kept her child from killing her. Delilah couldn’t hold back the tears that fell softly down her face.

“All I did was hold her…”

Delilah took several deep breaths, forcing herself to calm down, be positive. She wiped her eyes.

“Well, we’ll figure something out, we always do. There has to be a way around this. Maybe Alison can help. Everything will be fine. Yes. I wouldn’t have been sent back here just to lose her now.”

She looked over at Bishop.

“We’ll make it through this.”

 

[Bishop]

Aerie - Nursey to Infirmary

Finally he couldn’t leave his daughter to cry any longer, and he picked her up, comforting her until she stopped crying. He needed to get back and see what was happening with Delilah, so he gently put a sleeping Alexia back into the isolette.

He re-entered the OR with trepidation, not knowing what he would find there, but he tried to pull himself together. His face registered the despair he felt.

“Did I…hurt her?”

His heart broke. But he tried to put on a brave face and smile.

“No, no. She is just fine. Sleeping.”

He crossed his arms and leant against the doorway. He listened to Sharon explain about Alexia’s mutant powers, how she couldn’t possibly control them and that they were deadly to Delilah. His heart ripped out of his chest as he watched Delilah trying to be positive, trying to believe everything was going to be fine.

“Well, we’ll figure something out, we always do. There has to be a way around this. Maybe Alison can help. Everything will be fine. Yes. I wouldn’t have been sent back here just to lose her now. We’ll make it through this.”

He couldn’t stand there and watch her pretend. He just shook his head as he turned away and walked out.

 

[Firebird]

Off they go

"It's a LONG way from here to the infirmary...even with the express elevator. You guys carry the witches, I'll provide protection overhead and ahead with my power...just in case!"

Nodding and looking serious as she lifts up into the air with her glowing red fire aura now forming around her feminine form as she begins to fly. Charope, with her amazonian enhanced strength, easily lifts and carries Isis. Arsenal as Shadow Weaver and Prophet has Harbinger.

Arsenal calls out and leads the run, while the din of Firebird's energy signature roars overhead and she flies, covering them and ready to strike long distance to protect them. If ANYBODY or ANYTHING tries to come between them helping their loved ones, they'll have a hot, PAINFUL lesson burned through their evil body!

 

[Circe]

Underworld

You...FOOL! Cannot...control SET. YOU are on a- aHA!! BWAAHHHHAHAHA!

:: Circe's ruby red eyes widen with DELIGHT as her dark magick transforms Rampage into..::

SET stood to his full height, tearing apart the mystic chains and tossing them aside. He picked up the axe and laughed again at the witch.

THANK YOU for your assistance. As payment, I will make you my first concubine and kill Nicolas' wench and...eh?

:: Before she could SUBDUE him with a MOON BOLT...::

The axe shimmered and hummed with power, then flashed a blinding light of energy,

:: Circe catches a glimpse of the AXE...that ACCURSED AXE...the same one HECATE had used to...::

By the DARK MOON.....

tossing Circe back as it glowed.

UGHHHHH!!



:: She is blown off her feet and sent flying into a nearby column, winded...but far from down and out...she struggles for a moment

As the light subsided, she would look upon...NICOLAS. Somewhere far off SET could be heard faintly roaring his displeasure before the sound faded completely away. The spell was completely broken. Nicolas looked at himself, astonished, then looked at her dead serious.

:: She is undaunted as she shakes her head, regaining her bearings just now, and looking utterly ASTONISHED.::

DAMMIT!? THAT ACCURSSED AXE was CHARMED...BY SPELLBINDER!

Pulling a stone column, he slammed it into the astonished sorceress several times until was reduced to rubble. He only had one thing to say and he said it over and over as he approached.

Kill YOU.

:: Her eyes dart up to the oncoming onslaught. Then, Any sight of Circe is lost after the first DEAD ON COLLISION of the stone column with where her body and where she was. As Rampage displays savage anger and destroys the column he was using to batter and try to destoy HER with....::


OH WILL YOU!?

:: Thunder CRASHES as a silhouetted feminine form suddenly manifests behind Rampage in a DAZZLING, FEROCIOUS ballistic BLAST of a MOON BOLT, hitting him with nothing less than FULL POWER. The ballistic moon bolt even causes HIS form to shimmer the same color as her dark purple magick energy signature for a few seconds as he falls, looking like he just got RUN OVER by an irresistable force::

This is the UNDERWORLD, you BASTARD SEED. I have EVERY ADVANTAGE HERE...I....

:: the sudden SHOCK she feels from her spell and the globe above being DESTROYED by the soul sword...::

WHAT!?

:: She looks up, half shielding her eyes as the spectacular moment of the the destruction of the globe and the BREAKING of her spell occurr::

NO!!!

BY THE SOUL OF HECATE! THIS IS TOO MUCH!

:: Spellbinder, who had JUST emerged from a stepping disc further down below away from immediate blast radius, is IMMEDIATELY felled by CIRCE, who ANGRILY thrusts her arm up and at an angle, her hand pointed, FIRING ANOTHER FULL POWERED Moon Bolt::

I WILL HAVE NO MORE OF YOUR INTERFERENCE!

I have waited TOO LONG to be THWARTED by this demi-god mutant FILTH and an upstart FAERIE who has USURPED MY RIGHTFUL PLACE TO HECATE'S LEGACY! I was her loyal desciple before your ANCESTORS began gestation. The power of the goddess of witchcraft is MINE!

::At THAT moment, with Circe's ANGER at fever pitch, on earth, in the mansion, as the members of the Six carry their fallen toward the infirmary, they suddenly hear the SCREAMS of Spellbinder and Rampage all around them as Circe lashed out at them with her deadly moon bolts. As if that werent disorienting enough, the very next moment...a temporal/spatial flux is seen manifesting in the center of the interior space of the mansion as the group have arrived back down on the main floor...and with a crash of thunder and flash of dark purple energy...a VORTEX with the force and POWER of a MINI BLACK HOLE SCREAMS into form...causing EVERYTHING that isnt nailed down or able to adjust quickly to be ripped away and pulled in...to OBLIVION!::

NO MORE! DO YOU HEAR ME!? NO MORE! I WILL HAVE WHAT IS MINE!!!

:: in the underworld, Circe gestures with ferver. The space around her and in front of her seems to fluctuate as winds and thunder climax and a swirling vortex of dark magick forms and grows in intensity. Circe pulls her hands back, conducting this displaced magick andher own revitalized power with ALL her ANGER and DRIVE...::

TAKE.....THIS!

:: BOOM!::

:: She thrusts her hands forward. THUNDER. LIGHT. EARTH SHATTERING BLAST.::

:: A LARGE, BROAD BEAMED and UTTERLY MONOLITHIC MOON BOLT, that would quite possibly SMASH AND PULP THE MOON ITSELF is now THUNDERING, CHARGING, SCREAMING for Spellbinder and Rampage!::

 

[Spellbinder]

Underworld

<< Blown back by the force ring that preceeded the ballistic feedback, Spellbinder is winded, falling into a DISC that opens at a slight angle to catch her in it!>>

<< Seconds later it opens further below, her vision adjusts to see...>>

NICOLAS! He'S ALIVE...he's okay...

RAMPAGE....I've

<< She's hit. HARD. A moon bolt CRASHES into her and she CRIES OUT with pain as she now free falls out of the air, too stunned to even register the WRATH of Circe thundering in the air around her.>>

<< Rampage LEAPS up into the air, catching her in his arms and carrying her safely back down to the ground...URGENTLY checking over her, vowing to do to Circe what he did to Medusa...>>

Ohhh....

<< Groaning as she soon regains full awareness.>>

Rampage...I'm okay....

<< He helps her to stand as she looks over herself, still holding her sword in her armored covered hand.>>

The armour and my soul sword...they BLUNTED the moon bolt's effects, rending most of the magick ineffective..but they still pack one HELL of a punch!

<< And then, they are confronted by Circe! Rampage steps in front of her.>>

NO, Rampage...you can't protect me from HER. I MUST face her!

<< She says with force and determination...>>

But you would honor me if you stand by my side and HELP me stand against her!

<<FLASH!>>

<< Split horizontal view of Spellbinder's violent eyes, Circe's ruby red eyes.>>

Circe...I am Hecate's DIRECT LIVING DESCENDANT. That TRUMPS your connection...which ONCE may have been of a TRUE, heartfelt meaning...but degenerated into something twisted, opportunistic and deceitful.

You TRICKED HER when she was in a moment of heartache and DESPAIR! You entered into a covenant with her that you had NO INTENTION of using for HER benefit! HISTORY HAS SHOWN IT! WE KNOW what you've done. YOU DESERVED to lose your head on Aerie when Hecate CHOPPED IT OFF. For everything that you did to HER, to ME...MY FRIENDS...and you thought I WOULDN'T come for you tonight with what you've tried to do!?

<< Chimes sound off...as Spellbinder stands, her blonde hair now whipping in the winds flowing from Circe's preparation to strike.>>

I'm not afraid of you. And I'm here to STOP YOU from hurting my friends and family ONE MOMENT LONGER!

I am sorceress supreme. BY HECATE'S NAME AND CHOICE....and BLOOD!

<< She holds her sword before her, gripping it with both hands, boldly facing off against the utterly enraged witch-goddess.>>

This Blue Moon was your ONE CHANCE...your LAST CHANCE. It's OVER!

:: in the underworld, Circe gestures with ferver. The space around her and in front of her seems to fluctuate as winds and thunder climax and a swirling vortex of dark magick forms and grows in intensity. Circe pulls her hands back, conducting this displaced magick andher own revitalized power with ALL her ANGER and DRIVE...::

TAKE.....THIS!

:: BOOM!::

:: She thrusts her hands forward. THUNDER. LIGHT. EARTH SHATTERING BLAST.::

:: A LARGE, BROAD BEAMED and UTTERLY MONOLITHIC MOON BOLT, that would quite possibly SMASH AND PULP THE MOON ITSELF is now THUNDERING, CHARGING, SCREAMING for Spellbinder and Rampage!::

<< Rampage, out of instinct and reflex, tries to step forward!>>

NO, Rampage! DON'T BE A FOOL! YOU can't stop this! GET BACK....GET.....

<< BOOM!>>

BACCKKKK....AGGGHHHH!

HECATE.....MOM!!!! GIVE ME STRENGTH!

<< Spellbinder has almost NO TIME to steady herself and BLOCK the ASSAULT. Her CHIMES sound off once more as her SOUL SWORD's silver mystic energy FLARES OUT around her and Nicolas and a pentagram of protection forms! the BLADE itself CUTS THROUGH the MASSIVE moon bolt as it continues to BLAST AND BOMBARD, making the space and ground around them SHAKE.>>

YOU....can't WIN! I HAVE....THE ONE THING THAT YOU CAN'T DEFEND....

<< Spellbinder shouts as she grits her teeth, putting ALL of her physical strength and force of will into pushing BACK against this blast>>

AGAINST....

CIRCE: I'LL CRAM THAT BLADE DOWN YOUR THROAT, LITTLE SPRITE....

<< It's a TERRIFYING standoff...as the magick of the soul sword BLOCKS and pushes back against Circe's massive moon bolt...EITHER side who flinches...will be VANQUISHED.>>

 

[Rampage]

OH WILL YOU!?

:: Thunder CRASHES as a silhouetted feminine form suddenly manifests behind Rampage in a DAZZLING, FEROCIOUS ballistic BLAST of a MOON BOLT, hitting him with nothing less than FULL POWER. The ballistic moon bolt even causes HIS form to shimmer the same color as her dark purple magick energy signature for a few seconds as he falls, looking like he just got RUN OVER by an irresistable force::

This is the UNDERWORLD, you BASTARD SEED. I have EVERY ADVANTAGE HERE...I....

:: the sudden SHOCK she feels from her spell and the globe above being DESTROYED by the soul sword...::

WHAT!?

:: She looks up, half shielding her eyes as the spectacular moment of the the destruction of the globe and the BREAKING of her spell occurr::

NO!!!

BY THE SOUL OF HECATE! THIS IS TOO MUCH!

Nicolas got up from the sucker punch just in time to see Spellbinder struck and falling!!!

<< She's hit. HARD. A moon bolt CRASHES into her and she CRIES OUT with pain as she now free falls out of the air, too stunned to even register the WRATH of Circe thundering in the air around her.>>

<< Rampage LEAPS up into the air, catching her in his arms and carrying her safely back down to the ground...>>

As he landed he checked her over....

Are you OK? Say you are OK!!! Gonna pull off her fucking head...


Nicolas was already healed again and ready for another round.

Ohhh....

<< Groaning as she soon regains full awareness.>>

Rampage...I'm OK.

<< He helps her to stand as she looks over herself, still holding her sword in her armored covered hand.>>

The armour and my soul sword...they BLUNTED the moon bolt's effects, rending most of the magick ineffective..but they still pack one HELL of a punch!

<< And then, they are confronted by Circe! Rampage steps in front of her.>>

NO, Rampage...you can't protect me from HER. I MUST face her!

<< She says with force and determination...>>

But you would honor me if you stand by my side and HELP me stand against her!

And then Spellbinder made her stand, belittling Circe's claim to Hecate's birthright and facing her, soul sword in hand.

Circe unleashed an incredible attack. Rampage stepped forward but Spellbinder took point, using her sword to dispel the attack around them and push against it.

HECATE.....MOM!!!! GIVE ME STRENGTH!

<< Spellbinder has almost NO TIME to steady herself and BLOCK the ASSAULT. Her CHIMES sound off once more as her SOUL SWORD's silver mystic energy FLARES OUT around her and Nicolas and a pentagram of protection forms! the BLADE itself CUTS THROUGH the MASSIVE moon bolt as it continues to BLAST AND BOMBARD, making the space and ground around them SHAKE.>>

YOU....can't WIN! I HAVE....THE ONE THING THAT YOU CAN'T DEFEND....

<< Spellbinder shouts as she grits her teeth, putting ALL of her physical strength and force of will into pushing BACK against this blast>>

AGAINST....

CIRCE: I'LL CRAM THAT BLADE DOWN YOUR THROAT, LITTLE SPRITE....

<< It's a TERRIFYING standoff...as the magick of the soul sword BLOCKS and pushes back against Circe's massive moon bolt...EITHER side who flinches...will be VANQUISHED.>>

What to do? What COULD he do?

But you would honor me if you stand by my side and HELP me stand against her!

Nicolas touched Morgan's temple, her mind was still open to him, and so he gave her a NEURAL JUMPSTART, boosting her physical strength and stamina severalfold. He then ROARED a primal scream as he fired a massive psionic bolt of his own at Circe.

 

[Prophet]

The journey down...

Firebird: "It's a LONG way from here to the infirmary...even with the express elevator. You guys carry the witches, I'll provide protection overhead and ahead with my power...just in case!"

Firebird ignited her protection ring in a bright halo around the group as Prophet, Charope and Arsenal carried the unconscious Shadow Weaver, Isis and Harbinger in their arms, slowly but surely making their way to the ground floor of the mansion.

"That seemed almost... too easy..."

SCREAMS filled the Mansion as a torrent of wind blew through the area. The screams belonged to Morgan and Nicolas. From inside the screams a SWIRLING VORTEX of purple energy FILLED the area created a giant "black hole" of sorts. Everything began to fly towards the vortext at great speed.

"GODDAMMIT!

Prophet was more than exhausted. Half of their teammates were unconscious, Sharon was tending to an awakened Delilah who he was SURE was NOT making it easy on her. Then there was BISHOP and a bouncing brand new baby GIRL. There was SO much at stake... and so.. Prophet carried on.

His bright red electric energy signature began to swirl around his body as it slowly began to encompass the rest of the group, igniting a Tekenetic STRONG hold.. as each of his teammates became surrounded by his telekinetic energy signature, their movement all but stopped. He gripped to his sister tight.

"BRACE YOURSELVES!"

Giving it ALL of his focus, he was the ONLY thing keeping the group from being pulled into the Vortex as swirling red electric energy swirled and crackled with intensity around his body. This was NOT an easy task, and it required his FULL concentration. Any lapse in concentration and all might be lost.

"We will NOT be taken by her!"

[crying out in anger]

"VANQUISH THAT BITCH, SPELLBINDER!!"

 

[Seer]

Stand-off

<< Every terrifying monster has one last moment to try with all his or her black heart to terrify or kill their victims. Circe is no different.>>

<< The witch-goddess weilds her deadly assault with the raw, unrelenting force of a tidal wave! Spellbinder, possessing the one talisman that not even Circe can over power, stands her ground and begins to push BACK. But even with the soul sword, she does not have any other reserve of magick or energy to tap into! The Blue Moon is STILL holding for now and CIRCE is STILL able to tap into/manipulate the displaced magick, has a MILLENNIA of experience, driven by an utter LACK of restraint in her desire to either POSSESS or DESTROY.>>

<< The VIOLENT stand off seems to pass with agonizing slow pace to the naked eye in the underworld, while back on earth in the MANSION, the place is on the verge of being sucked out of that very realm of existence with terrifying speed and chaos!>>

<< Spellbinder will soon suffer the same fate as her mother, Isis and Harbinger if she can't gain more ground.Rampage, standing behind her, uses his psionic power, accessing the psi path that is still open between he and Spellbinder and giving her a Neural Jumpstart! The move prooves to be timely and VITAL as Spellbinder, backed by a steel resolved and committed Rampage, PUSHES FORWARD, CUTTING THROUGH and DEFLECTING her way through the moon bolt!>>

<< Circe DOUBLES DOWN...FIRING BACK with a level of ferocity that would seem like an APHRODISIAC to SET himself!>>

<< SO CLOSE....and yet...as terrifying as it is to consider...it may. not. be ENOUGH.>>

<< Spellbinder and Rampage are BATTERED by physical pain the likes of which NEITHER has experienced in their life time, but still they hold....TOGETHER...Spellbinder will NOT let Circe take her...or friends. She may NOT have a choice in the matter!>>

<< As the stand off grows increasingly violent and desperate and the isle of the gorgon itself begins to SHAKE to its foundation, forming a FAULT LINE, a COLUMN OF WIND forms in the distance of Circe's 2 o'clock...she is TOO far gone to notice...or even CARE.>>

Circe: YOU'RE FINISHED....SPELLBINDER.....


<< the witch goddess says as her brow shows signs that SHE is straining now as well...>>

<< Circe may have felt SHE was the rightful hieress to Hecate's birthright, but Spellbinder and Rampage disagreed. They weren't the ONLY ones. Someone ELSE, who knew Hecate, Spellbinder and even CIRCE quite well had something to say about it as well...>>

 

[Persephone]

A tornado of wind appeared to Circe's 2 o'clock finally revealing Persephone. Being too far gone and drunk on power, Circe didn't notice the weather goddess appear....

CRACK

The sound of the goddess' transfiguring whip snapped loudly as she unleashed it toward Circe; the end of it transforming into a stainless steel harpoon. The harpoon SLICED it's way INTO Circe's chest cavity and out the other end! The harpoon itself "splayed" into a grappling hook allowing Persephone to yank Circe back towards her [think Scorpion from Mortal Kombat]. As Circe flew backwards towards her, Persephone circled the rest of her whip around the goddess' neck like a noose; the black leather transforming into barbed wire and digging deeply into her tender flesh.

"Boo bitch."

She whispered into Circe's ear before taking flight and LIFTING Circe off the ground via her whip--her bloodied and maimed body DANGLING for Spellbinder's picking.

"SOUL SWORD, NOW!"

She yelled over the chaos to Spellbinder, knowing this was her only chance to plunge her sword into the goddess and END this.

 

[Artemis]

Mansion

:: Running with the others, they make a fair amount of progress...when suddenly they ALL stop in their tracks as they here...::

SCREAMS! From Spellbinder and Rampage! But WHERE....

::At THAT moment, with Circe's ANGER at fever pitch, on earth, in the mansion, as the members of the Six carry their fallen toward the infirmary, they suddenly hear the SCREAMS of Spellbinder and Rampage all around them as Circe lashed out at them with her deadly moon bolts. As if that werent disorienting enough, the very next moment...a temporal/spatial flux is seen manifesting in the center of the interior space of the mansion as the group have arrived back down on the main floor...and with a crash of thunder and flash of dark purple energy...a VORTEX with the force and POWER of a MINI BLACK HOLE SCREAMS into form...causing EVERYTHING that isnt nailed down or able to adjust quickly to be ripped away and pulled in...to OBLIVION!::

UGHH!!

:: Alycia felt herself VIOLENTLY lurch forward and almost lose her footing::

"GODDAMMIT!"

His bright red electric energy signature began to swirl around his body as it slowly began to encompass the rest of the group, igniting a Tekenetic STRONG hold.. as each of his teammates became surrounded by his telekinetic energy signature, their movement all but stopped. He gripped to his sister tight.

"BRACE YOURSELVES!"

Giving it ALL of his focus, he was the ONLY thing keeping the group from being pulled into the Vortex as swirling red electric energy swirled and crackled with intensity around his body. This was NOT an easy task, and it required his FULL concentration. Any lapse in concentration and all might be lost.

"We will NOT be taken by her!"

[crying out in anger]

"VANQUISH THAT BITCH, SPELLBINDER!!"

ARTEMIS....GIVE ME ....STRENGTH!

:: Alycia cried out with astonishment and ANGUISH as she QUICKLY dropped down to the floor on her knees to lower her center of gravity and held on to Isis as tightly as she could, partially covering her in her protective embrace::

:: her amazonian strength and perserverence would avail her some time but Prophet's telekinetic anchor was an even MORE sound measure. She was barely able to turn her head just enough to see Arsenal doing his best to hold and sheild Karen...and FIREBIRD, who had managed to position herself JUST behind a large marble column! letting IT brace her even as Prophet enveloped them all::

This...MUST STOP!! SHE MUST BE STOPPED! SHE....GOES TOO FAR!


::Alycia cries out with ANGER, echoing Prophet's sentiments as they hope Spellbinder is able to DESTROY this evil wicked witch!

 

[Arsenal]

Mike had this. He was getting closer to the infirmary and Karen was still stable. Then he heard something...

Nic? Spell? What is she doing to them?!

Then a black hole thingy sprang up and they all got sucked towards it. Charope went low with Isis and covered her. Arsenal instinctively did the same and was suddenly thankful to weigh 265 pounds. But without something else they would circle the drain. Prophet gave them that something else.

His bright red electric energy signature began to swirl around his body as it slowly began to encompass the rest of the group, igniting a Tekenetic STRONG hold.. as each of his teammates became surrounded by his telekinetic energy signature, their movement all but stopped. He gripped to his sister tight.

"BRACE YOURSELVES!"

Giving it ALL of his focus, he was the ONLY thing keeping the group from being pulled into the Vortex as swirling red electric energy swirled and crackled with intensity around his body. This was NOT an easy task, and it required his FULL concentration. Any lapse in concentration and all might be lost.

"We will NOT be taken by her!"

[crying out in anger]

"VANQUISH THAT BITCH, SPELLBINDER!!"

Mike huddles down and held on tight. It was up to them now.

 

[Silver Swan]

Infirmary

[Flashing. Intermittent moments of visual in the infirmary.]

[ EVERYTHING that is not nailed down, or WEAK is getting sucked up and AWAY.]

[ Silver Swan stands in a doorway, having brace herself on other side, acting as a SHIELD and BLOCKADE to keep Bishop and Morningstar from being YANKED out of the room, into the hall, where they could be killed simply from hitting their heads, breaking their neck or some other way as their bodies were sucked up by the powerful maelstrom of the “black hole” now pulling the mansion IN on itself. She is grimly focused, her blonde hair whipping up and her teeth gritted with determination.]

[ The super powered mutate, is using ALL of her super strength, invulnerability and amazon reinforced training to protect Bishop and Morningstar, while Bishop, does his best cover Delilah, keeping her low to the floor. Were it not for Sharon, he’d have been the FIRST to be sucked out into the hall the moment the black hole vortex opened, but at that moment, Silver Swan grabbed him and pulled him IN, tossing him across the room. It was a rough experience, but it saved his life. The fact that she even DID that, considering all he’d done to her in the recent past, showed how far she’d come.]

[ Ruby who’d been watching over the baby Alexia in the nursery, has now taken similar steps to anchor the baby’s isolette, using her own super strength and durability to steady herself and keep the baby’s isolette behind her. Hers is a far easier burden than Silver Swan’s…but both are all that stand between the others and a violent death, if not oblivion itself.]

 

[Circe]

Ambush!

It’s….OVER….SPELLBINDER! I WILL HAVE….WHAT IS ….RIGHTFULLY MINE!!!

A tornado of wind appeared to Circe's 2 o'clock finally revealing Persephone. Being too far gone and drunk on power, Circe didn't notice the weather goddess appear....

CRACK

…..

::Circe’s ruby red eyes shift to the side…:::

Hmnnhhh…..WHA!??

The sound of the goddess' transfiguring whip snapped loudly as she unleashed it toward Circe; the end of it transforming into a stainless steel harpoon. The harpoon SLICED it's way INTO Circe's chest cavity and out the other end!

UGGNNN!!! WHAT IS THIS TREACHERY!?

The harpoon itself "splayed" into a grappling hook allowing Persephone to yank Circe back towards her [think Scorpion from Mortal Kombat]. As Circe flew backwards towards her, Persephone circled the rest of her whip around the goddess' neck like a noose; the black leather transforming into barbed wire and digging deeply into her tender flesh.

"Boo, bitch."


She whispered into Circe's ear before taking flight and LIFTING Circe off the ground via her whip--her bloodied and maimed body DANGLING for Spellbinder's picking.

YOU! YOU DARE TO INTERFERE!?


:: The witch-goddess exclaimed with a makes of SHOCK, PAIN, DISORIENTATION AND ANGER. ::

"SOUL SWORD, NOW!"
She yelled over the chaos to Spellbinder, knowing this was her only chance to plunge her sword into the goddess and END this.

:: Circe HISSES with contempt as she struggles, in SPITE of the pain, against the binding of the goddess, clawing at the whip with her long, well manicured nails::