The Pain of War

[Seer]

<< Despite being in the early stages of war, The Six and their allies had been granted a bit of a respite as the day began to turn into night and the dust began to settle on what exactly had transpired in the dawn. And though the city seemed quiet tonight, our supers have chaotic minds. >>

<< We see the crystaline chess board, belonging to Alison King, The Keeper of Time. For years, she has watched the pieces move across the board. She has seen pieces shattered. Some have dissappeared and returned. >>

<< The pieces begin to glow and pulsate with a chaotic type of energy as it began to outline the board and pieces themselves, vibrating them violently. >>

<< BAM! >>

<< One by one, the pieces that seemed almost magnetically tied to the board began to explode in a flurry of beautiful crystal shards, leaving the board coated in a thick layer of crystal dust. >>

<< The board had been reset. The game had been reset. Moves needed to be made. The only question now was... Who got to go first? >>

<< As our heroes and villains recover and lick their wounds, the cold pain of war moves through them as they process this morning and the last few months. It had been one hell of an opening act, but it had not been without consequence across the board. >>

<< The moon moves high into the sky as the heat of the day begins to settle into cold night. And like always - We watch. >>

 

[Spellbinder]

Island of Aerie - Minerva's Mansion

<< She felt like she was dying, and she was in a way. Every passing minute she could feel her magick slowly and painstakingly leave her body, even after Blaze and Alison had extracted the bullet. A mixture of rage and shame, but mostly nausea washed over her. >>

"A bullet. A fucking BULLET!?"

<< This couldn't be the thing that took down The Sorceress Supreme. Morgan felt like she was losing everything about herself that made her...well HER. She was no longer the leader of The Six. She had cheated on Nicholas with increasing frequency to avoid the fact that she was no longer in love with him. She had been gunned down in Act I of the Battle of Hellfire and evacuated like a complete neophyte. By Kelly SHAW no less. It was humiliating. And now she couldn't even harness the power she had to seek revenge. >>

Alison: "Quiet yourself, Morgan. Your struggling appears to be making it worse..."

<< Morgan felt a warm cloth graze her sweat drenched forehead as she began to flicker her eyes open, making out the shapes of both Alison and Blaze against the candles that lit the room. >>

"Alison....why aren't you...healing me?"

Blaze: "She can't Morg. Whatever that bitch did to you..It's resisting every magickal approach."

<< She tried to fight beyond her sickness, gritting her teeth for a moment, digusted with her own weakness, but relieved that Blaze and Alison were the only ones to see it. >>

"Like HELL [gritting her teeth] it is!"

<< The weight of Alison's telekinetic power hit her softly, forcing her back down, and she stopped fighting. Whatever was happening to her, it seemed as if for now - it was beginning to subside. Her icy violet eyes pierced back at Alison, who reluctantly let go of her control as Morgan slinked up, her back against the headboard, her body draped in a silk robe. She recovered herself for a moment, going even so far as to check her reflection in the mirror. It was compulsory, and she was realizing quickly just how important looking good was to her. She exhaled deeply. >>

"How..? Did...? [pausing for a moment] Is everyone okay?"

 

[Domino]

She didn't know what to think as she watched the destruction of Ahadi from a boat she had comandeered in the harbor of the city, only moments after arriving for "duty". If Ravena's kingdom was unwraveling, it was coming from within and the appearance of both Helena and Kelly on the outside of the attack confirmed it. Max felt eerily calm as she watched the women consume the entire country and throw it into the void. It was breath taking. If he had felt in danger, he would have summoned her, and she couldn't feel his energy...anywhere. She leaned over the side of the boat and stared into the moon kissed sky, nothing but darkness around her.

"He's....dead."

Domino's loyalty to Ravena was a bi-product of her own loyalty to Evelyn. He helped her get her revenge, and for whatever reason, the small part of her left that was still human made her feel like she owed him a goddamn thing. That had been her first mistake. Evelyn would have left the place in flames, and she had left it poised to start a new era. And now here she was trying to help Hellfire flourish in the states. But that's what Hellfire was good at - distracting you. Giving you a million shell enemies to defeat while maintaining it's safety. She realized in that moment, that she was on the wrong side of this fight. Not that she was about to go join hands with the likes of The Six or Birds of Prey. They were nauseatingly moral and repressed and in some constant state of self inflicted mortal torture, which may have been hot in the bedroom, but in life it was a critical weakness. Maxine had earned her freedom in this, to act in whatever way she wanted, and what she wanted, now more than ever, was to destroy the entire entity of Hellfire itself. Every last one of them and their associates, and unfortunately for them, Domino had amassed a level of connection to Hellfire that was Queenlike. There were plenty of options as to where to start. Her back pocket vibrated.

>> I killed Ravena. I think this allots me some information.

"Intéressante.."

She wondered for a moment if Persephone had gone rogue. She'd been contentious with Ravena ever since he groped her in The Red Wing. And this was the first time she was going to be without the protection of her Knight. Perhaps this was why he was so protective of her. But still, why was she talking to Maxine and not Alex himself. She was a goddess she could be anywhere she wanted at anytime. Was it possibly a trap? She had offered Alek a way out for him and Persephone should they need it, but if something was wrong, surely Alek would have reached out. She swallowed hard in her throat.

"Unless something happened to Alek."

Max had few friends in Hellfire, but Alek was one of them. He was one of the few people in Hellfire she'd met who'd managed to stay true to who they were for the most part. And it made a hell of a lot more sense than Ava sending a text instead of attacking directly. If Alek needed help, she would be there. Should he end up BACK at Hellfire after this, she would sever all ties and not hesitate to kill in the future. But for now, she would help.

>> [to Persephone]: It allots you more than information, mon amour. It deserves a drink. I'll be in the city shortly and send you my coordinates. Come alone. I'm feeling particularly trigger happy at the moment.

Closing her eyes, she called upon the power of the Crimson Shroud, something she had stolen from Rebecca Everhart in London after killing her. It was a source of incredible power that Maxine had yet to really even barely unlock, but she had figured out how to teleport with it. She faded out in a blur of crimson manifesting herself in front of Heritage bar, owned by Danny Donnelly, who was surprisingly not there, ordering a scotch from the bartender and taking a seat, waiting for the arrival of The Red Rook.

 

[Talisman]

Who Knows Where...

Kelly had been correct in her assumption that the energies swirling between Cameron and Diana threatened to destroy them all. Helena was lucky to be able to make her exit in such a way that she still appeared loyal. Kelly had lost that desire, but she was thankful that Helena understood what needed to happen. And lucky for both of them, Kelly was an egomaniac who never stopped working. She had set up protocol for this kind of thing, and right now it was time to loop in Helena on just what she was accomplishing with her "field" work as of late. She shimmered them into the harbor of a yacht club, walking them down the dock as they both loaded up in the Cassadine Yacht, a crew ready to sail that had been previously alerted by Kelly. She figured if Ava was going to do them dirty, she was at least going to get the Cassadine Yacht out of this deal. Before long, they were out on the sea, headed towards a very specific set of coordinates. Kelly sat in the viewing gallery of the yacht with Helena, a glass of hemlock in one hand, her ornate black cigarette holder in the other, taking a mindless puff as she looked out at the night sea.

"This is going to get a lot worse before it gets better. You know that, right, Helena?"

Her Omni Sight had alerted her to more than a few threats.

"If she can't possess Cameron, her only other option is Nicholas. And if she tries to possess Nicholas, we can be sure she'll have no problem unleashing Set on her way in. She'll go after both of us."

Kelly took a sip fo her hemlock. The entire situation was precarious.

"And unfortunately for us, my next bullet is aimed squarely on Dominique Devereaux.If we're going this alone, I'm not going to have some inconsistent bitch with that kind of power coming at us. But we're gonna need her for now."

She stopped for a moment, wondering if her timing was off. Diana was potentially dead, and while Kelly had a relationship with Diana in her own timeline that was deep and twisted, it was nothing like the bond that Helena and Diana had here. It couldn't have been easy for her. But they were in this together.

"But let me worry about that. I'm having Alek transferred to our location.."

The yacht seemed to speed up at her words before docking to a rather large cruise ship, The Queen Zenobia. Constructed in the 80's as an homage to the golden age of cruise ship travel, the Zenobia was a ship that felt like it had come from another time, while being simultaneously futuristic. Kelly had picked the ship up in quite the steal of an estate sale and had been building a mobile base for quite some time. It was a fully functioning lab and home base, who's technology was powered completely by her magick, shielding them from Scion's view and control, and giving them a level of agency they so desperately needed. Kelly gave Helena the tour before moving into the Control Room, sitting next to each other once again on plush leather couches.

"I lost my entire court today, Helena. We really need to see where Alek's loyalty lies. If he hesitates for even just a moment, we have to kill him. We can't let him give the others any ideas. Especially those on the white court. The last thing we need is another rebellion."

She almost regretted her words just now. It seemed tacky to talk about strategy and moves so soon after Diana had been seemingly lost to the universe. But there was no time to rest. They needed to make moves. As many moves as it took to get them a bit of distance and some time to think about what their next move was.

"I'm not trying to be a cold bitch, Hel. I'm just trying to...focus on the work. We have to act FAST. And we have to know who we can trust. Do you really think Alek is worth it? That he could still be useful to us?

 

[Firebird]

Island of Aerie - Minerva's Mansion

Alison: "Quiet yourself, Morgan. Your struggling appears to be making it worse..."

"Shh, please Morgan. Listen to Alison."

Blaze wiped Morgan's forehead, looking down on her with concern. This could have ended so badly. They should never have split the team up. She had looked forward to fighting just her and Morgan, together, but it had been a bad decision. They should have let Hellfire have Haleigh and Ava, and gone in as a group, WITH Sharon and Alycia on their side, and taken out anyone who opposed them. But who could have known what was waiting for them in the form of the new Black Queen?

Morgan: "Alison....why aren't you...healing me?"

"She can't Morg. Whatever that bitch did to you...It's resisting every magickal approach. Mom has tried too - nothing's worked."

Morgan: "How..? Did...? [pausing for a moment] Is everyone okay?"

Blaze's face fell.

"Nicolas is here, he's waiting outside. He made it out, with help from the Birds of Prey. And"

She scoffed.

"Delilah got Cameron, Haleigh and Ava out. But Cassie..."

Blaze's voice broke.

"Morgan, Ruby is dead."

A tear fell from her eye, and Blaze quickly wiped it away. She should never have been there. She wasn't battle ready. Blaze was trying not to blame Nicolas, but it was extremely hard not to. He should have been able to protect her, and he didn't. They had all let Cassie down.

 

[Enchantrah]

Everything they had built over the past three decades, gone. Destroyed. SHIT ON by the very people who had been a THORN in their side for longer than they should have. Helena had always wanted to dispose of The Six, even after Diana made that ridiculous truce with Morgan. It was a truce that lead to a mutiny within the walls of Hellfire. A mutiny that cut far deeper than just Haleigh and Persephone. Helena remained quiet as Kelly transported them to the Cassadine Yacht, an act that normally she would have found fitting and hilarious, but now meant little to nothing as it took sail. Her best friend was gone, at least physically she was. Helena knew Diana well enough to know her mind was too powerful to destroy outright, but she also knew that if one person could do it, it would be Cameron King. Cameron was the one telepath that Diana feared, though she never admitted it. However her obsession with torturing him made it clear that she was doing it to wear him down until eventually he was snuffed out. Diana was smart in her actions -- she always had been. It was the reason why she and Helena were able to become Queen's so quickly and at such a young age. But unlike fine wine, Diana didn't age well. She became cocky and overly confident with her powers. She began to play with fire and let it simmer when it needed to be extinguished. But worst of all, she became sloppy with her involvement with Ravena, a man who was using her for his own powers and ended up fucking EVERYTHING they had built up. It was in that moment on Ahadi, when she and Kelly were on the balcony, that Helena knew Diana was a now a liability and not an asset. It was a painful realization, for Diana had been her friend through so many obstacles and uprisings. But Helena didn't become Red Queen to be dethroned by anyone.

Kelly: "This is going to get a lot worse before it gets better. You know that, right, Helena?"

Helena finally looked up, momentarily brought back from her deep thoughts.

"Always stating the obvious, aren't you Kels?"

Helena deadpanned, a slight roll of her eyes.

Kelly: "If she can't possess Cameron, her only other option is Nicholas. And if she tries to possess Nicholas, we can be sure she'll have no problem unleashing Set on her way in. She'll go after both of us."

"If she unleashes Set, her vengeance will be the least of our worries."

Helena remembered back to the battle with Set, the very reason Hellfire had started a truce to with The Six to begin with. Set was beyond any power they were capable of destroying alone. Helena finally stood, walking over to the wet bar and pouring herself a Grey Goose neat.

Kelly: "And unfortunately for us, my next bullet is aimed squarely on Dominique Devereaux.If we're going this alone, I'm not going to have some inconsistent bitch with that kind of power coming at us. But we're gonna need her for now."

She turned around, swirling the vodka in her glass. Dominque Devereaux was a holier than thou bitch who had no business being the Black Queen. Hell, she had no business being ALIVE. Helena would pay good money to watch Kelly put a bullet in that bitches head. But Kelly was right. Dominique was the one person who could reign in Set....

"Then we kill Nicolas before Diana gets the chance."

Helena said coldly, downing her drink before licking her red stained lips.

"We've sat in her shadow for far too long, I will NOT let her unleash that THING just so she can live another day. The White Queen ruling over Hellfire is OVER."

Helena slammed the glass down on the bar top. She and Kelly were now cleaning up the mess that Diana ultimately made, and there wasn't a damn thing Helena wouldn't do to make sure they stayed on TOP.

They soon docked at some unknown location and boarded another ship, one that Kelly must have kept off the Hellfire records. She gave a quick tour before Kelly then brought up the matter of Alek. Helena's eyebrow perking up at the Black Queen's insinuation that Helena brought him as her Knight.

Kelly: "I'm having Alek transferred to our location...I lost my entire court today, Helena. We really need to see where Alek's loyalty lies. If he hesitates for even just a moment, we have to kill him. We can't let him give the others any ideas. Especially those on the white court. The last thing we need is another rebellion."

A low chuckle came from deep within Helena's throat, methodical in nature. She slowly sauntered forward.

"There is no loyalty where Aleksander is concerned. He made that VERY CLEAR to me today."

She took her seat once again.

"As for the White Court, if they have any sense of self preservation, they'll align with us. I'm not above killing them and making Hellfire a two Court establishment. You and I have more than enough power to run Hellfire ALONE until we find those who are worthy enough to fill our courts again. I won't make another stupid mistake again in THAT regard."

Helena sneered, still burnt by the realization that Alexis was undercover as her Bishop.

Kelly: "I'm not trying to be a cold bitch, Hel. I'm just trying to...focus on the work. We have to act FAST. And we have to know who we can trust. Do you really think Alek is worth it? That he could still be useful to us?

Helena leaned forward, closing the gap between herself and the Black Queen.

"I didn't bring Aleksander here in an effort to sway him back to our side. I brought him here so I can strip him of everything I ever MADE HIM into and make him BEG ME to take him back. Then...i'm going to send him back to his beloved Persephone, piece. by. piece."

Helena sat back once again.

"Be a cold bitch, Kelly. We both deserve it after the shit show we just went through."

 

[Arclight]

FLASH

A searing pain ripped through the back of Alexis' shoulder, knocking the wind out of her as she fell forward. It felt like her body was being eaten away by fire and acid all at once....a pain she had only felt once before when Haleigh had infected her with the TO Virus. She could feel her powers depleting, her mind dizzy as her strength began to leave her rapidly. She couldn't let it happen again -- she couldn't let them hurt her and win.

FLASH

The room faded in and out from brilliant whites to darkness. She caught glimpses of the ceiling falling around her, of a bright light in the middle of the room with people standing around it. She heard screaming before the light was gone. Then she saw a figure approaching her, its face only becoming clear for a split second before it went dark again: it was Orion.

FLASH

She couldn't feel much, but she could tell she was in someone's arms. She was too weak to open her eyes to see where, but she could tell they were no longer in Hellfire from the lack of chaos and explosions. Alexis heard voices, though she couldn't tell who they were or what they were saying. It was all warped, like she was under water trying to understand someone above the surface. She did pick out a few key words like 'shot', 'knife', and 'poison', but then everything went dark again, the pain slowly fading away....

FLASH

It had been a few hours since Alexis was unknowingly operated on by the Birds of Prey, and ultimately healed from her dire wound inflicted by Kelly King. She was weak still, the unnatural blue veins that plagued her shoulder, neck, and face had all but faded. Alexis laid peacefully, though she still looked like she had been through hell. Her wine colored leather pants covered in patches of dirt, her matching colored top torn at the shoulder with blood stains covering the majority of it, and her short blonde hair disheveled yet somehow passable as a 'messy style' done on purpose. As the waking world began to tempt her from her slumber, she softly groaned as she rolled her head a bit to the side, feeling the muscle in her shoulder pull. Slowly her eyes began to open, Alexis' vision blurry at first. She was groggy and not fully aware of what was happening, where she was, or what was going on. Still in a bit of a daze as she blinked a few times to clear her vision, finally she could see clearly...

The room was unfamiliar and instantly Alexis shot up from the bed, immediately regretting the quick motion as she grabbed her shoulder in pain with a hiss. She held it as it throbbed, her eyes shooting around the room in a quick attempt to evaluate if she was in a threatening situation. It only took Alexis a few seconds to realize where she was, the huge clock window a dead give away. Her eyes shifted from one corner of the room seeing a camera, to the next corner, and then the next, the whole place covered as she expected it to be. She was at the Birds of Prey headquarters...but why? How? What happened...

Looking down at her hand that covered her shoulder, Alexis pulled the fabric to the side to see a discolored gun shot wound scar surrounded by blue veins that branched out. It was then her memories hit her like a freight train, Alexis' eyes rolling shut as she sighed out.

"Fucking Kelly King..."

She growled lowly to herself, realizing Kelly had shot her with some sort of psionic bullet. It was the ONLY way it would have gotten through her force field. But that still didn't explain WHY she was at The Clocktower of all places and how she had gotten healed. Alexis moved to the edge of the bed, getting to her feet as she continued to hold her shoulder in discomfort. It was obvious she was still feeling the effects of Kelly's poison bullet, though it wasn't nearly as bad as before. Whatever reason she was at the Clocktower, she needed to get out immediately and get to a safe house to fully heal. These people knew who Alexis was now, and their vendetta against Helena almost rivaled her own. Alexis didn't have the strength to fight them OR The Six if it came down to it.

Her body began to 'flicker', Alexis' attempt to use her powers taking way more effort than it normally would. But her body finally went invisible, causing her to feel a bit less vulnerable. She slowly began to walk toward the door, walking through it and into the hallway. Slowly she made her way down the dark hall, slightly hunched in discomfort as she continued to hold her shoulder. She could hear talking in the main living area as she came toward the end of the hallway. It was then she stopped short in the shadows, her body flickering visible once again as she felt a wave of dizziness hit her. Resting her good shoulder against the wall, Alexis shut her eyes.

Common, breathe.

Her body flickered invisible again as she opened her eyes, the moving room finally coming to a stop. She began to slowly walk forward again, entering the main area of The Clocktower. She moved directly to where the elevator was, the emergency exit to the staircase right next to it. There was a safe house a few blocks away...she just needed to keep focused and keep moving...

 

[Seraph]

The Clocktower

Mina had left, leaving Alix amongst all these strangers. Not that she knew Mina well, but they had become friendly over the course of the day, kindred spirits if you will. The rest of the company was decidedly less pleasant. However, Alix felt a responsibility to the injured, and making sure they were on the mend and well taken care of before she went home. She owed that much to Karen Victoria.

So she had formed a sort of camaraderie of silence, enjoying a drink or several with Ashley until the abysmal garbage these people considered food arrived and they began to consume it like vultures. Alix busied herself in Zizi's kitchen blending the herbs she had sent for for the injured woman. If need be, she could leave instructions with Zizi.

The smell of the herbs she was grinding with a small mortar & pestle soothed her, adding to the alcohol's calming effect. She was unscrewing a clean jar to contain her current blend when she thought she heard movement nearby. She stopped and listened, but the only sound was from the other side of the apartment, where a group had gathered. She dismissed it and deposited the ground herbs into the container and brushed the remnants from her hands.

But then the hairs on the back of her neck began to stand on end. Something was off. She thought she saw a flash in the corner of her eye, but it was no more than an instant. Her eyes narrowed, and she looked around her, trying to decide if there was anything out of place. Alix wiped her hands on a dishtowel. Then she bent her knee, bringing her right ankle up to her hand so she could pull her stele out of her boot.

She moved around the island, touching the stele to the rune on her hand for reveal. Holding out her hand in front of her she moved forward, the rune casting a silver glow in front of her as she went. Until it fell onto the form of the injured blonde - Alexis - who looked like she was about to fall down.

"You shouldn't be out of bed - you're not yet fully healed."

She lowered her hand and closed her fist, the silver glow fading.

"I've made a poultice for your shoulder, it will draw the rest of the poison out."

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

Zizi spent a long time on the terrace alone, just sitting in the afternoon sun and thinking. How would she ever face Gabe's mother? How could she ever explain what had happened. How it had been all her fault. But that wouldn't even be the hardest thing. She had known Gabe her whole life, and now he was gone. Sometimes they had spent months or even years apart, but they always stayed in contact, they always met up again. She didn't know how to live without him, knowing that he would never come back again, with wild stories of his adventures.

When the air turned colder, she moved towards the door to go inside. But it was getting harder and harder for her to face her friends the more time that had passed since their mission. It was easier to forget when they were all focused on getting justice, but now, all she had to do was think.

She came inside and wheeled into the internal elevator, riding up to main floor. When she came off, she was taken aback by the scene in front of her. A worse-for-wear (but looking great considering what she'd been through if you asked Zizi) Alexis Quartermaine, and their new young friend Alix doing what looked like trying to stop her from leaving. Zizi addressed Alexis.

"You're awake. That's wonderful."

She wheeled forward, stopping a respectable distance away from the girl.

"Call me Zizi, everyone does."

Zizi smiled, then searched the room for a helper.

"You must still be exhausted. John, please, help Alexis to a comfortable chair."

She paused, making sure he was doing as she'd asked.

"Thank you for your help today - we are in your debt. Please, let Alix look at your wound."

 

[Arclight]

The door was right there, her escape from whatever situation she managed to land herself in. But more importantly, it was one step closer to tracking down Helena. Alexis needed to get to her safe house, call a bitchy British witch who owed her a favor to finish healing her, and get on the road. Helena was likely halfway around the world at this point, the thought of her alive made Alexis nauseous. Or maybe it was the throbbing pain in her shoulder. Either way Alexis reached for the door to the stair well when suddenly she began to glow silver, quickly turning her head to see a woman standing behind her with her hand outstretched in her direction. Despite being hurt, Alexis immediately released her shoulder and held out her own hand, her energy signature flexing red.

"Back off, bitch."

She growled like a cornered animal.

Alix: "You shouldn't be out of bed - you're not yet fully healed."

That gave Alexis pause, her brows furrowing slightly as the woman lowered her hand.

Alix: "I've made a poultice for your shoulder, it will draw the rest of the poison out."

Alexis didn't move, staring at the woman who claimed to be trying to help her. Apparently she had already healed her. A witch likely, given the hippy medicine she wanted to use on Alexis. Then the elevator dinged next to her and Zizi York rolled out, but what was even more surprising, was that she was happy to see Alexis.

Zizi: "You're awake. That's wonderful."

Alexis kept her red energy weaving around her hand as Zizi rolled a distance away to where Alix was standing; Alexis' eyes never leaving the woman.

Zizi: "Call me Zizi, everyone does."

She knew exactly who Zizi was. But if Zizi knew who she was and what she had done, there was no doubt in Alexis' mind that Zizi wouldn't be as welcoming.

ZIzi: "You must still be exhausted. John, please, help Alexis to a comfortable chair."

Then John Steel began to walk toward her, Alexis shooting a glare his way as she held her ground.

"Don't fucking touch me."

She felt like she was in some fucked up Twilight Zone episode. WHY were these people helping her? Why were they being welcoming to her when they knew damn well who she was.

Zizi: "Thank you for your help today - we are in your debt."

Alexis kept her eyes trained on John for a few moments longer before she slid them over to Zizi.

"My debt? Those are very dangerous words to say to someone you don't know."

Alexis warned, though it was more for Zizi's benefit than a threat. She was far too nice of a girl to be giving people like Alexis the benefit of the doubt. As she stood, hand still flexed out toward them, her energy signature began to flicker as she shut her eyes, feeling dizzy. The use of her powers was extremely draining due to the residual poison in her system.

Zizi: "Please, let Alix look at your wound."

Alexis finally lowered her hand, placing it back on her throbbing shoulder. She took a few breaths before finally opening her eyes again, looking at Zizi, then to Alix. Hesitating at first, she then slowly began to walk toward them, still very much on the defense. She noted John walking closer to her than she would have liked. She finally reached Alix, removing her hand from her shoulder to let the witch see her wound. Alexis looked at Zizi.

"Why are you helping me?"

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

Zizi came off the elevator to see Alix staring down Alexis.

Alexis: "Back off, bitch."

Zizi felt a surge of pride; the girl wasn’t intimidated and didn’t lose her cool. Alix was trying to get Alexis to let her finish healing her. Zizi wheeled out of the elevator bank and told Alexis how pleased she was that she was awake, and introduced herself. She then asked John to help Alexis to a chair, because she looked like she might fall over.

Alexis: "Don't fucking touch me."

John held up his hands non-threateningly. Zizi smiled at him, then turned her smile back onto Alexis.

“He won’t hurt you, I promise. But please, won’t you sit?”

Zizi indicated the plush chairs in her living room. Then she thanked Alexis for her help against Hellfire.

Alexis: "My debt? Those are very dangerous words to say to someone you don't know."

Zizi smiled again, and shook her head.

“How can it be dangerous to tell the truth? I was watching, during the battle.”

She waved her hand towards her workstation across the room.

“You didn’t have to help, but you did. That says something, I think.”

She asked if Alix could look at Alexis’ shoulder. Alexis seemed to weigh the risks, then went to Alix and bared her shoulder.

Alexis: "Why are you helping me?"

Zizi shrugged.

“Because you needed help.”

Alix was eyeballing Alexis’ scar, as well as the faint blue lines that were still visible. Zizi turned herself towards Steel, giving him a smile and a look.

“John...”

Steel: “Uh, right, I think I’ll go check on Andrew. If you’ll excuse me.”

Alix: “Let me get something for this. Hold on.”

Alix moved to the kitchen, and started wrapping her herb mixture in some gauze.

“Alix, have you seen Ashley?”

Alix: “Uh, I think she said something about a nap. Considering she just ate her body weight in fried foods, I’d be surprised if she wakes up ever again.”

Zizi chuckled.

“Well, she does like to eat. And sleep.”

Alix crossed the room, coming back to them. She held up the poultice to Alexis.

Alix: “Here, hold this on the wound. It will draw out the remaining poison. Taking out the bullet got most of it, this is just residual. What you really need, is rest.”

She hooked a thumb towards the guest room door.

Alix: “I’d better check on Andrew too.”

She pointed at Alexis’ shoulder.

Alix: “Keep that on there.”

Zizi cleared her throat.

"You're not the only one who wants to see Helena pay for her crimes. And what is it they say about the enemy of my enemy?"

Zizi looked away for a moment.

"I...my team...we can help you, if you'll let us."

She looked at Alexis imploringly.

"Alexis, I understand you don’t know me, that you want to go your own way. But you need to heal, and I can’t just send you out onto the street. You could get sicker, or worse. It wouldn't be right.”

She paused for a moment, then clapped her hands and clasped them in her lap.

“With Hellfire gone, I think you might need a place to stay? Well, as it happens, I own an apartment building.”

She smiled, waving her hand at her surroundings.

“You would have the keys, no one would bother you. But you’d be safe. You could rest and recover.”

 

[Arclight]

Alexis allowed Alix to look at the healed gun shot wound, her veins darker around the scar indicating small traces of the poison were still in her system. She had to be smart, and if these people were openly trying to heal her she needed to let them. It would save her time in the long run having to contact Brienne. But still, she didn't understand why. She was Hellfire to them. Helena's niece. And she was pretty damn sure that computer wiz Zizi had already done a full background check on her and her involvement with The Six. She looked over at Zizi, still unsure how to take someone so....sweet.

"Why are you helping me?"

Zizi: “Because you needed help.”

[sardonically] "It's that simple to you, huh?"

It was a bit unbelievable to Alexis that there were still genuinely nice people in the world. People who didn't ask for anything in return and just helped because it was the right thing to do. Her whole life she grew up with manipulators and selfish assholes who only looked out for themselves. Then she joined a group who were the poster children of that lifestyle. It actually made Alexis a little uneasy being around someone so nice. Speaking of, Zizi gave John a look as Alix pulled the fabric of Alexis' shirt over a bit more, exposing some more of her skin. Alexis didn't care, but obviously John took the hint and scurried off. Alix and Zizi then began to talk so casually about the going ons of their group as Alix went to get her witchy mixture. It was all surreal. Alexis' eyes shifted from one woman to the other, wondering how they could be so calm in the midst of someone like her. There was no doubt in her mind that The Six were already on high alert and trying to make sure she didn't kill Ororo.

Alix approached her once again, handing her the poultice. It smelled like shit.

Alix: “Here, hold this on the wound. It will draw out the remaining poison. Taking out the bullet got most of it, this is just residual. What you really need, is rest.”

Alexis wrinkled her nose a bit and took it, placing it on her shoulder with a slight wince. It immediately started to feel cold, like an icy hot patch going on some sore muscles. Alix then excused herself as Alexis looked down at her shoulder, examining it herself. Zizi cleared her throat making Alexis lift her eyes.

Zizi: "You're not the only one who wants to see Helena pay for her crimes. And what is it they say about the enemy of my enemy?"

And right THERE was the difference between herself and Zizi. The line drawn between good and bad and where they both stood.

"I don't care about Helena's crimes. This goes deeper for me than anything horrible she's ever done in Hellfire. I want her dead."

Zizi's little background checks and cyber hacking didn't bring up the files of the narcissistic, cruel, cold hearted bitch Helena was to her when she was a little girl. The mental and emotional abuse Helena put her through by saying she wasn't family and should have never been born. Causing her to pick up a bottle for the first time when she was 15 and never looking back until she was turned to stone. This cut deeper than morals and murder. There was a reason Helena and Diana got along so well together...the ONLY sliver of commonality that she and Haleigh had.

Zizi: "I...my team...we can help you, if you'll let us."

Alexis eyes were unwavering as she kept them locked on Zizi.

"I don't do teams."

Alexis looked away.

"If you were watching like you claim, you would have noticed my former teammate didn't bat an eyelash when I was shot. Nor did they attempt to help me. And I was on their team for quite some time."

The words bitter on her tongue.

Zizi: "Alexis, I understand you don’t know me, that you want to go your own way. But you need to heal, and I can’t just send you out onto the street. You could get sicker, or worse. It wouldn't be right.”

Alexis didn't look at Zizi, her eyes trained out the large window that showed the bright city lights. She didn't want Zizi's help. She didn't deserve Zizi's help.

"You owe me nothing.."

She said softly, her words trailing off. But Zizi was relentless, offering her own home for Alexis to stay. Not just to recover, but to STAY.

Zizi: “With Hellfire gone, I think you might need a place to stay? Well, as it happens, I owe an apartment building. You would have the keys, no one would bother you. But you’d be safe. You could rest and recover.”

That made Alexis look at her, completely baffled, but also frustrated at the same time. No matter how much Alexis tried to push Zizi's away, she came back even stronger with her offers. Finally, Alexis moved in front of Zizi, towering over her. She leaned down, placing her hand on the arm of Zizi's wheel chair so they were now eye level.

"You don't. know. me. You don't know what i've done. You don't know what i'm capable of doing. I'm a terrible person."

Alexis looked at her from a moment longer before she stood back up, releasing Zizi's chair. She softly scoffed.

"Anyone from my past can attest to that."

Alexis adjusted the poultice on her shoulder as she made her way over to the window she had been staring out of earlier. Even though she wanted to prove to Zizi she didn't need a team or their help, in reality, she did need a little bit of their help.

"I'll stay for a few hours and rest. Then consider your debt paid."

 

[Spellbinder]

The Night Begins To Fall...

<< She was so angered and so fucking confused, and history had taught her that any time she ever showed herself as anything less than perfect, the entire world wanted to fight her, so she was doing her best to cram it down now, despite wanting to scream to the heavens in rage. >>

Blaze: "Nicolas is here, he's waiting outside. He made it out, with help from the Birds of Prey..."

<< Her blood went cold for a moment. This was all her fault. If she could have just gotten her shit together, and been happy with Nic, he would have been at her side. He could have saved her and she could have saved him. Yet again her personal life was spilling into the battlefield, piling on to her feelings of failure. >>

"Thank the Goddess..."

<< It didn't surprise her that The Six had not been the ones to rescue Nick. He was always blamed for his love for her. Anytime he ever publically supported her he was chastised. They would have left him to die. >>

Blaze: "Delilah got Cameron, Haleigh and Ava out. But Cassie..."

<< Her icy violet eyes widen as tears began to form. >>

Blaze: "Morgan, Ruby is dead."

"God DAMMIT!"

<< Spellbinder screamed out, her voice visceral and sore. She didn't know the girl very well, but the fact that she had managed to capture the hearts of both Sally Spectra AND Blaze spoke volumes. It was apparent that Cassandra had been a rock for both of them in Morgan's absence, and the idea that Morgan was never going to be able to repay the woman was tragic. >>

"They threw her AWAY, Blaze. None of them gave a shit about her. Don't expect ANY of them to light so much as a CANDLE in her honor."

<< Morgan was doing her best to ignore the unrest in Limbo. Though much of her magick had been zapped from her she was still a world class teleporter who could toss the likes of The Silver Swan around like a ragdoll ( ). And her stepping discs had always been connected to Limbo. She assumed the unrest to be her sudden flux in power, and she needed time to come up with a plan to save herself and the dimension she ruled with a diamond encrusted fist. >>

<< BUZZ BUZZ>>

<< Spellbinder's phone lit up on the nighstand next to her as she watched Alison give it a curious glance. Grabbing it in her right hand, she looked at the screen intently. >>

"It's a voicemail.....from Delilah."

Delilah: "Morgan, this is Delilah, call me back when you get this. I know you're still recovering, but it's important."

<< Even still hearing Delilah's voice was still painful at this point. Two years ago, this message would have been very different. In fact, it wouldn't have been a message at all because Delilah would have been by her side. She didn't even ask to come or ask for Morgan to go to her. She just wanted a phone call. Delilah didn't need to see her and that was probably killing her the most of all. >>

"Delilah wants me to call her. Says it's important. Honestly....I can't process this right now. I am sick to my stomach. I don't even think I can teleport right now without draining myself completely..."

<< She grimaced at the sight of both Alison and Blaze showing concern for her. >>

"I'm not a fucking cripple, girls. I'm just down for a minute. Trust me, whatever this is...is TEMPORARY. I will be fileting that bitch and SOON. Seriously. Don't worry about me..."

[a bit more seriously]

"I mean it. Stop."

<< Soon, they left her alone to sleep. And while her body may have physically recovered, her mind was a maelstrom of chaos. She had retreated to Limbo, but even there she was disconnected. She had barely spoke to Ororo, instead spending her time hovering over her scyring glass, meditating, and biding her power. Focusing it. She was just trying to grieve Delilah because she wanted to very badly. She empathized with Delilah. She really did. Morgan wasn't the monster they wanted her to be. If the roles were reversed, Morgan would have likely killed them all in her daughter's name by now. But Morgan had made the decision she had made to protect to Delilah. Because she didn't trust Delilah to make the right decision. And it was something she couldn't apologize for. She loved Delilah, but the woman was a mess. Perhaps being the moral compass for The Six for so long had become a burden. Perhaps being a member of The Six came at a cost she wasn't counting on. Whatever the case...when push came to shove, Delilah jumped off the edge, both literally and figuratively, and it was something Morgan hadn't forgiven her for, and wasn't sure she even could. That had been the fracture. That Delilah would hold on to pain for so long and even try to KILL herself before she would come to Morgan and say she had a problem. It made Morgan really believe sometimes that she was the monster they said she was. One of her best friends would have rather died than be vulnerable and honest with her. >>

<< Morgan tossed and turned as her mind raced towards Cameron. The perpetual thorn in her side. She knew how to fix this whole thing. And quickly. But he wouldn't let her. He would rather see the team burn under his leadership than flourish under hers. He could never fathom the fact that she wasn't as petty and superfluous as he wanted to imagine. Whatever shitty thing Cameron felt about himself he projected onto her. It had always been that way. Mostly because she was the only one to ever call Cameron out on anything, besides Alison, and they had paid for it dearly every time. >>

"Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....."

<< She felt her body jolt into consciousness as her eyes began to flicker, slowly making out the long linen curtains slowly blowing in front of her as the island breeze moved inward, insulating the entire mansion with a cool and captivating breeze. >>

<< Morgan picked up her phone. She had actually managed to sleep for a few hours. She needed to see Delilah, and thankfully she was able to muster enough magick for a full glamour spell, appearing clean, crisp and beautiful as she teleported into Delilah's suite at The Parthenon, appearing to interrupt a nap. >>

"Boo, bitch. You wanted to see me?"

<< She spoke in a tone a good few decibels above her normal timber as she attempted to startle the lightengale.>>

 

[Recall]

John: "You know, Viv, you shouldn't rest your faith in males solely on my shoulders. I mean, I drink beer...I watch sport...sometimes I drink right out of the milk carton..."

"You forget I've been dating women recently, John. Do you know how badly I just want to sit at home in some Joe Boxers, drink a beer, and cheer on The Saints?"

[smirking]

"I'm a Compton girl, so don't tell anyone, but I wear a Brees jersey in my apartment on Sundays."

The two made their way back into the main common area of The Clocktower before going their separate ways. Everything seemed to be calm for the most part. Alexis showed no signs of waking up, however Vivica stayed in the room with her, curling up on the couch next to the medical bed and relaxing.

Vivica spent the next few hours letting her anxiety get the best of her. She was really worried about Zizi and she wasn't sure what to do about it. As a woman with a disability, Zizi already had to fight off a lot of people who believed her to be not as capable as she was. And it was important for Vivica to make sure she never took Zizi's agency from her. At the same time, some things were bigger than all that. Elizabeth was not a woman who gave herself easily. At least not in love. She cared about Gabe. More than any other man Vivica had ever seen Oracle be interested in. And he had been murdered in front of her. That was a pain so deep even Vivica hadn't experienced it. She'd lost a lot of people in her life, but unfortunately for her, they still lived. As ghosts. Before long, Vivica shot up like a cannon, realizing as she blinked back into reality that she had been asleep for quite some time. She was in Alexis' room in an armchair by the bed. Standing up, she looked over to the bed, which was empty. Either Alexis had ditched them or she was in the other room singing camp fire songs with the other birds.

Slowly, Recall made her way towards the door of the bedroom, slowly opening it enough to hear what was happening in the area outside.

Zizi: "With Hellfire gone, I think you might need a place to stay? Well, as it happens, I own an apartment building. You would have the keys, no one would bother you. But you'd be safe. You could rest and recover."

Her eyes widened for a moment. Had Alexis threatened them? Why was Oracle offering such a plush accomodation, outside of it just being Elizabeth being Elizabeth?

Alexis: "You don't know me. You don't know what I've done. You don't know what I'm capable of doing. I'm a terrible person."

Vivica had a physical reaction to this as her hand hovered over her heart for a moment, catching her breath. It was so surreal to see Alexis. She hadn't had any kind of proper goodbye. She was there one moment and gone the next. She had always been a bit of a childish bitch, but she had always managed to play the middle. Alexis was often the middleman between Cameron and Morgan, and when they all worked together, it was Alexis and Vivica who had done the majority of the work. Both of them had the same desire for career success. To see her so caged, so absolutely not initiated to society was very unsettling.

Alexis: "Anyone from my past can attest to that. I'll stay for a few hours and rest. Then consider your debt paid."


"Personally, I never thought you were that bad. But then again, I never really knew you outside of a boardroom. But I can't imagine you'd be BETTER outside of one."

She walked through the doorway confidentally.

"Not to ruin the moment, BUT..We aren't going to let her walk out of here without knowing what exactly the FUCK she's doing back here, right?"

[pausing]

"We've got enough balls in the air, Alexis. I'm glad you're okay. Hell, I'm even happy to see you..but I can't let you leave without knowing what exactly it is that you are doing BACK."

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

Zizi tried to let Alexis know that they were on the same side. The one Helena wasn't on.

Alexis: "I don't care about Helena's crimes. This goes deeper for me than anything horrible she's ever done in Hellfire. I want her dead."

Zizi pursed her lips, and looked away for a moment. There was a feeling in the put of her stomach, like there was a knot there that was on fire. She tried to ignore it, but it kept pushing its way into her consciousness. That deep down, Zizi wanted the same thing. She couldn't help herself - as wrong as she knew it was, as much as she hated herself for feeling that way, there was a part of her that yearned to see Helena gone from this earth. Zizi met Alexis's eyes, searching them as she spoke.

"Of course you do. And suffice it to say I don't think you'll find anyone here who would try and stop you."

She offered their help to her, if she would let them.

Alexis: "I don't do teams."

Zizi smiled.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Maybe we could start with getting you strong enough that you aren't going to pass out in my stairwell?"

Alexis: "If you were watching like you claim, you would have noticed my former teammates didn't bat an eyelash when I was shot. Nor did they attempt to help me. And I was on their team for quite some time."

Zizi shook her head sadly.

"I'm truly sorry that happened to you. I won't make excuses for the Six. They have not always made the best choices, though in fairness few of us have."

She told Alexis that she couldn't just send her out onto the street injured.

Alexis: "You owe me nothing.."

"Not everything is a debt that must be paid. Some things are just the right thing to do."

Alexis had presumably been living at the Hellfire Mansion since her return, and now, that was over. So Zizi offered her a place to stay. She knew perhaps more than anyone what having a home could mean for a person.

Alexis came to stand over Zizi before leaning over so they were at eye level.

Alexis: "You don't. know. me. You don't know what I've done. You don't know what I'm capable of doing. I'm a terrible person. Anyone from my past can attest to that."

Zizi met Alexis' stare without looking away.

"A terrible person would have let my people die in that Mansion without a second thought. Zach brought you here. Vivica didn't suggest we let you die, or throw you out. Those are the people from your past whose opinions I value the most. If you really thought you were a terrible person, you would still be in a garden in Limbo."

Zizi raised an eyebrow at Alexis, who rose and started moving towards the windows.

"Maybe you owe yourself a little bit of forgiveness?"

Zizi wheeled herself forward so she too was looking out the large window.

"Maybe I don't know everything, but it seems to me that if a person is being controlled by someone else against their will, then the things they are forced to do are not their fault. "

Alexis: "I'll stay for a few hours and rest. Then consider your debt paid."

She smiled widely.

"Better than nothing."

Vivica: "Personally, I never thought you were that bad. But then again, I never really knew you outside of a boardroom. But I can't imagine you'd be BETTER outside of one."

Zizi turned her head to see Vivica coming towards them.

"Oh Viv, hello. Alexis and I were just getting acquainted. Did you get some rest?"

Vivica: "Not to ruin the moment, BUT...We aren't going to let her walk out of here without knowing what exactly the FUCK she's doing back here, right?"

Zizi held up a hand.

"There's plenty of time for that later. She needs to focus on getting well."

Vivica: "We've got enough balls in the air, Alexis. I'm glad you're okay. Hell, I'm even happy to see you..but I can't let you leave without knowing what exactly it is that you are doing BACK."

"Vivica, really. She's not our prisoner. I don't think an interrogation is necessary right now, do you?"

Zizi turned to Alexis.

"Would you like some tea? Something to eat?"

 

[MorningStar]

The Parthenon

Delilah was in her suite at the Parthenon, trying to catch a quick nap before she went back down to the underground room that was Cameron's new residence for the time being. She hated to leave him, but she could only stand to be in Haleigh's presence for so long before she thought she would go mad.

They had rested at the safe house a while longer, and when they were satisfied they hadn't been followed and that an attack was not imminent, Delilah sent Bishop on his way and led Haleigh through the back hallways of the Parthenon to the elevator that had been specially keyed so that only a particular light sequence from Delilah's power signature herself could activate it. They rode down into the depths of the earth, the elevator door opening to an industrial looking sub-basement. There was only one door, one room beyond it. It was keyed the same way, so that only Delilah could open the door.

Haleigh laid Cameron on the bed, and Delilah began to insert the lines. They had hired a nurse to teach Delilah how to do it, because they couldn't trust having one here. After explaining to Haleigh that once she was in, she was in until Delilah returned, and giving her a final chance not to stay, Delilah had come back upstairs. She hoped Haleigh was claustrophobic.

Delilah had taken a quick shower, then laid down for a 20 minute cat nap.

Which was interrupted by a familiar noise. Her eyes blinked open to see Morgan standing in front of her, looking no worse for wear. Actually...

"Jesus, Morgan, you look like you've just been to the spa, not recovering from a gunshot wound."

Morgan: "Boo, bitch. You wanted to see me?"

Delilah sat up and rubbed her eyes.

"Are you okay? I assume Nicolas gave you the update on the battle. Cameron is safe. He's still chasing her on the Astral Plane, but he'll get her. Haleigh and Ava are...alive."

That was as much as she could muster for Haleigh. She cleared her throat.

"But we have a problem. Alexis is here. And not in stone form. I saw her. Cameron saw her. Haleigh. Zach. I didn't want to believe it at first but it was her, as sure as I'm standing here. How could this have happened? If she'd somehow escaped, why wouldn't Ororo tell us? Unless something has happened to her. We need to speak to Ororo, Morgan. We need to make sure everything is okay in Limbo."

Delilah's eyes were pleading. If Morgan brushed this off the way Haleigh had, she would have very few other options.

"Haleigh didn't think it was important, wouldn't call you. But I need to know my daughter is safe."

 

[Black Widow]

The Parthenon

Bishop was dismissed after the agreed upon waiting period, and Ava went to meet Domino for a potential lead on Alek. Haleigh followed Delilah back to the Parthenon, carrying Cameron just like before. It felt strange being back here after having lived so long at Hellfire. She felt like she was an intruder here, and not just because Delilah made no effort at all to make her feel welcome.

Delilah led her to an absolute tomb of a place, a room underground that was set up for this very specific circumstance. Haleigh wondered how many contingencies they had considered, and if there were other rooms on deeper floors with varying set ups, or if they’d had help from Alison with predicting which outcome to bank on. She didn’t ask about it though, just kept quiet as she watched Delilah hook him up to life sustaining equipment.

She rubbed her eyes gently with one hand, trying to ease the ache of brand new eyes adjusting to sudden constant use. Delilah warned her that if she stayed here she’d be stuck down here until Delilah’s return. Haleigh’s only response was a gentle nod to indicate her understanding. If he died, she didn’t want him to be alone. If all she could do was watch over his body, then she was damn sure going to be doing that. Delilah went to get some actual rest.

She moved to Cameron’s bedside as Delilah locked her in. Haleigh manifested a metallic chair to sit in and at first, just folded her arms and took stock of the room around her. There was a security camera installed in the corner of the room, but that was no surprise. Delilah would need to be able to see what she might be walking into next. Haleigh was well accustomed to the feeling of being watched and paid the camera very little attention. The rest of the room was very similar to a basic hospital room. The door was special, though. It was made of some kind of plastic, not metal. Haleigh had deliberately turned away from the locking mechanisms when Delilah had been accessing the room. She did not want her mother getting any intel from her mind to assist in a possible escape.

She sighed heavily as she sat there alone with Cameron. Her gaze fell on him, filled with concern. If she were going to have some outburst of emotion, a crying jag, or manic laughter, or some fitful roar of rage, now would be the ideal opportunity with no one else here to see it. The trouble was she had no idea if any of that would even help. She had a fleeting wish that Zach was here to help her with it.

She leaned over Cameron a bit, wiping a smudge of dirt off his brow before she brushed back his hair. She took his hand in both of hers gently, leaning further to press her forehead against his temple. She wished she could bolster him somehow, or will him awake. She half wished she’d inherited her mother’s power. But she couldn’t read his thoughts, and he wasn’t some computer or machine she could activate, so all she could do was wait.

 

[Spellbinder]

The Parthenon - Delilah's Penthouse

Delilah: "Jesus, Morgan, you look like you've just been to the spa, not recovering from a gunshot wound."

<< Morgan eyed her up and down with signature dissapproval, her piercing violet eyes penetrating Delilah's blue steel. She exhaled, looking at her manicure. >>

"Well, I feel like shit. The least I can do is not look like it."

<< The Sorceress Supreme did not wait for the air in the room to die. >>

"Boo, bitch. You wanted to see me?"

Spellbinder exhaled again deeply, fighting her natural inclination to be a total bitch.

Delilah: "Are you okay?"

<< That stopped her heart a bit. She hadn't expected Delilah to care. In fact, the bandaid they had placed over things Morgan assumed to have been immediately ripped off the second she turned her back. It threw her for a bit of a loop. What was going on?! >>

Delilah: "I assume Nicolas gave you the update on the battle. Cameron is safe. He's still chasing her on the Astral Plane, but he'll get her. Haleigh and Ava are...alive."

<< A fire ignited in her stomach upon hearing that Cameron had failed his mission. Instead he had just dragged her into the biggest fucking vehichle back into a body there was. She had decapitated Diana years ago with the SOUL SWORD, which was a hell of a lot more powerful than any telekinetic blast Cameron could ever hope to muster, and yet she returned. He was out his league, and like usual he was trying to prove something to people who didn't need him to. In short, he was reckless as ever and Morgan was going to have to clean up the mess, and be bad cop yet again. It was infuriating, but she breathed, trying to maintain composure. There was a small part of her that was happy Haleigh was alive. It was what Morgan wanted. Knowing that Haleigh had Christopher's blood in her veins..it shifted her thinking about Haleigh quite a bit. Made her understood things deeper than she ever would have cared to. And somehow Delilah hadn't tried to kill her - at least yet. Perhaps there was hope all around in Haleigh's favor. >>

"I haven't seen Nicolas, but I'm afraid I was bit deposed. That bullet really did a number on me. I'm going to GUT that fucking bitch (Kelly), by the way..."

Delilah: "But we have a problem. Alexis is here."

"What the fuck do you MEAN Alexis is here?! She's a statue, Delilah. In MY domain..."

Delilah: "And not in stone form. I saw her. Cameron saw her. Haleigh. Zach. I didn't want to believe it at first but it was her, as sure as I'm standing here.."

"Delilah, that can't be correct...?! For all we know it was some kind of manifestation of Helena's. You know her illusions can't be broken...at least not until she's KNOCKED unconscious, as evidenced by my mother on multiple occassions..."

Delilah: "How could this have happened? If she'd somehow escaped, why wouldn't Ororo tell us?"

Morgan's eyes widened for a moment.

"Goddess, you are serious...!"

Delilah: "Unless something has happened to her. We need to speak to Ororo, Morgan. We need to make sure everything is okay in Limbo."

<< Her heart fell into her stomach. Ororo was one of her deepest, most pure relationships. It existed on another level entirely due to Ororo's attachment to Limbo. But they were two separate entities. They didn't answer to each other. It was entirely possible that the woman she had entrusted, PROMISED Delilah to look after her baby might have a separate agenda, but she was dumbstruck to try and understand what exactly it was. >>

"Delilah..."

Delilah: "Haleigh didn't think it was important, wouldn't call you. But I need to know my daughter is safe."

<< The hits just kept on coming. Morgan was nowhere near the capacity in terms of power that she was normally at, and it was clear that Delilah was desperate. Furthermore, she felt partly responsible. She had promised to protect Alexia. The ONE saving grace that Morgan had was that she was at least keeping Delilah's daughter safe and protected away from the threats that would do her harm. Otherwise, what had it all been for? She sat down on the bed, no other choice but to be honest. This day would go down as the most humiliating in her life, and for a moment, she wanted to rush to Derek. Forget the world and fuck the pain away. It would be easier than this. >>

[softly]

"I really wish I had more answers for you, Delilah...but I PROMISE... [squeezing hand] that I will get them for you. If Alexis is back, then I'm sure Ororo has a reason. She would never do harm to Alexia. Not in my domain. But that bullet..it appears it infected me..."

<< She slowly lowered the collar on her shirt to reveal her arm, the veins around the bullet would vaguely pulsing a deep purple. >>

"It's draining my magick, and Alison can't get around it..."

[pausing]

"I was planning to go to Ororo - to see if she can fix me. If you like, you are more than welcome to join me. We can talk to Ororo...you can see your daughter, and we can get back here to focus on the others..."

<< And by that she meant going about FIXING the MESS that Cameron had made. >>

"What do you say?"

 

[MorningStar]

The Parthenon - Delilah's Suite

Morgan woke her from her nap, responding to her call. And she looked good. Too good, actually. Delilah gave her a recap, assuming that Nicolas had already told her everything anyway.

Morgan: "I haven't seen Nicolas, but I'm afraid I was bit deposed. That bullet really did a number on me. I'm going to GUT that fucking bitch (Kelly), by the way..."

"We owe her one, definitely. Though I have a feeling we may have to fight Karen for the privilege."

Then she cut to the chase, telling Morgan that Alexis was back. Which was probably not what Morgan had expected to hear.

Morgan: "Goddess, you are serious...!"

"I'm not stupid, Morgan - I didn't believe it at first, either. But it was her. And she was trying hard to kill Helena."

Delilah told Morgan they needed to talk to Ororo, needed to make sure Limbo was safe.

Morgan: "I really wish I had more answers for you, Delilah...but I PROMISE... [squeezing hand] that I will get them for you. If Alexis is back, then I'm sure Ororo has a reason. She would never do harm to Alexia. Not in my domain. But that bullet..it appears it infected me..."

Delilah winced and inhaled sharply as Morgan pulled back her collar to show the wound in her arm. It didn't look natural.

"Oh Morgan...what is it?"

Morgan: "It's draining my magick, and Alison can't get around it..."

"What does Karen say? I'm surprised she let you leave...you should have said you were that injured..."

It meant something that Morgan had come back to New York, despite her injury, because Delilah had asked.

Morgan: "I was planning to go to Ororo - to see if she can fix me. If you like, you are more than welcome to join me. We can talk to Ororo...you can see your daughter, and we can get back here to focus on the others..."

Delilah froze. See her daughter?

Could she really? Maybe if she was far enough away... No, it was too dangerous. She couldn't possibly risk it. But she had to know everything was okay. She needed answers from Ororo.

Morgan: "What do you say?"

Delilah's focus seemed to snap back to Morgan.

"Let's go."

She gave her a small smile.

"Thank you."

And then, she scoffed.

"Ugh. I can't believe I'm saying this and it's the last thing I really want to do but...we should take Bishop with us."

Her face fell.

"Since I can't...if something's wrong...he can take her. And...it might be a long time before she has another chance to see him."

 

[Persephone]

Ava had waited around the safe house until Delilah and Haleigh thought it safe to move Cameron back to The Parthanon. Ava didn't go, instead heading straight to the coordinates that Domino had texted her. Not bothering with a car, or even to change, Ava appeared in an alley way next to Heritage bar, the tornado of winds dying down around her at her arrival. Her chocolate locks blew in the wind as she walked to the main street, her red boots stomping with a purpose. She was already fifteen minutes late -- 45 minutes later than she would have liked. But it was important for Ava to know that Haleigh was safe at The Parthanon with Cameron.

Walking into the bar, it was damn near dead, with only a few tables taken. But even if it was at full capacity, Ava would have been able to spot Domino immediately. Approaching from behind, she slipped onto the bar stool next to her, the bartender immediately placing a napkin in front of Ava.

"Double whatever she's having."

The bartender poured Ava's drink, her hand immediately cupping the glass.

"Thank you for meeting me."

She hadn't looked at Domino yet, but her face was unmistakably grim. Downing the drink in one gulp, Ava licked her lips as she placed the glass back down on the bar top. She was quiet for a moment, trying to gather the cluster of thoughts that sped through her mind. The anxiety, fear, anger. Everything was boiling underneath her like a tea kettle ready to explode. But she remained calm, eerily so.

"Alek's gone. Helena has him."

Finally Ava looked to the side to meet Domino's eyes.

"Helena took him."

She corrected herself knowing Domino would understand what she meant.

"He chose to leave Hellfire with me and that BITCH couldn't handle being second best. She disappeared with him before I even knew what was happening in front of me. Now she's dropped completely off the radar."

Ava finally exhaled heavily, shutting her eyes as she shook her head.

"Haleigh hasn't found anything on her end: no pings, no information, nothing that could lead me to where they took him."

It didn't surprise Ava in the slightest. If anyone knew how to avoid being detected by Haleigh it was Helena and Kelly. They would make it damn near impossible for her to find them unless they accidentally slipped up somehow. The bartender wisely poured Ava another drink, topping Domino's off as well. She looked to Domino once again, her eyes softening now with an uncharacteristic hint of vulnerability.

"Alek considered you a friend, Max.....is there anything you might know that could help?"