Come Together: Rebirth II

[Persephone]

It all started here.

At least that's what it seemed. The moment Ava fell through that stepping disks, everything in her life shifted. The moment she returned from Firebirds timeline back to her own, everything had progressively went down hill, with only fleeting moments of happiness and normalcy. But this was the catalyst. This was the start to everything. She stood in the empty doorway, looking into the dark, abandoned building wondering if she hadn't fallen through that disc all those years ago, if her life would have taken a different trajectory. It was a fleeting thought however, because Ava knew if she had the ability to go back and change everything with the knowledge of what happened, she still wouldn't change a damn thing. As hard, fucked up, and devastating as it all was, everything lead her to this moment now. She had more power than she knew what to do with, she had complete reign over the Underworld, she finally closed the long chapter of her life that involved her ex husband, and now she was in search of continuing the chapter of her life with Alek.

Ava shut her eyes at the thought of him.

Alison: Fancy meeting YOU here.

Alison's familiar voice came from behind her, but Ava didn't turn immediately.

"Just looking at some potential real estate."

She responded with an even sarcasm.

Alison: This is the LAST place that anyone would think of looking for either of us. This place, much like us, can stand here in plain sight, yet not seen. All roads, and time threads lead back to this place, and it's....rather fitting, that I should come HERE, ahead of what's to come for all of us. We have somewhere to be, you and I.

To that Ava sighed heavily. It had been a very quiet six months after Hellfire, it was only a matter of time before the other shoe dropped. Finally Ava looked over her shoulder at Alison.

"Can I call in sick?"

She joked grimly, knowing there was no calling in sick for situations involving Alison coming out of seclusion from Aerie. Ava finally turned to her friend, becoming more serious now. Obviously there was something terrible in the horizon.

Alison: The time has come for us to see Morgan, and it's more than JUST a social call. Blaze is primed for our visit.

Ava scoffed out at the mentioning of Blaze.

"Oh, I'm sure she is."

There was no love loss between herself and Blaze after their battle at the coffee shop. In fact, Ava couldn't stand the thought of Blaze Victory, let alone seeing the woman. And if Blaze knew Ava was coming, she'd likely be stupid enough to try and continue what SHE had started that day.

Alison: Even if you don't trust her, you CAN trust me.

Ava gave Alison a look, still not wanting to go. But her trust in Alison ran deep, so she conceded.

"Fine. But if she comes at me, don't hold me accountable for what happens."

 

[Black Widow]

Manhattan — The Sanctum Sanctorum

Blaze: "You're damn right you'll be under SCRUTINY while you're in MORGAN'S house."

It was the dialogue equivalent of the record screeching to a halt. Haleigh briefly wondered if it would be less painful to headbutt a wall. Then she went back to trying to be diplomatic, because Brenthon seemed like the sort she’d want on her team, if she could sway him. Blaze, meanwhile, barely seemed able to contain her contempt. Haleigh offered Brenthon a gift, a cellphone, which would link him to the modern world. She tried to lighten the mood with the dog on a skateboard. It worked quite well, with Brenthon laughing, and kissing her hand. Oh this was going very well. Haleigh smiled as Beto told her that he would cherish the insanity the device would no doubt bring.

”Everyone does. Try not to get lost in my realm too long, Gypsy King.”

She said slyly, and then Blaze was suggesting a tour of the mansion, which entirely upstaged Haleigh’s previous offer of a tour of Hellfire, because who would want two tours in one day? Haleigh couldn’t blame Brenthon when he said he was exhausted and wanted to go. She nodded graciously, redirecting his attention to his new phone.

“Yes of course. Well you can simply ask Shadow, she knows where the island is on the map, and I’ve just downloaded a special app on your device which will assist you in navigating the grounds themselves. Enjoy yourself. I’ve already notified the staff and they’ll be expecting you. I’m afraid you won’t have access to the catacombs without an escort, but I need some excuse to spend some more time with you, handsome devil.”

She said, and she smiled until he was gone. Then she turned to Blaze.

”Girl, you gotta get out of this house. Go out into the city, pick up a girl, and get yourself laid. Try to get back in touch with what’s it’s like to befriend someone who isn’t related to you. I’m gonna go let Cameron know about everything that’s happened. Actually, you know what? He’s at a sports bar. You want me to drop you off? I bet you could find a fun girl there.”

 

[Prophet]

Mickey Mantle's

Gavin: "You berated Ava? Brave man. But I suppose it should be expected from the bloke with the stones to marry Black Widow."

"The latter was far easier than the former, honestly."

Delilah: "Hold on, take a breath. If you keep on like this, I'm going to m ake you go outside and run around the block a few times to work off your extra energy."

Cameron laughed.

"I've got a better way to work off extra energy these days, Dee. But you're right..."

He paused for a moment, taking a sip of his beer.

"I'm just...really happy to see you."

He also realized he had consumed wine, margaritas, a martini and a few beers. In short, he was...drunk. But it felt good to be back in the city, despite his day. Being around Delilah, seeing how Gavin was sussing him out while asserting himself as a proper fixture in her life, it made him happy. Gavin was good people. Polite and present and solid. It was exactly what Delilah needed and deserved.

Delilah: "While you've been MIA, I've been doing a lot of work on Archangel. Gavin has been helping get the financials in order. That's been taking up a lot of my time."

"That's fantastic. And I know you want to do this on your own, but just remember - every single one of my resources are available to you should you want or require them."

Delilah: "Oh, and we went skydiving."

Cameron: “I know it probably doesn’t sound like much to Mister Save-the-World, but I thought we had fun. That was a great date.”

He arched his brow. We went skydiving. The booze flowing through him made it infinitely hard not to invade Gavin's mind just to see how seriously these two were exactly. But he was having a good time and didn't want to find out anything scandalous. He had learned by now not to meddle in Delilah's life. He smiled at Gavin.

"She's always been a bit of a closet thrill seeker. I'm just surprised to see her finally getting her thrills outside the bedroom..."

Cameron couldn't help himself. She was like a sister to him, and as such, it was his job to attempt to thoroughly humiliate her in front of her new boyfriend. And it had been too long since he'd gotten the chance to ruffle her feathers a bit.

Delilah: "And I'm starting to learn to scuba dive. Otherwise it's been quiet. Mainly because Blaze has been gatekeeping Morgan so I haven't been able to see her, but according to Ava she is apparently fine now."

"Haleigh kind of filled me in, but honestly I'm as confused as you are. She should have been with her family...with us. But that's the witches for you. They've always been like that and...I just don't see that changing..no matter how close we think we are to them..."

His mind went to Nicolas for a moment. In fact, he felt bad that he hadn't thought about Nicolas in a few months. He was part of the family, but considering how many members of his own blood relatives he had watched die over the years, he had a numbness surrounding death. And he was married to a woman fully capable of shutting down her own feelings, so sadly, it hadn't been a topic they'd discussed recently.

Delilah: "And what about you, are you still feeling okay? After everything that happened...and there wasn't much time before you left...I wasn't sure if you were really alright..."

He thought for a moment. Physically he felt better than he ever had in his life. His power was on another level entirely now, and that was something he was still adjusting to, but other than that. His life felt...almost perfect. For the first time since knowing Delilah, he felt like she was seeing him..whole.

"I don't really know what to say. Physically? I'm fit as a fiddle. Never been better. It was weird for a bit...when I first came back..to have a body again. But now...I never want to leave my body ever again..."

Cameron smiled. He could have admitted that he wasn't over what he had done to thousands of innocents in his pursuit to kill Malice. That he was mad that he hadn't heard from his sister in six months. That he missed Nicolas. That he was worried they would eventually lose Ava to her pain. That what Blaze and Karen had foolishly done in some misguided efforts to protect Morgan had truly fractured the team. Or the bittersweet feeling he had when looking at Delilah. Six months away from the team, of being left alone, and she finally had some color back in her face. He could sense her longing for Alexia, but Delilah was actually making progress. Was trying to find normalcy. To find happiness. And it seemed like without them, she had the chance.

He downed the rest of his beer and winked at Delilah.

"Especially considering what a devilishly handsome body I came back to."

There would be time for them to share their traumas later, at likely some inappropriate time in the future when yet again the world needed saving. Now, he was going to enjoy some casual, not "Six" related time with his best friend and her new man.

"But, seriously. I'm doing great, Dee. But enough of that..Let's play darts!"

And they did. For a good few rounds, and Cameron didn't even cheat with his telekinesis. It showed however as Delilah wiped the floor with both of them, though he wasn't sure if Gavin was weak arming to let his woman win. Glancing at his watch as they slid back down into the booth, he finished what he promised would be his last beer for the evening. They had fun. They had laughed. They had bonded not by trauma tonight, but because the three of them were enjoying each other's company. And it felt really good.

"Man...this has been a lot of fun, guys. I've been 'Bonnie & Clyde-ing' all over the world, it's nice to just be with friends. But I should probably find the old ball and chain though. Make sure the new 'sisters' haven't tried to kill each other..."

He paused for a minute and began to laugh very loudly for a few moments, sighing with glee as he spoke.

"I just realized Morgan and Blaze are my in-laws..."

[wiping tears from his eyes]

"Oh man...Game, set, MATCH, Victoria....I win....[laughing].."

He calmed himself down a bit.

"Ahh...I'm drunk. You two got any special plans for the evening?"

 

[MorningStar]

Manhattan, NY — Mickey Mantle's

Gavin: ”You berated Ava? Brave man. But I suppose it should be expected from the bloke with the stones to marry Black Widow.”

Or perhaps he was just mental. Or a glutton for punishment. Though she supposed it took some amount of bravery to tie yourself legally to someone who has such a spectacular record of trashing her own long term relationships.

Cameron: "The latter was far easier than the former, honestly."

Yup, mental.

She threatened to make him go run around the block a few times if he didn't calm down.

Cameron: "I've got a better way to work off extra energy these days, Dee. But you're right...I'm just...really happy to see you."

Delilah grimaced at his innuendo, but then smiled warmly.

"I'm really happy to see you too."

They continued their chit chat, with Cameron asking what she had been doing, and she mentioned that she and Gavin had gone sky diving. Gavin put his arm around her, and she tried very hard not to blush at the gesture.

Gavin: “I know it probably doesn’t sound like much to Mister Save-the-World, but I thought we had fun. That was a great date.”

Delilah grinned, because it had been a great date. But then she paused over his emphasis on the word "that". Did he mean that this was not a great date? Was he pissed off that Cameron was there now?

Cameron: "She's always been a bit of a closet thrill seeker. I'm just surprised to see her finally getting her thrills outside the bedroom..."

She gave him a look.

"That's something you'll never know anything about, Mr. King."

She finally brought up the situation with Morgan, because it was irking her.

Cameron: "Haleigh kind of filled me in, but honestly I'm as confused as you are. She should have been with her family...with us. But that's the witches for you. They've always been like that and...I just don't see that changing..no matter how close we think we are to them..."

"Sometimes I don't think we know them at all."

She didn't bring up the fact that he himself came from a line of witches and that his sister was one of them as well. Instead she asked if he was really okay, after all that had happened, his coma and everything else.

Cameron: "I don't really know what to say. Physically? I'm fit as a fiddle. Never been better. It was weird for a bit...when I first came back..to have a body again. But now...I never want to leave my body ever again...Especially considering what a devilishly handsome body I came back to."

Cameron winked at her and she rolled her eyes back.

"Just keep using those Insta filters and you'll be fine."

It did reassure her that there weren't any seeming lingering effects of Cameron's coma. Would he tell her if there were? Maybe. But she felt like she would have been able to tell. He was a great liar, but not that great.

And then his nervous energy really skyrocketed and he suggested darts. Being that this was the second time he'd mentioned darts, it made her wonder if he'd been looking in her mind for information on her and Gavin, but she quickly put that thought away. There were plenty of other things he could have mentioned if he'd really been rooting around in there. And with the training he'd given her before Malice, she thought she would recognize his presence. But Cameron did turn out to be a dirty dirty cheat at darts.

Cameron: "Man...this has been a lot of fun, guys. I've been 'Bonnie & Clyde-ing' all over the world, it's nice to just be with friends. But I should probably find the old ball and chain though. Make sure the new 'sisters' haven't tried to kill each other..."

That perked her ears up. She looked at him skeptically.

"Bonnie and Clyde-ing in what way...?"

But Cameron started laughing hysterically. She was starting to think he had had way too much to drink.

Cameron: "I just realized Morgan and Blaze are my in-laws...Oh man...Game, set, MATCH, Victoria....I win....[laughing].."

"I'm not sure that carries the horror for her it would have ten years ago. Sorry, Cam."

Cameron: "Ahh...I'm drunk. You two got any special plans for the evening?"

Delilah shook her head.

"This was really an unplanned afternoon. Started with lunch and it spiraled."

She turned in her seat to look at Gavin.

"I'm sorry, I should have asked if you had plans for tonight."

 

[Tycoon]

Manhattan, NY — Mickey Mantle's

Gavin chuckled as Cameron replied that marrying Black Widow had been easier than berating the Queen of the Underworld. Whether Cameron’s choices constituted bravery or foolishness, Gavin didn’t know. It made no difference really. Clearly, Cameron was an absolute mad lad, but if he was Delilah’s friend, then he was also going to be Gavin’s friend, if Gavin could help it. So here they were, bonding over beers at a fairly upscale sports pub. Delilah teased Cameron about extra energy, and Cameron made an innuendo that Gavin really wished he hadn’t. Oh well, drink and distract with another topic. Delilah brought up skydiving, which had been one of Gavin’s favorite dates of all time. He put his arm around her and said as much. Cameron replied that Delilah had always been a closet thrill seeker.

”The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”

Gavin agreed congenially, but then Cameron made a comment that hit him right in the gut, something about Delilah seeking her thrills outside the bedroom lately.

”I beg your pardon, mate?”

He started, an uneasy smile on his lips. He wasn’t even sure where to go from there. Should he say that this was an inappropriate topic? That was his initial feeling, but would Delilah be upset with him for being objectionable, though? Then, to his horror, it occurred to Gavin that maybe Cameron was comfortable discussing such matters so casually because he was intimately familiar with exactly what thrills Delilah got in the bedroom. Gavin and Delilah not ever having actually sat down and listed off their previous lovers, he had suspected there was bound to be a surprise or two in her history, but he wasn’t really prepared to find out she’d been with the player king of New York City whilst they were sitting right in front of the man.

And that was when the horror really started to grow, because Gavin was a bit concerned he might not be measuring up in that regard, given Cameron’s comment about Delilah not getting her thrills in the bedroom anymore. Gavin felt a heat creeping over him. Surely his ears were as red as the upholstery, but it wasn’t like he could have a private conversation with Delilah right here and now, and this was the very moment Gavin remembered that Cameron King was a telepath of the highest order.

How achingly uncomfortable. Gavin could do nothing but drink his beer, and find something else to look at. That was when Delilah told Cameron he’d never know anything about the particular topic, which was a small mercy. Gavin was immensely grateful when the subject changed entirely, though he found it difficult to get his own thought train off its current rails. There was some almost serious talk about Morgan and Blaze Victoria, and then Cameron suggested darts. Gavin played, though not very competitively, because he was trying to pull Delilah back for a sidebar. He got a chance, toward the end of the game, leaning in close to her, blocking their faces from view with a laminated menu.

”Delilah! You still get your thrills in the bedroom, don’t you?! I mean specifically when I’m there, not you know, when you’re alone or with someone else?”

He asked hurriedly, his volume low, while Cameron was focused very hard on winning the game. Gavin had thought they both had quite a marvelous time when they were alone together, but what if Delilah was exactly nice enough to just pretend he was as good in bed as he thought he was? It was a sobering thing to consider, that this might be the very reason she would not even entertain the idea of marriage. Mortified though he was, if that was the case, he was certainly going to make an effort to correct whatever the problem was.

Unfortunately before she could answer, Cameron came staggering back into their bubble, saying that he was having a great time. Gavin swallowed hard as Cameron laughed hysterically, but then Cameron observed that he’d just realized who his in-laws were, and admitted how drunk he was. He asked if they had any special plans for the evening, and Delilah told him not really, that this had started as lunch and just spiraled. Spiraled out of control? Spiraled downward from lunch? She turned to Gavin and said that she should have asked him if he had plans.

“Oh yes, I’m sure there’s something on Netflix I haven’t yet seen, I just have to keep searching for it.”

He said, coping with humor as usual. It wasn’t working too well.

“Perhaps, you’d like to help me find it? No hard feelings if you had some— thing better to do.”

Mercy, he’d almost said someone. His heart was absolutely hammering against his ribs. He was sure it would beat itself to pieces at this rate.

 

[Firebird]

Sanctum Sanctorum- Main Library

:: Blaze giving Brenthon the VISITOR'S tour of the Sanctum was her way of trying to be nice. The handsome stranger soaked up the information as Blaze lead him, and Haleigh through the the Sanctum.::

:: After the tour was done, and they were back in the main library, Haleigh seemed quite EAGER to handle him, and far be it from Blaze to stand in her way. If it would keep him occupied and OUT of Blaze and Morgan's hair, that suited Blaze just fine.::

I’m afraid you won’t have access to the catacombs without an escort, but I need some excuse to spend some more time with you, handsome devil.”

well. she's certainly living up to her code identity...BLACK WIDOW

:: Blaze thought to herself as she stood, with her arms folded, and watched the hybrid chat and size Beto up. Soon he was gone, off to Haleigh's strongholds:

The spider has lured the fly to her palor. Maybe she'll tie him up and devour him later.

:: Blaze had no desire to see anything associated with Hellfire. She'd rather burn it ALL to the ground, now that Malice was gone. Maybe that's what she SHOULD'VE done when everything was happening::

She said, and she smiled until he was gone. Then she turned to Blaze.

”Girl, you gotta get out of this house. Go out into the city, pick up a girl, and get yourself laid. Try to get back in touch with what’s it’s like to befriend someone who isn’t related to you.

:: Blaze was jolted a bit by what Haleigh suggested, and it showed as her apple green eyes widened::

I don't think that's a good idea. Morgan's just recovered and I....

I’m gonna go let Cameron know about everything that’s happened. Actually, you know what? He’s at a sports bar. You want me to drop you off? I bet you could find a fun girl there.”

But...

:: Well... There WAS an appeal to what Haleigh was saying. But it wasn't necessarily a random girl that Blaze that was interested in. She LONGED to see Rich again. They'd just started something...EXCITING between them...when everything BLEW UP. Before that though? She and Rich were getting along quite well, AND Dominique seemed to approve, which was no small feat, having heard and SEEN the way Dominique would frighten away any OTHER girl that tried to capture Rich's attention::

:: With everything that happened, Blaze just NOW realized that Dominique and Rich had....DISAPPEARED!::

...well...I WOULD like to see about Rich...

:: She relaxed her posture, and looked up at the ceiling for a moment::

Okay...going to the bar might not be so bad, and then I could run over to the Parthenon...and see if he and Dominique are there...

:: She was almost willing to let herself leave the Sanctum with Haleigh. Even if she couldn't find/connect with Rich this time, it might NOT be so bad to go out for a little while, see some new faces, and catch up with a couple of old ones too. BUT...::

But what about Morgan?

:: She still didn't feel right about just...LEAVING Morgan alone::

 

[Harbinger]

NYC- Abandoned Hospital Front/ Citadel Façade

"Can I call in sick?"

She joked grimly, knowing there was no calling in sick for situations involving Alison coming out of seclusion from Aerie. Ava finally turned to her friend, becoming more serious now. Obviously there was something terrible in the horizon.

I'll need a doctor's note, & Karen doesn't count.

:: Alison teased back, knowing and EMPATHIZING with how Ava felt. Alison had lost much of the attachment she had to "The States" after she became Mistress of Minerva's Aerie. She shifted to a more global orientation and had become even more detached from her past, her "roots" as some might call it. Haleigh was one of the few people to remark on this, and how she MISSED the "old Alison." ::

:: But no matter how far she distanced herself from the past, there was no escaping "what was to come"....and Alison of all people knew that quite well, and so, here she was.::

:: It helped Alison very much to connect with Ava first, before moving further, deeper in::

Ava gave Alison a look, still not wanting to go. But her trust in Alison ran deep, so she conceded.

"Fine. But if she comes at me, don't hold me accountable for what happens."

Your "fire fight" with Firebird happened because she wanted pay back for Zach and Alycia. War was in the air, and we both know how ugly and twisted things can get during war...

But all of that is done now, even she knows that.

:: Alison shook her head. She was displeased with SO MUCH of what happened, and part of her STILL held Haleigh responsible for most of it, and she struggled with that, PRIVATELY.::

The MONSTER (Malice) has been defeated, and that came at a terrible cost for more than one of us.

Now, we MUST gather our strength, look ahead, and prepare ourselves. No matter how some of us may feel about each other, we ARE stronger togther, and we WILL need each other, in more ways than one.

Haleigh.

:: Standing here in front of this place, knowing what was underground, Alison couldn't help but remember....and HALEIGH featured in many of those memories. But before she let herself go too far back in the past, she "stopped" at the night she first became aware of the TRUCE between the Six and Sisterhood coming to an end, after Malice attacked and murdered Haleigh on Sheena Island. After the TRUTH had come out.::

:: THAT NIGHT, when Alison diverted Haleigh from her course at sea with Hecate's storm spell, to force her to Minerva's Aerie so that Alison could confront Haleigh after what happened on Sheena Island, AND what the precog sensed the hybrid was going to do NEXT. Alison had come "THIS CLOSE" to turning Haleigh into a statue to stop her from returning to New York, to stop her from making her choice. ::

:: Alison could have forced a complete change of the time thread, and to THIS DAY, she wondered if she should have. And the fact that she STILL wondered about it was significant because as a precog (and retrocog) Alison RARELY second guessed HERSELF. The FIRST time that happened was after the Blue Moon, with Delilah. HALEIGH was only the second time so far!::

:: Had Alison stopped Haleigh from getting back to NYC, the whole time thread would have changed. Ava never would have followed Haleigh to Hellfire, or been exposed to Malice and Ravena; Nicolas would still be alive....so many things would have been altered, BUT Malice's fall would have been delayed, resulting in more trauma, more lives destroyed, more wounds being inflicted upon those she'd already traumatized, and ultimately, Alison would have been guilty of robbing someone of their choice...AGAIN.::

:: Malice. It all came back to her. Haleigh made her choice, a choice NO ONE should have to make, a choice that no one else COULD have made. And By doing so, she sent in motion, a sequence of events that ultimately lead to Malice's fall...at least for the time being. Haleigh had empathized with Alison following the Blue Moon. Couldn't she do the same for Haleigh?! Hadn't she learned, going as far back as the Master Mold caper, that if there was ANYONE [from the original Six] she could trust in the absence of Morgan, it was Haleigh! ::

Blaze is at a crossroads of her own now that Morgan has been revived and repowered, much like many of you.

:: Alison noticeably left HERSELF out of that::

But a fog of SICKNESS is about to flow across the city...

:: Confirming what Persephone herself seemed to sense earlier. Alison turns away from the building they both stand in front of, as the breeze picks up a bit::

...and now, I am supposed to be here, much like I was the night the Citadel, the terrifying place we stand over right now, had it's meltdown, and unleashed the the T virus across the city.

:: Persephone wasn't in the Six's timeline for that event, or Alison calling the Six together for the very first time.::

:: There was something ELSE that Alison wasn't telling Persephone just now, about what...or WHO was responsible for the fog that was coming. But one step at a time. She had to bring as many of them together as she could. Two of them would come on their own.::

:: BUT before they left this place, Alison did want to ask Ava something, as weird as it might sound, she hoped Ava would understand where she was coming from::

:: Standing beside Ava, She turns back to look at the abandoned hospital, which served as a facade for the true horror that lay underground::

Have you ever thought about going in/down there?

:: She meant the citadel, as it appeared in THIS timeline::

It's [mostly] abandoned now. But This is where it all started for The Six. We came here to confront Morgan and Alexis' fathers, to rescue Foxfire, and to stop the meltdown.

In MAINSTREAM time, I haven't been down there...since the night we fought Malice, Enchantrah, and Blackout, while Shadow Weaver fought the Super Soldier. That was all right before we found YOU, by way of our Ororo.

:: She wasn't feeling nostalgic per se...it was just...hard NOT to think about this place, she experienced it TWO ways- in meanstream, AND Firebird's native timeline. It was a place of secrets, revelations, pain, monsters, and death....or near death, and she wondered how Ava felt about it as well::

:: it WAS a curious thing that this place remained untouched by anyone- developers in the city, the government, even the Six themselves, but there was a solid reason for why that was. ::

 

[Prophet]

Mickey Mantle's - NYC

It was both nice and a bit sad to watch Gavin and Delilah together. He was very happy for her, but as he watched them together, doing the dance of 'am I being too much?' or 'what did they mean by that?' Cameron found himself a bit jealous. Even when he was dating somebody, for quite some time, Delilah had been his Girl Friday. They'd spent so much time together, whether they were planning the demise of Diana, or lounging on each other's couches eating copious amounts of takeout from the ground floors of The Parthenon. When they first became friends, it had been Delilah looking out for Cameron, trying to get him back in the good graces of the team after his dissappearance and subsequent kidnapping by Barbas. Then it was his turn, after she took a long walk off a short cliff on Aerie, he had been there everyday for her since. They'd been each other's sounding boards, emotional support, and plus one to so many things. Now, things were decidedly different. Not in a bad way, persay, but different.

In watching how she reacted to him, in seeing how much she enjoyed Gavin, he realized that he couldn't just come in like he always had anymore. And he suddenly felt a bit mad at himself that he had come in and disrupted what might have been a very different and romantic evening for the two of them, monopoizing conversation, plying them with drinks. She didn't seem as 'entertained' by him as she once was, and maybe that was a good thing. It was, however, definitely sobering.

Delilah: "This was really an unplanned afternoon. Started with lunch and it spiraled. I'm sorry, I should have asked if you had plans for tonight."

Gavin: "Oh yes, I'm sure there's something on Netflix I haven't yet seen, I just have to keep searching for it. Perhaps, you'd like to help me find it? No hard feelings if you had some--thing better to do."

Cameron rose from his seat, and gestured to them that he was about to head out.

"I think that's my cue..."

He gave Delilah a kiss on the cheek and embraced her in a hug, exhaling deeply as he did so, before turning to Gavin and extending his left hand for a firm handshake and a smile.

"Thanks for letting me crash your evening...I had a great time."

[to Gavin]

"It was great to spend some quality time with you, Greeley."

[to Delilah]

"Again...so good to see you. I'm going to have Haleigh come and get me. I'll shoot you a text if there were any surprises with Morgan...See you soon, I guess.."

Cameron made his way through the crowd, as he headed out onto the street, welcomed by the breath of cold air, his senses a bit alert for reasons he couldn't explain. So far, being back in the city had been...interesting. In short, it felt a bit depressing. His happy little bubble had sufficiently burst. He had anticipated that, just not as soon as it happened. Exhaling deeply, he took a seat on the curb for a minute, allowing the wind to breeze against his face, and to sober up a bit. He reached out to his wife.

[to Haleigh]: "So I got tanked with Delilah...she's head over heels for Gavin. This is...however, the longest we've been apart from each other since we got married...and I hate it. Come meet me, we can have a late dinner...maybe rekindle the embers from this morning...I miss you."

 

[MorningStar]

Manhattan, NY — Mickey Mantle's

This wasn't the type of evening she had anticipated, playing darts with Cameron and Gavin. It was odd, but not in a bad way. Gavin started acting a bit weird, and she wondered if maybe he wasn't having a very good time. But bless him, he was trying. And then, Gavin was holding up a menu in front of them, apparently so that Cameron couldn't see them talking, clearly forgetting that Cameron was in fact, a telepath.

Gavin: ”Delilah! You still get your thrills in the bedroom, don’t you?! I mean specifically when I’m there, not you know, when you’re alone or with someone else?”

Delilah opened her mouth, not entirely sure what he was talking about or what to say in response.

"Um..."

But then Cameron was there with them and the moment passed. When Cameron asked if they had plans, she realized she hadn't asked Gavin before commandeering him for the entire afternoon. Better late than never.

Gavin: “Oh yes, I’m sure there’s something on Netflix I haven’t yet seen, I just have to keep searching for it.”

"Sometimes I don't even watch anything. I just keep scrolling and scrolling..."

Gavin: “Perhaps, you’d like to help me find it? No hard feelings if you had some— thing better to do.”

She smiled brightly.

"I'd like that."

Cameron: "I think that's my cue..."

She stood up and Cameron gave her a hug, and Delilah gave him a good squeeze. It was nice to have him back after so long. She had missed him more than he'd probably ever know.

Delilah: "Thanks for letting me crash your evening...I had a great time."

"Me too. Like old times."

Delilah got a sinking feeling, realizing it probably wouldn't be like that anymore. Cameron would be with Haleigh.

Cameron: "Again...so good to see you. I'm going to have Haleigh come and get me. I'll shoot you a text if there were any surprises with Morgan...See you soon, I guess.."

"Hey, Cameron."

For some reason, this really felt like a goodbye. And she didn't want to leave it on that comment from him.

"I'm so glad you're back. And I really am happy for you. You deserve to be happy, out of all of us."

She smiled and watched him go, then turned back to Gavin.

"Ready to head out? Should we get a taxi or would you like to prolong the suspense before our night of Netflix scrolling and walk?"

She grinned, finishing the last of her beer.

 

[Persephone]

Normally a six month break from anything disastrous happening within The Six universe was a miracle, but Ava didn't get much of a break since leaving Hellfire. It was once again a never ending battle that kept going for her, so when Alison said that something was on the horizon, she teasingly asked to call in sick. The thought of having to deal with another catastrophic event on top of everything else she was already in the process of dealing with was exhausting.

Alison: I'll need a doctor's note, & Karen doesn't count.

Ava sighed out.

"It was worth a shot."

She responded light heartedly, though there was still disappointment in her tone. Alison said that they needed to go meet with the others, including Blaze, to which Ava verbally protested knowing their most recent history with one another didn't put them on good terms. Alison reassured Ava that she could trust her regarding Blaze, but still, Ava warned if the bitch tried anything again she wouldn't hold back from putting her down.

Alison: Your "fire fight" with Firebird happened because she wanted pay back for Zach and Alycia. War was in the air, and we both know how ugly and twisted things can get during war...

"We do. But we also both know her attack was far more personal than just payback. She didn't want to get a few hits in, she wanted me dead. But I digress."

Knowing Alison was about to protest in regards to Ava's own behavior. She held both her hands up in an 'i know i'm not innocent' fashion.

"I'm not claiming to be innocent here. I know I hurt a lot of people."

Stepping away from the dark doorway, the subject of Hellfire was still a very sore one for a lot of people. She didn't exactly make amends with Zach, but after he had found her on Aerie, they left on slightly better terms. Ava knew he would still never trust her, maybe forever, but that was something she would have to live with and accept given what she did to him.

Alison: But all of that is done now, even she knows that. The MONSTER (Malice) has been defeated, and that came at a terrible cost for more than one of us. Now, we MUST gather our strength, look ahead, and prepare ourselves. No matter how some of us may feel about each other, we ARE stronger together, and we WILL need each other, in more ways than one.

Ava's brows furrowed at Alison's warning. Whatever was about to happen made Alison concerned, and that was enough to cool Ava down on the Blaze topic and nod, agreeing that they were better as a team than seperated. She would put her differences aside with the fire elemental for now.

Have you ever thought about going in/down there?

:: She meant the citadel, as it appeared in THIS timeline::

It's [mostly] abandoned now. But This is where it all started for The Six. We came here to confront Morgan and Alexis' fathers, to rescue Foxfire, and to stop the meltdown.

In MAINSTREAM time, I haven't been down there...since the night we fought Malice, Enchantrah, and Blackout, while Shadow Weaver fought the Super Soldier. That was all right before we found YOU, by way of our Ororo.

Looking back toward the dark doorway.

"We spent enough time down there in the alternate timeline, I have no desire to go back."

Finally Ava looked back at Alison, knowing whatever was looming in the horizon wasn't going to wait for them to finish taking a trip down memory lane.

"We should probably go."

 

[Firebird]

Sanctum Sanctorum- 1st Floor, Main Entrance/Main Library

:: Haleigh's suggestion appealed to Blaze far more than the fire elemental expected it would. She was almost willing to let herself leave the Sanctum with Haleigh. Even if she couldn't find/connect with Rich this time, it might NOT be so bad to go out for a little while, see some new faces, and catch up with a couple of old ones too. BUT...::

But what about Morgan?

:: She still didn't feel right about just...LEAVING Morgan alone, but as she wondered aloud to Haleigh....::

<< It would seem that the choice to STAY was now made FOR Blaze, in the form of TWO approaching visitors>>

<< Chimes sound off. Not the mystical chimes associated with Spellbinder, but ONE of the clock/time chimes associated with Harbinger. She was coming, and the HOUSE (Morgan's Sanctum Sanctorum) was heralding her arrival, as a scrying pool SHIMMERS into view in the space between Blaze and Haleigh, allowing them to SEE Harbinger and Persephone approaching the main doors of the house.>>

<< Like Persephone from earlier, Haleigh AND Blaze would note that Harbinger ONLY appeared state side (these days), when something was WRONG.>>

<< As the scrying pool shimmered out of view, and the chimes finished their melody, Blaze was already making her way to the main entrance of the Sanctum Sanctorum to greet the new arrivals.>>

<< Even with Haleigh's impending departure to meet Cameron, she'd have a brief reunion with Ava and Alison.>>

:: Opening the doors, Firebird lays eyes on Harbinger for the first time in six months, and even longer for Persephone.::

*FLASH!*

<< A horizontal split view. Harbinger's cobalt blue eyes in the top panel. Firebird's apple green eyes in the bottom panel.>>

:: From her interaction with Haleigh, the events in the Enchanted Forest, and the Elysian Fields, Blaze had come to realize she made a mistake in closing off from the others, even though she was attempting to honor her sister's request. ::

:: Haleigh correctly deduced that on a subconscious level, Blaze hadn't trusted any of them to help with Morgan in the aftermath of the battles against Malice and Set, and Nicolas' loss. She had gone into ultimate tribal and protection mode, but now that she was on the otherside of that dark headspace, she was realizing what a mistake she'd made..::


:: Six months ago, She had abruptly cut off Alison, barring her from coming to the Sanctum Sanctorum. Of ALL the people she could trust wouldn't hurt Morgan, CERTAINLY that would be Harbinger, Morgan's ultimate BFF, who was FAMILY (now known to be BLOOD related) too? No, not even that had registered with Blaze at the time::

:: Haleigh said she understood the burden of being faced with hard/impossible choices, and Blaze deeply appreciated that, it allowed her to swallow her pride and face the truth- in trying to follow her sister's wishes "to the letter", Blaze had placed Morgan and herself in a perilous situation. It was the polar opposite of what happened with Morgan, Alison, and Delilah in the aftermath of the Blue Moon.::

:: There was a look of relief, AND guilt in Blaze's apple green eyes as she looked at the telekinetic witch::

Hello, Alison.

Hello, Blaze. May we come in?

Yes. Yes, of course.

:: Moving aside, Blaze gestures for both Alison and Ava to enter.::

Thank you, Blaze.

::As Alison Passed, the precog made physical contact with Blaze, touching and gently squeezing Blaze's hand. Blaze returned that hand squeeze. It was a silent COMMUNICATION between them that there were NO hard feelings. After Alison passed, Ava entered into the house::

Ava.

:: Blaze calmly greeted the goddess, fully recognizing there was no need to be rude or hostile to the woman. They'd both made choices during the ongoing conflict and war, but now the WAR was over. It was time for each of them to pick up the pieces of their lives::

<< and while there was a huge gap between Firebird and Persephone, it would soon be time to face a common threat/enemy, TOGETHER. Also, in this moment, Blaze knew>>

:: After the two women entered the Sanctum Sanctorum, Blaze closed the doors and joined the new arrivals. It was the first time either of these two had been in this place since it was fully created. There'd be time for another tour soon enough.::

Morgan has been resting, but I'm going to check on her and let her know you're here so you can see her.

Haleigh is here too, she's in the main library.

:: She lead them further into this curious, mystical dwelling, and soon, they were all in the Main Library ::

:: Blaze felt some relief. There was NO WAY she was leaving the Sanctum, now that Alison and Ava were here, AND her instincts told her she would have a chance to have a much needed talk with Alison.::

I'm going to check on Morgan now, and I'll let her know you two are here.

:: She left the three women in the Main Library, knowing Haleigh could see herself out when she was ready to leave, and the HOUSE had ACCEPTED Haleigh, who was a blood relative of Blaze and Morgan's, so she'd be able to return when she needed to.::

 

[Harbinger]

NYC- Sanctum Sanctorum

:: Harbinger discerned that the road to recovery for Ava would be a hard one, but it would NOT be one Ava had to walk alone. She would always have an ally, and confidant in Alison. AND, Ava wasn't the only one who was "finding her way back." Alison was grieving, and in recovery herself. She LOATHED returning state-side, especially knowing WHO it was really for, but no matter how she felt personally, she would not neglect her duty, NOR would she let another person slip through the cracks of the sister fates' weavings.::

:: Nicolas' loss, and the chasm that formed between Harbinger, Firebird, and Spellbinder, was more than enough.::

:: Rae Reynolds had said something to Karen about getting back to reality, and that "hiding out" from the rest of the world at Minerva's Aerie wasn't realistic, OR sustainable. Rae had been speaking to Karen, BUT that word of wisdom was ALSO meant for Alison, who had been WATCHING them, sight unseen, until she chose to reveal herself to them.::

:: The time had come for Alison to look ahead, and come face to face not only with the emerging threat, to address the need that one of the Six would have, AND to come face to face with her BROTHER too.::

:: Right now, The two women stood in front of the now abandonned Hospital that served as the facade from the terrifying Citadel below ground::

Looking back toward the dark doorway.

"We spent enough time down there in the alternate timeline, I have no desire to go back."

Finally Ava looked back at Alison, knowing whatever was looming in the horizon wasn't going to wait for them to finish taking a trip down memory lane.

"We should probably go."

::Ava had no desire to go back to that place. No sane person would. But as the two women stood there facing that dark doorway, Alison sensed there was....UNFINISHED BUSINESS down there in Horror Hall....::

<< And she was RIGHT.>>

:: But right now, first thing's first::

You're right. let's get going.

:: Glowing midnight blue orbs swirl around BOTH women, as Harbinger TELEBLINKS them across town, and they arrive in one of the wealthiest zip codes of NYC, standing in front of the grounds where ILLUSTRA once stood::

Illustra used to be here....

:: But NOW the Sanctum Sanctorum stood it's place::

<< Even as the two women recalled memories from what felt like a LIFETIME ago, Harbinger could sense and perceive the dark energy and magick that surrounded this CURRENT structure. Even Persephone could sense it, as she had a bond with Spellbinder, Darkchilde, and Hecate herself>>

<< But if the HOUSE didn't want them to get in, NEITHER of them, despite how powerful each of them were, could breach its barriers. >>

<< Thankfully, that would not be a problem they'd have to find a solution for. Even BEFORE Harbinger and Persephone arrived, the House broadcast Harbinger's impending arrival to Firebird and Black Widow.>>

<< and as the two women made their way up to the main entrance...>>

<< SECONDS EARLIER>>
<< Chimes sound off. Not the mystical chimes associated with Spellbinder, but ONE of the clock/time chimes associated with Harbinger. She was coming, and the HOUSE (Morgan's Sanctum Sanctorum) was heralding her arrival, as a scrying pool SHIMMERS into view in the space between Blaze and Haleigh, allowing them to SEE Harbinger and Persephone approaching the main doors of the house.>>

<< Like Persephone from earlier, Haleigh AND Blaze would note that Harbinger ONLY appeared state side (these days), when something was WRONG.>>

<< As the scrying pool shimmered out of view, and the chimes finished their melody, Blaze was already making her way to the main entrance of the Sanctum Sanctorum to greet the new arrivals.>>

:: Opening the doors, Firebird lays eyes on Harbinger for the first time in six months, and even longer for Persephone.::

*FLASH!*

<< A horizontal split view. >>

<<Harbinger's cobalt blue eyes in the top panel. Firebird's apple green eyes in the bottom panel.>>

:: There was a look of relief, AND guilt in Blaze's apple green eyes as she looked at the telekinetic witch::

Hello, Alison.

Hello, Blaze. May we come in?

Yes. Yes, of course.

:: Moving aside, Blaze gestures for both Alison and Ava to enter.::

Thank you, Blaze.

::As Alison Passed the fire elemental, the precog made physical contact with Blaze, touching and gently squeezing Blaze's hand. Blaze returned that hand squeeze. It was a silent COMMUNICATION between them that there were NO hard feelings. After Alison passed, Ava entered into the house::

:: Alison kept her seer's "EYE" on Ava and Blaze just now, and saw there would be no problem. She'd assured Ava that things would be alright in this moment, and the two women could set aside their personal issues to look ahead to the pressing matter that was about to emerge::

:: After the two women entered the Sanctum Sanctorum, Blaze closed the doors and joined the new arrivals. It was the first time either of these two had been in this place since it was fully created. There'd be time for another tour soon enough.::

Morgan has been resting, but I'm going to check on her and let her know you're here so you can see her.

Haleigh is here too, she's in the main library.

:: She lead them further into this curious, mystical dwelling, and soon, they were all in the Main Library ::

:: Blaze felt some relief. There was NO WAY she was leaving the Sanctum, now that Alison and Ava were here, AND her instincts told her she would have a chance to have a much needed talk with Alison.::

I'm going to check on Morgan now, and I'll let her know you two are here.

:: Alison had felt and PERCEIVED SOME of the events in the Enchanted Forest and the Elysian Fields. She and Karen BOTH were part of the astral chorus behind Hecate as the goddess revived and restored Spellbinder. She knew Morgan was conscious, healed, & repowered again, but to hear Blaze say she was RESTING, rather than in a CATATONIC STATE NEAR DEATH, was a relief. Soon, Alison would see Morgan with her own eyes, and she couldn't wait to be reunited with her best friend...::

<< who IS ALSO her blood relative!>>

I can't wait to see Morgan, and I definitely want to SEE more of this house too!

:: She thought, as she was "looking ahead"::

:: Alison knew Blaze wanted to speak with her, and the feeling was mutual. Now that she was here, they would have that chance, and Alison would also be able to persuade Blaze to do as Haleigh suggested. For now, the precog and the goddess were now in the gothic styled main library of this House of Magick, and there before them stood Haleigh.::

Hello, Haleigh.

:: She knew Haleigh would be leaving shortly, to see her brother...whom she was now MARRIED to. Oh yes, Alison already knew this, and she definitely had an opinion on that development, but there was no need to say anything about that to Haleigh, just yet - not until Alison spoke to her BROTHER first. This...development, and everything that lead to it, going all the way back to when the Six DAWNED and went on their very FIRST caper in the Citadel during the Meltdown, could arguably be attributed to (or perhaps BLAMED ON ) Alison herself! ::

 

[Black Widow]

The Sanctum Sanctorum

Haleigh told Blaze in no uncertain terms to get out of the house and go connect with other human beings. It was clear from the way Blaze was around Beto that she needed to recalibrate her social skills. Blaze tried to say she didn’t think it was a good idea, but Haleigh had already located Cameron’ cell signal and just overruled Blaze by telling her that the bar would be a great place to find a girl, and offering to drop Blaze off.

Blaze mulled that over, while Haleigh pulled out a pocket knife to clean out from under her fingernails. It was a solid way to pass the time while she waited for Blaze to accept the offer, and also presented a surreptitious opportunity to appreciate her wedding ring. Her mind began to wander towards seeing Cameron again, as Blaze asked but-what-about-Morgan.

”What about her? She’s not a fucking invalid, she’s the Sorceress Supreme. I’ve seen that woman raise hell on earth. I’ve seen her rip a man’s spine out of his body. You’re treating her like she might not know how to feed herself and honestly Blaze, that’s part of the problem. Stop enabling her to cocoon. If you keep waiting on her hand and foot, she’s going to let you. She’ll never be strong enough to face the world again if she doesn’t NEED to be.”

Haleigh replied, tucking her knife back into her pocket. She was just about to say ‘let’s go’ when the chimes sounded off.

”Oh what the fuck NOW?”

She exclaimed, frustrated at the new interruption keeping her from her husband. It was Alison and Ava. Haleigh would’ve evaporated the moment Blaze went to let them in, except she didn’t want to leave without seeing her sister. Blaze led them into the Library where Haleigh was waiting. She watched Ava as she came in, noticing that she looked tired. This wasn’t the time or place to ask her how she was really doing. She wished with all her might, just this once, that she’d gotten some of her mother’s ability and could telepathically connect with her sister. Ava’s blank look was all she got back. Alison said hello, and Haleigh’s gaze shifted to the precog, becoming steely in a second.

”Alison.”

She replied coldly. She needed to get out of here before she picked the same old fight about not getting enough intel with her foreboding warnings. She looked back at Ava, her tone softening just as quickly as the look in her eyes.

”Ava, we should catch up later, just you and I.”

She said, and then she disappeared, heading for Mickey Mantle’s. If Blaze really wanted to go out, she could get Alison to drop her off, or walk out the front door like the independent adult that she was. Haleigh reappeared seconds later at the wheel of a Viper SRT, tires screeching as she slid around the corner and came to a stop in front of Cameron, who was sitting on the curb. She popped the door open for him.

“Come on Stud, let’s get the fuck outta here!”

She shouted with a devilish grin, making herself heard over the sound of the burnout she was doing in the street. Smoke from her tires was rolling thick into the air, and no sooner did Cameron’s ass hit the bucket seat than she released the brake and they were launching off.

 

[Prophet]

NYC - Mickey Mantle's

She hadn't responded to his text, which made him a bit worried. So he reached out with his mind until he heard the screeching of tires in the distance. Instead he smiled and rose from the curb as she pulled up in her Viper and popped open the door.

Haleigh: "Come on Stud, let's get the fuck outta here!"

His wife didn't have to ask him twice as he slid into the car as Haleigh sped off at the speed of light down the street. After six months by her side, and much debate - one thing in their marriage was pretty settled - Haleigh was the driver and Cameron was content to be passenger princess. He immediately placed his hand on her thigh and gave it a squeeze.

"Why did we come back again?"

His mind was alerted to the sudden presence of his sister in the city, to which he cocked a bemused eyebrow and leaned back into his seat, his hand rubbing up and down her thigh as he exhaled loudly.

"Oh that's right...family. If Alison is back, I'm assuming all is right in the world again and we can get the fuck out of here? Today was weird...on so many levels..."

Cameron's hand left his wife's thigh as he grabbed her chin and pulled her face to look at him, unconcerned with her ability to safely navigate a vehicle in the middle of New York City. There was nothing she couldn't do. He stared at her for a moment before he leaned over and kissed her lips, letting go of her chin, sliding his hand back down underneath her thigh, something he often did out of comfort.

"I should never have to wait that long to kiss you ever again.."

He leaned back, unsure of how to proceed. He could sense that while they both were okay, whatever Haleigh had gone through, it had a strange effect on her. But sharing a psyche wasn't free reign to explore the deep corners of her mind..

"You okay, Hales?"

 

[Harbinger]

Sanctum Sanctorum- From the main library, to the main stairs, to the chamber of dreams

Alison said hello, and Haleigh’s gaze shifted to the precog, becoming steely in a second.

”Alison.”

No surprise THERE.

:: Alison thought to herself, as she calmly looked at the hybrid::

She looked back at Ava, her tone softening just as quickly as the look in her eyes.

”Ava, we should catch up later, just you and I.”

She said, and then she disappeared

Naturally.

Ava, wait here for a moment, okay?

I'm going to intercept Blaze, and then I'll signal you to meet me on the main stairs

Trust me. This needs to happen.

:: And with that, Alison BLINKS out of the library, BLINKING IN right in front of Blaze, who was coming down the main stairs::

Alison, I was just....

Blaze, listen to me.

:: Blaze looks at Alison, puzzled::

Haleigh is right, even if you don't like her delivery.

:: Sensing Blaze's reflex to resist...::

We've ALL been there at one time or another where Haleigh's delivery is concerned.

::FLASH!::

”What about her? She’s not a fucking invalid, she’s the Sorceress Supreme. I’ve seen that woman raise hell on earth. I’ve seen her rip a man’s spine out of his body. You’re treating her like she might not know how to feed herself and honestly Blaze, that’s part of the problem. Stop enabling her to cocoon. If you keep waiting on her hand and foot, she’s going to let you. She’ll never be strong enough to face the world again if she doesn’t NEED to be.”

But even if you don't like her delivery, that doesn't change the VALIDITY of what she's trying to tell you.

I know you're guard is up, and you're feeling defensive.

Morgan is your sister, the two of you have a bond that has transcended time and space, and you made a pact with her when you encountered her (again) in YOUR native timeline.

You love her, and in the aftermath of her injuries, and Nicolas' heartbreaking loss, you did what you thought was right, in the name of honoring your sister's request, and wanting to PROTECT her from any more pain, loss and heartbreak. I get it, and I'm not going to berate you about it.

:: reaching out, Harbinger gently placed a hand on Blaze's shoulder::

If ANYBODY knows what it is to make a hard choice that the others don't understand, approve or appreciate, it's ME.

<< A horizontal split view. >>

<<Harbinger's cobalt blue eyes in the top panel. Firebird's apple green eyes in the bottom panel.

<<They BOTH remember the heart rendering aftermath of the Blue Moon.>>

But what's done is DONE. The others will GET OVER IT. They HAVE to, because time WILL keep moving, and the sister fates will NOT stop weaving the tapestry that is our lives, or DESTINIES, just because one or more of us is bent out of shape.

Nicolas is safe now, in the afterlife, and we ALL know that no one among US stays dead FOREVER.

Morgan is whole and conscious, repowered, and granted access to her god-head by Hecate. She's READY to return to the world, Blaze, and YOU HAVE TO LET HER. You HAVE to let her DO IT on her OWN.

A woman, whom I've come to see is quite wise and worldly, said something recently...

:: With her hand still on Blaze's shoulder, Alison allows Blaze to "SEE" and HEAR those words from the woman herself, via magick::

::FLASH!::

"Blaze has gotta learn to deal with her life and her actions in the real world, and so does your daughter. This island..it has been healing. And I'm grateful that Alison let an old punk bitch like myself stay here. But this can't be my forever. It can't be hers. It can't be yours. Because this place isn't reality. It's not the real world. It's a vacation destination. And like it or not...vacation has gotta END at some point."

::FLASH!::

I know you blame yourself for a lot of shit. For falling in love with Chris...for letting him put his hands on you...for bringing a daughter into all that..but at some point you gotta trust that she learned from you what not to do...and you gotta realize that whether it's somebody in The Six or not...somebody is gonna hurt your daughter again. Make her cry. Make THEIR problems her own...Take it from somebody who spent a good chunk of their own life punishing her daddy for what he did to her, and making it everyone else's problem..."

:: And finally::

::FLASH!::

"Ya'll are creatures of great power...but you're ALSO human women. And human gotta live in the real world, Kare. You know that. You gotta let those girls live their live's in the real world...however actually painful that might be for them...and...you have to know when it's time to focus on YOU..."

"Your girls are strong. They're always gonna need their mama, but mama has got to live too. You can't help anybody if you don't help yourself first. I hate seeing you like this. I really do. You got a family dynamic I WISH I could have. It feels like my own son learned to walk just so that he walk AWAY from me...you're WAY ahead of the game here in terms of most family dynamics. But I'm begging you Karen..you can't protect them from the inevitable. And at some point you gotta start caring about yourself again..."

Our ally, Jezebel.

She was talking to Karen in that moment, and I was watching them. I was meant to hear/see what she said, because she was ALSO talking to ALL of us, Me, YOU, and the others, no matter how bitter or prideful any one among us may be.

It's been Six Months.

We should consider ourselves LUCKY that we've had this much time...without any monsters, or disasters, but it was never going to be this way, forever. You know that in your heart, just as I do. And now that Morgan is ALIVE and VITAL again, you've GOT to let her stand on her on two feet.

Not just for her, but for YOU. You sacrificed so much of yourself to do what you could for her, and thankfully, you called Hecate before it was was too late.

:: Now placing both hands on Blaze's shoulders, she shakes her head as Blaze is about to respond. The Fire elemental needed to LISTEN, AND HEED these words::

Blaze...I KNOW you were trying to honor Morgan's request, but i ALSO know that you didn't trust ANY of us in the aftermath of Nicolas' death. PART of me gets that.

Morgan and I have been there with EACH OTHER in the past, especially when YOU...or rather your cross time counterpart, Foxfire, was presumed dead, and Karen was in hiding, and we didn't have anyone around us who really knew OUR secret. Even when Cameron, Haleigh, and Alexis were FIRST coming around, we didn't trust ANY of them.

BUT that was before the Six officially dawned.

We're NOT just randomly encountering each other. we're PART of each other's lives and destinies...it was so ordained before ANY of us existed.

For YOUR sake, as well as Morgan, you MUST NOT let your pride OR your tribal instincts get the better of you like that again! You CAN'T protect Morgan from everything, and you shouldn't, and I WILL tell Morgan the same thing about you.

:: She allowed physical contact with Alison, but NOW her anxiety was flaring as she almost...FELT where Alison was going with this conversation, and so she pulled away from the precog::

Why are you talking like you're going to speak to Morgan in MY absence. I LIVE here, Alison, this is MY home too, and you're NOT separating me from....

LISTEN to me, Blaze. I'm NOT forcibly separating you from your sister, NOR am I "throwing you OUT" of your own home. I'm PICKING UP where Haleigh left off.

Don't you see? THIS is the RESPITE that you need...that you DESERVE.

You've done ALL you can for Morgan, and NOW you need some time for yourself...OUTSIDE of these walls!

You're NOT weak, you're one of the HIGHEST END energy manipulators on the planet, and the ELEMENTAL EMBODIMENT of FLAME ENERGY, from heat and fire, to magma and the geothermal power of the earth, to plasma, and even the stars above, you can even ACCESS the Flames of Faltine!

YOU shouldn't be afraid of the world, the WORLD should be afraid of YOU!

While there's STILL TIME,

<< a warning....for what WAS coming SOON>>

TAKE some of that time for yourself! Let Ava and I see Morgan, while YOU go out, get some fresh air, see if you can catch up with RICH and DOMINIQUE

<< UNLIKELY, considering that Dominique had disappeared, and did NOT want to be found at this time, but even so...>>

AVA!?.... :: Blaze loudly objected:: but SHE....

...is NOT a threat to Morgan. YOU know that, Blaze!

YOU were on the pier of the River Styx when Morgan summoned Charon. Had Hecate not shown up when she did, Persephone herself was prepared to prevent Morgan from giving herself to Charon!

Even IF Ava had been masquerading as some kind of trojan horse, and she had some horrid plan in mind, do you think I wouldn't be aware of it? Do you think I'd LET her harm Morgan?

::Blaze ceased her objection::

I KNOW how you feel about her, how the two of you feel about each other.

But JUST like I told HER, BOTH of you made CHOICES when we were at WAR.

But NOW? that WAR is OVER.

It's OVER, Blaze, and ALL of us are going to HAVE to pick up the pieces, and find our way back to each other...because our [continued] LIVES and wellbeing depend on each other.

Persephone is NO danger to Morgan. She cares about her. She has a bond with Morgan, JUST as she has a bond with Darkchilde, and Hecate herself!

:: Taking a step forward to meet Blaze once more, Alison takes Blaze's hand into her own, and squeezes it to reassure the fire elemental::

TRUST ME. You KNOW I have clarity and insight BEYOND the range of any mortal, and the majority of mutants and metahumans.

You've done ALL you needed to. NOW, let US go see Morgan, and YOU take THIS TIME for yourself.

If ANYTHING happens, you'll KNOW because of your telempathic bond with Morgan, AND I'LL ALSO sound the alarm.

For now, do as Haleigh suggested. SHE wouldn't steer you wrong, and neither will I, OKAY?

:: Alison searches those apple green eyes of Blaze's, the ones that would sparkle with intrigue, or flash with emotion, for acknowledgement and understanding. And after a few seconds, she sees it, sending that Blaze is relenting, and finally agreeing::

:: after a few seconds, as Blaze finally relents, and is about to leave the house....::

Blaze....one more thing.

:: the two HUG each other, tightly::

I love you too.

Now, get out of here!

:: She says with a lighter tone, and a slight smile on her face::

See you later on.

:: Sooner...actually, but why tell her that? All it would do is make her double down in her hyper vigilance, and that wouldn't help her OR Morgan::

<< Soon, Firebird was gone, out of the house. First she lifted herself off the ground to the ROOF of the Sanctum Sanctorum....and after a few moments of hesitation, she lifts her hands, igniting her raptor aura around herself, and taking off into the air, high above the clouds away from most mortal, mutant, or technological "eyes". For the first time in six months, the Firebird has truly taken FLIGHT!

<< BACK INSIDE, on the main stairs>>

:: Harbinger stood there, alone, for a moment::

Now....if only I could be as....centered and certain with MYSELF where my brother is concerned

:: She didn't agree with Cameron about Kelly Shaw. She despised that woman, and wanted her dead, and that had created a wedge between Alison and Cameron. Then came the chaotic battle with Hellfire's Inner Circle, and THEN came the resurgence of SET.::

:: After the massive damage and casualties that were sustained, and Nicolas' loss, Alison pulled away from Cameron, AND blocked him out, as she grieved hard. And now...he was MARRIED to Black Widow.::

:: She smirked, in spite of herself.::

:: No one BUT Alison could find this development both humorous AND grotesque at the same time. She KNEW she'd had a (small, but no less concrete) hand in this...in her attempts to terrify and set the two of them up for DESTRUCTION in the Citadel, she ended up pushing them together, and what even SHE, the precog, didn't count on, was them trauma bonding, and from that seed....the overall bond that grew between them, resulting in this....bizarre "fruit" that was their marriage::

You outdid yourself, Ali.

:: She loved her brother, but his resentment and discomfort with witches and magick users was always a stumbling block between them, and she didn't always do the best job of providing him with the comfort, support, and acknowledgement he needed/deserved.::

:: Haleigh had often remarked on Alison's increased withdrawl not only from "the states", but from THEM, and that included her bother. And just like the others had to learn how to do things different/better, so did Alison. ::

:: Sigh!::

:: Alison looked up toward the ceiling, running her hands through her midnight blue hair, as she stood midway on the main stairs of the Sanctum Sanctorum::

<< Moments later, a midnight blue orb appears in the main library, hovering in front of Persephone, as Alison's voice can be heard in the air around her>>

Ava, up the stairs to the second floor, down the hall where you will find a statue of Hecate. I'll see you there.

:: The orb guided Ava, and Once Ava made her way up to the meeting point, she found Alison standing there, and just a few paces behind her, a large statue of Hecate, almost seeming to "stand guard" , stood at the end of the Hall, near the double doors leading to Morgan's chamber of dreams::

I picked up where Haleigh left off, and persuaded Blaze to take a break, get out and get some fresh air.

::Alison knew this would not only help Blaze, but it would make things easier for AVA too.::

Morgan is awake, and she's expecting us.

:: Alison opens the double doors, leading into Morgan's Chamber of Dreams::

<< As Alison and Ava enter, they find Morgan awake, and looking refreshed, they also find Tinker, Cloud, and PERLE, whom Ava would recognize as Malice's former pet kitten.>>

Morgan....

ALI!

:: The two witches quickly closed the gap between each other and embraced one another tightly, holding on to each other and slowly rocking a bit, back and forth. There was definitely swell of emotion between them as they reunited::

Thank the goddess you're alive...you're BACK with us.

 

[Spellbinder]

Sanctum Sanctorum- Chamber of Dreams to 1st Floor Living Room

<< Morgan rested, with Tinker, Cloud, & new arrival Perle nearby on her comfortable king sized bed.>>

<< She could THINK again, FEEL again, and while hear heart still longed for Nicolas to be HERE with her, she did have some comfort and peace of mind after reuniting with him in the Elysian Fields, knowing he was in the most beautiful and serene of places, as one of Athena's FAVORED warriors, and that she could see him again.>>

<< PLUS, Haleigh endorsed the idea of Morgan accessing the Time Stream, via Limbo, to find Nicolas in another timeline and bring him HERE. It was a tempting thought, and it meant alot to Morgan that Haleigh would support her in that if she chose to do it.>>

<< Morgan was HERSELF again, thanks to Hecate, along with Blaze, Karen, Alison, and Haleigh. Hecate unlocked her access to her god-head, AND she met Amanda Sefton/Jimaine Szardos, her RELATIVE, AND the THIRD in the now restored TRINITY- Magik!>>

<< Then there was Brenthon...or BETO, as he now called himself. Well, every dream has it's weird, unusual, or unexplainable detail. She wasn't ready to deal with him yet, but soon, she'd have to. >>

<< She stirred a bit as the cats heard Blaze's approach.>>

<< As Blaze entered and Morgan sat up, the sisters hugged once more. Morgan was grateful for Blaze and all that she'd done for her, and when Blaze informed her that Alison and Ava were here, Morgan's violet eyes lit up with happiness and anticipation.>>

<< Blaze advised Morgan she'd send them up as she exited the chamber of dreams, and with a an eldritch chime, and a rush of wind, Morgan rose from her bed quickly transformed her look >>

<< A short time later, Alison and Ava were entering the Chamber of Dreams!>>

Morgan....

ALI!

<< The two witches quickly closed the gap between each other and embraced one another tightly, holding on to each other and slowly rocking a bit, back and forth. There was definitely swell of emotion between them as they reunited>>

Oh how I've MISSED you...missed US

Thank the goddess you're alive...you're BACK with us.

<< After after a few moments, Morgan and Alison let go of one another, and Morgan immediately went to Ava, with her arms out stretched as Alison looked on with a smile>>

AVA!

<<FLASH!>>

<< Persephone's connection to Spellbinder went beyond what physical eyes could see.>>

<< THREE WAY SPLIT HORIZONTAL VIEW.>>

<< TOP panel-in the PRESENT- Spellbinder and Persephone embrace>>

<< MIDDLE panel- in the MoE timeline- Darkchilde and Persephone embrace>>

<< BOTTOM panel- the ORIGINAL OLYMPIANS timeline- Hecate and Persephone embrace>>

Thank you...for saving me FROM MYSELF!

<< Regarding Morgan's attempt at giving up on life and giving herself to Charon to be ferried to the Isle of the Dead>>

<< Eventually, she and Ava let go of one another, and she stood before the two of them

I thought I could hide here in this place from the pain of losing Nicolas, but when I realized I couldn't...when I began to REALLY feel his loss...I couldn't handle it and I shut down. I didn't want to go on anymore. I didn't think I SHOULD. Nothing else mattered to me. I just didn't want to think...feel...or EXIST anymore.

And JUST when I was about to take Charon's hand, and let him ferry me off into OBLIVION, Persephone and Hecate stopped/saved me.

I now know that it was Blaze who called Hecate for help, and I'm not mad at her for that. She is fiercely loyal...she only wanted to do what I asked...but I...

<< She looked down...balling one her hands into a fist...as a halo of dark magick formed around it>>

...I didn't KNOW what i was asking, what i was saying. All i wanted, was for her to TAKE ME AWAY from Aerie, from EVERYTHING and EVERYONE.

<< She looked up...>>

Blaze....where is she? Where is Haleigh?

Haleigh went to see her hu....

HOOO-OH my!

:: Alison vocalized as she feigned a BIG stretch with her arms uplifted, CATCHING herself BEFORE she said "HUSBAND". She knew Morgan would react BADLY to news of Haleigh and Cameron being MARRIED. Morgan and Nicolas were supposed to announce THEIR engagement in the Sanctum Sanctorum, during a GRAND House Warming party, an event that NEVER got to happen, and now Nicolas was no longer here. Morgan was only JUST finding her footing again, there was no need to UPSET her right now!::

Haleigh went to see Cameron. She'll be back soon enough.

And don't worry, Blaze is FINE, she's out getting some fresh air, and having some much DESERVED time for herself. She's FINE, Morgan, and she'll be back too.

For now, you get US!

Okay!

<< Morgan was fine with that, and at the moment she didnt think there was anything to worry about. Blaze was plenty powerful, and could take care of herself>>

Blaze has done so much for me, I want my sister to have ANYTHING she wants/needs, and if that includes time away, that's fine!

<< Not one to be overlooked OR left out, TINKER announced her presence with a trill and a meow, as she came to the edge of the bed. The enchanted feline specifically focused on Ava, as she was fond of her, and the goddess had "babysat" her a time or two in the past (in more than one timeline) and would always give her delicious treats. Ava's psychic rapport with all animals allowed her to communicate and understand animals in a way that most others could not. Tinker wanted to be SURE that Ava noticed HER FIRST, before Cloud (the fluffy white kitten that Haleigh had given Morgan several years ago, who curiously NEVER aged) or Perle, the beautiful gray kitten that once belonged to Malice, and had been brought to Morgan and Blaze by Haleigh so that she would have a new, safe, loving home. >>

I think Tink want's a treat from you, Ava.

You both remember my babies, and now we have a NEW baby in the family, Haleigh brought her to Blaze and I....her name is...Perle.

A sweet treat. Protector of dreams

<< All THREE of them remembered the DREAM TIME event>>

Let me take you both on a tour, since this is your first time in my new home.

<< And with that, Morgan opens the double doors, and begins to lead them on a tour of her Sanctum Sanctorum .>>

<< She leads Alison and Ava through the various area of the this large, mysterious and magickal place, with the cats following. And unlike the tour Blaze gave Beto earlier, Morgan shows Alison and Ava her Area of Consecration on the 3rd Floor. This was the equivalent of the top most area of the SUMMIT in Limbo, where Morgan could cast her spells or perform other feats of magick and use the Window of Worlds to extend her reach FAR beyond the city. Ava and Alison would also see that the soul sword was housed here as well.>>

<< Eventually, Morgan's guests were seated in the living room on the first floor, and the three cats there with them >>

Can you believe Illustra once stood in this very same spot?

<< Morgan poured each of them a flute of hemlock, and then one herself>>

It feels like MORE than a life time ago that this was Illustra. Now it's your SEAT OF POWER, a physical house for an extension of Limbo on earth.

No more cheap wine for me!

<< Morgan said, as she happily drank from her flute>>

<< Alison takes a drink from her flute as well, nodding with satisfaction as she tasted the hemlock>>

Exceptional.

Hecate made sure this timeless tonic would endure throughout her bloodline.

Speaking of bloodlines....

Yes...I know. We're related, not just as witches....but by blood. You're related to Cameron and I BOTH! My ancestor, Lachesis, the Allotter, a TIME GODDESS, was married to Hecate's son, and from them, comes MY branch of the "Family Tree"

<< Morgan didn't need to ask HOW Alison knew, given the nature of her powers, and Hecate had filled Ava in on the details>>

It makes sense...given how we took to each other, the moment my mom introduced us, and how we've always instinctively depended on...TRUSTED each other, ACCEPTED each other, without judgement.

Agreed. But we ALSO know there's more to family than JUST blood and genetics. Our :: gesturing amongst the three women:: destinies, our WELL BEING as individuals is TIED to one another. Not JUST us, but the others [ Blaze, Haleigh, Cameron, Delilah] , even if some of us aren't fond of/happy with others at this time. Our connections, or interconnected destines were ordained, LONG BEFORE ANY of us existed.

And with that being said...that's part of why I am here.

I didn't JUST come to see you, Morg, although that was CERTAINLY a top priority for me, as I have sorely missed you. I'm here to make sure that we don't lose anyone else.

I'm afraid we haven't the luxury of time. Of COURSE we want to be in your company, but we ALSO need YOU at FULL STRENGTH, Spellbinder. The world, TIME, and TIME THREADS do not STOP moving, not for you, me, Ava, or ANYONE ELSE, and while you CAN hide in this beautiful place FOR A TIME, I'm afraid that time is coming to an END.

<< Morgan stared at Alison with her violet eyes, and swallowed hard>>

I've only been awake for a short time...

Something is coming...something looming...creeping over the city, like an eldritch mist....and in that mist, i see a face, an old enemy REASSERTING HERself, and using her power to BEND...even BREAK the laws of NATURE.

<< Tinker, Cloud and Perle were all nearby, with Tinker laying nearby Ava, grooming herself, while Cloud and Perle curled up together near Morgan. As Alison began to share her warning, Tinker stopped her grooming, with a soft trill, as she looked up and out of the large window. The enchanted siamese seemed preoccupied with something outside one of the windows. She looked very attentive, with the pupils of her beautiful blue eyes were wide>

<< Beto had sensed it earlier, as had Persephone, there was something shifting in the AIR around the city, and while it wouldn't be visible to the NAKED eye, or even the eyes of most mutants/metahumans, ANIMALS were often the first to be able to detect the earliest, most subtle shifts in NATURE. THAT was what was happening now, with Tinker, who is an enchanted siamese, and has the ability to detect changes to the environment around her and Morgan, even the most subtle/earliest stages of one>>

In a way...it's almost...POETIC that I have returned, to this site, ahead of something...BAD about to happen. Be prepared, Morgan, soon...most of the others will be gathered here, and just as we had to come together that first time, the night the Citadel had a MELTDOWN, we will have to do the same now. Someone's life will depend on it.

<< CURIOUSLY, Harbinger said "...MOST of the others..." , not EVERYONE. ONE of the Six wouldn't make it here in time.

 

[Persephone]

Alison blinked them both to the Sanctum Sanctorum, Ava looking up the expanse of the building as they approached the door. She could feel the magic radiating from it. Before Alison could even knock, Blaze opened the door and Ava resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the sight of the elemental as pleasantries were exchanged between her and Alison. Blaze then looked at Ava.

Blaze: "Ava."

Ava's midnight eyes stared at Blaze cooly, not bothering to acknowledge her before following Alison into the Sanctum Sanctorum. The place was huge, Ava surveying her surroundings as Blaze explained that Morgan was resting and Haleigh was upstairs in the main library. She half wondered if she could slip away into one of the numerous rooms and rest herself, but likely this place was magickally boobytrapped and would teleport her to some mystical stronghold if she stepped on the wrong floor tile. So instead she followed as Blaze lead them up to expansive staircase, bringing them to the library where her sister was. She hadn't seen Haleigh in six months, outside of the brief moment by the River Styx. A part of Ava wanted to go over and hug her just to feel some semblance of comfort from her sister. The other part wanted her to disappear with Cameron again so she wouldn't have to face the reality that Haleigh was living the life that Ava had wanted so desperately with Alek. It as a bitter feeling, but Ava's face showed no signs outwardly.

After a brief, yet cold Hello to Alison, her sister looked at her with a softened gaze. Her voice matching her eyes.

Haleigh: ”Ava, we should catch up later, just you and I.”

Ava gave a small nod to her sister before she disappeared.

Alison: Ava, wait here for a moment, okay? I'm going to intercept Blaze, and then I'll signal you to meet me on the main stairs Trust me. This needs to happen.

"Wait--"

But before Ava could even continue, Alison was gone in the blink of an eye.

"Oookay, well, i'll just stay here and hope this house knows i'm a friend and not foe."

Ava said looking around, as if the house had ears and would somehow respond. With Blaze living there, one couldn't be too sure. Ava looked around the library, noting the different literature that lined the walls. It was quite the selection of mystical books, astrology, crystals, tarot, the works. As she turned around to look at the other wall of books, Alison's floating eyes were right in front of her, causing her to jump with a gasp.

"Can we not?"

Ava chastised, though it sounded more comical than angry.

Alison: Ava, up the stairs to the second floor, down the hall where you will find a statue of Hecate. I'll see you there.

And then she was gone again. Ava huffed out.

"I forgot how annoying that is."

She grumbled, Alison's floating eyes and blinking in and out something that she hadn't been used to in quite some time. Walking out of the library, Ava made her way up the staircase to the second floor and down the hall, Hecate's statue looming at the end of it with Alison standing nearby.

Alison: I picked up where Haleigh left off, and persuaded Blaze to take a break, get out and get some fresh air.

Ava refrained from saying how fresh air wouldn't get the giant stick out of Blaze's ass, knowing that Alison partly did it so Ava wouldn't have to deal with her. She gave her a look of thanks before Alison mentioned that Morgan was awake and waiting for them. Alison opened the door to Morgan's chambers, the two immediately calling out for each other and embracing. Ava took a step aside, letting them have their reunion.

Morgan: "AVA!"

Ava finally smiled softly, walking towards Morgan's outstretched arms and embracing her in a tight hug.

[gently] "Hey Morg."

Morgan: Thank you...for saving me FROM MYSELF!

Pulling back to look her in the eyes, Ava smoothed her hand down Morgan's blond hair almost maternally.

"You know I wouldn't let anything happen to you down there."

Morgan took a step back, addressing both herself and Alison about how she felt like she had lost herself after Nicolas, and how she couldn't handle his loss. Ava lowered her line of sight momentarily, understanding that feeling more than Morgan would ever realize. She continued on about how it was Blaze who called for Hecate and helped facilitate Morgan's healing journey. Ava gave a faint smile, silently glad that Blaze had enough sense to reach out for help despite it taking six months.

Morgan: Blaze....where is she? Where is Haleigh?

Alison: Haleigh went to see her hu....HOOO-OH my!

Ava cocked up an eyebrow, giving Alison a 'what the fuck is wrong with you?' look. Then it dawned on her. Husband. Nicolas. Oh fuck. Alison gave her a 'back me up bitch' look and Ava nodded, quickly interjecting.

"Cameron--"

Alison: Haleigh went to see Cameron. She'll be back soon enough.

"Mmhmm."

Apparently Cameron and Haleigh's marriage wasn't public knowledge yet, and given Morgan's current state, she would likely go catatonic again after finding out. That conversation would be one Ava would avoid at all costs.

Alison: And don't worry, Blaze is FINE, she's out getting some fresh air, and having some much DESERVED time for herself. She's FINE, Morgan, and she'll be back too. For now, you get US!

Morgan: "Okay!"

Ava smiled, turning away from Morgan to widen her eyes at Alison as if to say 'well fuck me, that was close' before turning back around casually acting as if she was looking at Morgan's chambers in admiration.

"You're new place is gorgeous, Morgan."

Ava began to approach the bed, seeing her old friend Tinker there along with Cloud and...Perle? Diana's Perle. Ava eyes widened a moment in disbelief that Haleigh gave Diana's cat to Morgan. But, then again, Haleigh wasn't exactly a cat person so it made sense...sort of? Regardless, Ava would refrain from mention where said kitten came from.

Morgan: I think Tink want's a treat from you, Ava.

Tinkerbell was already telling her she wanted multiple treats, ear scratches, and to ignore the new kitten. Ava smirked.

"Oh, she wants more than that."

Ava reached down and gave Tinker a scratch behind the ears as Morgan suggested giving them a tour. Ava followed as Morgan showed them the expansive rooms within the Sanctum Sanctorum, finally settling down in the living room. Ava sat in an arm chair near the window, Tinker laying near by. Ava looked out the window as Morgan and Alison discussed their lineage, her mind tuning out what they were saying as she was lost in the city view. It was then Ava immediately looked down at Tinker with furrowed brows. The cat had perked up, looking out the window as well. She sensed something that unsettled her, a smell of decay in the air not familiar to her. Ava's eyes shifted back to the window, looking out as if somehow she would find answers out there.

Alison: In a way...it's almost...POETIC that I have returned, to this site, ahead of something...BAD about to happen. Be prepared, Morgan, soon...most of the others will be gathered here, and just as we had to come together that first time, the night the Citadel had a MELTDOWN, we will have to do the same now. Someone's life will depend on it.

That was when Ava turned to Alison and Morgan.

"Who's life? If someone is in danger, why aren't we getting everyone here now?"

Ava gestured to the city.

"There's something out there. I don't know what it is, but it's familiar to me. The scent of death but....different. I felt it earlier in the park when I was with Delilah. Alison, what is going on?"

 

[Black Widow]

Manhattan — City Streets

Cameron hopped in without hesitation, and off they went, leaving a thick cloud of smoke behind them. He immediately reached for her, and Haleigh felt comforted by that small move. She gave him a tender smile. He asked her to remind him why they’d come back.

”Distress call, blah blah blah.”

She said, and he remembered they had family here. He commented that Alison was here, which meant all was right with the world. Haleigh rolled her eyes and scoffed. More like, some horrible thing was going to happen, and she was here to vaguely indicate that without telling them half the details they actually needed to know. Like who, what, where or when exactly. Since Haleigh was familiar with Cameron’s sarcasm, she didn’t rebut his statement. He remarked that today was weird.

”Ugh, tell me about it.”

She replied, as she zoomed down Fifth, weaving in and out of the lanes as necessary to get around the slower moving vehicles. He tugged on her chin, pulling her into a kiss. In the top left corner of her periphera, a video feed popped up, the dash cam in real time. She kissed him like she’d missed him, and even though it had only been a few hours, she had. His hand slid back underneath her leg, and hers left the shifter to rest on the nape of his neck. Her thumb stroked back and forth across his hair. He told her he should never have to wait that long to kiss her, and she smirked.

”If I had my way, you’d never stop kissing me. Unfortunately for us, sometimes duty calls.”

She replied, still looking at him. The car shifter moved of it’s own accord, as they made the turn onto 46th. He was quiet for a moment, and then asked if she was okay.

”I’ll survive. It’s you I’m concerned about. I know you had a rough day, but there’s more insanity coming your way. I don’t even know how to tell you. Part of getting Morgan help involved dealing with that insufferable super bitch Hecate. She had plenty of crazy shit to say, as usual. Just pull the memory from my head.”

She said, as she parallel parked the car in front of Aretsky’s Patroon. She didn’t get out yet, understanding that he might need a minute to process being a descendant of Hecate through Lord Ravena of all motherfuckers, and the realization that he shared a family tree with Morgan Victoria.

 

[Tycoon]

Manhattan, NY — Mickey Mantle’s

Gavin tried to check with Delilah to make sure that Cameron’s mention of her not getting her thrills in the bedroom were not specifically with regards to something Gavin was doing — or not doing. Unfortunately the opportunity he’d chosen to ask was not ideal, because she only had time to say ‘uhm’ before Cameron was upon them again.

Uhm was not exactly the answer he was hoping for, so Gavin was left to do his absolute best not to drown himself in beer. Cameron appeared to be too drunk to notice Gavin was having a crisis of confidence, or else he had the good grace not to hang a lantern on it.

Gavin deflected with humor about his plans for the night. Delilah relayed the purgatory of scrolling endlessly to find a program on Netflix. Cameron stood up, deciding to split off and have his wife pick him up. He hugged Delilah and shook Gavin’s hand. Gavin gave Cameron’s hand a firm squeeze.

“Please, call me Gavin. I hope you continue to have a great night.”

He said, and after Cameron left, Delilah polished off her beer. She asked if he wanted to take a cab (ghastly experience, that) or prolong the suspense by walking instead.

“Huh-hoo! Just going to gloss over the whole lack of bedroom thrills thing, are we? That dreadful, is it?”

He said, sliding the little tablet on the table over to swipe his card and close out the tab. Then he pulled his phone from his pocket and hit ‘request’ on his CI app. Three minutes for a well trained bodyguard in a BMW to pick them up and take them back to his flat at EOS Nomad, which he’d bought from Zach a while back, after Zach got a townhouse with his fiancé.

 

[Prophet]

NYC - En Route

Haleigh: "If I had my way, you'd never stop kissing me. Unfortunately for us, sometimes duty calls."

His whole body kind of vibrated at that thought as he inquired as to whether or not his wife was okay.

Haleigh: "I'll survive. It's you I'm concerned about..."

Cameron gave her a concerned look. While their connected had been a bit severed. He knew that Haleigh had spent her day with Morgan and Blaze, and that part of that involved The Underworld. But he also remembered who he married. He had managed to help soften her a bit over the last six months, but he couldn't change that Haleigh would never be one to outright talk about her feelings. So he let her continue.

Haleigh: "I know you had a rough day, but there's more insanity coming your way. I don't even know how to tell you. Part of getting Morgan help involved dealing with that insufferable super bitch Hecate. She had plenty of crazy shit to say, as usual. Just pull the memory from my head..."

They pulled up in front of Aretsky's, one of their favorite places in the city as Cameron began to poke around in his wife's brain, until he found the right thread. He saw Haleigh at the mansion, he watched as they went to The Underworld and ran into Hecate as well as Charon, and Morgan attempting to throw herself at him. It was insane. How could things have possibly gotten this bad and them not be alerted? How could they have been THAT close to losing Morgan and been completely unaware? If Haleigh hadn't been biologically related to Morgan, neither of them would have heard the message. They STILL wouldn't have known. And it enraged him. But it was bittersweet, because this was how things were always done when it came to the witches. And the calmness of his wife led him to believe that he had more to see.

The pain of loss...helplessness, a mind numbing, soul separating, bottomless chasm that nothing, not even magick can fill.

I know what THIS kind of pain is like.

<< Hecate looks reflective as she says this>>

For all her power, Spellbinder is STILL earth-born, still tied to her humanity. The LAST time she was broken, the INFERNO ignited. THIS time, she turned completely INWARD, so much so that she is ready to LET GO of her mortal coil.

I too felt this consuming pain when I was BETRAYED by my wretched peers- Zeus, Hera, along with my best friend, Persephone, when she destroyed the cohesion of the Moon Trinity, and by my one-time betrothed, Hades, before he raped me, and left me with child.

<< Lord Ravena appeared in the enchanted Forest, standing tall and strong as he had ever been during HIS reign as sorcerer supreme on Earth>>

Lord Ravena, The Lord of the Undead, who was last seen on earth as the...."white king"...

<< Hecate was still amused by the Hellfire Club, and the pretense of it all. She felt that his association with that entity was utterly BENEATH him, considering all he'd been/done before>>

...is MY son, conceived in an act of violence and betrayal, and born from my womb. Earth's ORIGINAL sorcerer supreme, and the ANCESTOR to Shadow Weaver, Spellbinder, and YOU, Amanda Sefton.

He lost his way, much like I did when I cast the curse of the Red Moon, and and entertained the union with Circe, but he is with ME now.

<< She gently brushes some of Spellbinder's hair from her face, looking at the sorceress, who continued to stare blankly>>

From Ravena, the "branches" of my family tree did grow and define, most notably with his union to Lachesis, the Alloter, a TIME GODDESS. From THAT union, the blood line that Leads to HARBINGER was created, making Harbinger and Spellbinder distant cousins.

<< which also meant that Cameron was actually related to Morgan, and Blaze>>

"Oh for fuck's sake..."

This was not some kind of joyous revelation to Cameron. In fact it was the opposite. All this would do would bring the witches closer. He was genuinely happy that Morgan was alive and well again, but to know that Hecate could have done this at any time, especially considering how important Morgan was now apparently to her own legacy, it felt suspicious.

"Related to Morgan..."

He had just gotten used to the idea that she was going to be his Sister-In-Law. That was going to be explosive enough, but there was just no way in hell this wasn't going to be used against him at some point. He was thankfully that both Haleigh and Blaze had escaped this fate, considering their only tie to this was that Christopher Victory was their father. and as far as he knew, Dr. Victory was not himself a descendant of Hecate. But again, Cameron was suspicious on the timing of it all.

“You’re the one who brought him up, lady, so that opens you up to exposure to the fact that your SON is a total knave. Did YOU raise him to be that way, or did you leave him to Hades, to be taught how to force himself on women? You owe Persephone an apology, and if you don’t want to hear my opinion on the matter, you should avoid the subject of Ravena entirely.”

Haleigh replied evenly. She wasn’t going to allow what was done to her sister be glossed over just because Mommy didn’t like hearing about it. Hecate was all stereophonic exclamations and dramatically reappeared, with a thunder clap. She asked what Haleigh deserved.

“Who CARES? Are we gonna help Morgan or what?”

Haleigh challenged, and the answer came in the form of a dark magick bolt from the sky, that struck the ground right in front of her. The concussion left a crater where she stood, and blasted her body up into the air. She flipped and twisted as she flew, landing on her feet like a gymnast, her rifle still in her hands. Her clothes had been reduced to ribbons, and Haleigh brushed the scraps off to reveal her battlesuit. Steam roiled off her form, as she casually brushed a few escaped strands of hair back from her face. Hecate was hurling a bunch of insults at her, as if any of the things she said would have any impact. Then she threatened to destroy Haleigh and pave the path of Morgan’s recovery with her ashes. Haleigh sneered at her.

“Go ahead then, do it. If you think it’s really gonna help Morgan, destroy my body. You can’t destroy me, and it’ll be amusing to teach you that.”

Haleigh said, and then Hecate declared herself legendary and talked some more big game, to which Haleigh rolled her eyes yet again. Hecate warned her not to say another word, but Haleigh went on defiantly without hesitation.

“You don’t intimidate me, Hecate. All you’re doing is wasting time.”

Cameron smirked as he watched his wife go toe to toe with Hecate. Both of them shared the same kind of comical arrogance that allowed them to fight with whoever and whatever entity or being they needed to in order to get their point across. This was another thing he didn't enjoy about the world of witches. This endless heirarchy, of somebody needing to rule them, to hold the majority of power, to watch over it. He had seen magick corrupt nearly everyone who wielded it, and it was because power was to be shared. This was something Cameron was experiencing now. After killing Malice, he had absorbed an incredible amount of power, and he was beginning to see how easy it could corrupt him, or somebody like Diana. The level at which he was able to perceive, see and manipulate things now felt endless, and he knew there would come a point where he would face moral struggles the likes of which he had never known. It was so easy now to enforce his will, or to force desired outcomes. He had to maintain a balance, and he wanted to prove that he could wield this kind of power better than Diana, which he realized was something a lot of magick users probably said about themselves too right before they killed their covens and absorbed their life forces.

<< And as Hecate begins to conduct a mystical symphony of restoration and POWER, winds whistle and pick up speed around the enchanted forest, thunder rolls and rumbles, and spellbinder's power signature sounds off.>>

Hecate: WHO ARE YOU?!

I AM SPELLBINDER, QUEEN OF LIMBO, AND SORCERESS SUPREME!

<< She cries out, as she summons her Soul Sword, and TRANSFORMS. Hecate RESTORES her, UNLOCKING Spellbinder's link to her "god head", allowing her to FIRMLY take her place in the Dark Trinity as the "MOTHER" and as her transformation COMPLETES with her signature CHIME at the end, she ALSO debuts a NEW look , GOLDEN eldritch armor, a newly modified Soul Sword to reflect her newly DEADLY refined, edge and a head dress that pays homage to the demonic HORNS she once had during the Inferno Event!>>

<< Spellbinder is BACK.>>

"Damn."

Cameron had only really been filled in on what was going on with Morgan by Haleigh after his coma. It felt like she was finally coming close to being something outside of what anyone might want or require of her. That without her magick, she was going to find a new destiny. Because from the moment he had met her, magick had been her entire identity. It was always Limbo, and duty, and the soul sword, and keeping and maintaining the balance of a trinity she never asked to be a part of. He was hopeful that Morgan might actually break free of that, because it was in those moments, when she was just being...human that he found himself really able to connect. Six months ago, she had held him in the basement level of a parking garage as he mourned Haleigh going to Hellfire. Literally held him in her arms and listened to him. And he had listened to her. She had told him that she was cheating on Nicolas. So to see herself immediately embrace herself back into Nicolas' orbit and right back into the responsibility of being Sorceress Supreme, it made him a bit sad. There was so much more out there for her. And it seemed as if she had built herself a fortress of solitude, so he was a bit deflated that she was never going to reach the heights he saw for her outside of her 'duty' to the magickal world.

Shaking his head, he pulled back from Haleigh's mind and blinked several times, just staring at his drop dead gorgeous wife for a few moments before finally speaking.

"Jesus fucking Christ. Come on, I need a drink after that, and we probably both need lobotomies..."

Cameron sprung from the car over to Haleigh's side, opened the door for her and grabbed her hand, interlocking her fingers as they made their way through the entrance, Cameron mentally compelling them a great table and their favorite beverages to be sitting there by the time they sat down. Again there was a bit of silence as he was still trying to process everything. But after a few minutes, he tried to articulate himself.

"I just don't understand it really..how any of that was suppose to help her. Or tie any of us together. It feels calculated. It honestly feels like Hecate protecting her own assets rather than being concerned with Morgan..she could have stopped it from happening...we all could have really. Why put her through that. Or us?"

[thinking]

"This...revelation that I'm some kind of descendant of Hecate? I mean, I kind of had an inkling. I can do things you shouldn't be able to do unless you have an affinity for magick...And Hecate isn't especially known for her discretion as to her favorites...."

Cameron's eye sight went to his wedding band as he free hand began to mindlessly play with it for a moment, a bit caught up in his feelings. There was a lot that he could have said, many trails of thought he could have gone down, but for the first time in a really long time, he didn't. Instead he reached his hand across the table and placed it over Haleigh's and gave a kind of half smirk before his gaze met hers.

"I know who my family is..."

[squeezing her hand a bit tightly]

"Not to retread the past, but I spent a long time looking for my family. And when I found them, these blood ties that I had looked for...for so fucking long, they weren't..what I anticipated. Am I glad that I found them? That I know them? Yes...but I also sacrificed a lot of other relationships in my life to pursue them...like Vivica...like even you..."

[pausing]

"That's on me. Nobody asked me to. But it's been years now. My family are the people who loved me when I was unlovable. Who held me accountable for my mistakes without putting a gun to my head. Who let me reciprocate that. You. Delilah, Alexia...even Ava. YOU are my family..."

Cameron removed his hand from hers as he grabbed his glass, taking a drink of his martini, of which he had already had way too many of today, but it helped dull the voices and thoughts he was picking up in such a crowded place. His mind went to Alison. They weren't in a bad place, but a stagnant one. There was just never any forward movement unless Cameron forced it, so when he didn't..they had no relationship. She had always been the big sister with a stern hand, but at some point, he became smarter than her. He had done the work to try and fix himself and to fix them, at this point in their lives, the ball was in her court. He had a wife now, he was looking to the future. If she wanted to be a part of it, she was going to have to make the first move.

He then thought of Blaze. They had always gotten along, had a lot of fun and laughs together. But their hard line had always been Morgan. No matter what, Blaze was kind of in the same situation that Cameron had found himself in years ago - taking his sister's side even when she was wrong because he was scared that if she turned her back on him he would have nothing left, no ties to the world. He also knew how hard it was to get off that train.

"The only things this changes is on paper...on some branch of my family tree I'm never going to care to explore. I'm more interested in the branch *I* created. That's what matters. YOU matter.."

[smiling]

"I love you, Haleigh..."

He paused for a moment however and crinkled his nose, smirking at his wife with a bit of cheekiness.

"Now, who the hell is this Beto guy?"