Inferno 2: the final battle begins

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Ms. Marvel

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Inferno: the final battle begins

<< As Karen held Ororo and silently comforted the embattled weather sorceress......Ikaris knelt down and aided Ororo in the recovery process with a touch of his magick....she began to settle........the pain and anguish slowly fading as she breathed more regularly.....she looked up ....and removed her hands from her face......her face once more regal....and no signs of stress>>

Ororo: Dr. Victoria..Ikaris....ALL of you, thank you for helping me.. that was perhaps the most painful experience for me since arriving on the astral plane........the wraiths reached deep inside my soul....my mind to find the things that hurt the most......i nearly lost my hold on sanity.


<< Karen and Ikaris helped Ororo to her feet......as she composed herself....Brenthon and Titania arrived through his shadow port........Ororo's heart beat happily with relief to know that the wraiths had LIED about the deaths of Brenthon and Titania...........they were all reunited once more......and not a moment too soon.......as the blackness around them began to bubble and boil..........soon...as though a myst had been lifted......the group found themselves in what looked like an ancient "secret garden"......though all the vegetation and foliage was petrified........the ground was barren....with dust swirling about......the air was cold and the skies grey and gloomy..............as everyone gathered together ...looking around and taking in their new surroundings>>

<< winds gusted...with force and speed......Karen turned her head slightly.......and gasped as she pointed.....>>

Karen: THERE!!!

<< an eerie....dreadfull sounding bell tolled in the air as they turned and saw Darkchilde......strung up and bound in chains.....battered and bruised so badly...... it was obvious that she had been severly beaten ...astral form sustained such damage.....she was tightly bound in chains and slumped over awkwardly...it was a painful sight for everyone to behold>>

Ororo: bright lady.........she .....she has been ravaged by them.....but yet she STILL retains her sense of self. there is little time left....she needs our help..we have to free her and pull OUT of the astral plane.......

Karen: LOOK!!

<< shadows lengthened.....as large, immense shapes began to form around Darkchilde........the Original WRAITHS appeared...with another eerie, dreadfull tolling of the bell...the Wraiths.....were such huge...ugly creatures.....reeking of the most murderous evil......with several vicious hell hounds in tow as Death Wings flew above. they had yet to notice the presence of DC's friends and family.....as they converged around the nearly defeated Darkchilde>>


<< they began to gloat...their icy , devilsh voices ringing out in the air and causing the few plants that werent petrfied to whither....>>

Wraiths: the time is at hand.. Darkchilde is no longer able to resist our power......we can cast her into the void of the black nebula and consume her......remaking her in OUR image and using her for the purpose that we intended......thereby gaining our ultimate vengenace and destryoing the vaunted planet earth....

<< the group quickly hid behind a large stone stature in this haunted garden.....they listend to the wraiths as they plotted out their distruction.............and suddenly...the revelation of how they were even able to return from the exile imposed on them by DC was revealed....to the shock and horror of them all....especially Morpheus as a large, masculine , shrouded figure stepped forth...revealing himself to be Hades>>


Wraiths: Mighty Hades....we've been expecting your arrival......the time is now at hand. this Darkchilde will fall and through her defeat and reconfiguration...we will be able to launch are strike against the earth......weakening the boundries between that reality and dimensions beyond......allowing YOU to unleash your legions of hell.

Hades: excellent....indeed our partnership has been most succesfull......ever since i came across your sisterhood after you were defeated and banished by the Darkchilde. i could NEVER have brought down those self righteous gods of Olympus without your mighty sorcery and cunning skill.....

<< that statement sent chills through Morpheus...for Hades just admitted that HE was responsible for the fall of the gods and had joined forces with the Wraiths in order to bring it about>>

and now.......I will have the pleasure of destroying Morpheus......the vaunted son of Hypnos who i took such pleasure in killing all those eons ago.......how fitting, Darkchilde and her world being destroyed by the Dire Wraiths...while i destroy the only man she ever loved............

<< the Wraiths and Hades laugh sadistically as they stand around Darkchilde........Morpheus now grapples with the startling revelations of what happened to his father..his memories coming together to form a clear picture......now realizing that he had seen fleeting images of these Wraiths before.....>>


<< Ororo looked to the group.....and breathed deeply....>>

Ororo: it is now or never my friends. we must strike for our lives...and free Darkchilde and pull OUT of the astral plane. only then can we face our foes and deal with them as they deserve.....and as you see, not only does the fate of Darkchilde depend on what happens now....but the fate of ALL in her plane of reality.

<< Ororo ...STORM, was the leader of the X-men. her tactical knowledge, her ferocity in battle...her cold yet elegant demeanor made her a most efficient and formidable leader.......they were about to find out why>>

Ikaris.....you, myself, titania and Riana will engage the Wraiths. Karen and Brenthon will go to Darkchilde's aid while Morpheus battles Hades....we do not know as much about him as Morpheus does.....and he is the best one suited to deal with him.

<< with that.....hoping that each member knew what to do, Ororo gestures...and summons a dense, "pea soup fog"......it drifts along.....clouding the sight of the wraiths and hades...thickening to the point of chocking them.....at which point....Ororo motions for the MoE and their allies to take thier positions...sending titania, riana and ikaris behind the wraiths......Morpheus a few feet from Hades off to the side...to allow him a perfect ambush...and keeping Karen and Brenthon back with her>>

Wraiths: what is THIS............a FOG!?.......<< they began to wildly look about....trying to survey the area...but visibility for them was almost nil. >>
it must be the weather witch.....she somehow survied and is now HERE!

Hades: a mere annoyance.......she is but one woman......hopelessly outmatched by our forces.

<< a lightning bolt strikes down with accuracy....blasting Hades in the chest as it forces him back from Darkchilde....sending him sprawling to and across the ground>>

Ororo: taking victory for granted, creature....is an often FATAL MISTAKE!

<< she motions>>
NOW!!! all of you! strike for your lives!!!

<< leading the charge....Ororo takes to the air...as Karen and Brenthon rush forward to help Darkchilde ......Titania, Riana and Ikaris advance on the Wraiths...who dispatch their hell hounds forward......while Ororo engages two death wings in the air...the immense bird like creatuers fire their acidic blasts of crimson flame...but Ororo dodges with stealth and skill as she returns fire with jagged bolts of white lightning...incinerating them both
utterly. another Deathwing blind sides Storm, painfully swiping her with its powerful wing and knocking her down in altitude.......she gains her bearings and sees it charging for her.......she quickly climbs up ...flying towards it....gesturing as she whips up a violent..tightly spinning funnel of arctic winds that sap the death wing of its strength as its battered senseless......she directs the funnel.......which hurls the deathwing HEAD FIRST into the stone ground....snapping its neck as it dies from the impact>>


Wraiths: meddling fools......youve just sealed Darkchilde's fate.

<< one of the Wraiths gestures.....striking DC with a blast of dark magick.....knocking out of her binds and as she falls....she is caught up in a black shroud like portal.......the portal bubbles and swirls as large, shadow tentacles reach out and ensnare her.....grabbing her...and pulling her in as the dark nebula portal seeks to consume her..............she is violently awakend by this..and begans to scream in agony>>

Karen: NO!!!! hang on baby............im COMING!!

<< she continues to run toward her daughter....but is tackled by a hell hound painfully...>>

UGGGH....!!!
<< the hellhound beats and claws at her.......trying so hard to kill her...as she fights back.......>>

NO!! GET AWAY FROM ME!!!
<< the roll around on the ground...Karen fights with a renewed physical ferocity....as she finally manages to end up on top of the hound....raising her fist high in the air as a halo of chaos magick forms around it... she screams with an eagle like cry of defiance and rage as she slams her fist into the mouth of the hound.....releasing the chaos energy in one tremendous blast......exploding its head.>>

<< as Brenthon reaches Karen...he helps her up.....and they race to Darkchilde......who is now wide awake...raked with pain but still struggling against the pull of the portal.......>>

Darkchilde: HELP ME!!

<< Karen wraps her arms around DC's waist...and begins to pull with all her might>>

Karen: ......I've got you baby............Im not going to let go!! just hang on!!! Brenthon...........i need your help!!

<< two more hounds were coming for them......Brenthon could sense their approach....meanwhile..... the Wraiths faced Titania, Ikaris and Riana>>

Wraiths: we will FLAY the flesh off your bones...you accursed insects!

<< they began to unleash blasts of dark energy against the MoE.....and Hades...having been struck down By Storm....was now getting to his feet.....seeing Karen trying to free her daughter.......he smirks wickedly....knowing that for the moment, everyone was involved in battle...he took aim at Karen and Darkchilde....preparing to kill them with his immense power.....unaware that Morpheus was nearby.....about to attack him>>
 
:: Watching Ororo closely Riana began to levitate her long blue hair flowing out like water around her, the ground beneath her began to freeze over as she let all of her elemental power come out.. spikes of ice formed on her smooth skin, rushing forwards she send blast after blast of pure ice at the hell hounds around her as well as too the Deathwings making them freeze over at the moment of impact, sending more bolts of raw material at them they blew up leaving behind pieces of ice laying all around the battle field ::

"Take that you smelly faul creatures !!"

:: Channeling her powers Riana began to blast anything that was in her way getting closer to the Wraiths by the minute ::

"Don't you ******es realize that your time here is up.. time for you to say BYE BYE and you're ugly as hell too.. ever look in a mirror?.. o wait you can't it would crack at the sight of your ugly faces"

:: Sending out more blast of pure energy at the Wraiths they began to pull back, looking around her Riana saw Ikaris and Titania fighting their own battle killing more of the hounds and deathwings.. making the Wraiths realize they had really underestameted them... badly ::

That's it.. make them pay for what they did to my sister.. no one hurts the people I love and gets away with it... time to move their sorry asses back to the hell they came from
 
Ikaris battles his way through the HellHounds beating the foolish creatures down around him with blasts of solidified shadow. He tosses one of them to Titania, knowing she will mangle the thing properly.

Getting himself free for a moment, Ikaris launches himself towards the Wraiths, his body shimmering before reforming itself into his Brood Form. Ikaris may no longer possess his Brood form in the physical realms, but her upon the astral, its form is a reflection of its will. Ikaris' tentacles snap outwards beating against the Wraiths, bowling them over. Ikaris' wings bear it forward landing on top of the nearest of the Wraiths. It wraps its tentacles around the Wraiths body as it leans forward, drooling over its prey. Ikaris' laugh is like nails on a chalkboard.

"Hello hag! I don't think we've been properly introduced. My name is Ikaris and I'll be the one killing you today! I owe you and your "sisters" a world of pain for what you've done!"

Ikaris pulls its tentacles tighter around the Wraith, not allowing her to make any movement. Ikaris leans down towards the Wraith intending on biting its face off, when a flash of movement from the things face causes Ikaris to flinch away. A sharp and searing agony tears through it's shoulder joint. Turning its head to see what is causing the pain. The Wraith has launched a sharp drill pointed tongue into Ikaris, narrowly missing the demons face and head which it had apparently been aiming for.

The pain combined with Ikaris' grief and concern, prove to be the final straw. Its almost as if a switch is flipped somewhere deep inside it. Its face becomes a masque of pure rage. It swivels its head around and bites completely through the tongue-spear, tearing it off. Ikaris hunches its body forward and begins to repeatedly sting the Wraith.

"You B!tch! Die! Die! Die! I will eat your brain and scry in your blood! I will hunt your entire race down through time and space!"

Spittle flies from its mouth as Ikaris shrieks its pain and anger. It continues to scream and sting the Wraith even after the hag stops moving and the light fades from its eyes. It takes several minutes for Ikaris to realize it has killed the Wraith. It rips the things head from its body with its teeth, screaming in victory before scanning for another foe.
 
:: Morpheus' rage had swelled to a fever pitch as he walked around to face Hades who was rising to his feet. Under normal circumstances, Morpheus wouldn't hesistate to get the jump on anyone from behind, but he wanted to look into Hades eyes before destroying him. The underworld lord's red eyes met Morpheus' as a sinister smile came across his face. Morpheus met the look with a fierce look of determination... ::

Hades: "So at last, the outcast son of Hypnos finally shows himself. Its been many eons since you had your godly status taken away, and from what I can see, it obviously shows how pathetic you have become. You have wasted your efforts in coming here and challenging me..."

Morpheus: "Yeah and I can't say it's a pleasure to see you again. You still look like the same pile of shit I remember, trying to coerse and manipulate the council, but you know they wouldnt have it."

Hades: "Hmph, using the primitive language of the mortals now are we? Indeed your weakness flows from your very soul. And speaking of my manipulative ways, I believe they were enough to do away with your failure of a god father now weren't they?"

:: The words stung Morpheus' very being like a thousand swords had just impaled him. It was almost surreal that Hades would openly admit to being responsible for the death of his father, to his very face. His eyes widened as his blood reached a boiling point. It didnt take Morpheus very long to lose all his composure... ::

Morpheus: "You son of a *****!!"

:: Then Morpheus quickly whips around, delivering a devastating roundhouse kick to the jaw of Hades, sending him stumbling back several yards, but still managing to maintain his footing. Morpheus stands in a combat stance ready to deliver more punishment but at the same time, wonders why that attack didn't have a greater effect on Hades. Hades straightens himself and laughs with an evil cackle as he walks towards the titan, budding with an evil confidence that didnt sit well with Morpheus... ::

Morpheus: (Dayum that was one of my best kicks and it barely fazed him... what now?)

Hades: "Gooooood!! Real good, I see the fire still burns in you after all. Now that you've shown me your power, let me show you mine!!!"

:: Just as quickly, Hades fades into a blur of movements all around Morpheus, moving so fast that the titan lost sight of him, just before he rematerializes back into himself. Hades then lands a spectacular backhand, sending the muscle-bound titan flying more than twice the length of a football field, crashing through several statues and structures along the way and landing hard, sliding to a stop in the petrified ancient garden... ::

Hades: "You will never be a match for me, boy!"
 
<< Storm flew through the air....dodging the energy spheres being launched by the hell hounds and returning fire of her own with lightning bolts.......she had succesfully destroyed the three death wings present...and a quick pass by Riana, who had destroyed two more death wings and some hell hounds....Ororo was now faced by a Wraith herself........who quickly unleashed a deadly spell against the weather sorceress......preparing to block the spell with a magick shield.....Storm's eyes widen as the Wraith suddenly disappears and reappears behind her.....grabbing her and snatching her down from the air by the shoulders...pulling her close as the Wraith's face moves quickly....revealing a long, writhing "Drill tongue". the wraith grips Ororo tight and begans to pull her close..intending to impale her forehead with the tongue and absorb her essence, her mind, her powers and form.>>

Storm: GODDESS!!

<< Storm's mental reaction is as primal as the resulting response from the air around her...black cumulonimbus clouds began to form...billowing and swirling around her and the wraith........jagged lightning bolts of a blue hue began to blast forth ......coalescing into one..massive sweeping blast of pure raw elemental energy..........the immense blast rains down and stirkes the Wraith..encompassing her from head to toe........the earth shaking BOOM of the blast rocks the entire garden as the Wraith's screams fill the air.......and in that blinding flash..........there is nothing left but a pile of smoldering ash.....the smell is worse than a charnel pit.........but Storm has just destroyed one of the Original Wraiths..UTTERLY....falling back a bit.....Storm quickly regans her composure and takes to the air once more after a few minutes.....sweeping away two more Hell hounds that are advancing on Titania with a gust of gale force winds.>>


<< Morpheus, having been hurled away as though he were nothing......sprawls across the ground.....Hades turns his attentions to the flailing Darkchilde...and her mother, who is desparately trying to free her from the death grip of the nebula vortex.........Karen holds on to her daughter....her arms wrapped around DC's waist with a strong grip.....not giving up for one second as she grits her teeth.....Hades laughs in mocking amusment as he moves closer to the mother and daughter.......and raises a hand>>

Hades: such beauty....a surprise that it comes in human form........a pity...in another time and place i mightve enjoyed both of you in carnal pleasures......but for now.....i think it best to exterminate the vermin.

Karen: Get AWAY FROM US YOU MONSTER!!

<< with one arm still wrapped around her daughter's waste......the pull of the vortex was making her high heeled boots drag on the ground... Karen turns slightly...with a look defiance on her face..and unleashes a large blast of "chaos magick" against Hades. the sparkling bolt of wild magick strikes him in his throat and makes him lurch back a few steps........Karen's eyes narrow in contempt as she sees her formidable magicks have little effect on this rogue god>>

Karen: i WONT let you hurt my daughter!.....Ill DIE before you come near her again!

<< Karen does her best to stand between Hades and Darkchilde.......not losing her hold on her daughter....as she forms a mystic shield between hades and the two of them..........Hades laughs and begans to strike the shield with such force.....it rocks Karen to her core..........again and again he lashes out......but Karen's tenacity is great.......she continues to hold her hand out in a STOP motion.....trying to rienforce the mystic shield as Hades pummels it>>

Hades: pathetic witch! even if you ARE of descandant of that ***** Hecate......ill STILL enjoy feeding your entrails to my minions deep within the reaches of hell itself.

<< Karen is losing strength.....between holding on to her daughter and defending against Hades.....the sheild wont last much longer>>
 
:: Seeing Hades attack Karen, Riana moved at super speed extending her hands she fiered blasts of raw material at him trying to knock him down a bit, jumping up she landed next to Karen looking the God into the eyes her own eyes shinning a bright aqua ::

"I might not be God material or even the daughter of someone powerfull but YOU will have to get trough me before I let you touch either of these women..."

:: Raising both her hands an icey shield appeared around them it was pulsating with all the elemental power Riana posessed inside of her making the ice 1000x stronger then it ussually was.. but she knew this wouldn't stop Hades for long, turning to Karen she too began to pull at Farrah's body, her whole body becoming more and more elemental by the moment giving her an translucant look ::

"Karen hurry we need to get her out of this vortex.. I don't know how long this shield will hold him but it will give us some time to free her.. work with me.. we have to get her out"

:: Looking at Farrah the chains that were holding her down began to fanish, they were freeing her by using their own will power and love.. something no evil being could fight up against.. love was stronger then anything they could throw back ::

Morpheus I know you can hear me.. help us I know you're out there.. and I know you're hurt but stall him.. please give Karen and me the time to free Farrah... it's the only way we can win this.. with her help Hades and the Wraiths don't stand any chance of winning this... no matter how weak she is.. she is still the strongest among us

:: Riana could hear Hades screams of anger and rage as he began to pound upon the shield protecting them.... small cracks were allready beginning to form in it and it would only be a matter of time before he would break trough it, Riana began to pull harder at the chains holding down Farrah and so was Karen, more and more of her body was being freed ::
 
<< The Wraiths were being pummled by Ikaris and Titiana.....the astral plane was NOT their realm of dominance...and they relied prmarily on psychological warefare to hold sway over the group until now.........but with feelings of rage and hatred running so deep in Ikaris and Titania......the Wraiths were now in for a beating they more than richly deserved......





<< Riana and Karen grappled to keep Farrah from being sucked in......the PAIN of the vortex's pull on Farrah was ravaging as her face showed signs of agony........>>

<< Riana's bolstering of Karen's mystic sheilds bought them a bit more time as Hades took perverse pleasure in striking the shield...lilke a raging predator in the forest. Brenthon....who was now near them......had forced back the two hell hounds and was now tapping into his own empathic power....knowing that the BIGGEST weakness of the gods on Olympus was their emotions. Using the power of the Gem of Atlas he purchased at Illustra.....Brenthon staggered Hades with an empathic onslaught. Brenthon's physical stature changed..he was now 7'0 tall....bigger than before....the gem worked well with him.>>

<< Karen heard him...and lowered her sheilds to let him in........as they struggled to keep Farrah from being pulled...........but as soon as the shields were lowered.........two DeathWings materialized in full flight....swooping down with such speed as one snatched up Riana with its powerful talons....and the other snatched up Brenthon....they shrieked with delight as they carried the two off away from Karen and Farrah......flying in wild flight patterns to dizzy and disorient them. Ororo could be seen.......flying down in an intercept pattern....and as she swooped down....she built up a moving wave of air in front of her........pushing it with her telepathic command over the elements.........she met the death wings at her planned interception point..........and quickly pulled up...allowing the massive wave of hardened air to SLAM the death wings with the force of a pile driver.....stunning them sufficiently and allowing Brenthon and Riana the chance to escape>>


<< Karen continued to help her daughter..who was now fully conscious>>

MOM!?..............I dont want to DIE!!

Karen: You're NOT going to die Farrah......I'm here for you now..........but youve got to help me!.......dont PANIC....just work with me.....help me pull you out!

<< a large shadow loomed over them.....as DC looked up>>

MOM!!...LOOK OUT!

<< Hades grabs Karen by her hair....and pulls her with such force..yanking her away from her daughter......>>

Karen: AIEEE!!! NOOOO!!! LET ME GO YOU *******!!

<< Karen is ripped from her daughter... and Darkchilde begans to get sucked in....but she reaches arms out....and holds on to the solid circumference of the portal.....trying to anchor herself......gritting her teeth from the strain....she is still weak and does not posses the full level of her power or strength. She screams with anguish as she watches her mother trying to break free of Hades' grip. >>

Hades: you'll pay for that......insolent wench. you are nothing more than a mere mortal......who's soul will populate my realm of hell once i crack your accursed bones.

Karen: uggnnnn....i think NOT! you repulsive creature......I do NOT fear you...........and NO one....not even a monster from HELL will stop me from saving my daughter! I posses magicks that have helped me foil the plan of the wraiths once before......and i will NOT admit defeat until the last breath is crushed from my BREAST...now LET GO OF ME!!



<<as he holds her high in the air.......Karen manifests a mystic dagger.......and manages to twist her body enough and with her left hand....she DAZZLES Hades with a "flare spell".....and with her right hand....she cries out with agression as she PLUNGES he dagger deep into one of his EYES.....having been stunned by the immense flash of light in his eyes....and then the feeling of white hot searing pain as Karen's mystic dagger....a physical manifestion of concentrated chaos magick......Hades growls with contempt as he swings and throws Karen with such force into a marble pillar nearby..........Karen hits it hard...before falling to the ground...face down. not moving.

DC: MOM!!!!......you LEAVE HER ALONE...or I'll BOIL you until your flesh falls off.....you HEAR ME!?


<< DC was slowly coming around.........but the pull of the vortex was too great.......and now Karen was badly hurt....lying face down on the ground a few feet away...........>>

DC: My mom...she came to help me...and now she's going to DIE!... i have to help her...but i cant get out..........i CANT GET OUT!! someone...HELP ME!!


Hades: don't worry Darkchilde, you will soon join your mother in my realm of h ell...where you will both serve me.

<< an eldritch chime sounded off.....as DC screamed with rage..... as Hades stood over the fallen Karen.......he raised his hand...about to strike a killing blow........when suddenly.....winds began to whip up with such speed..they almost seemed alive.........his garb began to flow as did his hair as the winds picked up even more speed......and as he swung down...about to destroy Karen...........>>

Ororo: you seek to destroy Dr. Victoria for standing against you...and all the chaos you attempt to cause. you think we do not have the power to stand against you.

<<at the last second.....much to the astonishment of Hades and Darkchlde.....the powerful jet stream of winds snatch Karen up off the ground, quickly pulling her away from Hades and high into the air.......into the arms of Ororo who is now hovering nearby>>

Ororo: WE SHALL ENDEAVOR TO TEACH YOU BETTER!

<< Storm was known to the surviving god of Olympus.....she had faught posiedon, the god of the seas...fought him to a stand still. proving that mortals and immortals alike could face down a god and triump>>

<< Ororo holds Karen with one arm and with her right hand she gestures>>

let this foolish old god be reminded of the pain felt by his brother when he faced me!

<< Lighning.......pure white and raw.....begans to sparkle and crackle all around hades in ballistic patterns....before showering him in a reveberating blast of thunder with large jagged bolts that repeatedly strike him and ravage his body.........its an assault he was not prepared for and he screams with pain>>
 
The sight of Darkchilde being sucked into the vortex serves to snap Ikaris partially out of its berserker state. Leaping into the air, its wings buzzing madly, it flies to Farrah's side even as Ororo unleashes her attack against Hades. It wraps its tentacles firmly around Darkchilde's waist to pull her out.

"Girlchild, what haveI told you about going into dark holes in the ground? You're name isn't Alice and somehow I doubt that this leads to Wonderland. Now pull!"

With Ikaris anchoring her, Farrah is able to divert more of her strength into dragging herself out of the gaping maw of the vortex.

"Come on now, PULL! I have no intention of being dragged into that thing and unless you are wanting to vacation in the lower depths of Hell , you better get your a$$ moving!"

Ikaris' warped humor and the danger her mother and friends are in give Darkchilde the strength of will she needs. Inch by inch she begins to pull herself out of the vortex.
 
:: Morpheus struggled to get up as he was over 200 yards away from the battle. It had been the hardest blow he ever felt from anyone he had ever fought. The titan, hearing Riana's voice through telepathy, quickly rose back to his feet, gritting his teeth with rage, he wiped the blood from his mouth off his chin and began to sprint towards the battle once again. He then took off into flight, flying with great speed, covering the distance very quickly. As he zeroed in on Hades with a renewed vigor, Morpheus notices Hades being pummeled with Ororo's lightning attacks while Ikaris helps to pull Darkchilde from the endless darkness of the vortex. He then speeds his flight to maximum as he charges his fist with raw energy. As he reaches a stunned Hades, Morpheus delivers a massive left hook with the added force of his flight, striking the evil god's face with a thunderous BOOM that shook the ground and launching him a great distance away from the battle as he had previously launched the titan. ::

"You didn't think you could just put me away with a lucky punch did you?! Now suck on that!!"

:: Morpheus then turns his attention to the vortex portal, rushing over to help Ikaris to free Darkchilde. As Ikaris tentacles braced Darkchilde as she attempted to pull herself, Morpheus grabbed the dire wraith by her forearms further helping her free from the vortex. ::

"I told you I was coming for you, now let's get you out of this thing!"

:: DC in response, let's go of the portal's rim and grabs Morpheus' massive forearms, as seeing his face gives her even more strength. The combined efforts of Ikaris, DC and Morpheus do not take long in finally freeing her from the vortex as she lands in Morpheus protecting arms. He holds her close, feeling her embrace him with all the strength she had left. He can feel her tremble as she is greatly weakened from all she has suffered. Ororo still with Karen in her embrace, slowly descends from her flight. As they land, Karen immediately rushes to embrace her daughter. Morpheus seeing Karen rushing to them, he turns and looks into DC's violet eyes which still sparkle despite all she had been through... ::

"My lady, I believe there is somebody here to whom you owe your attention and gratitude..."
 
:: Being grabbed by the Deathwing Riana hardend her body letting it become solid ice in the monsters big claws the ice running up it's claws to the rest of it's body freezing the creature over in seconds. sending shocks of pure lightning trough it's body the monster exploded into thousands of pieces falling to the ground, Riana landed in a crouch position on the hard sandy ground her body turning back to it's original form she ran over towards the others seeing that Farrah had been freed by Morpheus and Ikaris tears streamed down her face ::

"Thank God..."

:: Watching Karen hug her daughter Riana locked eyes with Ororo for a moment thanking the other woman without words, standing next to Ikaris she put her hand on his arm it didn't bother her that he was still in his insect form.. looking around she searched for Titania and Brenthon.. needing her friends around her now Farrah was out of the vortex ::
 
<< Darkchilde locked eyes with her former mentor......her words and determination motivated Darkchilde as she began to slowly pull forward.....and then Morpheus joins...using his strength.....the sound of a crystal wall shatters as DC is freed from the vortex..........and at that moment...Ororo gestures menacingly..........sweeping the remainding hellhounds and death wings into the vortex. The surviving wraiths......bitter at their apparent defeat retreat quickly...fading out of view...and Hades....also vanishes..after having been assaulted by Ororo's lightning strikes>>

<< a fury of wind and black light swirls around as the vortex shrinks and eventually closes.......and the sound of a faint breeze is heard as DC lies in Morpheus' arms...she looked up at him...with a tired but relieved expression....and as he gently set her down....she saw Ororo land with her mother.....the two looked at each other.....and soon....ran forward to meet in a long over due embrace. mother and daughter were reunited after 8 years of seperation>>


<< as they wept with joy and relief.......Ororo stood.....the winds causing her silver silky long hair to flow to the side and her costume to flow with elegance.......she looked upon Riana, Ikaris and Titania......and for the first time EVER since they met her......a smile comes across her beautiful, elegant face......she looks to Morpheus....and takes his hand in her's>>

Ororo: Goddess be praised........she is free.......safe from the damnation planned by the wraiths.

<< soon......a sparkling ribbon of magick flowed around the area.....dispelling the darkness that clouded Darkchilde's mind.......the scene became more natural......like a beautiful garden similar to Ororo's.....>>

<< her icy voice was heard in the breeze......>>

DC:Im free.....I am myself once more........thank you.....I love you.... ALL OF YOU!


<<and with an eldritch chime.......Darkchilde's PSI Screen returned to full strength and ALL of the MoE along with Karen and Ororo were returned to their rightful bodies......back in the Summit, DC's sprawling , mammoth castle in Limbo.......everyone slowly awakened....aching from the sustained effort they had exerted while on the astral plane........Karen and Morpheus' bodies manifested the physical injuries they sustained in the battle....but they were pretty much intact.>>


Darkchilde: I'm back......<< she looked around and saw her closest friends......her sister wraiths, Ororo, Ikaris, her beloved Morpheus.......and for the first time in 8 years......her MOTHER>>..................mom


<< she slowly stood to her feet...and faced her mother......as Morpheus helped Ororo to her feet and Ikaris, Riana, Titania and Brenthon joined them as they stood back....letting mother and daughter reunite in physical reality>>

i didnt want to hurt you.......or to deny you. ...i just didnt want the Wraiths to come after you to try to get to me....I didnt want to think about what i would do if i knew they had hurt you.....and after all these years....ive become something far different than you might have hoped for. I'm.....I'm a demon sorceress, i rule the hordes of Limbo........and my friends and I.....we are ......not on the side of good. You...you trusted my friends...came to Limbo with them...and risked your life to help save me....after all that i did...and all the danger i placed you ALL in << DC bows her head in shame as a tear falls down her wintery smooth cheek>> can you ........ever forgive me.....for what i have done?? ....what i've become?


<< Karen listened as her daughter spoke......and slowly stepped forward...to wipe the tear away from her face as she touched her daughters chin and directed her to look in the eyes>>

Karen: ..Farrah, our lives were blighted by the Wraiths from the moment you were born. It wasnt YOUR fault. i spend so many years in your young life...living in fear of what would happen if you manifested your magick...and I cast a spell on YOU to bind your powers until you were "ready". i guess that time came when you were 18. I dont pretend to know what you "Saw" when you first came to Limbo....or what happened to you when you manifested your magickal heritage....but i believe that you only wanted to protect me when you cast the mind control spell. ........but Farrah........all these years...though i could not REMEMBER you....there was a tremendous love in my heart......a mother's love cannot be negated...even by magick....and now i know who that love was meant for. There is nothing to forgive.....for you are who you are...........my daughter......and thats all that matters now...and i love you very very much........i will ALWAYS be here for you.........


<< DC began to cry as Karen pulled her in a loving, motherly embrace.......she held her daughter tightly as the two wept...Ororo watched and for the first time since her beloved X-men were still alive.....she felt a joy in her heart she thought she would never be able to fill again. She was like Farrah's adoptive mother.....and now Farrah was made whole by the return of her birth mother.....Ororo looked to Ikaris....wondering how he felt..knowing that he too had been a major player in Farrah's development over the years.......all seemed to have been restored.....and everyone slowly felt themselves growing stronger and more vital..........but in the back of Brenthon's mind......his psychic alarms told him that all was not well.......he felt a cold feeling.......which seemed to center around Ororo and Karen.......something was amiss....something was in the air around them.....a presence of more than one malevolent entity>>
 
::Ti gasped as she was pulled into the premonition... it seemed to zap her like a static shock, bombarding her with a barrage of images... and ended in one of DC's death... the last image burned itself in her mind, and Ti broke from the vision breathless and trembling... it was so vivid, so real, that Ti was indeed crying... she collapsed forward into Brenthon's arms... hardly able to speak, her voice breaking and barely audible... and the only thing she could say was....::

"I believe you now...."

:: not a second later he stunned her and lifted her from her feet... taking her to Ororo and the rest... Ti looked around, keeping quiet and stealthy as they hid out of sight and listened to the Wraiths talk.... she could feel her anger exploding in her, as she moved her gaze from them to Farrah's slumped form... she was so close.... so close.... on Ororo's word, Ti nodded, taking her place in the fog inches from a Wraith.... at this point, she was so angry she was shaking... her hands were glowing an intense white heat.... her eyes were crimson red with fury... and on Ororo's call, Ti struck, with a vengeance and a passion.... Ti wasn't fighting for her life, but for DC's... and the vision Brenthon had shown her was MORE than motivation enough.... Ti was adept at hand-to-hand combat... and she was laying hits on the Wraith in front of her as if she were a punching bag... soon the smell of burnt flesh filled the air.... though the wraith soon got her bearing and began defending herself tooth and nail... Ti's fists landed almost every time, and her Touch of Death was GRILLING the Wraith on contact, literally.... a sharp right jab, and a devastating left hook, the Wraith hardly knew what had hit her, and was utterly so stunned that her magicks seemed to have failed her... Ti focused her fury on the flailing creature in front of her, the Wraith that had picked the wrong gal to mess with.... unfortunately... this left Ti rather exposed to hell hounds and death wings... and while Ororo took care of a couple... a death wing to Ti's 7 o'clock was firing blasts at her from a distance... the first two missed... the third struck Ti in the back of her left shoulder, and was painful enough to distract her from mangling the Wraith... Ti's head jerked around to look at the Death wing.... a death stare.... she crosses her arms over her chest, forming an X with her forearms... the cuffs on her wrists have now become apparent, as the lightning shaped gemstone on them glows. the Death Wing is now experiencing a very powerful blast of energy in it's PUREST form.... extremely potent and deadly fast. And if that isn't bad enough.... the attack comes from INSIDE-OUT.... sending searing pain ripping through his insides, burning muscle tissue, and spreading out to the tips of his fingers and toes, until it has completely and utterly taken over his entire body, and the pure sizzling heat from it is emitting from his body, causing his skin to blister... she turns back to her primary victim, scooping a hell hound by the jaw, and hurling it across the space at least fifty feet... the death wing that she'd previously stared down was falling from the sky like a rock, convulsing violently.... DEAD before it hit the ground....::

"ENOUGH interference... what's the matter darling, CAN'T FIGHT FOR YOURSELF?!"

::a ring of fire suddenly Ti and the Wraith.... closing them off... Ti left the others to pull DC from the vortex... mostly because she had no idea the vortex was open... though she could hear some disturbing cries for help in the background...and soon it ends, and Ti looks up curiously, hoping that her thoughts were wrong... hoping that there wasn't silence because the vision had come true.... she was relieved to find DC in Morpheus' arms... and to find herself suddenly back in DC's castle, nodding and smiling, her blue eyes steely and victorious once more, her smirk ever cool.::

"Don't mention it... I love ya too girl... and you KNOW we would ALL go to the ends of the earth, to the distant reaches of the universe to get you back.... this was no sweat."

::Ti stood back and watched the mother daughter moment.... she scratched her head, turning to her left a little... clearing her throat quietly and rubbing her eyes... mumbling "got something in my eye..." loud enough for everyone to hear... at the moment... only Brenthon had seen her actually cry... and she planned on keeping it that way... she liked to maintain her reputation as rock hard in terms of emotions... and Brenthon got the feeling that he'd be hearing from her if it should get out that she got all teary and emotional...::
 
:: Morpheus settling into his own body after being in astral form for so long, watched with a warm feeling in his heart as Darkchilde and her mother embraced after being apart for so long. It had been long since Morpheus had such feelings since his days in Olympus. Morpheus was truly changing since his beginning days as a titan. There was love in his heart. It was amazing what the right woman could do to a man. The wounds on his right shoulder began to heal as he felt his strength returning to him. He made his way next to Ororo who had a mother's smile on her face. Indeed she was the adoptive mother of Farrah for quite a bit of time and a major reason for the woman Darkchilde was. The titan took hold of the sorceress' hand and kissed it as they smiled and nodded at one another before again watching the reunion. Lady Ororo had also become the closest to a mother that Morpheus had ever had for he never knew his real mother. Despite his long existence as a former god, he was still a young god and learned that a mother's guidance could do a great deal of good in his life. While he continued to watch the reunion, he thought about his first encounter with Hades, thought about how really powerful the evil god was and how fortunate he was able to survive against him despite not yet reaching his full potential. It troubled the titan to know that he still had no idea how to unlock the true power that lie within his soul, and he knew soon enough that he was going to have to come face to face with the underworld lord once again which could decide the fate of the universe. Morpheus would never back down from his destiny but at the same time, he did not wish to be responsible for the destruction of all existence. Indeed he had some soul searching to do... ::
 
:: As Riana was returned to her own body she let out a loud gasp, her soul and body being once again one was something of great impact to the elemental, running her hands down her sides she flexed her muscles for a bit and looked at the others around her, a soft smile playing around her lips as she watched the warm moment between Karen and Farrah, making her think of her own parents for a moment.. a dark look flashed over her beautiful face for a moment as she remembered them sending her away when she was only a small child cause they couldn't handle her powers ::

No.. no bad toughts now.. this isn't the place or time to let these emotions get to me..

:: Walking over to were the others were standing she was quiet this was a moment for silence and Riana wasn't the one who was going to break it.. she tought about the MoE's back in the coven the young people who needed her guidance and that of the others around her, they had truely become a family.. one that would become more stronger and powerful in time.. and Riana would be a part of that.. a feeling of deep love crept over her as she looked at the people who had become so important to her in a short period of time ::
 
Ikaris stretches as he returns to his body. He feels the loss of his primal nature more here in Limbo than in the astral plane. On the astral plane so much was dependent upon strength of will, here, his power continued to fade until soon he would be little more powerful than any of the others where once he was close to being a demi-god.

Ikaris withdraws from the others and begins to focus his fading powers into a single form. The spells used to assist Darkchilde in the creation of her Soul Sword come to his mind easily and he pours his power into them. His body might not be able to handle the primal energies much longer, but with an outside focus some measure of power would remain. In his minds eye, a picture forms of a single black diamond becoming more and more real until with a gasp from Ikaris, the black diamond hangs in the air before him, crackling with power. A single tear of loss and pain runs down his cheek as he grasps his new tool, binding it to himself for all time. When this was all over, he would need to pay a visit to the Dark Forge to have it crafted into a special weapon.

Turning his attention back to the others, He notices Ororo watching him and nods to her in acknowledgement. She too had known the pain of loss of something integral to her nature. The two of them had much in common, both had been mentors to Darkchilde, both had suffered great loss and both knew intimately what the price of power was. Perhaps it was time for the two of them to get to know each other better. If nothing else, the sorceress might have additional knowledge of the mystic items he had heard rumors of, the Infinity Gems which might be able to restore him to his former glory.
 
:: Though relieved to see Karen, Farrah and Ororo all out of harm's way, he couldn't help but sense that something was wrong. The Crimson Gem of Atlas seemed to enhance his psychic ability as "alarms" were ringing throughout his head. Surrounding Ororo and Karen there seemed to be some kind of entity. Was it really Ororo and the Others or were they mere illusions.. pawns being used by another? It all just seemed too easy. Brenthon looked at Titania, as he cast his mental invisibility spell, making sure that the others could not sense him using his mental powers as he made telepathic contact with Christy and Riana, knowing they would be the ones to confide in. ::

"Christy, Riana, act natural, just look as if nothing is happening.. I don't know about this.. I.. it is too easy, I just don't think this is Karen and Ororo, something is wrong.. I am picking up an invisible entity near them, and it seems bad, really bad, just hold your ground and hope for the best... Be smart.. don't be a servant to rage.. I think something is about to happen..

:: He wished he could notify Darkchilde of what was going on, if it even was Darkchilde, he wasn't sure anymore. He just wanted to the whole thing to be over with. He would have a lot to discuss with his son about, a secret he still kept with him. He hoped he would live so that Zander didn't have to live in a world without any parents. Brenthon closed his eyes and shook his head, praying that he and the others would get out of this ::
 
:: Hearing Brenthon talk to her via their telepatic link, Riana looked at him for a moment.. her own emotions were still very high looking at the others for a moment she nodded slowly letting him know she got his message ::

I'll keep my eyes and ears open... don't know what to expect I just want this to be over.. so when can return home again... that would be good for all of us

:: Moving her hand over her face for a moment she took a deep breath trying to relax a little ::
 
::Ti folded her arms across her chest, looking around at the people before her... she cast a surruptitous glance at Brenthon as his voice crossed her mind... then responded, using the mindlink he had opened...::

I am acting natural... don't make me nervous. Brenthon, brenthon... I'm not a servant to rage darling... I COMMAND rage.... now, you don't think that vortex-portal thingie had anything to do with the changes in them, do you? Look... now that we have DC back... I'd like to keep it that way.... lets separate Farrah from them... and then confront the two head on. Whatever we do though.... we should DEFINITELY get DC away from them before it spreads to her or something...

::Ti waves her arm behind her... a black, deep seated leather armchair materializes and she sinks into it... resting one hand on her knee and the other on her respective thigh... her fingertips lightly grazing the handle of a Darkness Athame... as she watches DC and Karen talk...::

"Alright alright, enough with the mushy stuff, Dc... I say ya give your sista's a hug each and we call it a day.... I think I'll ring up Spellbinder's phone... see if I can pester her into boiling me until my flesh falls off...."

::her purpose was to draw DC away from her mother and former mentor...::
 
<< the reunion that DC had dared to dream about had finally come true.......she was free of the Dire Wraiths' hold on her, her mother was back in her life and totally forgiving of the spell she had cast on her so long ago....and her closest friends were responsible for her freedom...the fact that she was alive now>>

<< as she and her mother finally ended their warm embrace, she turned to her sister wraiths.....she had attacked them...and caused them such pain and anguish early on in this caper....she was relieved to see that they were no worse for the wear now......in large part because of Ororo, Ikaris, Brenthon and Morpheus...and more importantly, the spell Ororo cast on Riana and Titania would NOT deactivate until they were in physical contact with Darkchilde..........much like the Charmed Ones, the Dire Wraiths had to be reconstituted....after all they had been through..nearly losing DC and then themselves.>>

<< DC turned...looking at Titania who made the comment about Spellbinder......one of her mysterious dopplegangers that comprised "Dark Trinity" (DC, Spellbinder, Magik). knowing about how those two had such a volitile relationship........as she stepped away from her mother to make her way toward the others.........it became apparent that Brenthon's alarms ran true...but NOT for the reasons he thought>>

<< after all they had been through and the serene reuinon........the vortex that Brenthon remarked on...suddenly appeared...with a stone shaking BOOM and flash of lightning.....startling everyone..and causing them to look back behind them............and a cold, rushing wind gushes forth.........Ororo is the first to gasp as she sees the Wraiths emerge through the portal............4 of them....large, grotesque and insanely tall creatures...reeking of evil and amoral decay......they seemed brimming with bitterness...as they were now in this realm of reality...and more than ready for a fight...gesturing menacingly as they flood the room with their enchantments>>

<< deathwings phase through the walls.......raining down blasts of acidic flame toward Karen.....>>

Ororo: by the Goddess...........we have NOT come this far.....to have it end like THIS!

<< Ororo flies up into the air...... her hair glowing as it flows behind her...as she gestures and unleashes a catastrophic typhoon.........the elemental assault rips at the death wings.....buffeting them as though they were pieces of paper..pelting with with monsoon rains....before finally destroying them with raging, jagged bolts of lightning...the speed and fury of her assault is a firm confirmation that she is not any danger to her allies.....but oh so deadly to her foes...........as she flies in a tight pattern....about to snatch Karen from the approaching grasp of a Wraith...................she swoops down...like a bird of prey.....her solid white eyes glowing with grim determination.....when suddenly.....from out of the darkness afar comes a large golden speer........launched with speed and accuracy as it strikes Ororo in the back and impales through her chest.........an eldritch chime sounds off and thunder shocks ROCK the castle as Ororo SCREAMS in agony........and her flight suddenly stops....turning into an awkward fall......Karen cover's her mouth and gasps in horror.........as the weather sorceress falls.......to her death with a hard thud......landing on the ground right in front of Morpheus and Ikaris.... soft......exhale escapes from her lips as her head turns to the side and the light in her eyes grows dim>>

<< DC staggers backward......her mouth wide open in shock>>

DC: ORORO!!!

<< the Wraiths dont seem to show any reaction....as they turn to see a massive shadow covered figure emerges.........his hand still out stretched from launching the speer.........HADES emerges.......grinning with a depraved glint in his eye..having taken personal satisfaction in striking down Storm.....>>

<< as Karen rushes to the Sorceress' body...to protect it from Hell hounds who are now phasing through the wall...........the floor itself....rises in anger...........pushing Karen up to the ceiling as it rumbles madly.....her screams of surprise are drowned out as the floor opens up like a mouth with jagged teeth..and as she falls in.........the stone mouth slams shut.... the "teeth" appeared to have clamped down HARD on Karen's body ....sealing her inside and possibly worse>>

<< DC screams with rage...sounding more like a bird of prey than a woman... with a clanging sound.......her armour manifests and her soul sword leaps into her hand.....the danger is high....and with Storm and Karen apparently dead...........things look grim.........Titania and Riana are still disempowered as Dire Wraiths...and in order to break the spell.....they must join hands with DC...........the Wraiths....not saying a word...converge on DC ...about to attack her all at once...as the hell hounds lunge for Brenthon, Morpheus and Ikaris>>
 
Ikaris is taken by surprise by the sudden attacks and watches in shock as first Ororo then Karen are struck down. He is still recovering from his spell as the Hellhounds attack. As the Hound nearest him moves to try to gut him, Ikaris fades into his shadow form becoming as hard to touch as a shadow.

"I have had it! You miserable hags have gone too far!"

Ikaris phases his hands into the hound attacking him and rips out its heart. The creature topples over with a stunned look on its face.
"Not so scary now are you, puppy?"

The rage that had overcome him on the Astral Plane is again building within Ikaris. Shadow tendrils leap from his hands to attack and tear apart two more Hellhounds as Ikaris begins to make his way across the room to the Wraiths. The hounds are having a very difficult time battling Ikaris as there is nothing for them to tear or phase through and disrupt.
 
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