The dark before the dawn

[Seer]

<< A violent end, to a violent night.>>

<< Circe, the legendary and truly depraved goddess level sorceress, who had vexed mankind and Earth from the days of the Olympians across time and space, was VANQUISHED. Stopped just as she was on the CUSP of a new dawn of violence and dark magick.>>

<< at the moment of her destruction at the hands of Spellbinder and her Soul Sword…the forceful feedback was so VIOLENT and shattering that Spellbinder, Rampage and Persephone are all painfully blinded before being rocked and blasted out of the air down to the ground, where they ALL lay near one another….briefly unconscious…but ALIVE and SAFE from the threat of Circe once more!>>

<<From the Underworld to Earth, with a lingering view over Minerva’s Aerie, across the now much calmer waters...>>

<< Circe’s newly corporeal body destroyed and her spells BROKEN, the BLUE MOON begins to shimmer….with the color changing from blue…to a beautiful, soothing…bright WHITE, as the magicks that belong on earth begin to flow, like a refreshing mist and dew back across the divide between Earth and the Underworld.>>

<< Magick users of all levels and backgrounds feel themselves being RESTORED through and through, slowly reviving from the various states of weakness and ailing that they had been in. This especially includes Shadow Weaver, Isis and Harbinger…even as Prophet rushes to her after SHE closed Circe’s vortex.>>

<< The mansion FINALLY stands down from red alert and all systems begin to restore. >>

<< The infirmary becomes stable again as Silver Swan is able to disengage, helping Bishop and MorningStar up. >>

<< The worst is over. The WORST is about to begin…>>

 

[Rampage]

PAIN and STRUGGLE. There is nothing else but these two things. He ROARS in pain and struggle as he braces Spellbinder with a hand to her back, feeding her enough psionic energy to damage her were it not for that effort being fully shunted in willpower and exertion BY her at the same time.

They were making headway, but not enough, and it appeared that Circe was being rejuvenated by the very magicks she was wielding....things looked grim.

Until Ava's fine ASS harpooned Circe like a fish, snatching her up with her transfiguring whip and laying her out for the kill shot.

He KNEW what was next, and indeed Spellbinder teleported them into place. It had now become very easy for him as he gave Morgan one LAST boost and stood, arms folded.

YOU’RE the one who’s FINISHED, CIRCE! With ME, with HECATE…with ALL OF US! You want HECATE’S POWER? HERE IT IS!

<< And with a cathartic SCREAM from Spellbinder, mystic chimes sound off as she SLAMS the blade down into Circe’s chest. Thunder CRASHES and a furious flash of silver mystic energy FLARES OUT, encompassing ALL of them .>>

He bathed in that light as he felt Circe's light go out in this place. He reveled in her screams as he realized the end of at least this part of the nightmare they had endured. And then he...

...woke up. Sat straight upright in the midst of the pair of ladies. The feedback loop had knocked them all out for a second there, but he knew they would be OK.

First things first, Nicolas teleports...

...to his battle arena with the gorgon Medusa and retrieves his coat-package filled with her severed head. Then he 'ports back, lays down the special delivery and sees to the two women. Giving them both a neural massage-level of jumpstart, he nudges them both to wakefulness.

Time to rise, ladies. Our work here is done, but I am certain our friends on Aerie still need us. And we have some goddesses to report back to.

Reaching down he helps each of them up before retrieving his macabre trophy. He lamented that he did not add Circe to his 'take'.

 

[Arsenal]

HELL. Pure HELL.

As far as he could tell, he was holding down an unconscious Karen as the world ended around him by black hole. If not for Prophet he would have already crossed- what is that ten dollar word Nic called it - the EVENT HORIZON. Yeah. People think of strange stuff when they are about to die.

Suddenly, Ali rises and teleports OUTSIDE of the cage Prophet had up, and then does SOMETHING...and its OVER.

Just like that. The systems came back online and the entire building seemed to settle back into place, not too much the worse for wear. Still, it would need a crew and a few days to be back to normal. But he would gladly get on that considering there was an Aerie left to clean up.

Meanwhile, he checked Karen again. As he held her wrist to gauge a pulse, he could FEEL it strengthen, even as he saw the blue fall away from the moon. He expected her to wake any minute and so he just held here as one thought crossed his mind.

They did it AGAIN. I'll be damned.

He spoke to the computer as it came online.

Full sweep. Repair or reroute all available systems. Prepare reconstruction report.

He looked to Prophet and Charope, each of whom had someone still in their arms.

Let's keep going to the infirmary. I want them all seen anyway.

Nodding, he stands with Karen and proceeds to the infirmary.

 

[Prophet]

A break in the storm...

To say that Cameron was trying was an understatement. A VORTEX was open in the mansion, Morgan and Nicolas were in the Underworld trying to defeat a Goddess Level Sorceress, Delilah had given birth, died and came back..Alison, Karen and Dominique had been rendered all but unconscious, Sharon was dealing with Bishop and baby "Alexia" who was essentially CONSUMING Delilah whenever in her vicinity, and NOW the people he had experienced such success fight alongside were going to be sucked into a tear in reality. And the person trying to KEEP them all intact at this moment? Prophet.

While maintaining his telekinetic grip on the group, he looked down at his sister. He was so proud of her and he WOULD make sure that she would live to see that she had stopped part of this "horror story". He felt so much love and compassion for her. THIS was the relationship they were meant to have, and it was moments like THESE that truly showed how Alison and Cameron were supposed to work in tandem. Alison was ICE, powered by knowledge, allure and mystery and Cameron was FIRE. He was raw emotion, he was PASSION. What one lacked, the other had in SPADES and as proven by their countless capers, this balance of "fire & ice" always led them to each other. From Hell and BACK. Without his sister, Cameron King would not be ALIVE, and he would destroy whatever necessary, no matter how OUTCLASSED or UNDERPOWERED he may be to ensure that his sister WOULD make it through this alive. And that she would be proud of him.

It was by this very passion that he was able to STRENGTHEN his resolve and keep his teammates safe from the impending doom.

Alison: I...love you...baby brother....

He heard the words in his mind as Alison went dark. As much as he wanted to tend to her, he couldn't break his focus..If he did that, everyone was DEAD. He could sense that she was still in fact ALIVE, so that was a relief. From the Astral Plane he was picking up his sister's voice and the voice of ANOTHER. He could only hope that the incredible luck of the team thus far was continuing and that "someone" was sending in reinforcements or giving Alison what she needed. Still he maintained telekinetic grip.

All was well until Alison began to fade away and dissappear completely. Still his resolve remained strong. He couldn't react how he wanted to. Not now. There was only time to focus on the task at hand, and as much as the brother inside of him wanted to scream out, he merely channeled that emotion into his focus. The others reacted with fear and terror, and though HE was worried, he knew his sister, and he KNEW that she was..about to save the day.

::Finally, a column of swirling, blue/black glowing orbs forms OUTSIDE of Prophet’s TK field, coalescing into the form of Harbinger, who is once more holding her Time Staff. She quickly gestures, the large red garnett jewel at the top of the staff sounds off as it ignites the remaining reserve of Harbinger’s power, adding to it’s own special and unique temporal based abilities.::

::In a trembling but GRIM voice she speaks::

Not now….not EVER…Circe!

I Harbinger, the Keeper of Time, command… SPELL OF EVIL BEGONE!

:: And with that, the witch STRIKES, BREAKING the link between this place and Circe’s last activated spell, closing the vortex. the soft pink SPHERE of temporal power that Harbinger directed at the vortex then EXPANDS to encompass ALL of the mansion and the surrounding ISLAND restoring normal order and pace to the time and space in the mansion from top to bottom. The GLOBE of that energy fades....and Harbinger...sinks to her knees in utter exhaustion...::

The amazing power of the Time Staff encompassed EVERYTHING, closing the vortex and restoring the Mansion to normal. He would never not be in awe of his sister.

Alison: Oh..Hecate...

Walking over to his sister, he scooped her up into his arms, kissed her forehead and whispered into her ear.

"You did a great job, Alley Cat. Relax for a moment...I've got you..."

Arsenal: Let's keep going to the infirmary. I want them all seen anyway.

Cameron nodded, looking out the window to see the once Blue Moon now a glorious and restored bright white. The colors were amazing and had there not been far more pressing matters at hand, he would have liked to enjoy that sight. Nevertheless, this meant that Morgan and Nicolas had succeeded. He was very proud of the both of them. Mission Accomplished.

As the group began to make their way towards the Infirmary, even in the glow of success, Cameron felt an impending sense of doom. Their night was not over, and while the big bad may have been defeated, there was still something unresolved, and they were all about to face it. He walked in silence.

 

[Persephone]

Without missing a beat, Spellbinder teleported via stepping disc and plunged her soul sword into Circe's cold dead heart. The impact of the hit caused a blinding white explosion, sending everyone flying back from it's concussive force. Everything was silent and dark shortly after. Am I dead?

Nicolas: Time to rise, ladies.

Feeling like she was jolted awake, Ava's eyes fluttered open--her vision blurred at first then finally focusing on Morgan who was also in the midst of waking up next to her.

"Ow."

She grumbled out as she slowly pushed herself up to a sitting position. Taking Nicolas' helping hand, Ava stood and brushed the dirt off her black leather pants.

Nicolas: Our work here is done, but I am certain our friends on Aerie still need us. And we have some goddesses to report back to.

"Yes, please. I cannot take another minute down here."

Her comment was dry and filled with hate. Taking both Morgan and Nicolas' hands, she awaited to be teleported back to the upper world.

 

[Bishop]

Aerie - Infirmary

From the hallways, Bishop felt himself grabbed by the back of the neck. An angry thought flashed through his mind for a split second before he was physically THROWN back into the room with Delilah:

Why couldn’t that Sharon just keep OUT of other people’s business…

But SOMETHING – who knows WHAT in this crazy place – was sucking anything and everything not nailed down out into the hallway. Sharon was blocking the door to the room, but he could see what was happening out in hall.

He pulled Delilah out of the bed and onto the floor, shielding her body from flying debris with his own.

Delilah: “The baby!”

She shouted over the din and he shouted back.

“She is safe in the Nursery, protected by a forcefield. We won’t be able to get to her.”

There was nothing that could be done. He had to trust them, the mutants, even though it went against everything in his nature.

Bishop began using the tethers from the hospital bed to fashion an anchor for Delilah, but she had other ideas. She reached over him, throwing her hands out in front of her, a blast of blue light came forth from her hands, creating a barrier extending to the other side of Sharon and blocking the hallway. Her entire body GLOWED.

It was the first time he really saw her using her powers and appreciated how amazing it was.

He just stared at the light coming from her, her face stern with concentration.

And then almost as suddenly as it had begun, he could see the winds stop. Delilah put her arms down and the light faded. Sharon offered a hand to help both of them up off the floor. Was it over out there? Had they won?

 

[Spellbinder]

Underworld to Minerva's

<< Spellbinder lays...even this BRIEF moment of sleep is so sweet until Nicolas "nudges" her to awaken. she groans as she begins to stir.....>>

Time to rise, ladies. Our work here is done, but I am certain our friends on Aerie still need us. And we have some goddesses to report back to.

ohhhh....five more minutes??

<< she says in a rather disoriented tone. her misty, violet eyes begin to flutter a bit before POPPING WIDE OPEN>>

......

<< GASP!?!>>


GODDESS!

<< She sits up quickly, realizing that she was just laying on the GROUND...in the UNDERWORLD. She frantically looks around, seeing Persephone, and Nicolas, who offers her a helping hand. She settles, remembering everything clearly now and what had transpired>>

...oh...it's OVER. Circe's GONE.

<< Looking over to Ava>>

Thanks, in no small part, to a timely assist from you, Ava!

<< said with sincere gratitude as they stand together. Morgan looks down, noticing the "special deliever" he has for Athena...>>

the sooner he delivers THAT to Athena, the BETTER

"Yes, please. I cannot take another minute down here."

Her comment was dry and filled with hate. Taking both Morgan and Nicolas' hands, she awaited to be teleported back to the upper world.

You'll get no argument from me. And if I NEVER, EVER see ANYTHING that even REFERENCES Medusa, I will be JUST FINE!

<< She says with a nauseated look on her face and a strong tone of contempt.>>

<< As she summons a disc beneath them to teleport them back to Minerva's Mansion...>>

By the way, Ava...how DID you know where to find us?

<< As they teleport Ava would now explain that it was SHE who killed Dioskilos outside of Medusa's temple and that she had followed them, wanting to help them fight and DEFEAT Circe. BUT what she didn't tell them was that there was far more to her being there at the perfectly right time than just wanting to help her team...THAT part was a story for another day soon.>>

 

[Artemis]

Minerva's Infirmary

:: Alycia rejoins Firebird and Ruby, who are in one of the sleek interview rooms of the infirmary::

Dominique and Karen have both awakend and are just fine. They've been administered a special potion for witches to regain vitality just to boost their systems. Michael is with Karen and Dominique asked to be left alone until Nicolas returns and to send him to her room. Cameron is with Alison in her suite. She's ok as well.

:: Alycia finally allows herself to sit down beside Blaze::

I remember saying something to Karen the night that she and I rescued Pandora from Circe's captivity while the Six were still on Olympus....

<< FLASH>>

<< Crouching down with Karen behind a large boulder on the shores of Aerie, the witch and the Federal Agent prepare for a mad act to try to rescue Pandora from Circe>>

Karen: Alycia...are you ready??

Alycia: :: a look of resignation on her face:: Is ANYONE ready for something like THIS!? Still...a life without adventure is not a life worth living.

It was this phrase that I had...that always seemed to come to the forefront of my mind just as i was about to race head long over the edge of risk toward what I was certain would be my LAST night alive working/fighting alongside the Six.

Later that same night...on this very island...I lead Force Works to battle against the first wave of Circe's bestiamorphs, helping Karen holding them off long enough till the Six could get back!

Now here we are...many of us have changed. Some of us here now weren't here then...and we all nearly perished...

But being here...standing alongside the Six once again, this time as something MORE than "...only human"...I find that there's no other place I'd rather be at this moment....

I wasn't sure at first...when Harbinger first sent me to intercept Bishop. I wasn't sure I WANTED to come back to this, even as an Amazon. But now I know it's okay for me to do this again.

:: She looked at Blaze::

And under Artemis' beautiful moon, we're ALL still here...ALIVE! We have our lives ahead of us...

:: she said with a thoughtful tone. Unaware of the emotional turmoil that loomed for this group before the night completely passed.::

 

[Firebird]

Infirmary

Blaze nodded with relief as Alycia informed her and Ruby that the others were okay.

"and Morg...Nicolas...they're okay too! they beat the wicked witch and they're coming back!"

The fire elemental thought to herself as she allowed her apple green eyes to gaze upon the beautiful amazon as she seated herself and shared her thoughts about the last time she'd been here, helping to fight circe and how much had changed, yet how some things stayed the same. She'd known Alycia in her own native timeline as well. Both versions were strong, determined, courageous with nerves of steel! Mystech turned her into something truly terrifying and yet UNIQUE...and as the OMEGA SENTINEL, she helped the [mainstream] Six , along with [that timeline's surviving] SIX rescue their friends, destroy mystech AND mastermold!

"Alycia...in my original timeline, MY Alycia used to use the phrase..."...only human" too. She wasa captured by mystech and they all but robbed her of her humanity and her life. But she became something truly unique. She called herself "Omega Sentinel". She's like Haleigh....TIMES 10! "

" At first she didn't want to live in the new form she wore and after she helped us...after she OBLITERATED Master Mold, she hoped she would have died with him. But she didn't. It was THIS timeline's Nicolas, along with Michael and Haleigh, who helped her to see that the CORE of her being...her HUMANITY is what allowed her to PREVAIL in her new form of "Omega Sentinel." In the end....her seeing herself as "....only human" was the very thing that was her greatest strength."

The fire elemental reaches out, taking Alycia's hand into her own, squeezing it

"I know you did great things here even BEFORE you became an Amazon."

"As Aaliyah sang...you were....ARE "More than a woman", Alycia. Never doubt that. This team loves you. You are a piece of it's heart and you being here tonight with us? Is one of the reasons why we survived!"

A smile spreads across the fire elementals face as she nods and winks

"You kicked some SERIOUS ASS!"

"Are you going to stick around? I mean now that this is over? or..."

:: Alycia couldnt help but smile, her heart warmed by the affirmation that Firebird had shared with her. This Blaze was every bit as intuitive and empathic as the orignal, but there was so much more DEPTH and UNDERSTANDING with this one.::

Thank you, Blaze...

You're quite amazing yourself, FIREBIRD!

:: When asked if she would stick around...::

Well...I hadn't really thought of it until now. I don't know what I'll do really. Where I'd go...where I'd stay...

But...for the first time...in QUITE A WHILE...perhaps since before I FIRST arrive to Themyscira...I feel rather...CALM about it because I realize that, looming threats that will always manifest to the Six aside, i have NOTHING but time to decide what I want to do.

So for now...I'll just see where one moment leads me to the next.

:: she queezes Blaze's hand back a her hazel eyes Blaze's apple green eyes. Both women smile and nod to each other as they hear others coming. Alycia allows herself to lean back in her seat. Stretching and sighing softly, enjoying this calm, peaceful moment...while it lasted.::

"It sounds like Morg, Nicolas and...AVA have returned!"

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Infirmary- recovery

<< Karen had awakened a short while ago, slowly opening her eyes and seeing Michael gazing over her. There was a brief moment of confusion, then disorientation and DISTRESS, before Michael helped her settle, informing her that it was all over. She had did her part...and that her daughter, along with Nicolas[ & unbeknownst to him at this moment, Ava] had stopped Circe, while Alison was able to repel Circe's last evil spell.>>

<< Karen and Michael hugged each other tightly for a few moments. Michael had been touched by Circe's cruelty this evening, while Karen had pushed herself BEYOND the brink of utter exhaustion. it was a feeling she hoped she'd NEVER have to experience again.>>

<< after drinking the elixir, she soon was sitting up in her bed. they talked and reflected on the events of the evening. Soon...>>

Oh Michael...my daughter is alive. I feel her. And everyone else is okay?? What about Delilah is she okay?? Have you seen her? The baby??

 

[Harbinger]

Infirmary

:: Alison finished her elixir as she lay in a slightly "Sitting up" position in the bed of the medical suite she was in. Cameron sight beside her. they looked each other for a few moments. Each marveling at how far the other had come in his/her life and how those journeys and changes had allowed them to help each other SURVIVE tonight.::

Circe is gone. The Blue Moon is over...magick on earth is restored.

You were pretty amazing up there, baby brother. I never thought ...i never IMAGINED the day that you could help or protect me...that I would even ALLOW it. But there we were. And when It mattered most...not only did you rise to the need of the moment, I accepted without hesitation.

:: In another RARE moment...the now refreshed looking precog SMILES at her brother::

you're so much stronger than you were before. more focused. more genuine. more EFFECTIVE!

:: she winks::

.....I'm impressed!

::Though she allowed herself to be warm with him...she couldnt let it go TOO far ::

 

[Silver Swan]

The Infirmary

[ in the first few moments after the vicious vortex pull had ceased, Silver Swan slowly and cautiously allowed herself to stand down from being a living sheild for Delilah and Bishop.]

[It had been a long evening and thankfully she had NOT been needed above ground. Her presence in the infirmary had provided some sort of stability and structure for Delilah and Bishop during the difficult and often bizarre, still developing situation with their newborn infant, Alexia Morganna.]

The danger...has passed...

[ Helping both Bishop and Delilah up with ease ]

And it appears that the others have succeeded. The blue moon has ended!

[ Ruby comes in on the intercom, advising Sharon, Delilah and Bishop that Alexia is safe and unharmed following the assault of the vortex]

Are you two alright? Your internal rhythms are slightly elevated, but after what we've just been through, that's to be expected.

[ The others arrive down to the Infirmary, Sharon cedes operational control of the infirmary back to Alison. After confirming everyone was in tact and uninjured, Sharon turns back to Delilah, placing her eye mask back on. Bishop had left, in the midst of all the new arrivals, presumably to check on Alexia]

Delilah...I don't like feeling powerless. I never have...even before I became the Silver Swan.

But this evening...even WITH all of the POWER I now possess, I found myself at a loss, when you crashed in the delivery room. None of my power, or even my amazonian training could help me to revive you. It was a...crushing moment for me.


From what Alycia has told me, during our time on Themyscira, you experienced a similar moment...with me...

<<FLASH!>>

<< over a year ago. New York City. a pitched battle between The Six and Master Mold.>>


<< Master Mold had just violently struck Spellbinder down from the air, leaving the sorceress pinned in the wreckage of a vehicle. Senator Sharon Kelly had managed to pull Alycia to safety and then ran back to try to free Spellbinder. Even then, she was a woman of courage, an outspoken ally of mutants and mutants rights. But this night, her bravery would not save her. No one could save her. Spellbinder orders Sharon to run for her life as Master Mold prepares to fire upon them and as she flees, she is battered by the fall out of the blast that hits Spellbinder.>>

<< Her injuries prooved to be fatal. She died in Alycia's arms on the bus they were now hidden in while the Six battled Master Mold...and as Alycia's tears and mourning alerted them to Sharon's passing...they gathered around the fallen senator. MorningStar, not willing to let her go ...moves into action..>>

MorningStar: "No! This can't be the end!"

[ She moved to Sharon's now lifeless body and looked back and forth from her to Alycia to Alison. ]

"I can save her."


[ She began giving Sharon CPR. ]

"I know what to do. I can save her. She's not dead."


[ Delilah was frantically pushing on Sharon's chest, becoming increasingly irrational, her eyes so filled with tears that she couldn't see. ]

"Come on Sharon! Wake up! I can save you. BREATHE Sharon! Come on goddamnit! "

We're not that different, you and I. We never were. It's just that along the way...with all the mind bending, soul rendering, body altering experiences each of us...ALL of us have had...we sometimes lost sight of the things that unite us, the common ground, instead focusing on the differences.

I'm glad we were able to recover from that. I'm glad you're alive. I did not want to have to tell Morgan and the others that you had been lost...and that I could do nothing about it.

Your baby is a mutant...just like my son was. She'll need her mother more than anything.

[ Looking down at Delilah, Sharon looks less intimidating right now, even while manifesting the full aspect of Silver Swan and weareing her silver eye mask]

And take it from me...before i was THIS

[holding her arms out and looking down at her self]

Before i ever knew what an AMAZON was...

I was HUMAN...a MOTHER...and happy...PROUD to be both. I loved my son and his being a mutant had no bearing on that.

If you never imagined yourself being a mother, don't worry. The light in you is more than just your power. it's who you are.

I believe you'll be a GREAT mother.

 

[Arsenal]

Nothing like almost dying for a few hours to make you appreciate LIVING. He sat at Karen's bed and held her tightly for a long time, glad to see Doc coming back around to herself after drinking a potion.

Mike filled her in on what he knew and what he could deduce. But there was something in his mind that kept bothering him, something missing that he had not put his finger on. As Karen spoke, it came to him.

Oh Michael...my daughter is alive. I feel her. And everyone else is okay?? What about Delilah is she okay?? Have you seen her? The baby??

I think they are fine but to be honest, I am not sure. I have been checking on you first and expecting to be kept abreast of any new changes.

He stands and then leans over and kisses her on the lips, very matter of fact. He speaks as he places a bottled water on the nightstand.

You stay here. I need to check something real quick. I PROMISE I will be RIGHT back. Have some water and relax and I will be back before you can finish the bottle.

Nodding, Mike steps outside and over to where Delilah and Sharon are. He smiles at Delilah, happy to see her well, then speaks directly to Sharon.

Hey Sharon, where is the Infirmary staff? I haven't seen any of them. Are they still in lockdown or something?

Mike was internally worried about the answer to this question...their training should have them here, now.

 

[Silver Swan]

the infirmary

[ As Sharon and Delilah talked, Mike walked in. Sharon turned to look at him.]

[ She could HEAR his body tighten up a bit with concern. She could hear his elevated heart beat. But it wasn't because of Karen. She was fine and recovering nicely now that her magick had been restored. There was something else. The fact that he asked about the STAFF...]

[Turning back to look at Delilah for a moment, without any sign of faltering]

Delilah, if you'll excuse me for a moment...thank you for talking with me.


[ She walks toward Michael and gestures for him to join her walking to the hall way]

Well, Michael...right now, as you can imagine, there's some transition going on with an urgent shift rotation so that those who were present during [ carefully choosing to say THAT instead of saying "SURVIVED"] the events of the blue moon can get the relief and/or any treatment they might need.

I have ceded operations control back to Alison, now that she is present. My main purpose here was to assist Delilah and see her through the delivery of her baby.


[That was her STANDARD answer, for any lingering ears or minds nearby. and it wasn't untrue either...but...]

[ The walked further, going away from the rooms and other facilities, after a few turns and down another stretch, toward the elevator area, where no one was.]

Several serious...DEADLY events occurred, even down here. The infirmary was not immune from the blue moon of the evening and there were...other unexpected complications. There were several casualties.


[ She said matter of factly as she looked at him. The only witnesses to three of the medical team dying, being VAPORIZED at the moment of Alexia's birth were Sharon, Bishop and Ruby. Sharon COMMANDED them not to reveal this information to Delilah or anyone ELSE until she had informed Alison, which she was going to have to do NOW.]

I understand that Alison installed you as her acting chief of security over the mansion and island. Perhaps you should be present when I brief Alison. But ONLY when I speak to her, will i go into any further detail about this.

 

[Prophet]

Aerie- Medical Suite

Cameron sat by his sister side as she recovered in the medical suite. It was nice to get a break from all of the others, and to just be with his sister for a few moments, because it was actually quite rare that they were ever alone together.

Soon his sister began stirring, took a sip of her elixir and the two spent a fleeting moment just "being in each other's presence" for awhile, both very happy and proud to see one another.

Alison: Circe is gone The Blue Moon is over...Magick on Earth is restored!

"But not without one HELL of a fight!"

Alison: You were pretty amazing up there, baby brother. I never thought ...i never IMAGINED the day that you could help or protect me...that I would even ALLOW it. But there we were. And when It mattered most...not only did you rise to the need of the moment, I accepted without hesitation.

[he placed his hand on hers]

"I couldn't let you go at it alone. You were working so hard..."

Cameron had no clue what to do or how to feel when his sister SMILED at him. Alison was not a smiler and although he was glad to see it, he was almost a little scared!

Alison: you're so much stronger than you were before. more focused. more genuine. more EFFECTIVE! I'm impressed.

He rolled his eyes for a second. Most people wouldn't believe him, but Cameron was really not good at taking a compliment.

"Well, well.. Alison Marble impressed with ME?! [laughing] That's it! I'm retiring! And put that on my tombstone. Cameron King - His Sister was Proud of him."

Cameron furrowed his brow, taking a little more serious tone.

"Are you sure you are alright though? I could get you some more water or something? I mean, I know magick works fast, but you have just been through one hell of a ringer...."

 

[Harbinger]

the Infirmary

well...I...and I'm sure Karen and Dominique were all exhausted beyond the point of fatigue. I'm certainly feeling MUCH better. a glass of water would be fine, thank you.

although this is FAR from the end of a LONG EVENING...

:: she thought to herself, BLOCKING this thought from Cameron's "hearing" as he got her that glass of water and she took it from him.::

and what a wonderful thing to know, that Delilah was revived!

:: Alison sighed...it was a mix of relief...and knowing what was to come. Her precognition was now back in full effect...and she rememebered EVERYTHING she'd discussed with Bishop.::

:: Giving Cameron's hand a squeeze before letting go, Alison looks at her brother with a calm, yet thoughtful expression.::

Cameron, would you...go see about the others?

Dominique wants to be left alone until Nicolas returns.

Just go and see what everyone is up to...and rejoin them. I'd like a few moments to myself. I just need to gather myself a bit more...I've been all over the place for the past 24 hrs and finally, I feel like I'm back in the driver's seat...

about to embark on a HELL RIDE...

I'll be along soon enough.

:: She nods as sends Cameron on his way::

 

[MorningStar]

The Infirmary

The danger...has passed...And it appears that the others have succeeded. The blue moon has ended!

“Oh thank god.”

She was breathing a bit heavier than normal.

“Is everyone…up there…alright?”

She didn’t dare ask directly about Morgan. She knew from Sharon that Morgan had been on the front lines.

Are you two alright? Your internal rhythms are slightly elevated, but after what we've just been through, that's to be expected.

Bishop just nodded while he got his bearings then checked her and their surroundings for any obvious signs of problems. She heard Cass’ voice saying Alexia was just fine, and her breathing finally began returning to normal.

“I’m…I’m fine.”

After giving her a telling look that said he was going to check on the baby, Bishop left the room, leaving she and Sharon alone.

She and Sharon had spent very little time alone together since their falling out – since Sharon’s return as Silver Swan, really. And though they had somewhat mended their relationship, there was still a tension between them.

Delilah...I don't like feeling powerless. I never have...even before I became the Silver Swan. But this evening...even WITH all of the POWER I now possess, I found myself at a loss, when you crashed in the delivery room. None of my power, or even my Amazonian training could help me to revive you. It was a...crushing moment for me.

“Sharon…”

Delilah moved to touch Sharon on the arm, yet pulled back.

“There wasn’t anything you could have done…this wasn’t a battle. It was just nature taking its course.”

She smiled.

“You, out of anyone, should know that.”

From what Alycia has told me, during our time on Themyscira, you experienced a similar moment...with me...

She cleared her throat. It wasn’t something she really wanted to remember. Even though Sharon had eventually come back to them, that day she had been powerless to save her friend. She had lost Sharon on her watch.

“I know we haven’t been as close lately as we once were, but I want you to know how much I appreciate everything that you’ve done for me these past months. I could not have gotten through this without you. I mean it.”

This time, she reached out and touched Sharon’s hand, without hesitating.

“I am your friend, Sharon, no matter how you think you’ve changed, or how you think I see you differently now. I care about you. That won’t ever change. I lost you that day, and I will do everything in my power to make sure that doesn't happen again. And I know that you will always do whatever you can to protect me and keep me, and my child, safe.”

Before i ever knew what an AMAZON was...I was HUMAN...a MOTHER...and happy...PROUD to be both. I loved my son and his being a mutant had no bearing on that.

“Sharon – no one could EVER question that.”

If you never imagined yourself being a mother, don't worry. The light in you is more than just your power. it's who you are. I believe you'll be a GREAT mother.

Tears came to Delilah’s eyes and she smiled, her eyes warmly showing how much Sharon’s words had meant to her.

She didn’t know what to say to communicate that in words, but she was saved from speaking as Mike arrived.

 

[Bishop]

Aerie - Infirmary to the Nursery

After making sure Delilah was alright, he nodded his thanks to Sharon and once again left the room. He had trusted Cass with Alexia because he had had to, but now that he was able he needed to check on her himself.

He walked down the hallway to the nursery, relieving Cass of her guard duty.

He entered the room, exhausted, dirty, face tear-stained. It was true, Alexia looked happy and healthy in her isolette. He turned off the forcefield. It didn’t seem to work anyway, when it came to Delilah. He picked her up and rocked her, sang to her a little.

He had allowed himself to dream, hope, for a new life with Delilah and Alexia. A happy ending. But people like him didn’t get happy endings. Delilah deserved one, though.

He sat, holding her, for a long while, just the two of them. Thinking about all the terrible things he had done in his life, even though most of them he had felt he had to do. Thinking about Delilah, and how she always did the right thing, no matter what it cost her. He had to help her to have the life she wanted, no matter what it cost him.

He set the baby down carefully in the isolette.

He walked, not speaking to anyone, to the express elevator, and took it up to Alison’s office. He knocked uncharacteristically respectfully on the door.

“Alison?”

He opened the door and stepped inside.

“Could I speak with you? I need to speak with you.”

 

[Harbinger]

Alison's suite

Right on time....

:: Cameron would have missed Bishop as they were each coming/going to the infirmary. Just the way Alison had planned. But she was only delaying the inevitable.::

:: Looking toward the doors, narrowing her eyes a'la Prue Halliwell, a rushing/chiming sound is heard as the doors swing open.::

Come in.

:: repeating the move again, the doors shut rather hard behind behind Bishop.::

My magick is restored...ALL of magick is restored. The threat of the blue moon is over.

:: She looks at Bishop and studies him. He'd been through his own personal hell this evening. Earlier, Prophet had told her that he sensed Delilah's revival.::

Delilah survived...or rather she was REVIVED....

:: She continued to look at Bishop::

The baby, a girl, was born.

What is it that you need?

:: This was difficult enough. But if he was going to go here with her, HE was going to have to be the one to start on that path.::

 

[Bishop]

Aerie - Harbinger's Office

He just nodded soberly as Alison recounted events.

He had to do this, get the words out, now, while he could. Before it got any harder. Out of all that he had done, this required the most strength from him.

“Alison…”

He knew she was hostile towards him. They all were. Could he make her understand? She was the only one who might, out of all of them. Because of her powers. Because she so often had to let bad things happen for the right reasons. SHE was the only one who could do it.

“You have to take the baby away from here.”

He nearly doubled over with the pain of saying it.

“Delilah will never allow herself to be parted from her child. She will DIE trying to be with her. You know it.”

He paused, closing his eyes briefly.

“I am not equipped to raise a mutant child on my own…YOU, Alison, could do it. You have the ability to teach her how to control her powers. So that she can be with Delilah again, someday.”

He looked Alison square in the eye.

“I am asking you to take my child away from here, hide her from Delilah, and raise her in our absence. This [indicates himself] body they gave me has money – enough for schools, tutors, anything she needs. Whatever she needs.”

A tear ran down his cheek.

“I can’t lose Delilah. SHE would trust you to keep her child safe. And so do I. You’re the only one who can.”

He stood tall, proud.

“I know what I'm asking. I know what I'm asking of you. Please, help me save them.”