Log:The Witch Trap

2015/05/24 Annie Harlequin Hunter Matt Raven Tempest

1

This spacious room stretches the length and width of the building and averages eight foot ceilings with only a few windows which give a shadowy and mysterious air. A portion of one wall is filled floor to ceiling with bookshelves packed with ancient and arcane books, treatises and manuscripts amongst which are racks housing parchment scrolls, microfilm, microfiche and data crystals. A work station in a dim corner holds a SOTA desktop PDA, other media viewing machines and an advanced security console.

In the center of the room stands a slender tree made of a golden copper metal with silvery leaves. From the branches of the tree hang a number of blood red gems like some exotic fruit. The branches of the tree reach up towards the roof while its roots are in nestled in a large ceramic tub filled with fine white gravel; in all it stands about 6 feet in height.

The sanctum has everything a magician's workshop should from mystic sigils and circles inscribed on the floor to small odd pieces of sculpture tucked in nooks to potions bubbling away in eccentrically shaped glassware to an old fashioned safe inscribed with runes resting in the center of magic circle all its own. There are even a small furnace and forge. It is hard to imagine something so strange one could not find it in some corner of the organized but cluttered workroom.

All is quiet in the school as the little wolves are all in bed or are supposed to be as the case may be. The security system is set and, when he last checked the security screens, all was clear. Even Ziand has chosen to forgo his web surfing and is down in the library reading up on recent history. So for once, Sasha has the workroom in the attic all to himself.

As he sits at a workbench working on a golden-copper colored ring slowly etching runes into its surface with jeweler's tools, Sasha thinks to himself how lucky he is to blessed with his varoius and varied loved ones.

The school is warded, safe, and quiet. Optimal work conditions.

And then, Sasha's phone beeps with a message from Hunter with a very unHunterish message. It says: ((Bring me the Chosen One, or the owner of this phone dies.))

Sasha glances at his PDA as it beeps with a message. He then frowns in anger, his eyebrows drawing together at the text. ((Who is this?)) he types back as also brings up his list of contacts.

Because Amelia and Matt are also on Hunter's favorites list for his phone, they also receive the same text message from Hunter's phone.

Sasha opens a new screen on his PDA as he waits for a response from the person-whose-soul-he's-going-to-rend. The text is to Amelia and states ((You are the Chosen One, right? Cause just got a text saying Hunter dies if I don;t bring you to someone who's going to regert that threat.))

The text response from Hunter's phone says ((You have two hours to bring me the Chosen One, or tell me where to find her.))

Amelia is deep in the midst of reviewing her school notes when the text arrives. One look is enough to make her push her tablet away. Her first text is to Bobby, "Bobby, just got a text. See it was sent to you also. Do you know anything?" and the second text is to Gail, "I need your help. Can you come to the school gates as Tempest?"

<School Gates? Uh. Sure... Be there in a few minutes)) is the texted reply. Gail immediately dives into her closet and pulls the concealed garment bag from the back. She doesn't have really cool costume changing powers, and she strips down to sports bra and such before pulling on her bodysuit. Well, long sleeves, no leggings... eh, it's cool though. She pauses to look in the mirror and actually reaches up to tie back her hair and then puts her mask on. She pauses.. still not sure this is the best look for her. But.. she still isn't sure about much of all this. However, the window is opened and she's out into the night air... soaring towards the school. Oh, phone is clipped to her belt, but set to vibrate of course.

((Yes, got the text. So, a group text, huh. Where are you?)) goes out privately to Amelia from Sasha. As he waits for a reply from her, he texts Hunter's phone back. ((Where shall I bring her?))

((Bring the witch to Pier 13, Warehouse 9 at the port.)) The response is swift.

Raven is on her way to the school gates to meet up with Tempest. Having changed to whiteface first. She texts Gail ((Thank you. Someone has Hunter's phone so probably has Hunter too. They are threatening to kill him unless I got to them. That's all I know at the moment.)) And texts Sasha privately ((On my way to meet Tempest at the gates of our school, Colonial Heights. Do you want to meet us there?))

And Tempest -is- there. She's fast, but not as fast as a teleporting wizardess. Either way, she descends silently out of the sky.. looking all about to try to locate Raven.

Sasha steps back from the workbench, taking his PDA with him, then walks over to the golden-copper tree in the center of his sanctum. He rests a hand on the metallic tree but before he can call upon its powers he gets the reply from Hunter's kidnapper and from Amelia. He types to Amelia ((Yes, will show up as Harlequin.)) then types to Hunter's phone ((Understood))

The youth's clothing then morphs with a surge of magick into Harelquin's garb. After a moment, the youth rasies a hand and opens to Gate to the gates of CHHS and steps through.

Raven is still flying to the school when Tempest and Harlequin have arrived.

There at the gates, Tempest stands. Black bodysuit with long sleeves. Blue filled lightning icons running down from the neck, over the shoulders to the wrists. No leggings, but knee high boots. Oh, and the domino mask. She is waiting there as Harlequin arrives, and as he does... she turns to face him, eyes narrowing and clouds gathering up above. She has no idea who he is, or who is supposed to have kidnapped Hunter for that matter.

Harlequin steps through the silver-blue ring of his Gate to the gates of the high school. Behind him can be seen what looks like a colde-copper tree made out of metal in a large shadowy room. The Gate shuts with a crystalline chiming as the masked figure of Harlequin bows slightly to Gail. In a faintly accente RP accent, he murmurs, "Are you waiting for Raven, mam'selle?"

Nodding slowly, Tempest just replies, "Yeah.." And as she calms, so does the weather overhead. It's just... kinda how she works y'know?

Harlequin tilts his head to one side in a bird-like fashion. "So...weather control? Mystical? Air powers?" As he asks, he gestures to the dissipating clouds above the two of them.

Raven is cursing the sound barrier as she flies sub-sonic across the city. She could go faster but that would leave a trail of broken windows and irate woken citizens behind her. She's going as fast as she can and thinking hard, trying to recall details of hostage situations that have occurred in the cop shows her sister likes so much. There's the school beneath her though, so she plunges down towards the gates.

"Daughter of Zeus. You figure it out." says Tempest. She's a little... confrontational until Raven arrives. She looks up as Raven descends and grins then, "Okay, so... Raven. This -is- a friend, right?" she asks.

Raven nods and as she lands goes to hug Tempest, "Thank you for coming. Yes, Harlequin is a friend. Of mine and I hope in future yours. And a very close friend of Hunter's."

Harlequin smiles behind the concealment of his mask as he waits for Raven's response to the daughter of Zeus' question. He then shrugs as he murmurs in an irritable tone, "Yes, and I am getting tired of people threatening him. I think I'll turn this one into something slime covered." He then takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "So...Did you get the address I, we are supposed to deliver you to, Raven. Oh, and may I ask your name, daughter of Zeus? Its not something complicated in Greek is it?"

"Well, I chose a moniker before I knew my parentage. So..." Tempest shrugs, "I summon the tempest, so.. why not use that?" She grins, "Call me Tempest." She lifts off the ground effortlessly and looks to Raven, "I assume I am on... what's the term I've heard in video games?.. Overwatch?"

Harlequin murmurs, "The last time someone kidnapped Hunter, it turned out to be a wonderful psychopath called Witchslayer. And the person who wants you referred to you both as the Chose One and a witch, Raven." He adds after a beat. "And if we get within a kilometer or so of the warehouse, I can try to scry inside to see what is what."

Raven sighs, "I don't know, Tempest. I've never had this situation come up before. Normally I'm fighting devils, demons and vampires. They usually go for the simple ripping me apart technique. Hunter's safety is the single most important concern. I'm willing to go in alone but do we have any reason to believe he, she, or it, will release Hunter unharmed if I do?"

"Uh... okay?" asks Tempest. She shrugs, "I'm very good at flying. Maybe I can swoop in, grab your friend, and whosh out once things get rolling?" She pauses and smirks, "One thing I am -not- good at... is being subtle."

Harlequin seems to think for a moment if the gloved finger tapping his porcelain chin is any indication. "Hmm," he eventually murmurs, "how about Tempest flies the three of us to about, oh, most of a kilometer from the warehouse. Then I scry the building to see who or what or whom is inside. Then we make a final plan?"

Raven nods. "Are your wards up, Harlequin? If Tempest can take both of us I won't have to use a spell, and as you know I don't show up to magical senses unless I'm actively casting. Likely whoever it is won't be able to detect my presence."

"But... from what I understand, when I just walk into a room, it's like someone is beating a gong of magic." says Tempest with a shrug, "I should have no problem carrying you guys. Just tell me where to go. GPS it on your PDA or some such." she offers as she just hangs there in the air and holds a hand out to each of you.

Harlequin smiles slightly behind the mask. "Well, from a kilometer away, its unlikely anyone will detect any of us. Especially with the buildings between us and whoever they are, yes? And we can gather data to decide our final course of action, no?" As he finishes speaking, he says up to Tempest. "To the wharfs. To the base of Wharf 12 I think given the warehouse Hunter should be in is on Wharf 13."

Raven nods to Harlequin and reaches up to take Tempest's offered hand. "Sounds good."

"Then.. awayyyy we go." says Tempest. The rush of wind is like a nice drive with the window down. She is stronger than she looks... not super strong. But strong enough to carry two people. She soars over the city and angles towards the waterfront. "Okay then. Here we go." she remarks as she aims for Wharf 12. "Lucky 13 eh?" she asks.

Harlequin gives a one shouldered shrug as he murmurs, "Well, lucky 13, yes. And warehouse 9 which is 3 times 3. So, either the kidnapper is mystically oriented or has an interesting sense of humour."

Raven holds onto Tempest. It's an interesting experience. She's flow herself. She's been carried by Matt. And now by Tempest. And all three forms of flight are distinctly different.

"Or, they just picked a number out of a hat, or it was conveniently located. Just because they picked a number, doesn't mean they did it because of some mystical convergence." says Tempest as she descends to hover about an inch or two off the ground. "But it also doesn't mean they did -not- do that."

The masked mage takes a step to the side as he murmurs, "I will need to concetrate in order to scry. So, if it looks like someone is about to mug me, please stop them." He then goes very still as he casts his Sight out to attempt to scry the warehouse.

"Wait, if they can detect magic.. won't they detect your scrying spell?" asks Tempest.

Raven puts her finger to her lips as she faces Tempest, "Scrying spells are usually designed to be as undetectable as possible. Harlequin is a master of them." she assures Tempest.

"Well, we don't know they can detect magick. And it depends on how skilled my opponent might be..." his voice trails off. "Well, by the White Christ, I hate it when someone uses my own tricks against me. I cannot even see the warehouse. It is blocked by wards that prevent scrying."

"Fortunately, my Gate should still be, hmm, stout enough to break through any wards against transpositional magicks." Harlequin chuckles darkly. "I've yet to find the ward or material capable of blocking me. And with the addition of the geometric magicks added to it, we will end up in a safe place inside rather than, well, in a wall or floor."

Raven says, "So... just gate in blind and see what awaits us? If they are after me, hopefully the two of you should have a good chance to get Hunter away to safety."

"Well, at the moment, the only real combat power I have is the lightning, and my best one.. I can't use when I'm inside there. Hard to get a lightning strike from the sky... indoors." offers Tempest. "But, I am pretty much a one trick pony where you guys have these nifty spellbooks. So... do something creative, eh?" she asks with a grin.

Raven smiles grimly. "I'm not really worried about property damage right now. Can you blow the roof off the warehouse if you have to, Tempest?"

Harlequin nods firmly. "The plan then is I open a Gate, the two of you go through first, followed by me. We attempt to get Hunter out and when he is safe, we deal with whoever else is inside, yes? Property damage is not an issue so far as any of us are concerned, correct?"

"Bring down the house eh?" asks Tempest as she looks up at the sky. "Maybe, I could do that... from outside y'know?" she asks. "Want me to do that as cover for you guys portaling in? I can come in from above then. Flank attack!" she says almost like she's squee'ing in glee

Harlequin adds. "And if it is Wtichslayer be warned that he sues rifles and grenades while being protected against magick to some degree by a pair of bracers he wears. He is not afraid to be very destructive to take out a target." He looks over at Tempest. "Well, I think at first you should be inside. We do not know where Hunter is in the warehouse and blasting it indiscriminately from outside might endanger him, yes?"

"Okay, but from inside... my ability to blow off the roof would be lessened. But I could do other lightning stuff. I recently figured out how to shoot it from my fingers. Just not quite as potent." says Tempest.

Raven nods, "Tempest needs to be outside for her powers to work well. How about this? You open a gate and I go in, Harlequin. They want me. I'm going to be at least a distraction. Tempest blasts the roof off. And then you come through the gate and get to Hunter."

"And only to call blasts down from the sky. That's the only thing that doesn't work indoors." adds Tempest.

Harlequin nods as the two of you speak. "That sounds reasonable, Raven. Shall we go with that plan?"

Raven nods, "If you're both in agreement."

"Okay. Then... I should get into position. Either of you got a way to kinda gimme a signal so I know when to bring the rain?" asks Tempest with a brief pause, "Literally I guess."

Harlequin hmms. "How to signal Tempest that we are about to open the Gate? Can you contact her mind by any chance, Raven?"

Raven shakes her head. "Sorry. No. It's not magic so maybe it's not playing fair but we could use phones?"

Harlequin laughs. "Sounds good. I assume you have Tempest's digits?"

Raven pulls her PDA out and after a moment, "Yes. On speed dial."

"Here..." suggests Tempest. . o o O O (I really need to get a Temp-Phone.. a burner thing I can put a lightning decal on.) she thinks as she sets out her number.

Harlequin murmurs after a moment. "And if you can call her, when your phone rings Tempest know the Gate will oen in a 5 seconds after that." He looks at the two of you. "Everyone clear on the plan?"

Hand coming up in a quick salute, Tempest smiles. It really is a pretty smile. But she launches into the air on the breeze... and overhead, clouds begin to form again. Good thing it's dark out. But the stars are starting to get blotted out. God, do meteorologists -hate- her!

Raven nods, "If I group dial both of you and leave the microphone live you'll be able to hear what's happening inside the warehouse. Does that seem a good idea?""

Harlequin nods. "Yes, it does Raven. More intel is always better." He raise his ahnds and brings silver and blue dkisks spinning into existence around himself. "Are you ready, Raven?"

Raven nods. "I'm ready." she confirms... with barely a hint of nervousness in her voice.

Lucky Annie, she was also on Hunter's list of favorite numbers on his phone, though he'd never admit it. Her phone beeps with a group text message from Hunter with a very unHunterish message. It says: ((Bring me the Chosen One, or the owner of this phone dies.))

Before she has a chance to reply, there are a variety of responses from others.

((Who is this?))

((You have two hours to bring me the Chosen One, or tell me where to find her.))

((Where shall I bring her?))

((Bring the witch to Pier 13, Warehouse 9 at the port.))

The kitchen is an industrially sized space suitable for a school with a walk in pantry and freezer. Several other free standing appliances including a refrigerator, ovens, stoves, and a dishwasher as well as a full array of countertop appliances dot the well scrubbed and organized room. Cabinets line the walls where appliance are not with ample counter space beneath them. All the appliances, large and small, are gleaming stainless steel and marked with the Verminax brand. In what was once a food preparation area sits a well used rectangular kitchen table with seating for twelve.

The teacher's lounge lies off to one side of the cafeteria behind a door. This room actually has two doors: the one to the cafeteria and another that leads into the office area of the school. This room has been repurposed as a formal dining room with restored maple furniture including a dining table that can seat sixteen, a side board, and a glass fronted china cabinet. If one opens drawers and doors, there is a silver service for 20, matching antique plates and servers for the same, and table linens inside the side board and china cabinet.

Someone has Hunter? And his threatening him? How DARE they! That's totes Annie's job. She has dibs. Mega dibs. Not to mention wings, fins, and other ways to get to a pier. So she heads there, coloration shifting to blend into the background. She plans to see them before they see her.

At said Pier, Tempest in her black bodysuit with no leggings, is up in the air... silently floating towards the warehouse. She's prepping to bring down the house... literally. Waiting for the -signal-...

Harlequin continues with the plan as set as he does not know anyone else is coming. He looks over at Raven as he rasies his hands. "Go ahead and signal Tempest when you see the Gate forming."

Annie doesn't know The Signal, The Plan, or The Answer. She doesn't need to. She knows The Where, and The Fact That Annie Is So Totes Crash That It Doesn't Matter. She slinks along Pier 13 towards lucky number 9. Because what's wrong with the front door?

A silvery-blue dot appears then rapidly expands into a 2m wide Gate. Through it some unknwn area of the warehouse is revealed.

Raven makes the call to Harlequin and Tempest... waits another second and then steps through the gate into the warehouse.

Annie would really like to kick down the front door, being as annoyed as she is, but... She isn't stupid. Despite the blonde. Besides, it's easier to just liquefy and slide under the door, anyhow. Not to mention quieter. See? She can be quiet when she really wants to.

A wirey man in his late 20's. He has crewcut brown hair, grey eyes, and a brooding expression. He wears a big game hunter-stle ammunition vest and belt hung with grenades and tool pouches, over a an urban camo-patterned flak suit. He also wears military grade high-tech goggles. His frearms bear metal braces enameled with three sigils and a twisting border.

On the other side of the gate, within the warehouse...

Hunter is hanging by his wrists from a chain tied to a catwalk overhead, his feet just inches off the ground and his head slumped forward with eyes focused hard on the ground. He looks worse for wear, like someone tried to beat and carve answers out of him. And that someone, Witchslayer, stands behind Hunter, looking to the spell gate expectantly. He must've seen something coming, because he isn't surprised by the arrival. He holds a silver knife at Hunter's throat.

Hunter's head is slumped down, until he sees the knife. He draws his head up and back to try and pull away from it. He laughs bitterly. "You...think anything you can do with that butterknife is...gonna make me talk?" he says raggedly. But his tough act fades as he sees the gate open, and Raven come through. His eyes widen in surprise and dismay. "What're you doing!? Get out of here! He's--!" Witchslayer silences him by pressing the blade hard against his skin.

"At last, the witch. I knew if I tried again, your friend would lead me to you. Whatever you did to bewitch him, he refused to give you up even on threat of death." His eyes narrow studiously as he examines Raven. "It may be too late to save him from your taint. He'd be better off dead."

Raven controls her face as she sees Hunter and the man behind him. "There was no need for that." she says seemingly calmly. "If you wanted me you only had to tell me. I'm the Chosen One. We do not run. We do not hide. But that's unimportant right now. What's important is by doing that," she nods to Hunter, "you have angered the uno primo magus of Colonial Bay City. If you start running now, right this instant, you might have a chance to get away. Might."

Annie sees the expanding light that is the portal just after spotting the man with Hunter... and a knife to Hunter. He seems to talk a big game, too, but it's not one Annie likes. Hmm. Now she has to decide how many pieces she wants him in, and what shape they should be. The guy, not Hunter. He's totes more fun in one piece. Even if it's a small one. All this doesn't keep her from spotting the not-so sneaky guys on the catwalk over Hunter, though. More decisions. Either way, she has to get there, so she heads thattaways.

"I've already met him," Witchslayer says cooly as he looks towards the masked Harlequin. "And he's on my list as well. Convenient you brought him here to me. I ddin't realize this kid was that important to him." Hunter gasps and grits his teeth as the blade breaks the skin just barely. "Good to know," he adds with malice.

And while all of that happens inside... the sky up above rumbles and clouds up. Tempest floats there above the roof... electrical energy starting to crackle in the clouds. She closes her eyes, visualizes things and says, "Okay dad. Give it to me.." And then.. her arms spread out from her side, and the energy begins to coalesce above her. Normally, her blasts are a quick spark and kaboom. This time however, she's just... collecting it, collecting it.. and power ripples outward from her into the storm... and then all of that comes blasting down in what must be a six foot wide -pillar- of lightning. It crashes into the rooftop of the warehouse, and virtually -detonates- the materials there. It's bright and then... it fades away... raining debris down below. "Knock knock!" She yells out from the edge of the hole there.

Harlequin steps through the gate, his porcelein mask concealing a hateful look as he considers turning Witchslayer into a newt to be too good for the man. Seeing the man has cut Hunter, he comments with forced calm, "Hmm, I think not. I have let this one run before. He did not listen to my warning to leave this city. Did I not tell you, Witchslayer, that if you did not quit my city, I would hunt you down and kill you for what you have done?" He turns his mask to the heavens that Tempest just unveiled. "The Gods will not be kind to you when I am finished with you, Witchslayer."

Raven says, "There are two others here. They think they are hiding up on the catwalk at each end. They are mistaken."

Annie was thinking she'd snatch off with knife-boy's backup, first. But, no. He had to go and poke Hunter. She keeps her cool for another moment, though. Long enough to move up to him, preferably behind him. Only then does her form ripple, forearm and hand solidifying into a very large, very sharp point of bone and keratin. All the better to poke him in the back with!

Annie's self-control ends a split-second too soon and she puts in a little too much oomph and a little less aim. That's one of the drawbacks of aiming for the groin. Witchslayer must be a small target.

Witchslayer speaks some words of latin. He scrapes his feet along the painted sigil on the ground and suddenly it glows with red arcane energy. The sigils painted on the walls of the warehouse, which Annie and Raven saw before, light up as well and bathe the whole room in an eerie light as a magical trap is sprung.

The Witchseekers above go for the primary intended target: The Chosen One. Each is armed with a rifle. They draw a bead on Raven and open fire with a ring of shots.

Raven staggers back a half step but keeps her balance. She avoids the aim of one of the gunmen but the other tags her and she's shaken but the hit. Her robes show a slickness as blood seeps from the point of impact.

And as shots fire at Raven, Tempest simply steps off the edge of the hole and drops down into the room. She lands on the ground before Raven, trying to block her form with Tempest's own body. "The gods will never be merciful to murderous scum. I am done playing around here. Drop your weapons... and I may let you all escape with second degree electrical burns." she says... eyeing them all and daring them to defy her.

Raven expects that the Witchslayer and his henchmen will be protected from her spirit effects. So she summons a baer and points one one of the riflemen. Oddle enough the one that shot her.

The spirit bear mauls the Witchseeker with a huge swipe. The blow sends him in a half spin before he sprawls face down on the catwalk, his right arm and head dangling over the edge.

Harlequin watches Witchslyer closely and when he notices that the madman raises his blade, just barely from Hunter's throat, he grabs onto the magick at his command and strikes! But, not at Witchslayer. Instead, a translucent silvery-blue octagon forms between the knife and Hunter's skin then near instantaneously links up with other octagons that fade into existence all around the suspended teenager. As the last link up, Harlequin shouts, "Destroy the sigils on the walls! It will destroy his spell!"

The moment that barrier comes up, Tempest grins. "Okay then." she remarks, lightning streaking down out of the sky to strike her upraised arm... and then she points both hands at Witchslayer... sending bright blue-yellow ripples of power his way!

Annie growls that she doesn't impale the guy. The best news so far is that the blue octagons appear around Hunter. "Crash! Now I can really stick you!" Because worrying about hitting Hunter was OBVIOUSLY the reason she missed him before.

Annie gets her way, just a little late! Her spike-arm spears into the Witchslayer and sends him flying. "Ain't nobody ever told you to pick on somebody your own size, Lame?" If everyone followed that, Hunter would be really, really safe.

The glow of the sigils builds up brighter and a painful, buzzing sensation can be felt in everyone's heads. Hunter, already beaten up from before, passes out from the spell trap's effects, his head slumping forward.

Witchslayer is impaled and tumbles forward, landing on the ground with a grunt. He clutches his injury, trying to apply pressure. "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live," he spouts the mantra as he tries to gather himself up.

The Witchseeker that was mauled by the bear starts to come to his senses. The second one pulls a small canister from his belt, pulls a pin, and throws it down in the midst of all the heroes.

Raven says, "Don't try to cover for me. Take out the runes on the walls or we're all hosed, Tempest.

Shaking her head.. Tempest feels the pressure on her ears. "Damnit! I can't hear!" she yells. "But I have an idea!" She's not sure how durable those glyphs are.. what sort of damage it will take to harm them.. but she lifts a hand skyward and lightning strikes down to hit her hand... and glows about her. (Damage Shield time!). Then.. she launches into the air and whooshes about at top speed... basically playing bumper cars to try to slam her lightning effect into each glyph....

Okay, Tempest first zooms down one side, a hand trailing along the wall and sparking behind her. The pushes off that wall and to the other side, the winds carrying her back. When she finishes, two of the glyphs are no longer glowing... the wall scorched and blasted. "Damn, I missed two." she mutters as she looks back at them. Of course, she says that -way- louder than she needs to.

Amelia was really hopeful when she saw what Tempest was attempting. But when Tempest manages to burn out only two of the glyphs her spirits sink again. For a moment she considers attacking a glyph but she lacks the effective method used by Tempest. So instead she moves the short distance to Hunter and reaches out to touch him, and then pushing her range as hard as she can teleports Hunter and herself out.

Amelia was really hopeful when she saw what Tempest was attempting. And the success of Tempest's effort alters her intention. She was about ready to admit defeat and just try to teleport Hunter to safety. But not she'll try to take out the remaining two gylphs. This time when she summons up the spirt of a bear she gets a pair of half grown cubs instend of mummy bear. Cubs that charge at the remaining gylphs.

The cubs break through both walls, destroying the glyphs on them. Their red glow fades out and the warehouse looks considerably darker without the angry red glow from the Witch Trap.

A trickle of bright red blood flows from a nostril of Raven's. She put so much effort into that she burst a blood vessel in her nose.

Harlequin hisses in frustartion then holds out his hands in front of himself as if trying to feel someting. He then nods decisively, he head turned slightly to one side as if attempting to see something. A silver-blue limns his body as he steps forward, fades from sight, then fades back into sight inside the sphere he places around Hunter. The mage is pressed up against the side of the sphere between Hunter near the center and Witchslyer on the outside of the sphere.

The mage says, "Give it your best shot, Witchslayer! I'm tired of you attacking innocents, you scum!"

Matt flies at his full speed to the warehouse at the pier and upon arriving he see's a hole in the roof of the warehouse. From his vantage, he can see most everything, there seems to be chaos in there, and a lot of things to stop..magic generating panels from the walls, 2 men attacking from above on the catwalk and some guy in combat with Annie...Hunter hanging and Raven and Harlequin in trouble...probably from whatever is being generated from the magic panels..He decides to do what he can from the outside before going in..From his hands large balls of ice the size of small boulders form and he throws them at the catwalk...

The catwalk shudders and creaks from the impacts of the ice boulders. And then with a loud crack, one side gives way and collapses, dropping to the ground and turning the catwalk into a ramp. The Witchseekers start to tumble. The dazed one rolls along the makeshift ramp and takes a spill onto the ground level near Raven. The other leans back and grabs a railing and manages to keep his balance on the wrecked catwalk.

With the drop of the catwalk, Hunter drops down onto the warehouse floor in a heap within the barrier, a few feet of chain pooling near him now that there's slack in the line.

Witchslayer is a fanatic with a goal in mind. This whole trap was meant for getting to the Chosen One, and he won't fail in his crusade without a fight. Beleaguered, he pushes himself up to his feet with a scraping of his combat boots on the gritty warehouse floor. The warehouse itself has become drafty and ruined from the battle. "If I am to die, I will go knowing there's one less witch plaguing the innocent with their foul, unnatural ways," he vows as he brings his rifle to bear.

The rifle aims, and Tempest is already in the air, already in motion. She doesn't land unless she has no choice normally. But as she spies where the shot will go, she surges... a gust of wind blowing her in the way. Nobody's shooting her BFF! And kablam! the bullet strikes her in the abdomen. It punches through... a clean through and through at the very least.. and she tumbles to the ground.

Vixen has disconnected.

Amelia lifts her arms and a host of bright hued butterflies comes from her wide sleeves and flock around those who have been injured. "Why?" she asks Witchslayer. "What have I done to earn your wrath? Such a degree of wrath that you would harm innocents just to get at me."

Some of Hunter's cuts and injuries heal up, but his injuries are extensive. The Witchseeker that tumbled on the ground gets to his feet and brings up his guard with his bracers. The second witchseeker leaps down behind his companion and aims his own rifle towards Raven. Witchslayer sneers at the question. "I have harmed no innocents, witch. Just pawns under your control." His man prepares to fire.

Ow, ow, ow... bullets like that -hurt!-. Tempest's wounds start healing already, and then there is a burst of healing. She sees the other rifleman aiming, and makes the heroic effort to try to surge herself up in the way. It's like one of those dreams where no matter how hard you try, you can't move fast enough to get to where you want to be....

It wasn't enough to take down the catwalk, these guys have some actual skills, then one of them levels their rifle at Amelia..and that just wont do. There isn't any dramatic yell, or shout, he simply pours on the speed and the bullet impacts him...it hurts, but its not deadly..not to him...but the impact sends him spinning and he hits the ground..but attempts to flip to his feet...

Harlequin feels around for a moment then kneels down next to the battered Hunter. "Just hold on, be..tovarisch," he murmurs. He tries his best t gather Hunter into his arms then a silvery-blue glow limns each of them. As the two of them fade from sight, he shouts out, "Hunter is clear! Now kick that (expletive deleted) (expletive deleted) into next week!" The mage sounds more than a bit enraged right now.

Matt touches his chest...where blood runs freely...Maybe that hurt a bit more than he thought..

Witchslayer seems emboldened by the witch spawn falling left and right for their mistress. He opines, but only Matt can hear the speech given. "See how you manipulate your pawns into sacrificing their lives so you can keep your cowardly life!" The man seethes with a fanatic's hatred. Of course he thinks he's righteous. He starts to back up towards his men, rifle raised and trained on Raven.

Amelia winces as Matt takes a bullet for her. She alters the spell she is using slightly so all the butterflies flock around Matt.

Matt sees another rifle leveled again..and he leaps to intercept bullet number 2...and that one hurt just as much..he now has 2 holes in him...."Some one..stop them!" he shouts..not knowing in space, no one can hear you scream..or in this warehouse either.

The Witchseeker with the rifle starts to aim at Matt, but Witchslayer yells (only Matt hears), "Forget about her pawn! KILL the Witch!" The Seeker trains his rifle back to Raven as does the second seeker.

The report of the rifles sound off and only Matt can hear it, but the visual effects of the bullets impacting..and exploding is evident in the amount of blood that flies..and..how his body flies limply through the air before hitting the ground..this time he's not getting up.

Harlequin returns as a slvery-blue outline of man is filled by his physical form. He appears to look around for a moment then his eyes latch onto Witchslayer. "I warned you what would happen if you returned, Witchslayer. Run or die." His tone is flat and cold.

Witchslayer peers over the sight of his rifle at Harlequin. "Don't let up on the witch. The Warlock is mine." He pulls a canister from his utility belt, flips the switch over and depresses a button before tossing the canister towards Harlequin's feet.

Amelia shouts a warning, forgetting for the instant that Harlequin was in the same area of effect as she was when she was deafened.

The Incendiary round bursts with roaring flame at Harlequin's feet with heat intense enough to instantly scorch the ground. "Burn the Warlock," Witchslayer sneers as the fire spreads around Harlequin.

Harlequin feels the heat of the flames and then just grits his teeth as most of the effect is absorbed by his defenses. As the silver disks about him dart at some of the fiery liquid, the blue disks around him seem to be actively smothering out flames. He is still being burnt but slowly.

Amelia has gotten to the no more miss nice girl stage. Her friends are being hurt. Badly. Staring at one of the Witchseekers she summons up a wild wolf spirit and directs it to attack.

The wolf leaps and bites at the Witchseeker, who falls and fires off a few rounds by accident into the roof before losing consciousness.

Witchslayer frowns as one of his men go down and Harlequin returns, unphased by fire. "Delta Six," he says to the other remaining man, before he turns and dashes out the fire exit three meters away.

The disks, both silver and blue, all but smother out the incendiary grenade that Sasha is standing at ground zero of. His porcelain face turns towards Witchslayer after assessing the fire. "Did you know most witches were hung, not burnt, you imbecile?"

The second Witchseeker runs out behind Witchslayer, covering his back while facing the heroes. Shuts the door behind them and...

"Where'reyougoin'?" asks Tempest in a bit of a sluggish voice. The winds carry her aloft and she rockets upwards... popping up out of the hole in the rooftop. "I SAID WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!" she repeats in a scream. "You'll kill witches, and warlocks! What about a freakin' DEMIGODDESS!" And overhead, the sky rumbles....

As she screams, Tempest flies up to the edge, but.. only barely peeks over. She's stops glowing as.. well, no need for the damage shield. But she reaches the edge and peers down. "I'm coming for you!" she screams.

And.. then Tempest narrows her eyes, "DON'T TOUCH THE DOOR GUYS!" she calls out.

Harlequin shakes his head. "No, I do not think so," he murmurs in a quiet tone. He takes a step, is limned with silvery-blue light, fades, then reappears 8m beyond the door. He quickly looks around for any sign of Witchslayer.

Harlequin lets his gaze fall on Witchslayer. "Ready to experience what I promised you, corpse?" As he finishes speaking, a grey beam leaps from his eyes to strike at the fanatic.

As Witchslayer tries to run his joints start to lock up up as he feels the icy clutches of death. The color starts to drain from his face and even moving makes his muscles crack in protest until he can't move at all. He becomes as stiff as a, well, stiff.

Matt bleeds..

Seeing Harlequin appear and fire at Witchslayer, Tempest whoops. "Hey! Bomb on the door!" she calls out as she launches herself from the rooftop. Then.. well her wounds are fully healed by now. "Don't touch the door. I don't know how to disarm a bomb, but I'm pretty sure lightning will set it off PDQ."

Harlequin shouts out. "Door is booby trapped! Don;t come through it!" As harlequin yells, he walks over to Witchslayer. "Well, I did say I would unmake you, did I not? So, what shall I with you?" As he speaks, he looks closely at the man to spot any enchanted items on him.

Amelia has a choice to make. Go after the Witchslayer or tend to Matt. There's not a instant of hesitation. She rushes to Matt and starts casting healing spells.

There is a lot of blood pooling under Matt, but with the spellcraft of Amelia, the wounds close, the bleeding stops, and while he is groggy and barely responsive, he is no longer dying..

Blinking, Tempest moves forward, hovering by Harlequin. "Hey, you're not killing him. He needs to go to prison. You kill him and you're no better than he is. Well, aside from not being a fanatic."

Witchslayer cannot talk, but his baleful eyes follow Harlequin's movements.

Where Matt was once wet with blood there's now tears adding to the dampness as Raven bends over his casting spell after spell to heal.

Harlequin slowly strips off various items from Witchslayer as he murmurs, "Oh, I was never going to kill him, Tempest. I promised to unmake him. First step is strip him of his nasty little toys. Hypocrite that he is, he uses magic to kill mages." He then shrugs. "Then turn him over to the police."

Matt's eyes open and he see's Raven above him..."..Hey.." he says weakly, "All Kosher now?..everyone ok?" he says with a cough and a grin..

Harlequin looks Witchslayer in the eyes as he adds, "And get him therapy. As he is seriously messed up inside. Hopefully, someday you will be well enough to realize what a monster you are, Wtichslayer. I hope so."

"Oh.. okay." says Tempest, calming down now and looking a little bit sheepish. "I just.. you were, I mean... okay, cool." she mutters. "So, should we like, go call the cops?"

Amelia helps Matt to sit up when he's ready. "The Witchslayer ran off. Tempest and Harlequin went after him. I don't know what's happening with them. You... you were badly shot up. That's all I cared about."

Those eyes burn with hate at Harlequin.

Harlequin murmurs, "Oh, do not mistake me, Tempest. If I thought turning him into a fluffy puppy forever would help him, I would. That would also unmake him." He sighs. "But I am trying /not/ to be a monster. So yes, call the police. They will need metalevel security on him. And need to know his acolyte is till on the loose."

Matt raises his hand to her cheek..it is wet with blood (his hand not her cheek) and touches it gently..."Hey..hey, I'm ok, the main thing is You and Hunter are ok.." he looks around and doesn't See Hunter. "Love..where is Hunter?"

Nodding slowly, Tempest shrugs and then moves to get right in Witchslayer's grill, "You failed. Not only that, I bet all your anti-witch fanatic crap is based on that Inquisition crap in the Christian church right?" she asks. She shrugs and lifts one hand... pointing skyward.. thunder rumbles and lightning crackles... flashing down to strike her fingertips harmlessly. "Well, my Daddy is Zeus. So, I bet that really sticks in your craw, eh?" That said.. she says, "Okay, I'll go get the cops." and.. lightning strikes once more... right where she's standing. It's a bigger bolt, brighter, and when it fades away, she's gone.

Harlequin looks at Witchslayer again and the grey beam leaps out into Witchslayer's chest. "Just to make certain you remain secure, Witchslayer." He then calls out, "Matt? Raven? Are the two of you alright? Witchslyer is secured, Tempest is gong for the police, and one of the acolytes escaped. I need you all out here to keep an eye on him while I go tend to Mr Hughes."

"Harlequin took Hunter out to safety, Matt." Raven assures Matt. "I suppose we ought to go find out what's happening when you feel up to it."

Harlequin adds. "And don't use the door. It has C-4 rigged to it."

Matt nods, and gets to his feet, he's a little wobbly on it, but he puts his arm around Raven and floats up and out of the rooftop to slowly but surely land next to Harlequin. He's already feeling a lot better by the time he lands, and he puts his hands together, and when he pulls them a part, a spear of light forms between his hands he eventually places its tip against the Witchslayer's ribs. "Go..see to Mr. Hughes."

Harlequin nods. "I will go take care of him." He looks at Witchslayer. "I hope you get help, but if you do not...Well, I will unmake you another day..." The mage then wraps himself in his cloak and fades away as silvery-blue light limns his body.

And it isn't much longer before lightning crackles from the sky... striking the ground somewhere nearby. As it fades out, Tempest is standing there. "Okay, the cops are on the way!" she announces with a grin, "I love riding the lightning!"

Amelia goes over to Tempest, "Thank you. I was deafened but not blinded. I saw what you did. The way you took bullets meant for me. I shall not forget that. I will never forget that."

Matt nods, "Nor will I.."

Nodding slowly, Tempest leans forward to wrap her in a hug, "You're my friend." she remarks.. it's as simple as that. "Plus, I heal really fast." she adds with a grin.

Amelia hugs back.

Matt doesn't..but that doesn't mean he is not appreciative. He simply sits back and lets them have their moment..the tip of the spear digging into the ribs of the Witchslayer until the cops arrive.

Witchslayer lets out a small grunt without moving his mouth at the digging spear. Soon the cops arrive and take him away, thanking the heroes for their efforts.