Good day everybody.

I've been a pretty busy guy recently. There were times where I literally felt like I was in two places at once. While that situation has been resolved, I am still quite busy. The height of this activity seemed to occur just before the holidays and reached something of a climax during the winter solstice.

I'm still quite busy so I wasn't sure if I would be recording this account for posterity. After some consideration however, I realized that by posting here I might gain some assistance in relating the story as well as a couple new perspectives of events gone by.

Before I begin, I should mention that I am currently associated with an independent investigation organization. While much of our work has to due with relatively routine and mundane matters, we get our fair share of unusual assignments as well.

This particular case might seem like your run of the mill missing persons case at first. We were hired by the parents of a little girl. To protect both the girl and her parents, I will refer to her as Cindy. The parents hired us because they felt that the police were not pursuing all possible leads.

The lead they weren't following was a woman in the neighborhood the parents described as being a witch. She was known to be interested in the occult, you see. We're not talking a casual interest either. More of insane obsession. The thing was, everything she alleged to be interested in was... well not exactly the real deal. For example, she subscribes to the services of a psychic with as much extrasensory perception as your average brick.

Our cursory investigations showed that her quackery was a smokescreen for much more... I want to say legitimate practices but that would undermine the sinister connotation I would like to relay. She was in actual fact something of a neophyte practitioner of obscene arts.

This information was obtained by means I would rather not relate here. Suffice it to say that the fact that she was absent from her home made things significantly easier for us. The fact was that she was 'visiting family' in New York. She had been before the abduction, in fact. Another reason the police had dismissed her as a suspect in the case.

The fact is, she had assistance in her less savoury interests and activities.

Part of what gave it all away for us is that by all accounts, the little girl had just up and wandered off on her own. Her parents provided us with additional clues.

She had been depressed for some time prior to her disappearance.

She had been complaining of the cold, even when wrapped in blankets and right beside the rooms heater.

She had an 'invisible friend' who she described as a shadowy person that only she could see.

Of course the police wouldn't be interested in clues such as these. At least they wouldn't weigh them with quite the same value as some of us might.

It seems needless to relate all the sordid details of our investigation. Suffice it to say we had narrowed Rose's location to four spots. As there was four of us on the case and given that we were on the cusp of the solstice, we decided to split up. You may well have guessed by now that I would be the one who would close in on young Cindy.

As it happened, my search took me to a fantasy themed costume party. It was taking place in a five story town house in the Morningside Heights area. The party was taking place across all four of the bottom levels of the building. The large and burly man at the front door indicated that the basement, fifth floor and ceiling were all off limits.

Yeah right. Because I was going to listen to him. I was already crashing the party as it was. I suppose I should mention that I was dressed as a knight. Complete with gleaming armor and red cape. I even had a sword on my hip, but I had it peace bonded as is often the custom at such gatherings.

As for how I managed to crash the party despite the goon at the door. He may have been strict about where guests were permitted, he wasn't above greasing his palms.

I don't like crowds and I've never really gotten good at 'mingling'. I'm not socially awkward per se, but I do prefer smaller gatherings of people. And less noise. I will admit that my fellow party goers were dressed fancifully and some of the young women present did make me wish I was ten or fifteen years younger.

Youth is wasted on the young, truly.

I digress. At any rate I had expected to have to wade through a throng of complete strangers before exploring what I was really interested. Which is to say the top floor and roof. The basement had been ruled out much earlier that day. It was far too crowded with storage to be used for the sorts of things we expected to see.

The upper floor had shown a great deal of promise but no trace of little Rose when we had looked earlier. It was my hypothesis that they had stowed her some place else until it was time to bring her here. Having seen our suspect enter and leaving the building, it seemed like a good hypothesis. In fact, I knew her to be in the building right at that moment.

As I made my way through the crowd, I saw a couple of familiar faces. I knew them both from that other reality... the one that seems like such a distant dream... or nightmare, now. One of them, I remember having met a couple of times in this world. And yet I haven't met her and she certainly hadn't met me... it's complicated and a matter of confused perspective.

Yes, I know it sounds crazy and it certainly doesn't help my credibility. Then again, looking at all my past posts on this site with this persona, I doubt any would think I was sane at all.

Nevertheless, I will continue the narration.

As I was saying, the one of the pair I knew quite well. And she was wearing the dress she wore when first we met... in another time and place. Mask or no, I would know her anywhere. It brought back a flood of unwelcome memories. They felt... invasive somehow yet I know them to be mine.

During my moment of discomfort, her companion was able to restore a half venetian mask to her face. Apparently she had merely been rubbing her eyes. She was wearing a crimson long coat over a vest and black slacks. I rather liked the high boots and pointed black hat (with buckled red strap). The staff with an orb on top of it completed her look as an arcane caster.

I knew that her costume belied her true ability.

I realized that it probably wasn't a coincidence that this particular pair just happened to be at this particular party on this exact night. It seemed only logical to make contact with them and pool our resources and work together.

The problem was, my old friend had looked at me twice now without recognition in her gaze. I suppose that should be of no surprise despite how disappointing it may have been. I am not the man I once was.

I waited patiently until her gaze once more passed my way. I flashed her a very handy hand signal.

That got her attention.

Her face betrayed surprise followed immediately by excitement. She grabbed her older friend's hand and dragged her in my direction. She did remember to return the sign, of course.

“Save me from this wicked witch!” The older girl demanded. The statement seemed rather ironic, all things considered.

She objected in an exasperated tone, “Mel!” before smiling magnanimously at me. "Don't mind her, she gets a little strange around men wearing metal. I think she was traumatized by the Tinman as a child. I'm Hannah, what would your name be, Sir Knight?"

Her companion was muttering something about illogical tinmen.

For some reason I can't understand, I was feeling coy. Perhaps I have been spending too much time in the company of negative influences.

“Your friend, Darcy refers to me as 'Leo, as in Da Vinci', on the Lazlo site.” I know, somewhat less than honest. Again, I blame negative influences in my life of late.I'm looking at you, Nemesis.



P.S. If it is any consolation, ladies, I do feel quite guilty about my little deception and I apologize.

You both have some serious explaining to do.

Also, now that I've pried Hannah away from my laptop, Colbert's Americone Dream is the best B&J flavor ever.

Ahem.

It was early (mid afternoon) on the 22nd. I had promised Sparks that I'd be in to watch a jam show she had with some "folks she met during one hell of a night in Willismsburg" (she never elaborated what happened). I also had a lunch date with Hannah - who apparently felt I was in such dire straits that 'Lunch isn't an option'. Being she's also a fan of music, she was lucky I knew a good Turkish place (the Istanbul Grill if anyone's ever in the area) in my new neighborhood before I dragged her up for Sparks' show.

Whether it was so she could hear some good music or because I needed the company? I will never tell.

Sparks, as she will personally attest, is big on the early 90s post-punk. I don't know if Hannah will admit it, but based upon the shifting back and forth in her seat, I think she was totally into it. Though it got awkward when they covered the Pixie's 'Gigantic'

"Mel, what's this song about?" she asked quietly during a solo.

"A big big love." I recited, smirking as I drank my beer. She just looked at me and blinked, before going back to listening.

It wasn't until the intermission that someone dropped by. After Hannah had wandered off, a squirrel-y looking fellow stopped at the table,looking like he either needed a drink, or something else. I gave him kind of a wary look as he sat down across from me, his eyes rather shifty as they glanced around the room.

"Good show, huh?"Asked the fellow, looking a little somber.

"Suppose so. I've seen her play better shows, but she's into it, so who am I to judge?" I noted, referring to Sparks as I shrugged and took a drink.

The fellow gave me an odd look - odd enough that I put my drink down to look back. It's one of those stares that happened just long enough to make me feel very awkward. I had looked away three seconds in, but that didn't help - I felt myself shudder somewhat, as if he knew something that I'd prefer he didn't.

"Did you hear about that party up in Morningside?"He asked after a moment, watching me.

I arched a brow as I watched him a moment, before answering, "No.

"Masquerade party, you see." The fellow noted with a weak smile. I could tell he wasn't trying to be nervous - which didn't help. Nonetheless, he slid a small octagonal pair of coins across the table before standing up, "9 or 10 PM is door open. I hope you come. Bring your friend"

With that, the fellow walked off, leaving me to hmph. I palmed both coins, looking them over idly. This was probably one of the more unusual Solstice party invitations I had ever received. I really had no intention of going...

"So where's the party? Hannah asked from over my shoulder, scaring the bejeezus out of me.

"GAH! What party?" I asked, clenching my fist to hide the coins.

"For the party whose invitations you're trying to hide." Hannah noted with a grin.

"Don't mind her. She plays dumb a lot."Sparks said from over my other shoulder, equally scaring the crap out of me. It wasn't my night.

"What is it with you both? So I got some invitations. I don't want to go." I noted defensively.

"Mel, when's the last time you haven't been a bitch in the crowd lately?"Sparks asked, narrowing her eyes at me as she sat down in front of me, electric blue hair waving briefly, "Seriously, for the past week or two you've just been all sour. Why not have a little fun for once?"

"She's right you know."Hannah noted, not so innocently.

"Because I don't freaking want to." I answered with a narrow eyed gaze,l damn near ready to walk out. Before I could get up, Sparks had the intuition to put a hand on my shoulder and push me down in my seat. I would note Sparks is a lot stronger than I am, so it didn't take much.

"Alright Princess, look..." Sparks narrowed her eyes, still smirking, but I could tell she was being all business, "If you don't go to this thing tonight, I am going to make sure you're never welcome in the Verge for as long as the ol' Mambo works there."

"There are other bars." I noted flatly.

"...or any bar in lower Manhattan."

She added without so much as a breath between her last statement and the first. I briefly stared in horror - she might have actually had that ability.

I gave her a long, flat stare, "You wouldn't dare."

Sparks just smirked and watched me for several long moments.

"...I hate you both." I said simply in resignation, hmphing as both Hannah and Sparks gave each other a high five.

"Glad we understand each other then."

Sparks noted with a wink as she moved to go back on stage. Hannah just gave me that triumphant grin, as I buried my head in my arms.

It took me a couple hours after the show and dinner - so about, 6 PM - before I finally warmed up to the idea. I had some wardrobe laying about my new flat that I had wanted to try, and Hannah had an impish grin when I had asked her what to wear. So I told her I would meet her up near her apartment - closer to the destination - when I was ready.

Going with something quite nerdy, I went with something Final Fantasy-ish. I had acquired a lovely wide brimmed red hat from a convention, the original white feather replaced with a crow/raven feather. The rest of the outfit was an elaborate red and black coat, covering a flashy but mostly ornamental tunic, black trousers, and knee high leather boots. A mostly decorative staff and a half-Venetian mask finished off the costume.

Yep, Red Mage baby.

I waited for Hannah outside her apartment around 8:45 when I showed up near her place. Her costume was both unsurprising and somewhat amsuing

"...you're the Fairy Princess." I noted, pointing at her attire - I'm sure she'll have the desire to explain it later.

"Well, I was feeling bold."She noted a bit uncertainly, before smiling, "There's a story behind it."

"Behind everything, I understand." I noted with a grin, before handing her an invitational coin and motioning her along, "The ball awaits, princess."


The flat in question was four of five floors of a Morningside Heights apartment. The scary looking bouncer was content to take our shiny coins as entry fee and didn't so much as ask questions so much as to note the spots off limits. I just smiled at the guards and led The Red Mage and the Fairy Princess.

This party was... not something I normally dig. The lower floors were disinterested yuppies or hipsters, interested in the fantasy theme but doing little to actually make it themselves interesting. Separately, Hannah and I had tried to engage in separate conversations - all of which failed from what I could tell. Hannah's acquaintances didn't find archery interesting, and the others were too busy talking about their new houses for me to give a damn.

"Why are we here again, Faerie Princess?" I asked dryly

"To have a good time, Red Wizard. Hannah responded, sipping some Sprite - after we both took liberties to make sure it wasn't spiked. She nudged me briefly before she muttered, "I'm going to see about dancing

I sighed as I watched her wander off to the makeshift fourth floor dance floor, rolling my eyes - both in annoyance and some envy.

My angst wasn't kept waiting for long, however, as I felt a distinct... well, a bad vibe. it was difficult to explain - I suppose it's like someone playing a chord that you only hear the bad part of. Looking around, I saw nothing - but I know I had felt it. And I had a general idea of where it might have been from...

Or maybe I was batshit crazy, I noted, removing my mask long enough to rub my eyes.

Hannah by that point had wandered back, noting, "That was just a "Stand cool and pose" floor."

"Damn hipsters." I noted with a smirk.

That was, of course, when we noted the knight flashing gang signs at us.

I think Hannah and Cyber can fill in on some of the rest.

I’m sorry if I ramble a fair bit here, I had trouble sleeping last night. Something must have upset me.


I’m glad Sparks was willing to help me get Mel out and having fun. She really had been in a deep blue funk since the whole thing back in November. I figured that a party might be a good thing for her.

I’ve never really been a partier myself, but I figured it would be a good opportunity for me to actually meet some normal people in this town. Besides, with it being a Yuletide Costume party, well I had some fun in mind.

Yes, I agree it was really cheeky of me to dress up like a faerie princess, considering how close I’ve come to being dragged off to live among the Fey a few times now. But seeing as Robin can’t show up on Earth between Samhain and Beltane and that Yuletide was the day in which his powers were at their weakest, I didn’t feel particularly worried about him choosing that night to change the terms of the arrangement he’d made with my Grandfather. Besides, I’ve been looking for an opportunity to try out that dress for months.

It’s a special dress for a few reasons. But beyond those, it just fits the exact right way. It’s long enough to be classy but sleek enough to be sensual. It shimmers in the light and swishes perfectly when I move. I quickly made myself a pair of wings and a faerie mask (complete with exaggerated elf ears) to complete the illusion. For a while I thought about bringing my bow along for the extra elfish touch, but it being a modern compound type model it really didn’t fit the motif. Instead I settled on some dye and a bit of make-up to give my skin and hair the icy-cold effect I had observed on the Winter Elves last time I had visited them.

Over the top? For sure. But it was a lot of fun.

I was kinda surprised Mel went as far with the dress up as she did, relieved too. I wasn’t sure if they were going to give prizes for best costume or not, but I did know that if there was a prize, one of the two of us would get it. I think she underplays how good she looked a bit too much. Had we not gotten distracted I’m sure she would have found herself getting the attention she deserved.

It did feel good to mingle, but I definitely did not fit into the crowd. Most were pretty old and just mailing in the costume part of the party while they got themselves drunk. Nobody really seemed to be interested in a good time but rather passing time, so I was pretty overjoyed when I saw the Lazlo hand signals. At last someone interesting to talk to.

In short, I’d given up on normal people as boring after all of about 5 minutes.

‘Leo’ told us that he’d ruled out the basement earlier, so that meant we needed to find a way upstairs to look for clues. Unfortunately that also meant we had to deal with the big burly guys at the stairway, which were in costume as knights.

“My costume should let me by, that’s why I chose it.” ’Leo’ told us. As usual he had done his homework. “But we’d need some sort of distraction to get you by.”

Mel pursed her lips for a moment. “How about someone spiked Hannah’s drink and we need to get her to the bathroom upstairs?” Mel gave a little grin. “That blue tint you gave your skin will really help.”

‘Leo’ nodded. “I like it.”

So it was settled. I took a few more sips of my Sprite, then began to let myself sway a little bit. Gradually at first, but soon I was holding onto Mel for support. When they thought I was in the right state, Mel half carried me over to the stair way, ‘Leo’ in front of us telling people to make room.
Getting through the guards at the entrance to the stairway was pretty easy, they didn’t even challenge us, however when we got to the top of the stairs, we got an entirely different reception.

“You can’t bring guests up here . . .” The first Knight started before Mel jumped in.

“My friend is sick, I think somebody spiked her drink.” Mel sounded pretty concerned. I guess working so hard on faking not caring had the side effect of being able to fake care and concern pretty well.

“We don’t care, take her down stairs.” The helmet swiveled to ‘Leo.’ “You should know that.”

“I missed the briefing.” ‘Leo’ covered himself. “This girl may have been drugged and we need to help her as soon as possible. Now you may want to stall so that a bad situation gets much worse for our employers?”

“Look buddy . . .” The guard started, but I’d had about enough of this. So I pulled an old trick I used to pull back when I lived at the Compound and didn’t want to do what a grown-up told me. I made myself throw up, in this case all over the sabatons of the obstinate security guard.

Juvenile? You bet. Undignified? Sure. Effective? Totally.

The startled guard stepped back, giving ‘Leo’ the opening he needed to step into the doorway, allowing Mel and I through. The other guard blustered a bit, but Mel and I had turned the corner before he could form a sentence. ‘Leo’ followed advising the guard “Don’t worry; I’ll take the heat for this one.”

Hannah

As you may well have divined by now, I dislike entering a situation without a plan.

My original plan had been to find and rescue the little girl during the day long before the ritual was due to begin. My failure to locate had already put me on plan B which I was in the middle of when I ran into Hannah and Mel. Which of course now meant that we were officially on plan C.

Plan C called for getting to the top floor and having my two allies do what they do best. That is cause a great deal of mayhem and destruction thus providing me with a much needed distraction. I would be then be able to grab the young damsel in distress and then the lot of us could then execute an exit strategy. The strategy I favoured was to exit via the roof and then hop over several buildings and down a fire escape where I had a vehicle waiting.

We were barely past the stairs and somewhat disgusted guards when I noticed something that caused me to begin considering plan D. I paused in our forward progression which caused my companions to halt and give me questioning looks. "We've been compromised," I said as I held up my hand, revealing a green glowing ring. "This was given to me for this mission. It glows when there are spirits present. We can expect opposition that will be at least moderately prepared for us from here on in."

"Any idea what we're up against?" Hannah asked without being phased at the thought of opposition.

"Unknown. Could be anything that magic can summon or animate." I replied, wishing I had more to go on. Time had been a factor from beginning to end on this caper.

"That's quite the list." Mel said before launching in ticking off the various things that can be summoned or animated with magic.

I cut her off, "there are too many variables to calculate. Whatever comes ahead will be unknown until we're facing it." Then in a fit of chivalry I added, "it's not too late for the two of you to turn back."

They looked at me as though I had insulted them. I suppose I had. "Very well, we'll proceed just keep your senses peeled and stay in sight of each other. If you see anything, let the others know." Then I placed my hand on the hilt of my sword and started forward once more. It was an empty gesture as there was a high probability that it would be useless against anything we might face ahead of us.

The cult had prepared well for the possibility of someone attempting to disrupt their activities. There were guardians present that had not been there earlier in the day. The shadows themselves seemed to peel off the walls to form semi-substantial bestial bodies to bar our path. Perhaps they had planned to ambush us but their presence was revealed to us when Mel's sudden chanting resulted in a sphere of light before us.

Whatever they were, they did not like the light. No doubt why they were not present earlier that day. Hannah's burst of wind knocked one of them up against the wall, revealing that they had physical forms. Her follow up burst of flame showed that they burned. It was not a burning that produced much flame however. Instead it charred and created a greasy smoke that was noxious to our mortal sensibilities.

At this point I was quite relieved to be escorted by these two lovely ladies. While I drew my blade and made a fair to middling showing for myself, it was most certainly they and not I that carried the day at that junction. Perhaps they should have been chivalrous and offered me one last chance to withdraw but they were not so vulgar as I and so spared my poor ego.

It was only when the din of our shadowy encounter faded that we heard it. A rhythmic chanting in an alien tongue that sent chills up and down my spine. That my ring had continued glowing the whole time only added to my feeling of unease. There seemed to be an almost electric charge to the air which made the hair on my arms stand on end.

By mutual agreement the three of us broke out into a run, making for the final door that barred our path.

My earlier plans and preparations were about to pay off. A single push of a button set of something similar to det cord around the frame of the door. This not only took care of any locks that may have been present, it also obliterated any mystic markings present.

Certainly it announced our arrival to the cultists on the other side but most definitely in a shock and awe sort of a way. Besides, we were no longer counting on any sort of surprise to be on our side.

Again I was afflicted by a bout of chivalric ideal and edged my way in front of the girls to make sure I was through the door first. It wasn't easy as they are both younger, faster and most likely fitter than I am. Then again, I'm older and better at playing dirty. In any case I was able to block the sword of the guard on the right with my own weapon before grabbing his forearm and tossing him into his colleague to the left. With them in a metal clad heap on the ground, I deployed my taser. Like I said, I play dirty.

As the girls also entered this final chamber I whispered as an afterthought, "try not to kill anyone."

Hannah was not in the best of moods given what we were about to face but I knew she would oblige. Mel wasn't exactly in the best of moods either.

It wasn't hard to tell why. Before us were twelve cultists led by a thirteenth high priest or whatever terminology this particular group was using. There was a slight squishing of plastic as they shifted their feet as the floor was lined with garbage bags. In the middle of their circle was as clichéd appearing sacrificial alter as ever appeared in a late night B movie.

The worst part, by far was seeing the little girl on that alter. Not because we were too late as we were not. Not even seeing a little girl chained down, crying pitifully at her impending fate. She was neither chained nor crying. She was chanting along with the cultists, staring straight into our eyes with a wicked and sneering grimace on her face.

She was holding the knife herself.

In contrast to the sneer of her mouth, her eyes were filled with helpless fear.

The glowing emerald on my ring exploded.

Figuring out earlier that we were dealing with less than solid things, I had taken the liberty of doing a bit of magical dolling up before we started blowing up doors, casting a spell to help me discern what would otherwise be unseen. Up until that point, it had been somewhat of a futile gesture; the Knight had the acute sense to know when there might be wards on the doors. It turned out quite handy later.

As we burst into the room for the finale, I could see it was a ritual in progress. The room was quite chilly, with a certain staleness in the air - something I'm mostly used to, but dislike nonetheless. The chanting all stopped as we burst in, all eyes on us.

It's difficult to describe magic as it's being woven together - some describe it was insubstantial wisps slowly taking a shape, others think of it as just bundles of ether, half in this reality and half elsewhere.

There was no real structure to this. All I could see was this black hazy... stink. The shadows in the corner of the room moved and waved in ways shadows shouldn't. In the center of the room with the cultists, I could see a large swirling mass of profane looking energy swirling along the strict confines of a chalk lined circle, mostly focused from that altar. From around everyone in the circle - including the girl, but especially the head robe- I could make out swirling shadows dancing from atop their shoulders.

The Knight was right - the scene was cliche - from mortal eyes, anyway. From what I had seen, it was terrifying.

The Faerie Princess was the first to act. Even before I could say anything, I felt her reaching out with her being, as the room became briefly even more chilly. As I watched the girl bring the knife down, I saw tendrils of ethereal frost wrap around the knife.

The spirit possessing the girl was in for a surprise; as she brought the blade down in what would have been a certain death stroke, there was a gasp of shock as she felt likely bruising force rather than impalement, the implement literally being frozen in a block of ice.

"Get them!" shouted the head cultist in a thick European accent of some sort.

Interrupt ritual - check.

I noticed the 'shadows' around the room immediately stirring as if they were being drawn towards us, and although I couldn't see any eyes, I could feel feel gazes on us. At the same time, several goons and - oddly, several of the cultists, grew knives and clubs and began to charge.

I raised my staff, focusing some power into it even as the goons closed distance. Though it was technically an ornamental piece, the glass gem at the head was perfect for what I wanted to do - if what happened with those shadows earlier was anything to go off of.

"Close your eyes, now." I hissed as I pushed my prop in front of me and held it up.

Through closed eyes, I felt a bright flash of high intensity light reach all corners of the room, accompanied by cursing and hisses, both inhuman and human. One second later I peeked to see most of the cultists either on the floor, twitching, or staggering as they barely managed to stay upright, the shadows riding along their shoulders recoiling chaotically. Likewise, the shadows along the corners of the room had receded to the farthest corners, making themselves as small as possible as they twitched in apparent agony.

Only the head cultist was mostly unaffected - but he was most certainly blinded for the moment as he cursed. Soon enough I thought. On the plus side, the girl was unconscious at this point.

"You should say 'Flash' next time you pop one of those off." said the fairy critic.

"Just do something. Don't step inside the circle" I noted as I stepped forward, striking one of the close up goons in the jaw with my stick, bringing him down with a firm blow. Though the bright flash from the gem of my staff had mostly faded, I still kept enough light to illuminate a good 10-15 meters in the room, mostly to keep those shadows from getting any bright ideas.

"Good work either way. Nice trick" complimented the Knight, most chivalrously as he honorably struck the other goon in the gut with the pommel of his blade, causing him to double over before a second blow to the back of the head laid him low.

The cultists by this point were trying to recover, and some of which even managed to stagger towards us in defiance as we made our charge. Not wasting a good opportunity, The Knight and the Fairy Princess went about neutralizing the disoriented mob - one through well applied tasers, and another through throws and well placed blows to the chin.

I stood behind them assessing the situation. The gathered magic was still trapped in the circle. It would probably stay like that until someone broke the circle. As it stands, breaking big magic is easier than making it - and I would say I'm an expert at tearing things down.

Momentarily tuning out the sounds of people being 'neutralized' around me, I walked over to the very border of that magic and rubbed the toe of my boot along the chalk to break the connection. There was a faintly audible 'pop' before I watched the writhing mass of black mist pop like a bubble, before slowly dissipating.

Spell foiled - check. The night wasn't over though.

"Something's wrong." The Knight noted with concern tripping a disoriented cultist before giving him a firm stomp to the ribs - the audible crack evidence that he wasn't getting back up,"They should have stayed focused on the ritual and had goons trying to stop us."

"You're right. They went to a lot of work to let it go that quick." I said, peering about as I felt something amiss... was the ground shaking a little?

"Behind you, Mel!" shouted the fairy princess.

She didn't need to warn me for once - as she shouted her warning, I had already spun about and sidestepped, sticking my staff towards the ground where I had been standing. Half a second later, one of the doormen the Knight had 'pacified' tripped over it with and hit the ground with a loud thud, the wood cracking from his momentum. Apparently the taser hadn't done much, and no wonder - a wolf in sheep's clothing. These cultists had infernal friends, it seemed.

His friend's aura wasn't much better - the other doorman had joined him, looking a might miffed as he tried to break me in half with a swing to the face.

Go after the fragile maiden. Chivalry is dead.

I jumped out of the way as the swing missed, the tile beneath the plastic sheeting shattering as his fist made an indent where I had been standing.

"Wolves in sheep's clothing!" I shouted,

As he reeled up to take another strike, I felt a cold blast of air shoot past me; a thick layer of frost had fogged over his mask, blinding the bastard.

I didn't waste my chance. Drawing up some of the ether in the air - and there was a lot of it - I pushed both hands in his face and flung all my gathered 'spark' forward.

There was a loud fwoosh of wind as the nearly 300lb thug was taken off of his feet, my robes fluttering as gale force wind suddenly kicked up from just in front of me. Half a second later, there was the shattering of glass as his unnaturally heavy mass went flying through the window, the 'goon' screaming as he took himself a very long drop.

Despite that triumph, I didn't have much time to rest. I heard inhuman chanting as the Knight shouted something about getting down. Knowing wisdom when I hear it, I dove for cover.

Moments later, there was a crackle in the air as a bright bolt of lightning struck the far wall, blasting one of the doors off of their hinges. As I picked myself up, I saw that the head cultist had gathered his wits enough to try and make us the sacrifice of the night - and what time of year it was and how much time he had spent gathering ambient power, he had the magical muscle to do it.

To top it off, the other thug had picked himself up, stretching with a growl as his costume tore itself off, reddish-orange muscles bulging as fiery red eyes peered at me.

This was going from smash and grab to brawl. Bloody Fantastic.

I think I was the most surprised person in the room when a block of ice formed around the sacrificial dagger. I’ve never really been good with cold effects, but I figured if I made the knife cold enough for her to drop I might stop her from hurting herself without hurting her in the process.

I didn’t have much time to think about overdoing it though, as soon I was in the middle of a full on brawl. ‘Leo’ was laying into them using his metal-shod fists and the flat of the sword he’d been able to smuggle in. I, regretting leaving my bow at home, instead turned to the more traditional tools of fist, foot and fury. I guess neither one of us was quite willing to let fly with our full arsenal against the normals in the cult.

The guys in the armour, I had fewer reservations about. So when I saw one behind Mel I let loose with what I thought was going to be a blast of fire. Instead a thick layer of frost immediately covered his face plate, blinding him and sealing off the air holes.

I’ll admit I sometimes have some unpredictable results with my abilities, but frost instead of fire? Something was really off here. Putting my faith in my comrades for the moment, I looked inside and immediately found myself standing on the windswept tundra of the Winter Realm.

You see, while I had been right earlier in that Robin had no power on this day meaning my faerie costume was safe from his attentions I had neglected to think about the other fey who were much more active on the Winter solstice. One of them in particular stood before me, the last time I had seen him, he had appeared jolly and generous. Tonight he had manifested a different aspect. The Holly King had been replaced by the Winter King, a being of frost and ice. He was the manifestation of the season of death.

One look into his ice blue eyes told me what I needed to know. He had been paying attention to the events of tonight and he had decided to act. Instead of drawing on the gifts the fey had given me, tonight I would be drawing directly on him. I was to be his agent in punishing those who desecrated his night.

He reached out his blue-skinned hand and offered me an orb of swirling frost and snow. If I took it, tonight all the power and fury of the deepest winter would be mine to command. All I had to do was mete out his punishment on those who had offended him.

Seeing as I was quite keen on punishing them myself, I didn’t hesitate to seize the orb. The icy tempest of the orb immediately suffused every fibre of my being. Underneath the bluish makeup I had warn my skin took on an icy hue of its own. Vapours of frost formed in my breath. The mask I had been wearing felt a part of my face while the paper-mache wings on my back flexed and flapped in anticipation of flight. I was part me and part winter storm. I was Winter’s Fury.

That same instant I was summoned back to reality by the sharp crack of a thunderbolt striking the wall behind me. I looked up to find the lead cultist spraying an arc of electricity across the room, sweeping it towards Mel.

A kick from my legs and a powerful thrust from my wings and I was between Mel and the sorcerer. In the same moment a thick shield of Ice encased my arm, protecting me from the shock and flash of the arcane blast.

I hurled a curse in an ancient Brythonic tongue at the sorcerer before charging forward, both arms now sheathed in thick layers of ice that somehow bent with my body. From the ends of my fingers extended razor-sharp ice talons, keen to rend the flesh of the despoiler.

The sorcerer flung bolts of fell power at me as I charged, but each time the ice protected me. The hard lesson I had learned last solstice about the resilience of ice was coming in useful.
With one blow the sorcerer was sent sprawling across the room.

“Hannah!” It was ‘Leo’ he paused when he got a closer look at me, realizing that my costume wasn’t just a costume anymore. “I’m taking the girl. Hold them off.” He gestured towards the guards who had made their own transformations and to the creeping shadows that were sliding across the room. He picked up the girl and started making a break for the window Mel had shattered.

Howling like the Northwind, I dove at the mass of infernals. The next moments became a blur of talons and rage.

“Flash!” the room strobed in a pulse of blinding light as Mel again forced the shadows back. “Hannah, we’re going!”

“Going? But I’m not done yet!“ I turned to launch another assault on the abominations.

“Come on!” Mel implored, tossing bolts of purplish energy at the advancing mass of darkness.

I forced my mind above the tempest for a moment; the suite was now full of dark beings. Too many for me to stop on my own. If ‘Leo’ and the girl were to have a chance, Mel and I would need to work together. Reluctantly, my body obeyed my commands to withdraw to the window.

Mel paused mid-incantation when she got a good look at my changes. She smiled and said “That’s a good look on you, Princess.” She then finished her spell and stepped out of the window. Her magics holding her aloft. “Coming?”

“Yeah.” I suppressed the urge to dive into the fight once again, instead creating a thick wall of ice between the shadows and our escape route. I then stretched my wings and leapt into the winter winds.

Indeed you did, Hannah.

As for me, I wasn't pleased with the situation at all.

Things were not going as I had foreseen.

It was steadily going from troublesome to worrisome to moments of my life flashing in front of my eyes. And then Hannah decided to hulk out what with the ice fists of clobbering power. One part of my mind was adding “Faerie Princess SMASH!” dialogue to her actions even as deeper levels were becoming gravely concerned.

I have seen this level of power of mystic power manifested in a mortal vessel precisely once in my life. It was in that other time, during the confrontation that would determine which tapestry would be woven for this world. It was an all or nothing final battle where the great powers on both sides weighed in.

That Hannah was the cats paw of the fey and she struck both well and hard on their behalf. Not with the elemental powers that I witnessed this past solstice but with eldritch might every bit as potent.

This was no mere gathering of cultists. Something earthshaking was going on here and we had stumbled into it head first. At that point I was hoping only to get the child and the two girls out of there alive. That meant getting Hannah back to being focused on the mission at hand so that we could extract ourselves.

The plan was simple. Hannah and Mel were the hitters and I wasn't contributing much of use to the battle at this point. So I grabbed young Cindy and bashed my way to the window that Mel had graciously opened for me earlier. Once there I held on to a writhing, kicking and biting Cindy as well as I could with one arm while I reached behind my back to pull a mini-grapple launcher I had hidden back there for just such an emergency. I fired it for the roof of a neighbouring building. There was a satisfying clink of metal on brick as the small electric motor wound the line back.

There was no time for finesse, I jumped out while winding the line in. Ideally I would have liked to landed against the far wall with my feet first so that I could absorb the shock somewhat with my legs. Young Cindy was fighting like a demon however so I wound up crashing into the side of the building with the entire right side of my body. I was glad of the armor as the grapple launcher continued to wind and drag my body up the side of the brick building.

The top of the building posed something of a dilemma. One hand was on the handle of my grapple launcher. The other was holding to a thrashing Cindy. There was no hope for it. I tossed her up and over the lip of the building's edge. Then I caught the ledge with my fingers. As I began pulling myself up, Cindy appeared at the edge of the roof. Then she started to try lifting my fingers off the ledge, one by one.

Fortunately I was able to toss my other arm, battered and bruised as it was up high enough to also catch the lip. With aching exertion, I dragged myself up and over. Then I was forced to tackle the child as she began to flee, crying bloody murder. It took some effort to keep my temper in check while I hog tied her with zap straps and stuffed her mouth with a gag designed to prevent her from swallowing or biting off her tongue.

Just then the girls were appearing over the ledge with a good deal more grace than I had managed. Mel raised her brow at the hogtied girl but there wasn't much time to discuss the situation. Hannah had already to turned to start deploying her power against the enemy who were amassing on the roof of the building we had just exited.

Much as I wanted to catch my breath, there was no time. So I tabled the matter of my overheating body, rapidly beating heart and shortness of breath and picked myself and the child up off the roof. “This way.”

I had an escape vehicle parked not too far away. So I ran for it as quickly as I could manage. And when gaps between the roofs came I leaped and I prayed that I would make the other side. Then I would roll so that my body protected Cindy's and then get up and run again.

Behind me I could hear the cries and howls of unholy pursuit. They were kept at bay only by the combined forces of Hannah and Mel. Hannah especially seemed to be super charged, channelling forces from beyond for the sake of our cause. I briefly wondered how long her body could survive being a conduit for that much raw energy. Then I was wondering how many roofs I could successfully throw myself at without breaking my own body.

Finally after what seemed a lifelong flight through hell, I came to the last roof of the block and looked down. Below me was the vehicle I had counted on for our escape.

Up on cinder blocks with no tires.

I regret the words that young Cindy was forced to hear at that moment.

Mel caught up to me first and looked down. “Man, people still do that?”

“Brings back memories,” I replied in a somewhat surreal moment of nostalgia. Really, I should have realized.

“What now?” Mel asked.

I hooked the end of my grapple to the building's roof. “Pray for a taxi.” Then I began to rappel down.

Hannah and Mel held back on the roof allowing me a chance to carry Cindy to the ground. I could hear the growls and shrieks of rage and did not want to imagine what the young women were forced to contend with while I led the retreat. Once on the ground, I snipped the cord quite willing to abandon the grapple there.

Then I reached into a belt pouch and pulled out my keys.

Mel was landing beside me. “Unless that heap is a fusion powered hover car from the future, starting it won't be much help."

I keep a few trinkets on my key chain aside from keys. The one I wanted in particular was a simple but effective device. It was a small red whistle.

Yes, I carry a rape whistle.

And I was blowing it as hard as I could.

Like magic, a taxi was summoned for us.

None too soon either, as Hannah was just setting down. She smiled wistfully at me and then collapsed into Mel's arms. That answered the question about how much she could handle.

Mel manhandled her into the shotgun seat of the taxi while I opened the side door of the mini-van and climbed in with Cindy in tow. Mel piled in behind me, taking Cindy off my hands after closing the door behind her.

I leaned in between the two front seats and emptied the cash out of my wallet and into the Jamaican cabby's lap. “Get us out of here fast, no questions.”

There was a squeal and a lurch then we were rapidly on our way.

Then I crawled to the back of the mini-van where Mel had already tucked away the seats and had Cindy in the middle of the now cleared area. “This girl needs an exorcism, stat.” She informed me in what could pass for a medical professionals tone in the ER.

“Can you do it?” An exorcism could be arranged later but having it done now would be ideal.

“Yes... no, not with what I have here. That's what I have my courier bag for normally.” Then she looked me up and down. “It must be hot in that thing.”

“Just so you'd notice, yes.” I nodded.

“Strip.” She commanded.

“Excuse me? I hardly think now is the time...”

“Don't flatter yourself.” She interrupted me. “Your sweat will have salt in it. Not ideal but I think I can make it work.”

Bowing to the inevitable, I started peeling off the bulky suit of armor and not with a small amount of relief was the weight lifted from my shoulders. I might have enjoyed Mel's assistance more if I were about fifteen years younger and not in so much pain at the moment.

She all but tore off the under garments off the upper part of my body before wringing them unceremoniously around the circle. “I need a focus.”

In a casual manner, the cabby reached up to his rear view mirror and pulled off what I had taken to be a trinket and decoration. With a flick of his wrist he propelled it to Mel.

Mel caught it with a look of surprise on her face. “This... this will work.”

It was only then that I realized what a scene the four of us must have appeared when we had piled into this mans cab. To most it would have seemed surreal and here he was taking it all in stride.

“This happen to you often?” I spared a breath to ask.

“You've no idea.” In the mirror I could see his eyes flick to Mel. “You're going to need blood too.”

“I knew that.” She frowned and then looked at my ribs where an abrasion was openly bleeding. “Do you mind?”

I just shook my head, not having the energy to comment further. I remember thinking that perhaps this all should have been easier and perhaps once was.

As gently as she could, Mel dabbed into my wound.

“Better if it was chicken blood. I know a place might be open....” The cabby provided helpfully as he turned around a corner without bothering to heed the laws of the land as posted by the stop sign or the laws of physics as protested when we were all slammed against an inside wall of the van.

“Shut up! I know what I'm doing.” Mel said through gritted teeth.

While Mel continued with her preparations and the cabby continued to provide what was apparently appropriate advice, I crawled forward to check on Hannah. I was thankful to see that Mel had the presence of mind to buckle her up. I began checking her vitals. Her pulse was fast but steady. She was cool and clammy and was of course unconscious. This was cause for a great deal of concern as it was indicative of both shock and hypothermia.

Thinking about how to deal with Hannah, I turned my head to the cabby. “Where you taking us, anyway?”

He just pointed.

Following his line of sight I saw a cathedral looming in front of us. “You're not... through the doors...?”

“Don't be stupid.” He berated me. The cab went through another of his turns and Mel squeaked out a protest. “Parking lot's just as holy as the pews.”

We skidded to a stop and Mel began her chanting. While she chanted, our cabby joined in what seemed to be something of a harmony. And as dawn began to peek over the buildings, a darkness was expunged from Cindy and into the confines of the cab. It did not linger as the rays of the sun angrily chased it away.

While that was going on, I did what I could to raise Hannah's body temperature until the danger was safely past. Thankfully my cloak was still mostly dry and the cabs heater was working.

In conclusion, the girl has been happily reunited with her parents and Mel took Hannah home.

And then I slept for like a week.

But now this is all over, I am left with many more questions about what happened that night.

Don't tell that annoying cabbie, but I owe him big for the focus - even though that Obeah doll was creepy.

The cabbie actually had the last laugh - as the spirit scuttled away, I could see him murmuring something as he crushed a dry leaf of some sort. I heard a quiet 'squee' as I watched the shadow slowly vaporize.

I need to learn that trick.

He was also nice enough to drop Hannah and I off at the Faerie Princess' place. I offered to throw some money towards the fare but Cyber insisted he had it.

"I got it covered. Make sure she stays safe, alright?" he asked me, the girl fast asleep in his arms.

"Will do. Get her home, call me when you figure something out and get some sleep. You look awful." I noted playfully as I hefted Hannah up over my shoulder.

After a laborious time getting her up the stairs and fishing for her keys while trying not to drop her, I got Hannah and I into her apartment, laying her down before drawing her a warm bath. She somehow wasn't frostbitten despite the change from earlier, and Cyber hadn't noticed anything bad, but hypothermia was still a concern, especially as whatever force that had been channeled through her wasn't there anymore.

At the time, while being swarmed by evil shadow things, it was a relief. After the fact? I was more than a bit worried. At least she was still murmuring as I warmed her back up - though I still don't understand a word of Gaelic.

After ensuring Hannah was warm, in dry clothes, had a pulse, and was tucked into bed. I laid down on her couch, mulling things over. Pretty much nothing made sense about the night - for example why would those cultists abandon their ritual so easily? That was a lot of energy drawn up to simply let it go to waste. Considering all the muscle they had, they could have put more energy into preventing us getting up there in the first place.

And what in the hell was the deal with that cabbie? Happenstance, or something else? The fact he didn't bat an eye as he were conducting an exorcism in the back of his van was a new one to me.

Apparently, while I was laying down, I had dozed off. The next thing I realized, it was late morning, and someone sitting down next to me on the couch, patting me on the head. I opened an eye drowsily to see Hannah sitting there in the robe I had put her in.

So next time I tell you to get out more often, remind me of last night and tell me where I can go stick it . . ."

I have been watching this thread with some interest.

This thread compelled me to add my own insights.

I too was lured to a ritual in order to intervene. There was also a young sacrifice compelled to take his own life. There were also shadowy creatures and armor clad defenders. All of this was concealed by the smoke screen of a costume party.

Only I failed to prevent it.

And I was on the west coast at the time.

I saw something else though. The intended sacrifice as indicated above was male. And after he died, he stood up and looked about the room with a satisfied smile.

You have done well my Darklings. Across this world, on this the darkest of nights, only one ritual group failed to deliver the power required to summon me but that was planned for. As the herald, I will prepare you and this world for the coming Darkness.

Then he looked right where I was hiding. We have a child of light amongst us. One who does not wear the rainment of darkness. Bring him to me.

Suffice it to say that I did manage to escape and I have been recuperating ever since.

I am sorry that I had to bear this news to you.