Siren Song

[Leo N. Eskandari]

"It sounds like you're being indecisive as always, Mr. Eskanderi. Part of having one's freedom means making your own choices. I will not let anyone make my choices ever again, But if you can't, I can GIVE you purpose. Tell me, Mr. Eskanderi. What is it you desire?"

"I want to be able to see my human family again, and for them to accept me as I truly am," he found himself admitting, her command focusing his attention inward. "I want to be able to defy my nature and choose a path that doesn't lead to ruin. And... Okay, fine! I do want to hurt someone! I want to find those responsible for summoning the spirit of Urgamanu into the body of a defenseless child and make them pay the price!"

[Katarina Kane]

Katarina tilted her head to one side, looking Leo up and down.

"Well, we'll need to do something about that hair," she decided after a moment. "And I've always thought your breath could use with a mint or twelve. But if we want to clean you up for Mom and Dad and Billy and Suzie and Fido, I suppose we have something to work with. And if Mr. Eskandari can't figure out when and how to let Urgamanu out to play, then perhaps that needs a woman's touch to keep both of you properly in line. After all, we can't have you just going out and hurting people, can we now?

Behind me, Mr. Eskandari. You may stand with Doug, for now. We shall reunite you with your family, but they are not here right now, and we have more...pressing concerns at the moment.

She then turned to Ryn.

"Ryn...this is the side of me you always wanted, right? While the others tried to contain me and trap me and cage me, you always wanted the Siren to come out. Well. I am out now! This is what you always wanted me to be."

[Samantha McManus]

"Stop me if you've heard this one," one of the Sams says as she's dragged back by vines.

"...but it's not a zero-sum situation," another continues.

[Miriam Bell]

If the vines drag them close enough, Miriam reached out and latches on to whichever Sam is closest directly, seeking to wrap her arms around her, all while keeping her head turned away in... shame? Embarrassment? She's not really sure herself.

[Erynies Adrasteia]

"It's true." she says and takes a step closer to Katarina. "I always wanted you to be yourself." she goes on, hoping for Katarina to lower herself down at least a little so she's not towering over the deva.

"But this isn't you." she adds as she leaps for the Orb and tries to grab on to it. "You're still letting something else control you!"

[Katarina Kane]

"Stop me if you've heard this one," one of the Sams says as she's dragged back by vines.

"...but it's not a zero-sum situation," another continues.

"Maybe that's how it works in the sunshine-and-lollipops world where you come from, but here? You give an inch and they take a mile."

It's true." she says and takes a step closer to Katarina. "I always wanted you to be yourself." she goes on, hoping for Katarina to lower herself down at least a little so she's not towering over the deva.

"But this isn't you." she adds as she leaps for the Orb and tries to grab on to it. "You're still letting something else control you!"

Katarina, notably, did not lower herself down. And raised the Orb so Ryn couldn't grab it.

"Maybe this is me. This is the me they were all afraid of. This is the me that they tried to hide, to squash. This is the me they wanted you to kill."

[Erynies Adrasteia]

"It's the you that you asked me to excise. The part we sought to change."

"This isn't what you wanted. It will poison your soul and then I will have to kill you. I don't want that."

[Leo N. Eskandari]

Addled as his human side was by the promise of a family reunion and a purpose, the side that was Urgamanu knew that Katarina was making an enemy equally worthy of exacting vengeance upon her. Her control over his human half wouldn't be enough to save her once he had regained enough strength to break his new chains.

Said human half distantly felt the need to resist and reclaim his will, but his longing for connection was too strong. So he merely watched, waiting for her influence to slip.

[Samantha McManus]

"Oh aye, what would I know?" The redheaded one quips from Miriam's embrace.

"Every once in awhile, humans get the idea to build giant robots to round us up."

"We've got it pretty easy."

[Katarina Kane]

"It's the you that you asked me to excise. The part we sought to change."

"This isn't what you wanted. It will poison your soul and then I will have to kill you. I don't want that."

"But it's also the part you wanted to cultivate. The part you encouraged me to explore. I came in and I saved you in the mall, and it felt good. It felt right. It felt like that was who I was born to be.

"Oh aye, what would I know?" The redheaded one quips from Miriam's embrace.

"Every once in awhile, humans get the idea to build giant robots to round us up."

"We've got it pretty easy."

"And would you then advise to just let the robot-builders have their way? To roll over and let them decide what to do with you? Or do you stand up for yourself, with your gifts?"

[Toshiro Narumi]

"Of course we stand up for ourselves. But that don't mean tryin' to dominate humanity. I reckon that would make us just as bad," Ennio supplied.

[Erynies Adrasteia]

Ryn looks genuinely torn.

"They're right. The Land and Sky obey your commands. This is how you become a God, alluring and free as the Sea and I will forever give chase, pulling at you from the pale moon. They will tell stories of our dance, always longing, never touching."

[Katarina Kane]

"Of course we stand up for ourselves. But that don't mean tryin' to dominate humanity. I reckon that would make us just as bad," Ennio supplied.

"If 'humanity' would leave well enough alone, we'd be having a different conversation. And yet, here we all are, are we not? The special forces of two worlds after me, with murder in their hearts? I am no god. I just want to ensure that I never again will have to lick the mud from anyone's boots."

"They're right. The Land and Sky obey your commands. This is how you become a God, alluring and free as the Sea and I will forever give chase, pulling at you from the pale moon. They will tell stories of our dance, always longing, never touching."

"There's no need to be so melodramatic," said the siren hovering two feet above the ground holding a magical wish-giving orb while fighting with mutants and secret agents.

[Erynies Adrasteia]

"Morrigan, I know you can see it too. Show her! The shining light of the setting sun on the ocean shimmering like scales, luring the ones with stars glimmering in their eyes to her shores. The inevitable night chasing after her, devouring the ruin and misery sprung from desperate dreams. How do you think Gods are trapped in the firmament or cast into Hades? This is how, Katarina! Moments like this when a single seed takes root in your stomach or a moment of weakness turns single glance back seals unbreakable fate."

[Samantha McManus]

All the Sams frown in unison as Katarina brushes Ryn off.

"You were willing to move heaven and earth for her."

"To defy every law of man or god."

"And now you dismiss her that easily."

[Katarina Kane]

All the Sams frown in unison as Katarina brushes Ryn off.

"You were willing to move heaven and earth for her."

"To defy every law of man or god."

"And now you dismiss her that easily."

"She's worried over nothing. I can make things right, can't you see? With control, I can protect her and me. She's worried, because she doesn't understand what I can do now."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"And when she does something you don't like, will ya control her too? That ain't love."

[Katarina Kane]

"She wouldn't hurt me. She's shown that. She's shown she's willing to fight gods for me. To change the world for me. No one else has ever done that. They slap me in fatigues or strap me in irons, force me onto my knees or onto my back. She's the first to ask me what I want and then break heaven and Earth to make it happen."

[Leo N. Eskandari]

In Leo's head, the increasing divide between the desires of his two sides was beginning to wear on him. It started as a headache, but now he had begun to feel as if his humanity was cracking. To save them both, Urgamanu took just enough control to clench their fist, piercing their palm with their claws. Though Katarina was too powerful to ignore, the pain gave Leo enough clarity to once again try to go around her influence as much as the others were.

Still next to 'Doug,' Leo said, "Yet you actively ignore what she wants."

[Erynies Adrasteia]

"Katarina. Look at me." she says, then realizes something and closes her empty eyes tightly for a moment. When she looks back up she has regular human eyes. Brilliant ice-blue but perfectly normal. She holds out her hand once more.

"Whether in chase across the heavens or driving your car with the wind in our hair. We'll do as we please. Together."

[Katarina Kane]

Still next to 'Doug,' Leo said, "Yet you actively ignore what she wants."

"I'll defer to her expertise when it comes to hunting game and fighting beasts mankind has no name for. And when I'm fully free, I can show her what I can do, and make her understand."

"Katarina. Look at me." she says, then realizes something and closes her empty eyes tightly for a moment. When she looks back up she has regular human eyes. Brilliant ice-blue but perfectly normal. She holds out her hand once more.

"Whether in chase across the heavens or driving your car with the wind in our hair. We'll do as we please. Together."

"Yes. Yes we will. And no one will ever hurt us again." She reached down to take Ryn's hand. "I'll find our happy ending, no matter what anyone else says."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"As they say, all you need is love. No magic required," Tosh responded, having shifted back. "And maybe a fresh start, away from those that caused you to feel powerless."

[Erynies Adrasteia]

Ryn slips her hand into Katarina's and with a swift step on the air she's up by the siren's side. Rather than try to grab the orb she slowly spins Katarina in the air and catches her waist in her arm as music swells in the air. Holding it or not, Ryn's wish is still woven through the wind. Her voice is quiet but soon resonates with the rain-filled air.

♪♫"Nobody can tell you
Their path is the one worth heeding.
They will try to stop you
Cause it hangs them up, so see someone like youuu..."♪♫

♪♫"But you've gotta
Make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music
Even if nobody else sings along!"♪♫

♪♫"No matter your power,
They'll always try to control you
It may be rough goin'
Just to do your thing's the hardest thing to doooo..."♪♫

[Wyll Wyldclay]

Will Wyldclay, covered in scratches and bleeding quite heavily from the face, their suit torn and shredded off of their chest, propped themselves up on a rock, lifting the mangled collar triumphantly in one hand. The music kept going, but transitioned -- a medley? To end a big show? Unheard of.

♪♫"Just because someone says it's impossible
Doesn't mean that it is true
When someone tells you you've got a limit,
You've just got to break it through!

You've gotta let your freak flag fly
You've gotta raise it the sky!

You've got to...make your own kind of music
Break out of your fuckin' shell
Rely on your own sense and wisdom
And not dance to the tune of some magic spell!♪♫

[Leo N. Eskandari]

Leo, too, found his voice in lyrics yet to be written.

♪♫"Even when you've paid enough
Been pulled apart
Or been held up
Every single memory of
The good or bad, faces of love
Don't lose any sleep tonight
I'm sure everything will end up alright
You may win or lose

But... you've gotta
Make your own kind of music
Find the keys to your soul
Make your own kind of music
Even if they call you monster"♫♪

[Miriam Bell]

Katarina might have only planted the idea of clinging on to people in Miriam's head, but she's twisted it around so much she's using it as the reason for wallowing in her literal pit. Like many of her problems, it's almost entirely self-inflicted. Still, as she's holding on to Sam the swamp and it's vegetation relents and she sings...

♪♫"I don't know what is real
I can touch what I feel
And I hide behind the shield of my illusion.
So my fantasy becomes reality,
And I must be what I must be and face tomorrow."♪♫

♪♫"Sooo I'll continue to continue...
To pretend...
My life... will never end...
And flowers never bend with the rainfall."♪♫

[Samantha McManus]

As the vines started to slacken, Sam began to sing with Miriam.

♪♫"The mirror by our bed,
Cast an image fierce and red,
Then Ryn hit it with her head without reflection.
I am blinded by the light,
Of Goddess, War and Might,
But a fight is still a fight upon dissection."♪♫

♪♫"Sooo I'll continue to continue...
To pretend...
Your life... will never end...
And flowers never bend with the rainfall."♪♫

[Will Stanton]

A tickle, deep inside Miriam's ear, began to resolve slowly into slurred words, and then whispers.

♪♫N....no matter if you're born
A...as Ph-ph-phantom Queen or pawn
Or a m-m-muse who divides the line 'twixt joy and sorrow
It is n-n-n-never set in stone
That you have to be alone
And you'll continue to be shown that feelings can grown

Soooo, there's no reason to pretend
That our thing will ever end
The impossible will tend, to be at our call...♪♫

[Katarina Kane]

Katarina looked 'round, as the songs continued to twist and intermingle.

"What's happening here?

Once again, the spotlight bright,
Songs that soar and take us high
Here them now; the people's call
Changing me; I wonder why..." b she sang, looking around.

[Will Stanton]

Will Wyldclay, covered in scratches and bleeding quite heavily from the face, their suit torn and shredded off of their chest, propped themselves up on a rock, lifting the mangled collar triumphantly in one hand. The music kept going, but transitioned -- a medley? To end a big show? Unheard of.

♪♫"Just because someone says it's impossible
Doesn't mean that it is true
When someone tells you you've got a limit,
You've just got to break it through!

You've gotta let your freak flag fly
You've gotta raise it the sky!

You've got to...make your own kind of music
Break out of your fuckin' shell
Rely on your own sense and wisdom
And not dance to the tune of some magic spell!♪♫

Will, meanwhile, now back in human form, also climbed over the ridge, and placed one hand on the Wyldclay's shoulder, if only to keep himself upright.

Just dream of better lives; the kind which never hate
Trapped in the state of imaginary grace.
We made a pilgrimage to see what could be replaced
Never comprehending a familiar face would be on side.

I'll bridge our worlds; I'll melt with you.
We may have differences
But we're getting closer, all the time.
There's nothing you and I can't do
I'll stop the world and melt with you!

[Toshiro Narumi]

Tosh was at a loss.

♪♫"And Iiii
Am also heeere!
With nothing to add!♪♫

[Samantha McManus]

Sam continues to sing.

♪♫"There's nothing you can do that can't be done,
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung,
Nothing you can say, but you can learn how to play the game..."♪♫

[Erynies Adrasteia]

♪♫"I'll never tell you one lie, I'll never let you down.
I'll never leave, I'll be the one who'll always be around."♪♫

"Let me just stay in contro~ol..."

♪♫"I'd pull the sun down from the sky to light your darkest night.
I wouldn't let one drop of rain fall down into your life."♪♫

So please stop risking your sou~oul"♪♫

With one arm still around her waist Ryn take's Katarina's other hand into her own so both of them are holding on to the orb between them as she leads Katarina into a dance, their feet moving on air.

♪♫"If you don't stop this, it will never let us go,
Cause you're the only one that I listen to.
Go let them say that I'm a fool to act this way,
'Cause if I'm crazy, I'm just crazy 'bout you!"♪♫

♪♫"I'd fall for you and that's the truth!
Do anything you ask me to!
I even broke my oath for you, I'd do it all for you.
If you just believe in me!"♪♫

♪♫"Just take a look in my eyes you'll see a curse unwind
Just take a hold of my hand, I'll make sure we'll be alright."♪♫

"Ain't a star that's too far."

As the two are dancing the rain stops and a bright moon shines across the desert, framing the two in silhouette. For a moment the whole world feels like it pulls in tightly around them, the moon larger, the mountains around them seeming to pull in closer

♪♫"Your every wish will be a wish that I will make come true.
And if you want the moon I swear I'll bring it down for you!

[Both] Choose to play our own pa~art."♪♫

♪♫"If you don't stop this, it will never let us go,
Cause you're the only one that I listen to.
Go let them say that I'm a fool to act this way,
'Cause if I'm crazy, I'm just crazy 'bout you!"♪♫

♪♫"I'd lie for you and that's the truth!
Do anything you ask me to!
I even broke my oath for you, I'd do it all for you.
If you just believe in me!"♪♫

♪♫"I'd lie for you and that's the truth
Move mountains if you want me to!
I'll walk across the fire for you, I'll walk on the wild for you.
If you just believe in me!"♪♫

And with the line still ringing Ryn's grip on the Orb tightens...

[Will Stanton]

Sam continues to sing.

♪♫"There's nothing you can do that can't be done,
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung,
Nothing you can say, but you can learn how to play the game..."♪♫

♪♫"It's easy. All you need is love...
All you need is love...
All you need is love, love..."♪♫

[Katarina Kane]

♪♫"If I just believe...

Is this home? Am I here a day or for forever?
Wide and free in the world 'till who knows when?
Oh but then, as my life has been altered once, it can change again...
Break all the walls around me, shatter every lock and key
Nothing lasts forever, nothing can hold all of me...

"Now that I’ve got you, I ain’t ever gonna let you go!
No escaping from the demon in your radio!"♪♫

Katarina's grip on the Orb tightened as well...

[Samantha McManus]

♪♫"Nothing you can make that can't be made,
No one you can save that can't be saved,
Nothing you can do, but you can learn how to be you in time..."♪♫

[Wyll Wyldclay]

♪♫"Nothing you can make that can't be made,
No one you can save that can't be saved,
Nothing you can do, but you can learn how to be you in time..."♪♫

"She loves you! Yeah, yeah, yeah... the Wyldclay sung, dismissively.

[Narrator]

The immaculate surface of the orb suddenly cracks and with it the world shudders for a moment. And with Katarina and Ryn's hands meeting it bursts into millions of tiny sparks that are scattered for miles before slowly floating down towards the ground, dimming until they wink out of existence entirely.

[Katarina Kane]

Katarina gasped as the orb broke, as did her sudden wicked case of defying gravity.

She fell the two feet down the ground, awkwardly landing on her side.

Her scales shrunk a little further back -- not entirely gone, but maybe a little less evil queen chic, as she lay there.

[Erynies Adrasteia]

Or she would have. Weakened or not, Ryn's reflexes are immaculate and she manages to land on her feet, only sliding into half a kneel when she catches Katarina in a bridal carry. The cocky grin probably isn't necessary though.