Resolution 3
By the time Helen reached Rome, she was livid with her so called friends, no matter what had happened she was still the head of the sanctuary network, even though it was in disarray and would need rebuilding.
Arriving at the Rome sanctuary, Helen was met by Antonio who was polite but blunt with his words 'I am sorry for my men's over enthusiastic manner, but she resisted they had no choice, but I have given them harsh words for the treatment given to you, I hope you have no lasting effects' 'a headache that still lingers'
He led her into his office, a smaller version of the one Magnus had back home, he offered her his chair, politely declining she sat opposite 'where's Ashley!' She asked 'Ashley is to face the sanctuary council, she must stand and accept the punishment for what she has done'. 'Ashley wasn't responsible for her actions, the cabal altered her,she had no hand in what she was doing'. 'If it was up to me Helen, I would have allowed you to take control of your daughter, how ever the council overruled my objections and sent my men' 'Where is she' 'The council have her in the catacombs' 'I need to see her' 'Im sorry, the council has ordered that no one must speak with her until they have heard all of the testimonies' 'Im not letting this happen Antonio. Ashley is my daughter and I'm taking her home' 'Please Helen, don't go against the council, they have made their minds up' Helen stood. 'Im still the head of this organisation' she said 'I still have the last say' she added before storming off
Helen stood outside the Trevi fountain, she couldn't help smile as around her the romantic setting, brought out the best in the tourists visiting the iconic site. 'Ever wonder if the wishes come true' a voice amongst the crowd said Helen turned to see the handsome figure walking toward her 'Carlos' Helen said 'it's been a while' 'four years in fact' he said 'I was so pleased to hear you had escaped unscathed, I was also so sorry to hear about Ashley, she was a wonderful, beautiful woman' 'Ashley is still alive, the council have her in the catacombs, they are planning on putting her on trial for her actions, I can not allow this to take place. That's why I called, I need you help to get Into the catacombs under the sanctuary' 'impossible' he said shaking his head 'it is too heavily fortified' 'You forget I designed the sanctuaries I know their weakness, their back doors' 'and you need me why' 'I just need someone to hold the door open'
In the catacomb under the Rome sanctuary, Ashley sat in the small cell, outside two men heavily armed, kept guard. She knew that everyone held her responsible for what had happened, some more than others, she also realised that her own mother, although determined to make her the person she once was, could not help her this time, resigned to her fate, she wished she had one last chance to speak with her mother, to say goodbye.
The two men came into the cell and escorted her to the centre of the round chamber, before her the heads of the European and Asia sanctuaries were ready to judge her. 'Ashley Magnus, you stand before these people, charged with the destruction of the Tokyo sanctuary, it's occupants and the murder of several sanctuary personal including Clara griffin' the leader of the Athens sanctuary said 'we have discussed what fitting punishment should be administered' 'Not all of us agreed' the woman said 'some wanted the ultimate punishment, however in respect of your mother we have decided to' 'Wait!' Helen shouted as she entered 'Dr Magnus, you are not invited here' 'I beg to differ,all of this is my life's work,she is my daughter, she leaves with me' 'Helen, please, Ashley has killed abnormals,we have all lost friends' the head of the Athens sanctuary said 'This is why you were excluded from this tribunal,you are too close, too conflicted' the leader of the Singapore house said 'Ashley was acting under duress, the cabal controlled her mind, brought out the dormant abilities she inherited from myself and her father' Helen said 'John Druitt' the woman said 'a mass murderer, not the ideal person for Ashley to be compared too' Helen glared at the woman,well aware of john's previous nature 'yes. I agree john was one of the most dangerous men in British history, a man responsible for murdering women, but Ashley did not inherit those tendencies, at the end Ashley saved me and would have sacrificed herself for the sanctuary she knew so well' 'mom. It's alright' Ashley said with sad eyes 'no it's not' Magnus said with a slight smile 'I'm not losing you again' 'Dr Magnus' the new Japanese sanctuary house leader spoke 'as much as we appreciate everything you have done, you can not be a part of this' Ashley stepped forward. 'my mother is only protecting me, I know my actions have caused a lot of suffering to this network, to some of you personally, I will accept any punishment you deem fit' Ashley said taking hold of her mothers hand, Magnus smiled. 'Ashley. Please no' Ashley smiled 'mom, it's ok I know what needs to be done'
The head of the Milan sanctuary spoke 'Ashley Magnus, you have agreed to accept any punishment this tribunal deems necessary for your actions,because of your mothers previous actions, her devotion to the sanctuary and to her daughter, we have decided to administer the only punishment we feel correct for this crime, you will undertake the ultra program, your memories of us, the sanctuary and the cabal will be wiped, you will not remember any of this and you will be given a new life outside' Helen looked shocked the fact that her daughter would no longer remember her was heartbreaking. Nn 'Ashley, I can't let them'. Ashley interrupted 'it's what I want, to be normal again, even if it means I don't get to see you again, I will still have you in my heart, love you mom' the two embraced as the guards escorted Ashley out.
Helen stood in the medical room as Ashley in the next room was prepared for the treatment, tears slowly fell as Ashley took one last look at her mother, she smiled, Helen blew her a kiss mouthing 'love you darling' Ashley mouthed her response 'love you too mom' As Ashley slipped into unconsciousness, Helen full of emotion walked away, her heart breaking.
A few days later, outside the Rome university, Helen sat in the 4x4 watching as the students arrived for the morning classes her phone rang for attention. 'Magnus' Henry's voice came on 'hey Magnus,Will and I were wondering when you were coming home, we've got this problem, we can't' 'Im on tonight's flight' she said as she spotted the group of girls arrive 'I will fill you in on everything as soon as I'm home' she said cutting the call, as Ashley laughing and joking appeared with the new friends, Helen smiled as her daughter looked so happy with her new friends, no matter how she felt, she was certain this was the best, Ashley could at last have the life she had always wanted for her, one with out the fighting, the danger. Helen, with a tear in her eye spoke quietly. 'goodbye darling'
As the 4x4 pulled away from the curb, passing Ashley and her new friends, Ashley turned, watching the 4x4 driving into the distance. she smiled.
The end.