"Nuh uh."

Madrid looked down at Vally, amused as the little girl stared up at her, a petulant look on her face. Vally was dressed in a pair of jeans, a black and pink shirt, a pair of little shoes in one hand, a Nerf baseball bat in the other, the special bear strapped to her back.

"Is that so?" Madrid asked.

Vally nodded. "Yup." She made to race forward, only for Madrid to stop her. "Mama!" She whined.

"You are not coming."

Vally shook her head. "Yes I am! Daddy needs me!"

Madrid knelt down. "Yes he does…daddy needs you safe, not fighting the Seven Horns."

The toddler glared at her mother. "I'm strongest! Fastest! Bestest! I'm Supergirl!"

Madrid smiled. "That you are…but daddy would never forgive us if you went. He would want you to stay here with grandma and grandpa."

Vally crossed her arms in annoyance. "Daddy's a poop head."

"Vally…" Madrid warned.

Vally sighed. "Fine." She set the baseball bat down. "Not fair though."

"I know."

"We all set?" Tina asked, poking her head into Vally's room. "The planes are waiting."

Madrid nodded, giving Vally a quick hug. "Daddy and I will be home real quick, pumpkin." She kissed her daughter's forehead, then turned to Tina. "Lets go."

^&^&^&^

Carter groaned. He could feel a drop of blood inching its way slowly down his forehead and onto his nose. It would have been annoying, if not for the fact that about a million other drops of blood were doing the same thing.

The spikes still tore into his wrists, the rough wood tearing into his back. His bare chest was covered in slashes and burns. His jeans, the only pieces of clothing he had left, were coated in body fluid, stained and stiffed.

"Aren't you just a wonderful image of Christianity?"

Carter glared at her. "I never said I was a messiah…so the whole crucifying me thing…all your sick joke."

Marie shrugged. "More like Joseph. The man has a twisted view of the world…I see that as well as you." Marie took a folding chair, one Joseph had enjoyed using to beat Carter with, and sat down in front of him, legs crossed and looking to all the world as if she were in a business meeting. "It should not be this way, you know, you and me at arms."

Carter raised an eyebrow. "is that a fact?

"We are the same person, Carter Daniels, just on different parts of the path. You lay at the beginning, filled with vigor and hope and delusion. I lay at the end, seeing the world and God for what they truly are."

The young man just stared at her. "Joseph hit me harder than I thought."

"I wonder…who was it that named you the Metatron, the Voice of God? Was it the Lord Himself?"

Carter shook his head. "A messenger…you should know that I died and was resurrected."

Marie nodded. "Yes, that. Are you sure it was God's doing? The Company brought Noah Bennet back…Valencia brought your wife back…"

Carter shook his head. "I saw Heaven, Marie. I witnessed its glory."

She smiled mockingly. "And now you don't get to see it again…immortal."

"To live is a greater gift than Heaven." Carter stated. "Something so few understand. And as I told Joseph, Heaven can be worse than Hell."

Marie smiled. "How strange…my son was once the man who prayed to God and you used your newspaper to attack him. Now, he lives in sin with that whore, Biddy, and you are a servant to the almighty." She chuckled. "Sadly for you, you chose the wrong side."

"is that so?"

Marie nodded. "But of course…you see Carter Daniels…" She leaned in close. "You are not the first Metatron."

^&^&^&^

"She's pouting." Vic muttered, sitting down next to Renee and Charlie. Of the group, it had been decided that Renee, Charlie, Vic and Helena would stay behind to guard Vally with about 12 of the Alliance's elite guards. They had tried to convince Ellie, but the Malcolm's blushing bride had calmly stated that where her husband went she went, and if that meant war, so be it.

However, it seemed that they weren't protecting Vally as they were trying to pacify her The toddler was enraged that she wasn't allowed to go save her daddy, and she was letting everyone know. When Madrid had gotten ready to leave, turning one last time to wave bye to Vally, she had found the little girl had grabbed every pot in the kitchen as was banging on them as hard as she could with the baseball bat she had snatched earlier. This had gone on for an hour before Vally had decided a new tactic.

For, in Vally's world, Dora the Explorer was torture.

Thus why the TV had been blaring it for hours, the strains of "Swiper no swiping!' echoing in the rooms.

Finally though, even Vally had grown sick of this and turned the TV off, moving to sulk in her room, though they could hear her stomping on the floor every once and a while.

"We should drop her down on Marie." Renee muttered. "But then, that might be too cruel to the Seven Horns."

^&^&^&^

Carter stared at Marie, trying to figure out what her game was.

"It is no game." She stated, knowing what he must be thinking. "Before you were but a twinkle in your father's eye, there was me, your predecessor, the first Metatron."

Carter glared at her. "Liar."

Marie steepled her fingers. "Oh, I very much doubt that." She leaned forward. "You don't know much about me, do you, Mr. Daniels? Allow me to inform you of what I have witnessed, of why I know God cares little for those He chooses.

"I was born in 1961. My family was of a middle house within the Alliance, not as powerful as the Delpines or yours, but still strong enough to warrant us some privilege. My parents were loyal to the cause, and gave me all I could want or ask.

"It was when I was in my late teens that my abilities began to appear. They developed much like yours, first with needing to speak an emotion, then growing stronger and broader. Though, I will admit, I never did get those fascinating flames that you so do love to wield." She paused, watching as Carter's power-blocking collar sparked. "Trying to flame up now?"

Carter struggled against his bonds. "Oh, if I only could…"

"But you can't, silly boy, and that makes all the difference." Marie paused, trying to remember where she was with her story. "Ah, yes, my power. I had begun to develop my ability when I was approached by…him."

^&^&^&^

(1978)

Marie O'Donald narrowed her eyes, focusing on the man standing on the street corner below. A grin spread across her lips as he fell to his knees, clutching his head.

"Quite impressive."

Marie turned, startled by the sudden appearance of an old man, dressed in dark robes, his withered bearing a blue dragon tattoo, the Chinese serpent dragon curling around his right cheek and down his neck.

The teen held up her hand, ready to force him to his knees, but the man merely wagged his finger.

"Not nice to do that, when I come bearing gifts."

"Sorry, freaky, but I am in no mood for your 'gifts'." She turned to leave.

"God has chosen you."

Marie paused. "Excuse me?"

"You have the ability to strike down the wicked and the corrupt…God has need of this ability." The man held out his hands. "I have been tasked to gather together 7 to stand against the darkness of this world, to reform it. And you…my dear…I wish to lead these 7."

Marie frowned. "And why should I?"

"Because you will be rewarded. All shall know your name…Marie, the Voice of God, the Metatron."

Marie considered this. Power…fame…it was what she had always wanted, to move up within the Alliance, to gather the envy of others…

"And who are you to offer this…?"

The man smiled, his teeth yellowed and sharp. "They call me…Drago."

^&^&^&^

(Present Day)

"This…Drago…you believed him?"

"You believed Seth when he stated your cause." Marie countered. She leaned back, amused. "When you are the one on a holy mission, it makes sense, but for all others it is lies, hmm?"

Carter rolled his eyes. "I died…a guy with a tattoo talked to you. Differences."

"So says you." Marie stated. "As I said…we are much alike, Carter. We both can make the mind dance and twirl with a twitch of our fingers, we have both been tasked to save the world…and like you, I gathered allies…"

^&^&^&^

(1978)

A blast of fire flew through the air, signaling that they should stop. Marie looked up from where she lay, having just taken a hard jab from Flint, to where Drago stood. At his side was an aloft, dark young man, watching them as they fell into line.

"Fresh meat." Roddrick whispered.

"Allow me to introduce your newest member. His name is Lorenzo Bast." Drago glanced over at the young man. Lorenzo gave him a bored look. "Give him the proper welcome."

Flint grinned, cracking his fists. The cement below them shattered and flew as the earth rose up, forming a crud fist.

Lorenzo flipped his hand slightly, Marie watching as a swarm of flies burst into the room. They covered the three of them, buzzing and twitcihing. Flint and Roddrick turned their powers towards the bugs, deserpate to get them off.

"They ain't so…" Lorenzo began, only to pause when the flies surrounding Marie fell to the ground, dead.

Marie raised an eyebrow. "I killed them…" She held up a hand, forcing Lorenzo to his knees. "I hope your mind is stronger."

"Enough!" Drago roared, grabbing her wrist and nearly breaking it. "I said a proper welcome…not to kill him."

Marie glared at him, rubbing her bruised wrist. "As you wish."

^&^&^&^

"And…much like you…I found love."

^&^&^&^

(1979)

"Is this how you greet all the new arrivals?"

Marie smirked, taking a drag off her cigarette. The blankets were twisted around her nude form, damp with sweat. Her eyes were heavy, her body lax and calm.

"Yes." She stated, letting loose a stream of smoke. "So don't think this means anything." She paused, savoring the moment. "Please get the hell out of m bed."

The man nodded, grabbing his jeans. "I assume I shouldn't ask if we can do this again?"

"Damn straight." Marie stated. She turned her head as he slipped on his jeans. "I didn't catch your name."

"Merrick." The man said. "Merrick Delpine."

^&^&^&^

Marie puckered her lips in disgust. "For years, I trained with Drago and the other 6 he selected to fight. He told us at first we would be servants of God…that we would be stronger than God. But I saw through his lies…saw what this power had cost me. My freedom, my childhood…God stole it from me. And then, what did I get in return? A lifetime of servitude, that is what! Drago demanded us to be his slaves, so that he would be able to wipe out the wicked. I gave up m family, my friends, what should have been my happiest times, just for that?

"God's price is too high, Carter Daniels. You will learn that soon enough. You will see that the MorningStar was right…better to rule in Hell than serve in Heaven." Marie scoffed. "I struck down Drago…and I took the 7 Horns as my own. I do not do God's work…I do my own. It is the only way to see that all I love is saved."

"Hahahahaha."

Marie looked up, disturbed as Carter began to laugh darkly, his eyes filled with malice.

"What do you find oh so amusing, Carter? Is it that you finally see what awaits you and how you should remove yourself from this foolish notion that you serve a caring God?"

"No." Carter whispered, looking up at her. "I'm laughing because I see something funny. And that something is you. God never chose you, why would he? You never were committed to the mission, you just wanted power and fame." He smiled, licking his teeth. "You were had, Marie. Had by a con man. And you know it. Its easier though, to deny it, but you know…I think you even enjoy it. Because it gives you an excuse to do evil, to be selfish. And now, with your husband dead, your son hating you, and the Alliance at your door with swords drawn, you can't dare blame yourself…you blame God.

"God had nothing to do with this. You were a fool from the start, allowing yourself to go down this path. Only you are to blame for what has happened. So stop giving me a pity party, because you don't have much time left on this Earth." Carter closed his eyes, still grinning like a mad man. "My friends are coming, Marie. Malcolm Grant is leading them hear."

Marie raised an eyebrow. She was enraged that Carter was blowing off her trauma so flippantly, but she was more disturbed by his belief that he would be saved.

They had made it clear that was impossible.

"And how will me find us?" Marie asked. "Have I not told you already of the dampers Adriana placed around this building, blocking us from all in the world. Mindreaders, trackers…not even your lesbian whore Kelly Raegan or your annoying brat Valencia could find us."

Carter nodded. "Yes, you did explain all you did to block us from my friends powers…tell me Marie…what are you using to block the chip?"

"…what chip?"

"The tracking chip in my shoulder…the one Malcolm put in me." Carter said with a grin.

Marie's eyes widened as she raced over, horror growing in her heart as she saw the very slightly raised patch of skin on Carter's shoulder. Pulling out a knife, Carter hissed as she sliced his skin open, pulling out the small tracking device, no different than one a person would put in their dog if they feared the pup running away.

"Don't you get it, Marie?" Carter asked. "You've been conned again!" He reared back his head, laughing hysterically. "You idiot! All this torture…all this abuse…I knew it was coming! Malcolm saw it! I planned this! From the moment I walked into Adriana's mansion, I knew what was coming!" His voice grew fevered, his power-blocking collar letting out a rain of sparks as it struggled to hold his powers in check. "I let you capture me!"

EEEE-EEEE-EEEE

Marie looked up as the alarms sounded all over the stronghold.

Carter laughed. "They've come …"

"Marie!" Lorenzo's voice called out as he rushed past the room. "We're under attack!"

^&^&^&^

Malcolm Grant stared at the stronghold in disgust.

"Give the word, luv."

Madrid nodded, holding up the Kensei blade. "FIRE!"

Linda nodded as Marie's own personal troops swarmed out of the stronghold. Her troops, all energy and elemental projectors, let loose their powers.

Helena smiled as the backed into Vally's room, the tray of food held firmly in her hands. "Vally, I made sandwiches…" She turned around…and the tray slipped from her fingers. She stared in horror at the shattered window, the ripped open dresser drawers, the absence of the special bear. "VIC!"

^&^&^&^

The boom filled the mountain air as the sound barrier was shattered.

Just above the two armies, a being made of red energy slowed down, stopping to stare down at the stronghold from her position.

"Daddy." Vally whispered, voice sounding much like Eden's. She was dressed all in black, the special bear strapped to her back, a heavy metal baseball bat replacing the nerf one she had held earlier. Her eyes narrowed as she watched the battle, body tensing before she rocketed towards the battleground, whammy flames glow hotter than the sun.

^&^&^&^

The Time Has Come

(We see Madrid giving the order to fire)

The Two Part Season Finale of Elsewhere is Here.

(Joseph stands on a balcony, watching the battle rage)

The Alliance vs. The Seven Horns

(We see Kelly and Tina back to back, firing at Marie's agents)

Good Will Battle Evil

(Malcolm and Madrid race towards the stronghold)

And The World Will Know Fear

(We see Marie smile as she holds out her hand, behind her we see Carter hung up for all to see)

ELSEWHERE

Fugitives

Chapter 71- I AM SYLAR: April 20th

Chapter 72- THE INVISIBLE THREAD: April 27th

Will you be there…when everything changes?