New Blood

New Blood
Chapter 14: To Bond or to Drift

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X-Industrial Tower – War Room

After numerous scouting runs and exhaustive research, Remy and Ororo were finally ready to formulate a plan. They compiled every report they put together and combined them with various plans and blueprints provided to them by Sage. Some of these materials weren’t easy to come by. Fisk was notorious for leaving no loose ends. He made sure there were no blueprints, schematics, or floor plans available to the public. It was technically illegal, but with him that was rarely a problem. Sage had to hack much of this information from secure, offshore databases. And even when she gave them the final projects, they weren’t exactly complete. It was like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, but once they assembled the assorted pieces a clearer picture came into view.

The job still seemed daunting. The Kingpin built his base to be unimposing on the outside, but a true fortress on the inside. Every entrance and exit from the ground level to the roof was closely monitored. Every utility and security measure was self contained and independent from the rest of the city. And there were more armed guards prowling the building than they could count. It was subtly done, but obvious to the trained eye. It was as if Fisk wanted them to see what he put together. That way he show how imposing his base was, leaving only the foolishly brave or pitifully stupid to try and take him on. The challenge for Remy and Ororo was to avoid that trap altogether.

“So this is everything on the Kingpin’s base?” said Ororo as she looked over several sets of blueprints strewn over two tables, “I must say in all my years of thieving I’ve never seen anything quite like this.”

“I agree. This ain’t the most secure building Remy’s seen, but it’s damn close. The fat man seems to have everything covered. Every window from the outside is two inch thick concussion proof glass, the ground and roof entrances are wired with laser grid security sensors and wide range camera surveillance, and every utility is independently wired into the building.”

“So cutting the power from afar isn’t an option. And neither is an air landing.” said Storm, “What about the ventilation units.”

“He’s got that covered too. Turns out Spider-Man was snoopin’ around Fisk’s domain a while back so he fitted every duct with titanium grids at every entrance from the outside and every major shaft leading from the top of the roof to the basement.”

“Can’t you just charge it to blow?”

“I could, but that would set off the vibration sensitive alarms. And if those go off, the whole building goes into emergency lockdown. Every guard, worker, and patrolman has to check in and their position in the building is logged through the surveillance network. If it finds someone that ain’t supposed to be there, it automatically locks them in as tight as a crocs jaw. There ain’t no escapin’ after that.”

“And this server room Xavier wants us to break into is where?”

“Where else? At the very heart of the building on the 36th floor surrounded by three layers of security and an entire army of guards.”

Remy pulled up one of the blueprints that focused on the layout of the innermost regions. It displayed in detailed schematics just what they would have to go through if they were to get in there and pull this off. Even on paper it looked daunting and knowing the Kingpin he probably had some extra traps thrown in for good measure. Ororo was becoming increasingly skeptical, but was nonetheless undaunted. She had taken on seemingly impossible jobs before. And in the thieving world there was no such thing as completely secure.

“So if I’m reading this right the challenge is this…get into the building without alerting the extensive surveillance system and find a way to ascend to the 36th floor.”

“Which by the way can only be accessed by elevator,” reminded Remy.

“Right, and all without getting locked in along the way,” Ororo continued, “And once there, blow through three layers of heavily reinforced security doors each guarded by the Kingpin’s best hired guns. And after all that we still have to find a way to upload this program from Sage so it will filter through the Kingpin’s entire network.”

“That be the main goal,” said Remy, “But don’t forget the escape. Gotta find a way to get out of there before the big man finds out. And it’s probably a safe bet he’s gonna be pissed.”

“Yes, and he’ll take it out on someone the second he has a chance,” said Ororo, “Overall, I say it’s quite daunting. I hope you have a plan because this is looking next to impossible with just the two of us.”

“Oh don’t you worry, Storm,” grinned the Cajun thief, “Even the Kingpin ain’t above makin’ a few mistakes. And it just so happens he’s made a few big ones.”

“What are you talking about?” said Ororo in a curious, but intrigued tone.

Remy cleared one of the tables and rolled out another set of plans. This one wasn’t necessarily part of the main blueprints, but they were still highly secured so the Kingpin probably knew about it. But judging from what was there he didn’t pay much attention to it and that should give them a window of opportunity to work with.

“Check these out. They’re maps of the sewer system running below Fisk Tower. Now even thought Kingpin has his power and communications independent from the city, he’s still connected to water and sewage lines. So there should be access to the basement levels from a few places near the main pumps.”

Remy pointed out the areas on the map and they looked promising, but Ororo was cautious.

“I don’t know, that looks too convenient,” she said, “Fisk has to have secured that area.”

“Oh he has, but it ain’t nothin’ like what he’s got up top,” grinned Remy, “See, he’s been so busy tryin’ to keep his stuff secure from Spider-Man and that Daredevil guy he hasn’t upgraded any of the systems he’s got in place down there. It’s basically a couple of security cameras, some guards, and some extra locks. But here’s the best part…there ain’t no sensors down there. So if Remy were to blow those doors open it won’t send the place into lockdown.”

Storm was impressed so far. It sounded like a viable way to break through the perimeter, but looking at the blueprints it didn’t seem like he could get very far.

“Hmm…so there is a way in. But how will you get up to the 36th floor? The elevators from the basement only go to the ground level and each are linked with smart cameras that’ll recognize you in an instant. How will you get them to move?”

“Oh Remy ain’t gonna ride the elevators up. I’m takin’ the scenic route and climbing through the shaft.”

“Don’t they have sensors too?”

“Yep, so we’ll have to knock out the power. That way it’ll not only allow Remy to work his way up, it’ll also keep the rest of the guards stuck on their floor because the elevators won’t move without clearance.”

“Sounds reasonable, and I assume you want me to knock out the power?” surmised Storm, seeing where he was going with it.

“Unless you want Remy to get caught, it would be nice of ya,” he teased, “I can’t cut the lines from within. They’re under lock and key. But if some ‘accident of nature’ were to happen, like say a bolt of lightning hitting a fuse box on the roof, it would black the whole building out and the sensors with it.”

Ororo smiled. This was beginning to sound much more plausible. One of the schematics showed several electrical control outlets on the roof. They controlled the roof lighting and fed into the rest of the building since it was independently powered. The boxes themselves were highly secure and probably tamper proof, but a hit from a bolt of lightning would be too much to handle. Kingpin could plan against human intrusion, but even he couldn’t make a system immune to the forces of nature.

“I see…” said Ororo, sounding more optimistic, “And since the basement elevators are linked to the main elevator shafts, you could climb up without incident. But won’t shutting the power off also shut off the server room?”

“Non, that room has at least three backups. Even if the rest of the building is dark, that place will sill be going. Ain’t no way the Kingpin would risk losing valuable information because of some power surge.”

“But will they be networked? Cutting the power will cut the communication lines.”

“Then we’ll just have to bring our own,” said the Cajun.

Remy then reached into his pocket and pulled out a cell phone. It didn’t look like it was special or anything. It just looked new. It seemed pretty rudimentary given they were part of a group like the Hellfire Club.

“A cell phone?” said Ororo with an amused look.

“What? You were expectin’ some high tech linking gizmo?” shrugged Remy, “Sometimes de simplest tools is the best tool. I already gave Sage the number. All Remy has to do is fire it up, link it into the system, and her program will do the rest.”

“Sounds simple enough. What about those three layers of security and all the armed guards?”

“Ah Remy can handle that,” he said confidently, “With the power out I can just blow my way through and if the guards try and throw in any wild cards, Remy will make sure they fold before they can regroup.”

All in all, it sounded completely doable. It was a little complicated in some parts. Their timing would have to be perfect if they were going to shut the power down, move through the building, and upload the program before the system came back online and locked Remy in. It didn’t take into account any surprises the Kingpin may have in store, but they didn’t have time to look into them. The Black King wanted this job done soon and with as little involvement as possible. Remy was putting a lot on the line by doing this, but it would go a long way towards gaining their trust and proving he had the skills they were looking for.

Ororo looked over the plans once more. She checked and double checked to see if there were any holes the Cajun missed. As far as she could tell there were none. This was all perfectly within their resources and capabilities. Fisk wouldn’t know what hit him and by the time he figured out what happened it would be too late. She had to admit she was impressed with Remy. He had a good eye for details. She might even go so far as to say she admired his ambition. But it was still too early to give him too much credence.

“This could work,” said Ororo in an approving tone.

“Oh it’s gonna work, cherè,” said Remy, “The Kingpin’s tough, but we be smart. All Charles Xavier has to do is sit back and watch the fat man fall like a house of cards.”

“Well put, Remy,” said Storm, chuckling at his card references, “So when do we make our move?”

“Tomorrow night,” he answered, “It’s supposed to be cloudy and dreary. Should give us the perfect cover, non?”

“It’s my kind of weather anyways,” grinned Ororo.

They were officially set. Tomorrow night the Kingpin would be brought down to size. Remy loved the thrill of such a challenge, but at the same time he was looking forward to proving himself. He still felt as though nobody (Storm included) took him seriously. They were suspicious of him and he was suspicious of them, but he hadn’t forgotten what they did for him. They cured his chronic head pain. Even if he didn’t care for these people, he had an obligation to repay them. If all went well he might get a chance to know them better. And who knows? He might just fit in here.

The two thieves gathered up the plans. There didn’t seem to be anything else left to discuss. But for Remy, he still wasn’t done. There was still a major part of this elaborate affair he had to be sure of.

“There’s one more thing, Storm,” he said, moving in closer to her.

“What is it, Remy?” she said, turning to match his gaze.

“I know y’all don’t trust me. I also know you still think Remy’s some Cajun degenerate. And that’s fine. I don’t care what you think of me. But if Remy’s gonna do this, he has to know he can trust you.”

“Of course you can trust me, Remy. I want this job to succeed as much as you do,” said Storm.

She was about to turn away, but Remy grabbed her shoulder and turned her back towards him.

“It’s not just about the job. It’s about lookin’ out for one another. My Perè always told Remy that a thief is only as good as the partner next to him. And Remy doesn’t usually like to work with partners, but seein’ as how this job just ain’t possible without one I gotta know you’ll look out for me. And I don’t just want you to promise Remy. I want your word.”

He sounded very serious. But Ororo saw where he was coming from. She wasn’t used to working with partners either. She never trusted anybody enough to work with her. But neither of them had a choice in the matter. They had to trust each other if they were to pull this off. And given his situation, Remy had a lot more to lose. Xavier would protect her, but not him. The least she could do was watch his back when nobody else would.

“Okay…you have my word,” said Ororo strongly.

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

Remy studied her expression for a moment and was satisfied. With a smile and a nod, they finished up and made their leave. Tomorrow night was going to arduous, no doubt about it. In the meantime, they had to gather their strength because soon they would be going up against the Kingpin of crime.

Ritual Room

Jean Grey had come a long ways. Since joining the Hellfire Club she got most of her duties down. She wore the uniform, got the necessary body enhancement surgery, learned to control her powers, stripped at Club Hellfire, provided Xavier with the occasional business secret she telepathically stole from a client, trained in the arts of combat, gained general knowledge of the hidden world Hellfire ruled, and studied up on Hellfire business practices. But the one duty she continued to struggle with was the duty she started out so enthusiastic about: the mystic arts.

Early on the Black Queen gave a rough overview of what magic was and how it worked. She demonstrated a few basic spells for her, went over some ancient writings, and had her participate in a few rituals. Jean learned a great deal, but only to a point. Recently, Selene had been cancelling a lot of their lessons. She seemed to spending a lot more time giving private tutoring to Kurt and Wanda, who took not only to the mystic arts but her dark philosophy as well. Jean didn’t like it and it wasn’t just because she fell behind. She got the feeling Selene didn’t want her to learn too much anymore. She never did quite adopt her macabre morality. That was one line she swore she would never cross. But she still wanted to learn about magic. She just had to wing most of it now.

At the moment she was trying to mix a basic potion. Jean didn’t have the powerful connection with mystical forces like Selene did so she had to settle for this messy practice. It was like cooking with ingredients that could literally blow up in her face and she was never that good a cook. This was already her fourth attempt and she was using up a good deal of the Hellfire Club’s magic supplies. She tried following it step by step using one of her many books on the subject. Unfortunately magic was more art than science.

“Okay, so I have the crushed leaves, dried bones, pink incense, and powdered rose peddles. Now what exactly is this ‘hair of serpent’ stuff they’re talking about?” she mused as she read the book, “Either I’m reading this wrong or there’s a weird breed of serpent I don’t know about.”

It was mind-numbingly frustrating. Maybe magic wasn’t her thing after all. Selene say only a select few could unlock its true potential. Mixing spells was still pretty basic. Putting on the light show she could like that ritual she did for James took a whole other level of ability. She was beginning to think she didn’t have it. Whatever it was she lacked, Wanda and Kurt must have it because the Black Queen was paying a lot more attention to them. She probably assumed she would just give up, but Jean wasn’t ready to just yet.

“Guess I better try again,” she groaned as she threw the contents away, “I need to work on my translation skills.”

She used her telekinesis to float a couple new books her way. If she was to mix even the most basic potions, she had to at least get the ingredients right. Maybe by retranslating the whole thing she would catch what she missed. It was tedious, but patience was a big part of developing any skill.

She started reading over the cryptic text. A lot of it was purposely written in code so she had to read carefully. But she had always been good at details. That was one thing even Selene admitted she was good at. So with focus and intent, she read. She soon became so lost in her work she didn’t notice Scott passing by and entering the chamber.

“Jean? So this is where you’ve been hiding all day,” he said as he approached her, “What’s with all the books?”

“Nothing, just some light reading,” sighed Jean, “I’m trying to mix my first magic potion, but as you can see it’s slow going.”

“Why don’t you just ask Mistress Selene for help? Isn’t she supposed to be teaching this stuff anyways?”

“She is, but she seems to have lost interest in teaching me. Ever since she took Kurt and Wanda under her wing she’s hasn’t been too motivated. All she ever does with us now is conduct rituals.”

“What about the others? Don’t Rogue or Pietro speak up?”

“Not really,” replied Jean, “They’ve got their own thing so they’re not too worried about missing out on magic. But I just can’t leave it behind that easily.”

She sounded distant and frustrated. Scott sat down next to her and scooted in close. His presence helped calm her a bit. He always had that affect on her. Ever since they arrived together they developed a strong friendship. They came in together, learned together, and developed together. They also helped one another along the way and that did a lot to sort of bond them in a way. It persisted even as new pawns came in and as their respective regiments kept them busy. Jean worked the clubs and Scott trained with the Hellfire elite. Yet they always tried to find time to catch up with each other.

“Sorry if I’m brooding,” sighed Jean.

“It’s okay. I don’t blame you,” said Scott with a reassuring smile.

“I just really want to learn more about magic! I know it’s not one of those things you can just study for and pick up over time.”

“Why not? I thought you were doing okay for yourself. Mistress Selene seemed pleased.”

“She was, but only to a point. You have to have some natural aptitude for magic. If you don’t, you’re limited to the basics. I guess I just don’t have it. I get the feeling Mistress Selene knows because she’s paying more attention to Wanda and Kurt.”

“Do they have it?”

“I don’t know, but they must have something I don’t,” said Jean.

There was a touch of jealousy in her tone. Wanda and Kurt hadn’t been with the Hellfire Club as long as she had and already they were ahead of her. Granted, she didn’t put as many hours into studying magic that they did, but she had more lessons and had been in more rituals. Hell, her first taste of the Hellfire Club involved a ritual that Scott played a big part in. What did they have that she didn’t?

“Why do you want to learn about magic so much anyways?” asked Scott, “You know there’s a lot of other hobbies you can enjoy here.”

“I know, but I want magic to be my hobby.”

“Any special reason why? I get the feeling it’s not just because it puts on a good light show.”

Jean turned to him and smiled. For a non-psychic, Scott was pretty good at reading her. He could tell when something was on her mind when nobody else could. And moreover he showed genuine concern, something certain others in the group didn’t.

“It’s kind of stupid really,” she said, already blushing.

“Try me,” said Scott intently.

“You sure you want to hear?”

“I’m sure. I promise I won’t judge. You know you can trust me.”

“I know I can,” she smiled, “But it kind of goes back to my childhood, which you know is a sore subject for me. But before my life became a mess there were still some good memories I had that carry over to this day. One of them was this dream I kept having as a little girl.”

“A dream? What kind of dream?” said Scott, growing increasingly intrigued.

Jean paused for a moment and thought back to those simpler times. Even after all these years and all the complications of her life, she still remembered those dreams so vividly. She couldn’t help but smile. They had always been so comforting and enchanting, even if she didn’t fully understand them.

“I don’t think I could ever put it into words. But in these dreams I could fly through space like a bird. Everything around me was full of these beautiful bright flames, only to me they weren’t hot or anything. It was like they were apart of me. I could control them and guide them the same way I control my mutant powers. But what stood out more than anything was this rush…this exhilaration I felt from just soaring through space, consumed by this power. It always dreaded having to wake up from it.”

“Wow, sounds like quite a dream,” said Scott.

“It was. And I kept having that dream. Every time it was so intense. Even when I knew it was a dream, I still embraced it. And I guess when I first saw Selene demonstrate the power of magic, it reminded me of that dream.”

“You think what you felt in that dream was related to magic?” inquired Scott.

Jean was silent for a moment. This was something she had been struggling with since she arrived. It lingered in her mind as this festering unanswered question and she was still no closer to answering it now than she was then.

“I don’t know,” she sighed, “Dreams are never clear, but there’s just something about magic, you know? It gives me a feeling kind of like what I felt in that dream. And if I can somehow understand it than maybe…”

But she soon trailed off. She couldn’t even fathom the possibilities. Most dreams didn’t stick with her like this. But there was something about that fateful dream that was different.

Scott moved in closer and slipped his arm around her. Even in the dark world of the Hellfire Club, there was room for the simple pleasures of friendship. Xavier told them never to forget it even as they indulge in their own desires. Selene didn’t care for them, but that was Selene. Jean leaned in, resting her head on his shoulder as she gazed over the books that she thought might contain the answers she was looking for.

“You’ll figure it out one day. I know you will,” said Scott in a comforting tone.

“I hope so. But there isn’t much I can do without Selene’s expertise,” said Jean.

“Maybe you don’t need it. Maybe she wants you to find out on your own,” he suggested.

“You mean like some sort of test?”

“I don’t know. It could be. But even if it isn’t, it’s still worth taking.”

“You think so?”

“I do. Believe me, I know what it’s like to have dreams mess with you. And chasing dreams is part of what the Hellfire Club is all about.”

“Well put, Scott,” grinned Jean.

They shared a warm smile. Jean felt better now. Scott was good at encouraging people. That’s why many said he had good leadership potential, including the Black King and Queen. But to Jean it gave him more than just leadership skills. It made him a friend she could turn to in this shady world. As much as she loved the wealth, power, and experiences of the Hellfire Club, she still appreciated the power of friendship.

As they sat together, Scott thought back to how they met. He still vividly recalled how anxious he was when she first walked up to him. Back then she was just a pretty girl, but now she was much more than that to him. They established themselves as strong and loyal Hellfire pawns by working hard and enjoying themselves along the way. In every case, they helped one another and having grown up so isolated like she did, that meant a lot to him.

“Jean, can I tell you something?” asked Scott, breaking the silence between them.

“Of course, Scott. You can tell me anything.”

“It’s nothing really. There’s just something I’ve been meaning to say to you for a while and we’ve both been so caught up in our own thing lately it’s been hard to really talk about it. So I’ll just come out and say it…thank you.”

“Thank you? What are you thanking me for?” said Jean, looking up at him curiously.

“For standing by me from the beginning,” he said, affectionately sliding his hand up her waist, “A lot has changed since we joined this place. We’ve found new roles, new identities, and new ways of thinking. But despite all that you still stayed with me as a friend. And I want you to know that no matter what happens you’ll still be special to me.”

Jean smiled and blushed.

“Oh Scott…that’s the sweetest thing anybody’s said to me in some time.”

“I mean it,” he said strongly as he stroked his fingers down her face, “You’re the first real friend I’ve had in a long time. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.”

“It means a lot to me too,” she told him, “I should thank you as well for being there for me. We’re still in this together and it’s been quite a ride so far. But no matter what we face, you’ll still always be special to me too.”

Then to reinforce her point, Jean hitched her legs over his lap and affectionately snaked her arms around his neck. In her revealing Hellfire uniform, a good deal of her skin made contact with his. It was a deeply intimate feeling, yet one they had come to cherish above many others.

“You’re a hell of a woman, Jean,” said Scott with a playful grin.

“I’m a Hellfire woman. Do you expect anything less?” she replied playfully.

“Duly noted. So if Selene’s not going to give you any help with this magic stuff, you want me to help?”

“I suppose I could use an extra set of hands,” said Jean, looking back over at her materials, “This spell I’ve been working on has been a real bitch.”

“What kind of spell is it?”

Jean turned back to him and flashed a mischievous smile.

“That I can’t exactly get into,” she said cryptically, “Just know it’s supposed to be pretty potent. And if you help me get it right you can help me test it.”

“Sounds fair,” said Scott, “Where do we start?”

Jean turned his attention towards the books she was reading and started explaining some of the details to him. Scott didn’t know magic that well, but he sat through a few informational sessions from Selene so he wasn’t completely lost. He thought magic was amazing and all, but it wasn’t for him. He was more a fighter and a leader. But for Jean, he was willing to learn a little more.

Together, Scott and Jean set a good example for what pawns of the Hellfire Club should. They embraced their dark side as well as their light side. They weren’t afraid to pursue their wants and desires. They were disciplined enough to carry out acts that involved harsh punishment and didn’t mind the brutal tactics the Inner Circle employed. But they were also loyal, not just to the Black King and Queen, but to each other. They may not be so innocent anymore, but they still had some good in their hearts to balance out the darkness.

While Scott and Jean went about their business, studying up on the mystic arts and enjoying each others’ company, Emma Frost passed by. She came by just in time to witness their little moment together. At first she found it sickeningly sappy. They were part of the Hellfire Club and yet they still sounded like normal teenagers hanging out or something. She hadn’t forgotten the conversation she had with Jean that first time she went shopping with her. She told her to avoid getting too close to anybody, but Jean flat out ignored it. And to Emma’s dismay, she looked a pretty satisfied with her decision.

“I still don’t get it,” she sighed to herself.

It didn’t make sense. Why were those two doing so well while she languished in self-pity? She shouldn’t have felt this way. She had everything for crying out loud. She was beautiful, smart, and rich. She had the trust of Charles Xavier and enjoyed access to power most could only dream of. Yet she still felt empty and cold inside. The sting of old scars continued to fester and every time she saw people like Scott and Jean share a moment together, she was reminded of just where those scars came from.

But she refused to recall such bad memories. She just hardened her emotions and continued about her business. But a part of her still couldn’t help but wonder. What if she tried Jean’s advice from that day? What if she did choose to open up to someone again? She swore she would never do it again after what happened last time, but now she wasn’t so sure she could keep that up. She wasn’t ready to admit she was wrong though, but she was ready to start giving it some thought.

Hellfire Library

Kurt Wagner sipped a cop of coffee as he turned the pages of his latest project. Yesterday, Selene gave him a new book to start reading. He had already gone through a dozen, but his hunger for more knowledge into the dark world of the mystic arts was insatiable. The more he read, the more he wanted to know. He had become so drawn into the dark philosophies Selene preached. They were so different from every other way of thinking he grew up studying. And the more material Selene gave him, the more he latched onto them.

None of the others took to Selene’s philosophy the way Kurt did. Everybody else was too scared to dig deeper into what made that woman tick. She was a very complicated and intimidating woman, no doubt about it, but that didn’t dissuade Kurt from studying her unique mindset. All the standard beliefs about morality and goodness were completely upended with her. The way she saw it, there was no morality or goodness. Just the slightest hint of darkness meant the other side didn’t exist. There was no balance or gray area. It was all set in stone. While others looked to angels and gods for guidance, she turned to demons and devils.

Perhaps that was why she took such a special interest in him. He resembled a demon and she had a strange affinity for them. Some of it revolved around her dark nature, but he also suspected a sexual component to it. There were times she got pretty friendly with him so to speak. He hadn’t given in yet, but he was tempted after hearing from Warren what it was like. However, Rogue and his mother continued to warn him about her.

“Dang it, Kurt, are you still in here?” came a voice, nearly causing him to spill his coffee.

Kurt looked up to see Rogue walking over towards him, not looking too happy. He fought the urge to just tell her off, but that look she gave him kept him from doing so.

“Vhat is it, Rogue. I’m busy,” he said, turning back to his book.

“You’ve been readin’ that stuff all day! Ah thought we agreed you would limit how much of Selene’s psycho babble you took in every day.”

“For your information, it isn’t psycho babble,” said Kurt defensively, “It’s much more than that. And I vill not stop reading it!”

“Come on, little brother, you’re bein’ a brat! This stuff can’t be good for ya.”

“How would you know, you haven’t even read it!” quipped Kurt.

“Based on how you’ve been actin’ lately Ah know enough.”

Kurt scolded his adopted sister. She was didn’t understand. She was too busy fooling around and humping every guy she found even remotely attractive. She didn’t care about the deeper philosophical roots of the Hellfire Club. She just wanted to be a rebel and do her own thing.

But Rogue was serious. She was worried about Kurt. She took a moment to take a deep breath and calm down a bit. Fighting wasn’t getting them anywhere.

“Seriously, Kurt, Ah don’t like this,” she said in a more caring tone, “You know how mama feels about, Selene. You’ve seen what that woman does in her spare time. Do you really wanna take up those kinds of ideas?”

“Of course not,” he said, lowering his voice as well, “But zhis is important to me, Rogue. My whole life I’ve been searching for a way to understand my faith. Since I started learning from Selene I feel like I’m close.”

“But is it really worth it?” questioned Rogue, “Is it worth goin’ against me and mama like this just to fulfill your little curiosities?”

“Funny, don’t you do that on a regular basis vith zhe men around here?” retorted Kurt.

“That’s different!” shot Rogue, blushing at his response.

“And so is zhis. All those years I spent cooped up in zhat house left so many questions unanswered. Every time I looked in zhe mirror, I saw something everybody seemed to understand but me. Now I’m finding zhe truth out for myself. Vhy should it matter if it comes from Selene?”

“Because she’s dangerous!” she reminded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“I know. But trust me, sister, I can handle it.”

Rogue shook her head and groaned. She wished Mystique was here. She could talk some sense into him. But looking in those yellowish eyes of his, she saw a different person than the little brother she was so fond of. It was as if he was taking up Selene’s cold demeanor and she couldn’t bear that. Kurt may have been an outcast and a recluse, but he was not downright evil like Selene was. And she didn’t want to see him end up like that.

“Kurt please…” she said stubbornly.

But he wouldn’t hear it. He just gathered up his books and coffee and stood up.

“Fine, I guess you don’t trust me after all,” he said in a low tone, “If zhat’s how it’s going to be, I’ll just have to do it my own vay. It seems to vork for you. But just remember, Rogue, I haven’t forgotten vhat mother said about Selene. And I von’t forget. Zhat you can be sure of.”

Before Rogue could respond he teleported out of the room with his book and coffee in hand. As far as he was concerned, this argument was over. He said what he needed to say. But he only left Rogue even more worried.

For once, she was at a loss. She and Kurt never fought. Hell, he was the only guy her age she got along with up until they joined the Hellfire Club. Sure, they were very different in terms of personality. She was more outgoing and he was more quiet and subtle. But he was the closest thing to a sibling she ever had and he didn’t like something like this driving a wedge between them. What truly worried her was his claim that he could handle Selene. He believed he could walk that fine line, getting the answers he wanted without falling into the Black Queen’s sinister ways. She wanted to trust him. Kurt was still strong at heart, but Selene was stronger in many other ways and there were no telling the lengths she would go to in order to get what she wanted.

Selene’s Chamber

“Keep going, Wanda. Don’t stop!” said the stern voice of the Black Queen.

“I…I don’t know if I can keep it up!” said Wanda in shaky tone.

“That’s defeatist talk and I don’t tolerate defeatism in my chamber! You will continue! You will because you’re going to stop thinking that way right this instant!”

Selene took disciplined teaching to a whole new level. Wanda was already at her limits. This lesson as she called it involved her using her hexing powers to keep a ball of purple flame burning even after Selene ceased the spell. It was not a normal use of her powers. Magic and manipulating probabilities didn’t exactly go hand-in-hand. But the Black Queen had been conditioning her to use her abilities in a new way. She found out that she could actually affect certain spells and change their intensity, but only to a point. Selene said she had the potential, but was nowhere near realizing it. That’s why she pushed her and it was straining to say the least.

Wanda’s arms and legs shook as she focused on the mystical ball of flame. It felt like an intense workout. Sweat formed over her face and her body was sore with fatigue. But she pushed through it, her expression wrought with determination. She was nearing collapse, but she didn’t want to look weak in the presence of the Black Queen. She fought harder, falling to one knee while keeping her arms up and focusing on the fire before her.

Even as she struggled, Selene casually paced behind her holding a stopwatch. She was indifferent to her suffering as always, but watched closely. She was nearing a new record. She could tell the young woman wanted to quit, but she had a drive in her that pushed her forward. It was admirable, but not quite the level she was looking for. Never-the-less, Wanda Maximoff continued to intrigue the Black Queen. Not only did her powers show great possibility for use in the mystic arts, she was beginning to take to her ways. She had a touch of darkness in her. It just needed to be cultivated.

“3…2…1…and stop,” commanded Selene.

“Ugh!” groaned Wanda as she finally ceased her hexing.

She struggled to catch her breath. She felt like she just ran a marathon. She didn’t look up at Selene yet. If she didn’t approve she didn’t want to face her. That cold gaze of her always hit hard. But to her surprise, the Black Queen didn’t sound disappointed.

“Not bad,” she conceded, “But pick yourself up off the floor. You look pathetic.”

“Sorry Mistress Selene,” said Wanda, rising up from her position, “Using my powers like this is taxing.”

“Did I ask for an excuse? I know its draining for young, untrained subjects such as yourself. But if you’re to become skilled in the mystic arts you must learn to ignore your pain. You have potential, but you’re still just a novice. Work harder on stretching your abilities and you may just have a chance to be more.”

“I will, Mistress. I promise,” vowed Wanda.

“Be sure that you do. This exercise is over.”

Selene tossed the stopwatch aside and left Wanda to clean everything up. It was sort of an unwritten rule that after every session, she was responsible for cleaning whatever mess they made. It was Selene’s way of reminding her where she ranked relative to her in terms of her abilities, but Wanda was confident she could work her way up. She was already doing things she never thought she could with her powers. The next logical step was to expand her abilities beyond simple hexing and take it to a new level.

Still in her thin black ceremonial robe, Wanda began picking up some of the books and supplies they used. She could probably do this more efficiently by just using her powers, but she was too tired after her most recent exercise. Besides, the struggle she went through only made her accomplishments more meaningful. The pain she felt was almost becoming a kind of pleasure because every time she felt it, she knew she was close to something grander. It was similar to how Selene fed off pain. The more time she spent with this woman the more it seemed she picked up some of her tendencies. Many didn’t necessarily like it, but she didn’t care what they thought.

However, she still had some reservations. Selene was a mysterious and unpredictable woman. It was hard to determine what her intentions were. But for now, Wanda focused on her own growth as a practitioner of the mystic arts.

“Wanda?” came a voice from the chamber entrance.

Wanda looked up to see Pietro standing in the doorway with a disapproving look.

“We have to talk,” he said.

“Can it wait? I’m a little busy here,” said Wanda as she restacked a couple of books.

“This is important. It’s about these extra lessons you’ve been taking from Selene.”

“Again? I thought we already talked about this!” groaned Wanda, “Do you want me to say it again? I want to do this and you can’t stop me.”

“Wanda, I was standing out here watching. I saw what that woman was doing to you. Am I not supposed to be concerned with how someone is treating my sister?”

“It’s how Mistress Selene teaches. Granted, it’s harsh, but it works. So what if it’s a little uncomfortable. It’s taking my powers to levels even father could never have contemplated!”

The speedster tensed with frustration. He couldn’t believe his sister whom he knew on every level was being so indifferent to Selene’s treatment. He also couldn’t believe she was doing this in the name of power, something eerily reminiscent of their father.

“Wanda, be reasonable. That woman may be Black Queen, but she’s not someone you should get too comfortable with.”

“Oh please, she’s no worse than Father.”

“Father is nothing like her! He was never willing to sit by ideally while someone close to him was in pain!”

“Maybe that was his problem,” quipped Wanda, still cleaning up the area in the center, “Father was never willing to push himself or others past a certain point. And look where it led him.”

“I still don’t see how that makes Selene a better substitute!” said Pietro strongly.

Wanda groaned in frustration and turned to face her brother. This was going nowhere and she was tired arguing about this.

“That’s enough, Pietro! Remember that you were the one who insisted on following Father’s foolhardy dream! You were the one who wouldn’t listen every time I questioned what we were doing! And you were the one who always took father’s side even when you knew he was wrong! You’re in no position to argue my choice of mentors!”

“Wanda, be reasonable. I admit I was wrong. But that’s no reason to make the same mistake.”

“It’s not a mistake. It’s a choice. It’s my choice. I’m going to keep learning from Selene. And there’s nothing you can do to stop me so you might as well drop it.”

Pietro gazed sternly into the eyes of his sister. He couldn’t remember her talking so harshly to him. They had their share of fights, but it was never like this. He saw a touch of Selene’s influence in her eyes. He didn’t like that one bit. He saw how he almost became as bad as his father. He didn’t want to see Wanda go the same road with Selene.

But she was right. He was in no position to argue with her. He thought back to all those times Wanda tried to convince him that the Brotherhood wasn’t the way for them, but he never listened out of loyalty to their father. Now he knows how Wanda must have felt every time he pushed her off. And because of that there was nothing he could say to stop her. So without another word he turned away and walked back towards the chamber entrance. He felt his sister’s eyes still on him so he left her with a parting message.

“I’m not going to drop it, Wanda. I’m still your brother and you’re still my sister. So get used to me meddling. I’ll keep doing it so long as you give me reason to worry.”

That softened Wanda’s mood. She continued to watch as her brother left. His words hung strong. Coming from him, they were not idol threats. His heart wasn’t always in the right place, but that never stopped him from watching out for her. As determined as she was to learn Selene’s ways, she couldn’t forget about her brother. He was the only family she had left. She didn’t want to lose him, but she didn’t want to lose this opportunity either. The was no telling where Selene’s teachings would lead her, but even if she made a wrong decision she took comfort in the knowledge that Pietro would be there to help her.

Academy of Tomorrow

“Big brother! Big Brother! You came!”

The joyful cheer of his little snowflake always brought a smile to Piotr’s face. He just stepped out of the taxi to see her sitting on the bench just outside the academy. She had been waiting for him like always. And when she saw him she ran up to him and threw her arms around him. It was a feeling he never got tired of. Even with all the amazing experiences he had at the Hellfire Club, Illyana’s warm embrace and innocent smile still had a powerful affect on him.

“Of course I came, Illyana. I promised, remember?” he told her as she hugged him.

“I know. It just feels like it’s been forever since your last visit!”

“Yes…it has,” said Piotr distantly.

She was right in more ways than she realized. A lot had changed since Piotr brought her to America. He was a different man than the one who left Russia that fateful day. He was now fully entrenched in the Hellfire Club. He trained, learned, and fought as a loyal pawn of the Inner Circle. He got to know every one of his fellow pawns and most respected him as a strong, collected young man. He had character to back up his muscles and he used them to great effect. He had already done things like guard associates of the Black King from hostiles and intimidate partners so they would think twice about messing with the Hellfire Club. He also partook in some incidents where he had to rough up a few targets, but they were people he didn’t lose sleep over.

In some ways his duties were similar to what he did in the Russian mob. Only with the Hellfire Club, he wasn’t helping those corrupt murderers. He was taking them down. Every time he beat one up he got a certain satisfaction in knowing these people were like those who murdered his parents. And whenever he looked into Illyana’s eyes, he felt vindicated. The only problem was that his work frequently kept them apart for long periods. When he started off he visited once or twice a week. Recently it had been more like every other week. He couldn’t explain it to Illyana. She was still too young to understand. But he still got to see her and that’s what mattered most.

Upon greeting each other with a warm hug, Piotr took her hand and started walking with her around the academy.

“So how have you been, my little snowflake?” asked Piotr, “Tell me everything.”

“Oh it’s been incredible!” she chirped in excitement, “New York is an amazing city! There’s so many big buildings and pretty lights! There’s so much to do and so much to see! Just last week my teachers took us to see a Broadway play!”

“That’s great. It’s good to hear they’re letting you see the city. Have you made any friends yet?”

“A few,” she said, her demeanor shifting, “But the other kids still think I’m strange. They say I talk funny and I’m not caught up yet in my classes.”

“I see…” said Piotr in a concerned tone, “And what have you told them.”

“The same thing I always tell them. I’m still new and I will learn.”

“Good girl.”

Piotr always worried about his sister. It wasn’t just that she was a mutant in an unforgiving world. She was growing up in a new country, still struggling to master English, and looking for her place in the world. He wished he could be there to help her, but his responsibilities to the Hellfire Club kept him busy. It was all for the better though. Here they could have the kind of life they never could have had back in Russia. He wanted the best for her and that played a large role in why he did what he did.

“What about your powers?” he asked her, “Have you been keeping them in check?”

“Da, big brother,” she said in an exasperated tone, “Miss Amelia has helped me a lot. I have not had an incident in weeks.”

“But you’re still being careful, right?”

“Of course I am! Why must you always ask the same question every time you visit? Do you not trust me?”

“Of course I trust you, Illyana. But there’s more to it than me just being your overbearing big brother.”

They stopped walking briefly and the Russian mutant knelt down and gave her a serious look. It was the kind of look he only gave when he was being especially sincere. Illyana always knew to listen closely during times like this. Piotr always had a good reason for it.

“Illyana…you are still the most important person in my life right now. And you know I only want what is best for you, right?”

“Of course, Piotr. I never question it.”

“Then you won’t question my reasons for wanting you to be aware of your unique abilities. Not a lot of people can do what you and I can do and what you do is much more complicated than turning skin into metal.”

“I know. Even Miss Amelia doesn’t understand it.”

“And for that reason you must be careful as you nurture this gift. You’re still young and there is much that you don’t understand. There is much that you can’t understand. But there will come a time when you’ll have to enter this unforgiving world without my assistance. And you must be strong enough to look after yourself. Do you understand?”

Illyana had heard this before, but never so seriously. It was scary to contemplate her having to fend for herself without the protective comfort of her older brother. He had always been there for her, but even she knew he couldn’t always be. All the extra time he had been spending away, doing whatever it was he did for these strange people he called the Inner Circle, showed just how vital it was she become stronger. She had a lot to learn and it was all so overwhelming at times, but she trusted her big brother and swore to make him and their parents proud.

“I understand,” she told him.

“Promise me you’ll do your best?” Piotr reiterated.

“I promise.”

The young Russian smiled and caressed the sweet face of his little sister. She still looked so innocent, but he saw in her a strength that could truly take her far in life. Their parents always wanted big things for them and the Hellfire Club was helping them reach their full potential. Who knows? One day she might prove Hellfire material as well.

X-Industrial Tower – Training Arena

James Poundstar barely broke a sweat as he ripped through another mechanized droid, tearing it in two with his bear hands in a show of brute strength. All around a team of five-foot mini-humanoids converged and attacked. On each of their wrists were little laser blasters capable of delivering a lethal blow. But it wasn’t lethal to James. His durability made it so each blast was about as deadly as a bad itch. It was still annoying, but he made quick work of them, swiftly moving about the large arena and pounding away at the hapless machines.

It was a lot more hands on than the training he did on the reservation. There his only targets were rocks and rudimentary wooden figures. They were good for beginners, but someone of his skill needed a challenge and the Hellfire Club had the resources to give him that. This wasn’t meant to be too strenuous. He just liked to keep his skills sharp for whatever task the Inner Circle threw at him next. He had already proven himself to be a valuable instructor and a skilled fighter. The Black King and Queen were pleased with his service, but he remained somewhat of a recluse.

While the other pawns looked up to and respected him, James didn’t try and get too close to anybody. Aside from giving combat lessons and sex with the women, he didn’t talk to his fellow pawns all that much. Part of it was his nature. He had never been much of a talker, especially since John died. A few like Rogue, Scott, Warren, and Jean tried to get to know him, but he wasn’t quite ready to open up just yet.

He finished off the last droid with a punishing fist slam. He let out stern grunt as he gazed about the mangled piles of machines and droids. It seemed too soon to be over. Either he was getting better or these droids were just not cutting it anymore.

“At the rate you’re going you’ll run us out of business destroying these things.”

James turned to rear entrance to the arena and saw Sage casually leaning against the doorway. The Apache warrior immediately snarled at her presence. Even though her SHIELD days were long over, he still harbored a grudge. And Sage couldn’t blame him.

“What do you want? Looking to join in the next round? Because I can step it up a couple of levels,” he said snidely.

“Sounds tempting, but we need to talk.”

“I don’t want to talk to you,” said James bluntly, throwing in a touch of threatening subtext.

“I know you don’t. But you can’t avoid me forever. You’re going to be working with me whether you like it or not so you might as well get this out of the way.”

The Apache warrior let out a disgruntled sigh. Xavier told him about Sage not long after he arrived so he knew she was a former SHIELD agent. And even though she renounced her ties to the organization, James still had a hard time getting past it. She once worked for the people who killed his brother. He could not let that go very easily.

Sage moved in closer to the powerful young man. Her face was blank as always, her emotions hidden behind an unbreakable veil. But behind that mask was a solemn feeling. She didn’t easily feel guilt whether it was for SHIELD or the Hellfire Club. But being around someone who may have been directly affected by her past life struck her in a powerful way. This man had reason to despise her and she couldn’t blame him, even if she wasn’t directly responsible for what happened to his brother. But so long as he was part of the Hellfire Club, they might as well clear the air.

“So what? Are you going to apologize for my brother’s death?” said James, still speaking in a harsh tone.

“I didn’t kill your brother. I wasn’t even involved in the operation he died in. So no, I’m not going to apologize.”

“Then what do you want from me? You want me to just forget about you being a SHIELD agent? Just smile and nod every time we walk by as if nothing’s wrong?” he replied dryly.

“I don’t expect you to forget. I wouldn’t want you too. But this guilt by association shit has got to end, James. You’re not the only one with a grudge against SHIELD. They’ve hurt a lot of people.”

“Guess you would know best,” James quipped.

“And it’s a burden I have to live with every day,” she said strongly, “But there’s more to it than that.”

Sage then let down her emotional shield. Like turning on a computer, her emotions returned and her expression fell at the memories of what she once was.

“SHIELD led me to believe that what we were doing was for the best interest of the country and the world. They conditioned me to obey and never question the mission. But one of the drawbacks of having a computer for a brain is that I can recall every detail of every deed I ever did for them. There were times when we failed when we should have succeeded. There were times when we didn’t do enough and many more suffered.”

“Are you trying to make me feel sorry for you?”

“I’m trying to get you to understand. SHIELD took something from me as well. They forced me to always operate with my brain and never my heart. And even when there was something I knew we could do to accomplish the mission, men like Nick Fury held back because of their hypocritical code of ethics. They spare one person and a million suffer. And for what? Truth? Justice? Your brother was conditioned the same way as I was. And he paid for it with his life.”

She seemed sincere, but James was still skeptical. His expression remained stern and his demeanor tense. But Sage wasn’t finished.

“I finally had enough when they asked me to spy on the Hellfire Club. None of the other pawns knows this, but I was originally sent here to bring this organization down. I arrived as a mutant hacker named Tessa and my job was to track the Hellfire Club’s finances and trace their operations.”

“So what? You had a change of heart?” scoffed James.

“Not exactly. Xavier, who wasn’t Black King yet, found out. But instead of turning me over to Selene, he convinced me to switch sides. He helped me see that I was becoming just another tool in a corrupt order. He helped me break away from SHIELD and build a new life for myself…one that I could live on my own terms.”

“Is that all he did?” asked James, sensing there was more.

“He was also good in bed. But that’s another story,” said Sage, smirking somewhat.

James looked at her strangely, but her smile said enough.

“The point I want to make is we both lost something when we played by the rules. You lost a brother. I lost my soul. We’re all here because we were wronged and we want to take hold of our lives. But this is a dangerous world and the Hellfire Club operates near the center of it all. And it would be better if we were allies rather than enemies.”

The young Apache studied her. If she was a former spy she could easily be deceiving her. But his instinct told him she was telling the truth. She went so far as to tell him secrets she hadn’t told the others. That said a lot about her. She was nothing like Nick Fury or the other SHIELD agents. She had in her the same bitterness he struggled with in all the injustice he endured, first by failing his people and second by losing his brother. She couldn’t change who she once was and what she did while working for those people. But she was willing to break away from them, which struck James in a major way.

He looked away from her for a moment, rubbing the back of his neck and contemplating what he would do with this. He was going to have to work with this woman whether he liked it or not. He could either keep holding a grudge or try and accept her. Neither would be easy, but so long as he was part of the Hellfire Club he might as well learn to get along with these people. Being a loner back home never did him much good and it helped to have friends in a place like this.

“Can I just ask you one last question, Sage?” he said as he turned back towards her.

“Of course. What is it?”

“When you cut your ties with SHIELD and betrayed all those people you once worked for and respected…did it feel right?”

Sage smiled and laughed.

“Let’s just say I’ve been sleeping easier ever since.”

James smiled back. Sage was a tough, cutthroat kind of girl. No wonder Xavier trusted her so much. She had the heart of a warrior in the sense she was willing to go against an imposing goliath like SHIELD. He might just have a few things in common with her after all.

“Good to hear,” he told her, “I can’t promise it’ll happen overnight, but I guess I could use a friend and confidante.”

“I’m a patient woman,” said Sage, “Just as long as you try. It’ll be better for everybody in the long run.”

They shook on it as a way to solidify the deal. James and Sage were never very good at making friends, but with the Inner Circle growing it couldn’t hurt to establish a few close connections. Plus, it might be nice having someone to talk to beyond training and sex. Xavier and Selene had big plans for this organization. And if they were to be a part of them they all had to be strong.

Lower Manhattan – Ritz Carleton Hotel Restaurant

Warren Worthington III once thought he wasn’t cut out for the business world. Despite being educated in some of the best prep schools by the best teachers all his life, he just didn’t think it was for him. He knew he had to learn for the sake of his parents, who groomed him to take over Worthington Industries one day. It wasn’t like he hated it, but it didn’t give him anywhere near the thrill flying and rescuing people did. But after joining the Hellfire Club all that changed.

Since his arrival, Charles Xavier took him under his wing and taught him his ways of doing business Hellfire style. He quickly found it to be much more interesting than any of the lessons he was taught in school. The Black King frequently took him out to meetings and negotiations where he saw him in action, taking over whatever company he had his sights on and pushing whatever organizations he already had under his control to new heights. It was all obscenely profitable, even by Warren’s large standards. Everybody who worked for him knew he meant business. When he made a demand, people listened. And it wasn’t just because they feared his wrath, but because they respected his vision and admired his cunning. He rewarded those who were loyal and punished those who broke their promises. That mix of respect, fear, and admiration went a long ways.

Recently Warren took a more active role in these teachings. He accompanied the Black King to a few key meetings, most of which involved paying surprise visits to competitors and underperforming organizations within his network. And he didn’t just sit back and watch. He gave presentations, talked to people, shook hands, and even did some light negotiating. In addition he didn’t cover his wings up. Xavier told him his appearance could work for him if he presented it right. By carrying himself as a divine symbol, people might be inclined to treat him like one. And so far it was working out pretty well.

Currently, he was having dinner with Charles and a number of old partners from Leland Corporation, a large private entity once owned by former Inner Circle member, Harry Leland. Xavier had long since acquired the company, but he was having a problem with high ranking officials still loyal to Harry. Hopefully this meeting would solve that problem once and for all.

“I hope you all understand my superior’s predicament. He cannot effectively run a company in which the people he needs to trust most still have a soft spot for your former CEO, may he rest in peace. And since some of you have made it clear you will not be able to move beyond the past, we’ll have to make a few difficult decisions.”

Leland’s old partners shifted at his choice of words. It was bad enough they were in such a predicament, but it was even more demeaning to have this young mutant kid of all people basically telling them they had to go.”

“Now see here you feathered freak!” said one of the outraged men, “I’ve worked under Harry Leland for over twenty years! I helped build this company! We all did! You can’t expect us to just roll over for your boss here even if he is the new boss!”

“Sir, I’d calm down if I were you,” warned Warren in a menacing tone, “And I don’t appreciate you mocking my appearance.”

“Boy, if your last name wasn’t Worthington I would do more than…”

Suddenly, the man started choking. It was as if something just kicked his heart and lungs into overdrive. He felt as though he was sprinting at full speed and he wasn’t even moving. His associates watched in terror as he grasped his chest and started convulsing. It looked like he was having a heart attack.

“Oh God, I think he needs help!” exclaimed one of his partners.

“I’d calm down too if I were you sir. You saw what happened when your friend got worked up. That’s what happens when you get a little emotional. It puts stress on the body. It’s especially bad if you mix in a few special food additives.”

Everybody stopped and looked at their food, most of which they had already eaten. Xavier and Warren were still very calm, casually sipping their wine and watching as their friend keeled over and collapsed to the floor.

“Are…aren’t you going to call anyone?” asked another partner timidly.

“I’m afraid it’s too late. He was dead the second he rose his voice,” stated Xavier, “And until those food additives Warren mentioned is out of your system, I suggest you keep yours down.”

Nobody said a word. Xavier then snapped his fingers and a couple of waiters who knew ahead of time what was going on came by and dragged the body off. This revelation made for a much more favorable situation. A little bribe to the chefs and they put a special chemical made by Sinister into their food. The chemical acted as an accelerator, causing whoever ingested it to have a heart attack if they got too worked up. It was mostly Warren’s idea and it looked like it got the point across.

“Now then, are you going to accept our terms or is this going to get exceedingly messy?” said Warren with a snide leer.

Leland’s former partners timidly sat in their seats and waited for the next step. No doubt the terms would be heavily favorable to Xavier. He may be generous with how he rewarded loyalists, but he showed no pity for those who defied him. This boy he brought with him seemed every bit as ruthless and if they were to walk out of this alive they had better do as he says.

Warren officially had these men in the palm of his hand. It was a good feeling, much better than rescuing cats from trees as Avenging Angel. The more he learned from the Hellfire Club the more absurd his old life as a wannabe hero seemed. It was nice to get in touch with his dark side, something Selene had really helped bring out every time she ravaged him with her sexual dominance. Xavier also sensed it and was impressed, as well as a little surprised, with the way he carried himself.

‘Nice job, my boy. I’m sure they’ll be much more docile now.’

‘Thank you, Lord Xavier. And let’s hope so. That additive I put into their food is fairly potent.’

‘I hope you didn’t overdo it too much. They have to live long enough to sign on the dotted line.’

‘Oh don’t worry, sir. I’ve taken precautions. Although I expect a few of these fools to keel over after this is done. Not many of them strike me as the calm, collected type. But as Mistress Selene always says, a drop of blood is worth a river of gold.’

‘Indeed, Warren.’

The Black King was proud that Warren so effectively took control of their audience. But it felt as though he went a little overboard in saturating their food to the point that some may still die even if they make it through this meal. He didn’t mind wiping out a few potential nuisances, but he worried that may be following more of Selene’s philosophies rather than his. Ever since the Black Queen ravaged him on his first visit, there was a noticeable change in his demeanor and it persisted with each passing day. Xavier didn’t mind it so long as he kept it in check. Too much darkness he felt hurt their bottom line and their goals. But for now it seemed Warren was still in control. Such skills would make him an even greater asset to the Hellfire Club.

Overall, Charles Xavier was proud of how all his pawns were progressing. They were learning and growing into stronger, more steadfast individuals and were now strongly engrained with the Hellfire mindset. But there were still issues that concerned him. Some pawns were getting along nicely while others weren’t. Some had yet to really find their niche in the Hellfire Club, but he was confident with time these remarkable young mutants would all contribute. It was all for the good of the organization and the new order he was building.

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Up next: Remy and Ororo go up against the Kingpin of Crime while Selene contemplates Kurt and Wanda’s role in her plans.