New Blood II: Growing Ranks

New Blood
Chapter 20: Family Matters

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Hellfire Manor – Dining Room

The manor was unusually quiet for once. Aside from the usual servants and workers who walked the halls, there wasn’t much activity. Many of the pawns were out and about. But they weren’t on missions or business trips. For once, they were taking time to catch up with family and loved ones. It didn’t happen very often, but every now and then Xavier set some time aside for the pawns to catch up with family or reconnect with their lives outside of the Hellfire Club. Selene never liked it, but Xavier knew it was vital that the pawns maintain a proper balance of perspective. He needed them to embrace their darker inclinations, but he also needed them to maintain their sense of judgment.

For those without families, he encouraged them to find their own ways of connecting with the world outside of the Hellfire Club. James and Danielle were visiting each others’ respective reservations, paying their traditional respects to their lost family members. Logan took Laura out on a bike-ride through the Canadian wilderness. Emma traveled to Europe to do some exotic shopping. Sage went on a quiet retreat to Jamaica to get away from computers and databases. Tabitha and Jubilee organized a trip to an opulent private beach house in Hawaii with Julian tagging along, saying he preferred to visit his parents another time. And Alex gathered some of Hellfire’s female sex workers and went on a nice retreat to the Bahamas.

The only ones who chose not to go out were Hank and Wanda. Hank couldn’t be bothered to leave because he claimed he and Sinister were working extra hard on an important project. Of course, Xavier kept a close eye on that situation. But as expected, Sinister covered his tracks well. For now, at least, all seemed dormant with him. Wanda also kept busy. Instead of going with her brother to visit Lorna’s mother, she opted to travel to Tibet for an important Hellfire assignment that Selene had been monitoring for the past few months. She was out to look for some rare artifacts…at least that was the official story. Xavier was curious about what Selene was looking for, but as far as he knew she hadn’t found it yet.

For Xavier himself, family time was redundant. All his family was dead and he never cared for them all that much anyways. He considered most of his old ties a point of weakness. The only ties that mattered to him were the ones made with Hellfire. But he still had room for certain close ties. Moria and Rahne were definitely one of them.

“Wow, for a place as big as the Hellfire Club we sure can be boring when nobody’s around,” said Rahne as she sat next to her mother at a small dining table.

“Try not to think of it as boring, lass. Think of it more as a rare lull in our otherwise busy agenda,” said Moria.

“Yes, even the mightiest of kings has to step back every once and a while and enjoy the fruits of his labor,” said Xavier as he casually swirled a glass of wine, “It keeps him grounded so that when new challenges emerge, he is rested and ready to handle them.”

“Well said, Charles,” smiled Moria, “And it’s been too long since the three of us sat down together like this.”

“Indeed. With all the duties between us and everything that’s been going on with Sinister, we just haven’t had time.”

“It also doesn’t help that we lived in Europe up until recently,” added Rahne.

“Yes, that too,” laughed Xavier, “And I’m glad to have you both here.”

“We’re glad to be here, Charles,” said Moria.

She and the Black King tipped their glasses, cheering this rare moment of peace. There had been so much chaos in their lives. Charles had his long journey to being the Black King and Moria had her difficult past with her ex-husband. But they were together now and helping each other in every possible way. It reminded them of why they had once been so passionate for each other. And in many ways they still were.

Rahne sure didn’t mind. She always looked up to Charles as a father figure anyways. He was way better than the monster her real father was. And she liked how he made her mother smile. For too long she was cold, stern, and unemotional to everybody except her. Being around Xavier was good for her, even if it was a little awkward at times.

“Here, here mom,” said Rahne, raising her glass as well, “I know the circumstances of my arrival weren’t the best. But I think we’ve worked them out.”

“So it seems,” said Xavier, “That reminds me, you seem to be spending more time with Hank in Sinister’s lab lately. Might there be any reason for that?”

“Oh let’s not have this discussion again,” groaned Rahne, “I told ye before, Hank’s just helping me adapt to me new form. That’s all.”

“I understand, Rahne. But is that all?” inquired Xavier.

“What are you implying? That I’m having some secret affair with him? Come on, ye know he’s too old for me. Plus, he’s not my type,” said Rahne.

“That’s not what I mean, Rahne,” said the Black King, “I understand Hank has helped you. I also understand you’ve formed a connection with him. What I don’t understand is why you’ve been spending more time with him than usual. That leads me to believe that there’s another reason you haven’t told us.”

It was easy to forget sometimes that Xavier was the best telepath in the world. Few people could hide anything from him. Rahne had known that for years and yet it still flew over her head. But Xavier was nothing if not perceptive. He picked up on things. And this was no exception.

“Please Rahne, we’re just worried,” said Moria with a sincere look.

Rahne sighed. She might as well get it over with.

“Fine, if ye must know I’ve been a bit worried about, Hank,” she said.

“Worried how?” asked Charles curiously.

“I don’t know. But he and Sinister have been pretty busy lately. He’s been sleeping even less than he usually does.”

“Yes, well he is Sinister’s assistant you know,” said Moria, “You know as well as we do that we’ve been monitoring Sinister and we know he’s up to something.”

“That I’m not debating,” said Rahne, “Sinister creeps me out as much as anybody. But Hank isn’t like him. I know Sinister’s been influencing him for years, but after getting to know him I believe he hasn’t been completely corrupted. There’s still a decent man in him.”

“Are you sure?” said Xavier skeptically, “I’ve scanned Hank’s mind plenty of times. And Sinister has definitely left his mark.”

“I’m sure he has. But he that pasty faced psycho hasn’t completely dug his claws into him. I know his mind may say otherwise, but if you knew him like I do then you’d see it too.”

Xavier pondered this for a moment. As good a psychic he was, there were some things he just couldn’t sense by just reading someone’s thoughts. He never got to know Hank personally since Sinister looked after him so much. But if Rahne had been spending a lot of time around him then she might have insight he didn’t. And Rahne was a smart girl. She had good instinct and he was inclined to trust her.

“I’ll take your word for it, Rahne,” said Charles, “But I assure you if Hank helps Sinister in a way that threatens our organization, I will not hesitate to punish him.”

“I know. I wouldn’t expect anything less,” said Rahne, “But give me a chance. I think I can get through to him. And maybe he could end up helping us instead of Sinister.”

“I hope ye be right,” said Moria, “I still say we should have ended Sinister long ago.”

“You say that about a lot of people, mom,” joked Rahne.

“Well with Sinister I mean it,” said Moria.

“I know,” said Xavier, casting her a reassuring tone, “But we both agreed we would stay the course. I assure you I have taken the necessary precautions.”

“I’m sure ye have,” said Moria, “I just have a bad feeling where this may lead.”

“Believe me, my dear, we all do,” said Xavier, who reached across the table and held her hand, “But let’s not focus on that at the moment. For now, let’s just enjoy this time we have together.”

Moria managed a smile. Rahne smiled as well. When Charles Xavier said he took the necessary precaution he usually meant it. Even though Sinister was cunning in his own respect and Selene was every bit as devious (if not more so), Xavier was smart. He had to be for him to be Black King. There were never any guarantees, especially in the Hellfire Club. But Xavier’s resolve was as close as one could get. With that in mind, Moria and Rahne were content to return to their meal. The other pawns were catching up on some much needed personal time. It was fitting that they do the same.

Annandale-Hudson, New York – Grey Home

It had been a while since Jean visited her parents. In the years since she joined the Hellfire Club, her interaction with them had become more infrequent. It wasn’t because they grew distant or anything. The Hellfire Club just kept her busy and the more she got into it, the further she got away from her old life. She kept in contact with them, but she never told them the truth about what she was doing. As far as they knew, she was an up and coming executive in Xavier’s company. They didn’t know she stripped for a while, tortured people, killed people, and engaged in extensive sex acts. But it was better this way.

Regardless of the lies, her position at the Hellfire Club did a lot to help her parents. Before she joined they were on the brink of ruin. They were deep in debt, overworked, and overwhelmed by the problems she had with her powers. But now those hard times seemed like a distant memory. Thanks to the money Jean made over the years, the Grey family was not only free of debt. They were living comfortably. Her parents moved out of the old house and moved to a much nicer place across town. Things were so good financially that her father was talking about early retirement. They really couldn’t have been happier.

Today would mark Jean’s first visit with her family in nearly eight months. And she was genuinely excited about seeing them. But this wasn’t just a normal visit. For the first time, Scott was coming with her. It took some major coaxing on her part, but he agreed to meet her parents. She insisted if they were to be a serious item, even in the unusual circumstances of the Hellfire Club, he should at least get to know them. He argued at first that they didn’t have to know because there was already so much she lied to them about. But this was one thing she didn’t want to have to lie about.

They drove to Jean’s house in one of the Hellfire Club’s high end cars. They arrived just before noon and Jean was in high spirits. She smiled at the sight of the new house her parents enjoyed and then looked over at Scott, who seemed nervous to say the least.

“Are you ready, Scott?” she asked him.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” he said, taking deep breaths as he stepped out of the car with her.

“Just relax and remember what we talked about,” she told him, “They don’t know much about what you and I do for a living. But I want them to know about us.”

“You think it’ll set their minds at ease or something?”

“No, it’s just not something I want to keep from them.”

Scott smiled back at her and followed her up to her front door. He had to admit, he was a little intimidated. It was strange given that he faced some of the most intimidating people in the world in his line of work, but these weren’t rivals or enemies of Hellfire. These were his lover’s parents. And having not dealt with parents in a long time, it was a bit overwhelming.

He at least tried to look the part of a typical love interest. He wore some of his less formal attire, which consisted of black pants and a nice black dress shirt. Jean wore something similar, including her skin tight black pants and a nice gray shirt to go along with it. It wasn’t the fanciest attire they had, but it would give off the right impression. At least he hoped it would.

Upon reaching the door, they were greeted by John and Elaine Grey. They didn’t even have to knock as they had been eagerly awaiting their daughter’s arrival all morning.

“Jean! Sweetheart, it’s great to see you again!” said her mother as she ran up to hug her daughter.

“Hey mom. It’s great to see you too,” said Jean, smiling as her mother hugged her tightly.

“My god, you look more vibrant every time I see you!” she said as she took a step back to take in her appearance.

“Thanks,” said Jean, doing a little posing, “I’ve been trying to keep in shape.”

“And you’ve certainly succeed,” smiled John as he approached his daughter and hugged her, “We missed you. It’s been too long.”

“I know,” said Jean, “But I’m here now, aren’t I? And I’ve brought a guest.”

“So you have,” said Elaine, turning her attention to Scott, “Is this the man you’ve been telling us about?”

“He is,” said Jean proudly.

Jean then hooked her arm around her lover and smiled. She could sense he was a bit nervous, but as always Scott kept a cool, collected composure.

“Mom…dad…this is my lover, Scott Summers,” she said, “He joined the organization the same day I did. And he’s helped me every step of the way.”

“Well it’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” said John as he extended his hand to Scott.

“Likewise, sir,” said Scott as he shook the older man’s hand.

“Jean’s told us a lot about you,” he said, “We’ve been real eager to meet you. There’s a lot we have to talk about.”

“I’m sure we do,” said Scott.

“Oh but that can come later!” said Elaine, still so excited about having her daughter visit again, “Come in, I’ve made some snacks for us.”

Scott and Jean smiled and followed John and Elaine inside. Scott felt a little more at ease. Jean’s parents seemed normal enough. If he didn’t know any better he was just another guy meeting his girlfriend’s parents. There were bound to be differences of course. He and Jean weren’t college sweethearts or childhood friends. They came together under unusual circumstances and because of that their relationship was not normal. But Jean’s parents didn’t know that and didn’t have to. He just had to reassure them that their daughter was in good hands.

While Elaine got the snacks, Scott and Jean settled in with John in the living room. Like much of the house, it was pretty well-kempt and had some nice, classy furnishings. It wasn’t as fancy as the Hellfire Club, but it was still pretty good considering the state the Grey family had been in four years ago. It was a little ironic for Jean because a lot of this stuff was probably bought with the money she made stripping, having sex, and tormenting rivals with her powers. But that didn’t bother her. All that mattered was her parents were happy.

“So Jean, tell us what you’ve been up to these past few months,” said Elaine as she set a plate of cookies down, “You seem a lot busier lately.”

“Oh it’s been a busy year, mom,” sighed Jean as she took a cookie, “Charles Xavier has had me dealing with a lot of clients lately. Most are old acquaintances that we just need to catch up with. But there have been a few new prospects that have been difficult.”

“Difficult how?” asked John as he ate a cookie.

Jean paused for a moment. ‘Difficult’ by Hellfire standards usually meant associates were not keeping their deals. And as a high powered psychic and a trusted pawn of Xavier’s, it was her job to interrogate people, probe minds, and make new deals. Most of the time, a little manipulation and psychic probing was all that was needed. But other times she had to get a little violent and throw in some telekinesis. It got bloody at times, but it worked.

“Let’s just say sometimes I’ve had to be extra persuasive,” she smiled, “But Xavier trusts me. He knows I can get the job done. It helps when you can read the minds of your associates.”

“I can only imagine,” said Elaine, “But the people you deal with…they don’t have a problem with you being a mutant?”

“Of course not. X-Industrial makes it very clear to our clients. And if they have a problem with it, they can take their business somewhere else. But most of the time, money trumps bigotry.”

“So I’ve heard,” said John as he bit into the cookie, “Four years ago, there were riots and uprisings all over the place about mutants. For a while it looked like there would be an all out war. But ever since you started working for Xavier things have settled.”

“Well I wouldn’t say they’re settled, John,” said Elaine, “I still see many reports on mutant affairs in the news every day.”

“Yes, but that kind of conflict is always a given when you’re dealing with a minority group many don’t understand,” said Scott, “The key is managing it properly. And that’s part of what Charles Xavier and his organization does.”

“Indeed, he’s turned many mutants into law biding citizens that not only contribute to society, but play a major role in economic affairs,” said Jean, “It’s great leverage. And conflict aside, it keeps things stable.”

“I know. But I still worry sometimes,” said Elaine, “After all, you are in the thick of it, Jean.”

“It’s okay, mom. I’m not in any danger,” Jean smiled, “I can take care of myself, even against some of those radicals that insist on making our lives difficult.”

“I know you can, but still…”

“Oh believe me, Mrs. Grey. Jean’s telling the truth,” said Scott, casting his lover a warm smile, “She’s tougher than you think.”

That earned him an affectionate smile in return and an approving glance from John and Elaine. It was a given they would worry about her. But they didn’t know the kinds of things Jean was capable of. Scott knew because he saw them first hand. He saw her warp the minds of those who defied them or those who would not follow them. He saw her ruthlessly tear through armed mercenaries who tried to oppose the Hellfire Club. And he saw her handle herself well in front of those who thought they could match her power, but failed to follow through on.

But John and Elaine didn’t know any of that. They could only take Scott’s word for it. And they did. They saw how she looked at him and how he looked at her. There was definitely a powerful bond between them. And it made them both so happy.

“I’ll trust you there, Scott,” said John, “After all, you have been working with her a lot these past few years.”

“That I have,” said Scott with a smile, “And she’s been a pleasure to be around.”

Jean held back a snicker, knowing there was some sexual undertone to his words. But thankfully, her parents didn’t pick up on it.

“Good to know,” said John, who seemed none the wiser.

The older man then got up, taking one last cookie before doing so.

“Great cookies, hun,” he told his wife, “How about I get us some drinks?”

“Thank you, John. That sounds lovely,” said Elaine.

“I’ll help,” said Scott, getting up as well, “Jean and I bought some wine that I’m sure you’ll both enjoy.”

“Sounds great,” said John, “It’ll also give us a chance to talk. Come on, I’ll show you the kitchen.”

Scott turned back to Jean and smiled before he followed John Grey into the kitchen. Jean smiled back, nodding confidently that he would say what he needed to say. Scott always had been a great negotiator. This wasn’t quite like negotiating a deal with Hellfire Club associates, but it was still a challenge.

Once they disappeared into the kitchen, Elaine got up and sat down next to her daughter. She excited to see her daughter with someone. After the accident and especially after her powers manifested, she never really got close to anyone. She worried that she may grow up lonely and cut off. She was glad to see she had reached out to someone.

“Such an interesting boy,” Elaine commented, “You say he works security at X-Industrial?”

“Among other things,” answered Jean, “He’s in charge of a lot of people and he knows how to handle himself very well.”

“I can see that,” said Elaine.

Jean had to hold back again. She couldn’t tell her mother that Scott was the leader of the Hellfire Club’s mercenary army and frequently led missions that involved killing, destroying, or overpowering opposition. But she still got the right idea and in the Hellfire Club, perception was all that mattered.

“So what do you think?” asked Jean with a confident look, “Is he everything I said he was?”

“It’s too early to say, dear. But I will say this though…I like him,” said Elaine, “He seems very dedicated to you.”

“He is,” Jean smiled.

“Does that mean you two are serious?” she asked.

Jean paused for a moment. It was a touchy subject because there were a lot of conflicting interests in the Hellfire Club. Even after four years, she and Scott were still learning to work their way through it. They loved each other, but at times it was difficult to put into perspective. But it was still developing.

“I say we’re getting there,” said Jean, “There are still some things we’re working on.”

“Well, I’d like to hear all about it!” said Elaine intently.

Jean and her mother shared a good laugh. There was still a lot she wouldn’t be able to tell her. But years of conditioning by the Hellfire Club made it so she didn’t feel bad about lying to her. She would tell her the truth when it was possible, but there were bound to be plenty of details to leave out. But that didn’t matter. So long as she got the right message, the lies didn’t matter. It was all worth it in the end so long as everybody was happy.

While Jean began talking to her mother about her relationship with Scott, he and John were busy getting the drinks ready in the kitchen. In order to break the ice, Scott bought an expensive bottle of wine from one of the Hellfire Club’s upscale suppliers. It was richer than anything the Greys were used to and would hopefully provide a good impression of him. John was still a man very much concerned for his daughter and Scott knew this. He had to do his part to ensure that they continued to believe what Jean wanted them to believe while making sure they knew the truth in other areas.

“You and Jean seem really close,” John commented as he poured the drinks.

“We are,” said Scott, “And before you get too concerned, I want you to know that I really do love your daughter. I love her and I want to be with her. But as you can imagine, the work we do somewhat ‘complicates’ things.”

“How so?” asked John.

Scott hesitated for a moment, knowing he couldn’t give a full answer. But he kept his composure and went on.

“There are just a lot of distractions,” he said, which wasn’t really far from the truth, “But I never let anything distract me enough to forget about Jean. And you have my word that I will do what ever I have to do to be there for her.”

John studied the young man who was so deeply involved with his daughter. He seemed sincere and intent. Jean told him a lot about this boy, but there was only so much he could know without meeting him. And now that he was here he used it as an opportunity to make sure his daughter was happy.

“Scott, I have no doubts that you love my daughter. I can see it in the way you looked at her,” said John in a serious tone, “But you’re both still young and you’re still growing.”

“I know, sir. But Jean and I have known each other for four years and we’ve been together for much of that time,” said Scott.

“I understand that. But seriously, how certain are you that my daughter is the one for you?”

“Very certain,” said Scott strongly.

“So you don’t have any doubts?” he said.

Scott shifted a bit. This man was putting him on the spot. He couldn’t blame him, but he kept calm as best he could.

“No, I don’t,” he assured him.

John studied him for a bit longer and then smiled, which helped set Scott’s mind at ease.

“That’s all I need to hear,” said John, “But like I said, you two are still young. There are a lot of problems you haven’t faced yet. And if you’re really serious about being with Jean, I need you to promise me something.”

“Of course,” said Scott strongly, “What do you need me to do, sir?”

John then took a step closer.

“I need you to hold onto that certainty,” he said, “Because I assure you, problems will arise as you grow older. Some of these problems may come between you two. And while you don’t have any doubts now, they may enter your mind at some point. So that’s why I need you to promise me you’ll hold on. Because as long as you do, your love for her will get you through any problems you may face.”

It sounded like a major promise. But Scott didn’t doubt the truth in his words. In a place like the Hellfire Club where there were beautiful women and attractive men, it was hard at times not to have doubts. He still felt it at times when Jean hung around Logan, but they always were able to work it out. Now John Grey was asking him to take it a step further. And Scott never took his promises lightly. He thought about it for a moment, contemplating how things between him and Jean had grown over the years. He thought about how they came together and what they were becoming. There was plenty of love between them, but plenty of complications as well. But when he put it all together, he knew what he felt was right.

“I promise sir,” said Scott, “You have my unconditional word.”

He then extended his hand and John Grey smiled. He then shook it and nodded in approval.

“Then we’re okay,” he told him.

Scott smiled back, glad to have the support of Jean’s parents. Even if they didn’t know the truth, they deserved to have something real to hold onto. The Hellfire Club taught them that lies are necessary, but a little truth is always necessary. And as he followed John back into the living room, he felt a new sense of confidence. But at the same time he was resolute. He made a promise to John Grey and it was up to him to keep it.

East Manhattan – Assisted Living Center

Lorna Dane was excited to see her mother again. It felt like it had been forever since she talked to her. After she accepted Hellfire’s invitation, they kept her busy to say the least. At the same time they moved her handicapped mother to a high end assisted living center in East Manhattan. It was one of those medical centers people paid a little extra to get special treatment. There her mother received some much needed treatment. She had some long overdue surgeries done and was given a new cocktail of medications to manage her condition better. Lorna had only spoken to her over the phone since it all began, but from what she could tell her mother was in high spirits for the first time in a long while.

And she wouldn’t just be meeting her. She brought along Pietro so he could meet her as well. At first he was hesitant. The idea of meeting the woman his father fooled around with after his mother’s death wasn’t very appealing at first. But Lorna talked him into it. She gave him that look he couldn’t say no to. And besides, spending time with her was better than spending time with Wanda. There were so many problems between them even he didn’t have the speed or resolve to confront them. But he still had his doubts.

“Are you sure about this, Lorna?” said Pietro as he and Lorna rode the elevator up to her mother’s floor, “I don’t know how happy she’ll be to see me.”

“Relax, Pietro. I told her all about you. She’ll love you!” she said confidently.

“I hope you’re right,” the speedster sighed, “I’m still surprised you wanted me to come with you. I would have thought you would want Alex to escort you.”

Lorna cast her half-brother a look. There was a distinct distain in his tone when he mentioned Alex. But she wasn’t about to get into that again.

“Please don’t start with that,” she sighed, “If you must know, Alex has been in a rotten mood lately. He and Scott have been fighting again.”

“Nothing new there,” Pietro snickered, “What is it this time? Alex skip out on another training session?”

“Among other things,” muttered Lorna.

“Seriously, what do you see in that guy?”

“Pietro please…” she groaned, “I don’t want to deal with those issues today. This isn’t about Alex and it isn’t about us. It’s about my mom. Can you remember that?”

Pietro groaned and sighed, not wanting to look into those wanting eyes of hers. It was never easy for him to let things go. It was easy to forget things when his mind was always going so fast. But for Lorna, he was willing to take it easy for once.

“Okay, I’ll try,” he groaned.

“Great! Now put on that charm of yours and follow me.”

The elevator door opened and Pietro followed Lorna down some nice halls and towards the area where Lorna’s mother was set up. For a home for paraplegics, this place was pretty nice. It resembled a fancy hotel more than a hospital at times. But then again the Hellfire Club was footing the bill for this and they never spared any expense.

Lorna’s remained excited as she approached the door. But just before she entered, she stopped. Then her expression changed to one of distress.

“You okay?” asked Pietro.

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just…my mother doesn’t know about some of the things I’ve done at the Hellfire Club,” said Lorna distantly, “She doesn’t know I’ve taken part in magic rituals or used my powers to hurt people. And I know Lord Xavier told me not to tell her, but…”

“You think it would make her feel any better if she knew?” asked Pietro.

“Of course not, but she’s always been a bit fragile. And I’m just worried that…”

The Pietro cut her off.

“Lorna, stop right there,” he told her, “I know what you’re thinking. And let me tell you right off the bat that it’s a bad idea.”

“I know it is,” muttered Lorna, “But doesn’t she deserve to know?”

“No, she doesn’t,” he said strongly, “You should know by now that the truth may be noble, but it often hurts. My father believed that people should confront the truth, whether they like it or not. But Lord Xavier has shown us all that truth is only relative. What matters is perception. So long as your mother believes what she need to believe, she’ll be happier. You both will.”

Lorna let out a deep sigh. She knew Pietro was right. Like many of the others, she was still adapting to morality of the Hellfire Club. Sometimes it was hard to warp her head around the kind of ambiguity they preached. Everything was okay so long as the outcome was better for all. She understood the logic behind and saw first hand how it was applied. She was still working on accepting it though.

“Okay,” she said, “But if at any point I forget…I need you to stop me.”

“Don’t worry, you can trust me,” assured Pietro, “I promise.”

Lorna smiled. For a half-brother, he was very sweet. Too bad Wanda didn’t take after him. She would have liked to introduce her mother to all her lost family.

With renewed confidence, Lorna opened the door and led Pietro inside. The room was fairly large, arranged like a hotel suite, only with everything wheelchair accessible. There was an assorted corner for medical equipment, which was always on standby. There were even intercoms that offered direct access to facility nurses. For someone who was paralyzed, it was probably the best place they could be. It showed just how serious Xavier was about keeping his promise to Lorna and her mother.

They found Lorna’s mother sitting near the window, reading a book. Then when she heard them enter she turned around and her face lit up.

“Lorna! Oh it’s good to see you again!” she cried out joyfully, “Come, give me a hug!”

“Great to see you too, mom,” smiled Lorna, “I missed you.”

Lorna walked over and threw her arms around her mother, hugging her closely and enjoying the moment. It felt good to hug her mother again. It had been too long since she felt something like this. Even with all the darkness she took in at the Hellfire Club, it was nice to have this feeling to remind her that she was still her.

But as she hugged her mother, she noticed how she shifted at the sight of Pietro. Her expression changed and she grew a little tense. It wasn’t because he scared her or anything, but seeing a man who looked so similar to Magneto was a bit overwhelming. It brought back old memories that haunted her every day. And since she was already a fragile woman, it took a moment for her to process everything.

“Lorna dear, is this…” she began.

“Yes mom, this is the man I told you about,” said Lorna as she parted from her mother’s embrace, “This is Pietro, my half-brother.”

“I…I see,” she said nervously, “It’s…it’s nice to finally meet you.”

“Likewise, Ms Dane,” said Pietro as he walked up to her.

He notice her flinch a little as he got closer. He must have reminded her a bit too much of Magneto. Not that he blamed her, but it was a little distressing. Pietro didn’t like his father any more than she probably did, but he couldn’t get away from how he looked.

“I…I’m sorry,” she said, “It’s just…”

“I understand,” said Pietro, “It is a lot to take in. But we don’t have to talk about it if it’s too difficult.”

“No, it’s not that. I just…” she began.

But her fragile psyche wouldn’t allow her to continue. Lorna sensed this and knelt down and took her hand. Her mother was always distant, but on issues concerning her family she become especially emotional. The accident only made it worse and many wounds remained. But Pietro refused to add to them.

“Just so you know, I hold no hard feelings,” said Pietro as he sat on her bed, “It’s not your fault my father is a horrendously flawed man. And it’s not your fault that I’m his son.”

“Yes, I know, but…it’s just been so long,” she said, her voice still full of pain, “I’ve been trying to block it out for years. It…it was a mistake on my part.”

“Mom…” said Lorna, clutching her hand tighter.

“Oh don’t you worry, Lorna. Having you wasn’t the mistake. Just reaching out to that man was the mistake.”

Pietro was silent for a moment. He wasn’t sure how to react in the presence of this woman. He clearly reminded her of his father. Whatever happened between them must have been pretty difficult. But he wasn’t about to let his father ruin yet another relationship in his life.

“I’m sorry for what he put you through,” said Pietro, “He’s…a difficult man to say the least.”

“That he is,” she said, “Some men are merely damaged by tragedy. Others fall into a darkness that they can never escape.”

“I think it’s safe to say my father fell pretty hard,” muttered Pietro.

“I know. And I tried to keep him from falling. But…”

The paralyzed woman trailed off, unable to complete her thoughts. She shifted again and clutched Lorna’s hand even tighter. Pietro still managed a smile though. It seemed as though this woman knew his father just like he did. She saw first hand how he could be so difficult. At times he could be so charismatic and admirable. But beyond that charisma was a very twisted man. Few people fell so hard into such a state. Selene was one of them. Pietro used to think his father wasn’t like that. But seeing this woman and the effect he had on her, he knew for certain that he was beyond that path.

“Look, I’m sorry we had to get into this,” said Pietro, “Let’s stop dwelling on the past for now and focus on the present.”

“He’s right, mom,” said Lorna, “There’s a lot we have to catch up on. So what do you say we get something to eat and start enjoying yourselves?”

The paralyzed woman sighed and smiled. In her distraught state, it was hard to escape all these feelings she had been keeping in. But even for someone in her condition, that shouldn’t stop her from being happy.

“You’re right,” she said as she wheeled away from the window, “Come, I’ll show you the cafeteria. We’ll get something to eat and you can tell me everything that’s been going on at this new job of yours.”

“Sounds great, mom!” said Lorna, as she walked up beside her mother, “Believe me, I have plenty to tell.”

Lorna smiled and Pietro shot her a knowing look. She understood she couldn’t tell her mother everything. She was going to have to twist the truth and flat out lie. But she remembered what Pietro told her. So long as her mother knew enough to be happy, it was okay. So for now she pushed aside her laurels about lying and kept up her spirits as she followed her mother down to the cafeteria. Pietro remained close behind, giving her reassuring gestures along the way. Having never had much family growing up, it was comforting to spend time with both her mother and half-brother. This never would have been possible without the Hellfire Club. There were a lot of complications involved in such an organization, but as she stood with Pietro and her mother Lorna firmly believed that the benefits far exceeded the costs.

Deerfield, Illinois – Pryde Home

Kitty’s old always neighborhood brought up many mixed emotions. On one hand this was where she grew up and there were a number of happy times associated with this place. But on the other hand there were plenty of bad times. Most of them came after she found out she was a mutant. She still had nightmares about how other kids hazed her and how local bureaucrats tried to get her kicked out. Even though the Hellfire Club gave her a good outlet for those feelings in the form of power, money, and sex, it still haunted her.

But now she was back in her home town. She was older, stronger, and tougher. She wasn’t afraid to walk down the streets this time. If anybody tried to mess with her she would not hesitate to show them the combat techniques taught to her by Logan and James Poundstar. It was ironic because she used to be afraid that her powers made her weak. Now they were her strength. So she could walk down her old neighborhood with her head held high.

She was set to visit her parents, who had not seen her much since her recruitment. She called them every couple of days to keep in touch, but for the most part she was busy with her Hellfire duties. Naturally, she didn’t tell them about many of the things she did. They didn’t know she was a stripper now. They didn’t know she took part in missions that involved torture, murder, and deception. But it was for the better. They didn’t need to know because she was making a better life for herself. And she was making a better life for them as well.

As she walked up to her old house she smiled. Her parents had done a little renovating. After the Hellfire Club took her in, Lord Xavier paid one of his slick lawyers to sue the school for discrimination. Naturally, he won and her family got a big six figure settlement from the district. That helped pay off a few debts. And then Xavier helped her father get a nice new job at a company that was on the Hellfire Club’s payroll. It paid a lot more and helped her parents live in greater comfort than ever before. Her earnings from stripping also helped, but it all built towards the same goal.

As she walked up her old driveway the front door opened and her mother came running out.

“Kitty? Kitty, darling, is that you?” she exclaimed.

“Yes, mom, it’s me,” smiled Kitty, “I’m home.”

Her mother exploded in a wave of motherly affection and ran up to her daughter to hug her. Kitty was caught off guard at first, but she quickly found herself hugging back. Even with all the amazing and often overwhelming feelings she experienced at the Hellfire Club, she still had a strong appreciation for her mother’s embrace. And as they hugged, her father came out to join them.

“Kitty! Sweetheart, you’re home!” he said as he came over towards her, “And my god what happened to you? You look…bigger.”

Kitty couldn’t help but laugh. She wasn’t sure if her dad was referring to her new build or her enhanced breasts. Either way it was true.

“I’ve been doing some conditioning,” she said, “I felt like I needed a makeover.”

“Well you look simply stunning!” said her mother proudly, “My god, it’s amazing what can change in the span of a few months.”

“No kidding,” smiled Kitty, “I see you guys have really fixed the house up.”

“Oh we’ve done more than that,” said her father proudly, “Ever since we got that settlement money and I started my new job, everything’s been looking up.”

“Yes, and you’ll be happy to know that some of those terrible officials who tried to expel you for being a mutant were let go. Even your father’s old boss got in trouble with a lawsuit.”

“Did he now?” grinned Kitty.

“Oh yes, it seems as though a lot of lawsuits are being thrown at the anti-mutant crowd,” said her mother, “What’s remarkable though is they’re winning. A lot of people are paying for their bigotry mightily.”

“As well they should,” said her father, “I don’t know who’s been behind it all, but I’m glad someone’s out there fighting these radicals. It seems they’re getting more worked up with every passing day.”

“So justice was served?” said Kitty.

“Well I do feel kind of bad for what has happened to some of these people, but yes,” said her mother, “Justice has been served. I told you it would pan out if we have faith.”

It was a painful reality. The anti-mutant crowd was still pretty vocal, but the Hellfire Club did a good job of keeping it in check. Much of Lord Xavier’s agenda revolved around mutants and giving them a proper place in society, while profiting handsomely off it in the long run. Her parents didn’t know, but Xavier was behind many of the lawsuits that descended upon her area. Because of her service, he gave her area special treatment while others weren’t so scrutinized. But this was necessary to manage the conflict.

She wasn’t complaining though. Her family sure benefited. The Hellfire Club didn’t just pay for a lawyer, they made calls to some influential people that helped exact justice Hellfire style. They probably didn’t know but her father’s old boss was completely ruined after Xavier’s people got through with him. Last she heard he was homeless and binge drinking. It was a fitting way for her family to bounce back.

“Ooh, I’m just so glad you’re back!” said her mom, giving her another hug, “Come inside! I made your favorite casserole! We have so much to talk about!”

“We sure do,” chirped Kitty, “And don’t get too excited, but I may have met someone at this new place.”

“Oh?” said her father, quickly putting on a more serious demeanor.

“Oh don’t give me that look daddy,” she said, “He’s okay. Let’s just get something to eat. I’ll tell you all about him!”

Her father smiled and conceded, following her inside along with her mother. But as she walked inside she noticed an old neighbor walking down the street with his dog. She recognized him as one of the older bullies that harassed her when she was at school. When he saw her he gave her a look at first. But instead of just timidly looking away she shot back with a look of her own. It was the kind of look people like Jean, Rogue, Emma, and Selene taught her at the Hellfire Club. It was a look that said ‘I know I’m a mutant and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave me alone.’ It was a look of someone tougher than the old Kitty Pryde and it was enough to cause the boy to shift awkwardly and turn away.

Kitty smiled proudly. A lot had changed, but she was stronger now. She wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself and she had a new presence to her, one that could only be instilled in a Hellfire woman. She knew she wouldn’t be able to tell her parents the full story. As far as they knew, she was participating in a work/study program with X-Industrial. And that’s all they were going to know. For too long she had brought her family down because of her powers. Now she was helping them and becoming stronger while she did it. Something that did that much good for herself and her family was worth having to lie about.

Port Washington, Long Island – Drake Home

Bobby Drake never liked being weak. Ever since he was beaten into a coma by an anti-mutant lynch mob he worked hard to become stronger. The Hellfire Club helped him make great strides in many things, but the most important step he took was becoming stronger. He learned how to manage his powers, how to fight with his bare hands, and how to take down enemies without a second of hesitation. He had already attacked people in ways he never thought he was capable of. But he didn’t feel guilt. He felt only strength. He could safely say he felt stronger than he had in a long time.

He felt more like his old self again. He had his sense of humor back and his taste for fun. It wasn’t exactly the same. The Hellfire Club instilled a somewhat dark sense of resolve in him, but it was a resolve that was helping him do better as a person. And on his first visit to his parents since his recruitment, it was clear for them to see.

He arrived home in a bit of a daze. Home felt so different to him after his lynching. It carried with it some bad memories, but those memories weren’t enough to keep him from seeing his parents. When they saw him they both came up to him and hugged him tightly. At first he was a bit hesitant, but he soon found himself hugging back. And for the first time in what felt like a lifetime he felt comfort in his home.

After the emotional reunion, they led him inside where his mom made sandwiches for everybody. They then sat down in the kitchen and began talking about everything that had happened since Bobby left. As with the others, Bobby couldn’t tell them everything about the Hellfire Club. As far as they knew he was an intern taking classes part time with X-Industrial while he learned to use his powers and make a little extra money in the process. And ‘a little extra’ for the Hellfire Club was relative compared to what most people imagined. But his parents weren’t complaining. They were just happy to see him smile again.

“My god, I can’t get over how much you’ve grown!” said his mother for what felt like the tenth time.

“I know, mom. We get it. I bulked up,” laughed Bobby as he finished his sandwich, “Working at X-Industrial can be strenuous, but it does a body good.”

To prove his point, he confidently showed off his growing bicep. His mother laughed while his father smiled in approval.

“I’ll say,” said his father, “Hard to believe just a few months ago the most exercise you ever got was lifting the TV remote.”

“Oh I still get plenty of that in,” grinned Bobby, “I just have a lot more to do now. They keep us pretty busy with training and studying, but in a good way. It sure beats the homework from my old school.”

“Well I’m just glad to see you so motivated. I remember how depressed you were in the hospital.”

“Yeah well, I thought my life was over then,” said Bobby more distantly, “I thought that me being a mutant was just the end of everything. But at X-Industrial it’s just the beginning. And I think you’ll agree from the money I’ve brought in that it’s been a step up.”

“Oh don’t bring money into this, son,” said his mother, “We’re just glad to see you happy again.”

“I know, mom,” he said with a smile, “But you gotta admit, money helps.”

His parents just smiled and laughed. But they didn’t deny his statement. The money they received really had helped. Their family had long been held down by their lower-middle class resources. Neither of them was college educated and most spent their lives in blue collar jobs that didn’t pay much and left them little to build on. But once Bobby agreed to go with these people they started getting checks in the mail and for the first time in their family history, they had money to save, spend, and invest. They lived a much more comfortable life now than they did a year ago and it was all thanks to their son’s powers.

“Well money or not, we’re glad to see you in good spirits, son,” said his father, “We were worried for a while. Mutant affairs hasn’t gotten any less chaotic.”

“No argument here, but it’s better than it could be,” said Bobby distantly, “What happened to me was bad, but I just had the rotten luck of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Most mutant have protections. I know because Charles Xavier provides a lot of it.”

“Well it still worries me,” said his mother, “Every time I see a report on the news about some radical fringe group that’s either anti-mutant or pro-mutant I cringe. It feels like those groups should be bigger and more influential.”

“But they’re not,” said Bobby strongly, “There are a previsions out there that keep them in check.”

“Thank god for that,” said his father, “The law isn’t perfect, but it does some things right.”

“It does when you know how to work it,” said Bobby cryptically.

“What do you mean, son?”

“Nothing,” he said innocently.

Bobby had to keep himself from blurting out too much. Part of those ‘previsions’ he mentioned weren’t exactly related to law. They were part of the ruthless tactics of the Hellfire Club. Xavier and Selene saw a need to have a radical and scary fringe element in society to instill the right amount of fear and awareness in the public. But they kept those elements under their thumb. Groups like the Friends of Humanity and the Mutant Liberation Front were extreme, but the Hellfire Club kept them in check. Most of the time it was through bribery, extortion, and legal harassment. But other times murder and torture were used. It wasn’t the most idealistic way to keep mutant affairs in check, but it worked.

“That reminds me,” said his mother, “Did you hear what happened to those bullies who assaulted you?”

“No, what happened?” asked Bobby, who already had a vague idea.

“Get this, not long after you went to work for Xavier a bunch of lawyers and judges descended on the area. They literally went house to house, picking up everybody who was even remotely involved and arrested them on the spot. It was incredible!” said his father.

“It was. It caused quite a scene. Even your school principal got in trouble for expelling you while you were in a coma.”

“Good, that guy was a jerk anyways,” said Bobby.

“I’ll concede that, but some of these people got some fairly harsh punishments,” she said, “A few of those boys in that lynch mob went to jail. Others were expelled. And the principal not only got fired, he was sued by the county and lost his house. I’m all for justice, but some of these punishments were very harsh.”

“Well when you put an innocent boy in a coma, they should be,” said his father strongly.

“I know, but still. There can be such a thing as excessive retribution. It has scared the community straight, but at a cost.”

The table was silent for a moment. Bobby remembered how Xavier told him that he would take care of the people who hurt him. Like he did with Kitty Pryde, he sent an army of his lawyers and bureaucrats to his home town to straighten things up. Most places didn’t get this sort of treatment, but that was one of the perks of being in the Inner Circle.

“Well I say the cost is worth it,” said Bobby strongly, “People should be punished for beating other people into comas.”

“I don’t blame you for feeling that way, son,” said his mother in a caring tone, “But be careful. You can’t let yourself become too bitter about what happened.”

“No offence mom, but that’s easy for you to say. You didn’t lose all that time cooped up in a hospital bed,” said Bobby.

“I know I didn’t. There’s no way I could ever empathize with that no matter how much I want to. The world may not be fair, but it isn’t innately evil. You take the bad with the good, but it also works the other way. Sometimes you have to be the good one even when others around you aren’t.”

“You’re saying I should turn the other cheek?” said Bobby cynically.

“No, I’m saying you should remember who you are,” she said, giving her son an affectionate gesture, “You’re a good boy. I know you are. And don’t let anything taint that, okay?”

Bobby muttered to himself and sighed. Mothers always seemed to have this supernatural power to make sense. Even though she didn’t know the kinds of things he had done in the Hellfire Club, she still saw good in him. She didn’t know it, but she was right about taking the good with the bad. That was part of the Hellfire philosophy. Since he joined he learned to except and even embrace the bad. At times it was hard to hold onto the good, but looking at his parents he remembered how important it was. And he would have to work hard to remind himself from now on.

“Okay,” he conceded, “I won’t.”

“That’s my baby,” smiled his mom as she gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“Mom!” he laughed, “Come on, I’m not a baby anymore.”

“I know. But you’re still my baby whether you like it or not,” she said.

Bobby blushed and turned to his father.

“Dad, help me out here.”

“Sorry son, but you’re on your own,” he grinned, “You may be stronger and tougher, but you’re still our baby.”

“You’re not going to kiss me too, are you?”

“Nah, I’ll leave that to your mother,” he said, “Now what do you say we finish up here and go for a walk? We still got a lot of catching up to do.”

Bobby Drake smiled and laughed, glad to see his parents hadn’t lost their touch. He was beginning to see why Xavier had him do this. It was important to keep in touch with where he came from. As bad as things got while he was home, there was still plenty of good to hold onto. The Hellfire Club had already done a lot to change him. He felt himself become a different person from the first day he walked in. But sitting here with his parents he remembered there was still a part of him that wasn’t corrupt or tainted. And he had to keep that part of him if he was to stay strong.

Cumberland, Kentucky – Guthrie Home

Coal miners traditionally pride themselves on being tough. Men who work the mines their whole life are like ironmen, seemingly invincible from the inherent dangers that came along with such a hazardous job. But even the toughest of miners, the ones who dedicate their lives to mining coal, are not immune from some of the nastiest effects that the mine can have. In Cumberland, as well as most coal counties, there was a saying: “the mine always outlasts the miner.” And Sam Guthrie knew that all too well.

“Sam, honey, he’s ready for you,” his mother told him as he stood in the hallway of a local hospital.

“Thanks Ma. I’ll just be a minute,” Sam replied.

His mother smiled solemnly and hugged him one last time before he entered the room. It was a cold, sterile hospital room where patients recovering from surgery rested and recovered. Inside, he saw his father lying on the bed, conscious but breathing through a clear plastic oxygen mask. He looked tired and ragged, which wasn’t surprising considering he just had major surgery. But when he laid eyes on him he smiled and saw a light in his eyes he hadn’t seen in years.

“Hello Sam. It’s great to see you again,” he said in a raspy voice.

“Same here, Pa,” said Sam, “How you feeling?”

“Truth be told, I feel like a mountain fell on my chest and I’ve been coughing up chunks of it ever since. They managed to remove a bunch of it, but it still feels like I got something clawing inside me. But other than that, I’m good.”

Sam managed a hallow laugh. Even when he was sick, his father kept his spirits up. It was nice to see him smile again, but it was bittersweet in many ways.

His father’s health had been declining for a long time. Even before the mine closed there were bad signs. Up until he joined the Hellfire Club it had been getting worse. Some doctors said he wouldn’t last another year. But that was before Xavier pulled some strings. The day after he agreed to join the Hellfire Club, he paid to have one of the best lung surgeons in the world fly over from Germany. He even had a few mutant healers he had on staff come along to help him. They immediately brought him into a hospital where they operated and removed large chunks of the black coal dust that had accumulated in his lungs. It was a procedure that was long overdue and one that few out of work coal miners could afford, but it worked.

As he sat down on the chair next to his bed, Sam reached over and took his father’s hand. His grip was still strong, despite the surgery. After the first time, he went in for several more procedures to help repair some of the damage. They couldn’t undo all the damage, but it definitely helped him. He could breathe better and didn’t have as many coughing fits. He may not live another fifty years, but they bought him some valuable time. And that time was going to be much easier on him.

“They say this is the fourth surgery you’ve had,” said Sam, “And they still haven’t cleaned out your lungs?”

“Work in a coal mine for forty years and a lot builds up,” said his father, smiling as he removed his mask, “But it’s okay. At least I ain’t wheezing anymore. I won’t be running any marathons, but I’ll be able to go on walks with your mom and make it to Paige’s baseball games.”

“Well as long as you feel better, that’s what matters,” said Sam.

His father rose up a bit and smiled. He was still weak, but he was every bit as tough as the man who braved coal mines for several decades. Sam always looked up to him for that and since he joined Hellfire it was even more so.

“Your mom tells me you’ve been doing well at this new place,” he said proudly, “Says you’ve been working hard, earning your keep, and providing for the family.”

“Ah’m doing my best,” said Sam with a half smile.

“You’re doing better than that. I saw one of the checks that came in. I didn’t know that many zeroes could fit on a check.”

“It’s part of the deal my boss made me. Ah do my part and he helps you guys out.”

“Sounds like a good man.”

“He is…in a manner of speaking.”

His father didn’t know, but in many ways Xavier wasn’t a good man. Some of the things he did were downright mean at times. But other things he did were good. He did as much good as he had to do and as much evil as he had to do. In many ways he was indifferent to it all. That’s how most of the Hellfire Club worked. It used to bother him, but when he saw what came of it, like what it could do for his family, he understood.

“Listen Dad,” began Sam, “Ah want you to know that this place Ah’m working for ain’t like the coal mines. What we do is…complicated.”

“I don’t know much about the world outside Cumberland, Sam. It don’t take much to complicate things for me.”

“Well it’s even more so here. Ah’ve learned to use my powers in ways Ah’ve never used them before. Ah’ve done things Ah never thought Ah could do. And Ah’ve experienced things…things Ah can’t even begin to describe.”

“It’s a different world out there. You’re gonna feel that wherever you go.”

“Ah don’t think you understand, Pa.”

“I don’t have to. I think I know what you’re going through.”

Sam seriously doubted that. His father had no idea the kind of things he did and how he felt about them. And he couldn’t tell him either. The Hellfire Club made that very clear. But none-the-less, he let his father talk.

“When I was your age, I knew I was gonna end up working the mines,” he said, “I didn’t like it, but I knew it would happen. I resisted for a while, but eventually I accepted it. And I even came to appreciate it.”

“I know, Pa, but like Ah said this place ain’t the coal mines.”

“Let me finish, son. You see I may be loyal to my job, but I ain’t stupid. I know the mine hurts people. Heck, I know coal hurts people. Burning it isn’t good for the environment and it’s not good for people. But the good it does by and large outweighs the bad. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my time here on God’s green Earth, it’s that you can’t expect everything to be perfect. You gotta take the bad with the good and the good with the bad.”

Sam couldn’t help but smile. For a man who didn’t know the truth about the Hellfire Club, his father sure knew his stuff. He may not know the extent of the point he was making, but it definitely resonated with Sam and with the Hellfire ways.

“Point is, Sam, I want better for you. God gave you a gift and you should use it as best you can. You deserve a better life than just breathing coal dust for four decades. Just remember that for every gain you make, you take some time to reflect and enjoy it. Take it from a sick man. Life’s a gift. Don’t waste it.”

“Ah won’t, Pa,” said Sam.

“Good, so you’re gonna be okay at this place?”

Sam thought about it for a moment, reflecting on everything the Hellfire Club had shown him and everything they were teaching him. It was still difficult at times to get his head around, but after hearing his father’s advice it made a lot more sense now.

“Yeah, Ah’ll be fine,” said Sam.

“Good boy. Promise me you’ll work hard, okay?” he said, “Promise me you’ll do what you gotta do and enjoy the fruits of your labor. But most important, promise me you’ll remember who you are and where you came from while you do it.”

“Ah promise, Pa. You have my word.”

“That’s all I need to hear,” his father smiled, giving his son an encouraging punch in the shoulder, “And promise me something else while you’re at it.”

“Sure thing, Pa. What is it?” asked Sam.

His father rose up a bit more and leaned in closer to his son, looking him right in the eye. He had that serious look. It was the kind he always had when he told him something important and Sam knew well enough to listen.

“I know this ain’t easy, but you know I’m not gonna be around forever. I probably won’t be around much longer.”

“Come Pa, don’t say that. These doctors are helping you,” said Sam strongly.

“I know. And they are. But sooner or later the grim reaper’s gonna catch up with me. He does to everybody. And when that time comes, I need you to look after your sister and mother.”

“Of course, Pa. You know how important they are to me,” said Sam, “You don’t need to remind me of that.”

“I know, but beyond that…keep a close eye on your sister,” he said strongly.

“Paige? Why her?”

His father was silent for a moment. There was a look of anxiety on his face, but he kept it together. He didn’t know how many chances he would have left for this so he came out and said it.

“Because, son, if you turned out to be a mutant then there’s a chance she might be one as well. And you know better than I do how tough it can be for mutants out there.”

“You think Paige is a mutant?” said Sam curiously.

“I don’t think. Let’s just say I know my family and I have a gut feeling,” he told him, “I don’t know for sure, but if it does turn out that Paige is a mutant I want you to take care of her, you hear? I don’t want her to suffer like other mutants. I want her to have the same chance you did.”

It was a pretty tall order. He never considered seriously that Paige may be a mutant like him. But if she was, what would that mean for her? Because he was in the Inner Circle, he could be in a position to get her involved in the Hellfire Club and train her. It wouldn’t be unprecedented since Kurt and Rogue came in through their mother, Mystique. But that would mean Paige being exposed to Hellfire laurels. He was still getting a grasp on them himself and he was getting better at it, but he wasn’t sure if Paige could.

But looking at his father, he saw how serious he was about this. He wanted what was best for Paige just as much as he did with him. He didn’t know the kinds of things she would face at the Hellfire Club. He didn’t even know what he had done. But what he wanted was clear. He wanted him and Page to have a better life. And complications aside, there was no place that offered a greater chance at a better life than the Hellfire Club.

“Okay, Pa. I’ll do what I have to do for her,” said Sam, “If she does turn out to be a mutant, Ah’ll make sure she gets all the opportunities the same chance Ah got.”

“Thank you, son,” his father said as he proudly hugged him, “I know I didn’t say this enough when I was healthy, but I love you.”

“Ah know, Pa. Ah love you too,” said Sam as he hugged back.

“And no matter what happens to me, you stay strong, you hear? There’s nothing you can’t do if you just stay strong. Got it?”

“Ah got it, Pa.”

His father’s words rang true. Being in the Hellfire Club taught Sam Guthrie a lot about strength and power. Even with his mutant powers, he was powerless when the coal mine closed and there was nothing left for his family. He had to take a chance to really make something of himself and it led him down long and complicated road. He was still learning, but he was stronger now than he was before he joined. And he was going to stay strong. In a place like the Hellfire Club it wasn’t just necessary, it was vital.

Rio De Jinero, Brazil – Night Club

The night life in Rio was legendary. When the sun set, good times came flowing through the streets. Crowds of people of every kind of race and nationality poured into the vibrant party scene where food, alcohol, and sex were emanating from every corner. The night clubs always filled up fast. Music of all kinds blasted out into the streets and reverberated in the clubs. Men and women moved their bodies to the hypnotic rhythm, sending them into a dazed state that caused them to let go of all inhibition and caution.

In one of Rio’s hottest and most exclusive clubs, Roberto Da Costa was sitting at a table in a VIP lounge having a nice dinner with his father, Emmanuel Da Costa. Because of his wealth and influence, they had the best seat in the house. Their table was right next to a large window that overlooked the dance floor below, which by now was filled with people jumping and moving to the loud music. Luckily the area was sound proofed a bit so they could talk seriously as they ate. And they definitely had a lot to talk about. Unlike other parents, Emmanuel knew a few secrets about the Hellfire Club and knew his son had participated in them.

“Sounds like you’re coming along nicely, son,” said Emmanuel as he sipped on a martini, “You’re learning the tricks of the trade when it comes to moving up in this chaotic world.”

“I’d say so,” said Roberto, “But Lord Xavier still has me doing a lot of grunt work. He says I’m not mature enough to handle the more important missions.”

“Well are you?” his father asked.

“Of course I am! Don’t tell me you’re taking his side,” said Roberto strongly.

“I’m not taking a side, Roberto. I’m just trying to keep track.”

Roberto sighed in frustration. It was a good thing his father was like a best friend to him because he always gave him the benefit of the doubt. But he got the feeling that he was a little disappointed that he hadn’t worked his way up faster.

“It’s not my fault though,” he said defensively, “Xavier, Warpath, and all those trainers keep yelling at me when I don’t do something exactly as I tell them! I know there’s certain protocol, but come on! Do they really have to punish me for it?”

“It’s an unfortunate part of hierarchy. The lower you are the easier it is to nitpick.”

“Tell me about it. I swear if Scott or Logan yells at me one more time for going overboard…”

Roberto’s words trailed off as he gulped down his drink. He noticed his powers flare up a bit. The drink in his hand, which was supposed to be ice cold, was like hot tea by the time he drank it. He had to force himself to calm down before he went back to his food. It wasn’t new. In fact it had been happening more often since he joined the Hellfire Club and Emmanuel took notice.

“Take it easy, son. I know you’re frustrated. But you have to stay focused,” said Emmanuel.

“That’s just it, I am focused,” he said in a calmer tone, “They give me a task and I do it, no matter what gets in my way. Yeah, it gets a little messy sometimes.”

“How messy?” he inquired.

“Let’s just say there are still burn marks in the training arena they haven’t cleaned yet and leave it at that,” muttered Roberto.

His father laughed for moment, but Roberto wasn’t finished.

“But the thing is I want to move up in this place. I’m sick of being looked down upon! It’s been pestering me for years. Remember those people that attacked me and Julia? They looked down on me and look how that ended.”

“Yes, I know how you feel about that,” said Emmanuel, putting on a more serious demeanor, “Trust me, I know what you’re going through, Roberto. It’s not easy being at the very bottom of the totem pole.”

“It’s different for me, dad. I’m a mutant. And the Hellfire Club isn’t like running a business,” said Roberto.

“That may be true, but like you I was once a guy everybody looked down on. I was a nobody. But I didn’t want to stay a nobody. I wanted to rise above my limits and become somebody. And I succeeded. I worked hard and fought my way to the top. And now here I am, a billionaire and one of the most influential figures on this continent. But you’re destined for greater, Roberto!”

“Tell that to everyone in the Inner Circle,” he muttered, “They say I need to develop.”

“Then prove to them you’re stronger!” said Emmanuel intently, “You can’t let other people dictate your destiny. You want to move up? Then do it and don’t let anybody stand in your way. Sometimes you have to fight your way up. But I think you’re equipped for that.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, dad, but in a place like this mutant powers only go so far.”

“Then you’ll just have to take it a step further,” he said, “Trust me, you’ll get your chance. You just have to be ready when it comes.”

Roberto watched as his father finished his drink and ordered another. The man exuded such confidence and poise. It was part of why he admired him so much. He never quite understood where his father got his confidence and charisma, but after joining the Inner Circle he had a better idea. He understood better than most parents. Much of his wealth and influence was due to his cooperation with the Hellfire Club. He had seen him visit with Xavier at times and he always carried himself so well around him. Hopefully one day he could do the same.

“Thanks dad, I hope you’re right,” said Roberto as he set aside his plate.

“I know I am,” said Emmanuel confidently, “Do you know why I went out of my way to make sure you had a comfortable, opulent upbringing?”

“Because you’re rich and I’m your son?” he answered dryly.

“Not quite,” he grinned, “I did it because I wanted you to get a feel for what it’s like to live above everybody and what it takes to keep it that way. Now what happened to Julia was tragic and I know it brought you down a peg, but you have to rise above it! You can’t let anything stand in your way!”

“I’m not,” said Roberto strongly, “But it’s just…”

“It’s hard, I know,” his father went on, “But the key is taking advantage of opportunities. You see, everybody has opportunities in their life. Most aren’t realized and even if they are, people don’t take advantage of them because they’re afraid or they’re weak. The opportunity you’ve been given with the Hellfire Club is one very few get and you can’t afford not to take advantage of it.”

“I know, and I’m not taking it lightly, dad. Don’t think for a second that I’m not,” said Roberto.

“I’m not saying you aren’t. But right now I get the feeling you’re holding back. You’re letting your frustrations get the better of you. You need to start channeling those emotions into something greater. I can’t tell you what it is because Xavier doesn’t tell me the first thing about what goes on in that club of his. But you have to keep pushing your limits. Even if it feels wrong, dangerous, or even threatening, you can’t hold back. Don’t just earn your place, seize it.”

They were strong words from a man who did everything he just described. And he didn’t even have mutant powers. It resonated strongly with Roberto. It kind of reminded him of the lecture Selene gave the new pawns on their first day. As members of the Inner Circle they had to be willing to push their limits and take what they desired most. At the moment he wasn’t sure what he desired most, but he wasn’t about to let people like Scott, Warpath, and even Xavier himself stand in his way. His father was right. He could do better. He had a great deal of power in his hands. He just needed to find new opportunities to use it.

“Can I just ask you one more thing, Dad?” said Roberto.

“Of course, son. You can ask me anything,” said Emmanuel.

“When the day comes and I finally move up in the Hellfire Club, will you celebrate with me in another club as hot as this one?”

Emmanuel smiled proudly at his son. He may still be young, but he was coming of age fast.

“Son, when that day comes I’ll buy every club and Rio and celebrate until the world stops spinning.”

They shared a smile and a good laugh. Then a scantily dressed waitress came by and delivered a new round of drinks. They both shot the waitress a look and took their glasses and held them up.

“I’ll drink to that, Dad,” said Roberto.

“So will I, son,” he said proudly, “To your success!”

“To my success,” said Roberto as he tapped his glass with his father’s, “Hopefully it’ll come soon.”

Emmanuel Da Costa was a remarkable man. Roberto had always strived to be like him and spending time with him like this made him realize just how much further he had to go. He was still limited by what the Hellfire Club allowed him to do. But he wasn’t going to let it stay that way. He was going to do what his father did and fight his way up. He didn’t care who he had to go through or what he had to do. He was going to make his mark on the Hellfire Club. He just needed the right opportunity.

Worthington Tower

Worthington Tower always had the best view at sunset. At the top of the tower in the executive level suites, the view was especially breathtaking. Nearly all of Manhattan could be seen. And when the sun was setting behind the buildings it made for a picturesque image. Warren Worthington III and his father Warren Jr. had always enjoyed the view. It put a lot into perspective in terms of their place in the world. But lately it didn’t seem as though neither of them were enjoying it as much.

While many others in the Inner Circle were excited to spend their off day with their families, Warren wasn’t nearly as enthused. These past few years he and his father had been growing distant. Ever since he took on a greater role in Worthington Industries a rift had developed between them. While his father was glad to see him running the family business with such veracity, he didn’t always approve of his methods. He remained blissfully ignorant of the details, but he never doubted that Warren employed some of the Hellfire Club’s ruthless tactics. Every so often a competitor would drop out, a certain foe would disappear, and important contracts had a way of being magically given to the company. It was good for the shareholders and good for their pocketbooks. But Warren Jr. still had his concerns.

But for the moment, he tried to set those concerns aside and just enjoy this time he had with his son. They each stood gazing out the window, Warren still dressed in his custom business suit with holes for his wings. But as usual, Warren was distant.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” his father told him, “Peaceful and orderly from afar, but inside everything is going a million miles an hour.”

“Yes, it is beautiful,” said Warren, “It often makes me wonder how easy it would be to miss something. Up here you can’t tell what’s going on. For all we know there are forces down there working against us.”

“You almost sound paranoid, son,” he commented.

“I’m not saying they’re there. I’m just saying that if they were, how would we know?”

“That’s probably something you shouldn’t worry about,” he said, giving his son a pat on the shoulder.

“Maybe not, but I do think about it. Sometimes I just can’t help but wonder.”

Warren Jr. turned and gave his son a concerned look. In the past they hadn’t seen eye-to-eye on much, but even then they were at least on the same page. Now it was like he didn’t even know him anymore.

“Warren, I know you probably don’t want to hear it, but we should talk,” he told his son.

“Figures,” muttered the winged mutant bitterly, “What do you want from me, dad? The company’s doing well. I’m doing well. You and mom have all the free time in the world to enjoy the family fortune. What more could you want?”

“How about a son who will look me in the eye and not cut himself off from his family every chance he gets?”

Warren turned to stare down his father. He had the same stoic expression on his face that he often had when he looked in the mirror. Only his didn’t have that touch of darkness that had grown so much over the years. Like father like son indeed.

“I’m here now, aren’t I?” he said, “We’re here talking, father and son, on the top floor of the company that you groomed me to take over. And I have.”

“That’s not the problem,” said Warren Jr., “What’s bothering me is how you’re running it.”

“Why should that be a problem?” the winged mutant argued, “Worthington Industries has had four consecutive years of double digit growth, our stock price peaked last month, and we’re expanding our operations to new markets all over the world. Doesn’t that imply that I’m doing something right?”

“I’m not complaining about our growth. Believe me, I’m all for it,” his father said, “It’s how you’ve changed since you took over. I don’t know if it’s the job that’s changing you or it’s the Hellfire Club, but even you have to admit you’ve changed. And it concerns me.”

Warren muttered a curse under his breath. Fathers were so annoying sometimes. They spend years grooming them for something and when they finally take it over and succeed, they complain about it. Sometimes he wondered if he would ever satisfy his father.

“What have I done that’s so concerning?” he asked, “I thought getting things done is a good thing.”

“It is. But it’s how you carry yourself,” his father explained, “When your grandfather ran things he was respected. People loved him and feared him, but he always carried himself with strength and humility. I tried to carry on that legacy when I took over. I tried to get people to love and fear me as well. And I like to think that I succeeded.”

“And I haven’t?” said Warren.

“You’ve gotten people to fear you, son. I know for a fact that there are some people who won’t even set foot in the same room as you because they’re terrified of what you may do. Do you have any idea how detrimental that can be to a business?”

“If they’re that afraid then why do business with them in the first place?” scoffed Warren.

“That’s easy to say when you can’t quantify the loss of deal that is never even drawn up. But I was always aware of that and so was your grandfather. We both understand that as necessary as fear may be, people have to love you as well. They have to love being around you, knowing you, and working with you. If you’re cold, heartless, and distant they won’t come to you. They won’t have anything to do with you.”

Warren looked away. His father’s words were harsh. And there may be some truth to them. But they didn’t resonate all that much. He understood his tactics weren’t winning him any friends. But he didn’t need friends. He already knew what he needed.

“I don’t care what other people think about me anymore, dad. I stopped caring a long time ago,” he said in a low tone.

“I know,” said his father, who put a comforting hand on his shoulder, “But in this line of work you need to care. I don’t want people to see you as a mean, heartless monster. That’s not you.”

“It’s just how I work,” shrugged Warren, “It’s easier to be feared rather than loved. More gets done that way.”

“That’s not what I’ve taught you. That’s not even something Xavier would teach you,” said his father strongly.

“He didn’t teach me that. I’m not a machine dad. You can’t just teach me to be a certain way and expect me to fall in line.”

“I don’t want you to be a machine, Warren. I want you to be my son. And my son would know better than to just cut himself off, acting as though the world is such a terrible place and the only way to deal with it is to shut it out.”

“Maybe it is a terrible place,” quipped the winged mutant, “Maybe you’re the one that’s shutting it out.”

“The world is only as terrible as we choose to see it, son. And I think you’ve been making some pretty bad choices in that respect.”

Warren muttered a curse and looked away. His father truly didn’t understand. He didn’t know what it was like to be filled with darkness. He didn’t know what it was like to see the world for what it was. He still clung to these fantasies that there was more good than evil. But he was wrong. Mistress Selene showed him the way long ago. And there was no going back.

But to his credit, his father did not scold him. He just turned to his son, put his hand on his shoulder, and looked him in the eye as any concerned father would.

“Look son, I knew I took a chance when I sent you to the Hellfire Club. I knew they would teach you things and show you things that I couldn’t even begin to describe.”

“Do you regret it?” asked Warren.

“I’m not sure. There have been mixed results,” his father answered, “In many respects you’ve learned well. You’ve done our family name a lot of good. But I look in your eyes and I don’t see the young man who used to fly around in an angel costume. I see a man who is strong and determined, but who lacks judgment.”

Warren rolled his eyes and tried to look away, but his father wouldn’t let him. He made sure he kept looking him right in the eye.

“Now I’m not saying it’s all because of the Hellfire Club. I don’t know the kinds of things they do and frankly I don’t want to know. What matters most to me is my family. And you need to know that no matter what happens you’re still a Worthington. The choices you make effect a lot of people.”

“I know dad. But I know what I’m doing. The path I’m on now is the path I want to be on.”

“I don’t doubt your resolve. I only doubt your decisions.”

“You’re not going to try and stop me from making them, are you?” said Warren dryly.

“Don’t patronize me, son. You know as well as I that we’re beyond that point. But I can still be your father. And from father to son, just promise me you’ll be careful. The decisions you’re making now may end up coming back to haunt you.”

Warren sighed again. His father had always been controlling, but he was never much for understanding. It was almost laughable that he would try to be at this point in his life when he was a full grown adult with all the responsibilities he had been groomed for. But there was an ominous hint of warning in his tone. It was as if he could see the darkness that had been instilled in him. Maybe he saw it better than he let on, but he didn’t fight it. He tried to reach him. But his efforts, as noble as they were, could only go so far. Warren had long since reached the point of no return. He had given into the darkness. And the only way to lay his father’s concerns to rest was to lie.

“I promise,” he told him.

“Thank you, son,” said Warren Jr., “Now can we at least try to enjoy the rest of the evening together.”

“We can try,” said Warren, forcing a slight smile.

“That’s all I ask.”

His father managed to smile back, but it was a hallow gesture at best. Warren got the feeling that he didn’t believe him when he said he promised. He knew his dad well enough to know when he was leading him on. But once again, he didn’t say a word. He seemed resolute to leave things as they were. That was just fine with Warren. He didn’t need his father breathing down his neck anyways. So for the rest of the night he would put on a happy face and talk about good times. But the darkness was still there.

And yet, he couldn’t help but dwell on his warning. He chose to walk this path of darkness. He chose to embrace Selene’s ways. But would it really come back to haunt him like he said it would? Only time would tell.

************************************************************************

Up next: More family issues emerge as Selene seeks to expand her influence.