New Blood III: Triumph of Darkness

New Blood
Chapter 21: Hellfire Burns Forever

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Hellfire Manor Throne Room – Six Months Later

The big day had finally arrived. Six months since Selene’s ultimate defeat, the Hellfire Club had rebuilt its manor, regained control of all their old assets, and re-established connections with all previous commercial, political, and economic entities. It was a cumbersome and sometimes bloody affair, requiring them to take out those who tried to break away and re-connect with those who hadn’t. With a new and more powerful Cerebrum now online, they had all the power and control they had before Selene’s betrayal and then some. But just getting that power back was the beginning. Now the time had come to take it to the next level.

At midnight on a cloudy night over Manhattan, Xavier and his loyal followers gathered in the main throne room of the rebuilt Hellfire Manor. They were all dressed in their best Hellfire attire with the men wearing their custom Victorian style suits and the women wearing their revealing lingerie pieces. They all stood in one long row before the main throne where Xavier sat with Moria by his side. Scott, Jean, Piotr, Rogue, Warpath, Pietro, Logan, Mystique, Bobby, Jubilee, Kitty, Sam, Julian, Rahne, Remy, Ororo, Deadpool, Danielle, Emma, Laura, and Lorna had fought hard alongside Xavier in his ascension towards power. As such they were to be rewarded. And tonight was the night where it all would begin.

But this wasn’t just a night of rewards. This was also a night of punishment. Behind them, stripped naked and in their knees, were Selene and her minions. They all bore looks of despair, defeat, and submission. For the past six months they had been languishing in holding cells, awaiting their fate. Selene along with Wanda, Alex, Tabitha, Kurt, Warren, Psylocke, Monet, and Roberto were there only to receive their official sentence. As traitors to the Hellfire Club, they were forever condemned. Their will and resolve was gone. All that was left was to learn their fate and accept it.

As soon as the clock struck midnight, the ceremonies began. Charles Xavier rose up wearing his elaborate new attire and addressed his loyal minions.

“Tonight marks the beginning of a new era for the Hellfire Club. After centuries of reign, the old order has conceded. Now we, a new and more enlightened order, shall take over. And you, my dear associates, will not only bear witness to this momentous event. You will partake in it. For you have all chosen your paths. You chose to serve me loyally and as such you will be rewarded beyond all measure.”

Stepping down from the throne, Xavier smiled at his followers and they smiled back. They all had the look of a ruthless, hardened spirit in their eyes. They had been working so hard for this and they were ready for it.

“But before we begin, we must first take care of a few lose ends. There is still the matter of what to do with those who chose a different path.”

Xavier’s followers stepped aside and turned their attention to Selene and the rest of her kneeling minions. They watched as he approached them, staring down on them without pity or sympathy. They all cowered in his presence, barely even looking up with their lost gazes. They had no free will or spirit in them. Their only whim was whatever Charles Xavier dictated.

“Selene…” he said, drawing the attention of the former Black Queen, “You and your followers are guilty of the greatest of crimes. You betrayed the Hellfire Club. You tried to destroy everything, flying in the face of all that which our organization stands for. And for that you and your minions will all be punished. Please rise as I deliver your sentences.”

Selene and her minions did as they were told, not saying a word as they rose up and awaited their fate.

“From this day forward, you will live on with the lowest and most shameful of all titles. You are henceforth Hellfire Slaves. You will not be permitted to leave this facility. Your only duty is to do whatever anyone in the Inner Circle says without question. You will go on whatever mission we tell you to. You will do any job we tell you to do. Women, if one of our men wishes to rape you or put you into a sex show. You will do so without question. Men, if the women wish to torment or humiliate you, you will do so without question. And you will not resist anything that anyone here tries to do to you. You are slaves now. You are less than human. And you will bear this title now and forever.”

Xavier then turned to Moria and nodded. She then stepped forward, carrying a special mystical amulet given to her by Enchantress. Then with a cold and ruthless look in her eyes, she held the amulet up over the defeated slaves. Then the amulet started to glow in a bright red hue. As it glowed in a bright aura Selene, Wanda, Alex, Tabitha, Kurt, Warren, Psylocke, Monet, and Roberto each let out pained groans. Their naked bodies were soon engulfed in the aura. Then on the back of their necks a red symbol appeared. It was a distinct mystical symbol that marked them as a slave. It was a permanent mark, forever tying them to the Inner Circle’s power. Once the glowing stopped it was seared into their flesh, never to be removed.

“Now bow before you eternal masters,” ordered Xavier, “You’re servitude shall henceforth begin.”

Selene and her minions obeyed, bowing to Xavier and all her minions. It was a final show of defeat and submission. The Black King and all of his loyal supporters grinned at such a sight. It was utterly satisfying in so many ways. Selene, a woman who spent countless centuries making people her slaves, was now a slave herself. It couldn’t have been a more appropriate punishment.

But Selene and her minions weren’t the only ones facing punishment. Emma Frost, who waited off to the side, was guilty of crimes against the Hellfire Club as well. Granted they were not as severe as Selene’s and she had done much to make up for them, she could not escape punishment. She had to pay her dues. But Charles Xavier was a reasonable man if nothing else. He understood her situation and she trusted his judgment.

“Emma Frost, please step forth,” said the Black King.

Emma did as requested, bearing her usual hardened expression as she stood strongly before Charles Xavier. He then turned to Scott and Jean and gestured for them to join him. Since they were such a big part of Emma’s actions and since they were most affected, it was only proper that they be part of this.

“As you well know, Emma, you are also guilty of crimes against the Hellfire Club. You aided, albeit unknowingly, Selene in her insurrection. And you did not do anything to fight back until much damage was done. Now you have done a great deal to redeem yourself in helping us fight back against her, but you must understand that your transgressions cannot go unpunished.”

“I understand, Lord Xavier,” said Emma in a flat tone, “I am ready to accept whatever punishment you deem fit.”

The Black King nodded and approached the young woman who he had so much respect for. It was somewhat disappointing that he had to do this, but the bylaws of the Inner Circle had to be upheld. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t be reasonable.

“Very well, your reprimand is as follows,” said Xavier, “You are hereby stripped of your authoritative and administrative privileges. You are also hereby ineligible for any greater rank than that of a pawn. As part of your penance, you will also perform regular services at Club Hellfire. Furthermore, you will submit to the authority and demands dictated not just by myself, but that of Scott Summers and Jean Grey. You will take whatever their commands may be and carry them out as if they were a command from myself or Moria. Is that understood?”

Emma’s expression hardened once more. It was devastating and demoralizing to hear that all the power and privilege she once enjoyed so much was being revoked, but this was the price she had to pay. As hard as it was, she swallowed her pride and nodded.

“Yes, sir,” she said, bowing her head slightly.

Then the Black King gently caressed her face and smiled slightly. As harsh as he was at delivering punishment, he still made it clear he had a great fondness for her. And he wasn’t going to forget it.

“I’m not done yet, my dear Emma,” he said with a touch of affection, “While I know this punishment is a strong one, it is not eternal like the others. This is a temporary arrangement. Prove your loyalty over time and do your duties and these sanctions will be lifted. You will be able to regain much of your authority. You will still remain under Scott and Jean’s authority, but prove yourself to them as well as me and you will aspire to the potential I know you have. That I can promise you.”

Emma’s expression shifted somewhat. While it would be degrading to work under such scrutiny for a while, if she didn’t screw up again she could get her status back. That was encouraging. Of course, that all depended on convincing Scott and Jean of her worth. Turning towards them, she still saw a great deal of bitterness in their eyes. But she also saw a touch of reassurance. They made it clear they were every bit as reasonable as Xavier. She just had to prove herself. She had a long way to go, but with time she was confident she could convince them and Xavier.

“Thank you, my lord. I promise I’ll do what I must,” said Emma.

“I know you will,” said Charles Xavier with a reassuring smile.

To seal the deal, Xavier had Scott and Jean step forth. Moria joined them as well, standing around Emma with the authority and power of the Inner Circle.

“Now then, Emma, please kneel and accept this judgment. Your penance shall begin immediately after,” said Xavier.

Emma nodded and despite her pride and vanity, she humbled herself before her Black King and her former rivals, Scott and Jean. She bowed in a traditional sign of submission and obedience. And they all accepted. For Scott and Jean it was bittersweet. Emma’s betrayal hurt them the most, but even after everything she did she showed that she was willing to make up for it. With that in mind they were willing to show some mercy and let her earn back their trust and hopefully one day, their acceptance.

Once the gesture was accepted, Xavier gestured for Scott and Jean to take a step back.

“Thank you, Emma. You may rise,” said the Black King.

Emma did as she was told and returned to her feet. While she was humbled, she still bore the distinct hardened expression that so defined her. Even thought she was now on the road towards penance, she was still Emma Frost. And she was sure to have a significant impact on the Inner Circle for a long time to come.

With the punishments officially handed out, it was now time for the next and most important part of the ceremony. Charles Xavier and Moria MacTaggart returned to their thrones. There, Xavier retrieved a large decorated sword in an elaborate jeweled case. The sword wasn’t the same sword used in the typical swearing in ceremonies that all the pawns had to go through. This one was far more elaborate, crafted in the traditional form of the mythical Excalibur from Arthurian legend. When he withdrew it from its sheath, it bore an ominous and distinct glow. It was like the perfect blade, crafted with the kind of beauty and power that so defined the Inner Circle and the Hellfire Club.

With the sword in hand, Xavier stepped down from his throne and addressed the loyal pawns that had served him so since the beginning of his reign.

“My loyal associates,” he said, “Please step forth and kneel.”

Scott, Jean, Piotr, Rogue, Warpath, Pietro, Logan, Mystique, Bobby, Jubilee, Kitty, Sam, Julian, Rahne, Remy, Ororo, Deadpool, Danielle, Laura, and Lorna did as they were told. They were all brimming with anticipation and excitement. Xavier had told them from the beginning that they would be rewarded for their loyalty and Charles Xavier was a man of his word. And with Moria by his side, watching on with pride, the Black King smiled proudly at his young minions and began walking amongst them.

“Since the beginning of the Hellfire Club, the rite of ascension is the most sacred and honored tradition. When one proves themselves to be truly worthy of a rank within the Inner Circle, it is a time of great celebration. You will have a chance to exert your will on this chaotic world and indulge in all the pleasures it has to offer. Anything and everything you could ever want will be yours.”

It sounded like everything they had ever worked for. They all remained silent and obedient as Xavier stopped in the middle and held the sword up high in a show of strength and power.

“Like a game of chess, a pawn may become a higher piece. Today you shed your former rank as pawn. And since you have so loyally and dutifully served me and the spirit of the Hellfire Club in the face of such grave threats, it is with great honor and jubilation that I bestow upon you these new ranks of power and authority.”

Then with pride and anticipation, Charles Xavier approached each one of his loyal associates and bestowed upon them a new rank and title. By doing so he wasn’t just rewarding those that had served him loyally. He was putting into place a new Inner Circle to rule over the Hellfire Club.

“Scott Summers,” he said, now standing before the young man, “For your leadership and dedication to principle and authority, I hereby bestow upon you the rank of Black King.”

Xavier then tapped both shoulders with the tip of the sword, making the new rank official and everlasting to his being. For a former orphan who knew nothing but loss and frustration, it was the culmination of everything he worked for. He suffered and endured so much and at long last his drive had paid off. Now he wasn’t just a leader of his own path, he was a leader of true power.

“Jean Grey,” said Xavier, now standing before the young redhead, “For your power and dedication to knowledge and enlightenment, I hereby bestow upon you the rank of Black Queen.”

Xavier tapped both her shoulders with the sword, imbuing her with the title once held by Selene. For Jean Grey, it was a fitting way to end her journey from a confused young girl to a confident, powerful young woman. Having taken on Selene herself and triumphed, she would use all her power as a mystic and psychic to exert a level of control she once thought was unattainable. And unlike Selene, she would not take it for granted.

“Piotr Rasputin,” said Xavier, now standing in front of him, “For your strength and poise that has provided such a strong foundation for this organization, I hereby bestow upon you the rank of White Rook.”

Xavier tapped Piotr’s broad shoulders with the sword, officially completing the young Russian’s journey from a nameless errand boy for the Russian Mob to a true colossus of strength. It used to be he was never strong enough in the ways that mattered to help his family and himself. Now he had more than just strength. He had power. And he would wield it in ways every bit as big as his own muscles.

“Marie Darkholm,” said Xavier, now moving towards Rogue, “For your ever evolving strength and cunning that has aided the Inner Circle at every turn, I hereby bestow upon you the rank of Black Rook.”

Xavier tapped the shoulders of the young woman who was once a homeless runaway. Rogue had fought her way through countless struggles, learning how to fight and endure through hardship and frustration. Once she was at the mercy of her powers. Now she was fully in control and constantly using them in new ways. Her mother always wanted great things for her and now she had a chance to pursue those things on her own accord.

“James Poundstar,” said Xavier as he walked up to the Apache warrior, “For your skill and spirit, bearing all the honor and resolve of a true warrior, I hereby bestow upon you the rank of Black Knight.”

He then tapped both shoulders with the sword, a fitting way to anoint a true warrior to a position of power. For James Poundstar, he was a warrior without a cause in wake of his brother’s death. For so long he questioned his own worth. But now after taking on new battles and new foes and overcoming all of them, he had his cause. It was the cause of Hellfire and he would fight for it until his last breath.

“Pietro Maximoff,” said Xavier as he then approached the speedy mutant, “You were once an enemy, but you changed your path and followed that of Hellfire. For your desire to pursue a greater path and your insatiable drive to pursue it with such loyalty over that of others who push you so hard, I bestow upon you the rank of White King.”

Charles Xavier tapped both shoulders of the son of his old friend. For years Pietro lived in the shadow of his father, always serving under him and never taking power for himself. But he had since risen above him, turning away from Magneto’s cause and pursuing one he truly believed in. Now his father was dead and he wielded power that even he could never hope to wield. That in many ways was the ultimate triumph the son of Magneto could achieve.

“James Howlett and Laura Kinney,” said Xavier as he approached both Logan and Laura, “Since your fates are inescapably link, you shall receive your rank together. You were both once lost, the victims of people who tried to turn you into weapons. But now you fight for yourselves and for the Hellfire Club. For your unparalleled skill and efficiency in the art of combat and bloodshed, I hereby bestow upon the both of you the title of White Knight.”

He then tapped both shoulders of the two former living weapons. For Logan, it was a powerful moment. He was once the deranged victim of a failed science experiment. He spent so many years endlessly pursuing the past and punishing those who had wronged him. But now he had a new pursuit. He was dedicated to an organization that let him do what he did best. And as a reward, he got to wield power and influence. That was the ultimate ascension from weapon to hellfire.

When the sword touched Laura’s shoulders, it was equally powerful. Like Logan, she too was the victim of a failed science experiment. Like Weapon X, she was poked and prodded in inhumane ways meant to rob her of any sense of self. They tormented her in so many ways, eventually costing her the life of her mother. But the Hellfire Club gave her a new identity. She was a product of the Hellfire Club and that was an identity she could fully embrace.

“Raven Darkholm,” said Xavier, moving onto his long time ally, “A very special case indeed. For your efficient service and unparalleled cunning that has extended beyond my own reign as Black King, I hereby bestow upon you the rank of Blue Knight.”

“Blue…my favorite color,” commented Mystique.

The shape shifter smiled as Xavier tapped both her shoulders with the tip of the sword. She spent a lifetime trying to create a better life for herself. She used to have to resort to lies and deception, using her powers to create the life she wanted. But the Hellfire Club gave her an opportunity to create a life for her and her children where she didn’t have to be someone else. Now as just Raven Darkholm she could live this life and wield power on her own terms.

“Robert Drake,” said Xavier, moving onto his next associate, “For your resolve in fighting back against those who would harm you and your ability to freeze your enemies where they stand in more ways than one, I bestow upon you the rank of Blue Bishop.”

Xavier tapped the shoulders of the young man, filling him with a sense of accomplishment he never thought he would have. Since that fateful day in the hospital after having been assaulted by a lynch mob, he was a different person. But Xavier and the Hellfire Club took him in and helped him regain his strength and confidence. Now he would never be a victim again. He would be the one with the power. From here on out, that would be the cold hard truth in more ways than one.

“Jubilation Lee,” said Xavier as he moved on, “For your cunning and resolve to take that which is rightfully yours and let no one stand in your way, I hereby bestow upon you the rank of Yellow Bishop.”

Jubilee couldn’t help but smile proudly as she felt the blade tap both shoulders. Growing up she got lucky being adopted by rich parents. Then that was taken away from her. She got lucky again surviving in Beverly Hills malls. That was taken away from her as well. Now she was in the Hellfire Club where nothing like that could ever be taken from her again. It was her turn to judge who would take what and who would receive. And that kind of power resonated strongly with her and she planned on wielding it well.

“Katheryn Pryde,” said Xavier, moving onto the next of his younger associates, “For your uncanny capacity to be tough and resourceful in the face of overwhelming force, I hereby bestow upon you the rank of Blue Rook.”

Kitty bowed her head graciously as Xavier tapped her shoulders with the sword. It vindicated everything Piotr told her that fateful day her path crossed with the Hellfire Club. She grew up always submitting to the will and power of others. Now others would be submitting to her. She was stronger and tougher in every sense possible. And nobody, both figuratively and literally, could touch that.

“Samuel Guthrie,” said Xavier as he approached the Kentucky farm boy, “For you, a boy who started off with such uncertainty who later established himself as a true leader and example for all those who follow you, I hereby bestow upon you the rank of Red King.”

The decorated blade tapped the shoulders of the young man who once had such reservation about Hellfire’s ruthless ways. There once was a time when he believed all the morals of the deluded masses, but he had since realized the shortcomings of such morals. He came to see the true strength in the cutthroat tactics of the Hellfire Club. They made it so that those like his family could never endure the same hardship under the tyranny of others. Now he was a champion of such ways and would continue to be for a long time to come.

“Julian Keller,” said Xavier, moving on to his next young follower, “For your unshakeable drive to pursue greater causes regardless of challenge or cost, material or otherwise, I hereby bestow upon you the rank of Red Rook.”

Julian remained strong and stern as he felt the blade touch his shoulders. It used to be the rich and privileged world his parents brought him up in was so boring and unchallenging. Here at the Hellfire Club he found more than just new privileges. He found new ways to wield power and exact control. He also found the heart of a beautiful, tough woman that made his life all the more exciting. And with these new challenges and privileges, he planned on putting such power to good use.

“Remy Lebeau,” said Xavier as he approached one of his top thieves, “For you, a thief who walked away from one chaotic conflict into another and proved himself worthy of every boastful skill and attribute, I hereby bestow upon you the rank of Black Bishop.”

“Bishop huh? It ain’t a face card, but Remy will play it,” grinned the Cajun thief.

Xavier smiled at his comment and tapped his shoulders with the sword. Remy Lebeau grew up in a world where power was a mix of force and skill. He moved away from that world when it started forcing him into positions he didn’t want to be in. Here in the Hellfire Club, he could avoid such fates for good. He could be a master thief and power broker on his own terms. For someone who so frequently dealt in games of chance, this was truly the jackpot of all rewards.

“Ororo Munroe,” said Xavier as he moved onto his longtime ally, “Another very special case. For you, a thief who has stood by and loyally served me with grace, skill, and an unparalleled wrath worthy of Mother Nature herself, I bestow upon you the rank of White Queen.”

Ororo smiled at his kind words as he tapped her shoulders with the sword. From a pickpocket in Africa to a real queen, Ororo Munroe ascended through a myriad of challenges. Most thieves in her position ended up dead or in jail. But she was smart, cunning, and wise. She followed her own whims and that of nature itself and now here she was, a true queen in her own right. It was a fitting title for a woman who wielded the power of nature. And she would wield it with grace and authority.

“Wade Wilson,” said Xavier as he approached the ever popular mercenary, “Yet another special case, but in a different way. Despite your ‘unique’ personality traits, you have shown a remarkable aptitude for getting a job done. For such grit and determination as well as your offbeat persona, I bestow upon you the rank of Red Knight.”

“Oh happy days! Momma Deadpool would be so proud!” said Deadpool, pretending to hold back a sob.

Xavier laughed at his words. Even for a moment as profound as this, Wade Wilson was still the obnoxious merc with a moth. But for all his annoying comments and mental instability, he served the Hellfire Club with unquestioning loyalty and efficiency. He may have a screw loose, but he knew a good deal when he saw it. He took on the challenges of the Hellfire Club in a serious yet lighthearted manner. And now that he had officially proven himself, he earned his place with the Inner Circle. Even for him, that was nothing to joke about.

“Danielle Moonstar,” said Xavier as he approached the young woman he owed so much to, “A very special young woman who we all owe a great deal. For you, a girl who went above and beyond her limits to stand against those who would oppose the Inner Circle and all its principles and succeeded with such grace, I hereby bestow upon you the rank of Red Queen.”

It was a high rank for someone her age, but Xavier tapped her shoulders with the sword proudly and without reservation. Danielle Moonstar once lived a life of nightmares and uncertainty. She was at the mercy of her own illusions. Now the tables had turned. Now only others would be affected by her illusions. She learned and worked through great challenges and sometimes burdens to gain control. Now that control earned her the title of a queen and it was a control she would never let slip away ever again.

“Rahne Sinclair,” said Xavier, moving onto someone especially close to him, “My dear child. You have come a long way and become so strong. For your unwavering dedication not just to the Hellfire Club but to your own family and your predatory supremacy over all those you hunt, I hereby bestow upon you the rank of Red Bishop.”

“Not bad for an animal,” grinned the feral young woman.

Xavier tapped both her shoulders, granting her the power she worked much of her life to attain. It was a satisfying reward for a girl whose biological father threw her away. She grew up in the Hellfire Club. She came of age through the ways instilled in her by her mother, Moria, and Charles Xavier. And with later help from Hank McCoy, she came to embrace who and what she was. She wasn’t just an animal, she was a true predator. And now she was a predator with power. No prey shall ever escape her grasp again.

“Lorna Dane,” said Xavier, now standing at the last associate in line, “For you, a girl who had to overcome the sins of your father and wield power with a strength and resiliency able to overcome even the greatest of foes, I hereby bestow upon you the rank of Green Rook.”

It had been a true test of strength and spirit for Lorna and Xavier rewarded such resiliency as he tapped her shoulders with the tip of the sword, making it official. Lorna lived much of her life having to overcome the hole left by her father and the unrelenting greed and deviousness of people like Selene. She had always been willing to use power to exact vengeance and order. Now she would have a chance to do so on a much larger scale. She had become so much more than her father ever could have imagined. And even though she bore his powers, she would not bear his flaws.

With the final anointment, the new Inner Circle was almost complete. Charles Xavier returned to the throne where Moria was waiting for him. There with the sword in hand he stood proudly over his loyal associates. They were no longer the confused and lost mutants they once were. They were true champions of the Hellfire Club, hardened by darkness and guided by reason. Together they would be a truly unstoppable force. There was but one step left to bring it all together.

“You may rise, my fellow elites,” said Charles Xavier.

The new Inner Circle did as he said, rising up with a new strength and resolve that showed a new hardened spirit. They no longer bore the looks of pawns. They bore the looks of true Hellfire Club royalty.

“Now as you all are have ascended to a higher state within the Inner Circle, there remains one more rank to bestow. And that is the rank that I shall take along with Moria. As you all know, when the Hellfire Club first formed it was established by a grand and wise Lord Imperium. From that first act, everything this organization has become emerged. But since then no one has taken on such a title. Many have strived for it, but traditions of infighting and backstabbing have prevented it.”

Then with the sword in hand, Xavier walked up to his throne and held the sword high with the proud aura and might of a true ruler.

“On this day of the birth of a new Inner Circle, I hereby resurrect that role from the ashes. From this day forth, I shall wield power in this glorious organization under the title of Black Emperor. And my dear Moria, who has stood by me and helped me rule all this time, shall rule with me as Black Empress.”

Moira smiled proudly and joined Charles Xavier near the throne. They had talked about this moment before, fantasizing about the day when it would all finally come together. Now that day had come. Selene was gone and the old order that had hindered the Hellfire Club for so long was officially dead. Now a new order was ready to take hold. With his hand still firmly on the blade, Moria joined him and placed her hand over his and held the sword high in a ceremonial show of power.

“A new order has officially dawned upon us!” proclaimed the Black Emperor, “At long last, a new Lord Imperium has taken hold. And on this sacred night by this sacred ceremony, I promise unto you my loyal Inner Circle that I shall wield this new power with strength and reason. And unlike my predecessors, I will not abandon the bylaws of the Hellfire Club. Together we shall rule efficiently and responsibly. And our rule shall consume the entire world!”

It was an exciting moment. The new Inner Circle was filled with energy and enthusiasm over this new beginning. It was truly a momentous occasion.

“Here here!” they all proclaimed, “To the new Black Emperor and Empress!”

Charles Xavier smiled and exchanged an affectionate glance with Moria MacTaggart. They had the loyalty and resolve of a new Inner Circle. They had the power and authority of the entire Hellfire Empire. The world would never be the same. Still wielding the sword high, Xavier and Moria stepped down from the throne and joined their fellow elites. They instinctively gathered around him, placing their hands on the sword as well and joining in this moment of triumph.

“May flames of Hellfire burn now and forever more,” proclaimed Charles Xavier, “I say unto you, my fellow Inner Circle, Hellfire burns forever!”

“Hellfire burns forever!” they all repeated.

It was official now. A new Inner Circle had seized power. Charles Xavier fought long and hard, systematically taking out every last vestige of the previous Inner Circle. Now his fight was complete. Along the way he picked up new and valuable allies who he had conditioned and trained. Together with their combined power, nothing would stand in their way. No obstacle was great enough for them. No foe was too powerful for them to defeat.

They were driven not by morality, ideals, or petty pipe dreams. They were driven by a desire to instill order in a chaotic world through any means necessary. They were the new Inner Circle, strong and resolute. They celebrated this momentous night with a ritual orgy, full of endless pleasures and bliss. The reign of ignorance and chaos was officially at an end. The reign of the Hellfire Club and had just begun. And the world would be consumed by the flames of Hellfire.

Epilogue

There was an old saying. It is the natural tendency of civilization for liberty to yield and tyranny to take over. Such a saying was prophetic because as time passed, the tyranny of the new Hellfire Club consumed the entire world. Under the leadership of Charles Xavier, the Black Emperor, and his loving Empress, Moria MacTaggart, the new Inner Circle embarked on an unprecedented power grasp that seized control of every facet of world affairs. Without the likes of Selene, Sinister, or any other rival standing in their way, they carried out their will with ruthless efficiency. Anybody who stood in their way was taken out and any threatening force that emerged was either seized or annihilated. Their power was unmatched and their rule was absolute.

It started off by regaining control of all their previous resources. As soon as Forge activated the new and more advanced Cerebrum, Xavier began reasserting control and dictating political, economic, and social events. Those that tried to break away from his network were swiftly taken care of by his Inner Circle elites. Once control was re-established, they took it a step further. They gained control over every bank in every country. Then they used that to control the bureaucracies and powers of other countries. Those that tried to oppose him were run into the ground through bankruptcy and the other elites helped install those loyal to their cause. Once banks and governments were in their pockets, they moved onto big corporations. Through skillful dealing and political muscle, all the major conglomerates and media outlets that Hellfire hadn’t controlled before were now under their thumb. They even extended their control to the internet and every computer network in the world, ensuring that information and resources would be distributed according to their whims and plans.

And throughout this process, they kept with Xavier’s traditions. They rewarded those who went along with their plans willingly, giving them money and women. And so long as they kept their end they were continually rewarded. But anybody who even tried to resist was taken out swiftly and severely. Before the Hellfire Club and it’s kings were just feared. But Xavier didn’t just prey on fear. He used respect, admiration, and reason as weapons as well and created an unparalleled network of support that firmly entrenched the Hellfire Club in all worldly affairs.

Their biggest obstacle in the process involved dealing with Earth’s major heroes. But shortly after gaining control over banks and governments, the Hellfire Club helped orchestrate a Civil War with factions of heroes fighting against one another over a nation and internationally extensive piece of law called the Superhero Registration Act. It forced heroes to register with the government and do their duties in accordance to the law. Those that resisted, like Captain America, fought long and hard. But in the end the power over government and law won out. Captain America was arrested and many of his followers turned themselves in and registered. Later, Captain America was assassinated by his own ex-girlfriend, Sharon. It was an act Xavier personally orchestrated and it ushered in a new era in control.

Once the heroes were under the thumb of the law, the supreme law enforcement agency, SHIELD, was sanctioned to handle such matters fell. Only this wasn’t the same SHIELD of the past. Nick Fury, who ran the organization for years, fell out of favor thanks to an insurrection planned by the Hellfire Club. And after the superhero civil war, a new head was chosen by political officials friendly to the Hellfire Club. The man for the job was none other than Norman Osborn, who helped Xavier a great deal in his dealings with Selene and his expansion of power. It was his way of rewarding his ally, promoting his hero team the Thunderbolts to new status. With Osborn at the helm, the Hellfire Club had law enforcement and the might of every hero from the Avengers to the Fantastic Four under their thumb. The only battles they would ever face were the battles they approved of or orchestrated. It was all a stage, structured like a game of chess. And the Hellfire Club played it well.

Not only did the Inner Circle gain power in terms of authority and influence, but their own physical power grew in new ways as well. Thanks to further development with Forge and the fine scientists at Oscorp, the MGH enhancement drug was perfected so that a single dose would enhance the mutant abilities of a user permanently. Only the Inner Circle was allowed to take it. It allowed them to wield their powers with much greater force. It also gave Moria MacTaggert permanent powers of her own, making her feel she truly belonged in an organization that brokered in such power. In addition to their mutant abilities, Jean also used magic stolen from Selene’s private archives to grant everyone in the Inner Circle advanced healing and reduced aging so they could stay young and vibrant many times longer than a normal human lifespan. Unlike other reigns in the Hellfire Club, theirs would not be restricted to their own mortality. Xavier and his elites planned on wielding power for a very long time.

As this new order became entrenched, each member of the Inner Circle found their own place within it. While Xavier and Moria were the emperor and empress, they delegated authority where it was needed to their loyal associates and they carried out their duties with the great efficiency they had been trained to do so.

As Black King, Scott Summers exacted a great deal of authority over the Hellfire Club’s extensive armies. Whenever there was a need to direct force into an area, he was the leader that led them all into battle. Whenever an agent of chaos reared its head, he planned and organized effective missions that neutralized the threat and crushed it into oblivion. It was a fitting role for a young man who defined himself with leadership and resolve. But as dedicated and focused as he was, he always found time to enjoy the fruits of his labor with Jean. They continued their weekly ritual of getting away to make love. And over time their love remained strong and powerful. It was a love that gave them strength and purpose.

For Jean Grey, her love with Scott played a significant role in wielding her new power as Black Queen. Since Selene’s downfall, she took over reigns as the head sorceress of the Hellfire Club. She dealt with all mystical matters and using the power of the Phoenix along with Selene’s old resources, she was able to ensure that the Hellfire Club remained dominant in all magical realms. Even the likes of Dr. Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme, could not match her. Along with her psychic abilities, she was unmatched in her ability to defeat her enemies. And with Scott by her side she had the personal fulfillment she always wanted.

Piotr Rasputin also took strongly to his role as the White Rook. As the Hellfire Club’s metal colossus of strength, his imposing stature struck fear into the hearts of many. Among his new duties, he presided over the Hellfire Club’s connections into the Russian Mob. Using his newfound authority, he exacted swift and decisive actions that weeded out corrupt and chaotic bloodshed to instill a new order. He made sure that nobody like the monsters who murdered his family would ever get away with such deeds again. Those that tried faced his overpowering muscle.

But despite his stern stature, his spirit was kept softened by Kitty Pryde. She worked closely with him over his duties in Russia. As the Blue Rook, her duties revolved mostly around influencing political circles and playing a stabilizing role in other power circles. She was the brains and Piotr was the muscle. They were the perfect team and working together helped bring them even closer. Every time a deal went their way, they made love to celebrate. And since things always went Hellfire’s way, they had plenty of opportunities to celebrate.

For James Poundstar, he kept much of his Apache warrior persona as he took on the responsibilities of Black Knight. He was the overpowering force responsible for taking on skilled foes who dared to fight back against the Hellfire Club’s reign. But it wasn’t just his warrior skills that came into play. He also oversaw the security and stability of war ravaged regions throughout the world. He continued to make annual pilgrimages to his brother’s shrine. It kept his spirit strong as he did his duties. As a warrior, his place was on the battlefield and since the Hellfire Club used war to further their agenda he was responsible for keeping it orderly and effective. And it was a job he excelled in.

Another source of pure Hellfire strength came from Rogue. As Black Rook, she was another unstoppable force kept the foundations of the Hellfire Club strong. Because of her ability to absorb and manage powers, she was tasked with handling all affairs concerning heroes with great superpowers. And thanks to the psychic skills imparted to her by Betsy, she had both brain and physical strength to overcome her foes. And when she wasn’t taking on heroes she continued her wild ways with men in the Inner Circle. She was a rogue spirit at heart, fiercely independent with no desire to find a love interest. But her capacity for business and pleasure was great and she couldn’t be happier.

And as Rogue became more independent, Mystique focused more on her roles as well. As the Blue Knight, she bore many of the same responsibilities as Warpath. Only she acted more as a secret undercover operative that infiltrated high risk fields. She also occasionally mimicked political and economic officials, helping to bend the public to their whim. She was the perfect soldier of deception. And whenever she went on an assignment, her lover Wolverine was never too far behind. They worked frequently together and looked out for each other. They made a formidable team and even adopted Kitty and Piotr’s ritual of making love after successful missions. For Raven Darkholm, it was the kind of power and control over her life she wanted. And having her kids and a lover like Logan made all her struggle worth while.

As for Logan himself, being the White Knight was the perfect role for him. He was one of the Hellfire Club’s ultimate assassins. He was sent into areas that demanded only the best of skills. And Logan was the best at what he did and frequently left a bloody trail in his wake. In addition to taking down enemies of the Hellfire Club, Charles Xavier made good on his word to help him get back at those who wronged him. Over the years he used Hellfire resources to round up former officials of Weapon X including Dr. Cornelius and General Wraith. Then with help from Moria and Jean, he made sure they were tortured to death to pay for their crimes. It was a very satisfying way to get revenge. And when he wasn’t dwelling on the past, he was enjoying himself in the present with Raven. Their love grew strong over time and they remained the most lethal pair in the world.

Along with Logan, Laura Kinney shared in the roles of the White Knight. Like Logan, she was one of the Hellfire Club’s ultimate assassins. She took on targets with a small margin for error. And like she had in another life, she never failed. Only she wasn’t just a tool in the Inner Circle. She took part in making decisions and judgments about targets. It was a liberating feeling, being so in power of her life. It allowed her to be who she was and embrace her nature, which she long accepted was that of a killer. But she always made sure she maintained her human side. Julian Keller helped a great deal with that, teaching her to love and embrace the feelings she had been denied. They grew very close over the years and continued and continued to learn more from him every day.

Being such a big part of Laura’s life, Julian Keller sometimes found it hard to divide his time between his lover and his duties. As Red Rook, he took on a more business oriented role. With his parents and background as a guide, he helped manage and dictate day-to-day operations in many Hellfire organizations like X-Industrial. He was a solid manager, taking on Xavier’s qualities of a stern yet reasonable manager. It was enough to make his parents proud. But when he wasn’t managing, he was providing help in field missions. Laura trusted him a great deal to watch her back when Logan wasn’t around and he did so dutifully at every turn. There were still parts of their relationship that were strange, but they made it work well. After all, he did have a special appreciation for excitement.

Other family affairs in the Hellfire Club evolved as well. Pietro Maximoff took strongly to his role as White King, carrying himself with the power and authority that would have made his father proud. He didn’t have Magneto’s overbearing presence, but he did have his resolve. He oversaw numerous governmental and legal operations, specializing mostly in mutant affairs. He made sure that mutants didn’t get too rebellious and humans didn’t get to overbearing. The conflict his father always warned about was apparent, but it would unfold only as the Hellfire Club saw fit. And he maintained a close relationship with his half-sister, Lorna every step of the way to remind him that he was not the same heartless bastard as Magneto.

Lorna Dane in her role as the Green Rook, helped Pietro with many of his affairs involving mutants. Only her specialty was more on the business side. She organized programs that got mutants involved in Hellfire based industries, using their powers to not only make a profit for the organization but make Pietro’s job a little easier by making mutants a potent social force. They frequently collaborated and grew quite close over the years. Even after Loran’s mother passed away due to complications with her illness, she remained strong and resolute in her role at the Hellfire Club as both an operative and a family member.

In a similar role, Sam Guthrie took well to his duties as the Red King. With strong leadership skills and a careful nature, he was the driving force behind many of the industries that helped the Hellfire Club acquire and use natural resources. He made sure that all the oil, gas, minerals, and other materials were under the Hellfire Club’s control. Growing up in a coal mining town, it was a job he was well-prepared for. And whenever it was necessary to seize resources, he would lead the charge. Even after the passing of his father, he kept his composure. He took care of his family and maintained his role. They never knew what he became, but it was all for the better.

Bobby Drake in his role as Blue Bishop had a variety of roles. He was not someone who restricted himself to one focused set of duties. He often participated in a number of areas. On the bureaucratic side, he was a major force in managing the Hellfire Club’s connections to public policies on local and state levels. He made sure they all acted in accordance to Hellfire protocols. He also acted as an operative in the field with Scott’s mercenary forces and Warpath’s ground forces. His ice powers and the way he used them made him a valuable asset in every field and he was always looking for now ways to use them. And in the Hellfire club, he could take advantage of every opportunity.

For Jubilation Lee, number crunching and business was not her thing. As Yellow Bishop, her specialty was culture and public perceptions. She helped dictate the forces of popular culture in accordance with Hellfire bylaws. Music, art, and culture all fell under her domain and she could make sure that certain aspects didn’t instill too much chaos or uncertainty within the masses. It was a job she loved because she got to manipulate the lives of celebrities and culture icons, ensuring they were kept in line and never deviated from a set plan. And for a girl who grew up in a world where image and perception was everything, it was an appropriate and fitting way for her to make her mark on this world.

But of all the young second generation recruits to enter the Inner Circle no one made more headway than Danielle Moonstar. For her role in helping Xavier deceive Selene, she gained the title of Red Queen and wielded authority the likes of which she never imagined. She remained close to Xavier and Moria, who helped teach her to wield power. Her specialty was crafting big events. Her illusion casting powers played a major role in creating conditions that the Hellfire Club could exploit without having to go through the mess of using real people and puppets. She became a master manipulator and came to cherish her illusions as an artist would cherish their work. It was a great culmination in her otherwise complicated life. The only illusion she could never cast was one that understated her own power.

But Danielle wasn’t the only one who used her powers to create big events. Ororo Munroe, the White Queen, took on such roles as well. She came to be the Inner Circle’s hold on nature itself. She dictated weather patterns to stir events and propagate affairs that the Hellfire Club could exploit. She was largely responsible for pushing the big Global Warming scare, which the Hellfire Club used to gain control over industry and governments. And when she wasn’t shifting winds, she was also helping out in the world of crime. While she rarely did jobs anymore, she watched over various criminal enterprises including that of the long defeated Kingpin to make sure it all acted in accordance to the Hellfire Club’s agenda. She also continued her relationship with Remy. As partners in crime, they were quite a duo. But as partners in power, they were so much more.

Remy always worked close with Ororo in his new role as Black Bishop. His duties were also heavily involved with crime. His specialty was the thieving world. He presided over many secretive circles of skilled criminals and thieves. He even managed to end the war between the Thieves Guild and Assassin’s Guild, but not before much of his family perished. But he didn’t let that stop him. All criminal groups from the Hand to the guilds were closely monitored by him and his allies. He also routinely performed heists against potential rivals or just for the fun of it. He was still a man who liked to have a good time and kept Ororo’s spirits light in the way he spent time with her. Life always had a way of dealing him wildcards, but Ororo was one he always cherished.

Deadpool was an unusual case for the Inner Circle. Because of his mental instability, it was difficult to give him the kind of authority that required a reasonable mind to work with. But for his contributions he did earn himself the title of Red Knight and Xavier made sure he got a chance to use it. In this role he worked closely with Warpath and Logan. Whenever a job required a ‘special touch’ or just needed a big explosion, he was the one who they turned to. He also worked closely with Ororo and Remy in managing the criminal and mercenary trades. While he did his job well, he continued to be obnoxious and annoying at times. But he still got laughs out of the others. It was just another one of the trademark duties for the merc with a mouth, keeping things light hearted in a place like the Hellfire Club.

Rahne Sinclair was someone else whose role in the Hellfire Club was varied. As Red Bishop, she presided over managerial, bureaucratic, and combat affairs. She followed her mother closely, working with her on matters involving carrying out orders to various parts of the Hellfire network and helping her out around the lab. She also continued bounty hunting for Warpath and Logan, working closely with the Hellfire Club’s mercenary force and exerting significant authority in the field. She remained passionate about her feral nature, remaining a hunter at heart. She never forgot what she learned from Hank McCoy and embraced both her human and animal ways.

The former pawns turned elites all took strongly to their new roles in the Inner Circle. As time went on they became entrenched, wielding authority and power without reservation. They did as they were taught to do. They did whatever was necessary to ensure order and propagate the power of the Hellfire Club. With their help eventually there was little they didn’t control in the world. And even with all their power and resources, they still found themselves planning for the future.

A number of family members from the elites found their way into the Hellfire Club. Chief among them was Piotr’s sister, Illyana Rasputin. She became Jean Grey’s apprentice, taking regular lessons from her in the mystic arts. Her power quickly grew and with her help she and Jean managed to take out Dr. Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme, and the Ancient One. In time Illyana would take full reigns as a Hellfire mystic, taking on new challenges in magic and further expanding the Hellfire Club’s power. But she wasn’t the only one to establish herself.

Sam’s little sister, Paige Guthrie, also joined the Hellfire Club. Shortly after the death of their father, her mother worried about what she was going to do with her life. She urged Sam to give her the same chance he got. Xavier didn’t need much convincing and allowed Paige a place at the Academy of Tomorrow. There she began her path into the Hellfire Club and Sam was there to guide her, mentoring her and preparing her for everything she was about to face. Like him she had a long way to go, but he was confident she would become every bit as skilled and efficient as he was in carrying out the will of hellfire.

When they were not out wielding their power and indulging in the luxurious pleasures of the Hellfire Club, the Inner Circle was spending time with their children. The twelve mutant infants created by Sinister proved to be full of potential. With their powers already growing, they worked to raise them as true children of Hellfire. They spent much of their early years in the Academy of Tomorrow. As they came of age they began schooling and training. It wasn’t long before they were carrying themselves like their parents. They were young, but one day Xavier and his loyal elites hoped to see them taking a strong role in the Inner Circle. It was a fitting way to grow this powerful organization from the bottom up.

Over the years, many other young mutants would join in the vast Hellfire network. Some worked in their various businesses and industries while others joined the Academy of Tomorrow or took part in midlevel jobs in the Hellfire Club. Anyone with power had a chance to enjoy the fruits of the Hellfire Club. But all those in the Inner Circle remained dominant. There were, however, those with less glamorous positions.

Unlike the other former pawns, Emma Frost remained locked in her position for a good long while after the new Inner Circle was established. As someone who aided Selene in her insurrection, she had to serve out her punishment. She continued with her old duties of managing Hellfire’s vast financial resources and managing the Hellfire Club’s army of sex workers, both as a teacher and a participant. But she did have to serve in other ways. She went back to doing regular shifts at Club Hellfire, sleeping with clients and extracting business secrets. She was also required to regularly sleep with the men of the Inner Circle and do so in any way they pleased. And unlike before, she couldn’t dominate them as she once did. The sex wasn’t the hard part though. Much of her penance was done under Scott and Jean’s direction.

As directed, she gave regular ‘repayments’ to Scott in the spirit of the one she planned with him that fateful night her downfall began. She went on trips to hotels with him where she would dress up and pamper him with sexual payments. He always organized them along with Jean. At times she had to carry out submissive roles in doing her part to satisfy him. But it was all part of her job. She often had to carry out her own tasks with Jean as well. She had to participate in some of her magic rituals that involved sex or sexual fluids. It was humiliating sometimes, but she did what she had to do. She also engaged in regular three ways with them. And during those times she often had to watch Scott and Jean make love, which didn’t bother her as much anymore. She had since moved on from her feelings for Scott. Slowly, she rebuilt her friendship with him. She even got on better terms with Jean. Petty rivalries and bitterness no longer mattered to her. All that mattered was getting back in Hellfire’s good graces and she would do so for as long as she had to. At least she had a chance to repent. Selene’s other minions weren’t so lucky.

Warren Worthington III, once heir to the Worthington fortune, was now nothing more than a mindless figurehead. As a Hellfire Slave his only job was to obey what the Inner Circle told him to do and they instructed him to run Worthington Industries as they saw fit. When his father, Warren Jr., found out about his son’s predicament he was shocked and appalled. But Xavier offered his sincerest apologies. This is the fate his son had to face. While Warren didn’t like it and rebelled against it, Xavier reluctantly probed his mind and changed his perceptions so he would not care. He and his wife lived out the rest of their days in the Bahamas while Warren took over. And in addition to being a figurehead for Worthington Industries, he was also subjected to regular humiliation in sex rituals. But he never complained. He just whimpered weakly and accepted his fate.

Always near Warren was mindless form of Psylocke. After Rogue let Betsy’s spirit go, the body remained. And since such a beautiful and skilled body was such a waste, Jean performed a spell on it to turn it into a mindless drone. She wasn’t like the others in that she retained no sense of self or personality. She didn’t even whimper or cower. She had no emotions. That was okay with the Inner Circle. That didn’t stop them from using her like they did with Warren. But because of her incoherent state she made a good obedient minion on missions and a submissive sex worker. While Betsy Braddock may be gone, the body she left behind served them well.

Alex Summers endured great hardship as well. As a Hellfire Slave, he was frequently ordered about by Scott. He had him carry out menial and sometimes degrading tasks such as being his personal assistant during his duties and helping him in elaborate sex acts with Jean. But like Warren, Alex was also forced to endure constant humiliation at the hands of the Inner circle. He was often the submissive in S&M parties and even used to entertain female clients. But despite his sorry state, Lorna continued to watch after him. Her feelings for him remained despite his deeds with Selene and his feelings for her lingered as well even into his punishment. They still made love and shared moments together, but Alex was always reminded that he was to submit to anybody. His rebellious days were over.

Like Alex, Wanda Maximoff also slaved away under the Inner Circle. With no power or magic, she was often used by Jean and Illyana in their rituals as a test subject or often victim. She also went back to working Club Hellfire, playing the part of a submissive in S&M acts. She didn’t cower or tremble as much as the others, but she was very obedient even when other elites humiliated her. But she got some reprieve. She was watched over constantly by Pietro and Lorna, who still saw her as family and gave her breaks now and then. Her lover Kurt also watched over her constantly. Even though their love had been born in darkness, it still remained strong and when they got breaks from their lives as slaves they shared plenty of moments together.

Kurt Wagner’s state was somewhat better considering the others. Even though he did play a large part in helping Selene, he did turn on her in the end and did retain some of his spirit as a result. He had more will and personality, but remained docile and weak. He was subjugated to menial tasks in the Inner Circle such as bookkeeping and cleaning. He was also used in special mystical rituals that required his demon presence. He also worked alongside Rogue and Mystique when they needed him. He provided an unwavering loyalty and obedience and even though it was imposed somewhat, he owed them as such for pulling him back from the brink.

As for the once proud and perfect Monet St. Croix, she wasn’t so perfect anymore. Stripped of her will, she was only the perfect slave now. And because she retained some of her powers such as durability and strength, she was subject to special kinds of humiliation. She was often whipped and beaten by guards and paying clients in way that would have seriously injured others. And while she winced and groaned in pain every step of the way, she never resisted. She endured all the punishment without question, working Club Hellfire and occasionally putting on shows for the other members of the Inner Circle. It was a far cry from a woman who once wielded such status and authority. To be a slave now as truly the worst punishment.

Roberto Da Costa’s fall was similar. The once prominent pawn saw himself reduced to a mindless drone whose main role was to act a decoy on missions with the others and pleasure the Hellfire women as they desired. His loss of authority and drive hit his father, Emmanuel Da Costa hard. He condemned Xavier for treatment of his son. And despite Xavier’s reasoning, he threatened to strike back. That didn’t last long. To further punish Roberto, Xavier ordered that he kill his own father. And since had no free will, he did so without question. Since Emmanuel was an ally Xavier made the death quick and painless. In his place he used Roberto as a figurehead to promote stability of the Hellfire Club’s South American operations. In a ways he did finally match his father’s greatness, but only as a puppet. And that was a truly the gravest punishment he could have gotten.

Tabitha Smith, who didn’t have the luxury of such connections, endured far worse. Because of her devious ways she would live out her days as a submissive sex worker. Only she just wouldn’t work Club Hellfire. She would also walk the dirty and dangerous streets of New York or other locales the Inner Circle dictated, making her wear the most revealing of clothing and having her serve clients as a weak and damaged girl. Rape for her was a fact of life. And when she wasn’t doing sex work she was being humiliated by the Inner Circle in the same way, her body and image exploited for their own amusement. For someone who used to take such pleasure in toying with others, it was a degrading yet fitting punishment.

Last but not least of those enduring such harsh punishment was the former Black Queen herself, Selene. She was singled out for the most brutal of treatment. She spent most of her time locked in a dungeon naked and curled up on the floor. Whenever the Inner Circle or any guest felt like it, they could go down and rape her. If that wasn’t enough, they could blow off steam by beating her up, whipping her, and inflicting upon her the kind of torment she used to inflict on her own enemies. Xavier even sent her to Nova Roma where the newly anointed Queen Amara had her tortured in raped in the same way she had done to her and her family. Nearly every citizen rejoiced in her humiliation. And because her immorality was left, she healed from any wound that was inflicted. But the pain was still felt. So no matter how much she suffered, she would recover from it to suffer some more.

She became a special slave in the Inner Circle. She was frequently sent to Club Hellfire where men and sometimes women would pay top dollar to do anything they wanted to her. Usually with sex workers, there were strict limits on what clients could do with the women. But Selene had no such restrictions. Anything was open. She endured some of the most disgusting, humiliating treatment in the history of the Hellfire Club. But no matter how much punishment she endured, it was never enough to atone for the many crimes she committed over the ages. She had a long way to go and would probably never fully repent. As a result she would spend the rest of her immortal life as nothing more than a mindless slave. For a former queen, it was the absolute worst she could have endured.

For all these accomplishments and retributions, none were more satisfied with the state of the new order than Charles Xavier and Moria MacTaggart.Their enemies had been punished. Their allies had been rewarded. And they achieved everything they set out to do all those years ago.

Moria MacTaggart took strongly to her role as Black Empress. Ruling alongside Xavier, she played a big part in overseeing and dictating the day to day operations of the Hellfire Club. She also took over the role of chief Hellfire scientists in wake of the deaths of Mr. Sinister and Hank McCoy. She operated out of Sinister’s old lab, working closely with Forge on advanced technology to aid their organization in whatever way possible. Science was still her passion, but it often had to remain second place after Charles. Ruling with him as Empress made it clear to her that he was the love of her life. For a woman whose spirits had been damaged by the sins of her late husband, it was a true turnaround. She was stronger in every way and now enhanced with mutant abilities. Moria came full circle in the end, having seen the dream through with Charles and remaining a part of it every step of the way.

As for Charles Xavier himself, life as Black Emperor was good if not surreal at times. At last he could wield power with impunity from the likes of Selene, Sinister, or agents of chaos like his monster of a stepfather. As the most powerful mind in the world, nobody could escape his grasp. The course of all affairs in civilization would go through him. He was the one guiding the course of history. He didn’t care for peace, ideals, or morals. All that mattered was an orderly world. Every man, woman, and child human and mutant alike lived with a distinct presence of fear and anxiety in the back of their minds. It was that distinct presence instilled psychically by Charles that bound them to his will. If anybody opposed him, they were destroyed. If anybody hindered him, he took them out without a second thought. He was the true Lord Imperium of the world. He once vowed to instill order in a chaotic world and as he had proven time and again, he was a man of his word.

So it all came together. Charles Xavier and his Hellfire Club ruled over all. A secret and shady tyranny had consumed the world. It had taken years to unfold and now there was no going back. A secret group of powerful mutants led by a man named Charles Xavier now controlled every meaningful facet of civilization. There was no escaping the truth. The grim reality had set in. The Inner Circle had won and world now turned by the whims of Hellfire.

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The End

AN: There you have it. The final installment of the New Blood trilogy is complete. This has been one of the most interesting and ambitious stories I’ve ever written. There was so much I wanted to do and I couldn’t be happier how it played out. I would like to thank everybody who took the time to review this series. And I urge every reader to take the time to leave a review. I worked long and hard on this story and I would really appreciate some feedback. Please send it to me via email at slickboy444@aol.com or post a review on the fanfiction website.

As stated previously, the end of this story marks the end of Slickboy444. From here on out, I will write no more stories under this name. The stories will remain up, but I will not be adding anything else to them. It has been a difficult time for me and I'm still recovering. I deeply apologize to all the fans out there who have been following my stories since the beginning. But I cannot do this anymore, at least not as Slickboy444. I do have some plans that I'm hoping to pursue, but if they do come ot pass they wil be under a new screen name and not Slickboy444. If and when that happens, I will make a note on my profile and send out as many messages as I can. But for now, this is it. New Blood is the end. So from the bottom of my heart thank you all very much for reading. I really appreciate it. I wish everybody the best and until next time, this is Slickboy444 saying goodbye once and for all.