New Blood II: Growing Ranks

ew Blood
Chapter 16: Promotions

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Hellfire Manor – Throne Room

Logan was never one for planning. More often than not he operated on instinct, going with his gut more than his brain. It didn’t always work out. Sometimes it got him into trouble and sometime it got him into serious jams. This situation could officially qualify as ‘none of the above.’

After a nice long talk with his clone, X-23, she agreed to come with him in search of a better life than just being a teenage prostitute. She had no direction or guidance. She had nothing to aspire to and no set purpose for herself. Hydra robbed her of pretty much everything most people took for granted. Even after Weapon X took his memories and warped his mind, at least he still had a sense of purpose. They didn’t give her any of that. They conditioned her to be a machine. But if he could overcome the damage of Weapon X then so could she. After all, she was his clone. Neither one of them asked for this, but there was no turning back now. X-23, no Laura, was his responsibility now.

Mystique convinced him that he should seek out this girl and he did. Now it was his job to convince Xavier and Selene that Laura was Hellfire material. He didn’t think it would be too hard given she already had superhuman fighting skills and a killer instinct that went well with their practices. But the Inner Circle was no charity. They couldn’t just let anybody join up unless they had the intangibles as well. And the Black King and Queen were clearly skeptical.

At the moment he was standing before Charles and Selene with Laura by his side. She hadn’t said a word since they arrived, letting Logan do most of the talking. The whole time they were scrutinizing her. But she didn’t show any fear or anxiety. She just stood there, awaiting her fate.

“I must say, Logan, I’m a bit disappointed you brought her here without consulting us,” said Xavier in a stern, yet reasonable tone, “You know our policies towards recruitment.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. We can’t let just anybody in this joint. Hellfire has standards,” said Logan dryly, “But if I can match them, why can’t Laura? She’s my freakin’ clone for crying out loud!”

“Oh so we’re calling her Laura, now? I was under the impression her official title was X-23,” said Selene suspiciously.

“That’s not her name! That’s what the bastards who made her called her. Her real name is Laura!”

“Calm down, Logan. You’re in no position to lose your temper,” said Xavier menacingly, “Remember, it is you that must convince us that this girl you brought in on an impulse is worthy of our ranks. And I’m still waiting to hear your argument.”

Logan swallowed his frustration, remembering that this was the Black King he was talking to. He couldn’t belittle or threaten him like he could with most people. It just didn’t work in the Hellfire Club. He looked back at Laura, who was still as stoic as ever. She didn’t seem as confident as him. He couldn’t blame her since the Hellfire Club wasn’t the most welcoming place in the world. But to her credit she kept her cool. He only wished she wore something different than the attire they found her in. She didn’t have the look of someone with Hellfire potential. She still looked like a teenage prostitute from Tijuana. It was up to him to get them to see her potential.

He felt Selene’s critical eye on him. He also noticed her studying Laura. Of course, that didn’t sit well. For all he knew she was just sizing her up to be another one of her slaves. And he couldn’t have that. If he was going to help her he had to show that she was like him in more ways than just genes. He had to show she had the same resolve he had.

“Just let me ask you one thing, Lord Xavier…” said Logan in a calmer tone.

“Very well,” said Xavier, “What is it?”

“What was it about me that made you want to bring me in?” he asked, “I know it wasn’t out of the goodness of your heart. You wanted to bring me in for a reason. And whatever it was, it was good enough to send the other runts into a real cluster-fuck at that nuclear plant. So what made me worth it?”

It was an interesting question for him to ask. There were many reasons why he recruited Wolverine and some of them weren’t reasons he was ready to share with him. But Xavier wanted to see where he was going with this so he gave him only part of the truth.

“Your worth was in your resolve, Logan. You see, as damaged as you are from Weapon X you still had the right drive. You didn’t just want revenge on Weapon X. You wanted to rise above it. You had a lot of anger, but you’re able to control and focus that anger with that insatiable drive of yours.”

“And you think Laura doesn’t have that same drive?” reasoned Logan.

“I wouldn’t go that far, but let’s just say I’m skeptical. Her drive was only strong enough to lead her to a life of prostitution. What does that say about her?”

“I would also add that her instability is a factor,” said Selene, “If these Hydra people couldn’t control her and her own mother couldn’t stop her, why should we bother?”

Selene’s words were harsh and Laura tensed at the mention of her mother. That woman was nothing if not insensitive. She wanted to push her buttons, but as much as Laura wanted to attack and rip her to shreds, she held back. Logan gave her a look, knowing how touchy an issue that probably was and kept talking.

“Look, I get the picture. You think she’s damaged goods. But come on! Who here isn’t?” said Logan.

“It’s not a matter of being damaged, Logan. It’s a matter of being receptive to our ways,” said Xavier, maintaining a calm demeanor, “I get the feeling you just want her here because she has nowhere else to go. But that alone isn’t a good enough reason and you know it.”

“Of course I know! But I also know she can make it here! She can fight, she can kill, and all that other stuff. She even got a leg up on hookin’ herself for cash. But she can do more! She’s got a lot to learn, I know, but just give her a chance already! She’s gotten no opportunities since she left Hydra. Why not give her one and let her come into her own here? If she survived Hydra she should fit right in here.”

“Duly noted, Logan, but I still have my reservations,” said the Black King.

Logan was running out of things to say. Then Xavier got up and approached the young woman who had been so quiet through this ordeal. He had been studying her since she arrived, trying to see if she was Hellfire material. It was hard to decipher anything from her because she hid her subtleties well. She also guarded her mind skillfully, most likely as a result of training from Hydra. He didn’t pick up any stray thoughts from her, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t probe a bit. There was a lot to explore, but Logan seemed to connect with her. He just had to be sure she was malleable into the Hellfire image.

“Laura? Do you have anything to add?” he asked her.

Laura was silent for a moment. She had come across her share of shady men before, but this one was a true enigma. There was a darkness in his eyes, but there was also understanding. It was a real mystery and she wasn’t sure what to make of it.

“What do you want me to say?” she said stoically.

“What do you want to say?” Xavier retorted, “Is there something Logan hasn’t mentioned yet? Anything you could add would help ease some of my concerns.”

“There’s nothing to add. Logan told you everything. They created me. They trained me. I escaped, killing everybody in the process…including my mother. And I’ve been on my own ever since.”

“I see. That must be difficult.”

“Nothing I can’t handle,” said Laura.

“And you got by through prostitution. What drove you to that? Surely someone of your considerable skill could get by just as easily stealing.”

“Prostitution was easier. And it had other benefits.”

“Oh? What benefits are you referring to?” asked Xavier with new intrigue.

Laura was silent for a moment. This was not an easy issue to talk about and she wasn’t sure if her words would dissuade them from giving her a chance. But they seemed curious now. Even Logan wanted to know. So she told them.

“They conditioned me not to feel any emotion,” she began, “They trained me to be a weapon, not a human being. Feelings that normal people get to have every day…I was denied that. By the time I escaped I didn’t know how to handle these feelings. The only feeling that ever made sense to me was pain. And I couldn’t deal with it. But then I discovered another feeling that made sense to me.”

“And what feeling was that?” asked Xavier with growing intrigue.

“Pleasure…the feeling people get when they have sex. I didn’t know much about it. I only found out when some man offered to pay me two hundred dollars to do it. I wanted the money. But when I felt the sensations it was…comforting. It briefly washed over the pain. So I decided to explore it. That’s what led me into prostitution.”

“And you were okay with it?” questioned Xavier.

“Yes. Why would I not be?” she answered.

The Black King smiled. This girl had clearly been deprived. She wasn’t as emotionally developed as most people. She didn’t really understand the myriad of feelings that she experienced from any given situation. It was only natural the most basic feelings like pleasure and pain were the ones that still made sense to her. Perhaps it was something the Hellfire Club could develop. But he wasn’t finished.

“Let me ask you another question, Laura…how do you feel about killing?” he asked her.

“What do you mean? What about it?” said Laura with a confused look.

“Your creators had you kill a lot of people over the years,” he said, “Did that ever make you feel…upset or anything?

“No, not really. They were targets. My mission was to kill them. That’s what I did,” she said stoically.

“So you never regretted it? Not even once?”

“I…don’t understand,” she said, the concept of regret seeming foreign to her.

Xavier thought for a moment. He had to remember this girl had been conditioned not to feel emotions. That meant he would have to work his questions a little differently.

“Let me say that another way…has killing someone ever caused you pain?”

Laura shifted uncomfortably. Many unknown feelings coursed through her as she looked back at her life and reflected on all the people she killed. They all meant nothing to her. She never lost any sleep over it. But there was one that always stood out.

“Yes…it has. When I killed my mother…it was very painful,” she said solemnly.

“I see,” said Xavier, casting her a sympathetic look, “But was it your fault? Did you do it on purpose?”

“No,” she answered, “They…they tricked me into killing her. I didn’t want to. But I did it anyways.”

“Who did? Who tricked you?”

“My creators,” she said, her voice laced with rage, “Before I killed them…they made sure I would kill her.”

“So it wasn’t your fault.”

“No…it was.”

“No it wasn’t,” said Xavier, placing his hand on her shoulder, “You were used. Her blood is on their hands, not yours. And you did her justice by slaying those who were responsible.”

She took some comfort in his words, but they didn’t erase the pain. The memory of her mother dying right in front of her with her blood dripping off her claws still haunted her. But as intimidating and cold as Xavier seemed, he did understand. And it was the first time she ever came across someone who understood.

“Allow me to pose a scenario…say there were others involved that you were unable to kill,” he said, “Say there were vestiges of Hydra still out there. What would you do if you knew they were there?”

Laura’s expression contorted with anger. It was not unlike the way Logan looked whenever someone mentioned Weapon X. And she did not hesitate to answer.

“I would kill them,” she said sternly.

“Would you now? Even if they showed remorse?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said strongly.

“Would you make them suffer as well? Would you be willing to make them feel the pain they made you feel before you did them in?”

“Yes!” she said again.

“Would you allow others to help? Would you be willing to operate within an organization and not just within your own means?”

“If it accomplishes the mission…yes, I would.”

Xavier smiled. He had been skeptical, but now he convinced. This girl had a spirit worthy of the Hellfire Club. She was strong, stern, and ruthless. She wasn’t afraid to kill and she wasn’t afraid to let her anger consume her. She wasn’t afraid to make it personal either. She embodied the spirit of doing whatever was necessary to get the job done. It also helped that she had an appreciation for pleasure. That would give her plenty of opportunities here at the Hellfire Club and give them a useful set of skills to work with.

He turned back to Logan, who was still waiting for the verdict and then back towards Selene, who looked equally impressed. They had a decision to make and it wasn’t one to be taken lightly. But it was as clear to them just as it was clear to Logan.

“What say you, Selene?” asked Charles, “Do you think Miss Laura here deserves a chance?”

“While I was skeptical at first, after hearing your little rant on your poor mother I think she has what it takes,” said Selene with a sinister grin, “She’s got Logan’s powers and only half his baggage.”

“Bitch,” muttered Logan under his breath.

Selene heard his comment, but ignored it. She got up and walked up next to Xavier, who was still standing before young Laura.

“Laura…you do realize that if we give you this chance, you’ll have to swear yourself to the Hellfire Club unconditionally,” said Selene, “You must serve us if we are to enjoy the benefits of our organization. And that may mean doing some of the things Hydra used to have you do.”

“I understand,” said Laura, “So long as you do not treat me like Hydra or trick me like they did, I will serve this organization.”

“And should we give you the chance, will you be willing to accept the responsibilities along with the privileges?”

“Yes,” she said without hesitation.

Xavier and Selene exchanged grins. The Black King then turned towards Logan and nodded. He was still a little irked that he went out of bounds to seek this girl, but if she could live up to her potential then it was something he was willing to overlook.

“Very well,” said Charles, “Then as the Black King of the Hellfire Club, I hereby offer you a position within the Inner Circle. Do you accept?”

Laura looked over at Logan, who just nodded. This is where he found his place and he told her this was where she would find hers. There was no going back now. Here was her chance to do something more with her life and she wasn’t going to waste it.

“Yes…I accept,” said Laura, bowing respectfully.

“Very well, Laura. Then you may officially consider yourself a pawn,” said Charles, “Your journey through the Hellfire Club begins now.”

“Thank you for giving me this chance,” she said.

It was definitely the beginning of something. She could feel it. There was so much about this place she had yet to learn. Logan only told her part of the story. She knew the Hellfire Club was an organization that brokered power and wealth. She knew they had a reputation for being tough and ruthless. But unlike Hydra, her skills would earn her more than just a pat on the back and another mission. And here they weren’t going to try and make her into a weapon. They were going give her a chance to become something more. She wasn’t sure what she would become, but with Logan’s help and the endless resources of the Hellfire Club at her disposal she was hopeful she would be more than just former weapon X-23.

With her initiation complete, Logan led Laura off to show her the rest of the manor. They still had to do the initiation ritual, but that could come later. For now, Xavier and Selene contemplated their new member. Xavier was optimistic that Laura could become just as good an operative as Logan. Hyrda did a lot of damage to her, but they also instilled in her the killer instinct that was so vital in the world of the Hellfire Club. Her experience as a prostitute may come in handy as well. For now, she would just have to adjust and find her place here.

Selene saw equal potential with Laura, but not for the same reasons as Xavier. In her eyes, a girl who had been conditioned to forget her humanity was intriguing. Perhaps there was something from it she could use. Her plans were moving forward rapidly and she could use all the advantages she could get. She would definitely have to look deeper into this girl’s history. She may just find something useful.

“First Rahne, now Laura,” commented Selene, “Our ranks continue to grow.”

“Indeed, and they will continue to grow,” said Charles, “Moria and I have already arranged for a few new prospects to arrive.”

“Have you now?” grinned Selene.

“Don’t tell me you object,” said Xavier in a humored tone.

“Of course not. I know as well as you that as our power grows, so must the Inner Circle. Besides, I’ve grown somewhat fond of welcoming new recruits. I look forward to seeing what they have to offer for the future of our organization.”

Selene and Xavier exchanged accomplished grins. But to Selene it wasn’t the future of the organization that concerned her. It was the future of her plans. They were coming to ahead soon and she would need new blood to make it all come together.

X-Industrial – Julian Keller

Boredom was a tragic thing. Whether life is good or bad, it can bring down the spirits of even the most optimistic people. And Julian Keller was completely bored. He couldn’t remember being so bored before. He thought working at a place like this was supposed to be exciting. But even in a place that extensively employed mutants, a job was a job and it just wouldn’t be right if it wasn’t boring.

At the moment he was sitting in the lounge casually drinking coffee to keep himself awake. It was a slow day for him today. He noticed there had been a lot of slow days lately. X-Industrial just wasn’t as exciting anymore. In the past few years the company expanded to levels that even some mutants never imagined. They had offices and branches on every continent, including Antarctica where he often went to help with mining operations. Most other companies didn’t really offer much competition anymore. That was probably why it got so slow here at times. Without competition, there just wasn’t as much need to keep things fast paced. Everything was much more bureaucratic now. He would get a work order. He would go to where it told him to go. Then he would use his powers to complete the work and he would collect his paycheck. That was pretty much the extent of Julian Keller’s life.

He was bored now, but just a few years ago he was on track to be quite the little hell-spawn. He started off life normally enough. His parents were a classic tale of rags to riches. They both started off in dire poverty and worked their way up to the pinnacle of wealth. And when he was born, they tried to give him all the things they never had. He lived in comfortable houses, went to fancy schools, and enjoyed the many luxuries of an upper class life. He didn’t mind being rich, but early on he had a tendency to be a bit of a thrill seeker. He gave his parents their share of headaches with some of his antics, but then came the day when his mutant powers manifested.

It started off as simple headaches. Then things began moving without him touching them. It was a little scary at first, but he soon was really into it. A doctor who specialized in mutants later revealed he was a powerful telekinetic. With a little trial and error he found out he could release powerful waves of telekinetic force, levitate heavy objects from a distance, and even fly at high speeds. For a while he was the happiest kid on the planet, throwing things around with his mind and going on long flights whenever he felt like it. But there were some drawbacks.

At school, his mutant powers did make him a bit of an outcast. But he didn’t care. He was content having fun on his own, using his powers to entertain himself and play the occasional trick. Some of those tricks were a little unpopular though, mainly the ones that involved his teachers. He did things like pull their chairs back when they were about to sit down, pull their pants down, and fling their chalk across the room and use it to make them right obscene words. He got into quite a bit of trouble at times and despite numerous disciplinary measures, he kept at it. His parents soon grew so frustrated they pulled him out of school and sent him off to a place where they hoped he would learn to use his powers more responsibly. And that’s what led him to X-Industrial.

At first he was excited. X-Industrial had been the first organization to push for a mutant workforce at a time when bigotry and hatred towards mutants was rampant. It seemed so long ago that most mutants were relegated to being complete pariahs, but now the controversy wasn’t so much whether mutants were dangerous. The controversy was now just how much should the use of their powers be regulated. X-Industrial was one of those places where mutant abilities were valued and not feared. And even though he was still a teenager, he was given many important tasks. It earned him some extra status in the organization. Plus, it helped that his rich parents had some good connection.

Usually, his work done through contracts. He would get a work order, go to where he was needed, and use his powers to finish the job. Many of these jobs were challenging construction projects where his telekinesis and flight abilities really came in handy. Others were mining operations where he used his powers to protect miners as they entered dangerous areas or use his powers to punch holes in large deposits. He also did a lot of cleanup work, clearing debris from certain areas and acting as a scout and surveyor. At first it was so exciting because he never used his powers like this before. Not only that, they were paying him well for his services. But after a while he just felt like a grunt. He didn’t have any more power than a typical worker in a factory, the only difference being he could do more. It left him feeling distant and uninspired. He was beginning to wonder whether or not there were limits to how far these powers would take him.

And so here he was, a teenage mutant who got paid to use his powers to do grunt work. Looking down at his coffee Julian sighed. There just wasn’t any excitement in his life anymore.

‘It’s official. I am completely bored out of my mind.’

He took another sip of his coffee. Then he nearly dropped his cup at the sound of a new voice in his head.

‘Well if you’re bored, then we’ll just have to find you something more interesting for you.’

Julian almost choked on his coffee and nearly dropped his cup too. It wasn’t unusual to get a sudden intrusion from a telepath around here, but that didn’t make it any less annoying.

“Damn it!” he cursed as he got up out of his chair, “Don’t you telepaths have any notion of…”

But Julian immediately cut himself off when he turned around and saw the source of the message. It was none other than Charles Xavier, the revered CEO and founder of X-Industrial. Even though he was top dog around here, he was rarely seen. There was always an aura of mystery surrounding him and while Julian’s parents knew him, he never got to know the man and had only talked to him on a few occasions. But he knew him well enough to know that when Charles Xavier said something, it was wise to listen.

“Mr. Xavier, sir I…I’m sorry,” he said quickly, “I didn’t know it was you.”

“That’s quite alright my boy. Sometimes I can’t help myself,” said Xavier with good humor, “Are you busy at the moment? I was hoping to talk to you.”

“Of…of course,” said Julian respectfully.

Xavier smiled and walked up to the table he was sitting at. Julian was still very much a rebellious teenager, but he showed respect when he had to. He didn’t always do a good job of it, but he didn’t hold that against him. He was young after all.

The Black King sat in the chair next to him and patted his chair, prompting him to sit back down. Julian had clearly not been expecting to see him. If he had he probably would have worn something more appropriate than his casual Friday outfit. But that didn’t seem to bother him as he sat down and addressed the man that garnered so much respect within this organization.

“So how has X-Industrial been treating you, my boy?” asked Xavier, keeping it casual, “Have you had time to develop your powers as your parents hoped.”

“Yes sir, it’s been quite an experience so far,” answered Julian, “The money’s good, the scenery changes, and I get to use my powers in new ways. In fact, my flight skills have really been improving. My speeds are borderline sub-sonic.”

“That’s wonderful. I’ll be sure to let your parents know. They’ll most certainly be proud of you.”

“I sure hope so,” he muttered, “We haven’t really talked in a while.”

“Well you should. After all, they were the ones that sent you here. And since your arrival, you’ve made great progress. It’s quite a step up from the mischievous young boy who used to levitate cars and tip them over for fun.”

Julian shifted awkwardly. He never denied he had been a bit of a wild child when his powers first manifested. In fact, some of his teachers nicknamed him the little hellion because his powers made him a demon seed of sorts. But around here goofing around wasn’t nearly as tolerated. He may have the guts to take on his old principal, but not a man like Charles Xavier. Only a fool with a death wish would mess with the world’s most powerful telepath.

“You’re a special boy, Julian,” said Xavier, “You’re not afraid of who you are and you’re not afraid to use the gifts you’ve been given. You may not always use those gifts ethically, but then again that’s not always a bad thing.”

“Uh…thank you sir,” said the young mutant.

“I’ve also noted how the tasks you’ve been getting lately just hasn’t excited you as much,” he went on, “You no longer seem satisfied with the challenges of our mutant work force.”

“Oh no, it’s not that sir,” said Julian quickly, trying to save a little face, “I enjoy what I do. Really, this place is…”

But Xavier cut him off.

“Please, you do not need to explain yourself, Julian. I’m a telepath, remember? I can sense your state of mind. And from what I’ve seen it appears you’ve reached the limit of your mutant potential. But that isn’t enough, is it? Nothing you do gives you the same thrill as before. You hunger for new experiences. You strive for something more. And I find that trait admirable and intriguing.”

Julian was getting curious now. He wasn’t sure where Xavier was going with this, but he was definitely building towards something. And whatever it was it sounded a lot more exciting than grunt work.

“Tell me, have you given any thought to your future?” asked Charles, “Do you know what you want to do with your life at this point?”

Julian shifted again. He wasn’t sure how to answer because he couldn’t just say anything. This was Charles Xavier he was talking to. He had to be careful.

“No, not really,” he said, “Probably just get in the family business or something.”

“Really? Is that really what you want? To just get a job in the world of business, never applying your abilities for anything more than the occasional thrill? That’s just handicapping yourself for life and I’m fairly certain that’s not what you want.”

“Of course I don’t, but the whole reason my folks sent me here was to learn how to manage my powers. There was never much of an emphasis on using them in a future career.”

“I believe you. But say for the sake of argument there was an emphasis. What would you do if you actually had the chance to use your powers to aspire to something greater?”

Julian looked at Xavier curiously. He had this look in his eye and a strange grin that hinted at something big. And coming from the man who actually founded X-Industrial, that was nothing to scoff at.

“Forgive me for being a little slow to catch on, sir, but…what exactly are you implying? I may be a spoiled mutant rich kid, but I know hidden meaning when I see it,” said Julian.

Xavier just laughed.

“Smart boy,” he said, “And you would be right. There are certain…aspects of this organization that are not known to our workforce at large. You probably noticed that I don’t stop by these parts very often and I am often occupied with other matters. Have you ever been curious as to what those other matters are?”

“The thought did cross my mind, but I always assumed it was business.”

“Not quite,” said Xavier in an ominous tone, “In my spare time, I am part of another organization that takes powerful individuals like yourself and gives them a chance to take part in something much grander.”

“You mean like another company or something?”

“Think of it more as a…special club,” said Xavier, choosing his words carefully, “One where only the elite who have the potential and drive to use their powers to gain true influence.”

Julian looked at Xavier strangely. It sounded like an unusual club, catering only to mutants who had whatever this drive it was he was talking about. It sounded like more than just a job or a pastime. He didn’t know what to make of it, but it definitely intrigued him.

“Sounds like quite a club,” he said, “Why are you telling me about this?”

“Because you’re different than most of the other mutants who work here, Julian,” said Xavier, placing a hand on the young man’s shoulder, “To everybody else, this place is just a job…a means of supporting themselves. They’re content just working here, earning a comfortable living, and nothing else. But for you, that’s not enough is it? That’s why you’re sitting here, bored because you have all this power and no use for it.”

“Well to be fair, it’s not that I’m bored. It’s just…not enough,” said Julian.

“Oh I understand. You want more out of life. And if given the chance, would you be willing to take on a new challenge…one where the experiences are more intense and the goals are more far reaching?”

“Far reaching how?”

“That I can’t tell you,” said Xavier, “You just have to trust me when I say this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It will be different and challenging and you will undoubtedly be changed by it. This is your only chance to get on board so tell me right now…are you willing to learn more?”

Julian studied this man. His parents had told him a lot about him. They always said that Charles Xavier was a powerful and resourceful man, but he was also very mysterious. There were a lot of rumors about how he got so powerful. Many believed he used his powers to deceive, control, and manipulate his way to great riches. And after just talking to him, he was convinced much of it was true. But beyond that there was something more to him. There was this darkness that permeated his gaze. He wasn’t sure what to make of it, but this chance he was offering to do more and aspire to more was too great to pass up.

Looking at his life now, it didn’t seem like it would go anywhere. He would just live life as the spoiled rich kid with mutant powers who eventually took over the family business. That didn’t seem very exciting. It didn’t seem very fulfilling either. Whatever Xavier was offering, it sounded very enticing. A part of him was a little suspicious. The man already did so much to help him and people like him. The least he could do was give him the benefit of the doubt. So with that in mind he made his decision.

“Mr. Xavier sir, can I ask one question regarding this chance?” he asked.

“Of course,” said Xavier, “What is it, Julian.”

“When do I start?”

The Black King smiled. He saw in this young man’s eyes a desire for more in life. He didn’t just see a reckless young teenager with too much power and free time. He saw someone who had potential worthy of the Inner Circle. And since he helped his parents, he also saw in him a potential ally that he could use to further his ambitious plans.

“I admire your resolve, boy,” grinned Charles as he rose up from his seat, “Come with me…we have much to discuss.”

X-Industrial – Danielle Moonstar

Some people say dreams are a gateway to the unconscious mind. Some say they are messages from forces beyond about coming danger. Others say they’re just the result of a mind caught up in excessive activity during sleep. For Danielle Moonstar, it was neither. Dreams for her, were much more profound.

“Are you okay, Danielle? Can you keep going?” said a kind, yet stoic voice.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” said Danielle, “I’m just a little rusty, that’s all.”

The young Native American mutant steadied her breathing as she focused her abilities on several specific targets. They were two men and two women. The men were middle aged and the women were a little younger, but each had turned to her for the same reason. They needed her help in overcoming a paralyzing fear. They were all up and coming business associates and this was a fear they could not afford to have. It was fear of flying and she was uniquely skilled to help them overcome that fear.

“Listen to my voice,” she told them, “I’m going to manifest your fear in a moment, but I need you to stay calm. Work with me and I will help you to overcome it.”

The four individuals nodded nervously as they lay back in large, fancy chairs. They were in a small, but spacious room with dim lighting and pale walls. It was also sound proofed so no distractions could enter. The only insight into the room was from a one-way viewing mirror. On the other side was Danielle’s supervisor and teacher, Sage. She helped teach her how to use her powers and how to manage them. It wasn’t long ago that these abilities were anything but useful. And for a while it looked as though she would be doomed to a life of obscurity. But like so many other mutants at X-Industrial, she got a chance to put her powers to good use. And she was well-compensated for her efforts.

She had come a long way from her humble beginnings in Boulder, Colorado. She grew up on a reservation for the Cheyenne Native Americans. Her early life was normal for the most part until the day her mutant powers manifested. At first she thought it was a nightmare. She saw a surreal manifestation of her parents being killed by a demonic bear. For a while she thought she was going crazy. Then when it was over she learned her parents had disappeared. Nobody said much, but the tribal authorities told her that they may have been a result of a bear attack. She didn’t tell them about her visions, but she knew from that point on that there was something different about her.

After the death of her parents she was taken in by Black Eagle, her grandfather. He was a respected Shaman who looked after her and used his abilities to keep her visions in check. But as she got older and her powers grew, his mystical skills lost their affect. Soon her visions returned only this time they were different. They were like dreams, only far more vivid. And at every one there was someone at the center of it all, usually a stranger or someone close by. But what dominated the vision wasn’t the person, it was their greatest fear. Although she struggled to make sense of it at the time, she later learned that she could not only make people experience their greatest fear, she could make them experience anything. It wasn’t real or physical, but it felt real enough to drive several people crazy and it led to a few nasty affairs that nearly tore the community apart. For a while they considered attacking her and her grandfather. But that’s when X-Industrial came into the picture and her life was forever changed.

It started with two women named Sage and Jean Grey. They came to her and helped her understand her abilities. She wasn’t possessed or cursed as she once believed. She was a mutant who could create illusions using a mix of psionic and energy manipulation powers. The illusions she made were so real they were almost indistinguishable from reality. With a little psychic training she was able to form illusions at will and channel them so that it didn’t just involve peoples’ fears. It was a great relief to finally have control, but now as a mutant her opportunities would be limited. So once she had a firm grasp of her powers, Sage and Jean Grey offered her a chance to work and become educated at X-Industrial. It was a chance to get away and make something of herself and with encouragement from her grandfather, she accepted.

Now for the past few years she had been studying up in New York and working for X-Industrial. At first she didn’t know how useful creating illusions could be, but X-Industrial showed her that illusions had many uses. Her official title was ‘psychological consultant.’ Her main job was to help high paying associates overcome fears and anxiety, which helped them do better in business. She used her illusion and psionic talents to create vivid manifestations of fears and help people overcome them. Her success rate was higher than most other psychological treatments and a lot faster too. She was well-paid and well compensated. They didn’t just pay her good money, they paid for her to get educated at the Academy of Tomorrow and take college level courses at a local private school.

It was a comfortable living that she grew fond of over the past several years. In that time she really learned how to use her powers well. She even developed new abilities that came about from exercising them. One of them was her ability to communicate with animals. It came about when she was treating a woman who always carried a cat around with her. It gave her a new skill that X-Industrial was quick to jump on. They paid her extra to take care of exotic animals and tame high profile wildlife for things like private sanctuaries, movies, and zoos. It was a power that was much easier to manage than her illusion casting and it helped her keep in touch with much of her Native American heritage, which placed a strong value on nature.

And yet despite the comfortable, exciting life she lived, Danielle Moonstar was very much uncertain about her life. She liked what she did, but at times it wasn’t enough. Her grandfather, who had passed away a year ago, always told her she was special and destined for something greater. She wasn’t sure what he meant, but she believed in him. She knew in her heart this wasn’t what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. But she wasn’t sure what else she could do.

“Okay, just stay calm and relax,” she told her clients, “I’m about to create an illusion for you. It’s going to feel very real, but once you face it your fears will be overcome.”

Closing her eyes and focusing her power, Danielle forged a series of illusions for the four high end clients. She felt them all tense. They each began breathing heavier and sweating profusely. But they stayed in their seats as Danielle stepped up the illusion, making them feel as though they were really taking off in a plane. The sights, smells, and sounds were so vivid it was indistinguishable from the real thing. They were all consumed with fear and anxiety as they normally would. But Danielle didn’t let up. Part of the treatment she offered was having them confront their fears. The next part was something only she could do.

“Please say calm,” Danielle told her, “And let your fears be replaced with new feelings.”

Then with her illusions still going full steam, she changed it so that instead of feeling like they were on a plane, they felt as though they were birds flying freely through the air. It was a much more pleasant, liberating feeling. It immediately shifted their states from one of fear to one of enjoyment. It was like a dream, only better. Every sensation was very real. Danielle even snuck in a few feelings just make sure the feeling rang true. Soon her clients were smiling and relaxing happily as they embraced the illusion. She let them enjoy it for a good ten minutes, letting their minds naturally wash over the fear.

No other form of treatment could match what she did. She could not only create illusions of fears, but of pretty much anything. She could make dreams as real as reality and get people to associate something that scared them with something that made them feel good. This kind of mental conditioning was unique in that it left a permanent imprint on the mind. It wasn’t like psychic manipulation, which involved just suppressing or controlling certain parts of the mind. It was more like giving people the ability to shape their minds in a new way. And it worked with uncanny efficiency.

After a few extra minutes of illusions, Danielle gradually brought them back to the real world. Once they were back they all re-emerged from their dazed state as if they had just woken up from a dream.

“Congratulations,” she told them, “Your fears have been conquered.”

“Wow! That was amazing!” exclaimed one of the clients.

“Yeah, I feel like I can go sky diving now!”

“Maybe you mutant folk aren’t so bad after all!”

Danielle smiled at their kind words and shook their hands as they got up and collected themselves. The session had lasted less than a half hour and she what most people would consider a full day’s salary. And that didn’t include tips. Both the money and the personal touch were important in her work and Danielle took pride in it. But as nice as it was, it just didn’t feel like it was enough for her. Helping people overcome their fears was all well and good, but it didn’t give her the satisfaction it once did.

Once the clients were satisfied, they waved goodbye to her and left. It was supposed to be the last session of the day, but the young mutant was still restless. There just wasn’t as much excitement in this job anymore. Some said it was because her lack of a social life. Aside from her work and studies, she really didn’t do much else. She didn’t date much and didn’t party like some of the others in the company. She was tempted, but wasn’t sure if she fit in. Looking back at the one-way mirror, which she was sure Sage was still behind, she smiled. This may not be what she wanted to do for the rest of her life, but it was the best she could have asked for.

She started gathering some paperwork and organizing some files. Then the door to the chamber opened and a new presence entered.

“You have quite a way with those powers of yours.”

Danielle turned around to see the imposing, but casual figure of James Poundstar standing before her. As a fellow Native American, she knew about him. But she only talked to him a handful of times. He was one of those mysterious, high level officials at X-Industrial that garnered extra respect. They were like the shamans or chieftains on her old reservation. And she was caught a bit off guard by his presence.

“Mr. Poundstar? I…I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting you,” she said.

“It’s alright. I wasn’t expecting to drop in either. It was my boss that told me I should pay you a visit,” said James.

“Oh…I see,” she said nervously, “Did he give a reason why?”

“He did and it’s a good one. He sent me here because we’ve been keeping an eye on you recently.”

“What? Should I be worried?”

“Of course not,” assured James, “I mean that in a good way. You’ve done quite well for yourself these past few years. Most young mutants when they start working for us just do their jobs, collect their paychecks, and enjoy themselves. But you’re different.”

“How so?” she asked curiously.

The imposing mutant then approached her, smiling as he took in her confident demeanor. She carried herself quite maturely for her age. There were some in the Inner Circle who didn’t have such class. To James, and the rest of the Inner Circle, that was a positive sign.

“You don’t just punch out at the end of the day. You go to school, you study, and you go the extra distance. Everybody here has ambition, but you seem to have more than others. That leads me and my associates to believe that you want more out of life then helping rich people overcome their fears.”

Danielle shifted. She didn’t deny his words, but she didn’t want to make it seem as though she was unhappy with this job. So she chose her words carefully.

“I admit it’s not what I envisioned myself doing for a career, but it’s still better than anything I could have asked for. It’s not like there was much opportunity back home at the reservation.”

“Oh believe me, I understand,” said Warpath empathically, “I grew up on a reservation too. I know full well how limited opportunities are out there. That’s why I always had plans to get out into the world and do more. But like always, forces you can’t control get in the way.”

“You mean like being a mutant?” she asked.

“No, that was never a problem for me. I’m talking about the other major obstacle I’m sure you’ve faced…you know, the one where you feel so certain that you want more out of life, but you’re not sure what it is?”

His words struck a chord with Danielle. She found herself looking at him with more intent, like he had answers to the questions she had been struggling with. She wasn’t sure if someone had been reading her mind (which was a real possibility in a place like this) or if he genuinely understood. She wasn’t sure what to think, but this man now had her full attention.

“What are you saying? Why are you even telling me this?” said Danielle in a more serious tone.

“I’m saying this to show I’m serious. And I’m telling you because you have a chance to do something about it. Just answer me this, have you ever tried to really push your abilities?”

“Push them? What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean,” said James strongly, “Have you ever used them to do more than just give people nightmares or make illusions? Haven’t you ever felt the urge to use them for something more?”

Danielle’s demeanor grew anxious. This was a subject she faced before and even though she had control of her powers, it was something that was not lost on her.

“No, I can’t say I have,” she said, “I spent so much time just learning to control them I kind of resisted any impulse to push them further.”

“So you’ve never even tried?”

“No, not really. But why does it matter?”

“Oh it matters a great deal,” said James strongly, “You’ve been spending your life just trying to accommodate everybody. You think that because you couldn’t control it at first you have to always control it. So you hold back when you know full well that it’s part of who you are. But you can control it now. Why not learn to embrace it?”

“I don’t want to embrace it,” she said, turning away and going back to her files, “I want to just use it on a need-to-use basis.”

“Do you really want that or is that just fear talking?” questioned James.

“It’s not about fear. It’s about being careful!” she said strongly.

“Being careful is one thing…holding back is something else entirely,” said James.

Shifting his tone, James placed a hand on Danielle’s shoulder even as she looked away from him. He could tell she was struggling with this. It was only natural given the nature of her powers. He heard similar stories from Jean, Rogue, and Wanda, each of whom had powers they struggled with. But they all overcame them and learned to embrace them and Lord Xavier believed this young woman could do the same.

“I think it has a lot to do with why you seem to have no direction, yet you have a great deal of ambition. Clearly, you want more out of life, but you’re not sure how to go about it. Part of the problem is that when you hold back a part of you, like your powers, you can’t help but hold back more.”

Danielle turned back to face him. He seemed to know what he was talking about and he seemed to understand. But there was still so much uncertainty.

“I once thought I knew how to use my powers reasonably,” James went on, “But you know what it got me? Nothing! Just a dead brother, no future, and a desolate life in a shack on a reservation.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Danielle sympathetically.

“Don’t be sorry,” said James, “It wasn’t your fault. There were forces working against me that I couldn’t control. But then I got a chance to change it all. One day, someone came to me and gave me an opportunity to go down a new path. And since then I’ve accomplished more than I ever could have hoped for.”

There was an intensity in his eyes as he spoke. Danielle found it intriguing. It was as if something changed within him. Her grandfather always taught her that a lot could be determined just by looking in someone’s eyes and what she was seeing in James was really something profound.

“Mr. Poundstar, what exactly are you trying to tell me?” she said.

“I’m not trying to tell you anything. I’m just trying to get you to understand that you’ll never get what you want out of life if you keep holding back. You’re clearly working towards something, Danielle. But can you even tell me what it is?”

Danielle thought for a moment about what she had done with her life and what she was doing. She had come a long way since the reservation. But relatively speaking, how far was it? She was still as directionless as she was when she left. She was working to better herself, but with no goal to strive for. It didn’t feel right, but it didn’t feel wrong either. That led her to only one conclusion.

“No, I can’t,” she answered.

“And if given the opportunity, would you be willing to try a new path?” asked James, “One that may lead you to doing certain things you’ve never done before? Some of which may be a little…outside your comfort zone, to say the least?”

Danielle thought about that for a moment as well, but she didn’t have to think long.

“That depends,” she said, “What kind of chance are we talking about?”

James smiled. This girl was curious if nothing else. She had ambition, but she was also careful. Those qualities boded well for the Inner Circle. He had been a little skeptical at first upon hearing that Xavier wanted him to talk with this girl. But now he was convinced.

“It’s a once in a lifetime chance. That much I can tell you,” he said, “I wish I could tell you more, but I don’t think I’m the best one to say. You’ll just have to trust me when I tell you it’s something that’ll take you further than you ever dreamed.”

“Just trust you, huh?” she said coyly, “You know there are many old tales my grandfather told me that often started with that.”

“I probably heard the same stories you did,” said James, “But I think you know what you have to do, Danielle. You’ve spent all your life making other people’s fantasies come true. How about for once you make your own come true?”

Danielle looked James in the eye for a moment and then smiled. The man knew how to make a point. She spent her life making peoples’ worst fears and greatest desires come true, yet she never really took time to serve herself. She was always working or studying, always holding back out of fear for causing the sort of chaos she did early on when her powers first manifested. Since then she had been so careful. Maybe now was the time to take a little chance. It might just lead her to the kind of fulfillment that always seemed so out of reach.

“So how about it? Will you take a chance on this? Or are you going to keep wandering without any direction or guidance?” said James.

“Well when you put it like that it’s not much of a choice,” said Danielle coyly, “I really haven’t had much chance to take risks in life. I never really developed a sense for adventure. Having strange visions will do that to you. But even for someone like me I guess there’s no beating reality.”

“Is that a yes?”

“In the words of my oh so wise grandfather…what the hell,” she shrugged.

James grinned. For a girl who seemed so directionless in life, she had some spunk to her. She may have seemed reserved, but she had that look in her eye that craved adventure. She would definitely get her share of that with the Hellfire Club. James was sure of it. It would also be interesting to see how she could use these powers of hers. Lord Xavier seemed very interested in them and James was smart enough to know there had to be a reason for it. But that was a concern for another day. For now, he had to get Danielle Moonstar ready for her introduction to the Hellfire Club.

X-Industrial – Monet Yvette Clarisse Maria Therese St. Croix

Perfection was a tricky concept. Most people struggle to wrap their head around it. To be perfect is always an idea, but few would consider it a realistic aspiration. Some strive for perfection. More often then not, they fail. Most don’t even bother with perfection. To them, just being good is enough. But Monet Yvette Clarisse Maria Therese St. Croix was different. To her, perfection just wasn’t an idea. It was part of who she was.

“You’re late,” she told her young subordinate in a stern tone.

“Honestly, Miss Monet, it took longer than I calculated,” said a wiry framed young man, “The parameters for the mainframe were…”

“I didn’t ask for excuses, Mr. Ramsey,” said Monet firmly, “I only ask that you be more mindful of deadlines in the future. You know how much delays upset me.”

Her voice was stern and forceful, carrying all the weight of someone with power and authority. It was also the kind of tone that demanded obedience. But it wasn’t from the kind of person who was so narcissistic to just believe they were perfect. It was from someone who knew they had a level of perfection that nobody else could hope to match. And because of that, Doug Ramsey, an X-Industrial computer guru, kept silent and returned to his duties.

Monet rolled her eyes and rushed back to her office. It seemed the life of a busy X-Industrial executive was never done. Everybody around her was just too content with mediocrity. She would never how anybody could settle for anything less, but then again it wasn’t like she could empathize. She was never one for mediocrity. She was a perfectionist. It showed both in her personality and her mutant powers. By all accounts, she was as close to perfect as anyone could get.

Her background reflected her pursuit of perfection. She was the favorite daughter of a wealthy ambassador named Cartier St. Croix. She grew up spoiled and pampered, much to the dismay of her black sheep brother, Marius. He had always been caught up studying black arts and vampire culture. While it bothered her father, it never bothered her. She was content to keep her brother at arm’s length, believing he was a lost cause. She continued to enjoy her youth and relish in the fine amenities of an upper class lifestyle. But it all came to ahead when her mother met with a mysterious death and Marius was the prime suspect. While he claimed no wrongdoing, nobody believed him including Monet. That’s why she didn’t step up to defend him when their father kicked them out of the family and tried to have him arrested. But that’s when things got complicated.

Marius, never one to take rejection lightly, fought back. One night he stormed the family mansion armed with a relic he stole that gave him enhanced mystical talents. Using his power he tried to kill his father, but Monet stepped in and stopped him. At first he offered her a chance to join him. He told her that with her help, they could gain even more power. But Monet rejected him flatly and he attacked her. That’s when the true extent of her mutant abilities took their full form.

Monet had known for a long time that she was different. Growing up she had a genius level IQ, enhanced reflexes, and strength well beyond someone of her age and stature. It was later discovered by family doctors that she was a mutant, but it remained a closely guarded secret in the family and Monet never made a big deal of it. But she always sensed there was more power within her that had yet to manifest. And the full extent of that power was shown when she took on her brother. In that fight she found out that her abilities extended to superhuman strength, speed, agility, dexterity, reflexes, coordination, balance, vision, hearing, and endurance. She also had an accelerated healing factor, flight that could reach supersonic speeds, telepathy, and the ability to see the special auras that mutants project. Using these skills, she was able to save her father and defeat her brother. She was left with no choice but to kill him. As hard as it was, she had no choice. Since then, her life had never been the same.

Having such vast abilities opened many doors and since her family was already rich, there was no limit to what she could do. Her father was a big help. Eager to reward his favorite daughter, he let her travel and study abroad. By the time she was seventeen she had degrees from Oxford and Cambridge. A few years later she immersed herself in the world of business and diplomacy. On one week she would make a million dollars just trading in company assets and the next week she would be mingling with diplomats from many countries. But no matter what she did, she always excelled. And yet it wasn’t enough.

Shortly after the passing of her father, she was confronted by representatives of X-Industrial, one of the largest global conglomerates in the world. She heard about the organization from her many associates. They all had different opinions about it. Some said it was very mysterious and secretive. Others said it was a beacon of prosperity for mutants all over the world. She didn’t care either way because they offered her a high level executive position. It was a job that would give her the chance to use not just her brilliant mind to succeed, but all her abilities. A few of her father’s old associates warned her about getting involved, but she brushed them off and dove head first into the world of X-Industrial. To date, she was content with her decision.

‘Another day, another couple billion. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just too easy or I’m just too good at it.’

Monet smiled to herself as she looked over a copy of their latest balance sheets. As always, her investments and projects succeeded. The result was a healthy profit and another seven figure bonus. It was remarkable how someone as young as her could gain so much influence and control over many other veteran leaders. But then again they didn’t have the kind of talent she did to work with. She had the power of perfection on her side and perfection was a powerful force.

Checking her watch, Monet saw that she was a bit behind schedule. Doug Ramsey’s delay was already throwing her off. Never one to get off schedule, she rushed to her office for a scheduled teleconference meeting. She had never been late for anything in her life and she wasn’t about to start now. But as soon as she stepped into her spacious, opulent office she was met with an unexpected sight. Someone was sitting in her chair.

“Eleven o’ clock, right on the tick,” said a cold, sinister voice, “Perfect timing as always, Ms St. Croix.”

That voice was enough to send shivers down anybody’s spine, but Monet was not intimidated. If anything, she was annoyed.

“Who are you?!” she demanded, “And what the hell are you doing in my office?!”

The figure turned around on her chair, revealing her identity. Monet quickly tensed. The woman sitting in her chair was none other than Selene, the enigmatic woman with a taste for S&M attire who just happens to be one of the few people whose rank and power exceeded hers.

Smiling at the young woman’s response, Selene rose up and approached her. She was every bit the perfect specimen she was rumored to be. Even in that fancy business suit of hers, she saw a woman who exuded power. But it was a power she had yet to fully realize.

“Oh…Miss Selene, I…I had no idea it was you,” she said nervously.

“No need to gravel, Monet. I get enough of that from fools many times less sophisticated than you. While I apologize for my abrupt intrusion, there is an important matter we need to discuss.”

“Are these matters that can wait? I have a full schedule for the rest of the day.”

“I know you do. And I have personally cleared your schedule for the rest of the day so we may do so without interruption. I assure you, your clients will understand.”

There was a mischievous hint to her tone. How she managed to clear her schedule was beyond her, but she heard rumors about what this woman was capable of. She had a way of getting what she wanted. That concerned her, but at the same time she found it intriguing.

“Now then, let us begin. Please, take a seat,” said the Black Queen, gesturing towards a couch on the other side of her office, “This shouldn’t take too long.”

Monet did as she asked, setting aside her files and joining Selene on the couch. Even though she had experienced any number of high profile meetings, something about this made her a little anxious. But never one to give into intimidation, Monet kept her strong business demeanor and sat next to the mysterious woman with the same poise she would a top client.

“You’ve done quite well for yourself, Monet,” said Selene, looking around and admiring her office, “You’ve been here only what? Three years? And in that time you’ve asserted yourself as one of our top executives. You do more in one day than most people can do in a month. And you don’t just get things done. You get things done correctly and on time.”

“I like to be efficient,” said Monet.

“That’s not the word I’ve heard others describe you as. They say you’re not just efficient, you’re a perfectionist. No matter what the task, you accept nothing less of perfection. Just being good isn’t enough for you, is it?”

“What can I say? I have high standards,” she said confidently.

“And rightfully so, given the level of your abilities,” said Selene with an approving smile, “You’ve got quite an extensive array of powers. Strength, beauty, intelligence…some might say your mutant gift is an example of perfection itself.”

“Yes, I’ve heard that before,” said Monet, “But to me, my powers have always been a means, not an end. Just having them isn’t enough. I must also know how to use them properly.”

“And most would say you use them well. You’re rich, beautiful, and successful. Even the most simpleminded people would be impressed by what you’ve accomplished. But I’ll spare you further teasing and tell you I’m not one of them.”

That caught Monet off guard. With everything she did for this organization and everything she accomplished, this woman wasn’t impressed? She looked at her strangely, but near as she could tell Selene was dead serious.

“What? But I thought you said…”

“I was just making a point,” said Selene, who got up from the couch and walked over to her desk, “Your accomplishments might impress most people, but they don’t impress me, Monet. You’re still a product of a bland, corrupt system that has been doomed from the start.”

“System? What system?” she said, now taking it personally.

“The system that’s become nothing more than a glorified stage show in the past century,” said Selene ominously as she opened a drawer in her desk and took out a bottle of champagne, “It’s like a pack of dogs chasing a car. Some are faster, some are slower, and some get run over. But they all still chase the car. Will they ever catch it? Of course they won’t! Do they even know what they’re going to do if they happen to? Not for a moment.”

“So you’re saying I’m a dog,” said Monet, rising up from the couch sounding very much insulted.

“You’re a strong, well-bred, well-trained dog, but you’re still a dog,” grinned Selene, “Even if you’re ahead of every other dog in the world, you’re still a dog.”

“So what does that make you?”

“What else? I’m the one driving the car.”

It was a strange metaphor, but Monet was smart enough to see what she meant by it. It was a mockery of everything she worked for in life. She couldn’t help but take offence to it and under normal circumstances, she would have called her out. But this woman was different. Instead she just stood there, gazing at the mysterious woman as she opened her high priced bottle of champagne and started drinking it.

“I’ll dispense with the cute metaphors and cut straight to the point. You have so much potential, Monet. But much of it is squandered in this meaningless pursuit of yours. Someone of your power shouldn’t just use it to chase cars. You should use it to conquer and dominate!”

“Are you saying I should become a tyrant? My father was an ambassador, Miss Selene. I know first hand that such pursuits are as meaningless as chasing real cars,” quipped Monet.

“Oh but that’s where you’re wrong,” said the Black Queen with a sinister grin, “Look at yourself now. All this wealth and influence is so vast, but it’s only as fragile as your life. Like everyone else in this pitiful planet, time will catch up to you. Maybe it won’t be for a while because you can heal, but in the end it will always win out. And even with all the wealth and success in the world, how much of that is really going to leave a permanent mark in this feeble world?”

“It’s not about leaving a mark, Miss Selene. It’s about making the most of however much time we have. And say what you will, I’m proud of what I’ve done.”

“Are you?” questioned Selene, “Because looking at you now, I don’t see a woman content with all these trivial accomplishments. I see someone constantly striving for something more fulfilling, yet never quite attaining it.”

Selene took another gulp of the champagne and began making her way back over to the young woman. She was a tough one, but she was vulnerable as well.

“They call you perfection personified. And while you may have it on the surface, you’re just as faulted as the rest of the mindless masses. That means you have one of two paths. The first path is the one you’re on now. It’s the one you know and the one you’ve mastered. It’s easier and more comfortable, but not nearly as fulfilling.”

“And what’s the second path?” asked Monet curiously.

Selene leaned in closer to her, allowing the young woman to get a feel for her cold presence. It was powerful and it helped reinforce this powerful message.

“That, my dear, is one few go down. It’s the path where the puppets cut their strings and become the puppeteers. It’s the path where you’re every desire is possible. It’s a path where the lines between right and wrong, good and evil, and darkness and light are all but invisible. It is the one path that will lead you not to just success, but power. And I’m not just talking about material power or physical power. I’m talking about true power! The kind most only dream of having, but few ever attain!”

It sounded like quite a path. Looking at her in those cold, desolate eyes, Monet saw a woman that had walked that path. She wasn’t sure what to make of it. It wasn’t that she agreed with this woman’s views. It was more that she couldn’t disagree with anything she was saying. There was no fault in her logic. Even her genius level IQ couldn’t get around it. It was the kind of thinking that didn’t resonate with her initially, but deep down it struck a chord.

“I assume you’ve walked this path?” inquired Monet.

“You’re a smart girl, Monet. You should know that already,” grinned Selene, “The real question is if you were given the chance…would you walk it too? Would you be willing to leave all this behind and aspire to something much greater?”

“That depends. Is this path you speak of just another metaphor? Or are there other details you haven’t told me?”

“Oh this path is real. The details, however, are complicated.”

“I’m a smart girl. I believe I can understand them,” said Monet confidently.

“It’s not about understanding them. It’s about embracing them. Some are simply unable to because they won’t cross certain lines. Just answer me this, Monet…how many lines are you willing to cross to gain true perfection?”

It was a simpler question that didn’t take a genius level IQ to understand. It played with dangerous concepts that she never usually dwelled on. Right and wrong for her had never been too big a deal, but her father taught her the value of being legitimate. What Selene was saying flew in the face of that. Her father was a great man, but even he couldn’t understand what it was like to have power such as hers. He, like everyone else, never aspired to perfection. Perfection to him was just an ideal. To Monet, it was much more than that. It was at the core of her existence. With that in mind she answered.

“As many as necessary,” she said.

That earned her another smile from Selene. Clearly, that had been the answer she was hoping for. She looked Monet in the eye to see if she was being sincere. Once she was sure she tossed her the champagne, forcing her to catch it with her advanced reflexes.

“Good girl,” said the Black Queen, “But being willing is just part of the battle. Once you start walking that path, you must be willing to actually do it.”

“Oh believe me, Miss Selene. I’m willing,” said Monet strongly, gripping the bottle firmly.

“Are you? Even if it means following my lead when it is contrary to what all others around you may say?”

“If that’s what it takes. But don’t think for a second I’ll be blindly obedient,” said Monet.

“Of course not,” said the Black Queen snidely, “So if I were to lead you down this path, would you follow?”

Monet thought about it for a moment. She looked around at her office and at her life overall. It seemed as though she reached the limit of abilities in this realm. She had all the money, wealth, and success anybody could ever want. Yet it still wasn’t enough. She kept aspiring to more and yet it never quite satisfied her. There was so much more she wanted and she just couldn’t get it here. Everything about Selene was dark and mysterious, but she saw something in her that she connected with. She too strived for something absolute. It may not have been perfection, but it was every bit as profound. And if she couldn’t get what she wanted here then perhaps she could get it with this woman.

“Yes…I would,” said Monet.

Selene affectionately cupped the young woman’s chin, seeing in her all the makings of a Hellfire woman. But beyond that, she saw someone with the capacity to help her with her plans. It was a critical time for her and there was no room for error. So naturally, a woman that embodied perfection was perfect to help her.

“That’s all I need to know,” she said, “Now you’re no longer a dog chasing a car. You’re on your way to far greater things. I can’t promise it will be easy. But I can promise that if you follow me and your rewards will be more than perfect…they’ll be infinite!”

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Up next: The newest members of the Inner Circle adjust to their new status while Logan is left to reflect on his situation with X-23.