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A dark figure loomed over the young girls frail form in a chair before him, yet she stood her ground not once flinching as the figure came extremely close to her.

"What if I could give you anything you ever wanted?"

The girl jumped slightly at the chilling sound of his voice. "What do you mean?" she asked quietly.

"Power...power over anything and everything."

"How can you do that?"

"I could teach you. I can make you strong. No one can stand in your way."

She glanced at him quizzically, "No one?"

"No one. All you have to do...is join me."

"..That's it?"

"Simple isn't it?"

She glared at him slightly, "Why do you need me? Why don't you just kill me and do everything yourself?"

"I could never harm such a pretty face."

"You have before." She crossed her arms over her chest, face full of pent up rage.

"Well that..", he snorted softly, "that was an accident."

She stood up voice raising dramatically, "What about everyone else you've killed? Were they just "accidents" too?"

Her chest heaved slightly with rage as she awaited his answer.

"..No."

She looked perplexed, "What makes me so different?"

The figure drew closer to her, his hand gently caressing her face. She heard him sigh contentedly, "You're so beautiful, so young, so strong,...and yet you're weak."

She shoved his hand away, "I am not weak!"

He chuckled softly, "Your power can only be used in defense, not offense. What if you were to run in with danger? What if I do decide to kill you? There would be no way for you to stop me, no way to fight back." he paused, "but you're no good to me dead."

"So..all I have to do is join you, and...and I can become stronger,...more powerful?"

"All you have to do is say 'yes', and I can make all of your dreams come true."

She stood quietly, her eyes glued to the floor. "I'm waiting."

She lifted up her head and looked him dead in the eyes for the first time. She spoke strongly, "...Yes, I will join you. Sylar."

Sylar stood right in front of her, grasping her shoulders slightly. A smirk played upon his face.

"Good choice...Claire."