One minute it was raining and the very next- it was not.

"Où suis-je?" a water laden woman asked coyly. Where am I?

Dr. Killenger stood behind her, clutching tightly to his magic murder bag. "Now, now," He said his thick German accent muddling the words, "Stop being a silly billy, I know very well that you speak English." He hovered over her, standing far too close for comfort. She edged forward and with her curious blue and brown eyes, looked out at the intimidating décor around her. Thirteen tall and ominous looking chairs were placed around a table in the shape of an "M." The only color that was in the room came from the red velvet that covered the seats. More interestingly, she noticed that near the door, adjacent to where she stood, a large rectangular window displayed a large array of stars.

"Well?" the German said encouragingly.

"I demand to know where I am," she said, her voice nearly wavering.

"Look around," the man replied, twirling madly in a circle as he gestured to the room around him, "Where does it look like you are?"

"Well," she started, thoughtfully, "It looks like space…" She shook her head, "But we were just in New York not 2 minutes ago."

"Your eyes do not deceive you!" the man replied enthusiastically, "Now… Come! Join your new brethren!" Then he guided her, unwillingly, over to the large, hexagonal doors. As if by clockwork, the doors opened with a whir and a group of misfits shuffled through.

"Good lord!" a head wheezed from a red cloaked body. "What is he doing here?"

"A better question," replied the other head, "Is what are they doing here?"

A pool of water began forming at her feet as droplets fell from her long black and white hair onto the floor. "Please," the woman begged, as she turned to the strange doctor that had brought her here, "I'd really like something to change into."

Ignoring her, Killenger seized her by the elbow and towed her forward.

"Fils de salope!" she muttered angrily. Son of a bitch! "I demand an explanation!" She pulled herself free from his grasp and seethed.

"Yes," a slight, bald, oriental man said, stepping forward, "I think we could all use an explanation."

"All in due time," the German assured.

Whilst brooding in the center of it all, the hostile woman locked eyes with one of the misfits, a man who was all torso and covered entirely in purple. "Hello," he said his melismatic voice resounding softly in her ears, "I am called Phantom Limb, however, should you prefer," he said eyeing her, "you may call me Hamilton." Then unexpectedly an invisible force took her by the hand. Horrified and caught off guard she began to wretch away.

Chuckling, Phantom Limb said, "I'm sorry my dear, I thought it would be evident from my name that my limbs are invisible." He smiled sheepishly, "I apologize if I took you by surprise."

She warily eyed the man, "No harm done," she concluded cautiously.

"Hello?" said the white-haired head that was attached to the red-shrouded body. "Uh the rest of us are here. Mind introducing yourself?"

Nadine pulled the wet white strands of hair out of her face and unapologetically proclaimed, "I am Nadine." Though her hair had begun to dry, pieces of it still hung limply about, and her clothes clung to her soaking form. She may not have been intimidating she seemed to stand her ground.

"I'm Dragoon," wheezed the original head.

"-and I'm Red Mantle" The other said humbly.

The petite oriental man, who had stepped forward earlier, introduced himself as Doctor Z. While the hulking man, in a purple pin-stripe suit, who stood at the very back of the group gargled out the name "Wide Wale."

Finally, the two faced man stepped forward and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you." Then screaming and flailing his arms he finished, "I'm Radical Left!"

"Killenger," said Red Mantle, "What is the meaning of this? You can't just disappear mysteriously then come back with some- some." He paused for a moment and turned to Nadine, "Say, why are you here?"

Nadine shrugged, "Honestly-"

"See!" he exclaimed, "That's my point exactly! You can't keep doing this!"

"I brought my soaking friend here," Killenger said, "To join you."

Multiple objections fired off in the room and the only two people who did not argue loudly, were the doctor and Nadine, who just fidgeted quietly amidst it all.

"Please," Killenger said as the room quieted, "Hear me out!"

"Allow the Doctor to speak," Phantom Limb said.

"Thank you, Hamilton," Killenger replied, bowing his head. "Nadine is not just some random person off the street. Though it may be true that she is not registered with the guild- she has an extraordinary power-"

"—No! No!" Nadine argued, "I'm one hundred percent normal!"

"Because you see…"

"NO!"

"Nadine is a shape-shifter."

Nadine pulled at the long white stripe in her hair, her big brown and blue eyes cast downward as the group stared at her in awe. A blush rose to her cheeks and for the first time, admits these strangers, she seemed to shrink away.

"Another one?" Dragoon belted, "Good God, no! We don't need another one!"

"How can we decide on this?" Radical Left roared with his mighty southern accent. Then he calmly stated, "Councilwoman one isn't even here."

"Now, now." Phantom Limb cooed, addressing the men around him, "There are enough of us here to make that decision, wouldn't you agree? After all, it would be a majority vote."

A murmur of approval moved throughout the room. Apparently Phantom Limb wasn't the only one who harbored resentment towards the absent member.

"Excusez-moi," Nadine said quietly, "But what of my opinion? No one ever said that I wanted to be part of-of whatever this is."

"Well," gushed Wide Wale, who inched ever closer to the girl, "I don't know the exact situation, but I assume that you were trying to get away from something." He licked his lips devilishly, "or someone."

"Yes." Killenger confirmed, "Not ten minutes ago you were doing your best to avoid a group of O.S.I. agents." He shrugged, "If you aren't comfortable here, perhaps I ought to take you back to them."

"Nope. Okay. Yeah, I get it." Nadine quickly retorted. "Whatever you guys want."

"Then let's take a vote," Radical Left started calmly. Then he roared, "All in favor?"

Surprisingly, one hand on the Dragoon-Red Mantle hybrid raised, as well as Radical Left, and Wide Wale.

"Wait!" Phantom Limb said urgently, "I just wanted to clarify that my hand was raised!"

"I think that this is a grand mistake!" Doctor Z warned. However, it was four against two.

"Four against two," Phantom Limb said warmly, "Welcome to the Guild of Calamitous Intent. More specifically, welcome to the Council of Thirteen."

Nadine looked around expectantly, but before she could ask Phantom Limb said, "Yes well, it will eventually be thirteen."

"Hey Guys," an irritating voice sounded from the door way. "Sorry I'm late for the shuttle it's just… you know how Proteins are!"

"Doctor Phineas Phage," Dr. Killenger greeted, "Be sure to welcome our newest councilwoman."

"I'm sorry," Nadine interrupted impatiently, "It's really cold in here. Can I please get something to change into?"

"Who is this, "Phage asked.

"I'm Nobody," Nadine replied silkily, her French accent caressing the name.

"That is actually quite good," Phantom Limb said, "I mean, for your alias."

"What no- I just meant.. you know, that I'm unimportant."

"No," rasped Dragoon, "It's got a ring to it. It is certainly a good name for a shape changer."

Everyone seemed to be in agreement- except for Nadine.

"That settles it!" Phantom Limb said theatrically, "Henceforth you shall be called: Nobody!"

"Guys," Phineas Phage started, "Seriously, what is going on?"

"I just want some warm clothes," Nadine quietly uttered, verging on tears.