New Blood
Chapter 1: Planting The Seeds
AN: This is an AU that has no ties to the comics. It's pretty much a mature hypothetical scenario and may take a few liberties along the way so if some characters seem out-of-character please keep that in mind.
'This means character thoughts or psychic communication'
Disclaimer: I don't own X-men or any of the other Marvel characters I may mention. They are the property of Stan Lee and Marvel. Please don't sue.
Warning: This is a fairly dark fic that involves sex, violence, and numerous mature themes. There may also be some graphic scenes so if that offends you, don't read it. However, certain scenes will be edited for use on the fanfiction website and if you want to read the complete uncut versions, click on the link in my profile to go to adultfanfiction where nothing is censored.
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Hellfire Mansion – Downtown Manhattan
Charles Xavier stood gazing out the window atop the opulent Hellfire Manor. Wearing a fancy array of Victorian style clothing and drinking a glass of Dom Pèrignon, he exuded an aura of power and prestige. Downtown Manhattan was busy as always. Traffic flowed uneventfully through the busy streets, obliviously passing through some of the most expensive real estate in the world. Few would expect that this part of town was where one of the most powerful organizations in the world was based. Many of the buildings had no identifying markers. As far as the public was concerned, they were just normal places of business. They had no idea the kind of power that watched over them as they aimlessly went about their day. And much of that power resided in the hands of Charles Xavier, better known as the Black King of the Hellfire Club.
Looking out over the famous skyline it was humbling to think how much of this was his. As the Black King, he had power and wealth most people could only dream of. He had billions of dollars to his name, he had vast influence over many of the most powerful people on the face of the planet, and he commanded a secret army that rivaled that of many countries. He was also a mutant and a very powerful one at that. He had what was arguably the most powerful mind on the face of the planet. From birth, he was blessed with the gift of telepathy, the ability to read and project thoughts. His psychic talents were legendary and he used them to great effect. It was this skill that allowed him to attain this level of power in the first place.
From birth, Charles Xavier was born into wealth and power. His family was built on old money and by the time he went to college, he had inherited three billion dollars in assets. But that wasn't enough. During his studies, he furthered his knowledge and developed his mutant talents. Once ready, he worked his way into elite circles, using his abilities to gain allies and position himself to rise into the highest echelons of power. He eventually found his way to the Hellfire Club, a group that sat at the very top of the hidden hierarchy of world power. Over time, he climbed their ranks and fought to the level of Black King. But it wasn't easy.
Through the course of his ascension, Charles had to make a lot of deals and take down a lot of people. The Hellfire Club was notorious for bloodlust. The most common way people ascended the ranks was assassination. Only Xavier didn't always have to resort to such barbaric methods. He was more subtle, using savvy business skills and psychic deception to root out the competition. He was ruthlessly efficient, letting his paranoid peers do much of the dirty work while he sat back and asserted himself as the undisputed master of the Hellfire Club. There were times he was more direct, but he set himself apart by using brain power more than brute force. By the time he attained the title of Black King, almost the entire Inner Circle had been killed off. Now it was only him and the Black Queen, Selene. But hopefully, that would soon change.
"Penny for your thoughts, Charles?" came a sinister voice.
"Selene," he greeted, "Taking a break from the torture chambers?"
"Oh don't be so cynical. You think I spend every waking hour in my private quarters? Hellfire has numerous other duties last I checked."
"My apologies. It merely seems that way whenever you approach me like this. Is it unreasonable for me to think this time would be any different?"
"Point taken," said the Black Queen with a snide grin, "You're knack for reason never ceases to amaze me."
"So I'm right."
"Are you going to be snide with me or are you going to listen?"
Xavier swirled the remaining wine in his glass and drank it up in a final gulp. While Selene was technically an ally, he personally didn't like the woman. She was a ruthless sadist with a thing for revealing black lingerie and leather stockings. She was willing to cross lines Xavier never contemplated. She could inflict torment the likes of which few could imagine. Punishment was her specialty. Breaking people was her hobby. It was a valuable skill as Black Queen, but that was only part of what made her dangerous.
"I'm sure you've noticed how empty the manor has been lately," said Selene as she followed Xavier to his desk, "Since the last of the Inner Circle 'stepped down' so to speak, we've been left with a bit of a power vacuum."
"I'm well aware of the situation, Selene. And rest assured I've made plans."
"You said that six months ago and all you've done is run around, gobbling up all the companies the ex-members left behind."
"It's important we solidify our hold on every possible institution before rebuilding our base. Move too fast and we may lose control."
"Oh please!" scoffed Selene, "Since when has losing control ever been a problem for Hellfire?"
"Since you helped me destroy the old order. Or have you forgotten?"
Selene was silenced. She remembered vividly how she helped Charles Xavier systematically destroy the previous Inner Circle. The shockwaves throughout the upper levels of power were still reverberating. She grinned at how many torture sessions she went through along the way. But it definitely reinforced his point.
"Of course not," she said, "How could I?"
"Then you understand why the next Hellfire order must be built from the ground up," said Xavier strongly, "If we are to be a strong, stable organization we have to rework the rules a bit. We have to shift our strategy to maximize our hold on power."
"Will this shift require me to restock my supply of 'toys?'" said the Black Queen menacingly.
"Hopefully not, but it could never hurt."
"Whatever," she said, rolling her eyes, "What did you have in mind?"
The Black King responded by pulling out a rolled up newspaper and laying out on his desk. The front page read "Mutants: An Evolving Conflict." Below the text were pictures of mutants, many of which had abnormal physical attributes and some of which looked less than friendly. It was propaganda, plain and simple and was just one of many headlines that had been making the news lately.
"I've long believed this day would come. Mutants, the future of the human race, are growing and civilization is at a crossroad. The potential for power is unlimited. Just look at what this new generation can do. Just look at what we can do."
"Controlling minds and draining life isn't impressive enough?" scoffed Selene.
"Hardly. I once believed humans and mutants could live together peacefully. I even thought about starting my own school to train mutants to live peacefully with humans. But I've since realized the folly of those beliefs. Mutants are the future whether humanity likes it or not. And as holders of great power, the Hellfire Club has a responsibility to make that happen and maintain our dominance."
"Sounds logical. And just how do you plan on doing that?"
Xavier grinned, taking out another file from his desk and laying it on top of the newspaper. They revealed detailed records of specific individuals which Selene assumed were mutants. And judging by how thick they were, he had clearly done his research.
"We recruit a new generation of young mutants to mold in the Hellfire image. With the Inner Circle vacant, we have a chance to set a new tone for this illustrious organization. Just imagine it, Selene…a new breed of Hellfire members, endowed with mutant abilities and trained in the ways of our traditions. Imagine the power and wealth we could amass."
"That's a good pipe dream, Charles, but you know damn well that goes against our bylaws. You can't just take some random mutant kid and put him in the Inner Circle."
"Those bylaws are obsolete and you and I have proved it. The Hellfire Club cannot survive if we continue these traditions of backstabbing and murder."
"Funny, we seem to be doing okay."
"Maybe we are now, but the world is changing rapidly and if we don't change with it someone else will challenge our authority. And we don't want that."
"Says you. I'm the immortal one in case you've forgotten."
"Even immortality won't save us from the times. Surely you can appreciate how much the world has changed in the past century."
There was that logic again. It was annoying, yet still a valid point. She had seen a lot of change in her many years on this planet. It used to be easy working in the shadows, pulling the strings from behind closed doors. Now the world was so complex and there was so much power to compete with. It took a lot to sift through the elaborate connections and Xavier's ascension to his title as Black King proved that he knew how to traverse them.
"We have to work smarter," said Xavier intently, "We must take advantage of every possible means. Think of it as consolidation. Mutants like you and I have unique physical abilities that allow us key advantages over the masses. The power of magic that generations of Hellfire sorcerers have perfected allows us to break the barriers of nature. And the vast wealth at our disposal gives us the resources to assert ourselves in every possible circle. Imagine how much we could accomplish if we combine every one of these aspects and use it to set the terms of this growing conflict."
"You really think entrusting a bunch of punk kids will accomplish that?"
"I'm not talking about punk kids. I'm talking about young mutants with the potential to take the Hellfire Club to the next level. I've already made up a short list of young mutants I've been keeping my eye on. Each has their own set of unique attributes. I'm sure there are others, but these will give us something to start with."
Selene opened a couple of the files and looked over them. One depicted some orphan kid running around in New York with the ability to shoot photo-concussive blasts through his eyes. Another had information on some girl from Annandale-Hudson with immense psychic potential. They didn't look like the usual Hellfire recruits, but Xavier seemed set on them.
"Hmm…interesting powers," said Selene, "But do you really expect them to fit in here?"
"They may not look like much, but there's more to them than meets the eye. With the right training in the use of their powers and some basic knowledge of the mystic arts, they could become the loyal leaders of Hellfire. All we have to do is mold them properly."
"Does this molding include the usual breakdown followed by re-education?" said Selene with a sadistic grin.
"Some might, but I prefer a different method," said Xavier strongly.
"Oh come on, Xavier! You really expect them to go along with what we do?" scoffed the Black Queen, "It takes a special breed to be in the Hellfire Club. Fragile minds like theirs wouldn't last a day!"
"They will given the necessary incentive."
"Ha! The only incentive people ever understand is the whip. Trust me on this. It's worked centuries for me and I don't intend to hang it up anytime soon!"
Charles sighed and put the files away. That was another thing about Selene he didn't like. She was way too eager to resort to cruelty. She got to her current position in the Inner Circle using force. She amassed all her power, magical and material, through bloodlust and torture. Her own mutant powers were based off of using force. It was only logical that such cruelty would be ingrained into her persona.
"I wouldn't expect you too, Selene. But consider this…throughout history the greatest progress has come not through the use of force, but through persuasion. Just look at the capitalist system that has made us so rich. The money doesn't come by just taking it. We persuade the masses to give us their money and their trust. That trust builds loyalty. And loyalty is worth more than riches, especially when it comes to power."
"I'll give you that, but this is Hellfire! Can you really apply that to bringing in these punks out of nowhere?"
"I believe we can," said Xavier confidently, "You may think the only way to exert control is for your subordinates to fear you. I believe you need a combination of fear, respect, and admiration. By giving these young mutants the proper motivation we'll have a legion of new recruits, ready and willing to take on the mantel of Hellfire. From there, the potential is unlimited. We could shape the course of history. We could dictate how humanity evolves during this crucial period of our existence. And most importantly, we can assure that the Hellfire Club will have a strong foundation in the new order…a foundation that we shall rule."
Selene folded her arms over her large breasts and contemplated Xavier's words. In addition to his talent for logic and reason, the man had a knack for persuasion. Even she could appreciate such a vision. But she considered herself a traditionalist. There was a reason why the Hellfire Club was so ruthless. They had to be with the kind of power and wealth they were dealing with. It's why she was so good with her role. She honestly couldn't see others taking on that kind of persona.
"I appreciate the forward thinking, but you'll have to do more to convince me."
"I thought I might," grinned Xavier, "That's why I've been surveying the most promising recruits these past few months. I've already arranged for our first two pupils to visit."
"You mean to tell me you started this without me?!"
"Relax, Black Queen. This is merely a test to show that my plan can work. If at any point I sense that is isn't working out, I'll terminate it."
"You better. And what if these pupils of yours get out of hand?"
"They'll face the same fate as anybody who challenges Hellfire. Just because I'm willing to be reasonable doesn't mean I'm weak. I know what's at stake here and I'll do whatever it takes to ensure the continuation and growth of our power."
"Good to know," said the Black Queen.
Xavier turned back to the window. Selene was right to be concerned, but he never liked it when she questioned his assertiveness. He may not share her bloodlust, but he wasn't so naïve to think that he could build a new generation of Hellfire members with kindness and charity. There was more than one way mold a new inner circle and he was certain his plan could work better than anything Selene could come up with.
"So am I to contribute to this plan of yours? You know you I just love working with new recruits."
"I know," muttered Xavier, "And I will need you, both for your mystical talents and your ever effective personal touch. I've also enlisted the help of Sage and Emma Frost."
"Those two?" scoffed Selene, "You've gotta be kidding me."
"Sage has been a loyal subordinate since my arrival and Emma…"
"Is an arrogant young bitch who is too ambitious for her own good! I swear that woman has no patience! She's like a predator and not in a good way."
"Which is part of why she's so good at her duties as a money handler and sex worker."
"Funny, I thought she was just a natural born whore who gets off treating men like toys."
Xavier bit his tongue. Selene was not the easiest person to reason with and she never quite warmed to his choice of allies. Emma Frost and Sage were women he specifically helped once he took the title of Black King. At the time they had just been strippers, but he had since expanded their role. Selene believed he was too easy to trust them, but the woman seriously underestimated the power of persuasion.
"This is not a debatable issue, Selene," he told her firmly, "My decision for this plan is final and as Black King, you must respect it."
"Maybe so, but that doesn't mean I have to like it."
"I wouldn't expect you to. But regardless of your personal distaste for my methods, can I still count on you to do your part?"
Selene rolled her eyes and sighed.
"Of course you can, Charles. I've helped you this much haven't I? And you've helped me. I suppose I can entertain this plan for a while."
"Good," said Xavier as he turned his attention back to the files, "Because our newest recruits are set to arrive tomorrow night."
Omaha Nebraska – Six Months Ago
Scott Summers let out another groan as woke up from a restless slumber. The sun was barely up and the scent of dew seeped through the poorly constructed windows of his apartment. He heard jackhammers rumbling outside, no doubt from the ongoing construction work that never seemed to stop. It had been doing on for weeks now and he still wasn't used to it. To make matters worse it was barely past six in the morning and he didn't get to bed until three last night. It was torture, but it was the kind of world Scott had become accustomed to in his brief life.
"Oh not again," he sighed, "What a way to start a weekend."
It was never easy for the young man. At eighteen, he was a no-name orphan with less than twenty bucks in his pocket and no future. It hadn't always been like this though. He used to have a family. But they were dead for the most part. His parents died when he was seven in a horrible plane crash and he and his brother were separated while he lingered in a coma. He lost everything and the memory haunted him to this day. But that wasn't the worst of it.
Up until recently, he lived in an orphanage not far from here. It wasn't too bad, but he didn't make many friends there. He kept to himself, watching as others left for foster homes while prospective parents brushed him off because he was so damaged from past trauma. To make matters worse, he was also a mutant. He had the power to shoot destructive red lasers from his eyes. It was volatile and further isolated him from his peers. As he got older his power grew. He struggled to control them, largely because the plane crash left him with brain damage. The only way he could avoid blowing up everything he saw was by wearing special glasses the doctor at the orphanage gave him. But they were cheap and rarely lasted more than a few months before breaking. He was already working on his fifth pair this year.
Life was hard. The orphanage only gave him a high school education. And with no future there, he ran away the second he got the chance. His options were limited. Scott had dreams of making a difference in the world. His father always told him that to make a difference is the highest test of character. He vowed to make him proud, but his current life situation made that difficult. He survived day-to-day by doing odd jobs around the city. Most of it involved heavy lifting and construction work. The pay was low, but it was better than nothing. Omaha didn't offer much and he planned to leave the second he had the chance. He just didn't have the resources.
After reaching for his glasses, Scott stretched his arms and yawned. He was scheduled to do some brick-laying later today and it would be great if he was rested. But the construction outside assured that would be impossible.
"Fucking dump," he cursed.
Suddenly, he heard a knock at his door. Groaning again, Scott got up and answered.
"This better not be the landlord."
He undid the chain lock and opened the door. To his relief it wasn't the landlord. In fact, it wasn't anybody. Nobody was there. Curious, he looked down the hall, scanning for a presence. He found nothing. Either someone was playing a prank or his ears were starting to go as well.
"Oh well," he shrugged.
He was about to close the door when he saw a package at his feet. Scanning the area again, he bent down to pick it up. It didn't look like a typical mail package. For one, it was Saturday and it was early in the morning. Plus, there was no address. The only thing to identify it was a white card with his name written on it.
'Okay, this is weird. I wonder…'
Scott closed hid door and brought the package inside. He studied it for a moment, looking for any hint of danger. He didn't see anything so he decided to check the card first. It identified him by name so it had to be someone who knew him. Given that he didn't have many acquaintances, his suspicions were heightened. He curiously opened the letter and found a handwritten note inside.
Scott,
Some are born with unique gifts. Some are born with unique privileges. Some have access to unique knowledge. You have an opportunity to have all three. In this package is some money and a gift. Consider it a token of my sincerity. If you want to learn more, go to New York City. There you will have a chance to make a difference.
Regards,
Charles Xavier
A chill ran up Scott's spine. It was as if someone had been watching him. He was inclined to brush it off, but something about this felt different. Setting the letter aside, he looked down at the package. He swiftly ripped it open and sure enough, the letter was right. Inside was an envelope stuffed with money and a fancy glass case with a special gift inside.
"Well I'll be," said Scott in amazement.
It was official. He was impressed. Inside the glass case was a pair of ruby red glasses that put the ones he had been wearing to shame. They didn't look like the cheap, fragile frames he got from the doctor at the orphanage. These things were heavy duty. The rims were solid black, lined with lightweight material unlike anything he had seen before. The lenses were clearly ruby quartz, only of a much higher quality than any he saw.
Scott opened the case and tried them on. To his amazement, they fit his head perfectly. It was as if it was custom made for him. He only wished he had a mirror in this cheap dump to see how he looked. He was certain it was better than his old pair. But most importantly, they worked. And they felt sturdy. Whoever sent these to him knew his history and gave him the perfect peace offering. How he found out was beyond him. Maybe the best way to learn the answers to his growing array of questions was to see for himself.
"Charles Xavier, huh?" he said as he picked up the envelope of money, "Guess this means I'm going to New York."
Annandale Hudson – Six Months Ago
"Ugh, my head…Mom, Dad, it's happening again!"
The pained words of Jean Grey reverberated through her bedroom. As always, her parents came rushing to her aid. She heard them rushing down the hall, forgetting about breakfast in order to come to her aid. But the young woman was less than confident they could help. No matter what they did, nothing seemed to help.
It was an all too familiar story for Jean Grey. For years now, her world had been a mess. On the surface, she looked like a healthy, normal teenage girl. But nothing could have been further from the truth. She was a mutant, born with the volatile abilities of telepathy and telekinesis. Anything that wasn't nailed to the floor was free game for her to lift up with her mind and fling it aimlessly in any direction. She could also hear people's thoughts. But she could rarely control what she heard or how many thoughts coursed through her mind at once. It was overwhelming and gave her monstrous headaches.
She felt like a total basket case. It was hard to believe that all this torment could come from one traumatic event. Years ago, she held her friend Annie in her arms as she died. It marked the first time she felt these abilities and affect was intense. She actually felt another human being die in her mind. It triggered in her the power that resided in her blood. The intense affect put her into a coma that lasted for months. She only got out after extensive treatment, but even after that the sheer psychological toll took a much worse toll.
"Jean? Jean, let us in!" said her mom desperately.
Jean tried to get up, but her head was spinning. She struggled to get out of bed and coordinate herself. All around her, clothes, books, and what not was flying around chaotically. It was all driven by her unseen power, randomly slamming into things and knocking over anything in their path. She tried to gain control, but it was just too hard.
Outside her room, her father managed to force the door open. It had been held close by rampant telekinetic force and when they saw the scene before them, they immediately rushed to their daughter's side.
"Jean! Oh my God. You have to stop this! Get a hold of yourself!"
"I'm…trying!" she cried.
Her parents braved the flying debris of a teenage girl's bedroom to reach their daughter. Once they got to her, they took her in their arms. Their comforting presence helped calm Jean down and the chaos waned. But the young woman didn't stop groaning. Her head was still throbbing as she reeled from yet another ordeal.
"Why won't it stop?" sobbed Jean, "Every time it gets worse…why won't it go away?!"
"It's okay, sweetie. We're here now," said her mother.
Jean embraced her parents, still crying as the feeling set in. She was so frustrated and scared. She was running her life and that of her family. Between the damage her powers caused, the coma, and the extensive therapy she underwent afterwards she ran her whole family into debt. They actually had to move out of their old house and into a smaller, cheaper one with cracked walls and no air conditioning. Even though she got a GED, her parents couldn't even afford to send her to college.
It was all because of this mutant power. She didn't even understand what was happening with her. She was a freak, doomed to a life of discrimination and struggle. It was so unfair, but there was nothing she could do about it.
"You're going to be okay. We'll take you to a doctor," assured her father.
"We've been to the doctors. We've been to dozens of doctors and they all say the same thing! I'm a mutant and they can't help me!"
"We'll find a way," he told her strongly.
"How?! How could anybody help me deal with…"
But Jean was abruptly cut off by the doorbell. Letting out a frustrated grunt, her father got up to answer it.
"Who the hell could that be?"
"Go get it, John. I'll say with Jean," said his wife.
John Grey descended the stairs in a frustrated daze. He wasn't sure how much more of this he could take. Jean's 'condition' was putting a great strain on his family. Without help, she would be doomed to a life of obscurity. She couldn't get through school because of her coma. Even when she tried she was harassed endlessly. Then there were the bills. They really stacked up over the years and brought his entire family to the brink of bankruptcy. There was only so much he could do as a father and he was nearing the end of his rope.
Jean knew she was a problem. Even with the love and support of her parents, she was still a burden. They couldn't help her. They had no idea how to handle a mutant daughter who couldn't control her powers. At the rate she was going she didn't have much of a future. If she couldn't control herself, she would never be let back in at school and she would never get an education. She used to be a straight-A student, but now she was just some home schooled misfit.
"It'll be okay, Jean," said her mother.
"How do you know? How can anybody know?" sobbed Jean, "I can't handle this. I don't even understand how these damn powers work! Face it, I'm cursed."
"Something will come up. You just have to…"
Then she was cut off by a voice from downstairs.
"Jean! Elaine! Come downstairs! There's somebody here you should meet."
He sounded strange. It was almost as if he was excited. Given the situation it had to be something so Elaine helped her daughter up and led her downstairs.
When they reached the front door, they saw a figure standing outside. She was a neatly dressed woman in a black business suit. She bore an attractive figure and had her hair tied up in a bun. Her look was very professional and as soon as she saw Jean, she smiled intently.
"Who is it, Daddy?" asked Jean.
"You must be, Jean Grey," said the woman as she approached her, "It's nice to finally meet you. My name is Sage. I'm an associate of Charles Xavier."
"Xavier? Never heard of him."
"He's an old college friend of your father's. Isn't that right, John?"
"Right," he affirmed, "We used to be lab partners back at Princeton. But I haven't heard from him in years. And why did he send you here?"
Sage grinned as she studied Jean Grey. She could already see why Xavier wanted to keep an eye on her. She was young, scared, and uncertain. She had no idea just what kind of power she wielded. It was the perfect opportunity for Hellfire.
"I'm here because I can help you with your 'unique' situation."
"Situation?" said Jean in shock, "You mean my…how do you know about that?"
"We know much about mutants. You might say it's a hobby of Xavier's. That's why I'm here. I come bearing help."
"Help? What kind of help?"
The older woman replied not with words, but with thoughts.
'The kind you won't find anywhere else.'
The sound of her voice reverberating in her mind brought a smile to Jean's face. This woman was a mutant too. She had the same ability as her. She saw in her eyes a sincerity she hadn't seen before. For so long she had been so desperate for help and this woman seemed to have more answers than anybody she had come across so far. Her parents already looked confused and she couldn't blame them. Even though she never met this Charles Xavier, something told her this 'opportunity' was worth looking into.
"I'm listening…"
Outside Hellfire Manor – The Present
Scott Summers stood outside the opulent mansion with a mixture of nervousness and excitement. He kept checking the address he wrote down and looking at the mysterious building it led him to. Even though he hadn't been in the city for long, it felt out of place. This strange mansion didn't go along with the surrounding buildings with its blend of Victorian style architecture and modern layout. And yet it was by far the most opulent structure in the area.
He waited months for this moment. After receiving a mysterious package with money and new ruby quartz glasses, he caught the first bus to New York City. When he arrived, he received more packages. Each contained money and directions to a place to stay. From there he waited, doing odd jobs at construction sites for extra money like he did in Omaha. Every time a package came, a chill ran down his spine. There were never any clues as to who was sending him these packages, but he remained patient. It felt as though this was some sort of test and whoever was behind this wanted to make sure he was serious about this 'opportunity' as he called.
His patience paid off. A few hours ago someone slipped an unmarked envelope under his apartment door. It had nothing on it except an address and a brief message that said "Eight 'o clock tonight." It was currently five minutes till. But the building was secure. There was a large gate guarding the entranceway and nobody to talk to. He wasn't sure what else he could do other than wait.
While he restlessly paced, a taxi pulled up to the curb and Jean Grey stepped out. Like Scott, she had gotten a similar message. Only hers came in the form of a phone call from Sage. She didn't give details. She just gave her an address and told her to show up by eight. Near as she could tell, this was the place. But it was hardly what she expected. And to her surprise, she wasn't alone.
"Um…excuse me?" she said as she approached the pacing Scott.
Scott Summers was abruptly brought out of his thoughts and turned to face a new presence. To his surprise, it was a beautiful young woman that looked to be about his age wearing blue jeans and a red shirt. He was momentarily stunned. It was rare a beautiful woman just walked up to him. And this girl looked just as confused as him.
"Uh…yes?" he managed to get out.
"Is this…Hellfire Manor?" she asked shyly.
Scott looked at the building and then back at the woman.
"I think so. Why?"
"I'm supposed to meet someone here…someone important."
"I see," said Scott, growing intrigued, "By any chance, his name wouldn't be Charles Xavier would it?"
Now it was Jean's turn to be surprised. Sage didn't say anything about inviting someone else, let alone a cute guy. Maybe there was more to this than she expected.
"Uh…yeah. You're here to meet him too?"
"I am. If you don't mind me asking, what are you meeting him for?"
"It's…complicated. What about you?"
"Also complicated."
The two teens were silent for a moment. They looked around, pretending to survey their surroundings. It was almost time, but there was still no word from inside. The air was tense. It seemed too convenient for them to be here at the same time. This was either a fluke or this was part of the plan.
But for whatever reason, they couldn't help but study one another. Scott stared down Jean and she stared him back. Jean quickly felt something different about this boy and it wasn't just his handsome face. He was wearing these strange looking sunglasses and it was dark out. Most normal people didn't do that. And she was an attractive teenage woman out by herself in downtown New York. Something about that seemed off as well. That could only mean so many things.
"I take it you're here for the same reason I am," said Jean.
"Why do you say that?" said Scott anxiously, "You psychic or something?"
"Actually…yeah," she replied sheepishly.
Scott looked at her strangely, not sure whether she was joking or not. Then she went so far as to prove it.
'But that's not the reason why I think so. Although you may have just proved it.'
Scott was taken aback. Did he just hear her talking to him in his head? Was he going crazy or was this girl really psychic?
"Wow…"
"Sorry," she said, looking away shyly, "I didn't mean to intrude."
"No, it's alright. That was actually kind of cool."
"Really? You're not freaked out I'm a mutant?"
"Of course not," he said with a reassuring smile, "You're in good company. You think these shades are just for looks?"
Jean turned back and smiled. She soon found herself blushing as well. The boy was standing closer to her now and she suddenly felt weak in the knees. Butterflies started doing summersaults in her stomach. She hadn't been this close to a cute guy in some time. She couldn't take her eyes off him and he couldn't take his eyes off her. At some point he turned away, his own shyness catching up with him.
"I'm Scott Summers by the way," he said, breaking the awkward silence.
"Jean Grey," she replied, "Nice to meet you, Scott."
"Likewise. So what's your story? Or is that complicated as well?"
"You have no idea," said Jean, "But without going into too much detail, I'm you're typical mutant whose bled her family dry because of hospital bills, doctors visits, and what not. I can't go to college and nobody's too keen on hiring a mutant. Hell, I couldn't even control my powers up until six months ago."
"Damn, that's pretty rough," said Scott with an empathic look, "But I can relate. Six months ago I was laying bricks for minimum wage in Nebraska. I have no family so I'm all alone. I have these powers that I can't contain without special glasses. And I'll never be able to control them either because I suffered brain damage in a plane crash when I was a kid."
"Wow…that's also rough. And now we're here."
"I know. It's weird," he said, "But hey, at least we don't have to face it alone."
"Yeah that's…comforting."
The two teens shared another smile. It was a strange situation, coming to this mysterious place and meeting each other. Neither teen had much of a social life. For Scott, living in an orphanage didn't lend him many chances with girls. For Jean, it was similar since she never made it through high school. Just being near each other at this point felt overwhelming. They would have stared all night. Then they heard a voice from the intercom on the gate.
"Scott Summers? Jean Grey?"
Broken from their daze, the two teens came back to reality and turned towards the gate. They exchanged glances briefly, silently agreeing on what to do next. Then Scott approached the gate and pressed the button on the intercom.
"This is Scott," he said, "Jean's here with me."
"Good. I'll open the gate. Just follow the sidewalk to the front door."
Scott and Jean watched as the heavy duty gate unlocked and opened via an automatic mechanism. They didn't see any guards or cameras, but they assumed someone was watching them. With that in mind, they exchanged one last look before venturing into the courtyard. Months of anticipation and wonder were all coming to ahead. They had so many questions and for once it felt like the answers were close.
"Guess this is it," commented Scott, "You ready?"
"As I'll ever be," she said.
They began their trek towards the manor. They walked slowly, taking in the surroundings of the estate. It was definitely on the fancy side. There were neatly laid out gardens with rare, beautiful flowers lining the area. The sidewalks were paved with fancy looking cobblestone. There were also a few statues lining the area leading up to the front door, each crafted out of the finest marble. Many depicted gothic and religious figures, some of which were of the less than heavenly kind.
Jean actually found herself walking closer to Scott. Something about this place seemed different. Sage never gave her details about this place. All she said was that Charles Xavier wished to meet with her. If this was where he lived than he was even richer than she thought. Scott seemed equally impressed. The outside alone was fancier than anything he had ever seen and they weren't even inside.
Upon reaching the front door, they were met by Sage.
"Welcome to Hellfire Manor," she greeted, "Scott Summers…Jean Grey…it's an honor to have you in our presence. I am Sage. Charles sent me to welcome you."
"Uh…nice to meet you, Miss Sage," said Scott with a blush.
Scott shifted awkwardly as he shook her hand. Jean did as well. Sage wasn't in her usual business suit. This was much more provocative. She could only describe it as a mix of lingerie and leather, consisting of a black thong, matching bustier, boots that ran up to just below her knees, and a cape that draped eloquently down her back. It was the first time Jean saw her in this light and even she had to admit she was pretty attractive. Scott definitely noticed, but was quick to brush it off.
"It's nice to see you again, Jean. How have you been?" asked Sage.
"Okay, I guess. My powers have been pretty stable lately," she said casually, "So um…what's with the clothes?"
Sage chuckled at their response to her attire. They were definitely young and naïve. But that was about to change.
"Oh this? I could tell you, but I'm sure Charles would rather do that honor. He's very eager to meet the both of you."
"Same here," said Scott, still trying not to stare at the attractive older woman, "Is he expecting us?"
"Indeed. In fact, he's set up something special to welcome you two."
"Special how?" asked Jean curiously.
"Follow me and see for yourself."
Sage led the two youths inside. She sensed some uneasiness within them. Clearly, they were nervous and who could blame them? The past six months Xavier had been watching over them, giving them help in ways they didn't expect. She had been personally assisting Jean in stabilizing her powers. It had taken months, but she got to the point where she could use them without losing control. She also earned her trust in the process and that was sure to go a ways with what Charles had planned. She noticed Scott was wearing those ruby-quartz glasses they sent him as well. She remembered how she personally delivered them to him. And just as Charles had predicted, he followed his notes and made his way to New York. That was definitely a good sign.
As Scott and Jean followed the older woman, they were once again taken by the grandeur of their surroundings. If the outside was fancy, the inside was downright opulent. First off, there were masked men dressed as servants who closed the door behind them and bowed to Sage's presence. On the walls there were elaborate paintings, some of which looked pretty old and very valuable. On the ceiling of the foyer was a large crystal chandelier with gold fixtures that had to be worth a fortune alone. Then there were the marble statues, antique vases, and clocks with diamond engravings. And this was just the first room.
"Wow…talk about fancy," mused Scott.
"I know. That chandelier is probably worth more than my house," said Jean.
They gazed around in awe as Sage led them through a series of hallways and up a flight of stairs. Anticipation grew as the prospect of meeting the ever mysterious Charles Xavier drew near. Jean and Scott stayed close. It helped ease the nervousness. This man had impacted their lives a great deal and they never even met the guy. Now finally, the mystery could be resolved.
After what seemed like an endless journey, they finally reached their destination. Scott and Jean now found themselves standing before two large doors with gold plated engravings and two large H's on each door. Sage stopped briefly and turned to address them. They still seemed anxious, yet they had dome this far and once they crossed this point they would be at the point of no return.
"Charles will see you now. I look forward to getting to know you two much better."
"Better how?" said Jean curiously.
"You'll see," grinned the older woman.
The doors opened and Scott and Jean stepped into the room where the man behind the mystery resided. They were greeted with an immediate sense of awe. Even though they had seen only a fraction of the mansion, this room was by far the most astonishing. It was a large, open area with a high roof that was littered with small chandeliers. Around the walls were more elaborate art, only this had a much more hellish theme. Images of Hellfire and occultism lined every wall, giving the room a distinct feeling. On the floor was an array of candle stands, each of which was lit. They gave off a powerful scent that helped relax the two teens somewhat. But as big as the room was, only half of it was visible to them. The other half was covered by a large red curtain. But what was on the other side was of secondary concern at the moment.
At the far end of the room was an elaborate stage-like area with several thrones, each lined in gold. In one sat Selene, the Black Queen, dawned in her provocative Hellfire uniform. And next to her sat Charles Xavier, the Black King and the mastermind behind this whole deal.
Scott and Jean weren't sure what to do at first. They didn't even notice Sage close the doors behind them, which would seal them into this new world. They stood in silence until Xavier rose up from his throne and approached them.
"Scott Summers and Jean Grey…at last we meet," he said in a commanding tone, "As you may have already guessed, I am Charles Xavier. And welcome to the Hellfire Club."
Up next: Scott and Jean are initiated in the Hellfire way.
AN: So what did you think? This chapter is only the beginning and there is a lot more to come so please review! Let me know what you think and stay tuned for the next chapter. It will be out very soon. Thanks for reading! I wish you all the best.