Meanwhile, Melanie was going over things with Pendleton.
"So, what am I supposed to do?" asked Melanie.
"Well, Lord Black Hat will probably have a speech prepared for his announcement," explained Pendleton. "Afterwards, there will be a time for answering questions. Some of them will be for you, of course, so answer to the best of your ability."
Melanie's eyes widened nervously, "I'm not very good at public speaking. What do I say?"
The penguin placed his hand on Melanie's shoulder and said, "Just be yourself…"
Melanie smiled.
"…In a way that conforms to the company's image and doesn't expose Lord Black Hat to any embarrassment whatsoever," Pendleton finished.
Melanie's smile instantly vanished.
"As long as you remember those things, you'll be fine," Pendleton said as the penguin turned around to look at the black figure amassing behind him next to the manor's front door. "Ah, Lord Black Hat, are you ready?"
"Yes," Black Hat said, walking towards the pair with his cane. "Is the girl ready?"
"Yes, Lord Black Hat," Pendleton said with a reverential bow.
"Good," Black Hat said, looking over to Melanie. "This is your first public appearance, my ward. You would do well to not embarrass me."
"Do I have to go?" asked Melanie. "I've never done this before. I hate public speaking. I'm no good at it. They don't need to see me."
Black Hat smiled wickedly and took her hand, "Well, there's no time like the present to learn, dear. Come, our public awaits us."
"Wait! You mean, it's starting now?!" cried Melanie. "But I don't want to go! Why do I need to?!"
"Because you don't have a choice," said Black Hat, pulling Melanie in close. "This is your life now, my ward. I have taken you in as my apprentice for your power and for the potential evil inside you. Many would kill and have killed to be in your place for the opportunity you've been given as a gift. You're only here because you're special enough to warrant it. And since you stand next to me, all the mediocre villains across the dimensions will be looking up to you. So, get a grip. I will not have you humiliate me just because you don't want to be here."
Melanie gulped as Black Hat held onto her wrist and moved towards the door.
As she approached the door, Melanie thought about Sadie, Lucy, and her fellow Nun-jas, probably worried about her and working tirelessly to figure out a way to rescue them.
The voices outside were getting louder as Melanie and Black Hat approached the front doors. No doubt it was the excited press. Why were they so excited to see the evilest man in the world? News was news, she supposed.
Melanie tensed as Black Hat let go of her hand and put his hand on her back.
"Put on your smile, my grandniece," the demon said. "It's showtime."
With that, Black Hat opened the door and stepped out with himself and Melanie.
Flashes of cameras could be immediately heard all around. The press crowded the yard as far as Melanie could see. Multiple video cameras were pointed at the stage while the reporters stood in the yard holding up their phones to record sound. It was all she could do not to panic as they walked up the stairs to the podium on the stage.
Black Hat adjusted his microphone and began to make his statement.
"Vile vermin of the press," Black Hat said. "I come to you today to announce that I have launched a new venture, one that I admittedly never thought I'd pursue. I have finally decided to take a child under my wing as my apprentice. Until now, I have never considered such a venture. Every evil whelp I've encountered has proven to be mediocre and not worth my attention nor even acknowledging until adulthood, no matter how much their insufferable parents begged and pleaded. But this girl proved to be different. Ironically, she came here as a troublemaker on discipline, not the kind of girl one would expect anything from. Yet with her dark power, she has proved me wrong and gained my interest. So, as of a few days ago, Lord Reaper and I have filled out the paperwork to finalize the adoption of this girl whose potential for inner villainy has surpassed every one of her peers. She is my grandniece, a daughter from the combined Reaper and Santa Muerte clans, the girl standing next to me, the Reaper-human hybrid, Melanie de la Muerte."
Black Hat gestured to his right, but Melanie wasn't there. She was standing directly behind him so that she was hidden by his body and the podium and by her invisibility powers, hoping to keep herself out of sight.
Melanie looked at the door, having zoned out halfway through Black Hat's speech. She was waiting for the event to end so she could go back inside away from all the prying eyes.
Unfortunately, Black Hat could see Melanie despite her invisibility, "Melanie!"
That broke Melanie's concentration and made her turn visible again, "What?!"
"Come up here, child," Black Hat ordered. "The press wants to see you. Now!"
Melanie gulped nervously and reluctantly walked into view.
The press instantly gasped and started murmuring among themselves as they flashed their cameras.
Melanie stared back at them wide-eyed, leaning forward slightly with her arms hanging by her side.
"This girl is Melanie de la Muerte," said Black Hat. "She is 14, but she already has enough raw power to put most villainous children to shame. We will develop her evil tendencies and use what we learn from working with her to teach other villainous brats in our company programs in the future, particularly for children like her who have ADHD and autism."
The press started their murmuring again.
Melanie felt her face blushing red as she turned to glare at Black Hat.
Of all the things to reveal about her to the press, why did the demon have to reveal that to every villain in the world?!
To make matters worse, the press started shouting praises to Black Hat.
"Choosing a neurodivergent girl, what a progressive move!"
"Lord Black Hat is such a visionary!"
"What a wonderful guy to take in a teen with so many special needs!"
Melanie looked around at the press in disbelief, "What?! I'm mentally disabled, but I don't have special…mmph!"
Black Hat wrapped his arm around Melanie's head and mouth and pulled her against his side to silence her, "Yes, yes, I fully realize that raising a girl like Melanie as my apprentice will have its challenges, but I believe that, once her evil potential is fully realized, it'll be worth all the effort. And who knows? Her differences could be beneficial. They have been so far. Anyone who questions me will feel my wrath ten-fold."
Melanie tried to phase out of the arm pinning her against his side, not liking being closer to the demon than she had to be, but her power wouldn't work.
The girl defiantly glared at Black Hat and struggled a bit more.
Black Hat looked back at Melanie with a reprimanding glare, warning her against any further misbehavior.
Melanie lowered her gaze, showing she understood.
Black Hat moved his arm from Melanie's mouth to around her shoulders so that she stood in place.
"We will now open up to questions," said Black Hat.
All the journalists shot up their hands in a flash and started all crying out for once.
The noise made Melanie flinch and step back, but Black Hat squeezed her shoulder.
"Do not try to walk away from guests, dear," Black Hat said to Melanie without looking at her. "That's bad manners."
Melanie held her arms uncomfortably and looked askance.
Black Hat looked over the crowd and pointed to a reporter, "You, what is your question?"
"Lord Black Hat, you are so natural with her," the reporter gushed. "Is it possible that this girl is your secret child? Rumors have been circulating across the organization that you gave your essence to a woman and ordered her to raise the child till she was ready to come to you."
Granduncle and grandniece paused for a moment as they processed what had been said.
Melanie phased through Black Hat's arm, held her arms in front of her, and said, "Heck, NO!"
Black Hat immediately shot a laser from his eye at the reporter who asked the question, burning his shoulder but surprisingly not killing him.
"You should refrain from asking such foolish, disgusting questions," snarled Black Hat at that reporter. "The rest of you should know better than to believe such revolting rumors. The girl is not biologically mine. She is adopted. That is all you need to know. I will not have such rumors discussed behind my back. Understood?"
The reporters all nodded fearfully.
Another reporter was brave enough to speak up, "Lord Black Hat! Will this have an effect on your business with other villains?"
"As far as my clients are concerned, no," Black Hat answered. "Raising my grandniece is an important project for me, but my work helping other villains will continue as planned. As for Melanie, as she continues her training, she will become more active in client missions and any other activity I think she's ready for."
Black Hat then called on another reporter, "Lord Black Hat, other parents of the organization have been wondering. What first drew you to Melanie? What talent does she have that made her stand out?"
Melanie looked at Black Hat, wondering the same thing.
"It's as I mentioned before," Black Hat replied. "Melanie is not like the ordinary villainous brats that I see. First, despite being partially human, she has the blood of witches and fallen reapers flowing through her veins as a human-reaper hybrid. She is a dark creature with dark powers. Second, Melanie has proven to have more of these powers and potential than any other child I have come across, even among her clan. For instance, she can summon fire. I'll demonstrate…"
In a flash, Black Hat pushed over Melanie and leaned over her in a mess of tentacles and teeth.
"What are you doing?!" Melanie yelled as she fell to the ground, holding up her arms that lit on fire in self-defense. "Get away!"
Melanie shot fire in Black Hat's direction, much to the crowd's awe.
In another second, Black Hat reappeared as normal and pulled Melanie up to her feet.
"See?" the black demon said to the crowd, putting his arm around Melanie's shoulders again. "Third, Melanie has a fury that makes her more deadly than her peers."
"No, I don't!" Melanie retaliated angrily. "I just get angry when people push me around!"
"I beg to differ," Black Hat said, patting Melanie's head condescendingly. "You are quite hot-headed. Aren't you?"
"I'm not that bad. Now, stop touching me," Melanie grumbled, trying to move out of Black Hat's grip.
The crowd collectively gasped in surprise at the girl speaking to their leader in such a way.
Unfazed, Black Hat replied, "As you can see, Melanie's anger also makes her fearless. She's not afraid of standing up to anyone, even me. Doubtlessly another trait of her divergent brain."
"What the heck is that supposed to mean?!" Melanie fired back. "I'm not a freak!"
The crowd began murmuring again in amazement at Melanie's fearlessness.
Annoyed at Melanie's actions, Black Hat grabbed his ward's wrist and pulled her in close again, so close that their faces were almost touching, "Pull yourself together before I punish you in front of this crowd, girl. Do not defy me again."
Melanie trembled in place.
Black Hat stood up straight again and held Melanie in front of him in place by her shoulders, "As you can see, the girl needs a special hand to raise her…"
In a flash, Black Hat summoned a stuffed pink axolotl and handed it to Melanie.
"What are you…? Oh, God, this is soft," Melanie gushed happily, taking the stuffed animal and rubbing her fingers over it.
The girl was about to rub it against her cheek when Black Hat stopped her.
"Don't smudge your makeup," Black Hat said, gently pushing her hands down before turning back to the crowd. "This doll is the first in a line of sensory plushies the organization is now creating for children like Melanie. The doctor said the softness calms them when they overheat or something like that."
"You mean get overstimulated?" Melanie asked.
"Silence unless you're spoken to," Black Hat rebuked as he uncomfortably gripped her shoulder.
Melanie quietly nodded and tightly held her axolotl plushie in her arms.
"All proceeds from the sale of these dolls will go towards supporting my new family," Black Hat announced, relaxing his hold on his grandniece's shoulder.
The audience collectively let out an 'aw' at Black Hat's "generosity".
Melanie shook her head in disbelief. How could they all believe Black Hat so blindly?
"They can't be for real," Melanie whispered.
Black Hat looked back at his ward and shot her a glare.
Instantly understanding his command, Melanie quieted down and let the demon put his arm around her shoulder again.
"Any more questions?" Black Hat asked.
"Do you plan on taking on any more wards?" asked a reporter.
"I'm occupied enough with this one," retorted Black Hat.
"Will she be attending the Institute?" another asked.
"No, she'll be attending the academy here on the Island," answered Black Hat.
"Sir, sir, I have a question!" asked a reporter in the corner.
"What is your question, worm?" asked Black Hat.
"Is it true that Melanie was working with the Nun-jas?" asked the reporter.
The whole crowd went silent.
Melanie felt her blood run cold. She looked up to Black Hat to see what his answer would be.
Surprisingly, the demon appeared unbothered as if he knew this was coming.
Black Hat tenderly rubbed Melanie's hair and said, "Yes, it is true. Melanie was a part of those disgusting Nunjas..."
The crowd started talking louder than ever at this news, but Black Hat held up his hand and the crowd went silent again.
"…However, the unfortunate girl only joined because she was led astray by none other than the runaway daughter of the Yamaguchi family, the clan of the Yuki-onna – human hybrids, Kasumi Yamaguchi," explained Black Hat. "That prodigal daughter tricked Melanie into joining with nonsense about friendship, acceptance, and martial arts heroics. The poor whelp was neglected in her own family, so she sought that attention from these heroes. We intervened and saved her from their vile control…"
"Hey! That's not what…mmph!" Melanie attempted to protest before she found herself pinned against Black Hat's side with his claws over her mouth again.
Meanwhile, the crowds were chattering worriedly about this "new threat" to their children.
Melanie couldn't believe how gullible they were. She was angry. Black Hat was delighted.
"The villains of my organization can rest assured that every effort is being made to track down Kasumi Yamuguchi," Black Hat assured the audience. "No other child of our organization will be enticed away from the path of evil and villainy under our watch. That, I will guarantee."
The press members applauded wildly and took their pictures.
Melanie wanted to cry. How could all these reporters blindly believe Black Hat and be so quick to demonize Lucy? She only wanted to escape Black Hat and help others do the same. It was so unfair!
"But Lord Black Hat, sir, the rumor is that Melanie has been fighting alongside the Nun-jas as a heroine by her own choice," the reporter said.
Black Hat monocle glowed red, "And where on earth did you get that theory?"
"I'm not allowed to share my sources, sir," the reporter said.
Black Hat shot a laser and there was a shriek.
Melanie cried out fearfully. Black Hat's claws muffled her cries.
The demon then moved his arm back around Melanie's shoulders, "Regardless of what happened, my ward's past doesn't matter anymore. This girl is no longer a Nun-ja. Her parents' neglect sent her down that path in the first place, but she won't be heading down it any longer. She won't need to. As long she is under my care, Melanie will get all the attention she could ever desire."
That last sentence caused Melanie to gulp.
"Now, any other questions?" asked Black Hat.
The press piped up again.
Black Hat sighed in boredom before he turned to Melanie with an idea, "I think we could make this more entertaining. Don't you?"
"What are you talking about?" asked Melanie.
"Observe, my apprentice," Black Hat said, holding out his hand.
Melanie watched as Black Hat summoned a cloud above the crowd.
"Don't zap them!" Melanie pleaded.
Black Hat chuckled, "Great suggestion, but I have something better in mind."
Suddenly, a ragtime-jazz overture started playing.
"Are you putting on a musical number?" asked Melanie.
As if to answer her question, Demencia hopped out of nowhere and cried out, "My love, Lord Black Hat in The Press Conference Wrap Up! Notice how his mouth always moves. So sexy!"
Demencia hopped away, and the jazz instruments picked up.
"Let's get this press conference wrapped up. Shall we?" said Black Hat, putting his arm around Melanie.
Red strings appeared around each of the reporters' wrists and ankles as the music picked up. The red strings suspended them in mid-air, much to their and Melanie's horror.
"Next question?" asked Black Hat.
Despite their unease, a reporter asked, "Where'd she come from?"
"Louisiana," Black Hat answered.
"How do her parents feel about this?" another asked.
"Very happy," Black Hat replied.
"Can you elaborate?" the reporter pushed.
"Her parents voiced their reluctance but surrendered the girl to my guidance," Black Hat said in a sing-song tone.
"What?" Melanie and the reporter asked at the same time.
Unfortunately, for the reporters, that was when Black Hat started moving them around on the string like marionette puppets. Their faces contorted in horror as they found they were unable to stop.
"What are you doing? Stop this!" Melanie pleaded.
Black Hat chuckled, "But look at how nice their dancing is."
The puppet reporters tap-danced mid-air in elaborate routines as the jazz music continued. It would have been riveting if it wasn't so disturbing.
"When'd she get here?" another reporter asked, shocked to hear that he was singing.
"Just last week," Black Hat spoke-sang.
"How old is she?"
"Only 14."
"Ain't that a bit young?!"
"Not at all! Her fire blew my mind away! Knew she'd be a great villain one day!"
One puppet reporter flew to the stage. His face had turned into a puppet's face. His lips were twisted into an extremely creepy smile.
Melanie's mouth fell open in horror.
"Oh, Melanie, what a special girl you are to get this kind of attention! Now, tell us, are you excited?!" the puppet reporter asked.
"Are you kidding?" replied Melanie.
Black Hat put an arm around Melanie and gave her a quick glare to remind her to be quiet.
"What's your statement?" the press puppet asked.
"All I'd say is, though her parents stifled her star, with me she will go far," Black Hat replied.
"And?!" sang all the other puppet reporters at once.
Black Hat sang, "Stay away from…"
"What?"
"Pesky heroes!"
"And?"
"And the ninjas who…"
"What?"
"Like to play nun!"
"Hey!" Melanie protested.
"And what?!" the reporters yelled.
"That's the thought that…" Black Hat continued singing.
"Yeah?!"
"Came upon me!"
"When?!"
"When this girl said it was fun!"
The music died down for a moment and then started to build up. As it did, the reporters rose into the air with their puppet strings and resumed their dance. They all moved in sync with that eerie smile on their faces.
Black Hat held up his arms and started to conduct the crowd like he was leading an orchestra.
The reporters began singing, "Oh, yes! Oh, yes! Oh, yes! What fun! What fun! With Black Hat, the girl will have…"
"Let me hear it!" cried Black Hat.
"Such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun! Oh, yes, the girl will have so much fun!"
"A little louder!"
Melanie could only watch in horror as the puppet reporters did somersaults in the air and danced the Charleston with voices growing ever louder. She clutched her axolotl doll tightly and nervously.
"Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes, they both…! Oh yes, they both…! Oh yes, they both will have!" The puppets sang.
Black Hat put his arm back around Melanie's shoulders and smiled at his work, "Oh, yeah!"
"Such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun! Oh, yes, they'll have so much fun! So much fun!"
"Now, you've got it!"
The dancing grew into a wild frenzy. The puppets lost all humanity on their painted faces and were dancing in a hypnotized, energetic, jazzy, and yet somehow synchronized jig.
The puppets sang, "Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes, they both! Oh yes, they both! Oh yes, they both will have such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun! Both will have such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such fun, such, such fun!"
An invisible drum started rolling as Black Hat sang out, "We'll both have so much…FUN!"
The puppet reporters danced wildly in their finale while continuing their chorus. The music rose spectacularly with their movements until finally the song reached an end.
After the last note, all the puppets returned to normal and fell onto the ground with a thud.
"Thank you for coming, everyone!" Black Hat said. "And just to let you know, I will be asking for more contributions for now on. I better hear no complaints, because after all, I have a family to support now."
Black Hat hardly suppressed a chuckle as he teleported himself and Melanie into his shadow.
The pair reappeared back in the manor's lobby.
Black Hat pushed Melanie away from him to create some personal space while he walked away, "That was quite amusing. Don't you think, apprentice?"
"Disturbing is a better word for it," Melanie retorted. "You didn't have to do that!"
"I know, but it was fun. Wasn't it?" Black Hat replied.
"More like nerve-wracking and horrifying," Melanie complained. "Besides, the movie musical version was better."
Black Hat shrugged, "You're a hard one to please."
"Not really," Melanie said, following behind the monster while still clutching her axolotl. "All you have to do is let me go. It's not like I want to be your apprentice. Why don't you give it to Anti-Pops or whatever his name is and get out of my life? It's not like I want to be here."
Black Hat turned around on his heels so fast that Melanie ran into him.
"Ow…Hey!" Melanie cried as Black Hat snatched the axolotl doll away from her. "Give it back!"
Black Hat put a hand under Melanie's chin, "Since when are you in the position to ask me to do anything, girl? I am raising you. I am teaching you and giving you the opportunity of a lifetime. So, you will listen to me. And if you misbehave, there will be consequences. Is that understood?"
Melanie was trembling under his grip.
"Understood," the reaper hybrid muttered quietly.
"Lovely," Black Hat said before he let Melanie go and burned the axolotl up in a fire.
Melanie began whimpering.
"Don't worry. If you do well today, I'll consider rewarding it to you," Black Hat said, condescendingly patting Melanie's head just as Flug walked up to them. "Oh, Flug, just in time."
"You did a great job at the press conference, jefe," complimented Flug. "You did too, Melanie."
Melanie smiled weakly.
"She could use work," Black Hat said, shoving Melanie over Flug. "Speaking of which, take her downstairs to watch those educational films. She still needs to face the consequences for insulting me earlier."
Flug nodded, "Si, si, Jefe! I will see her villainous needs will be attended to."
"Eso yo Espero, doctor (I hope so, doctor)," said Black Hat.
"You know I understand Spanish, right?" reminded Melanie.
"I have other business to attend to," Black Hat said, turning and walking away. "I'll see you later, Melanie."
Melanie stepped back once Black Hat disappeared into one of the shadows in the manor foyer.
"I saw you out there today, Melanie," Flug commented. "I think you did great for someone in your predicament."
"Argh! There are so many other villains out there!" Melanie pouted. "Why did Black Hat have to pick me?"
Flug sighed, "Melanie, Black Hat already explained about your potential and value. He's also already gone public about taking you in. If he were to let you go now, it would reflect on him badly."
Melanie scoffed, "Why would I care about that?"
"Well, I think the burnt axolotl already explains enough about that," Flug said frankly.
Melanie sniffled, "Oh."
"Now, let's go, Melanie," Flug said, gently putting his hand on Melanie's shoulder. "The sooner we get through the videos, the sooner you can see Sadie. Okay?"
Melanie nodded sadly and followed Flug downstairs.