About an hour later, everyone sat down at the long table in Black Hat's dining room for dinner.
On the table were plates of rotisserie chicken, creamed potatoes, spinach, broccoli, corn, and other sides. For drinks, there was wine and water.
Everyone sat down where they wanted. Melanie, Sadie, and Lucy sat together on one side of the table. Flug, 505, and Demencia sat across from them. Then Black Hat sat at the head of the table while Lord Reaper sat next to him, adding some requested distance between Black Hat and Demencia.
"Alright, everyone," Lord Reaper said, enthusiastically getting to his feet. "Tonight is a very special night. Today marks the first full day of Melanie's apprenticeship under her esteemed legal guardian and the official return of Kasumi Yamaguchi to our fold. So, Black Hat, would you like to propose a toast?"
Black Hat stood, raising a glass of acid and laughing heartily, "I thought you'd never ask. I would've done it anyway even if you didn't. I toast to stomping out good and to the growth of evil with the return of these two."
Melanie, Sadie, and Lucy gave everyone nasty glares while everyone else clinked their glasses.
"The feeling isn't mutual, jackass," Melanie retorted before crying out in pain. "Ahhhhhh!"
Black Hat's thumb was on the button to her ankle bracelet. He continued to abuse that power and pressed it again.
Sadie watched helplessly while Lucy screamed, "Black Hat, stop this!"
"The brat has to learn one way or another," said Black Hat, shrugging as he finally stopped shocking his ward.
Melanie sat in her chair breathing deeply and painfully. Eventually, she calmed down enough to resume eating with her friends.
Black Hat waited one moment more while her friends rubbed her back before he nodded to Lord Reaper looking down guiltily.
Lord Reaper nodded back and cleared his throat.
"Melanie, Black Hat is your legal guardian now, and as his ward, there are some rules you need to respect or there will be serious consequences," Lord Reaper explained. "Black Hat, you can continue from there."
"For starters, you are to show me and your new home with nothing but respect," Black Hat ordered. "After all, we're going to spend much time in the same space together."
Melanie gulped and asked, "How much time? Don't I get to go outside or into town?"
"That depends on you and your obedience," Black Hat said frankly. "Regardless, you'll find that few places on the planet avoid my watchful eye. Isn't that right, Kasumi?"
Lucy glared at Black Hat, shrugged, and said, "The only place I saw you was in my dreams."
"Turning them into sweet nightmares," returned Black Hat.
Demencia sighed dreamily, "He's always in my dreams too."
Lucy scoffed, "That explains a lot on both ends."
Melanie crossed her arms. "Respect is earned."
Black Hat nodded. "And let this be another lesson for you. Respect can be earned. Or..." He pressed the button again and Melanie fell to the ground screaming. "Or you take it by force. Do I make myself clear?"
Melanie nodded furiously before the evil man let her go again. He seemed unphased as she sluggishly climbed back into her chair.
Demencia laughed out loud.
"Doesn't Black Hat do that to you too sometimes?" asked Flug annoyedly.
"That's different," Demencia waved off. "Mi amorcito can do whatever he wants to me!"
"As I was saying," Black Hat said, staring pointedly at his underlings to get them to silence themselves before turning back to Melanie. "I will be testing you from time to time, Melanie. And I expect you to complete these activities I set up for you to the best of your abilities."
"Like when you wanted me to leave Sadie to die?" asked Melanie angrily.
"Would have been entertaining if you had," Black Hat chuckled.
"Hmph!" Melanie sunk into her chair and continued eating.
Black Hat continued, "In addition, though admittedly you haven't tried it since the first few days you were here, any other attempts to leave will be met with harsh punishment. What that punishment will entail…well, I'd hate to spoil the surprise. The same will go for you as well, Kasumi."
Lucy glared but said nothing.
Black Hat ignored her and went on, "In the future, Melanie, we may have more press conferences or meetings with other villains. You might have to be present for some of them, so you'd better behave!"
Melanie nodded dejectedly. Lucy gave her a side hug without stopping her glare. Sadie held her hand.
"Which reminds me, jefe," Flug said, hoping to get a little bit of attention off Melanie at least. "Will Melanie's daily routine remain the same? Will you be taking that over or will I still be in charge?"
"Of course, I would leave the menial labor to you," Black Hat said with another chuckle.
"So, Flug gets to be my nanny?" Melanie asked incredulously. "I'm too old to need one of those."
"Aye!" Sadie interjected. "I stopped needing a babysitter when I turned 11."
"We can't trust you to be by yourself yet, Melanie," retorted Flug. "Speaking of which, jefe, do you have any more rules for her?"
"Yes," answered Black Hat. "Once your school starts, there will likely be no leaving the manor unless I have a reason for it."
"What?" Melanie squeaked. "I'm only allowed to leave for school? I'm…I can't go outside?"
Black Hat chuckled, "I don't see the problem. You haven't left the manor since we witnessed your power demonstration/temper tantrum out by the seaside town."
Melanie attempted to protest, "No, but…"
Black Hat interrupted, "Perhaps, the more you show you can be trusted, the more freedom you will be allowed. But as of now, unless I say so, the answer is no. However, if you wish to go outside so much, perhaps you'd benefit from doing field missions with the three. Learn to be more adept at squashing heroes!"
"But I don't want to help them squash heroes," Melanie protested.
"Really?" Black Hat asked curiously.
"Yeah, I don't want to hurt anyone for you," Melanie replied.
"Ah, so you would for someone else?" asked Black Hat with a raised eyebrow.
"You're mixing my words around," said Melanie defensively. "I don't fight unless I have to."
Black Hat smirked and said, "Well, I see…"
Melanie slammed her fists on the table and yelled, "If you're thinking of putting Sadie or my sensei in danger, I swear!"
Lucy leaned her head in front of Melanie to block her view of Black Hat since she was sitting next to him and said calmly, "Melanie, I am fine. You need to focus on your own well-being."
Melanie nodded and took a deep breath.
Black Hat scoffed, saying, "Regardless, squashing heroes is exactly what you will do."
"What?" Melanie asked confusedly and fearfully. "What do you mean?"
"With my next client, you will take care of their hero problem," announced Black Hat.
"What?! I…I can't do that…" Melanie muttered.
"Yeah, bonbon, that's my job!" Demencia protested.
Black Hat leaned over towards Demencia and said, "Then you'll teach her how to do it right for me? Won't you?"
Hearts fluttered in Demencia's eyes as she said, "Of course, mi amor!"
"I won't do it right," Melanie said with tears brimming in her eyes. "I'll fail every single time! I'll fail so much that you'll give up on me and kill me!"
"Melanie…" Lucy said fearfully.
"You'll give up before you die," Black Hat said with a shrug. "But…"
Black Hat stood up slowly, putting his hands on the table. "Do you really think I'll kill you? After all the work I've put into getting you?"
The room began to turn dark.
"Under ordinary circumstances, I wouldn't mind," Black Hat explained. "But you are gifted, the only one gifted enough out of our whole 'family' to deserve your place as my apprentice. So, I'd do something else…"
Demencia looked up in awe as the red light of the window made his shadow grow bigger and bigger.
"First, I'd take EVERYTHING from you!" Fire emerged behind Black Hat.
"All your Nunja friends and your family!" the demon clarified. "I will rain down blood and fire from the skies! I will destroy everything you know! And those who remain will know that this all happened because of you! Then, if that isn't enough to break you, I will brainwash you and break you down even more! If that doesn't work, I will continue to break you until your DEAD, HOLLOWED soul is willingly a villain for me. And finally, you'll be there at the helm serving me as my vassal, having been purged of everything you once stood for."
With that, the lighting in the room went back to normal and Black Hat sat back in his seat.
Defiantly, Melanie picked up a knife, held it to her wrist, and said, "I'll take myself out then!"
Lord Reaper spat out his wine.
Lucy and Sadie sat there tensely with tears coming out of their eyes.
Flug and 505 froze in terror.
Demencia looked back at Black Hat eagerly to see what he would do.
Black Hat looked at Melanie, unimpressed, and chuckled, "Really, now? Do you believe you can threaten me with such a thing? Very well, then, you should know that in death, you'll never be able to help anyone you think you can now. Besides, I believe he would hate to reap you." Black Hat gestured to Lord Reaper.
"Please put that down, Melanie," Lord Reaper said fearfully.
Melanie shook her head determinedly.
"Melanie, please…" Lucy cried, trying to take the knife from Melanie.
"If you don't care, neither do I," Melanie said, reaching out to strike herself with the knife.
Black Hat flicked his wrist, and the knife was sent flying away from Melanie's person. He lowered his hand on the table in a fist and Melanie fell forward. Her head was pressed hard against the table, while her arm remained stretched out in an uncomfortable spot.
"So eager to abandon others, to end your own suffering," Black Hat mused with an impressed smile. "I like that selfish darkness."
Melanie started crying again and whispered, "I'm sorry."
"Oh, don't apologize too much dear. You're just finally showing me your true colors," Black Hat chuckled darkly, before releasing her.
"She wasn't apologizing to you," Sadie said as Lucy pulled Melanie out of her chair and held her on her lap.
"You ought to be ashamed!" Lucy said, holding Melanie. "She needs psychiatric help and you're humiliating her! Don't worry, Melanie, we and God still love you."
"I suppose by your standards, I should be. And yet, I never am." Black Hat's chuckles turned into full laughter.
It was about a minute before the demon stopped laughing.
As soon as he did, Black Hat turned to Lord Reaper and asked, "Is that everything, Reaper? If so, I'll leave the rest of this feast in your hands. Flug will be at your disposal if needed."
"That should suffice," Lord Reaper said, breathing a sigh of relief at everything calming down. "Let's keep enjoying our feast!"
Everyone turned back to their food.
Under his breath, Flug said, "Maybe psychiatric help wouldn't be such a bad idea."
Suddenly, the scientist was lifted in the air telekinetically and pulled over to Black Hat.
The dark being grabbed a hold of his neck with one hand and squeezed.
"What is that you were saying, doctor?" Black Hat rasped. "Who would you possibly suggest to offer such help to Melanie?"
Flug got his words out between gasps of air, "I'm saying we have…villains who…specialize in this kind of thing…I could find one for her and get her on the…right path…jefecito!"
"Hmmmmmm…" Black Hat mused as he squeezed harder.
"Please put Flug down!" Melanie pleaded. "I don't want to go to a psychiatrist on this island. They'd all just drug me and tattle to you whenever I said anything."
"Melanie…" chided Lucy, trying to hold Melanie back.
But Melanie got to her feet and said, "I'd rather have you counsel me, Flug. At least, I know you actually care."
Flug's eyes flashed in surprise.
After pondering a moment, Black Hat relented.
"Very well, Doctor. Find a good medication for her mental state. I'd rather change her mind than destroy her mind for now. And with haste, dear Doctor. Or else, I'll turn your mind to mush again!" The demon laughed, finally releasing Flug.
Flug fell to his knees coughing and struggling to catch his breath momentarily before finally speaking.
"Yes, jefe," the evil scientist replied, sheepishly returning to his seat.
Melanie did the same.
"You hear them talk about putting Melanie on more medication and you're okay with them doing this?" Lucy asked Lord Reaper.
"Yes, because it's what'll help Melanie and her mental health," Lord Reaper retorted. "Although, I must admit I think that only letting her out of the manor for missions is a bit harsh. Melanie is a young girl on the cusp of womanhood. She should get to explore and grow and make new friends."
"I don't want to make any more new friends on this island," Melanie informed him.
"Friendship is weakness," Black Hat seemed to agree.
"We'd beg to differ," Sadie said as Melanie smiled at her two friends.
"Ha!" Black Hat laughed. "That hardly matters, seeing as you won't be here soon. Your family is looking forward to seeing you tomorrow."
"And I'm looking forward to seeing them," Sadie said, smiling.
The fairy hybrid looked over at her friends and continued smiling sadly.
"I expect you to honor the deal," Lucy said. "Her freedom is the only thing keeping me here."
"You'll be able to see the proof," assured Black Hat.
Lucy nodded. However, she still held caution. A villain, especially Black Hat, could go back on their word or pull off some sick twist on this situation. Still, she looked at her girls with a smile.
"You should eat, Melanie," Lucy said. "You too, Sadie. I sense nothing malicious in this food. Besides, you'll both need your strength."
Both girls smiled at their sensei and gave a sad nod before they continued eating.
"Yes, eat up, children," said Black Hat with a smirk. "Right after this feast, all of you are ordered to return to your chambers for bed."
Melanie, Sadie, and Lucy looked at each other miserably without saying a word.
After a minute of eating, Sadie asked Flug, "So, doctor, how are my parents getting here?"
"I didn't ask, but I assume air travel," said Flug.
"Okay," replied Sadie. "Just let me know when they're here so I can…say goodbye."
"Don't worry, Sadie. However they get here, Melanie and I will be there to see you off," Lucy said.
"Melanie will," Black Hat corrected. "You will have things to do at the manor, Kasumi."
"But…" Lucy attempted to protest.
"My decision stands," Black Hat interrupted. "You can say your goodbyes to her tonight or not at all."
Reluctantly, Lucy bit her tongue, nodded, and remained quiet.
Sadie looked down at her plate and tried not to cry while Melanie put her hand on her shoulder.
"To return to my point, Black Hat, I think Melanie should be allowed to venture outside the manor for things other than school," Lord Reaper suddenly interjected. "It's better for her development."
"You give her too much freedom and she'll take that as hope," argued Black Hat.
"Alright, but can she at least earn those privileges back?" asked Lord Reaper.
Black Hat pondered momentarily and said, "Perhaps if she shows enough progress during the missions, I could consider it."
Melanie sighed and said, "This is the worst week of my life."
Lucy and Sadie put their hands on Melanie's shoulders.
"At this rate, Melanie will never find a mate under your roof," Lord Reaper lamented.
Everyone paused and stared.
"What the fudge, Papi?" Melanie asked incredulously.
"You'll want to get married eventually," Lord Reaper explained. "In some cultures, you'd be married already."
"I'm 14," Melanie protested.
"It seems a bit early to think about that. Don't you think?" asked Flug.
"Definitely," added Lucy.
"And gross," Black Hat cocked his head.
"Not like anyone would want her anyway!" Demencia teased.
"Hey!" Melanie protested. "I will find a boyfriend someday!"
"Uh huh, and someday Flug will be a heartbreaker," giggled Demencia.
Black Hat burst out into laughter at Flug's expense.
Melanie and Flug sighed sadly.
"Did you ever find a partner Kasumi?" Lord Reaper asked.
"No," Lucy replied. "I decided to stay single so that no man I loved would ever have to deal with Black Hat."
Black Hat growled in response.
"What is your problem?" Lucy asked. "Why did you growl?"
"If you believe you can keep anyone safe from me, think again," Black Hat chided.
"I suppose," Lucy said. "Ultimately, I couldn't completely protect myself or Melanie from your influence. But I don't regret trying."
"That's not true," Melanie argued. "Your words and God's words echo in my head. Both of those things have kept me going. You did help me, Lucy. You're still helping me now."
"You're here because of her failure," Black Hat reminded Melanie.
"No, I'm free because of her success," Melanie said. "Spiritually and emotionally. God led me to her and to himself. Now, my soul is free forever and there's nothing you can do to change that."
Black Hat scoffed, "You wouldn't be the first to believe that."
Melanie crossed her arms and scoffed, "And I certainly won't be the last."
"That's what they all thought too," Black Hat mocked.
Melanie scowled and asked, "Wait, are you talking about Rob the Glitch? How many other kids have you forcibly taken under your wing?"
"How many spiders do you squash?" asked Black Hat.
"I don't like killing spiders…" admitted Melanie.
She heard the Voice say, "Remember Daniel. You can pursue opportunities to do good in this place too. Don't lose hope…"
Melanie blinked at the sound of his Holy Voice in her head.
"Are you alright, Melanie?" asked Lord Reaper, shaking his granddaughter from her reverie.
"Yeah, ADHD moment," lied Melanie. "Point is, I don't like killing spiders."
"Right…" Black Hat replied, not believing her but not caring enough to pursue the matter. "As I was saying, there are many, but they are too insignificant for me to remember or care for."
"So, you're the legal guardian of a spider?" Melanie asked.
"You're different," Black Hat replied.
"Different how?" asked Melanie.
"You're a much more deadly animal," explained Black Hat. "You're like a tarantula, a venomous snake, a tiger, a falcon, a Komodo dragon, or a wolf in a human-reaper hybrid girl's skin. You have the potential to be much more dangerous and need to be raised with special attention."
"Am I supposed to feel better?" Melanie asked.
Black Hat shrugged, "I never said the answer would make you happy."
Melanie glared at Black Hat and looked away.
"Flug, what's on the agenda tomorrow?!" Black Hat asked.
Flug quickly pulled up his watch and said, "Well, sir, we will see Sadie off. So far, there are no meetings, but that may change."
"So, you'll be leaving first thing," Melanie said to Sadie.
"Alright, so we'll see Sadie off and then you and I can have some quality time together, Melanie," said Lord Reaper.
"Great," Melanie quipped sarcastically.
Despite her response, Lord Reaper continued, "I need to run some errands anyways so we can start gathering supplies for school and see about your accommodations…"
"You'll have to do that one alone, Reaper," interrupted Black Hat.
"What?" Lord Reaper asked. "Why?"
"I plan to spend some time with her," Black Hat said, gesturing towards Melanie. "I hope to start having some significant conversations with her. My apprentice, make sure you dress decently for the occasion."
Melanie nodded and gripped her arms nervously. Sadie and Lucy rubbed her shoulders again.
"What kind of conversations?" asked Lord Reaper suspiciously.
"Why are you so concerned, Reaper?" asked Black Hat.
"No reason, I simply want to know why I can't spend time with my granddaughter," said Lord Reaper sarcastically.
"You'll be allowed to see her at a later date," said Black Hat.
"But..." Lord Reaper tried to protest.
"But nothing, Reaper," Black Hat cut him off. "Do you forget who has full legal custody of Melanie? Do you remember what that means?
"What does it mean, Black Hat?" asked Lord Reaper with an eye roll.
"It means, I decide where she was, is, and can be!" declared Black Hat.
"It also means my parents gave me up and just gave me to you," Melanie sulked sadly.
"It's for the best," Black Hat assured. "Anyone else would've been too easy on you."
Melanie scoffed, "Lucky me. I've been left here to be your slave."
"No, you've been left here to be my ward," corrected Black Hat.
"What does that even mean?" Melanie asked.
"A ward is a child who is welcomed into a home and trained under a guardian," Black Hat stated. "In your case, you're being trained as my apprentice."
"Like they say Robin is for Batman?" interjected Sadie.
"Exactly," replied Black Hat.
"Fantastic," Melanie said sarcastically.
"I'll teach you all about terrorizing the weak and torturing the defenseless!" exclaimed Black Hat excitedly.
Melanie laid her head on the table and groaned miserably.
"So, what will we do with Miss Kasumi Yamaguchi?" asked Lord Reaper with a malicious smile, hoping to get the attention off Melanie for a little while.
"Let's see how she handles imagery therapy first," suggested Black Hat. "Then we'll see what tasks she can handle going forward."
"Ooh, what kind of tasks?" asked Lord Reaper excitedly.
Black Hat thought momentarily, "Maybe I'll force her to interrogate a prisoner hero. Or perhaps even execute them!"
Melanie shook as she sat up and wrapped her arms defensively around Lucy's arm.
Lucy hugged her and said, "I'll be okay, Melanie. Don't worry."
"Don't lie to her, Lucy," Black Hat chuckled. "It'll only make it harder for the child to deal with later."
Lucy, Sadie, and Melanie glared at Black Hat.
The demon stood up and smiled.
"On that note, I'll take my leave," Black Hat said. "I shall see you ladies tomorrow."
With that, Black Hat teleported away, leaving everyone else to finish dinner.
Soon enough, everyone finished dinner.
Everyone reluctantly headed to bed as per Black Hat's orders.
Melanie and Sadie were physically separated for the night, but the reaper-hybrid astral projected to spend more time with her friend. Lucy was allowed to join them. Flug generously looked the other way and kept Demencia out of their hair.
The three women spoke long into the night. Lucy and Melanie only went to bed once Sadie was tired enough to fall asleep.
