New Blood II: Growing Ranks
Chapter 1: Expanding Horizons

'This means character thoughts or psychic communication'

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Warning: A reminder, this is a fairly dark fic that involves sex, violence, and numerous mature themes just as the previous story. 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 Manor – Throne Room

Charles Xavier, the ever powerful Black King of the Hellfire Club, had many reasons to be pleased with himself. The past five years had been good to the Hellfire Club. Ever since he began training the next generation of Hellfire elite, the organization saw a great rise in power and prosperity. Their numerous business ventures were thriving, their enemies and rivals were falling across the board, and their influence in the highest power echelons was expanding. The previous Inner Circle's influence had been great, but it was nothing compared to what Charles Xavier and Selene built. With this influence they were able to shape the political, social, and economic landscape on a much larger scale. Every conflict, large or small, was scrutinized and controlled by the Hellfire Club's network. The main mission was control and while much of the world was oblivious to it all, their grip was strong.

Xavier witnessed his pawns grow a great deal in the past few years. Scott trained hard and proved himself on missions to become a leader among Hellfire's vast secret army. He now planned missions and led operations, earning him respect and influence. James Poundstar had similar success. He did more than just train others in combat now. He acted as their top operative in the field, doing jobs even top mercenaries couldn't handle. His warrior skills and mutant powers made him invaluable and efficient at enforcing Hellfire's will. Xavier felt they would both be ready to take on a title in the Inner Circle. Piotr had also expanded his roles a bit, growing from a mere strongman to a major force in the Hellfire Club's black market operations. His experience in the Russian mob made him perfect for the role and since the Kingpin fled, there was a power vacuum that the Hellfire Club was more than happy to take over. And Piotr did a great job of holding it together with an iron fist, both figuratively and literally at times.

On the business end Xavier watched other pawns come into their own. Jean graduated from sex work and now played an active role in Xavier's management of Hellfire's power. Most of her duties involved using her psychic abilities to carry out Hellfire's agenda, either through mentally controlling targets or exposing secrets. He even trusted her enough to use Cerebrum at times. She was also coming along in her studies of magic. Enchantress trained her well and she was definitely on her way to becoming a skilled mystic. Whether or not she was at Selene and Wanda's level, however, was still in question. Warren also expanded his roles in Hellfire business, working not just with Worthington Industries, but with a large array of Hellfire affiliates. He had a reputation as a tough negotiator and wasn't afraid to play dirty, often enlisting Selene's help in breaking those who opposed them. It was ha little harsher than Xavier would have liked, but he got the job done. Emma also expanded her roles in the business aspect of the Hellfire Club. She still did sex work, but only as a high end call girl. But her main job was to manage money, using her psychic and sexual talents whenever necessary to aid in the process. She did a good job and had become more sociable with the other pawns, which Xavier saw as a good thing. She seemed to get along especially well with Scott Summers.

But not every pawn was thriving as well as the others. Pietro remained somewhat immature, spending more time with the girls than he did on his duties. But he had expanded his role a bit by acting as a spy and courier for various operations. His speed remained a great asset, but his attitude remained difficult. The same rang true with Rogue, who was still rebellious at times. She still worked the strip clubs, but as a manager now and an organizer of shows to entice wealthy clientele. She also acted as an interrogator and powerful operative on missions, but she found a much better role for herself managing Hellfire's elaborate events and enticing weak-willed rivals.

Kurt and Wanda, however, were still wild cards. Xavier kept a close eye on them over the years, but they each found their niche in the Hellfire Club. They came to specialize in conflict management. They often went into unstable areas and worked to either rouse or settle a conflict. Wanda's hexing powers and Kurt's stealthy teleportation powers made them perfect for the role and with no shortage of conflicts to get involved with, they were usually busy. They always worked together, remaining very much romantically involved. But Xavier always suspected something off about it. Mystique saw it too. But they did their jobs well and kept their contact with Selene to a minimum, or so it seemed. He still suspected she was involved with them, but at the moment couldn't pin it down. He continued to keep a close eye on them, making sure they stayed busy with the growing list of conflicts in the world.

Of all the conflicts the Hellfire Club managed, the most pressing involved the growing mutant populating. There was still a lot of social unrest about mutants and the power they wielded. Protests and clashes across the world were becoming increasingly common and the issue was becoming politically heated. But the conflict remained strictly controlled by the Hellfire Club's agenda. Mutants were seen as the future and their power was an asset. In order control that asset there had to be a certain level of tension between mutants and humans. But whenever some renegade mutant or deranged human tried to go too far, the Hellfire Club took them down or manipulated them. There had already been some clashes with the Morlocks, a subterranean society of mutants that lived in the sewers, and the Mutant Liberation Front, a radical mutant group looking to liberate themselves from human control. There were also human factions like the Friends of Humanity and the Purifiers, each of which wanted to eliminate the mutant population. Their causes were strong and they provided constant challenges for the Hellfire Club, but with the development of their pawns they were able to manage them and keep them in check. But it was always a fight to stay a step ahead of those who would threaten their power. And it was not lost upon them that the more they grew the bigger target they became.

The organization was already under scrutiny from groups they couldn't control. Chief among them were other secret societies like the Hand, which also dealt in brokering power in secret. As the Hellfire Club grew, they along with other organizations fought back and harassed Xavier and Selene's plans. They were difficult to fight because of their secretive nature, but the sheer breadth of Hellfire's power was its best defense. It was still a concern and one they would have to deal with eventually. Other challenges came from hero groups like the Avengers, SHIELD, and the Fantastic Four. They were much harder to defend against, but because they all operated within the law Xavier and Selene were able to influence the necessary officials to keep them off their back while maintaining as much secrecy as possible. Xavier routinely swept the minds of heroes and politicians alike, making sure they didn't know about the extent of their power. As big as they were, the Hellfire Club was still a secretive organization and they were going to keep it that way even from Earth's mightiest heroes.

At the moment Charles and his tenuous ally, Selene, were enjoying a fine gourmet meal while watching an elaborate erotic show. Several Hellfire female sex workers were bound and gagged on a small stage in the middle of the room. Surrounding them was a group of masked Hellfire guards, each wearing only underwear, and they were whipping and teasing them with various sex toys. Sharp gasps of pain and pleasure filled the room. At one point the masked men surrounded some of the women and starting having sex with them. It was the perfect entertainment for two of the highest ranking members of the Hellfire Club and provided a good way to unwind after a busy day of influencing world affairs.

"Ah dinner and a show…is there a better way to spend an evening?" commented Selene.

"None that I'm aware of," said Xavier as he finished his prime rib, "I hear Rogue organized this."

"Yes, she's become quite the little madam with the way she puts together these shows," said the Black Queen, "Although I would add a bit more bondage and maybe some 'fancier' toys."

"Well not everybody shares your deviant tastes, Selene."

"Oh so you think my tastes are deviant now? I was under the impression they were merely entertainment."

"With you it's hard to tell."

Selene scorned Charles, but he never took his eyes off the show. He watched and smiled as one of the women was brought to orgasm through some elaborate teasing with a specially tipped sex toy. Selene let it go for now, but she could call him out on it later. There were other issues to discuss.

"While I would love to continue discussing different standards in sex shows, we have other less lurid matters to discuss."

"Of course," said Xavier, finally turning away from the show, "You mentioned an issue with the pawns.

"Well I wouldn't go so far as to call it an issue as much as an observation," said Selene, "Every one of them has come a long way over the past few years. They aren't naïve teenagers anymore. They're adults imbued with the Hellfire ways. But as far as they've come, they've been stretched a little thin lately."

"Yes, I've noticed that as well," conceded the Black King, "As good as they are, there are only so many of them."

"Which is why I believe the time is right to begin our search for the next class of pawns. I know we've only touched on it briefly, but I believe the time is right for another group to join us."

"I'm surprised you feel that way given how much you resisted recruiting the first class," said Xavier with a humored look.

"You'll just never let that go, will you?" groaned the Black Queen, "Now are we going to be serious about this or what? Because I'd rather not lose my temper with you again."

Xavier kept smiling, but didn't inject anymore of his wit into the conversation. He had chided Selene enough about how wrong she was in recruiting the first class of pawns to the Inner Circle. But that didn't make the look on her face every time he brought it up any less amusing.

"Very well, I'll spare you the frustration this time. But I agree. As our first class has matured they've outgrown their lowly pawn status. And if we are to keep up with our expansion plans we'll have to fill the void."

"Yes, and I believe it will be easier this time with the first pawns showing the new recruits the ropes. I think they'll also enjoy having others beneath them who have to adhere to every word they say," grinned Selene.

"Who wouldn't?" joked Xavier.

"And knowing you, Charles, I'm sure you've kept a short list of potential recruits for some time now. Any chance they're still viable?"

"Have you ever known me to lose track of my plans?"

"Just making sure," grinned Selene, "And this time I'd rather we not do it one at a time or in pairs for this class. How fast do you think you can get a group of them here?"

"That depends on how fast I can send our senior class out to each location," said the Black King confidently, "But if I didn't know any better I'd say you're rushing things, Selene. I would think an immortal like you wouldn't be in that great a hurry."

Selene didn't flinch this time. She didn't need to give Xavier any more reason to be suspicious of her. Working with Wanda in secret was hard enough. But Xavier was no fool. She couldn't let him know the real reason she wanted more recruits. She needed others to join her in achieving her ultimate goal. She had Kurt, Wanda, and Warren fairly entrenched with her. But she would need much more if she was to have the necessary pieces for her plan.

"Let's just say I miss having naive teenagers to play with in my rituals. Our original class is nice and all, but they've grown too used to it. I'd like to see some surprised faces every now and then."

"I'm sure you'll have plenty of opportunities," grinned Charles Xavier, "We both will."

"Then we're in agreement?"

"Yes, I too would like to see more hands in the Inner Circle learning our ways. It's like I've said before. As our power grows so must our ranks."

The Black King and Queen raised their glasses and touched them in a toast to their new plans. Both were excited to see another class of pawns in the Hellfire Club even if it was for different reasons. They didn't agree on much, but they definitely agreed on the need to expand their ranks. Their first efforts had been very successful and had every reason to believe their next recruitment run would be similar. The Hellfire Club was always on the look out for new blood and tomorrow morning they would have it with a new wave of young mutants.

Deerfield, Illinois – Byrne High School

Kitty Pryde was having a bad day. She seemed to be having a lot of bad days lately, but this was one of the worst. She was sitting outside the principal's office pacing anxiously as her parents and lawyer argued back and forth inside. She couldn't hear much, but if the yelling was any indication it wasn't looking good. Her chances of being allowed to stay at this school were getting worse by the second, especially with the number of times she heard her mother throw an insult into the mix. They had done this dance before and every time it got worse. She was beginning to wonder if she was cursed.

At seventeen years old, she was an outcast and a misfit. About two years ago she started getting strange headaches. Then one night they got really bad while she was tossing and turning in bed. At first she thought she was having a nightmare or something. Then the next thing she knew she fell right through the bed as if she were a ghost. It was a scary moment and initially her parents sent her to the hospital, thinking she was sleepwalking or something. She thought it would be a simple matter of getting some medication or something. Then the doctor walked into the room with results from a blood test and a grave look on his face. He revealed to her and her family that she was a mutant, one that had the power to phase through solid objects. It completely shattered her world and her life had been hell ever since.

At first she tried to ignore it. She could manage falling through her bed a few times a week and even occasionally dropping stuff. But on her first day of high school as a mutant, somebody tripped her as she was carrying her lunch tray and it caused her to phase through a table and a group of popular girls who just happened to be passing by. Their reaction wasn't exactly promising. Now that she was a known mutant she faced completely rejection and endless ridicule. Nobody wanted to be associated with a mutant, not when there were reports on the news of radical mutant groups and radical anti-mutant groups. Even some of her teachers refused to let her in their class out of fear or just plain bigotry, she was never sure which.

But it wasn't just school where she had problems. When word got out she was a mutant her father lost his job. As a family of Jewish descent with a grandfather that survived the holocaust, her family had always been active in the local Jewish community and her father was a major figure at a nearby museum. But even as a minority within a minority, there was still room for more bigotry. The main curator of the museum fired her father over some bogus fear of backlash. She suspected the man just didn't like mutants. There were those in her community that believed that being a mutant was a punishment from God. Even though Kitty was never too serious about her faith, the events of the past few years left her pretty bitter about religion and God.

Now with no income and no community support, Kitty was on the verge of being kicked out of school yet again. It already happened once. Then the school board ruled it unfair and she was let back in. Then some parents started complaining and more news stories broke out about renegade mutants. Now she was back where she started and at the rate she was going, she was going to have to be home schooled.

"This matter is over!" a booming voice echoed from the principal's office, "There's no way I'm letting that freak back in this school!"

"You arrogant racist prick! You do realize we can sue this school for discrimination, don't you?"

"Lady, I hear that at least once a month! And if this rend-a-lawyer is the best you can throw at us I'd save your money!"

"Excuse me, sir! I nor my client will…"

"Did you not hear me the first time! I said this matter is over!"

The booming words of the principal more or less settled it. Kitty's expression sank. She expected it to go bad, but not this bad. Her principal was a prick and he knew her family didn't have the money to hire a lawyer. At least her mom tried to call his bluff. Too bad it didn't work.

The door finally opened and her mother, father, and lawyer came walking out, their heads held low. She could tell her mother was brimming with anger and her father probably resisted the urge to slug the principal across the face. Too bad he held back. They all looked at her, not saying anything at first. But they didn't have to.

"Told you," said Kitty bitterly.

"We're sorry you had to hear some of that, sweety," said her mother as she walked up to her, "But don't you worry! We'll fight this. Until then, we'll just have to home school you."

"That'll be a blast," she muttered.

"Hey, I know it seems bad now, Kitty, but you have to have faith. We're on the right side of the law. Isn't that right, Stan?"

They're lawyer, Stan Leeman, didn't seem so optimistic.

"It…might not be that simple," he said warily, "There are a multitude of public safety laws they could invoke which could lead to a lengthy court proceeding. And while I'm trying my best, these proceedings don't come cheap."

The hope in her parents' eyes fell. It always came back to the money. And with them both still out of work, they didn't have the resources to weather a lengthy court battle. It gave Kitty little reason to be optimistic, but her parents still tried to keep her spirits up.

"We'll find a way," said her mother, "Now what do you say we go home and sit down to a nice family meal? I'll even bake cookies."

"Thanks mom, but I think I'd rather walk home. I…need to be alone right now," said Kitty.

The young mutant got up and left. Her mother was about to stop her, but her father stepped in and stopped her. They both knew that look on her face well. It was the look she always had when she didn't want to be bothered. As sweet and kind as their daughter was, she preferred to keep to herself. And ever since her powers manifested, she had a lot to keep in.

Kitty walked out of her school with her head hung low and her spirit utterly shattered. Along the way she passed a wall with some graffiti spray painted on it that read 'All Muties Must Die!' It was probably some arrogant punks idea of a joke. They didn't realize how much those words hurt. They made her feel so isolated and powerless. It was ironic in a ways because having mutant powers was supposed to make someone stronger than normal humans. But in her case it made her weak and she hated that feeling. There were days she wished she had a more interesting power besides walking through walls. There were days she wished she had never been born at all. But these were the cards she was dealt in life. Now with no school and no money coming into her family, she had few options. It was a bad situation by any measure and there was no ray of hope in sight.

With so much going through her mind she decided to take the long way home. She walked across the street and past a couple of shops. She then turned left down a small street that lead through some parking lots to office buildings. She was so lost in her thoughts she didn't realize a man leaning against the wall beside her.

"Rough day at school, Miss Pryde?" he said in a thick accent.

Kitty stopped and turned around. There standing tall before her was an imposing young man at least several years older than her. He had a very well built, muscular physique, a crew cut, and a strong demeanor. He seemed a little intimidating at first, not to mention suspicious. The man knew her name somehow. But it helped that he was a little cute.

"Are…are you talking to me?" she asked anxiously.

"Please, do not be afraid," he told her in a thick Russian accent, "My name is Peter, Peter Rasputin. And you are Katherine Ann Pryde, are you not?"

Now she was curious. The man knew her full name. He still seemed a little intimidating, but something about him seemed non-threatening. With that in mind she approached him.

"How do you know my name?" she asked intently.

"I know a lot about you," said Piotr with a smile, "I know because the people I represent have a great interest in people like you."

"People like me? You mean mutants?"

Piotr answered not with words, but with a quick display of his powers. He shifted his body into a metal form, surprising the young girl but proving his point. One thing he learned at the Hellfire Club was how great an impact certain gestures could leave on impressionable people.

"Yes, I am a mutant. But there's much more to it than that," he said ominously, "We've been monitoring your situation, Miss Pryde. And believe me your plight is not unique. Many endure undue hardship from ignorant masses who don't know any better. They swarm around who they consider to be outsiders, mercilessly beating them down to maintain their fragile status quo. Most would crumble under such hazing, choosing what they consider the righteous path and turning the other cheek. Others, however, grow stronger and seek to fight back."

"So…which am I?" asked Kitty, quickly latching onto his words.

Piotr walked up closer and looked her in the eyes. Lord Xavier was right when he said she had an innocent looking exterior, but a tough demeanor. Her eyes alone showed a bitterness towards the world and a desire to rise above her lowly lot in life. She was prime Hellfire material and she was pretty cute too.

"That I hope is obvious," he told her, "Which is why my superiors sent me here."

The Russian mutant then reached into his pocket and pulled out an unmarked envelope.

"If you have the resolve I hope you do, you'll take advantage of this opportunity. In this envelope is money and a plane ticket for you and you alone to New York City. There a great opportunity is waiting for you…one that will benefit both you and your family."

"What is it? A job or something?" said Kitty, getting excited already.

"Not quite. It's more of a program for those with skill and drive such as yours to learn and assert themselves in a chaotic world. But I must warn you this is not something to take lightly. You take this chance and your life will forever change. And let me tell you from my own personal experience it is the greatest opportunity that will ever come you're your way. All you have to do is take a chance and be open to new experiences."

It sounded downright mysterious. For all she knew this guy was trying to recruit her into a cult or something. But there was something in that stern metal face of his that resonated with her. He bore a look of strength and power, something she never had her whole life. If there was even a remote chance she could experience that confidence and demeanor, it was definitely worth looking into. With that in mind she took the envelope and clutched it firmly. Piotr smiled at her choice and she smiled back, blushing slightly under his penetrating gaze. It had been a while since a strong, handsome man looked at her like that.

"Say I choose to give this a chance," said Kitty with great intrigue, "What do I tell my parents?"

"Just tell them its an alternative to being home schooled. There are also documents in that envelope that will inform them of our generous compensation. And even if they do not approve, and I doubt they will, let us know. We may still be able to accommodate you."

That sounded pretty bold. They wanted her even if it meant defying her parents. It sounded dangerous, but then again living in a world full of anti-mutant hysteria was dangerous. It wasn't like she was going to get too many opportunities around here. Even her parents knew that. She loved them both, but they didn't understand what it was like for her. They still had a level of power and control in their world. She didn't. And if there was any chance at getting a taste of it she had to take it.

"Your people sound pretty determined," she commented as she tucked the envelope away.

"You have no idea," said Piotr as he reverted back to his flesh form, "I hope to see you again soon, Miss Pryde."

"Please, call me Kitty," she said with a cute smile, "And I hope to be seeing much more of you too, Mr. Rasputin. Just let me talk to my parents first."

"Very well Kitty," said Piotr, smiling at her flirtatious look, "I'll see you in New York then."

"Yeah…see you," said Kitty distantly.

Piotr walked off, leaving Kitty Pryde with a big decision to make. This didn't sound like a mutant charity or something. It didn't sound like a school or job either. She wasn't sure what to make of it, but she was determined to find out. This was the first major opportunity to come her way since she became a mutant. It was definitely worth looking into. She didn't know what she would find, but if that Piotr Rasputin boy was any indication it was definitely worth exploring.

Cumberland, Kentucky

"Mine Closed. No Trespassing."

Few words were more dreadful in Cumberland, Kentucky. Once a thriving coal-mining down nestled in the heart of rural America, it was now dying fast as the people moved out in search for other opportunities. For those who staked their lives on the mines it was a dark time. Many families were hit hard, but few were hit as hard as the Guthrie family.

Standing behind the locked gates, Samuel Guthrie stared distantly into now closed mine. There was once a time when this area would be packed with workers, trucks, and heavy machinery. There would be people shouting, engines roaring, and the occasional emergency horn for practicing drills. As a kid he remembered it vividly, having grown up in the chaotic yet thriving industry that gave the town life. Now as an 18-year-old boy those memories had been replaced with cold, dead silence. Nothing was left for him and his family and their future was full of uncertainty.

His father, who had been working in the mines since he was a teenager, developed serious health problems. Breathing in coal dust over the years took a toll on him. About three years ago he was diagnosed with black lung disease, a condition well-known to coal miners and often fatal in the long run. He required special breathing apparatuses at times and coughed frequently. While the mine was up, the company paid for those treatments. Now that everybody packed up and left they had no income coming in and their resources were dwindling. They already dipped into emergency funds, including his and his sister's college money. But that was going to run out soon.

Leaning against the gate Sam felt the pressure bearing down on him. His father couldn't work because of his health and he was barely out of high school. It didn't help that he was only a C-student. It also didn't help that he was a mutant. He had the power to surround his body in energy and direct it into a powerful thrust force that he could sue to fly. It was an amazing ability and it never truly affected him until the mine closed. Cumberland used to be a very tight nit community and because of that most didn't have a problem with him being a mutant. There were some that harassed him, but for the most part everybody accepted him. Then when people started leaving, he got a taste of the real world.

Those that didn't know him were wary of him. Nobody would give him a job. Some didn't even give him a chance once they found out he was a mutant. He tried showing them what he could do to prove it wasn't anything harmful, but that only freaked them out even more. He was getting to the point where he had to beg people to give him a chance, but nobody would help him. It was ironic too because while he was using his powers he was practically invincible. But whenever he tried to be human he was powerless and at the mercy of forces he could not control. It wasn't fair and it left young Sam bitter and distraught.

"Damn this town," he cursed, "You give us everything and then take it all away and then some. It ain't fair!"

The disgruntled young mutant grabbed a rock and threw it at the sign declaring the mine closed. He threw it so hard it made a dent in it. It didn't solve his many problems, but it did make him feel better. He would have loved to trash what was left of this dump but he had to get home. He needed to help his sister, Paige, cook dinner while their mom helped their dad with his meds. But he continued to longer. The longer he stood by the longer it would be before he had to face his distraught family. As a boy he used to never miss a day of church. Now he found himself wondering whether there was even a God to hear his prayers.

"God…" he said as he looked up at the sky, "Ah know you work in mysterious ways and all, but my dad is sick, my mom is falling apart, my sister can barely afford to stay in school, and nobody will give me a job. If there was any time to show you had any love in you whatsoever, now would be the time."

Sam kept looking up at the sky, waiting for a response. But as always, he got no response. Either God wasn't there or he wasn't all powerful enough to help a desperate family and a desperate boy like him. He was about to walk away when a new presence caught his attention.

"You know he's never going to answer you," said a deep, strong voice, "You can pray all you want, but they'll always go unanswered. And it's not because God doesn't love you. It's because he isn't there."

Sam turned to face the new presence. It was a tall, imposing young man with Native American features and he was wearing a fancy looking suit, which was rare in a town like this. He had a strong, serious gaze. It was kind of intimidating, but Sam was undaunted.

"Who the hell are you? How long have you been standing there?" demanded Sam.

"Long enough to know you're situation. And near as I can tell it isn't a good one," he said as he approached the young mutant, "My name is James Poundstar. I come bearing opportunity."

Sam looked at him strangely. Not many people came around these parts bearing opportunity. Even scammers and thieves knew enough to stay away from this place. For anybody, especially a guy in a suit, there had to be something going on. That is, of course, unless it was just some elaborate prank.

"Opportunity, huh?" he said suspiciously, "Pardon me if Ah find that a little too convenient coming from a guy in a suit who just came out of nowhere."

"Oh I didn't just come from nowhere, Sam Guthrie. The organization I represents is more extensive than you can imagine."

"Wait, you know my name?!"

"We know more than that, kid. We know about your family and we know you're a mutant."

"Lots of people know that around here," quipped Sam, "What's it to you?"

"It gives you an invaluable skill with the potential to do more than just blow rocks out of the ground. In addition, it gives you and me something in common."

Then to Sam's amazement, James grabbed the sign he threw a rock at and literally ripped it off the gate like it was made of cardboard. Then without breaking a sweat he crumbled the sign into a ball of scrap metal and casually tossed it aside. It was impressive and it went a ways with Sam because he wasn't just crushing a sign, he was crushing a symbol that represented the source of his misery and bitterness.

"Okay, Ah admit that's impressive," he conceded.

"That's not all," said James, maintaining a serious demeanor, "We also know about your father's medical condition. If I read his last checkup right, he's not going to last much longer with all that coal dust piled up in his lung."

"Please don't bring my father into this," said the young mutant, his voice cracking at the mention of his father's health.

"Why not? It sounds like something you want to fix. And the people I work for may just have the necessary tools to do so."

Sam eased his suspicion. It unnerved him that he knew so much about his family. It unnerved him even more that he was using his father's condition to get to him. But that chance to do something about his current situation was just too tempting. He wasn't sure if he should believe this man. He didn't look like the sinister type, but he didn't look like a boy scout either. Never-the-less, he heard him out.

"I'm listening…"

James Poundstar smiled. That was just what he was hoping to hear. Xavier was right about incentive. If they dug deep and really gave someone something they desired, they were much more willing to go along with them. The look in this boy's eyes told him he was ready to make a deal with the devil if he had to. And at the Hellfire Club that wasn't an exaggeration. But beyond that James saw a bit of himself in this kid. His situation was not unlike his before Xavier recruited him. He was a desperate, bitter young mutant and that was fertile grounds for Hellfire material.

"Let's walk for a bit," he told Sam, "We've got a lot to talk about. And I promise you once you get a feel for who I represent you'll never have to pray for a miracle again."

Beverly Hills, California - Hollywood Mall

Southern California was so overrated. Everything about it was built on a façade of fame, fortune, and fun. This was supposed to be a land of dreams where anybody, even a complete unknown could become a big star. That was a good thing to print on ads and billboards and news articles, but it was far from the truth. For every dream that came true in southern California, there were countless that were crushed before it. And for those who had their dreams shattered, it was a hallow existence.

Jubilation Lee's story wasn't a typical story of big dreams turning into to bitter disappointments. Her story was more poetic injustice than anything else. She was an orphan of Chinese descent who got a rare opportunity to have a good life. At a young age she was adopted by a wealthy couple who lived in Beverly Hills. They brought her into comfortable, upper class environment where she thrived in most respects. She was open, friendly, and adventurous. She got along well with her parents, she had friends, and she was never afraid to put herself out there. But she wasn't a very good student. She had a learning disability that made it hard for her to comprehend numbers. But she never cared for grades. Why should she when she had it made with wealthy parents and a bright future?

That's where tragedy kicked in. A few years ago she was riding with her parents in the car and they got into an accident. It was dark, it was late, and a truck drive fell asleep at the wheel. She vividly remembered the headlights from the truck, but everything after that was a blur. She later found out the truck blindsided the front part of their car, killing her parents instantly and leaving her with only cuts and scrapes. She would have been hurt a lot more if her mutant powers hadn't kicked in. It was then she found out she could shoot sparks from her hands, which were similar to fireworks. They helped her break the rear windshield and crawl out. But while she was alive, she didn't have much to live for after that.

With her foster parents dead, social services tried to send her back to an orphanage and that was something she couldn't bear. She was a product of Beverly Hills. She couldn't go back to living such a destitute existence. What were the odds a couple of rich parents would adopt her again? Never one for odds, she ran away and for the past few years she had been living in malls. It wasn't the easiest life, but it sure beat an orphanage. She ate at the dining halls, slept on benches, and got new clothes when she needed them. Her mutant powers came in pretty handy too. They allowed her to steal what she could and stay two steps ahead of the rent-a-cop security guards that prowled the malls.

Most girls would be traumatized or emotional wrecks from losing everything. But she refused to be one of those girls. It hurt losing her parents and it hurt having to run away, but she didn't cry herself to sleep over it. Jubilation Lee, or Jubilee as she called herself, wasn't a crier. There were a lot of uncertainties surrounding her life at the moment, but for now she was just living day-to-day. Malls were places of opportunity and one day she was sure to come across something. She just had to hang in there until then.

At the moment she was walking out of trendy clothing store, having just 'purchased' a nice pair of sunglasses. It required her to be a little sneaky, waiting for some overweight woman to pass in front of her so the cameras wouldn't see her and then pocketing the glasses during that brief time she was out of sight. Then when she got to the alarm at the entrance she used her powers to short it out briefly and then walk through. It wasn't enough to shut it down, but it got her out of it and got her a new pair of glasses.

"Another day another stylin' new accessory," she grinned as she put on the sunglasses.

It was one of the benefits of being a mall rat. She had unlimited access to nice clothes. Pretty much everything she was wearing was lifted from one store or another. She had a tight pair of black leather pants she stole from some alternative punk store, a purple halter top she swiped from a discount store, and a yellow jacket she got from a booth while the vendor was busy trying to sell some junk to an old lady. She also had some bracelets and earrings she swiped from here and there. She tried not to swipe anything too lavish, but she still had her tastes. Just because she was homeless didn't mean she had to dress like one.

With her new purchase in hand she was up for a trip to the food court. She didn't have much cash on her, but she could usually charm some local high school boys into buying her something. If that didn't work she could always swipe something. But just as she was in the mood to celebrate a mall security guards came up from behind and stopped her in a somewhat stern manner.

"Excuse me, miss, but I notice you didn't take the tag off those new sunglasses," he told her.

"Oh really?" said Jubilee, keeping calm, "Thanks for reminding me. Wouldn't want anybody to know how thrifty I am when it comes to shades, right?"

She was about to walk away, but then the cop grabbed her shoulder again and this time had no intentions of letting go.

"Funny, kid, but didn't you get the memo? All stores must remove the security tags after purchase. And since I still see a tag on those things either the cashier forgot or you stole them."

"So find the cashier," she shrugged, trying to pull away.

"I'd rather you come with me. We'll see which side I believe. And seeing as how the cashier back there is a close friend of mine I'm guessing you're the one pulling my chain."

Jubilee groaned. It was just her luck. Of all the times to come across some lame rent-a-cop she had to come across one with a superiority complex and a sick sense of humor. There was only one way out of this.

"So what's it gonna be, Missy? You going to make this easy on yourself?"

"Now where's the fun in that?" grinned Jubilee.

The young mall rat swiftly turned around and fired a small burst of mini-fireworks into the officer's eye. It caught him off guard and he fell back in shock, rubbing his eyes to get the sting out. Jubilee used this chance to run as hard as she could into the nearest crowd and in a mall this big that wasn't too difficult.

"Get back here you little punk! Somebody stop that teenage girl!" he yelled out.

There was a brief commotion among the nearby shoppers. Luckily the guard wasn't too that specific. There were at least several dozen teenage girls in the nearby area alone. And most weren't about to let their shopping venture be ruined by getting involved in some minor theft. Somehow Jubilee could always rely on the selfishness of Hollywood society to turn a blind eye to anything the least bit intrusive.

Once she was clear of the guard's sight she slipped into a large clothing store to hide out in for a while. The store also had exits on the far side so if she saw Mr. Rend-a-Cop again she could slip away. She had done this enough times to know how to stay ahead of these guys. She was going to have to lay a bit lower for a while and maybe jump a bus to the other mall uptown. It meant having to delay her next meal, but she was used to it. Being a mall rat was hardly a charmed life, but it was all she knew.

'So much for a quiet afternoon at the food court. Guess my luck had to catch up with me sooner or later.'

She was slipped into an isle of clothes to catch her breath. But just as she completed her thought she heard a strange voice in her head.

'Your luck is better than you think, Jubilee. In fact, you have a chance to make this the luckiest day of your life.'

"What the…who the hell was that?!" she exclaimed, nearly jumping out of her skin.

'Easy girl, you're not crazy. Just turn around.'

It was usually a bad sign when voices out of nowhere started giving commands. But for the sake of adventure Jubilee followed the voice's advice. And to her surprise and relief, she saw two slightly older women standing near one of the clothing racks looking at her with a knowing grin. One was a tall shapely redhead and the other was a sassy looking girl with a white streak in her hair. They each waved at her, indicating to Jubilee that they were behind that voice somehow. Given she was a girl who could shoot fireworks from her hands it wasn't totally out of this world.

"Nice trick, but I've seen better," said Jubilee as she approached to two women.

"Oh we can do better than that, Jubilee," said the redhead with a sneaky grin, "We just wanted to get your attention."

"Well mission accomplished. I'm guessing your mutants. Who the hell are you two anyways?"

"Ain't you a feisty one? Ah like that!" said the woman with the white streak in her hair, "Mah name's Anna, but most folks call meh Rogue. And mah psychic gal pal here is Jean Grey."

"Nice to meet you. I'd tell you my name, but you guys already seem to have the drop on me there. So why not skip the formalities and tell me what you want? I get the feeling you're not just passing through."

"Feisty and she catches on quick, I like that too," said Rogue, smiling even more, "But enough compliments. Thing is we've been watchin' you for a while, Jubilation Lee."

"I'm flattered, but who's we?" she asked curiously, "You guys some mutant modeling firm or something?"

"Not by a long shot," said Jean, putting on a more serious demeanor as she approached the younger girl, "We represent a special group that seeks ambitious individuals with power and ability. And we're not just talking about mutant powers. We take it a step further, learning to assert ourselves in this chaotic world and obtain our greatest desires. I may be psychic, but I don't need to read your thoughts to know that you desire more than living the life of a Beverly Hills mall rat."

Jubilee shifted slightly under her gaze. This woman knew how to strike a chord. It must have been those psychic powers of hers. But it wasn't like she did a good job of hiding it.

"You've got some skills, Jubilee. That's good," Jean went on, "You've got cunning that's even better. But it takes a special breed to really take control and seize what you desire. And we can help you do that. That is, of course, if you're willing to give us a chance."

There was always a catch. Jubilee knew that better than most people. As tempting as it sounded, she still hesitated. There was something about these girls that seemed different. It was like they carried themselves with a greater prowess than most people. They acted as though they knew they were tougher, stronger, and more powerful than anybody around them. That kind of power was something Jubilee only dreamed of during the brief moments when she wasn't living day-to-day. It was tempting to dig deeper and learn more about this offer of theirs.

"What exactly are you asking of me?" said Jubilee, maintaining he poise.

"Come with us," said Rogue strongly, "Let us show you what we're about. Once you get a taste there's no goin' back. Run with us and you'll have way more than anythin' this lame ass mall can give you."

"Come with you? That's a pretty tall order considering I just met you," she said skeptically.

"Ah know. But honestly, kid, what would you be leavin' behind? Duckin' security guards? Eatin' out of trash cans? Flirting with boys to fleece a couple of bucks from them? Look meh in the eye and tell meh you don't want better for yourself?"

These girls knew how to push her buttons. They were hitting on everything Jubilee tried to push to the side so she could survive each day. But they were making it hard to ignore this time.

"Of course I want better, but…"

Before she could go on she heard a familiar voice from back towards the entrance of the store. It was the security guard she blinded and this time he brought friends, three other well equipped officers to be precise.

"There she is! That's the one! Get her!"

"Oh hell," groaned Jubilee.

She prepared to run, but Jean and Rogue were blocking her path. They remained calm despite the commotion. They made it clear they weren't letting her go until they got an answer. And with the guards now bearing down on her she had to make a decision now.

"Better make a decision now, girl. Because you run away from us, you run away from this chance," warned Jean.

"Make up your mind, Jubilee. It's us or the boys in blue," added Rogue.

It was hardly a choice. And since Jubilee was never one to think too much about her actions she chose the obvious.

"Okay! I'll go with you!" she exclaimed, "Now let's get out of here before they send a freakin' precinct out here."

"Oh don't you worry about them," said Jean with a sinister grin, "I'll take care of these little meat puppets."

The four officers were running right at them, their fists clenched and ready for a struggle. Jubilee was still tempted to run, but stayed and watched this time as Jean stood calmly in their way.

"Out of the way lady!" one of the officers yelled.

"I don't think so."

Focusing her psychic powers, Jean issued a firm telepathic command.

'STOP!'

Immediately, the four men stumbled slightly as if something hit them from the inside. Then like statues they froze where they stood, their eyes rolling back slightly and their faces becoming dazed and distant. It was like they turned into zombies all of the sudden. Jubilee couldn't help but find it a little funny. Then Jean demonstrated her mastery of mental manipulation.

"Good boys," she said as she playfully teased their faces, "Now turn around!"

The four men did as she asked, complying as if they were soldiers and she was a drill sergeant.

"Now take off your uniforms," she ordered.

The men did as she asked without hesitation, stripping down underwear and all until they were fully nude. At this point Jubilee struggled to contain herself. This was just getting too wild.

"Huh? What is she…" the younger mutant began.

"Relax, sugah, she's just havin' a little fun," assured Rogue, smiling and enjoying the show.

Jean grinned at the four men's obedience thus far and issued one last command.

"Now run through the mall singing show tunes as loud as you can. And don't stop no matter who or what gets in your way!"

The four officers, each of whom were under complete mental control by this woman, did as she said and ran off into the mall singing jumbled renditions of old show tunes as if their lives depended on it. They didn't have to run far before they heard the frantic screams and gasps of bewildered shoppers. It was almost too funny for words. Jubilee erupted in laughter while Jean and Rogue high fived each other. The Hellfire Club taught them many skills, one of which was to never be afraid to use their powers to have a little fun.

"Oh my God! That was fucking hilarious! How the hell did you make them do that?!" said Jubilee, her face red from laughing so hard.

"It's not that hard," shrugged Jean, "Their minds weren't that strong. All I had to do was probe them, break their free will, and let good old fashioned mind control do the rest. It was a skill I never could have done without help. Stick with us and you'll get that same help."

"It's official! You girls are okay in my book!" said Jubilee proudly.

"You're alright too, kid," said Rogue, smiling at the spirited young mutant, "Now what do you say we ditch this dump and show you our little haven?"

"Lead the way!"

Jean and Rogue smiled as they led young Jubilation Lee out of the mall. It was probably a good time to get out anyways. Those four naked security guards were sure to cause a stir. Xavier had high hopes for this new group of young mutants. They saw in Jubilee someone with the cunning and skill to develop well with them. She had to be resilient to living in a mall this long without getting caught. It would be interesting to see how she would handle the rigors of the Hellfire Club. But something told them she would be just fine.

Port Washington, New York

They say there's no mentality like mob mentality. But who ever said that probably wasn't on the receiving end of a mob assault. If they were they would have nothing good to say about a bunch of people getting together and collectively beating the shit out of somebody who just happened to be a little bit different. Bobby Drake was one of those unfortunate cases. Not long ago he was a typical, happy-go-lucky teenager. He went to school, hung out with friends, and chased girls. He never gave too much thought to conflict like the one between humans and mutants. As far s he was concerned that was just an overblown media issue. Then one day he was thrust into the conflict in a very unpleasant way.

It started out innocent enough. He was out on a date with Judy Harmon, this cute girl from his science class. They had just gotten out of a movie and he was entertaining her with his colorful commentary. He had her laughing her head off and the chances of this growing into something were getting better. Then they came across this jerk Rocky Beastly who Judy once dated, but broke up with under very rough circumstances. When he saw her with him he started harassing them. They tried walking away, but the guy just wouldn't let it go. He then tried to grab Judy and slugged Bobby in the stomach. That's when it happened.

It started off as a strange chill. At first he thought it was just his anger boiling over to the point where it felt cold. Then it got worse. The next thing he knew his entire body was covered in ice. It was like he was freezing the air around him. When Rocky saw this he freaked out. Bobby used that as an opportunity to get Judy back and tried to hit him. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but it had one strange side-effect. When he touched him he ended up freezing him into a thin block of ice. It not only freaked Judy out, but it caused quite a stir among Rocky's friends, who were hanging out nearby. They immediately started screaming "Mutant! He's a mutant! Get him!" It all went downhill from there.

Bobby ran as hard as he could, forgetting about his date and focusing on just getting home in one piece. But he was so confused he ran right into a dead end. There a mob consisting of his victim's friends and a group of angry witnesses who were riled up into a frenzy cornered him. He tried to reason with them and begged them to stop. But his pleas fell on deaf ears. He tried calling out for help next. But nobody came for him. He was all alone, facing an angry mob. What happened after that was a blur.

The next thing Bobby knew he was in a hospital. The doctors told him he had been in a coma for over a month. That angry mob was pretty rough on him. They beat him so bad he had to breathe and eat through tubes for a while. They said he was lucky to be alive, but it sure didn't feel like luck. His life was over now. His parents, while thankful he was alive, were overwhelmed. They didn't know how to handle him being a mutant and were somewhat distant for a while. They tried to lift his spirits, but even as he recovered Bobby Drake knew it was over. He couldn't go back to school. His friends were afraid of him. Even his own brother didn't want to look at him. And on top of it all that punk's parents were pressing charges.

He felt like the unluckiest kid in the world. It was ironic in a ways because he used to define himself by being able to find a little humor in everything. But there was nothing funny about this. If this was God's idea of a joke he had a pretty sick sense of humor. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to leave his hospital bed. At least here he didn't have to face any more angry mobs. Most days he didn't even get out of bed. He just lay there staring off into space, wondering what he was going to do now.

That's what he was doing now. The doctors just told him he was nearly fully recovered and could go home tomorrow. But in his current state he wasn't sure he wanted to.

'This sucks on every possible level. Why did I have to be a mutant? Why of all times did my powers have to manifest while I was on a date with a nice girl? And why did they have to be something as stupid as making ice? I swear to God the world is out to get me. I thought adversity was supposed to make you stronger. But whoever said that bullshit didn't get beaten into a coma by a lynch mob. Maybe I should just kill myself. That'll solve everybody's problem.'

But as soon as that thought crossed his mind he heard a voice in his head that didn't sound like his own.

'That would be a terrible waste, Robert Drake. You're life is hardly over. In fact, it's just beginning.'

Bobby shot up to look around, not sure whether that voice was in his head or coming from somewhere. He was about to consider the possibility that he may be going crazy. Then the door to his room opened and very attractive, very 'shapely' blonde woman in white leather pants and a white halter top entered his room.

'Okay, maybe things are looking up.'

The woman smiled as she approached his bed. And if Bobby didn't know any better, she was swaying her hips a bit to entice him.

"Robert Drake, or do you prefer Bobby?" she said.

"Uh…either's fine," he said in a shaky voice, 'Good God, I sound like a dork.'

"You're not a dork, Bobby. You're a very special young man."

Now he was really surprised.

"Wait, did you just…"

"Yes, I just read your thoughts. It's just one of my many talents," said the woman as she pulled up a chair and sat next to his bed, "My name is Emma Frost. Like you, I'm a mutant. And I'm aware of your current plight. These past few months have been rough on you, haven't they?"

He still getting over the shock of a beautiful woman just waltzing into his room and reading his thoughts. But it was starting to sink in a little. And she did seem to know a thing or two about his situation.

"You don't know the half of it," he muttered, "To say my life has gone to hell using the concept of hell way too lightly."

Emma laughed at his remark. There actually was a bit of that humor still in him.

"Nice to see that sense of humor of yours hasn't been completely beaten out of you, no pun intended. But today is where everything changes. And I'm here to help usher it in."

She leaned over him, giving him a nice view of her voluptuous breasts. He may have beaten pretty hard, but it took a lot to for a lynch mob to beat out a man's libido. Bobby could have swore she wad doing it on purpose to tempt him. And he was falling right into it.

"Tomorrow morning you will be released from this hospital. You'll go home and they'll lament about your future, the lawsuit, and the hospital bill for your extended stay. But you'll have an opportunity to take advantage of should you desire. This opportunity will take you to places you've never been and show you a world you can't even begin to imagine. All your greatest desires will be fulfilled and all your current problems will be resolved as quickly as you can make a snowball."

"Sounds pretty unbelievable," said Bobby, his eyes still drifting towards her breasts, "Um…what's the catch? I watch infomercials. There's always a catch."

The hot, exotic woman smiled again and leaned back in a casual manner.

"You're smarter than they give you credit for," said Emma, "But yes, there is a catch. You will be required to pledge your absolute loyalty to an organization that caters to powerful individuals like ourselves. This pledge, which I myself have made, is not one to be taken lightly. Once you make it there is no going back to your old life. You will be forever tied to us. But I assure you the rewards of doing so will be vast as long as you are willing to work for them."

"That's all? I pledge my loyalty and I'm in?"

"Essentially yes," she said, "But it's up to you. You don't HAVE to take us up on this offer. You could always go back to lawsuits, home-schooling, and possibly jail."

This woman didn't mince words. She was a little harsh, but for the view she offered Bobby didn't mind. She was basically offering him a golden ticket. When he thought about everything he was going to have to face now from the lawsuit to being expelled from school, anything seemed worth taking a chance on. He didn't know who this woman was or what this group she spoke of represented. But if they offered even half of what she was promising, he couldn't afford to pass it up. Plus if he got to be around women as hot as Emma that would make it a whole lot sweeter.

"That's quite a choice," said Bobby, "Get away from it all or face the crazy world around me. I'd tell you which end I'm leaning towards, but if you can read my mind…"

"I understand," said Emma, "I'll tell my superiors to start working on the details. By the time you get out tomorrow it'll all be taken care of."

"So…does that mean I'll get to see you again?" he said, sneaking in a little charm.

"That I can't tell you," she said in a seductive tone, "But I will say this though…good things come to those who get along. You'll have plenty of chances, Bobby. You just have to be willing to embrace them."

Bobby smiled for the first time in what felt like an eternity. It sounded like a godsend. He got out tomorrow and a new life awaited him. He wasn't sure what it was or what it entailed. But anything was better than going back to a world where he was a freak that people could lynch. These people sounded promising. It actually gave him something to look forward to. This Emma woman didn't tell him the whole story, but he had a feeling that was the point. He had to take the plunge and see for himself. He already couldn't wait. Something told him it would be worth checking out.

Emma cast him one last smile as she got up and made her way towards the door. The boy seemed promising. He was desperate to get away from this unforgiving world and willing to do anything to escape the chaos that his life had become. It perfectly predisposed him to the Hellfire Club. He was also kind of cute in a goofy, childish way. If the way he had been staring at her breasts was any indication he would be very happy at the Hellfire Club. And with the right conditioning he may grow into a powerful mutant that would serve them well.

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

In ancient times one of the most common religious practices was sun worship. Since the dawn of time people revered the sun for giving the world life, heat, and energy. Some were so dedicated they made great sacrifices, some of which involved live human beings, in order to appease the sun. The modern era largely dismissed that practice, but for some the sun continues to hold special significance. For Roberto Da Costa, it was much more than a flaming disk in the sky.

Standing atop a cliff overlooking Rio De Janeiro, the young man gazed up towards the sun and soaked up its radiance. He could feel the energy flowing through him. It was a kind of energy most didn't feel, but he was unique in his connection to the sun. As he took in its power, his body erupted in a brilliant glow. It brought with it a rush of strength and power. Such power used to overwhelm him, but he had grown accustomed and even fond of it. The sun was part of who he was and this power he wielded had a great impact on his life.

Roberto came from a wealthy background. His father, Emmanuel Da Costa, was a former archeologist turned businessman who by the age of 30 was a political and economic force to be reckoned with. He never told him much about his affairs, but the relationship between him and his father had always been a good one. He was more like his best friend at times and he had access to plenty of privileges growing up. It wasn't a free ride though. His father pushed his physical and mental limits, grooming him to do more with his life. He followed through for the most part, but everything took an unexpected turn the day a soccer game turned into something much more.

It started off tough from the get go. His team, the Thunderbolts, were playing their arch rivals, the Dynamos, and it just so happened the Dynamos had these racists players that targeted him extensively. At first he just tried to play, but they wouldn't let up. Eventually he had enough and took matters into his own hands, picking a fight with them in the center of the field. It didn't start of well. They ganged up on him and beat him to the ground. That's when his powers manifested. He was looking for help and he got it in the form of solar energy that filled him with a new strength. It allowed him to beat back his rivals, but the cost of victory would later reveal itself to be much higher.

After his powers manifested, people fled in fear. Only his girlfriend at the time, Juilana, stayed to help him regain control of himself. For a while he was overwhelmed, but once he grasped the basics of his powers he was thrilled. But that thrill was short lived because a few days later, those same punks he beat up formed a mob and attacked him and Juliana. He was able to fight them off, but Juilana was not so lucky. They beat her up, hauled her off in a truck, and despite Roberto's best efforts they got away. Her body was found the next day. She had clearly been raped and then they slit her throat and pinned a sign to her skin that said in Portuguese "mutant loving whore!" He could still see the pained look on her face that was frozen in time as she breathed her final breath. It stuck with Roberto every waking hour.

Since the incident Roberto pulled back into seclusion. The only person he ever interacted with anymore was his father, who did his best to lift his spirits but could only go so far. Roberto had seen the extent of human cruelty and it left a lasting impression. If this was the kind of society he was aspiring to rise through, he wanted no part of it. As far as he was concerned all of humanity was still as savage and barbaric as the ancient peoples who killed people to appease the sun. He had since stopped aspiring so much despite the pleas of his father. He just wasn't sure what he was going to do with his life anymore. All he had to hold onto was the sun.

Taking a deep breath, Roberto powered down. His father said he wanted to talk to him about something important, but he didn't really care. He was probably just going to give him the same old speech about working hard, getting ahead, and letting nothing get in his way. He swore he preached that stuff as if it were a religion. But it wasn't very uplifting to Roberto's spirit at this point. He was just fine lounging about, staying away from the cruel outside world.

"What a world," he said as he looked over the city of Rio, "I'll bet half the people down there don't know the first thing about being civilized."

"Nice observation, Roberto. And you're not that far off either."

The young mutant turned around swiftly, not expecting anybody to have heard that. He was surprised to see a man standing behind him in a fancy suit. He was tall and had medium length blonde hair. He was a bit older than he was and very well dressed. Having a rich dad himself, he surmised this guy was probably the upper class type as well. But there was something else about him he couldn't quite put his finger on.

"Who the hell are you? And how did you get up here?" Roberto demanded.

"Same way you got up I imagine…I flew," said the man in coy tone.

"You flew?" replied Roberto skeptically.

"Don't believe me? Maybe this will convince you."

The man took off his black blazer and to Roberto's surprise, two fully formed wings spread out from his back. At first he was taken aback, but when he looked closer he saw they were real. This guy actually had wings like an angel. He was tempted to wonder if that's what he was, but something about him didn't seem too heavenly.

"Before you start wondering, no I'm not an angel. I'm a mutant like you. My name is Warren Worthington III."

"Worthington?" said Roberto, that name immediately sparking his interest, "You mean like Worthington Industries?"

"The very same," he grinned, "And I'm here on behalf of an old friend of your father's. He tells me you've been distant lately. You've lost your ambition, your drive, and pretty much all desire to continue your father's legacy."

"Did you come here to insult me or are you going to get to the point?"

"Fine, if that's how you want to do this. We'll keep things simple."

Warren didn't flinch and rightfully so. Roberto heard about the Worthingtons through his father's circles. They were a rich family with a lot of influence throughout the business world. Warren III had an especially colorful reputation. Over the past few years he had been taking on the mantel of his family business and taking it to new heights, using extreme measures to do so at times. He commanded a lot of respect and some fear from rivals. And Roberto could see why. This man carried himself in a strange way that almost seemed dark in a sense.

"I've heard about your plight, Roberto. You thought there was a touch of good in everyone. You had every reason to be optimistic about moving up in the world. Then you got a heavy dose of reality. You saw just how chaotic and unjust the world can be. And now you're bitter about it."

"Are you going to tell me there's still hope for the human race?" he said dryly.

"Of course not. Human nature is what it is. There's no other way to say it. But that doesn't mean you should give trying to make something of it. I come from a place where the disease is chaos and people like us with power and drive are the cure. Your misfortune never would have happened if there had been order in the world. But sadly, order is fragile. It needs to be propped up every now and then and you have the potential to do so."

"Oh really? How so? You're not some fancy private school or some snooty social club, are you?"

"Hardly," said Warren, "We are much more than anything you've ever come across. In fact, you may say that we are the very reason your father has been able to enjoy the wealth and prestige he has. Who do you think commissioned those archeological expeditions? Who do you think grants him access to the political and economic clout he now enjoys?"

That caught Roberto off guard. His father never said much about the people he did business with. If what this guy said was true it would explain a lot. At first he looked at this man carefully, looking for any subtle signs that he was jerking him around or something. But Warren's poise remained stern and confident. It lent him some credibility and for the first time he took him seriously.

"Okay, you've got my attention," said Roberto, "Who are these people you speak of? And what do they want with me?"

Warren grinned as he walked up to the young man and put his hand on his shoulder.

"It's not what we want, Roberto. It's what you're capable of. Your father has been grooming you for years for this opportunity. He hoped it would come later rather than sooner, but given the circumstances of your recent plight he's agreed to step up he time tables."

"My father knows about this?" said Roberto with increasing intrigue, "What's this opportunity about anyways?"

"That's a long story. But I'd rather you hear it from your father than from me. Just know that what he has planned and what all of us have planned is definitely worth trying. And once you get a taste of what we're about you'll have a new drive. And you'll be well-rewarded for your dedication."

There was an ominous tone to his voice, but Roberto was curious. He long wondered what it was that drove his father to be the man he was and here was a guy promising the same opportunity. And if his father was on board with it he had no reason to suspect anything amiss. He wasn't getting much from his life here in Rio and his life was so full of uncertainty. Maybe these people could help him get away from this chaos that he hated so much. It couldn't hurt to try.

For Warren, his intrigue was all he needed. Xavier told him this would be an easy recruitment run because of the ties he had to Roberto's father. Like his own father, Emmanuel Da Costa had major ambitions for his son. It sounded like he was in need of a new path anyways and the Hellfire Club could definitely provide that. And if he was as bitter about the world as he looked he might be a good candidate for Selene's 'special' treatment.

Roanoke, Virginia

"Ohhhhhhhh yeah! That's it baby! Do your stuff!"

The pleasured grunts of overweight, middle-aged man echoed through the dark alley as Tabitha Smith did what had become a normal routine for her. She stood on her knees, her shirt lifted up so her breasts hung out as she sucked some random man's dick for money. She didn't know his name, but she could care less as long as he paid her. That was how it worked in the life of a runaway teenage prostitute. But it still beat going to school.

Most people who heard her story weren't surprised this is what she was doing to support herself. She was the daughter of a couple of divorced parents, both of whom were deadbeats. They never dedicated a lot of energy to raising her right so naturally she did her own thing, often getting into trouble along the way. Then about a year ago she found out she was a mutant. She sneezed in the middle of a class she was sleeping through and a couple of small energy bombs shot out, causing small but destructive explosions and earning her an expulsion. Naturally her parents weren't too understanding. They were flat out disgusted that their delinquent daughter was a mutant. Her father even beat her a few times. That's when she decided to split and she had been on her own ever since.

It wasn't easy, but she had more going for her than most teenage runaways. She quickly learned her powers came in pretty handy. After some practice she found she could form small energy bombs the size of marbles and time them to explode when she wanted. She could make the bombs as big as beach balls at times and cause some real destruction, but for the most part she kept it small. Having such a power came in handy when getting free food out of vending machines or busting open ATM's for cash. It allowed her to support herself to an extant. She mostly lived out of motels, but from time to time she would hook up with others who would let her crash at their place. Most of the time they were men and that's where her other valuable asset came into play.

Despite being a homeless runaway, she was still an attractive teenager girl. She had short blonde hair, a nicely developed figure, and an affinity for tight fitting clothes. It made her popular with the boys in school and gave her another way to survive on the streets. There was any number of weak-willed men willing to pay her modestly for various sexual acts. Most of the time they were simple blowjobs, but on occasion she did sleep with some guys. She even got a twisted thrill out of it because she had a very playful and energetic personality. Most men couldn't keep up with her and she loved working them over, especially when they weren't expecting her to have mutant powers. It wasn't the most glamorous life, but it was better than any alternative.

She sucked harder as the man neared his climax. He slumped back against the wall while she shot him lurid gazes. Eventually he couldn't hold back any longer and let out a deep grunt as he blew his load. For a moment he stood contently while Tabitha rose up and pulled her shirt back down.

"Damn bitch, you sure suck dick good!" exclaimed the man.

"What can I say? I take pride in my job," she grinned as she wiped her face off, "Now pay up."

"Yeah, yeah I know the drill," said the guy as he pulled up his pants, "I'll pay you the other half."

The man took out his wallet and gave her the other half of the money they agreed on. It wasn't much. He paid forty bucks initially to get her in the alley and promised the other forty after the job was done. He made good on the deal and paid her the other forty, but it was usually customary to tip a girl for a job well done. This guy wasn't so obliging.

"What no tip?" scolded Tabitha.

"What do you expect? You're a whore not a waitress. You want a tip get another job," said the man with a snide grin.

"I'd be careful with my words if I were you. You don't want to make a girl like me angry."

"So go to the cops. I hear they just love teenage whores."

"Suit yourself," she shrugged, "But don't say I didn't warn you."

"Piss off, bitch."

The man turned and walked away, not giving Tabitha a second look. It was a common excuse. Guys like him knew girls like her couldn't go to the police. That gave them the freedom to do whatever they wanted to them. But for Tabitha, she didn't need the police to get back at the guy.

Just as he turned away she slipped a couple of energy bombs in his back pocket. She casually leaned back against the alley and waited for the inevitable. She timed it so they would go off just as he got back onto the streets. After about fifteen seconds she heard a familiar bang and a pained yell.

"YEEEEOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW!"

"Ha! That never gets old!" laughed Tabitha as she headed off in the opposite direction.

It was times like this she was thankful she had this power. As a girl of the streets she didn't have control over much, but with her mutant abilities she could take care of herself better than most people. She learned from growing up in a deadbeat family that the only way to get ahead in this world was through power. She was already pretty good at manipulating simple horny men, but there were times she wished she could do more. But for now she was content with making a quick buck and enjoying herself.

She was about to make her way out of the alley. With the money she had now she planned on getting a bite to eat and going back to her motel. Along the way though she passed a strange looking older woman wearing all black and casually leaning back against the wall. She looked a little well-dressed for a place like this, but Tabitha didn't give her much thought and casually passed her by. That's when she spoke up.

"Nice stunt you pulled back there," said the woman, "Although frankly, I would have used a bit more power."

Tabitha turned around the face the woman. She quickly surmised she saw what she did. But she didn't seem too turned off by it. In fact it looked like she found it pretty funny as well.

"Who are you to say?" said Tabitha, "Were you watching the whole thing? Because if you were that would make you quite the voyeur."

The woman laughed and walked up to the younger blonde.

"You don't mince words. I like that," she said, "Name's Wanda Maximoff. I came here looking for you Miss Tabitha Smith."

"I'm honored, but just so you know I don't do girls…at normal price at least," said Tabitha coyly.

"Oh I'm not here to solicit your services. I understand you're in demand enough around these parts. I come bearing a very special opportunity. A girl with your power and looks is hardly appropriate for a place like this. You deserve better."

"I'm touched," she said sarcastically, "What are you anyways? Some sort of escort agency? Did your pimp send you to recruit me? Because you should know I like being a solo act."

"I don't doubt that. You sure seemed to handle yourself well with that guy," grinned Wanda, "But seriously, is this all you want? Giving head in alleys for loose change and living out of motels? You could do much better, you know? If only you are willing to embrace something new and radical, you could live a life of pleasure and luxury the likes of which you've never dreamed of. It's a life reserved for an elite few. Only those with power, drive, and beauty can aspire to it. And I can tell you from personal experience it's worth getting a taste of."

To further prove her point, Wanda did a little demonstration with her powers. Her eyes flashed briefly in a purplish hue and she shot a couple of hex bolts that broke some nearby lights and caused a trashcan to levitate. It caught Tabitha Smith by surprise. It showed to her that this girl wasn't some street level recruiter. There was something else to her and it definitely sparked her curiosity.

"Okay, you have my attention," said Tabitha, "What are you offering?"

Wanda Maximoff smiled. It didn't take much to get this girl's attention. She was the rebellious, impulsive type just as Mistress Selene told her. That would definitely make it easier to lure her into the Hellfire Club. She clearly had an appetite for pleasure and excitement. She also had quite a decadent side, something that might come in handy if Mistress Selene was looking to expand her circle.

"Come with me, Tabitha. We have a lot to discuss."

Up next: The new pawns get their first taste of the Hellfire Club while Wolverine makes a move on Department H.

AN: So what do you think of the first chapter in this new sequel? Please let me know! Send me your feedback via email or post a review on the fanfiction website. Either way is fine as long as you review. This is only the beginning of the next major part in this saga and it promises many twists and turns and more reviews help me make it better all around. And if you want to view some unscensored parts please use the link to adultfanfiction on my profile. Thank you all very much for reading. Slickboy out.