He stood at the large window and surveyed the landscape that met his eyes. The dark, barren, sleepy landscape. The moon’s reflected light cast eerier shadows on the large, gothic styled mansion. Every turret or drawbridge was encased in thick, dark mysterious shadows. He found himself thinking how those dark shadows could engulf him, and transport him to another place. Another reality, another time. He was jolted from this deep thought by the gentle callings of a nearby owl. How he had dreamed that one day he might be a bird. And fly away from this life, his responsibilities and all the people. To be as free as a bird. Suddenly the exquisite telephone carefully placed on a large, momentous desk began to issue a small sound. The Red Bishop walked over and seated himself in the large, black leather chair positioned behind he desk. He took a hold of the phone and placed it to his ear. “Sorry to ring so late at night,” a young, ambitious voice declared. The Bishop merely grinned and leaned back in his chair. Suddenly he felt quite fatigued. “I wasn’t sleeping,” he batted back. The man on the other end laughed. “Well you have had an eventful day. How’d you think the meeting went?” The Red Bishop paused and began to evaluate their morning meeting.
“All stand to greet the royal party!” a tall, prestigious man, in a wondrous garment declared. The miniature conversations dropped to a whisper, until no one’s voice could be heard. Well, nearly no one. “What’s going on?” Ian Fitzroy, the Red Rook asked an equally puzzled Black Mage, Rune. “I am not sure. I thought the Red and Black Court would never hold meetings. But here we are.” Their conversation was cut short by the hushing sigh from Psishot, Black Prince. Then four very elaborately dressed people paraded onto the stage of the large ballroom. There were two men: one dressed in a lush, extravagant red garment, and another man dressed equally exquisitely suit, only black. They sat at two thrones, next to each other. One throne black, one red. Then two women walked onto the stage, their steps graceful and delicate. And, like the males, one was dressed in a wonderful red dress, with trimmed fur and the other dressed identically, only in black. And they sat with their partners and faced the assemblage that filled the ballroom. Then the man in Red stood up and began to speak in a very manly, confident and charismatic voice. “Greetings members of the InterNETional Hellfire Club and members of the Black Hellfire Club. Today, I, Lord Flynn Ryan and my Queen, Lady Charlotte Sometimes have been holding talks with the Black King, Lord Darkwolf and the Black Queen, Lady Rogue. Since the departure of Silver and Nemesis, and Gregor’s apparent reorganised Black Court, the Court has struggled. But they have pulled through and have today become strong, fruitful and independent. So much to the fact that they feel they must open up an Academy to train the next wave of elite students for the Club. Their only problem was: who could tackle such a job?” The crowd looked bewildered. As if Ryan was speaking an alien language to them. Darkwolf, the Black King, could feel the curiosity in the room. So he rose from his chair and issued the Red King to be seated. Then he addressed the crowd: “The Red Court has always been a strong court. A prestigious court, a vital court. Until the treacherous Hawkeye and Maul formed the Grey Court it was fruitful, with many members. Then the Club began to fail. That was, however until one man came to the Club. That man was a college professor: Steven Booth. He entreated entrance to the Club’s Inner Circle. He was accepted and given the title of Red Knight. Then when the Red Bishop was kicked out and left the Court he ascended to Red Bishop and still holds that position. He was the best there ever was. He recruited a team of strong Hellions, as well as several other members. He remained loyal and courteous. But he strived for a lost cause. For he wanted all the Courts to be allies. He entreated entrance to them all to strengthen relations. But it was in vain. Until last week. We saw the skills he had; he was level headed, a little bit of a disciplinarian and could handle a team. So the Black hellfire asked him to be Headmaster of their new Academy. He jumped at the chance and even offered to finance the team. He was on a mission: to make the Dragonfire Team strong. Then he realised how close he’d grown to the Red hellions and how they always did things for him. So he requested to be Headmaster of them and train them. And he is.” This time the crowd looked a little more alert and understanding. But they still wondered where this was leading. The Black Queen ascended upon the stage and began to speak in her silky, woollen voice. “So it honours us to commend the Red Bishop. But I know what you are all thinking. Why have the two courts been deliberating?” Everyone nodded, sub-consciously or consciously at this statement. The Queen was greeted by the Red Queen who began to speak. “We have decided to combine the two teams into one, run by the Red Bishop. He will teach them all Academically, but he’ll teach the Hellions separately.” The crowd cheered and clapped as the Red Bishop walked onto the stage. He felt great. All those eyes and hands commemorating his new assignment. But would he please them?
“Yes,” the Red Bishop said, “it went very well. I cannot wait to start!” The voice on the other end, the Black King’s was laughing at his enthusiasm. It was really a laugh of security. Of trust. He had faith in this man. “Well I’d better get going,” Red Bishop said, yawning as he issued the words, “I have to order tonnes of supplies and things in the morning. Speak to you later.” With this the lone went dead. He walked over to his bed and began climbing into it, but stopped. He knew he’d never get to sleep. So TK he placed some logs on the fire and levitated to the large, comfortable chair in front of the large, expensive fire place. Then he took a deep breath and cleared his mind. And focused upon the fire. He watched as the flames licked and curled around the logs, devouring them slowly. Little did he realise he was slipping quietly and steadily to a calm sleep.
The brisk, morning air was so refreshing. He stood quietly and motionlessly on the balcony and gulped in some deep breaths. The air always tasted better in this part of the mansion. Rather silently two arms clenched him around the waste. “Good morning,” Charlotte began, kissing the Red King. With style she glided away and sat on the exquisite chair on the balcony. She was joined by the Red King. “How’d you sleep?” Charlotte asked, nibbling a croissant and sipping some black coffee. Ryan merely smiled. That was a smile he seldom used. A peaceful, relaxed smile. “What?” chuckled the Red Queen, “what are you so happy about?” Ryan’s smile became bigger and bigger until it almost dominated his face. Then he began laughing. “At last,” he said, “the Hellfire Club is whole again. And we have our own Hellions!” Charlotte began to join in with her counterpart’s glory when there was a hard rasp at the door. “Who could that be?” Ryan said, slightly annoyed. He glided along the very elaborately furnished suite and opened the door. “What do you want?” he roared at the short, fat man in a black suit and tie. The man cowered slightly then in a distinctive English accent he said, “All the IC are assembled in the main hall along with the members and the Hellions. Do you wish to attend the farewell? Ryan thought for a second. Then he slammed the door. “Hey Charlotte,” he shouted, “Seems the Hellions are leaving party at 10:30am. Let’s go and see them off!” The two royals began dressing and made their way to the main hall.
The last item belonging to the new Academy members was placed onto the large truck. The Hellions all were excited to be relocated, as were the members who were joining. Then the doors of the mansion were cast side and in walked a rather blue coloured man. “Hey Loki!” Spark began, giving him a high five. The Red Court Inner Circle all greeted him formally. “Welcome field captain,” Steven began, “hope you’re ready for this!” Loki began to laugh and started to discuss things with Steven. “So we’re having the Essex Hall Mansion for the Academy? That’s so creepy. Yet it is prestigious. And the students will all have their own quarters, and we’ll have our own?” The Red Bishop nodded in agreement to everything. The limos came. “It seems we are ready to go,” the Red Bishop began. The Hellions and Academy members all dashed out and were spell bound by how flash the limos were. Well, all except Ian. He’d been chauffeured about in limos when he was a bishop. But times had changed. As Steven walked out Ryan seized him. “You’ll come to the Red mansion everyday won’t you?” he said, “Because you are still our bishop. Steven glanced at his old friend and smiled. Ryan suddenly felt rather foolish. “Wild horses couldn’t keep me away! Hey, don’t give away my quarters to Wolfox! I know he’s dying to get them.” The two friends hared the joke and then the Red Bishop departed along with his students. The Red Rook and Knight filed into the mansion as did the Red Queen. But she noticed Ryan stood there and watched. “I hope they’re okay Charlotte,” he sighed, “I hope they’re okay.”
“Let’s see,” Loki said, as he sat opposite the Red Bishop. “Who’s who?” Loki glanced over the paperwork the Red Bishop had given him. “Right let’s see: Ian, Thomas, Chasisty, Salvatore, Spark and Aquapyro are all Hellions. So they’ll need separate training. The Academy members who aren’t Hellions are: Dreco, Amanda, Elemental and Jason. Has everyone been allocated rooms?” The Red Bishop laughed. “They are teenagers and young people! They choose their own rooms! I have had them furnished to suit their taste. Students have their own room. The student dormitories all have ensuite bathrooms. They have a kitchen and dining room, although our meals can be eaten in the Red mansion’s dining room. Oh yeah that reminds me, each student has his or her own limo and driver as well as their requested car. In the student quarters there is a library and study hall, computer lab and gymnasium. In our quarters we have similar facilities. The education department is like aschool on its own. I tell you this much: the building and refurbishment cost me a mere $100,000,000!” Loki almost fell of the strong, elaborate desk and gasped. “That’s a lot of money,” he said, “what about the training grounds?”
“I have had a sub-basement placed underground. It has the latest state of the art technology.” Loki stood and thought, which he hardly ever did, for a little while. Then he said, “We’ll let the students have tonight to prepare and we’ll start classes tomorrow!” The Red Bishop agreed. With this Loki left to go to a Club and the Red Bishop sat and read in his large, exquisitely furnished office. The book wasn’t to enthralling, yet he had nothing better to do. Then he read over his lesson plans. “The kids are going to enjoy this!” he chuckled.
Loki strutted down the corridors of the new mansion, dressed in a baggy blue shirt and some casual black pants. His strong aftershave left his trail. He was ready to party. As he was heading out the door Spark and Chasisty and another unfamiliar boy requested Loki’s attention. “Hey sir!” Spark shouted, “Where are ya of to?” Loki laughed at Spark’s sincerity. “Save the sir business for the Headmaster and lessons. I’m just plain old Loki.” The three teens laughed at his normality. He wasn’t the best suited for teaching. Daemon’s very words were: “If Loki, the Grey assassin, teaches in that Academy, it’ll be gone in a week!” Yet the Red Bishop wanted to prove Loki was a good candidate. “Well I’m of to town, to a couple of nightclubs. I’m meeting Scrib, Byron, Echo, Omen River and Bobbi Todd for a couple of drinks.” The three Hellions laughed at Loki. “Hey you know anywhere we can go?” Chastity said. Loki stopped and thought, “Well you do have work tomorrow. But what the hey. There are some great clubs in Salem Centre. But no drinking! And be good! And if the big dude finds out, you never saw me okay?” The students agreed and ran to tell their piers about their discovery.
Spark was an excellent driver. His jeep was such a heavy, awkward car but he handled it like a pro. It had happened that not all the Academy students had wanted to join them. Only Chasisty, Ian, Draco and Aquapyro had wanted to join him. They rode quite fast on the freeway and dodged between the cars. Finally the reached the Centre. Spark parked his car in a parking lot and they went prowling around the centre. It was nine o’clock but it was still light. The summer breeze was so refreshing. Finally they decided to go into “Los Americas” for a drink. Within the bar were hundreds of youngsters dancing to infernally loud music. It was deafening. Just the way they liked. But they noticed a large, round man in the corner surrounded by many women. He was plonked in the middle like a large elephant. Chasisty joked of how he could barely breath. At eleven thirty Spark, the self elected leader of the group, decided it was best to get back.
The fresh air burned their eyes, making it hard to see. They staggered along the sidewalk, their ears ringing with music. Suddenly there was a loud noise in the alley. “What was that?” Chasisty asked, a little bit of worry in her voice. Spark was also concerned. He went into the alley, against all his piers advice. There he saw the round fat man with an equally stockier man positioned at his side and a man in green with a large extended tale. “Where’s my money, Murdock?” the fat man said. But the man pinned against the wall by two thugs merely choked, “I haven’t been able to get it!” The men all laughed. “What shall we do boss?” the man in green said. The large fat one merely laughed, “Be creative Scorpion. And allow Rhino some fun.” With this the two thugs scattered and the two unusual men advanced upon the man. Spark was now greeted by his piers who were aware of the situation. They didn’t delay in their course of action. “Hey tubby, what’s going on?” Draco said. The three men suddenly looked at the Hellions. “How dare you interfere!” the fat one bellowed. “Eliminate these flat-scans immediately1” Rhino and Scorpion advanced upon the Hellions. But they were blown back. Draco and Chasisty blasted Scorpion, whilst Ian, Aquapyro and Spark attacked Rhino. But the students were quickly halted. Spark was about to release a tremendously powerful blast of energy at the Rhino but the colossal giant placed Aquapyro in front of him, almost killing him. Then as Spark was shocked by his actions the Scorpion attacked him with his tail, rendering him unconscious. Chastity and Ian then launched an assault on Rhino but he hit them both hard in the rib cage and knocked them out of action. Finally Scorpion strangled Draco unconscious. The Kingpin (fat man) laughed, chuckled like a child. As he did this his flabby body jiggled like a jelly. “Who are those pathetic children?” he choked out, breathing hoarsely. “Never seen them before,” Scorpion began, “must be new mutants or something.”
“More like ex-mutants!” Rhino said, “Because we’ll tread on them!” Rhino was stopped by a sudden twinge in his head. Then he fell lifelessly to the floor. “What the…” Scorpion began but was booted hard in the back and rammed into the floor. Then a figure emerged. “I believe you have something that belongs to me!” the voice said. Then it TK seized the Kingpin and with sheer ferocity propelled him through the wall of the nightclub. Then he blasted Rhino square in the chest, which paralysed him. Then he side-kicked Scorpion and telepathically stopped the blood flow to his brain causing him to collapse. He looked at the five students lying motionlessly on the floor. With annoyance, he telekinetically raised them all from the floor and made them stand vertical. Then he telepathically awoke them. Spark was the first one who reacted, with a long, large groan. The mysterious man loosened his grip on the students and they tumbled to the ground with a bang. That wouldn’t be the only bang tonight!
“How dare you!” a very angry loud and explosive voice rattled around the mansion, “how dare you! You all disobeyed my orders! And it almost kill you!!!!” The Red Bishop’s office was vibrating with the sheer anger in his voice. His usual pale complexion was replaced by a scarlet crimson one. The five students looked at floor, embarrassed. “I haven’t even begun the damn school and you five almost end up in caskets!” By now the Red Bishop was panting heavily, he caught his breath. Then, in a calmer mood, he waltzed behind his desk and was seated at his chair. “If it wasn’t for me you’d all be dead! From now until I alert you otherwise, you are all grounded to the mansion and its grounds. Leave and you shall all be severely punished. Know leave. And I except a 1000 word essay on the importance of respecting your elders!” With this the five students filed out of the exclusive office room, and in a monotonous tone walked down to the students quarters and into their individual rooms.
“Weren’t you a little hard on them, Steven?” Loki yawned, eating a bowl of cornflakes. He was in a scruffy blue shirt and white shorts. The Red Bishop was already dressed in a very expensive black suit and tie. “I was merely disciplining them. They knew that I don’t allow students out without my permission. I think my actions were all reasonable. They were almost killed.” He continued reading the Times. “Oh Loki, I am going to be using the gymnasium for my class later. Please don’t be there.” Loki peered up from the swirling bowl of cornflakes and milk and began to speak, “Remember: I’m going over to the Grey Mansion today! Daemon has some work for me!” Steven looked at him, trying to recall the information. He grabbed a hold of his briefcase and strolled out of the room. “Well I’ll see ya soon,” he said as he left, “tell Daemon I said hi!” With this he vanished down the corridor.
Draco crawled out of his bed, half-unconscious. He hadn’t slept all night. With wasn’t uncommon for a vampire. Then he realised someone was thumping at his door. He glanced at the clock. 8:50am! He had ten minutes to get to school. He couldn’t mess up. Not after last night. “I’m coming!” he screamed. Suddenly a girl fell through the floor. “Chasisty,” he said, “you promised Mr Booth not to use your teleporting powers!” She picked herself up off the floor and dusted herself off. With a certain level of arrogance in her voice she began to speak, “You’d better get ready! Everyone’s already at the main hall.” Draco changed into some normal clothes and the two siblings hurried along the halls of the mansion. They exploded into a room where all their friends were. “He hasn’t arrived yet,” Spark said, “you’re both clear.” They sat down quickly. As they did this, the door handle turned and it was thrust open. And in walked Mr Booth. “Good morning class, and welcome to your first day at the Dragonfire Academy.” The students listened as their teacher began a speech about how decency and morals were important. It almost put them to sleep. But his next sentence injected the energy back into them. “We are all going to the gym. To practise our abilities.” They all ran with enthusiasm to the gym. But this wasn’t a normal gym. Oh no!!!!!
The walked in and everything seemed normal. Except there wasn’t any equipment. It was a room with nothing in it. But the Red Bishop insisted they enter and sit on the floor, legs crossed. Suddenly the lights flickered then went off. In a mysterious voice unlike anything they’d ever heard Steven began to speak, “This is a different kind of gym, different kind of class. In this class we will learn about each other, our secrets, our powers, our lives. Eventually we will be able to anticipate our friend’s every move, every thought.” They all stood still, hypnotised by his deep, powerful voice. Then like a bolt of lightning striking metal, a wave of physic energy rippled through their bodies. Then they were released. Down, below them, they could see their motionless bodies. Yet they hovered there in mid-air. The group could see one another, but the Red Bishop was nowhere in sight. But then they heard his voice, “We are on the Astral Plane. We have no bodies, only minds and powers. Go on. Explore this place. Bond with one another. Become one with yourself.” With this he disappeared.
It was over. They were back in the room. And totally refreshed. Like they had been drained of every thought, concern or worry. And at the front of the class was the Red Bishop. The group all sat still, wondering what had just happened. Sensing their curiosity, Steven stood up and began to speak. “That my fellow mutants was my gym lesson. Whilst you enrole in my school you will have three gym lessons: a physical gym lesson, a mutant power lesson and a mental lesson like we have just had. But what have we gained?” He stopped speaking but the pupils could here him: I used my telepathy to project you all onto the Astral Plane. By doing this I have been able to make personal links with each one of you. I will be able to contact you no matter where you are. And the same with me. You have also made your resistance to telepathy grow higher. And now you can all understand one another’s emotions. He stopped speaking. “Class is over,” he said, “enjoy your lunch.” The students began muttering about how ‘freaky’ and ‘kewl’ that experience had been. Then Thomas said in a puzzled voice, “We were in that session three hours! It felt like three minutes!” The students filed out of the bare, barren room and walked to the faculty lounge and watched T.V. But the Red Bishop went straight to his office and began to fill in data on his computer. Data about his students and their powers. Then there was a knock at the door. He didn’t bother scanning the person telepathically he just knew who it was. “Come in Diablo,” he began. With this in walked Diablo. “To what do I owe this pleasure, White pawn?” Steven said casually. But inside he was nervous. What did he want? “You insulted me the other day,” he began, his eyes beginning to burn with fire, “you and Hawkeye. I am to be feared! You don’t understand the power I possess. I could destroy you and your poxy little school!” Steven tried his hardest not to laugh. He knew Diablo had power but he also knew how easily he could destroy him. So he looked at Diablo and began typing away at his computer defiantly. Until it was melted by Diablo. “You have made a powerful enemy, Steven,” his voice chilled, “you will regret this confrontation.” With this he headed for the door. Steven telekinetically levitated from his chair and seized Diablo’s body telekinetically. Then he pushed him against the wall. “Listen!” he bellowed, “you lowly little rat! I don’t have to take this from a pathetic person like you!” Diablo hit him with a fire bolt only to be possessed by Steven. “You see Diablo,” he said, “now I’m in your mind I can adopt my most deadly power. I can charge your brain with so much TP that it explodes!” But he dropped him. “Get out!” Steven began. Diablo picked himself up of the floor. In his demonic voice he began, “This isn’t over. You can’t always be on your guard. And the moment you let your defences down I’ll kill you and your academy.” He opened up a portal and teleported away. Steven Booth began clearing up his room. “Would he really hurt the students?” he thought to himself. He wasn’t about to take any chances. Using his telepathic links he contacted each member of the Academy. “Everyone must remain indoors today and with a partner. All classes have been abolished for today.” Then he walked over to his desk and picked up the phone. He punched in a number. Then the voice of a posh woman answered the call, “Hello White Hellfire Club may I help you please?”
“Please can I speak to SuperGrover!!!, the White King. Tell him it’s the Red Bishop.” She connected him to the White King. “Hello, Steven?” SuperGrover!!!’s voice questioned. “Yes it’s Steven. I must speak with you about Diablo. He’s threatened my student’s lives and if he carries on you’ll have to elect a new White Pawn.” The White King hesitated for a moment. Then he said, “I’ll get back to you.” The line went dead. Steven sat and thought about what he should do. Suddenly there was a scream. “That’s Chastity,” he said. He raced towards her room to be halted by Diablo. “Let’s see if your Hellions can take down Sabertooth!” Steven tried to march past but Diablo was setting off firebombs. He had to get to them before Sabertooth destroyed his team. Telekinethesis wouldn’t harm Diablo, but it would move him. So he tried to move him. But he was grabbed from behind and thrown into the wall. “Good work Rhino,” Diablo began, “he’s out cold.”
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Naturally Draco was the first one on scene. His sister was the only relative he had. But he was faced with a strong, tall, savage looking man. “Hey look the carnival’s in town,” Sabertooth said. But Draco didn’t reply. Never before had he seen such a savage, out of control person. He tried to lunge at him but was swept away. Sabertooth turned around and seized the two siblings. “I’d love to chat but we have work to do!” With this he tossed Draco out of the window of the third story building. Then he was about to slash Chastity with his free hand but was stopped by a bolt of electricity and a blast of fire- courtesy of Aquapyro and Spark. Sabertooth curled on the floor, healing his wounds and lunged at the two. This attack was short- lived with the intervention of Thomas, who used his increased strength to topple Sabertooth. Ian then stabbed him in the leg. “Thanks guys,” Draco said hovering outside the window, “but I can see the Rhino and some fiery dude kicking the hell out of the Headmaster. The Hellions raced down the halls to be faced with the Rhino and Diablo. “So you are the Hellions? I expected more.” Diablo fired a powerful blast of fire towards them. Aquapyro extinguished that. “So you’re the wise guy of the group?” Diablo said, “We’ll have to eliminate you.” Suddenly Diablo’s flames began going out. “What’s going on?” he cried, feeling his energy being drained from him. Chastity began to laugh. “I am using my weather manipulating abilities to put out your flames.” Then Aquapyro unleashed wave after wave of water upon Rhino and Chasisty froze it encasing him in ice.
“Well it seems you are all worthy of commendation,” the Red Rook said. The ballroom of the Red Mansion wasn’t too decorated. It was only harbouring a celebration. “Yes,” the Red Knight said, “you Hellions took down Diablo, Sabertooth and Rhino! I’d have some trouble doing that!” Darkwolf walked over to the two men who were complimenting the Hellions. “Yes these guys and gals are really something. They saved the Red Bishop’s life.” Suddenly the rest of the IC from both the Black Court and Red Court circled them. Then the Red Bishop began to speak, “You students are surely the best students I have ever taught. See how important my mental gym was. It allowed you all to work together as a team and defeat an obstacle that could have been quite impossible. You should all be really proud.” The celebrations went on all night, even the Grey Court and White Court dropped by to congratulate the Hellions.
“Hawkeye!” the Red Bishop began, “come here a minute.” The Grey Headmaster strolled over in his arrogant stride. “Yes, what do you want?” he began in his cold, shrill voice. “My Hellions sure are something huh?” Hawkeye was burning up with hatred. He’d been headmaster of the Hellions longer than Steven, but in his second day, he’d succeeded in defeated a formidable foe. “Yes they are quite impressive.” Steven smiled and Hawkeye began to walk away. “Hey before you go,” the Red Bishop said, “let’s make a bet. I wager I can train my Hellions up in four days and they’ll defeat yours.” Hawkeye span around with sheer fury. With an angry shrill voice he barked, “Try it amateur. It’s time someone burst your damn bubble.” With this the Headmaster of the Hellions walked out, with sure annoyance. The Red Bishop looked out onto the lake that ran through the Red Mansion. How calm it looked, how content, how peaceful. It reflected the personality of the man looking at it. For once, the Red Bishop actually smiled. A satisfied smile.
