March 2001
Certain Doom
by Paul A. Hahn
|
March 2001 |
Certain Doom by Paul A. Hahn |
They also housed and trained a group of young mutants called the Hellions, the building blocks for an eventual mutant super-army to carry out the orders of their Black King, Sebastian Shaw. The Hellions were old enemies of the New Mutants, another team of young mutants, a project began in secret by Professor Charles Francis Xavier. A project that attempted to create mutant champions, to see how the public would react, and whether mutants and humans could live in peaceful coexistence. Though he deemed his project a failure and disbanded the group, Sebastian Shaw and the White Queen, Emma Frost, believed it wise to continue using the Hellions.
And though the New Mutants disbanded, two of their members joined the heroic Young Justice: Cannonball and Magik. A third joined the Hellfire Club as the White Rook, Sunspot. And just yesterday, the two opposing forces had a throwdown for the fate of Linda Danvers.
Young Justice won. Linda Danvers rejoined the team as Firebird. Jason Wyngarde, White King of the Inner Circle, was left in a catatonic state. Black Queen and Bishop, Contessa and Klarion, both left.
And now, there was an air of change . . . of new beginnings . . . though first, some things required closure . . .
[[All of the events listed above occurred in Young Justice #12 - Paul]]
Samuel Guthrie was a leader. Long before he had ever even heard the word mutant, he was the responsible one. Oldest of seven children on a Kentucky Farm, he soon found himself in the role of caretaker and provider after his father died working the coal mines. He thought those mines would claim his life, too. That he would be stuck there his whole life. He didn't want that, but he was willing to do it . . . to support his family. But when a coal mine collapsed, his mutant powers manifested, and opened the door to a whole other world.
He was recruited by Professor Xavier into the New Mutants program. He became Cannonball, and despite his worries over his family, he quickly became the team leader in every sense of the word. Even since their disbanding and his joining Young Justice, Sam had always felt as if he was second in command, without it ever being stated. It was just the natural thing for him to do.
Being the leader meant knowing what was going on, and being in charge. He knew why things were happening how they were. At least, he was supposed to. But recently, things with the former New Mutants have been turned upside down.
Two members, Moonstar and Feral, both defected to the terrorist organization the Point Men.* And Feral even killed Sam! But somehow, Sam got better.** And then, Magik went slightly crazy, bringing the team into the other-dimensional Limbo and nearly getting them killed.*** Since then, she was acting differently. Though Sam knew that short-time New Mutant members Magma and Thunderbird were part of the Hellions, he was still shocked to see them stick around.**** The final shock came when fellow founding teammate and former best friend Sunspot turned up as the White Rook of the Inner Circle!******
*(YJ Annual #1) Sam Guthrie was determined to get some answers. In his own quarters, he had begun slipping into his flight jacket, the blue and gold uniform he had worn for years. The one with the 'X's all over it. He was determined . . .
"Sam?"
"Eh?" Sam Guthrie quickly turned around and mentally kicked himself for not having locked the door. And there was only one person in the HQ (well, two, because Impulse rarely thought before acting) who would enter his room without knocking.
"Sam?" the door was open, and Jennifer-Lynn Haden entered. "Where do you think you're going?"
As the green-skinned Jade, she was able to create and maintain solid objects with her own force of will. And as a member of Young Justice, she had become more than just Sam's teammate.
"Just . . . plannin' on exercisin'. Gettin' in a work out."
"That's bull," she answered, hands on her hips. "I've gotten to know you well enough to read you, and I know you're lying. And I have a hunch about what you're about to do, and I will not let my pseudo-boyfriend go get himself killed!"
"Really, Jen, Ah--"
"Don't 'really Jen' me, mister. You're planning on going back to the Hellfire Club to find your old buddy Sunspot. Well, news flash! He's with the enemy, and that place has gotta be crawling with cops . . . you can't go there."
"Ah have to," Sam rubbed the back of his neck. "Ah owe him that much. An' Ah'll be real careful, Jen. Ah will. Please don't tell Robin?"
"Only on one condition."
"Name it."
She grinned. "I'm coming with."
A pair of eyes watched curiously, cautiously. What he wanted was inside. Though the signs of recent battle make him question if they are truly worthy . . .
Inside the Hellfire Club Mansion, Manhattan.
Sebastian Shaw and Lady Tessa stood atop a staircase balcony, overlooking the large ballroom where their recent battle had taken place.
"You really shouldn't be up and about," Tessa frowned. "Not after that dose of poison gas you swallowed."
"Stop fussing over me, woman," Shaw frowned angrily. "You'd think you were my mother. We have far more important things to tend to than my own health. I am recovering fine. The Inner Circle is not."
"I'll admit, losing half our number was not an advantageous event. Contessa, Klarion, and Danvers made up the Black Cabinet of the Club. Wyngarde was the only White member, but the King."
"Which means the balance of power is severely disturbed," Shaw continued his frown, watching a repair crew slowly work on his mansion. "Emma Frost is power hungry. Make no mistake she will reach for leadership. But you, being my most loyal ally, are the White Bishop, and will help maintain normalcy. DaCosta is the wild card."
"None of the Hellions are ready to move up," Tessa said matter-of-factly. "And yesterday's fight has given me reason to be suspicious about Magma and Thunderbird. Their motives for remaining with the team are . . . questionable. They are not as loyal to Frost as the others. And then there's Wyngarde's daughter . . . she is an even bigger mystery."
"We must tread with caution, Tessa," Shaw answered. "The London and Tokyo branches may see this as a sign of weakness, may attempt to claim the New York branch for their own. We must be prepared. We shall rebuild the Inner Circle . . . and all the new members shall be loyal to me."
Down the stairs and several rooms back . . .
Roberto DaCosta sat in his private quarters, thinking over recent events. Frost may be on to me. If she isn't, she probably will be soon. After yesterday . . . she'll question all of us. I can't be discovered yet . . . there's too much at stake. Mannites, Externals, Neo and more . . . and then there's Sam. How can I keep lying to my best friend?
From when I first discovered my powers during a soccer game in my home at Sao Paulo, Brazil, to my time with the New Mutants, I've always been told to do the right thing. But then I learned about my father's involvement in the Hellfire Club . . . and the family's ties to it. It served as an easy front to get me in here, but sometimes I wonder if I might be in over my head. Droga! I hope you knew what you were doing when you gave me this assignment, Professor . . .
"Knock knock."
"Eh?" DaCosta spun around to look at his room's back exit. His eyes went wide. "You're insane."
"Maybe," Sam replied as he stepped in, with Jade hanging back by the door. "But Ah figured the security was still messed up since yesterday, and no one would be expectin' YJ to be so stupid as to come back, especially since, as far as the team's concerned, there's nothing here we want anymore."
"Except for any little secret you might be hiding with our little Mastermind," Bobby replied.
Sam didn't answer. He knew of Robin's covert dealings with Jason Wyngarde's daughter. But he didn't suspect others did.
"And of course you're worried about Amara, and Jimmy, and maybe even me?" Bobby asked.
"Of course Ah'm worried about ya, Bobby," Sam frowned. "You're mah best friend. 'Least ways, ya were. Everything with the New Mutants has gone hectic . . . Magma, Thunderbird, Feral, Moonstar, Magik, you, me . . . it's all been crazy. Everyone's gone in so many different directions since--"
"Since Garth's death."
"Tempest was a good man, Bobby," Sam frowned. "He was one of us. And yeah, his death hit us all hard . . . 'specially the Professor's. But what does that have to do with why you're here?"
"Uh, Sam," Jade said. "We are on a timetable here . . . "
"Just talk to me, Bobby . . . why're you here?" Sam pleaded. "What's it all for?"
"I . . . " Bobby started. He paused. Could I risk telling him? Could I sacrifice the mission? I . . .
"Roberto?" his name was called over a speaker. It was Tessa. "Lord Shaw has called an immediate meeting of the Inner Circle to discuss a possible addition. He requires your presence immediately."
"You better go, Sam," Bobby frowned.
"Ah need answers," Sam said, grabbing Bobby's shoulder.
Sunspot quickly put his own arm onto Sam's, grabbing and holding it. He whispered. "All I can say . . . is to trust me. Now go."
The two released their arms, with Jade watching closely, unsure of whether or not to act. Sam motioned with his head that they were leaving. Bobby left as well, towards the meeting, neither man looking back at each other.
Sebastian Shaw, Lady Tessa, Emma Frost and a stranger were already waiting when Roberto arrived.
"What took you so long?" Frost asked.
"I was . . . on the john," Bobby frowned. "Who's this guy?"
The man turned, his green cloak resting calmly on his back. He wore a suit of metal, and his face was covered by it. "I . . . am Doctor Doom."
"A pediatrician I'll bet," Bobby grinned.
"This is a serious matter, Roberto," Tessa frowned. "Take your seat, Rook."
"Please, Tessa," Shaw replied. "His title may not stay at Rook for long, not with all the recent openings in our little cabal. That is why the good Doctor is here, Roberto."
"He wants to join?" Bobby asked.
"The position of White King is open, is it not?" Doom asked. "I would wish to claim it for myself."
Emma Frost narrowed her eyes, carefully attempting a psi scan. Doom's armor blocked her completely.
"It is imperative that we begin rebuilding," Shaw continued. "Tessa has already made the switch to become the Black Queen, easily proving herself and her abilities. Martinique, our former King's daughter, has claimed the title of Black Rook. Before we proceed, Roberto, do you care to challenge anyone for any other position?"
"I am fine as the White Rook," Roberto said. If I were to challenge another, I may be found out . . . and I know Shaw wants me to switch sides, to destabilize the power further . . . but I'd rather things stay balanced for now.
"Then it is settled," Shaw stated. "We have a new White King."
Emma raised an eyebrow. That was rather easily awarded . . .
"All our facilities are now at your disposal," Shaw continued.
"Very good," Doom replied. "I have other errands to attend to . . . "
"But surely you could spare a few minutes for a tour?" the White Queen asked. "It couldn't hurt, could it?"
Only if you try to scan me again, witch . . . Doom thought as he glared at her. "Very well . . . for a few minutes."
Emma nodded and led the way as the Circle broke up. Bobby approached Tessa.
"I don't trust that."
"Good," Tessa replied. "Lest you would be a fool."
Doom's face did not change underneath his mask as he walked through the damaged-and-currently-under-construction mansion. The wealth and power in this Hellfire Club will serve my purposes well . . . and once Shaw is eliminated and power rests firmly in my grasp . . . it will be a perfect platform for my next move . . . to conquer the world!
Happy Harbor, Rhode Island. Secret Headquarters to Young Justice.
**(YJ 6-7, Screams of Angar)
***(YJ 8)
****(Sam learned of their involvement with the Hellions in YJ 3, and of their continued membership, though questionable, in YJ 12)
*****(YJ 12 again -Panting Paul)
Outside the Hellfire Club Mansion, Manhattan.
Inside the Inner Circle's meeting chamber.
Continued in Week of Doom: Superboy and Firebird!