POV Sebastian Shaw
"Thank you for the support," Wilson Fisk says before leaving.
"Finally, that fool is gone," Emma Frost says haughtily.
"That fool is the best we could get, so don't mess with him," I warn.
"I know, I know. You and Hydra have your little plan. Though I don't see how we are supposed to get Fisk the support of the Democrats," Emma says.
"We have enough contacts, and with Hydra helping, we should be able to manage, and if it falls through, we don't lose much," I reply.
We were supporting Wilson Fisk for president, as there was basically no competition, as nobody in their right mind wanted to be president at a time like this. Unemployment was at 31%, a rate that was literally unheard of before; the economy had crashed, and the fire was far from being extinguished. The Bush administration and, to some extent, the Republican Party had become extremely unpopular due to Bush's numerous moves that nationalized strategic assets under the Strategic Resources Act. This basically allowed the president to seize any asset he calls a strategic asset.
Was it legal? Hell no, but even I couldn't avoid dealing with the consequences, and the courts would take a while to rule on the law. Not that that would help anyone, since they already seized all the oil in the country.
Ding
"Oh, looks like the Ghost Rider got another member of the club," Emma says with a disinterested tone.
I pinch the bridge of my nose and try to control the anger that flares up with that news. The Hellfire Club hadn't been doing so well for a while now. The destruction of the Global Economy was bad, as many of our members suffered severe losses. In fact, I had suffered the loss of several companies and their assets due to bankruptcy. Then came the release of all that blackmail. Many of the club's members were implicated and thus eliminated in one way or another. Then, if that wasn't bad enough, we lost one of the few Mutants in the club to the Xenomorph invasion. I may not have liked Shadow King, but he was still a powerful asset and kept Emma in line. Now I have to be more wary of her and her moves.
"If they died, then they weren't worthy of being in the Hellfire Club," I reply coldly.
"So we're just gonna leave it at that?" Emma asks with a raised eyebrow.
"Are you volunteering to go deal with the Ghost Rider?" I ask smugly.
"No, not at all. But what exactly are we doing at this point? The Hellfire Club is barely holding together. If this goes on, we're just gonna see more people quietly quitting the Club until no one's left," Emma says bluntly.
"You think I don't know that?!" I yell.
I stare down at her lazing form.
"We can't do anything for now. Ghost Rider is a force of nature. As long as we stay out of sight, he won't come for us. So who cares if some lower members die or if some cowards leave? Let them! The Hellfire Club will endure as it always has," I reply sharply.
"Fine, whatever, I just figured I would warn you," Emma says with a carefree tone.
I didn't need her warning to know that there was nothing to be done. Even my plan to have Fisk become president was a long shot. As it stood, there was a candidate who was being supported by both Stark Industries and the Pines Family, and that alone was enough to get them elected. Stark Industries had immense power and influence in the world, and there wasn't a thing anyone could do to stop them. How could they? Stark controls the energy sector as everyone desperately tries to convert away from fossil fuels. Sure, you got Biofuel, but that was only a stopgap measure. Production was nowhere near as high to meet demand. It was bad enough that even with my immense wealth, I couldn't acquire any fuel.
The candidate was the real issue for me. He was the candidate for the Everfree Party, something that hasn't been a thing for basically the party's entire existence. And who is the candidate? Erik Lehnsherr, an old man whom I had hoped had died by now. I knew if he became president, I would have to hide harder than I already was. Hydra also didn't want a Mutant to become president, let alone one who has a strong hatred for Fascists. As for trying to discredit Erik, that's pointless, as he has been open about his abilities in the media and has made these powers seem like a way to defend the country from alien invasions.
'Sigh. God, I hate how messy things have become.'
POV Shift King Atlan IX
"My Lord, we have news from the investigation team. They confirm that Talokan is mobilising. War shall soon be at our door," General Sturgeon reports.
"Hmm, the fools, war brings nothing but misery and despair," I say glumly.
"My Lord, your orders?" General Sturgeon asks.
"If war is what they want, war they shall have. Ready the army. I leave them in your care, bring victory to Atlantis," I order.
"Yes, My Lord!" General Sturgeon says with pride.
Once he leaves me, I sag into my throne and look into the ocean beyond my throne through the windows.
"So this is what you have decided?" I ask aloud.
I knew that the young king of Talokan was rash, but I knew that he wasn't rash enough to attack us so soon after his father died. It was likely that undercurrents were moving just out of sight to force this conflict. But for what purpose, I could not say, nor could I say who was behind this. All I knew was that I was getting too old to deal with this sh*t.
POV Professor Blood
"Sigh. What brings the Sorcerer Supreme to my humble home?" I ask aloud.
"Can't I visit an acquaintance?" The Ancient One asks.
"Yes, you can, but you never do. So why have you come here?" I ask again.
"I am cashing in that favor," The Ancient One says seriously.
"Sigh. Great, I knew I would regret making that deal, very well, please explain what I must do," I say as I sit down.
"Morgan Le Fay has resurfaced again," The Ancient One says while taking a seat across from me.
I grimace.
"You would send me to fight her once more?" I ask grimly.
"Yes, it is time for the blood feud to end once and for all. With some assistance, you can be free of your curse once and for all," The Ancient One offers.
"Who would be helping me?" I ask.
"Lady Tala, a few Vampires, and Beowulf's heir," The Ancient One replies.
"Lady Tala? How did you get her to agree? No better yet, there are Vampires left to assist?" I ask with confusion.
"Lady Tala agreed in exchange for some artifacts she wanted, the Vampires did so after I politely invited them to assist," The Ancient One says cryptically.
"Sigh. Fine, where is she?" I ask.
"Morgan Le Fay is currently hiding in Monstropolis," The Ancient One explains.
"Ah, so that is why you came asking for help, you cannot act there, not in that way at least," I say with a knowing smile.
"Hmm, yes, I suppose that would make sense to you," The Ancient One says with a calm look upon her face.
I narrow my eyes at her, but choose to let it go.
"When must we attack?" I ask.
"March. She should have gathered all her forces by then," The Ancient One replies.
My eyes widen in shock.
"March? So far from now? Why should we let her gather her forces... Unless," I say with growing surprise.
I frown deeply at the position she put me in. I feel my companion burn with fury, but there was nothing we could do.
"Pray forgive my bluntness, but I find myself obliged to inform you that certain preparations of a most urgent and imperative nature now claim my undivided attention. Consequently, I must most earnestly request that you forthwith vacate my humble abode, leaving me to the solitude requisite for the completion of these essential matters. The hour presses, and I cannot afford further distraction from the tasks that lie before me," I slip into an older accent just because I know it annoys her.
I see her eye twitch for a moment, and she gives me a somewhat strained smile before she leaves.
'B*tch.'
I return to my reading, as there was little in the way of preparations I could do right now. It also didn't help that there was nothing I could do to get out of this.
"She's far more active than I remember her being," I mumble aloud.
"In shadows, she has dwelled, but her help she withheld," my alter ego says mentally.
"I suppose that is odd. But what can we do about it? We can't ignore that favor," I say with a heavy sigh.