[hr][hr][center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/FKJKRczH/the-gifted-591b350cc9ba7.png[/img][hr][img]https://i.postimg.cc/15rMsG1P/giphy.gif[/img][/center][hr][hr][center][@Nallore][@FantasyChic][@BlueSky44][@Achronum][@Trainerblue192][@KazAlkemi][@Framing A Moose][/center][hr][center][h3][color=f7941d][b]Washington D.C.: September 10th, 2020 - 10:40 AM[/b][/color][/h3][/center][hr][hr]	The preparations were almost finished for the helicopter. Magneto and Polaris were conversing on the balcony, leaving Emma alone in the main room of the penthouse. She closed her eyes as she took a sip of her martini, dreading this conversation but it had to be done. She could not allow the power vacuum to be filled by another. [i][color=E0F6FD]"Nathaniel.... Do you have a moment?"[/color][/i] Emma Frost whispered into the mind of Mr. Sinister - Shaw's partner in the genetic research that produced the Hounds. 

	[i][color=8E6BB3]"Of course Ms. Frost, though make it quick, there are a few things that I need to take care of."[/color]

	[color=E0F6FD]"It’s Lord Imperial now, actually - I am afraid Sebastian Shaw is no longer with us."[/color][/i] She smirked slightly, rather pleased of that. She had anticipated needing the Mutant Underground to take care of Sebastian Shaw, but the surprise recruitment of Polaris and Jinx's unforeseen cooperation helped matters greatly. 

	[i][color=8E6BB3]"I see... That is most unfortunate."[/color]

	[color=E0F6FD]"Indeed. I understand that you and Sebastian had a certain... arrangement. I believe we may be able to come to an accord of our own, beneficial to all parties."[/color]

	[color=8E6BB3]"Oh? And might I ask what it is that you are thinking about with that?"[/color][/i]

	She frowned slightly, not wanting to play games. [i][color=E0F6FD]"Your pet monsters,  Nathaniel."[/color]

	[color=8E6BB3]"I see. What sort of arrangement were you potentially thinking of Ms. Frost?"[/color]

	[color=E0F6FD]"Oh, your research and access to the Hounds... as well as your loyalty. And what would you desire in return?"[/color][/i] She already knew what he would ask for - a seat at the table. 

	[i][color=8E6BB3]"That is a lot to ask for... However, a position of power that would allow me to continue my research of course would help me immensely.  As my research does on occasion as I'm sure you know, require less then willing volunteers. A position of power would allow me to obtain more volunteers and the like. That is my request."[/color]

	[color=E0F6FD]"...You do understand how unusual it would be to have a human in the Inner Circle. Of course there was Leland so it would not be without precedent... Very well. The most I can offer to someone of your lesser genetics would be the position of Black Rook."[/color]

	[color=8E6BB3]"I understand that it is more than a bit strange, however it would likely be beneficial to both of us to have myself be there. You'd have another member of the circle who is loyal to you and would aid you, and I would be able to continue my research which you seem to want. I agree to those terms Ms. Frost."[/color][/i]

	Her thoughts then turned to another important matter - her niece. Sage had alerted her to the fact that Leighton had gone missing and it hadn't taken Emma too long to discover the reason why - she was a mutant like her dear aunt and had the poor sense to become mixed up with the Mutant Underground. [i][color=E0F6FD]"Excellent, Nathaniel. Now as a demonstration of your loyalty, I understand that my niece has wandered into your complex. She’s terribly confused, mixed up with the wrong sort... Bring her to me, darling."[/color]

	[color=8E6BB3]"Ah, she I believe is one of those who are nosing about my operations, of course, I'd be more than happy to send her your way."[/color]

	[color=E0F6FD]"Yes, though I would not be too alarmed - the Mutant Underground is hardly a force to be concerned of."[/color][/i] They were just pawns.

	[i][color=8E6BB3]"No, certainly not. I have kept an eye on their operations a bit myself as of late, as my own son seems to be hanging around with them, I have been curious as to what they have been up to. They are more of just a walking disaster it seems to me."[/color]

	[color=E0F6FD]"I have designs for them - leave them alive. Beyond that, I am flexible."[/color]

	[color=8E6BB3]"Of course, besides, killing them would be such a shame. There are better things to do than that."[/color]

	[color=E0F6FD]"I am afraid I have to go, Nathaniel - I imagine I will see you soon. Farewell."[/color]

	[color=8E6BB3]"Farewell Ms. Frost, it has been a pleasure doing business with you."[/color][/i]

	Emma opened her eyes again, rising from the couch as she fixed her hair slightly. The flight to Genosha would be comfortable and a small part of her was giddy. Reeva was already on site and Emma could not wait to go see their beloved island in person. It would only be a few months before everything was ready - before the Mutant Homeland could come out of the shadows and move into the light. [hr][center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/WpKJC0mt/image.png[/img][/center][hr][color=f7941d][b]The Amtrak Station...[/b][/color]

	David stepped out of the cage, stretching his neck slightly. He couldn't stretch his arms or legs due to the massive restraints on him - it was all he could do to keep on walking. "Now, if you vould not mind, my bonds," he then added, looking at Anastasia and Jinx. Those two will want to hurry up and free David's sister as well, and rendez-vous with the Three in One. Releasing all of the mutants would be a good idea, as it would help to cover their tracks when the authorities find the massacred staff members. [hr][center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/5yqyXQGW/image.png[/img][/center][hr][color=f7941d][b]JFK Memorial Hospital - Gift Shop...[/b][/color]

	Casper had followed James and Sapphire to the stairs, quickly running down flight after flight until they emerged onto the first floor. The gift shop was just across the way from where they had come out, meaning that they had an excellent view of Colossus and Vulcan's fight. [color=DBA1DE]"I think your idea of knocking him out from behind might work well,"[/color] he whispered, not wanting to draw Vulcan's attention. 

	[i]"I know it's not the time but seriously, leave the drugs Cas..."[/i]

	[color=DBA1DE]"You're right, Ben, it's not the time."[/color] Casper saw Waverley and Moonwalker dash out of the gift shop and he tried his best to wave them over, hoping that they could get the entire gang reunited. He didn't know how Vulcan had gotten there so quickly, but he doubted that the villain would just answer that question if they asked. 

	Vulcan sent blast after blast at Colossus, laughing giddily as he kicked the metal mutant around. The fight seemed to be definitely over in Vulcan's favor, given the unchecked power that he was radiating. Each time Colossus managed to get a hit in, Vulcan would send off at least three energy blasts. They would need to do something soon or they may need to bury Colossus the next day. 

[color=f7941d][b]The Cherry Bomb - Basement...[/b][/color]

	Veil raised an eyebrow as Leighton mentioned the unconscious bartender down here - at least they hadn't killed him. She supposed that was going to be a little victory for their newest recruits, though Leighton at the very least was growing on her. Max she wasn't too certain about just yet. [color=935DB8]"Alright, let's not have you use your empathic powers when we have Hounds in the field,"[/color] Veil decided, looking over at Spark Plug sympathetically. Between Max and Leighton's ponchos, and Spark Plug's electricity crackling in her hands, it was essentially low lighting conditions down in the basement. She could make out the features of her friend's face. 

	Sunshine was still holding her head and she couldn't help but snicker. [color=#DAF7A6]"I can't believe your first idea was to make stupid fucking ponchos,"[/color] she chastised Max. [color=#DAF7A6]"Maybe your superhero name should be Captain Impractical,"[/color] Sunshine then added. The private investigator had pulled out his phone and put it on flashlight mode, helping to illuminate the darkness of the basement. She was able to make out features now and she could see a wall of bookshelves on the far side of the basement, with the bartender knocked out by the stairs. 

	Havok was at the top of the stairs with Glimpse and he squinted on down. Luckily the door was open, since otherwise they wouldn't have been able to see anyone. [color=FAFD95]"Everyone okay?"[/color] Havok asked. [color=FAFD95]"Anyone need mouth to mouth?"[/color] he then added with a slight smirk, bringing some levity to the situation. 

	Sunshine pretended to gag. [color=#DAF7A6]"Gross...."[/color] she muttered, shaking her head. 

	[color=935DB8]"Havok, Glimpse, come down here please,"[/color] Veil called up. She knew that it was strategic to have someone up there to cover their escape if they needed it, but she wanted everyone in one place so that way they could regroup and figure out what was so important about this basement. They needed to figure out what to do with Nightcrawler as well - she figured that calling Xavier was likely on the agenda. She didn't know how to treat someone with his condition, they barely knew how to help Magik, but Xavier would have the medical facilities to treat Nightcrawler.

	Havok came down the stairs, pulling out his phone and setting it to flashlight mode as well, illuminating the faces of his fellow mutants. [color=FAFD95]"...So, what happened?"[/color] he asked.

	[color=935DB8]"Spark Plug and I came down here shortly after Leighton and Max,"[/color] Veil explained. [color=935DB8]"This place is definitely connected to the Hounds - poor Nightcrawler here must have been turned into one. He attacked us."[/color] She then looked over towards Leighton and Max, waiting for those two to elaborate if they could at all. The more information they had, the better.

	Meanwhile, Sunshine was making her way over towards the far side of the room, squinting. She could barely read, so she wasn't there for books. [color=#DAF7A6]"In movies, these things usually are secret doors or something..."[/color] she pointed out, before she started grabbing books at random and pulling them off the shelf. After the fifth book she pulled, there was a [i]click[/i] and the bookshelves parted to reveal an elevator. [color=#DAF7A6]"...Cool."[/color]