Marvel: Sin Lord

The day started like any other, but Emma Frost's announcement during breakfast caught the Hellions by surprise.

"Today, we're expecting a guest," she said, her tone sharp and commanding as ever. "A young mutant named Doug Ramsey. He's unaffiliated, but his abilities are remarkable. I intend to recruit him into the academy."

The Hellions exchanged glances. Inarius leaned back in his chair, already feeling wary. Emma's tone carried that edge, the one that signaled she was playing chess while everyone else was playing checkers.

"And what's so special about this Doug kid?" Empath asked with a smirk.

Emma's gaze turned icy. "He has the ability to understand and translate any language—spoken, written, or coded. A talent like that is invaluable."

Doug arrived around midday, accompanied by Kitty Pryde. Unlike Doug, who seemed hesitant and overwhelmed, Kitty moved with purpose, her sharp eyes scanning every corner of the room as if assessing for threats.

Emma greeted them with her usual charm, her telepathic presence wrapping around them like silk. "Doug, Kitty, welcome to the Massachusetts Academy. I'm delighted you've come."

Doug nodded awkwardly, his hands stuffed in his pockets. Kitty remained silent, her expression cool and guarded.

Emma led them to her office, the Hellions watching from a distance. "She's got her claws out for this one," Roulette murmured to Inarius.

"She always does," he replied, though his attention lingered on Doug. Something about the kid seemed... unprepared. Vulnerable.

Doug Ramsey sat in Emma Frost's lavish office, his fingers fidgeting with the seam of his sleeve. Across from him, Emma reclined in her chair, exuding an air of effortless control. Kitty Pryde stood beside Doug, her arms crossed and her gaze sharp, clearly unimpressed by the grandeur of the Massachusetts Academy.

"Doug," Emma said smoothly, "your talents are extraordinary. You could achieve so much here, far beyond what the world outside can offer."

Doug hesitated. "I appreciate what you're saying, Miss Frost, but I'm not sure—"

"He's not staying," Kitty interrupted firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "We've seen enough. Let's go."

Emma's expression didn't falter, though her eyes glinted with something colder. "I'm afraid I can't let that happen."

Before Kitty could react, a sharp telepathic wave hit her, making her stumble. Doug flinched, his body freezing as Emma's mental influence locked him in place.

"Empath," Emma said, her voice calm but commanding.

Empath stepped into the room, a smirk playing on his lips as he unleashed his power. A wave of manipulated emotions rolled over Doug and Kitty, confusion and calmness dulling their resistance.

"W-what are you doing?" Doug stammered, struggling against the haze clouding his mind.

Kitty clenched her fists, shaking off the initial wave. "You think this'll stop me?" she snarled, her body phasing partially through the floor as she prepared to escape.

Inarius appeared in the doorway, blocking her path. "Don't," he said quietly, his expression unreadable.

"Inarius, move!" Kitty snapped.

He hesitated, glancing between her and Emma. "I don't like this," he muttered, his voice low enough that only Kitty could hear. "But I'm not crossing her."

Kitty glared at him, then lunged forward, trying to phase through him. Before she could get far, Emma's telepathic grip yanked her back, slamming her into the wall.

"I won't allow you to ruin this," Emma said, her voice icy.

Hours later, Doug and Kitty found themselves in an underground chamber within the academy, their wrists bound by psychic restraints that neutralized their abilities.

Doug sat on the floor, his head in his hands. "Why are they doing this?" he whispered.

Kitty paced the room, testing the limits of her bonds. "Because Emma Frost doesn't take no for an answer," she said bitterly. "Don't worry, Doug. I'll get us out of here."

Inarius stood silently by the door, watching through a small window as the two captives talked. His stomach churned with unease. He didn't agree with Emma's methods, but he also didn't dare speak against her.

Empath appeared beside him, his trademark smirk in place. "Feeling guilty, Sin Lord?"

Inarius shot him a glare. "This isn't right."

Empath shrugged. "Maybe not. But it's effective. Emma always gets what she wants."

As Empath walked away, Inarius remained by the window, his mind racing. Something about Doug and Kitty's situation gnawed at him, a feeling he couldn't ignore.

Back in her office, Emma sat calmly, sipping a glass of wine as she reviewed the day's events.

"They'll come around," she said to herself, a faint smile on her lips.

But even she knew that breaking two strong-willed mutants wouldn't be easy. And as the academy's shadows grew longer, the question lingered: how far was she willing to go to ensure their loyalty?