Third Wish: volume Two

episode 28: the orphan

The Gathering

The dimly lit room, adorned with luxurious draperies and ancient artifacts, cast eerie shadows on the walls. A long, wooden table occupied the center, surrounded by 11 gracefully carved chairs. At the head of the table sat Agatha, the leader of the villains, her piercing gaze commanding the attention of all present.

Agatha was an elderly woman, dressed in an exquisite blue gown that billowed around her as if it had a life of its own. Her face was obscured by a glass mask, leaving only her eyes visible - eyes that held the wisdom of decades and the ruthlessness necessary to maintain her iron grip on the organization. Despite her age, she held herself with the poise and grace of a dancer, her every movement deliberate and regal.

As the hushed whispers of her subordinates died down, Agatha cleared her throat and addressed the room. "Let us begin. Pluto my indigo flower, I trust you have an update on your current assignment?"

Pluto, a tall, slender man with a predatorial smile, inclined his head. "Yes, my lady. I am still working on it, but I assure you, the heroes will soon suffer."

Agatha's eyes narrowed, and her voice took on a sharp edge. "And what of Nessa? She was a valuable asset to our cause, and yet you allowed her to die at the hands of our enemies."

Pluto's smile faded, replaced by a solemn expression. "Nessa's sacrifice was necessary, my lady. Her death will serve to strengthen our resolve and remind us of the stakes at play."

Agatha leaned back in her chair, her eyes never leaving Pluto's face. "Your downfall, Pluto, has always been your inability to take care of jobs quickly. You have a penchant for playing with your prey before delivering the final blow, and that has cost us dearly in the past."

Pluto's jaw clenched, but he held Agatha's gaze. "I understand, my lady. I promise you, from this day forward, I will be more efficient in disposing of our enemies."

Agatha studied him for a moment before nodding. "Very well. Let us hope for your sake that you can keep that promise. Now, let us continue with our plans. Together, we shall bring the world to its knees, and none shall stand in our way."

As the discussion continued, Agatha's attention shifted to another member of the group - a woman named Ingrid. Ingrid was a tall, imposing figure, with a sharp mind and a quicker blade. She had been Agatha's right-hand for years, and the two shared an unspoken understanding.

"Ingrid," Agatha said, her voice calm but commanding. "I need you and Marco to continue your search for the golden pocket watch in Cinnabar City. This is a priority, and I expect results soon."

Ingrid nodded, her eyes gleaming with a determination that matched Agatha's own. "Consider it done, my lady. Marco and I will not fail you."

Agatha inclined her head in acknowledgement. "Good. And remember, time is of the essence. We cannot afford any mistakes."

As the meeting drew to a close, Agatha rose from her seat, her gaze sweeping over the assembled group. "Remember, our number one priority at this time is making sure that Atlas Spark wins the election for Bishop. If we have control of the election, we have control of all of Cinnabar City in the future. Understood?"

The group nodded, their expressions eager and hungry for power. Agatha smiled behind her mask, pleased with their dedication. "Very well. Let us continue our work, and remember - we are the shadows of the night, the ones who strike when others are afraid to move. We will not be stopped, and we will not be defeated."

As the other villains filed out of the meeting chamber, Agatha remained behind with a young vampire named Mordecai. Despite his youth, Mordecai was a high-ranking member of the Spyders, and Agatha trusted him implicitly.