A Level Four mutant isn't something you see everywhere, like cabbages growing in a field.
The fact that Longshot showed up was already strange enough—how could more and more powerful unknown mutants keep appearing out of nowhere?
The X-Men had been gathering newly awakened mutants for years, but most were rookies. It was rare for them to find even a Level Three, let alone a Level Four.
Sensing Ororo's doubt, Sage added, "It's true. He was personally brought in by Juggernaut and Psylocke. At the year-end gathering, Longshot openly challenged him, but in the end Longshot lost."
Hearing that, Ororo had no choice but to accept the truth. While amazed, she asked,
"Then what's the background of this Black Bishop? Did you find out anything?"
"He can control magma, isn't afraid of normal physical attacks, and has wide-range destructive power. Costa gave him the code name 'Magma Tyrant.' Honestly, it fits pretty well…" Sage explained.
There was no need to explain who Costa was.
He was the only ordinary human in the Hellfire Club, yet his status was higher than Sage's, making him impossible to ignore.
The X-Men once tried to recruit Costa's son, Sunspot, but since Costa refused, they failed. Who would have thought the Hellfire Club would go another route—bringing in Costa himself, and through him, also his son—stunning many people.
After that, Sage told Ororo what little public information they had on Raymond: his name, his identity, and rumors of possible schizophrenia.
"'Magma Tyrant' Raymond… stronger than Longshot?" Ororo muttered, repeating the words to herself.
Watching Ororo fall into deep thought, Sage actually felt uneasy.
Because, without even realizing why, she had not told Ororo the whole truth. What she shared about Raymond was only surface-level information.
She knew that with the X-Men's intel network, they could easily find out those details themselves.
The Hellfire Club, after all, was not a fortress of absolute secrecy. Aside from a few top secrets, most things couldn't be hidden forever.
In fact, no large organization could hide everything—not even the X-Men.
Raymond's fight with Longshot had been witnessed by many, and news like that could never be kept under wraps.
It would quickly turn into gossip and spread around, making it easy for outsiders to find out.
So the intel Sage had shared wasn't really that valuable.
The truly important piece of information for the X-Men was actually about Professor, the man who had appeared alongside Raymond. (TL/N: I would refer to Raymond's sub personality Professor X as 'Professor', while the same OG Professor X will be called the same.)
Professor had made his stance clear to Sage: he would guide mutants in his own way. That meant he was bound to oppose Professor X, and conflict was inevitable.
The result of a clash of ideals? One only had to look at Professor X and his old friend Magneto.
When the time came, Professor might be an even bigger problem for the X-Men than the Brotherhood, because no one knew Professor X better than he did.
Sage should have told Ororo about this so she and the others could prepare.
But she stayed silent.
Whatever her reasons, her silence was already a kind of choice.
"Is there a way to approach him?" Ororo finally asked after a pause.
"Of course there is. Our dear Tessa has plenty of charm…"
A cold, mocking voice cut in suddenly, startling both Sage and Ororo.
Neither had expected someone else to show up now.
"Costa?"
The moment Sage heard the voice, her face changed drastically.
Costa showing up here, without warning her first, could only mean trouble.
Sure enough, right after Costa spoke, he walked out from the end of the corridor.
With him were his son Sunspot, White Queen Emma, and the White Rook, Gambit.
Seeing these people suddenly appear, Sage and Ororo both realized things had taken a turn for the worse.
It was obvious this wasn't some coincidence. Most likely, they had already suspected Sage, and now they were showing up just to catch her red-handed.
"Would Miss Tessa care to explain?" Costa asked, his smile sharp and humorless.
"Explain? Explain what?" Sage replied in a deep voice.
"Why the X-Men are in your home, of course." Costa said as if it were obvious. "You don't think we wouldn't recognize Storm, do you?"
"Yes, Ororo is an X-Man, but she's also my friend. Since when has the Club forbidden friendship with the X-Men?" Sage countered.
"Friend?"
Costa chuckled dryly. "It's true, there's no such rule. If you and Storm are really just personal friends, then fine…"
"But do you really think such an excuse will convince anyone right now?"
"You know the Club's history as well as anyone. No one casually suspects a core member unless there's a reason. Once suspicion falls, it is never baseless. My personal advice, Miss Tessa, is not to gamble with luck."
"If you admit your mistake and show the will to correct it, I can swear on my reputation to help win the others' forgiveness. You'll still be one of us."
"But if you refuse to cooperate… you already know how the Club handles such things."
Sage's face darkened, her tone cold. "I told you—Ororo is my friend. If you don't believe me, that's your problem. But now, leave my home."
Costa tilted his head toward Emma Frost, shrugged, and said nothing more.
At that, Emma finally spoke in her usual icy tone:
"You have two choices. Let me thoroughly examine your memories, and if we find nothing, we will compensate you to make up for the insult…"
"Or resist us to the end."
"The choice is yours. You have one minute to decide."
Her words left no room for doubt. Unlike Costa's half-polite approach, Emma didn't bother with courtesy.
Clearly, they had already decided Sage was guilty. Nothing she said would change their minds.
Sage herself knew this too—rules didn't matter anymore. And the truth was, she was guilty.
If she were only friends with Ororo, she could simply let Emma check her mind without fear.
But from the very beginning, she had joined the Hellfire Club on a mission.
That alone crossed a line.
The Club, though loose in structure and lacking a clear united purpose, absolutely could not tolerate infiltrators—especially hostile ones planted from the start.
Sage had been sent by Professor X, and everyone knew how bad things were between Professor X and Juggernaut.
Professor X had placed her here to prepare for the day he and his brother clashed.
How could Sage possibly let Emma dive into her memories?
She knew the outcome would only be a complete fallout.
She glanced at Ororo, whose face was equally grim and tense.
"If we fight, I'll hold them off as best I can. You run," Ororo whispered.
Hearing that, Sage felt a bitter twist in her chest.
She knew Ororo truly meant to fight alone, to buy her time to escape.
But she also knew Ororo could never hold them.
Even though Ororo was now a Level Four mutant and among the top three in the X-Men's power rankings, facing this group alone was hopeless.
The White Rook was already her equal, if not stronger.
Emma Frost was much stronger.
Add in Sunspot, whose strength was close to Level Four as well, and Ororo wouldn't last even a minute.
Could she escape in just one minute?
Sage knew her own limits. Against a normal human like Costa, sure, she could win—but once a real fight broke out, she was useless.
What should I do… She clenched her fists tightly.
Every passing second made the air heavier, the tension sharper, the room charged like a powder keg ready to explode.
Gambit's hands now held a deck of special metal cards, spinning and flicking between his fingers. Sage knew him too well—he wasn't just playing. He was already charging those cards with deadly energy. If fighting broke out, they'd become lethal weapons.
Costa had already taken a step back, letting his son Sunspot move in front of him as a shield.
The boy looked only sixteen or seventeen, yet his face burned with excitement, his body practically trembling with eagerness.
Sage understood. The kid had long wanted to test himself against mutants outside the Club. Costa must have brought him here deliberately, hoping to give him that chance.
In the past, Sage might have found the father and son amusing, maybe even teased them. But not now. They stood as enemies, and she had no room for jokes.
"Ten!"
Emma Frost began the countdown.
Sage's heart sank heavily.
"Nine, eight, seven…"
Ororo's hands were already spreading, the air in the room beginning to whip and churn with gathering winds.
Across from them, flames of dark gold flared up around Sunspot's body, his excitement impossible to hide.
Gambit's fingers flicked faster, cards spinning dangerously—but otherwise he kept calm, patient, steady.
"Wait!"
Suddenly, Sage raised her brows and said to Emma, "I'll let you check. But if I truly have no problem, you'll owe both me and my friend an apology."
Costa was the first to frown. This was his interrogation, and he was certain Sage was hiding something. By his logic, she'd never allow Emma to probe her mind—because once the truth was uncovered, it would mean open war.
Her earlier refusal fit his expectations perfectly. But now, she'd abruptly agreed?
That wasn't part of the script.
Even Ororo was startled. "Tessa, don't do this!" she whispered.
"It's fine." Sage shook her head, giving her a reassuring glance.
Emma paused, glancing back at Costa and Gambit for their thoughts.
Costa only shrugged.
Gambit, more cautious, asked in a low voice, "Could Professor X's power shield her thoughts from you?"
Emma shook her head slightly. "His psychic strength is greater than mine, yes—but not to that degree. If he tried any trick, I'd notice."
"Then no problem," Gambit replied, satisfied.
Emma turned back to Sage. "Very well. If nothing is found, we'll apologize sincerely."
"Then… do it." Sage closed her eyes.
Emma also shut hers, reaching into Sage's mind.
The tension didn't fade. Ororo stood ready to unleash a storm the instant Sage resisted. Sunspot's flames roared brighter, and Gambit's cards spun like blades—everybody wound tight, waiting for a spark.
Minutes passed.
Sage was the first to open her eyes.
"Are you alright?" Ororo asked quickly.
"I'm fine," Sage smiled faintly, calming her.
Emma's eyes opened next.
"My apologies. We acted rashly this time."
Her words shocked everyone.
Gambit and Sunspot exchanged stunned glances. Emma Frost didn't apologize lightly. For her to say this meant she had found nothing.
Just as Sage had demanded, the others followed her lead. They too apologized, albeit reluctantly.
"Now. Leave my home," Sage said coldly.
Even with their apologies, her tone was ice.
Emma didn't argue, simply turned and left.
"Sorry, Tessa," Gambit muttered before departing, guilt written across his face.
Sage ignored him.
Costa, however, lingered for a moment, staring deeply into her eyes. He didn't apologize.
His look carried a message: I know you're lying. You can't fool me.
But with Emma declaring her clean, Costa's hands were tied.
The Club could never move against a core member on suspicion alone. If they did, every other core member would rebel. And that would tear the Club apart.