Chapter Text
She'd been studying the Anarchists since she was twelve. For years, she'd searched through every Renegade database, sneaking looks when the tour guide's back was turned. For years she'd been planning for this moment, the moment when she would become one of them.
She'd expected the Anarchists to reject her. What she didn't expect was the gun pointed at her face.
Lily looked up into the masked face of Nightmare. The mysterious new supervillain had recently tried to assassinate Captain Chromium at the Renegades parade. Lily hadn't been at the parade, but she'd heard the news. All of Gatlon City was talking about the attack.
Nightmare looked a lot smaller in person, probably only a few years older than her. Her aim never wavered as she pointed the gun at Lily.
She put her hands up. "Please don't shoot. I'm not your enemy." Her voice shook. This hadn't been part of the plan.
Nightmare glared at her. "Who are you? What do you want?"
She took a deep breath, remembering what she'd rehearsed. "My name is Mind's Eye, and I want to join you. I can help you destroy the Renegades."
She looked at the other Anarchists, trying to see their reactions. She recognised Queen Bee, Cyanide, The Detonator, and - a chill went up her her spine - Phobia. Though all of the Anarchists interesting her, she had always thought Phobia was the most intriguing. And the most terrifying. Maybe because there was so little information known about him. Or maybe because she hid a dark fear of her own.
She looked away. None of the Anarchists had seemed impressed. They had seemed quite bored, in fact.
Queen Bee yawned. "Seriously? First that Sentinel, and now an amateur trying to join us?" She looked at Lily. "You do know who we are, right? We're Anarchists, not girl scouts."
Lily frowned. "I know exactly who you are."
She focused on Nightmare's face, willing her power to flow through her mind.
She saw Nova Artino, a teenage girl determined to destroy the Renegades. She saw Ace Anarchy, the world's the most notorious supervillain, dying in the ruins of a cathedral. She saw a boy with dark brown skin and thick-rimmed glasses draw the clasp on a broken bracelet. She saw a family. She heard gunshots-
She closed her eyes. These memories weren't hers to see.
When she opened her eyes, the visions were gone. But she already had what she needed.
She stepped closer, trying to ignore the gun. "I know exactly who you are, Nova Artino."
Nightmare - Nova - gasped and stepped back.
"I can see everything. All your darkest secrets," she continued. "You know why? Because my power is mind reading."
Nova growled. "Stay out of my head."
"Well, this is unfortunate," said Queen Bee. Lily looked up and realised that there was a cloud of bees above Queen Bee's head. She gulped and stepped back.
She was deathly allergic to bees.
"Would you like to do the honours, Nova?" Queen Bee continued.
Nova turned around. "What?"
"Would you like to kill her, or should I?" she smiled at a large, fuzzy bee that was crawling on her arm. "My bees have been so miserable lately. I'm sure they'd love some excersize."
"Wait," Lily choked out. "I won't hurt you. I want to use my powers to help you."
"And why should we trust you, dear?"
"Just think how much information I could gather. I read the minds of the Council themselves and tell you all their secrets. Yeah, maybe you can't trust me. But don't you think it's worth the risk?"
"You know, she has a point," said Cyanide. "She could be a powerful ally."
Nova turned to look at him. "I don't know. A mind reader on the team... wouldn't that be kind of weird?"
"I don't read the minds of my allies unless they're okay with it," she said quickly. She'd decided on this rule when she was younger. She hadn't had any allies - let alone friends - but the rule had seemed fair.
"I don't trust her, but we do need more people on the team." said The Detonator.
The Anarchists exchanged looks, and she hoped they were considering it.
After what seemed like an eternity, Nova lowered the gun.
"Fine, I guess you can join us. But don't try anything sneaky, okay? And don't reveal my identity."
Lily grinned. "Don't worry. I'll keep your secrets."
"By the way, your outfit is horrendous, darling," said Queen Bee.
"Hey, that's mean. I'm your teammate now."
She'd worked hard on her costume, though it was nowhere near as sleek as Nightmare's. Lily's costume consisted of tight black jeans, a black shirt and a long black cape that connected to a high collar, like a vampire in an old movie. The only spot of colour on her clothes was a bright purple eye in the middle of her chest - her logo. Purple nail polish completed the outfit. Sure, it wasn't the best, but she was proud of it . Lily wasn't a very talented seamstress.
Queen Bee raised a penciled eyebrow. "Just because we're teammates doesn't mean you're not in serious need of a makeover."
Nova sighed. "Ignore her, Mind's Eye."
"Um, it's Lily, actually."
Nova took off the metal mask and smiled.
“Welcome to the Anarchists, Lily."