Monday

She was incredibly bored.

She had to attend these stupid basic classes with everyone and she couldn't even participate in half of them!

And Mystique didn't care to participate in the others either. In sign language she'd just made rude gestures and in first-aid she'd strangled the cpr dummy. It was the first thing she'd been able to attack aggressively as it didn't register as an attack on a person. Granted the AI corrected that oversight quickly but it had felt good while that had lasted.

All the sessions had taken extra long too for the evaluations.

Worse Baroness, Demona and two of the maids passed with flying colors! They'd only have to attend sign language and it was an elective. Some of the others passed the other tests as we so they only had to attend other classes.

But for her the day was beyond tedious.

And now she and several of the others were staying a "support group".

"Pathetic." She said.

That little pink haired troll girl changed to look like her again and was copying her movements and mannerisms exaggeratedly. Mocking her! Taunting her! She was trying to keep calm. Someday she'd-

The pain made her cry out as she fell to the floor. The others simply shook their heads at her.

She got it. She messed up. She'd been the one to break the rules. He'd made an example of her. For all of them.

"What he did to me told the "bad" ones what to expect if they crossed him. What he did to me showed the "good" ones he'd protect them. He used me to **** them to start picking a side."

"Do you really think so?" a voice said.

Mystique is shocked she hadn't realized she was speaking out loud. She was even more shocked when she looked up at the man standing before her looking a vaguely familiar.

She realized he was helping her up but not with his hands but with his "arms". "Octavius?"

He nodded. "Hello Mystique. Beverage?" One of his metalic appendages was holding a cup for her. She nods.

She's almost to surprised to act. He looks so... different. "You are Otto Octavius?"

He laughs. "One of them apparently. Norman's here too!" He turns to another man by the snack table talking to a large fellow wearing a redsuit and cape. "Norman! Look, it's a Mystique!"

She saw a fellow who vaguely resembled Norman Osborne excuse himself to walk over. "By jove, you're right Otto! She's definitely a Mystique! Hello Mystique. Good to see you! Are you liking 3S and Prime?"

It's definitely a Norman Osborne but he's creepy... his smile, it's not unsettling. "I hate it actually..."

They both look at each other and laugh, "She's new!" followed by Otto saying,"Jinx!" Norman snaps his fingers admitting defeat, "I owe you a soda pop." His eyes gleam only slightly menacingly as he points at Otto, "I'll get you next time!"

Mystique fears that she's gone mad. "What the hell is wrong with you two?!"

Norman looks a little perterbed. "Well that's a fine hello."

Otto tries to calm him down. "Norman, she's new. She's bound to be a bit prickly..."

Norman nods and grumbles. "Yeah, like a cactus." He stops, closes his eyes and takes a deep breath and lets it out. "You're right, Otto. It is good to see you, Mystique. If you'll both excuse me, I'm going to go say "hello" to Mercy. I'll see you around, Mystique." He starts walking towards the punch bowl. "Ms Graves! Can I get you a glass of punch?"

Otto shakes his head. "Forgive him. He's much better now, but like we say here it takes living one day at a time."

Mystique shakes her head. "What happened to you two?"

Otto aips his beverage. "What happened? We were brought here is what happened!" He smiled at her chuckling. "Oh, we hated it too in the beginning. Hot headed fools. It took time but eventually we grew to like it here. Got help dealing with our problems. Were even given back the things that really mattered to us in our lives! Then once our lives were fulfilling again we could start to find our true passion and work fulfilling again! Second chances."

Mystique shakes her head. "You're both so..."

"Different?" Otto laughed. "Because we learned to be happy Mystique... and as you saw with Norman it takes work. That's what these little get togethers are about. Making sure we are working towards that. Not backsliding into who we were, but who we want to be."

She shakes her head. "I... I think I need a moment."

Otto smiles. "Sure, Mystique. Sure. It was good to see you. Stick around and I'll see you again sometime."

She watches him walk over towards Neo, who still looks like her, and Manami. "Hello there! I'm Doctor Otto Octavius. You're not a Mystique too, are you? Oh, I see! That's a neat trick! Are you a mutant as well? What are you two working on that laptop?"

"... and then what did you do?"

"I shot him," said the heavily scarred blonde woman with the cigar shaking her head. "Only in the foot."

"What did Boss do?" Zangief asked.

She smiled around the cigar just a little. "He made me his secretary as punishment detail and told me he had put him in medical a few times himself."

Everyone laughed and nodded. They could see Boss punishing her with a reward assignment. "But I failed to make use of the steps, to recognize my "triggers" and warnings. My boss, the "Boss", said he could understand and everyone felt that way... but I was the only one that reacted that way. I made the mistake. So I decided for myself it was time to come back to Villain-anon."

"Thank you for sharing that with us, Balalaika," said the skeletal looking man. "And that's what Villain-anon is about. We're here to support each other, help each other in getting through "one day at a time", and even if someone doesn't attend regularly they can always come back at anytime."

"Thank you, Steven, everyone," she said and everyone clapped as she took her seat again.

Norman Osborne raised his hand. "You have something to share, Norman?"

"I do," he said standing up and facing the room. "Many of you know me, Otto and I attend regularly, I'm Norman Osborne."

"Hello, Norman," said a chorus of voices.

He smiled. "Even with the treatments I have received, my inner "Goblin" doesn't just go away, it's not the real problem. I am. Through acceptance of that, I can move forward. I find my life here rewarding and fulfilling and enriching... but everyday I have "moments". Today, when you stomped past my lab Bruce you jostled my experiments and I wanted to bomb you in the face," he said to the giant green man with a menacing smile, "earlier when I lost our little game with Otto and Mystique was being "prickly", I thought about breaking my cup and shanking her in the throat and giving it a sweet little twist because she's weak."

Everyone nods and he smiled a little less crazily. "But both times I took a deep breath, thought about what was actually important to me and what I wanted. Neither of those actions would have helped me in my goals. They'd actually just get in the way. They wouldn't help me build on the happiness I have found. They'd actually make it harder. I let it go because it wasn't important nor helpful. Everyday is like that for me... but accepting that, being honest with myself about myself and what I actually want and value, is how I get through. One day at a time."

Everybody claps. "Nice share, Norman!"

"Thank you," he says retaking his seat.

Zangief stood up. "With that said I was going to wait until later but I think it's good time, yes? Norman is actually one of our longest Villain-anon members and it is his anniversary this week. So after each session we will be having pie for anyone who stay this week!"

Everyone claps and cheers and those closest to Norman are patting him on the back and shaking his hand. "Aw shucks. You all didn't have to do that!" His eyes light up though. "I do like pie. What kind?"

Everyone looks at him as Zangief predictably reveals, "pumpkin. Ralph and I burnt them ourselves."

Norman Osborne pauses and then laughs and laughs with everyone joining in.

"Would anyone else like to share? Perhaps some of our newer faces or non 3S members?"

A Classic Harley Quinn reveals how she actually gets along with her owner pretty well but everytime she catches him looking at the newer "Harleys" just like the meme, she wants to start swinging her hammer.

An Ursa talks about how she's starting to accept Prime and life here... but still has homicidal urges to kill men. Especially when she sees any of the "Supermen".

An Anakin talks about how he's happy with how his mistress treats him... but going out and seeing Padmes with their new owners, constantly getting ribbed about "younglings", even earlier passing an Obi-Wan in the halls on his way to this meeting. The anger is hard to control.

Nobody judges them, here. Whether they're doing good or not. It's a safe space to share. Infact everyone asks them what it is they really want for themselves. Harley just wants to be loved. Ursa wants to be good at and appreciated at her new job. Anakin wants to enjoy his new life. The Villain-anon regulars tell them that's what is most important. Being open and honest about themselves, then deciding what course will take them there to their goals. Do they want to stay "as they are"? Do they want to "make a change"? Do they want to "accept themselves"? They share about their experiences with therapy and councilors and "treatments". Nobody judges. No one is **** to talk about their problems or pasts. That's not the groups purpose. It's just a safe space to talk and share, or not, if they're doing "good" or "bad" and get support.

"Anyone else?"

Neo surprised herself and raised her hand. She texted and Manami used her laptop to put it up on a monitor. [Hello. I'm Neopolitan.] She waves as she walks towards the front.

"Hi Neopolitan," a chorus of voices greet her.

[I genuinely have begun to enjoy my life for the first time in a long time. My owner has become not only a great friend and partner but someone who I know loves me.]

There's a lot of positive responses from the group.

[It's a large group of us. I find I have become not only one of his favorites but his "left hand" and the "bad girl" in our group. He's too kind with some of them. They cause trouble but he barely punishes them. Lately one of my duties is to recover the "escapees" that are returned tied up each morning.] She smirks. [ I enjoy my morning coffee with them as my tied up footstools XD ]

This gets some frowns from four faces in the room but more laughs from the others. "Classic!" Says the Harley in the audience.

Neo grins. [Mostly it's harmless pranks and teasing... but one of them broke the few rules and ruined the fun for awhile :( ]

She shakes her head. [When I see her like that, I get so angry! I want to bash her skull in! >:( ]

"What do you do?" Norman asked.

She takes a deep breath. [I try to remember what's important. Walter is important. The happiness the others and I have started to find is... it's hard sometimes to let it go but that anger won't help any of that. Only hurt it. I'm sorry I'm still angry with you, Mystique. I'll keep trying to let it go. It's not important.]

Mystique is surprised and so are the others. Many of the Villain-anon members though are smiling and nodding. "That's what you want for yourself?" Asked a Catwoman.

Neo nodded and placed her hand over her heart. [It is. "I" want to be happy and I want them to be happy too. My anger won't help that so I'm trying to let it go... but I'm still me and I will tease them about it! ;) ] She grinned.

There's a lot of laughs but also nods and clapping. "Nice share, Neopolitan!", "Thank you, Neopolitan," and Bruce looks at Norman who nods and says, "A bunch of us share anger management tips. Talk to us after if you'd like."

Neo blushes but smiles and bows to the group. Walt might have been right. This was an interesting group!

"Alright, anyone else? No? OK, before we wrap things up with affirmations and then Pie a couple of quick reminders for everyone and new members. Our next meeting is at the community center as usual and then back here again as previously discussed on a rotating basis. At the end of the month we'll be having a picnic in the park. 3S will be providing security as it's a Protected Park so please leave any explosives, disintegration beams, doomsday weapons, etc at home. We don't need a repeat of last year. Alright, great meeting everyone! Let's close it out and have some pie!"

"Did you mean what you said?"

Neo rolled her eyes at Mystique and nodded. She looked at her pie. Was this important enough to Interrupt that?

Mystique shook her head and walked off. Good. She took another bite. Sure enough the pie was burnt but still pretty good!

She looked around. Pirotess and Demona were chatting with the Lich. Anastasia was talking with the Ursa. Manami was showing Harley something. Sienna was talking to the Cat lady.

"This pie doesn't look that great but is actually pretty good," Norman said. Otto and Bruce both nodded. They'd sat with her. They didn't say much as they all ate. Quick introduction and invite to their anger management chat group. But the solidarity was nice. Reassuring that she'd made the right decision to speak up.

She decided she'd come back again.

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Raven Manami Aiba also with Tsuyu Asui Haruhime Sanjouno The Baroness Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress and Serana

Will Return In

Monday pt 2

Coming Soon]