Masters the Mathers family

"Wait," the young girl beside him said uneasily. Her eyes were glowing. "She's gonna…"

I switched Heartbreaker's powers on.

All three of them stared at me, and then I felt the pressure of Valefor's control slip away as he stared at me.

Both men stood up from their chairs.

"I… I'm not sure what came over me. I'd never try to hurt… you. Can you tell me your name?"

"I'm here to talk to Mama," I said.

"Of course," the boy said. He turned, and a moment later he was driven to his knees.

***

It took me longer to digest her than it did to destroy her shard. During that time the others had come to the basement and they'd all stared at me until I rose.

"I'm going to take a look at you boys and girls," I said. "And then I want you to do something for me."

"Anything," they said. They fell to their knees before me, unpowered and powered members alike.

***

I let love and adoration flow from me to them, and I could feel any doubts wash away. They worshiped me; I was their Madonna, their Saint, whatever their cult thought of as a paragon, and they would go to the gates of hell to follow me.

***

Forgiveness