Chapter Text
It was a late night on Hat Island, nothing moved or stirred. Black Hat was in his office making plans as per usual. His claws drummed on the desk as he just stared head on at his office door. What he was looking at was anyone’s guess.
“Do you consider me a mug? I’m aware you’re in here.” He spoke out loud, presumably to nobody. His monstrous voice echoed throughout his office with no response back. A few seconds passed with no change. Black hat’s face soured and his eyebrows furrowed.
Finally, besides the wide-reaching door, a smaller person stepped out of the shadows. Long brunette hair thrown into a ponytail and wearing a poor excuse of a hero outfit, the heroine glared at him, eyes showing no confusion or questioning. Just judgement.
She strutted over to his desk and stood in front of it as if she was trying to size him up. Of course, those sort of tatics wouldn’t work on him of all people, but it was amusing that she’d try.
“Mrs. Knoturnal! I wasn't expecting a washed-up hero at my door. Please, Sit.” Black hat demanded, pointing down as if gesturing a dog.
Knoturnal glanced behind her, no seat to be found. At first, she assumed he wanted her to sit on the ground. But before she could comment on the fact there was no chair a small mass of shadows began to shape into something. It took the shape of an office chair, not very stable looking, but still practical. Knoturnal sat down, smoothed her already smooth skirt, and wheeled the chair forward. “I assume you’re here based on your… somewhat recent popularity?” Black Hat questioned with his words, however, it was clear that in his tone he was already aware of her situation.
“Well, let’s not discuss that, shall we?” She stated, feeling uncomfortable at the whole event being mentioned.
“And, I assume we both know why I’m here. I would like a job here. Preferably as one of your little henchmen.” Knoturnal hinted, hoping it would persuade the man’s mind.
“But of course.” Black hat ‘apologized’ with a sinister smile on his face. “However, I’m in no need of any servants right now. So, I’m sorry to say, but I have to decline your offer.” Black hat responded coldly.
With a snap of his fingers the chair under her disappeared in thin air. She fell and landed safety on her bottom, now with no chair to her name. Wait, that was it? She barely got 2 statements out and he had already made up his mind? He couldn't be serious, could he? She barely got a damn resume out!
“Hold it right there!” Knoturnal said, quickly scrambling to her feet. She slammed her hands down on his desk only to get a disdained look and nothing more. “I need this job. I’m running out of money and also I can be a great asset! I’ve got the ideal skill set for this job!” She pleaded, hoping to convince him to at least take even a shrivel of mercy on her. The last thing she was expecting was to be begging for a low waged job, but here she was about to argue over it.
“Hm.” Black hat hummed, scratching at his chin like he was pondering his response. “Let me think…" A small pause between his words that gave her a glimmer of hope. 1... 2... "No.” He finally said with no hesitation in his voice. He waved his hand dismissively for her to leave like he got a say in shutting her up. Standing up, he walked to his widespread office window, facing his back towards the hero.
“And much luck with your next application. I’m sure they’d accept you as a nearby waiter.” Black hat chuckled, glancing back at her only for a second before staring back out of his window. God she hated that stupid laughter of his. It was already bad enough hearing it in the ads but it was somehow worse in person.
Knoturnal opened her mouth to object but found no words to say. She let out a sigh, turning to leave the office. Her mind scrambled for something whitty, something she hoped would convince him to at least listen to her deal. But nothing came to mind. That was until she stopped dead in front of the office door, hand already on the knob. A small, devious smirk appeared on her face. At that moment she realized she could do what she did best. And that was black mail.
“You know…” She trailed on, letting her words linger in the air for a little while before continuing. “It’s such a shame. I mean, after all, I’d even be able to give you crucial info! Like, about that- oh who was it? Your brother perhaps?” Knoturnal questioned, turning on the balls of her feet to face him. The tone of her voice feigned complete innocence while her intentions were rather the opposite at the moment.
As if on cue she saw the reflection of his face drop into an angry scowl. That was an uncommon sight, even for the people that did know of his existence. People only told myths of him, about him killing anything or anyone that got on his bad side. And here she was, not a pile of guts yet. So she felt like she actually had a winning chance here. An odd silence hung in the air, one that made her shoulders tense. It stayed there for what felt like forever until it was gunned down by Black Hat’s groan of disdain.
“Fine. State your part of the deal.” Black hat rolled his eyes and turned to face her again like nothing had happened. The oddly toothy smile was back on his face just as prior. Knoturnal’s face lit up with excitement from actually getting him to crack, but she quickly fixed it. The last thing she needed to do was actually seem interested in this job.
“Nothing much. It’s pretty simple actually.” She walked towards his desk, hands behind her back in an innocent manner. “Just let me work here as a henchman. Pay and breaks included, 5 years minimum. If I end up a good employee you can rehire me. If not or I just end up hating this job, I can just quit after my time.” There was also the part of if she ended up completing her mission, but that part she kept out of the verbal disclosure. “Deal?” She cocked an eyebrow up, hoping he would just agree and they could cut this whole thing short.
“Not yet, dear. You’re forgetting my part of the deal, are you not?” Black hat leaned forward on his desk, starring daggers at her. The weirdly cyan smile on his face was starting to get to her. She didn’t know if the sharp teeth made her want to knock him in some braces or if it made her uneasy, probably some weird spot in between. She cleared her throat, trying to keep her mind clear of random violent thoughts.
“Yes. How could I forget?” Knoturnal spoke through gritted teeth.
“Pretty simple actually.” Black hat shot her a look resembling smugness as he quoted her own words. “You just need to sign a simple contract. It contains your part of the deal too, don’t worry!” A paper rolled up like a scroll suddenly appeared in his hand. He unraveled it and slid it across the table, a pen appearing magically beside it like it was there the entire time. Knoturnal picked up both the items, trying to see what this whole contract was about before she agreed to anything stupid.
If there had ever been a case about fine print being so fine you couldn’t make it out then this was that time. All the words practically blended together, nothing legiable except for the start that stated ‘By signing this contract I agree-‘ and the end that just read ‘Signature here’. The thought of signing something without knowing what it was made her a little nervous. This was the same man who was known for eating puppies and stealing souls, he didn’t exactly do these without a price.
However, what other choice did she have? Not only was this really the only way she could get money with her record, this was her one chance at revenge on her sister after all. She clicked the pen and signed her signature on the dotted line, trying to not question it anymore in hopes of keeping her anxieties to a minimum. Before she could click the pen again both items disappeared out of her hand in a bright green flame. A small yelp escaped her, but when she went to take a step back, she felt oddly lighter than before. Like a part of her was missing.
“Excellent!” Black hat exclaimed, clasping his hands together. “Now, as our first order of business-“ Black hat’s face dropped to a small scowl. He looked up and down disapprovingly at her. “A change of identity is in order, don’t you think?”