There was a moment of silence after Emma's question that lingered in their air. Maxim didn't move to sit immediately. Instead, he glanced at the interior of the office. The thick velvet curtains, the strategically curated rows of books and art, the chill beneath the polish. Emma Frost's domain was nothing if not precise.
"I'm sure you've noticed that I've been consolidating a-lot of power for the past year, pulling together the scattered pieces of what remains of your people." Maxim said.
"My people?" Emma said with a slightly curious tone.
"Mutants, you don't want me to spell everything out for you, Ms White Queen?" Maxim said and looked directly into Emma's eyes.
Emma sighed and began speaking, "Of course I've recognized Mutants being snapped up across the world, what I don't know is why I'm only hearing this from you now."
"Do I need to tell you whatever I'm doing?" Maxim said and rolled his eyes.
"The reality is I just needed to know whether you were still the Emma Frost who would sell out for the highest bidder when it benefits her,... or the one who once stood with Charles when it mattered."
"So what are you proposing?" Emma said as her jaw tensed slightly, but she tried to remain rather expressionless.
Maxim paused, his voice lowering just slightly, "You've built quite the beautiful fortress here, recruiting any elites you can find, and played you part in that politics theater called the HellFire Club, but I think you know that all of this won't be enough when things get worse."
Emma's icy gaze studied him in silence. Then slowly, she leaned forward, resting her arms on the desk, "And what makes you so sure things are getting worse?"
"Well for one, the Brotherhood is still roaming around untethered with Magneto leading them around, nevermind the fact the governments are getting more bold with their surveillance and experimentation. Do you think they'll allow you to run this place once they find out? Or what if Magneto thinks this place should be under his control?"
Maxim asked and Emma's lips parted slightly, but no words came out as of yet, she just sunk in thoughts.
"But also more importantly," Maxim said, gesturing towards Storm now, who met Emma's gaze without flinching, "Because she's here with me. No-one can explain better the benefits of allying with me. She and the others have been reaping the rewards for over a year."
Maxim continued, "Ororo and the others are not the kind of people you convince with ideology or fear. She came because she believes in what I'm building. That should tell you something."
"I can tell she's not under your control," Emma said, narrowing her eyes. "And that… is very interesting."
"Scared about what happened with your guards and assistant?" Maxim said and chuckled, "Don't worry, that was just to make things easier."
Storm decided to step forward now, her voice calm but edged with purpose, "We're not looking for permission, Emma. This isn't a power grab. But we are laying the groundwork for something more, something lasting. And we're inviting you to be apart of that., without the need to look over your shoulder every day wondering when they're gonna come for you."
Emma stood slowly, walking around the desk with that signature predatory grace of hers. "So what exactly is it you want? An alliance? A seat at the table?"
"Table? Pfft!" Maxim said with a laugh, "That so called table of yours has no real power. What will you do if you get on the wrong side of the Avengers? Is that table gonna protect you?"
He said before looking into Emma's eyes and speaking plainly, "I want your loyalty, your alignment, that's what I need."
That made Emma stop, her brow arching. "Explain."
"I know who you are, Emma. You're a survivor. You've always chosen the winning side, whether it was through diamonds or daggers. And right now, you're calculating whether I'm worth that choice."
He took a measured step toward her.
"There's no one better than me to help you and the other Mutants you've gathered here. I've already gathered many Mutants and given then sanctuary in Madripoor, the X-Men are no different." Maxim said.
Emma's eyes narrowed, but her voice remained soft. "That so?"
Maxim nodded. "Jean. Scott. Logan. Hank. All of them. You'll see for yourself soon enough."
Emma glanced at Storm again, this time truly studying her, looking for cracks in the claim. But there were none. Storm gave a simple nod of confirmation, regal and unshaken.
"And what do you want from me?" Emma asked again.
"I want your school. Not to take it," Maxim clarified before she could interrupt. "To incorporate it. Mutants shouldn't be scattered across the world anymore. Your resources, your talent, your insight, it belongs with us. Not in secret corners. We're past that."
Emma folded her arms, silent for a long moment, "You want to bring the Academy into Madripoor?"
"Eventually," Maxim said. "Or at least align with it. Let your students transition when they're ready. Let the staff teach or stay. But more importantly…" His voice dipped slightly, more serious now. "I want you to help lead them. You've always been at your best when you're shaping minds. It's time to start shaping a future."
A slow exhale left her lips as she returned to her desk, now pacing slightly behind it.
"And what happens if I say no?"
"Well then I guess you'll only have your HellFire Club to protect you, but I promise you, they won't last long. Whether it's Magneto, the governments, or me myself, that little club of yours won't be able to handle them." Maxim said.
"You'll keep your school for a while, your mask too, but once the storm hits, I'd rather be with me than standing alone." Maxim said.
Emma's gaze flickered down to her tablet, then up to Maxim again. "You're not Xavier. And you're certainly not Erik."
"No," Maxim said. "I'm something else. I'm what comes after them."
There was a pause. A long one.
Emma finally sat again, slowly this time, and brought her hands together, fingers steepled in front of her lips.
"You really believe you're the best chance mutants have." Emma said.
"I don't believe it," Maxim replied. "I know it. And so do you."
Emma just sat in silent contemplation and Storm watched her carefully. "You've always been good at seeing the long game, Emma. Don't stop now."
Emma's gaze turned from Storm to Maxim again, sharp as ever, "Then consider this your first test, Novikov. I'll call a meeting with my faculty. We'll hear what you have to say. No promises."
"That's all I'm asking," Maxim said. "For now."
Emma gave a thin smile, not warm, but not cold either. "Then we'll see where this leads."