The Erotic Mind-Control Story Archive

Heh heh heh. This is almost too easy!

Patricia Saint chuckled softly to herself as she made her way along the thin wire cable she’d slung between the roof of the two buildings, easily tightrope walking her way across. She’d done a lot of gymnastics as a kid in grade school and junior high before she fully developed, and her DD’s radically changed her sense of balance. But she still remembered the basics and had kept the overall agility.

Heh, and combined with my special gift, I could probably do this blindfolded and make it across. she thought gleefully.

Landing deftly, she padded lightly over to the roof access security door. She frowned slightly, sizing it up. She’d done her homework earlier; the diamond exchange had recently upgraded their security after so many other businesses had been so recently burglarized. In the wake of the recent flood of thefts, a lot of businesses had gone for redundant systems, with a combination of mechanical and electronic locks. Both of which she’d handled before. But biometrics was a whole new ballgame.

A retina scanner, and fingerprint scanner, on the outside roof access?!? Huh. Maybe I’ve been more of a menace to the city than I’d thought.

Staring at the door in confusion, scratching her head, Patricia merely shrugged. With nothing else to do, she merely pulled on the door handle... and nearly fell over as the door swung open! Glancing down at the doorjamb, she couldn’t help but laugh out loud—several thousand dollars in new high tech security, and the last person to use the roof hadn’t even bothered to make sure the door actually closed and locked behind them! Slipping her forest green mask down over her face, she crept down into the dark, dimly lit hallways, and into the building itself...

Samuel Thurmond, the Portland Police Commissioner grunted as he paced idly back and forth across his office. He was not a man accustomed to pacing, or to feeling helpless and frustrated. He was a man of no small repute, respected and obeyed by his subordinates. He’d been a major in the Army MP’s before retiring and going into civilian life. He was a man accustomed to having things happen when he ordered them. But unlike other officers, he’d started off in the trenches as a grunt, both in the Army and as a policeman. And he knew and respected his people as much as they respected him.

Which made their inability to capture one annoying bitch of a thief all the more infuriating!

“She hit the Portland Diamond Exchange last night,” he grumbled, pacing back and forth, reaching instinctively for his pack of cigarettes, even though he’d quit smoking months ago. “That’s the tenth place robbed in two weeks!” He shook his head. “I never thought her antics were the slightest bit amusing even from the beginning, but they stopped being funny when she snuck into the mayor’s mansion and stole his wife’s jewelry!” He slammed a fist down hard against his desk. “She was even bold enough to escape right past the security guards and all of the police called to the scene! And this... criminal... has only become more bold and brazen with each successful heist she commits!”

The other two occupants of the room merely nodded, saying nothing. Neither of the two women were police themselves. Well, technically they were a part of the department, just not actual police officers. Nevertheless, the Commissioner had asked for them specifically, and the Chief of Police had obliged.

“Needless to say, she managed to give us the slip. Now, don’t get me wrong,” he said, pacing again. “I’m not placing the blame on my men. They’re a good crew, the lot of them. All competent officers. And yet... this girl has been making fools of us! It’s uncanny. No matter what we do, we can’t catch her!” He sighed, finally returning to his desk. “After everything that’s occurred, I’m forced to concede that this is not simply a normal thief. That she is in fact... special.”

“A Super, you mean,” Amber Taylor replied. “All things considered, that’s not so surprising. There are a number of Superpowered criminals operating in the city after all. But the information released to the media about your thief was actually pretty vague. So... what is it that we don’t know about her?”

Commissioner Thurmond sat down at his desk, pushing over a large manilla folder towards them. “For one thing, she calls herself ‘Clover’,” he grunted. “As in, Four Leaf Clover. Dresses all in green. And has taken to leaving a calling card at the scene of every theft,” he added, tossing over a small white laminated card with a bright green shamrock in the center.

“Clover, hmm?” Diane Porter mused aloud, flipping through the folder. “Does she think she’s a leprechaun or something?”

“Possibly,” Thurmond muttered, shaking his head. “All I know is that she’s been able to pull off some pretty amazing things over the past few weeks. Just last night, for instance, she was able to break into the diamond reserve. After the depository was hit three days ago, the installed new security systems, including biometric scanners. Yet she somehow managed to bypass them all and get to the diamond cache.”

“Well, any electronic equipment can be bypassed with the right talent and know-how,” Amber pointed out. “No matter how cutting edge, there’s always a workaround if you know where to look. We once worked a case where a villain that could control electricity was able to force a bank’s entire alarm systems to reboot with just a touch,”

“Perhaps, but that doesn’t explain how she was able to get into the vault itself,” Thurmond pointed out. “Even if she could get into the inner chambers, the vault itself is an old style combination lock. It’s airtight and purely mechanical, no electronic parts. The inner workings are non-magnetic, with a glass wall deadlock, meaning if the glass plate is shattered by someone trying to drill in, the deadbolts snap into place, locking it down permanently. And the safe wasn’t blown... our mysterious Clover just turned the dials and opened it normally. ” He sighed. “The only two people that know the combination are the branch manager and the office manager, both of whom were questioned and were cleared as having nothing to do with the theft. However this girl is doing it, she’s doing it all on her own.”

Diane and Amber glanced at each other. “Well, it definitely sounds like an interesting case, Sir. We’ll certainly do the best that we can to help. But, well, the information you have on her isn’t a lot. No real leads, no name or description, no real guess on her powers, or anything useful. There’s no way of knowing where she’ll turn up next.”

“Oh, that’s the one thing we DO know,” the Commissioner replied with a scowl. He handed over a handwritten known, signed with a four leaf clover. “A note telling us where she plans to strike next, and even the time and date. As I said, she’s getting more and more brazen and cocky with her actions.”

“The First National Bank on Third Street at 7 PM,” Amber read, shaking her head ruefully. “Brazen? Cocky? More like stupid. Is she actually dumb enough to announce exactly where and when she’s going to be robbing the bank? Does she think she can somehow pull it off even with a bunch of police and heroes surrounding the area?”

“She does, if her past track record is any indication,” he replied with a sigh. “Look, ladies... the mayor has been on my ass to get this thief locked up as soon as possible. I don’t care what you need to do, or how you do it, but I want this girl stopped!”

“We’ll do our best, Commissioner,” Diane replied with a nod, as she and Amber rose from their seats. “I promise you, the Beautiful Gems will make this thief our highest priority.”

“Heh. Not that it should be too hard, considering she’d already given away her whole plot,” Amber added. “Don’t worry Sir. We’ll have her caught and locked up as soon as she shows her arrogant little ass. Easy-peasy.”

Several hours later, a very tired, sore and humiliated trio of heroines limbed back to their headquarters. Diamond kept glancing at Amber now and again, shaking her head, mumbling under her breath, while Sapphire kept her head down, saying nothing at all. Amber finally let out a loud sigh. “Okay! Fine! I admit it, alright? Nothing about what happened tonight was ‘easy-peasy’ okay? But what happened tonight wasn’t my fault!”

“Oh?” Diamond snapped, turning back to glare at the younger girl. “Then whose fault was it?” she asked. “It certainly wasn’t mine! And it wasn’t Sapphire who ended up cocooning us all in a bright yellow barrier while the thief literally strolled out of the bank with fifty thousand dollars in stolen cash!” Amber winced but shook her head.

“Hey, I was TRYING to cocoon Clover,” she said heatedly. “I had her perfectly lined up until YOU stumbled into me! If you hadn’t hit me from behind, I wouldn’t have fumbled with my power! What... did you suddenly lose your balance and forget how to turn intangible to maybe NOT slam into your teammate?” Diane had the grace to blush at the reminder.

“I didn’t trip,” she said tersely, glancing over at Sapphire. “The floor beneath my feet literally started moving. It was all I could do to keep my balance.... though I’m still not sure how everyone else managed.” Her expression darkened. “It was almost as if I was the only one targeted...”

“Um... yeah,” Sapphire managed weakly. “Sorry about that. I... I don’t know what happened! Seriously, I was aiming for Clover! Honest! I sent out a vibro blast at the ground at her feet... but for some reason it just... I dunno.. ricocheted. I mean, I’ve had blasts do that before a few times, when the ground you’re standing on isn’t completely solid, and it shakes the densest part and ignores the less dense areas? But... the floor was solid stone, right? That shouldn’t have happened...”

Diane considered, then sighed heavily. “Actually, Saff, now that I think about it, the First National Bank’s floor isn’t solid stone.” The other two glanced at her sharply. “That bank actually has a subfloor, one that was never used and boarded over, but it exists nonetheless. I only remember it because it was in the news a few years back, that before being overhauled and used as a bank, that building had been owned by Stanley Nordberg, a noted bootlegger back in Prohibition during the 1920s.”

The other two girls sighed, rolling their eyes. Diane was a bit of a history buff, particularly all things related to the ‘Roarin’ Twenties’ era. The woman had a fascination with the time period of flappers, silent pictures, gangsters, and the like, as well as a seemingly encyclopedic knowledge of events of that time.

“Well, be that as it may,” Amber asked, “what are the chances that little Miss Clover just happened to know the floor wasn’t completely solid, or that we’d specifically have someone there whole’s vibration powers would be offset by the landscape enough to end up with all of us blasted and contained by our own powers?”

“You have a very good point,” Diamond conceded with a sigh. “And really... she didn’t really do much of anything during that battle did she? She just stood there, grinning, like she was curious to see what would happen herself...” She contemplated before gasping softly. “Oh bloody hell,” she moaned slightly. “I think I figured out what her power is... and why no one has been able to catch her?”

“Really? That was quick,” Stephanie stated. “So, what is it?”

“It’s really obvious when you think about it. The Green costume. The name. The Four Leaf Clover calling cards. She’s got some kind of good luck mojo going for her.”

“Wait... she’s ‘lucky’?” Amber asked, scowling. “Are you seriously calling THAT a superpower?”

Diane and Stephanie glanced at her. “Two words,” Diane replied, holding up two fingers. “Jimmy Frasier.”

“Huh. Good point.” As they made their way through the mansion, Amber paused, considering. “So, if we’re sure Clover is a lucky girl, maybe we should recruit our own ‘luck’ expert to help with all this. Any chance to can bring in Jimmy?”

“Sadly, no,” a voice called out, causing them to glance up. Lana LaSilvas shrugged as she made her way down the circular staircase. “I’m afraid James is currently out of town. He and Devon are visiting her parents for the weekend.” Making her way over to Diane, she smiled, giving her a brief hip check. “Nevertheless, I’m sure it’s nothing you ladies can’t handle.”

“She’s right,” Ruby stated as she walked into the room as well, with Jette, Emerald, and Pearl following behind. “I mean, we’ve met and talked with Frasier’s kid sister before. She’s got the whole good luck thing going for her, too, but she’s hardly unbeatable. She’s been caught and captured by the occasional villain now and again. And if she can be beaten, then so can this Clover bitch!”

“Hmm... you have a plan in mind?” Diane asked, seeing the glint in the redhead’s eyes.

“Well,” Amanda reasoned, “it’s basically just a matter of anticipating everything that she could possibly make go wrong, and have a backup in place. And a backup for the backup.” She shrugged. “If we go with a shotgun approach, lucky or not, one of the attempts should be able to take her down.”

“Tch... fine,” Emily replied as the others began to strategize. “All I know is, I’m keeping Jimmy on speed dial, just in case...”

Patricia whistled idly as she made her way towards the bank building. Things had been going perfectly so far, both to her delight and disappointment. Not that she wanted to be caught by any means. Certainly not! Her parents were well connected, and having a high-powered lawyer as a father meant that even if the worst were to happen, she would probably only get a slap on the wrist. Still... she’d hoped it would be more of a challenge, particularly after giving the police a heads-up and getting the city’s heroes involved.

Aye, but there’s not much chance o’ them catching me either, she thought ruefully. Especially if the last time was any indication. And to think, I used to look up to the whole lot of ’em... bunch of amateurs, they are... She shook her head as she made her way up the side of the fire escape. Still, I guess I can’t really blame ’em too much. It’s not as if anyone can really stop me...

Truth be told, Patricia would be hard pressed to say specifically which she preferred, getting away free or getting caught. Her life had always been a particularly blessed one, from the moment of her birth. Her grandparents had immigrated in from Ireland, settling in Portland, coming over with little more than the clothes on their backs. They’d worked hard for everything they’d had, which unfortunately hadn’t been much. They’d eventually died, poor but loved, having raised their children well, passing on their values to them. And indeed, almost as if Fate or Karma had decided to reward the next generation for the suffering of the one before, their daughter, Patricia’s mum, had been doubly blessed, with great beauty and a sharp mind. She’d found a lover, a soulmate, in a man named Nathan Saint, and married him, settling down to start a family. She achieved success in business, and her husband achieved success in the courtroom. Both of them were undoubtedly blessed with a bounty of love, luck, and goodwill.

But it was their daughter who was the most blessed of all. Indeed, as if growing up in a loving, wealthy household with anything a child could want or need wasn’t enough, when she turned thirteen, her powers kicked in. She learned that she had a bit of uncanny luck about her... the ‘Luck of the Irish’, her mother always called it. And over the years, that luck continued to grow and expand. Rather than be happy with this, however, young Patricia found herself increasingly bored. She was rather smart, though she rarely bothered to study for rests at school, simply relying on guesswork and random chance to see her through. And, as luck would happen, she always, ALWAYS ended up with the highest scores.

That, perhaps, more than anything, was why she’d decided on this path. She certainly didn’t need the money. She’d started stealing simply for the thrill, first with simple shoplifting, then moving on to bigger and better heists. She’d began openly tempting fate as if daring someone to actually catch her. But always, always, she’d come out on top.

Once, she’d even stolen the Slurpee machine from the local convenience store, unplugged it and wheeled it out of the store, in front of the clerk and a dozen witnesses. The police arrived, and she’d believed her luck had finally run out, only to find out that the store had been robbed five minutes earlier, making off with nearly a thousand dollars, and that upon arriving, the thief, spotting the police, decided to surrender without a fuss. In the wake of so dramatic a collar, her attempted theft of a Slurpee machine was completely forgotten, written off as a prank.

In short, Patricia Saint wasn’t a bad girl. She wasn’t evil. She was merely bored. And as she tugged on the door of the third-floor entrance to the building, she let out a soft sigh, hoping that tonight will turn out differently than all the others. That something will happen to actually surprise her for a change...

It seemed that maybe this time Patricia would get the surprise she was looking for,

She felt it as soon as she’d stepped inside. A strange fluttery feeling in her stomach. Something was different this time. There was just something in the air... a feeling of destiny about to make Her presence known. Patty’ smile grew wider underneath her mask. Whatever it was, she was ready and willing to face it head-on.

Huh. Interesting, she mused as she made her way down the hallway, heading towards the main vault. The security system is off. Not shorted out or glitched... completely shut down. Either the bank manager is the most absent-minded person on the planet... or I’ve been sent an invitation from the heroes again! Cracking her knuckles, she strode forth confidently, grabbing the huge heavy door to the vault, spinning the dial randomly... and grinning as it naturally landed on the combination to unlock the door. Pulling it open, she stepped inside to find it—

Empty.

“Oy! What the feck!?” she yelled aloud, glancing around at the entirely cleaned out vault. “Where’s all the bleedin’ money?!?”

“Gone,” a female voice said behind her. causing her to whirl around. Diamond dropped down nimbly from the ceiling, solidifying as she landed. “Moved to a different location. I’m pretty confident in my plan to take you down this time, Clover,” she replied, hands on her hips, “but just in case you managed to get lucky and slip past me somehow, I decided to take the money completely out of play.”

Patricia sighed, rolling her eyes. “Well, aren’t ye the clever one,” she said, frowning. “But ye have a point. If there’s no money here, there’s really no need for me to hang around then, is there? I guess this means I’ll be going now—”

“Not so fast,” a new voice spoke, causing Clover to turn back towards the vault door again. “Did you think we’d just let you walk out of here unmolested?” Jette asked, interposing herself into the open doorway. “Sorry, kid. You’re trapped. And it’s going to take more than just ‘luck’ to get past us!”

Patty laughed. “Oh really?” she asked, crossing her arms. “let’s test that then, shall we? C’mon ye feckin’ gobshite! Let’s see what yer made of!”

Scowling, Jette slapped her fist against her palm as she stepped inside the vault. “I have no idea what the hell you just called me, but you’re about to regret it!” As she stepped forward, however, a loud BANG sounded from the nearby wall, followed by the sound of shearing metal. As they turned, one of the heavy metal shelves designed to hold the money began to teeter, then tilt forward.

“Hey! Look out!” Diamond cried out, shoving Clover out of the way just as the heavy shelf came crashing down.

“Diamond!” Jette cried, rushing past the would-be thief, rushing over to the broken shelf. “Di, you okay?” she asked, lifting the wreckage. Diamond nodded, letting out a sigh.

“Y-yeah. I’m okay. I went intangible at the last second.” She blinked, the gasped. “Wait! Where’s Clover?!?”

Laughing, Clover waved at them both from just outside the doorway. “Right here, ladies,” she replied with a smirk. “Looks like I managed to get past you both after all... and with just a wee bit o’ luck!” Chuckling again, she slammed the vault door closed before either of the heroines could react. Turning back to the face the rest of the bank only to jerk back in shock.

Facing a wall of roaring red hot flames.

“Okay, you Four-Leaf phony!” Ruby called out, causing the flames to circle around the startled thief. “Let’s see your luck get you out of this!”

“Oy! You bloody bitch!” Patty yelped, backing away, glancing around in actual panic. “You tryin’ to fuckin’ fry me or what?” Suddenly a wave of vertigo swept through her, making her stagger. The floor beneath her feet suddenly seemed unsteady, as if an earthquake had suddenly struck. Worse, her stomach began to clench and twist, and it was all she could do to keep from vomiting. “Ughhh... what the... hell... did you... do to me?” she managed, swaying in place.

“That would be me,” Sapphire called out cheerfully from outside the ring of fire. “I’m letting my vibration powers mess with your inner ear, destroying your sense of balance. By the time I’m done, you’ll feel like you’d just ridden the world’s worst rollercoaster for about ten hours straight!”

“And once you’re down for the count,” Amber called out, gesturing with her hands, “I’ll encase you inside one of my amber cases, and you’ll be on lockdown for good!”

Patricia groaned weakly.. then gasped, throwing up, splattering the floor and herself in the progress. Urrk... oh man... oh god... well I wanted a bit of a challenge... and they definitely... brought their A-game... ohhhh man, so dizzy... can’t take it... uuuhhn... if ever there was a time for a bit of.... luck... this would be it...

And just then, rather by actual luck, or providence, or simply an accident, Patty stumbled back, her right foot slipping on her own vomit. With a soft cry, she slipped and fell to the ground, landing in her own filth. On a more lucky note, however, Sapphire’s vibrational attack, centered on her head—or rather where her head had been while standing—now passed on, striking the far wall, and cracking a major water line hidden just beneath the plaster. Without warning the pipe burst, sending out a spray of water at an unprepared Ruby.

“What th—uuurrrrphhh!!” she cried out, knocked off her feet by the pressure, the excess water dispersing the wall of flames surrounding Clover. Amber, preparing to use her power to encase the hapless thief in Amber, turned suddenly as Ruby was knocked into her, releasing her energy, encasing them both inside a yellow cocoon, trapping them there.

Stephanie gasped in shock at the sudden turn of events. “Oh man... you have GOT to be kidding me!” she yelled in disbelief. Seeing Clover begin to recover, she redoubled her efforts, blasting her again with her hypersonics. “Pearl, Lana, looks like you guys are up!” she called out. “Better hurry, before something else unexpected happens!”

“That won’t happen. I’m putting a stop to all of this insanity,” the silver-haired made started, gesturing with her hand, creating a small cloud of floating silver sparks. “This entire farce ends now!”

“Roger that,” Pearl replied, closing her eyes, focusing on her power. “A two-pronged assault. Let’s see if she can shrug THIS off!”

Patty grunted, struggling to get to her feet, only to gasp, wide-eyed as she felt a psychic invasion. Her vision and thoughts all went white as Pearl’s psychic presence pressed down on her brain like a giant hand and began to squeeze.

«Got her!» Pearl replied triumphantly to everyone in attendance, linked to them psychically. «Let’s see how lucky she is when she’s been rendered unconscious!»

Unfortunately for all involved, at that moment, the vault door, on which Jette had been banging relentlessly from the inside, finally buckled and fell, knocked off its hinges, falling to the ground with a loud clang as Jette and Diamond finally exited. The sudden noise startled Sapphire, who had been keeping her vibration powers locked on Clover the entire time in case she tried to move or run away. Taking a step back in alarm, she unwittingly ran into one of Lana LaSilvas’s free-floating sparks. And while one spark wasn’t enough to completely take her down, it was enough to fuzz over and disorient her mind. Dazed, she released her stored up vibe powers on a single burst, causing everyone else to stumble back as well.

“Gaaaaahahhhhhh!” Pearl cried out, eyes rolling back into her head as she ran into the crowd of sparks, the mystical current shorting out her higher brain functions, leaving her completely dazed and open. And, as she’d been linked psychically to the other Gems just a moment before, telling them that she’d entranced Clover, that vacant mindless bliss spread through that connection, likewise entrancing the rest of the Gems and Lana, as well.

As for Clover herself... the overwhelming white slowly faded from her vision, and she shook her head to clear it. It took her a few seconds to remember where she was, and what was happening. Blinking in surprise, she glanced at the Supers all standing around her, looking dazed. Huh. That’s weird. Why are they all standin’ around like zombies? They all look out of it... kind of like the way I was feeling a moment ago when that white-haired girl dove into my mind... Suddenly, realizing what must have happened, she laughed gleefully. Oy! Looks like someone flipped the script on ’em! I wonder if I can do anything with that...

“Hey! Girl!” she said, waving a hand lightly in front of Pearl’s face. “Can you hear me?”

The white-haired psychic smiled vacantly, nodding. “Mmmm... yeah... I can hear you...”

Patricia chuckled again. “Good. Very good. Now then... I bet you’d just loooovvveee to tell me where all the money you guys took from the vault is being stored, wouldn’t you, sweetie?”

Pearl sighed softly, flushing deeply, eye shining with a faint silver light. “Ohhhhh... the money... it’s upstairs... second floor... storeroom...”

“Good girl,” Clover replied, running a hand lightly along the young Asian girl’s cheek, marveling at the way she sighed, melting into her touch. Simultaneously, all the other girls let out a similar moan of pleasure. Her grin widened as an idea took root. “Very good girl,” she repeated, running a hand lightly up and down Pearl’s skintight spandex costume, bringing forth another round of moans. “And for being so helpful, you deserve a reward. Tell me, luv... you’re feeling really horny right now, aren’t ya?”

“Uhhhn... yeesss,” Pearl admitted, back arching slightly, eyes fluttering, a posture that was being echoed by all the other entranced girls. “Horny... nnnn.... wanna... wanna cum...”

“Then ya should do so,” Patricia instructed deviously. “In fact, all of ya should strip out of your colorful little costumes, and tend to your needy little pussies... scratch that itch of yers, yes... but keep going until ye cum so hard it knocks ye out cold!”

Shuddering slightly, accepting the suggestion as if it were the best idea ever, the girls began doing so, unzipping their costumes, slipping down to the floor, overcome by lust and the need to satisfy their urges. Patricia stood watching for a long moment, taking in the spectacle, feeling her own lust starting to build. The desire to join them, to grab the nearest hottie and delve deep within their wet molten cores was so tempting... But she knew that, even for her, that would be pressing her luck.

Besides, she reasoned as she made her way out of the room, heading for the stairs, I came here for the money, not for a round of sapphic fun. Business before pleasure, after all!

Reaching the aforementioned storage room, she opened the door, only to step back in surprise, finding one last costume wearing heroine standing there before here. “Ah, so, you made it up here after all,” Emerald stated calmly, arms crossed, leaning nonchalantly against the wall. “I was wondering if you’d actually manage to get past everyone downstairs.”

“Bit of a bother, but aye, I did,” Patricia stated evenly. “And I see that yer not a mindless zombie like the others. So... what now? You plannin’ to stop me?”

Emerald merely chuckled. “Me? No. I’m not an idiot. I figure that if your luck is good enough to get you past a room full of my teammates, then by myself, I wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Clover nodded. “Smart girl. Now, then, if you’ll step aside, I’ll take my money and be on my way.”

But Emily shook her head. “Sorry, that’s not going to happen.” Clover’s eyes narrowed, as the heroine held up her smartphone. “You see, I said I wouldn’t stand a chance facing you all by myself.” She grinned. “Luckily, pun intended, I happened to have a very good friend of mine on speed dial.”

Patricia gasped, whirling around as a tall dark-haired man in sunglasses, dressed in black and silver, stepped forward, glaring down at her. “The name’s Darklight,” he said with a frown. “And you must be the infamous Four Leaf Clover I’ve been hearing so much about. Well, Ms. Clover, you have the unfortunate luck of having them call me in to face you down. And, just for the record, I was on vacation with my girlfriend and her family, all of which will not be happy at me just up and leaving in the middle of dinner! So, as you can imagine, I and also not very happy!”

Taken aback, Patricia glared right back at him in defiance. “Oh? Yer upset, are ya? Well, feck off! I don’ care a whit ’bout yer feelings, boyo!” She crossed her arms at her chest. “I just got past a room full o’ heroes downstairs trying their best to stop me. If ye think I’m afraid of one steroidal bastard dressed in black, ya got another think comin—hhheeeyy!!” she yelped in surprise, finding herself bound, wrapped up in a cocoon of black shadowy tendrils. “Oy! What the... how... how did you...” she began, struggling against her bindings, in vain.

“How did I get past your ‘good luck’ charms?” he replied. “The Gems called me in for more than just my good looks, you know. Specifically, because I’m a walking, talking, bad luck magnet. Which, no surprise, neutralizes and blocks out your good luck.” Patricia’s eyes widened in surprise. “What? You thought you were the only person in the world blessed with the Luck o’ The Irish?” he quipped. “Well, technically, I guess in my case it’d be the luck of the Scottish, but close enough for the analogy.”

“Póg mo thóin, basta tú rósta!” Patricia screamed, struggling furiously. She was starting to panic, not liking this situation at all. True, she’d wanted to push her limits, see how far she could go with nothing but her good luck, but now that she was actually caught, helpless, unable to escape, she was scared shitless. “Let me go! Let me feckin’ go, ye cockless—”

“Duin do ghob,” Jimmy said simply, shadow striking the girl. Patricia stiffened, shuddering slightly, before going limp, her jaw dropping open as her eyes turned an inky black color. “And just for the record,” he added before releasing her, allowing her to slump to the floor unconscious, “I’m not bastard. My parents are happily married. And I do have a cock, to which the girlfriend I mentioned earlier can testify.” Sighing softly, he turned to Emerald who stood watching, obviously amused. “Well, she’s all yours. I need to go smooth things over with Devon and her folks, but I’ll be back soon enough.” With that he left, stepping back into the shadows of the room and vanishing from sight.

“So? What do you have to say for yourself, young lady?” Nathan Michael Saint yelled, pacing back and forth inside the small interrogation room. “Hmmm? An explanation for all this would be nice!”

Patricia wilted, staring down at her hand, shackled tightly to the desk. “I’m... I’m sorry,” she said simply, head lowering. “I... I mean... I was just—”

“Just WHAT, Patty?” he railed, causing her to fall silent again. “Just thought you’d go on a robbing spree and steal from every bank in the entire city?!? Or that you’d sneak into the mayor’s mansion and steal his wife’s jewelry from out of their bedroom!” He growled, fists clenched, barely resisting the urge to pull out his hair. “Well, girl, you’ve certainly gone and done it. I can’t help you with this.” Patricia glanced up sharply at that. “Robbing a few banks and the diamond exchange is one thing. Since you gave back everything and didn’t actually SPEND any of it, I could have probably plea bargained you down to a simple misdemeanor. But stealing from the Mayor? Making him and his wife look like idiots?” He sighed, shaking his head. “Mayor Gibson is pissed, and he’s out for blood. He’s going to want to make an example out of you, Patty.”

Tears welling up in her eyes, she looked up at her father. “Da... I’m sorry! I’m really really sorry! I didn’t mean it, honest! Please!” The panic from before had returned with a vengeance. Jail time. She was actually looking at real honest to goodness jail time. She was eighteen after all, no longer a minor. All her life, things had always gone her way, always worked themselves out somehow. Yes, it had been boring, but at the same time, had given her a sense of security. Now, that security was gone. She’d assumed her dad would go to bat for her, would use all his resources to help her if things ever went against her. Now, it seemed just the opposite—he was abandoning her, throwing her to the wolves.

There was a loud knock at the door. Nathan stepped out briefly, talking rapidly with someone outside, before entering again. He shook his head ruefully. “Patty,” he said firmly, “it looks as though your luck is still working, at least somewhat. You’ve got two visitors here to speak with you, and they have an offer for you. As your legal counsel, I strongly advise you to consider their offer.” He frowned. “And as your father, I’m telling you right now, say YES, fall down on your knees and kiss their feckin’ feet, and thank yer lucky stars!” With that, he stepped aside, allowing the two visitors to enter the room.

Patty blinked in surprise. “YOU?!? What are you doing here?”

“Well, as your father probably mentioned earlier,” Diamond stated, “we have a proposition for you. We met with the Chief of Police, the Commissioner, and the Mayor a few hours ago. Mostly, it was to congratulate us for putting an end to your little crime spree,” she stated archly, causing Patty to glance down again. “They are very serious about you serving jail time for what you did. Grand theft and larceny, breaking and entering... it’s not something you can just sweep under the rug.”

“That said,” Darklight spoke up, causing Patricia to glance up again, “you do have a few things going in your favor. You’re only eighteen. And you don’t have any priors on your record. The fact that you gave back everything you stole, and that you really only stole it as an ‘elaborate prank’ also helps.” He sighed softly. “Patricia Saint... Saint Patty. Mom always said Fate had a twisted sense of humor, but I never really noticed it until now.” Patricia merely blinked, having no idea what he was talking about.

“We’re offering you a position as one of the Beautiful Gems,” Diane replied curtly. “Your good luck is a really amazing power. It would be a shame to have you locked away in jail. Used correctly, you could do a lot of good in the world with your gift.”

Patty gaped at her in shock. “You... you want me to be a hero?” she asked, stunned. It was an idea that she’d never considered before. But thinking about it now, looking back, it made a lot of sense. She’d never wanted to use her luck to hurt people, or for personal gain. All she’d wanted was a bit of excitement in her life... some challenge and unpredictability. She’d simply taken the easiest route, the path of a petty criminal, taking whatever she wanted and daring people to stop her.

But the life of a heroine... Yes, there was a definite appeal there. She’d never really thought of herself as selfless or heroic, more of a thrill seeker. But there no reason I can’t be both, she thought to herself. Yes... well, assuming they still want me by the time I get out of jail... which from what my dad said, will probably be just before I start drawing social security...

“If you’re thinking about the charges against you, don’t,” Jimmy cut in. “Assuming you decide to do this, and commit to being a heroine, one of the Gems, the mayor is willing to drop the charges of grand larceny against you.” He smirked. “As it turns out, the mayor owed me a favor from when I saved him from a nutcase called the Fisher King last year. So I called in that favor to get him to go easy on you,” he added, piercing her with an appraising look. “Understand this, Patty. This life... what we do? It’s not for everyone. You can’t just decide on a whim that you want to be a hero and go out and start saving people. It’s hard, dangerous, and mostly thankless work. So think carefully before you decide.”

“Oh, and just so you know,” Diane chimed in again, “even if you decide NOT to accept our offer to join the Gems, you won’t be serving any jail time. Between your father, and Darklight going to bat for you with the mayor, you’re looking at five years probation, and ten weeks of community service.”

“Really?!?” Patty exclaimed, relief obvious on her face. “That... that’s great! I don’t know how to thank ya!”

“Just remember, that’s probation for five years,” Jimmy reiterated. “You get so much as a fine for jaywalking, and you go straight to jail. No ifs, ands, or buts.” He sighed again. “And before you ask the obvious question about WHY I did this for you? I saw inside your mind when I shadow struck you earlier,” he admitted. “I felt what you feel, and caught a glimpse of what your life was like. I know what it’s like to be searching for a path in life... to try and find your purpose.” He shrugged. “And if anyone, I think Diamond and the other Beautiful Gems might just help you find what you’re looking for.”

Patty nodded slowly. She’d already considered her options, but really it was a no-brainer. “You have yourselves a deal. I’ll do it... er... if you’ll have me,” she said.

“Great!” Diamond said, smiling now. “I’ll talk to the Chief and get everything finalized. You’ll be released into my custody within the hour.” She smirked. “I hope you’re ready for this. We’re going to have to train you thoroughly before we send you out on the streets. And just so you know, Jette, who’s in charge of physical training, said she’s looking forward to giving you quite the work out to thank you for the way you left us all back in the bank.” Patty glanced down, blushing heatedly at the reminder, wondering briefly if she should possibly reconsider. “And, of course, we’ll also provide you with lodging there at the mansion, and a costume to wear, to hide your identity.”

“Ohhhh... and a name as well,” Jimmy mused aloud, causing both women to turn. “Well, if she IS going to be a Gem, she’ll need something other than Clover. And since Emerald is already taken... hmmm... what’s a green colored gemstone? Turquoise? Aventurine? Malachite?” He chuckled at the expression on Patricia’s face. “Not liking being named after a Sailor Moon villain, huh? Okay... hmm, what about Peridot? And we could shorten it and call you ‘Peri’ out on the field!”

“Please, ignore him,” Diane muttered, grabbing Jimmy by the arm. “We’ll come up with something later, once everything’s official. For now, dear, just hang tight until we get you out of here.”

As they left, Patricia let out a soft sigh. Well, things certainly have changed for me in an unexpected way, she mused silently. And not in a bad way. She smiled softly. A new part of my life is starting now, this very moment. I just went from the lowest point to the highest point, all within a few minutes. I really am a lucky girl, She nodded softly, her jaw stiffening in resolution. But from now on... I’m going to depend on more than just luck to make my way.