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Felicia's Gambit: The Alluring Black Cat by Jade Gretz

Felicia Hardy, slinking through the moonlit alleys of New York City, was not her usual vivacious self. Tonight, the thrill of the hunt that typically fueled the Black Cat was tinged with a cold unease. Her burglar's intuition, usually a source of adrenaline, whispered of danger.

Her target wasn't a priceless gem or a vault brimming with wealth. It was a simple silver locket, its unremarkable appearance belying the rumors of dark magic swirling around it. The locket, as legend had it, belonged to an ancient sorceress named Belladonna. Some said it could bind a human soul, while others swore it was a key to realms unseen and best left alone.

Felicia had scoffed at such tales. Magic was for fairy stories, not the gritty streets of Manhattan. Yet, a whisper of doubt lingered, nagging at the back of her mind. Tonight, she had traded her skintight suit for a dark turtleneck and trousers, her feline mask the only outward sign of her alter ego. Stealth and shadows, not bravado, were her allies tonight.

The antique shop where the locket was hidden seemed unguarded, its quaint wooden door an invitation to trouble. Yet, Felicia hesitated. The air crackled with a tension that set her teeth on edge, an almost tangible wrongness that pricked at her danger sense.

With a resigned sigh, she slipped inside, her footsteps silent on the dusty floorboards. The shop smelled of old paper and sandalwood, a comforting aroma that contrasted sharply with the building paranoia squeezing her chest. Displays of tarnished jewelry and chipped porcelain lined the walls, relics of a time long past. Yet, her gaze was drawn to the back of the shop, where a heavy velvet cloth veiled an alcove. The locket would be there.

As she approached, a faint whisper slithered into her ear, a woman's voice chanting in a language both foreign and disturbingly familiar. It coiled around her like an unseen serpent, tightening its grip with each syllable. Felicia shook her head, her hands balling into fists. This was no ancient incantation; it was a trick, designed to disorient her, to make her vulnerable.

Suddenly, the cloth across the alcove quivered and flew off, revealing not the locket, but a life-sized mirror. Felicia hissed in surprise. In the reflection, the Black Cat was not alone. Standing behind her, just inches away, was a gaunt figure draped in a dark cloak, their face obscured by the hood's shadow. All she could see was a skeletal hand, its pale fingers tipped with impossibly long, blood-crimson nails.

The figure chuckled, the sound dry as brittle leaves. "Always predictable, Felicia Hardy. Curiosity is every cat's downfall."

Felicia whirled, but the figure was already gone. She scoured the shop, her heart pounding. There was no other exit, no trapdoor, no hidden passage. It was as if the figure had simply vanished into thin air.

Shaken, but her pride stung, Felicia returned her focus to the mirror. Belladonna's locket, if the rumors were even partially true, likely held some clue to the identity of her elusive enemy. With a trembling hand, she reached for the locket, suspended from an ornate silver chain.

As her fingers touched the locket, a blinding flash erupted, throwing her back against the wall. The mirror shattered, showering the floor with shards that reflected warped fragments of Felicia's terrified face. The chanting grew louder, no longer a whisper but a chorus echoing through the space, threatening to fracture her sanity.

Then, the chanting stopped abruptly. The oppressive silence was even more terrifying.

Struggling to her feet, Felicia gazed at the shattered mirror. Her reflection stared back, but something was… off. The usually vibrant green of her eyes seemed faded, a touch of gray clouding their brilliance. It was a subtle difference, but chilling all the same. Had a little piece of her soul been stolen, as the legends said?

Doubts gnawed at her. Had this been a simple job gone wrong? Or was there truly some magic at play here, something defying her every understanding of the world? Her mind raced, desperately seeking a rational explanation, but all she found was a deepening terror.

She left the shop, the remnants of the shattered mirror a mocking testament to her miscalculation. The locket clutched in her gloved hand felt less like a prize, more like a ticking time bomb just waiting for its moment.

Back in the safe haven of her apartment, Felicia stripped off her disguise and headed for the shower. The hot water beating against her skin did little to wash away the lingering sense of dread. Every creak of the floorboards, every flicker of shadow, made her jump. She wasn't used to being afraid, least of all of the unknown.

Examining the locket under brighter light, she found no trace of magic, no cryptic symbols, no telltale signs of the rumors' veracity. Yet, the unease didn't fade. Had her encounter truly been nothing more than sleight of hand, a carefully orchestrated trick? Or was she now inextricably linked to a realm of magic she couldn't begin to comprehend?

Felicia Hardy, the Black Cat, had always danced on the knife's edge, taunting danger. But this time, danger seemed to have found her, and it wasn't about to let go easily.

Sleep came in fits and starts, plagued by nightmares of the cloaked figure and the haunting echo of the chant. When Felicia finally awoke, the pre-dawn light filtering through the windows offered no solace.

Haunted by her encounter, she decided to seek help from someone who understood the fringes of the ordinary – Doctor Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme. Arriving at the Sanctum Sanctorum, she found the usually bustling building eerily quiet. A sense of unease settled in her stomach as she pushed open the creaking door.

Inside, the air hung heavy, the familiar scent of mystical incense replaced by a stale, oppressive feeling. She called out for Doctor Strange, but there was no response. As she ventured deeper, the hairs on the back of her neck prickled. Objects seemed askew, displaced from their usual positions, and an unsettling aura lingered in the air.

Then, she saw him. Doctor Strange, suspended in mid-air, his eyes closed, his face pale and drawn. His body was encased in a web of shimmering, crimson energy, pulsing with an unnatural rhythm.

Panic surged through Felicia, her fear amplified by the unsettling sight. She knew she was in over her head, but the thought of leaving someone, especially someone who might hold the key to unraveling the mystery, was unthinkable.

Drawing on her years of experience navigating the city's underbelly, Felicia scanned the room for clues. Her sharp eyes noticed a single, silver locket lying discarded on the floor. It was identical to the one she had taken from the antique shop.

As she reached for it, a voice filled the room. Cold and laced with amusement, it slithered into her ear, sending shivers down her spine. "So, the Black Cat finally decides to play hero? A curious turn of events."

Felicia whirled around, but still, there was no one there. The voice was disembodied, echoing from every corner of the room, seemingly emanating from the very air itself.

"Don't be coy, Felicia," the voice taunted. "You can feel my presence, can't you? We are so very similar, you and I. A thirst for the extraordinary, a hunger for power. Perhaps you could even be persuaded to join me."

Felicia gritted her teeth, refusing to give in to fear or temptation. "Who are you? What have you done to Doctor Strange?"

The voice chuckled, a sound devoid of humor. "Doctor Strange was a mere obstacle, easily overcome. As for me, I am Belladonna, and I have merely reclaimed what is rightfully mine."

Realization dawned on Felicia. Belladonna wasn't just using the locket; she was somehow inhabiting it, using it as a conduit to exert her influence. The locket she had taken from the shop wasn't the real prize; it was a trap, meant to lure someone like Felicia, someone susceptible to the allure of the unknown.

Belladonna's voice continued, its promises laced with deceit. "Together, Felicia, we can achieve great things. Imagine the power we could wield, the secrets we could unlock."

Felicia felt a surge of defiance. Belladonna might be powerful, but she wasn't unbeatable. She wouldn't be another pawn in this twisted game.

With a growl, she activated her signature claws, the metal glinting in the dim light. "There's no 'together' in this, Belladonna. You want the Doctor and you want the power within the locket. But I'm not letting you have either."

The room filled with the crackle of energy as Felicia lunged forward, her claws aimed at the suspended figure of Doctor Strange. She knew she couldn't harm Belladonna directly, but she could disrupt the energy holding him captive, give him a chance to fight back.

The battle that ensued was unlike any Felicia had ever faced. Belladonna fought not with physical prowess, but with illusions and mind games, manipulating the very fabric of reality around them. Felicia, relying on her agility and quick wit, evaded the illusory attacks, her mind a battlefield against the sorceress's manipulations.

Just as she felt overwhelmed, on the verge of succumbing to Belladonna's overwhelming magic, a surge of energy erupted from the suspended Doctor Strange. The crimson web holding him captive crackled and dissipated, revealing a weakened but determined Sorcerer Supreme.

With a combined effort, Felicia and Doctor Strange pushed back against Belladonna's magic, their combined energy forcing the entity back into the confines of the locket. The silver pendant grew hot in Felicia's hand, pulsing with a malevolent energy.

Knowing they couldn't keep Belladonna trapped forever, Doctor Strange recited a complex incantation, creating a swirling portal that led to an otherworldly dimension, a prison for the malevolent sorceress. With a final, desperate plea, Belladonna's

...for more supergirl, chun li, batgirl, tifa, lara croft, wonder woman, rogue, power girl, poison ivy and much more, please visit my page at www.deviantart.com/jadegretzai - Thanks for your support

Description
Felicia's Gambit: The Alluring Black Cat by Jade Gretz

Felicia Hardy, slinking through the moonlit alleys of New York City, was not her usual vivacious self. Tonight, the thrill of the hunt that typically fueled the Black Cat was tinged with a cold unease. Her burglar's intuition, usually a source of adrenaline, whispered of danger.

Her target wasn't a priceless gem or a vault brimming with wealth. It was a simple silver locket, its unremarkable appearance belying the rumors of dark magic swirling around it. The locket, as legend had it, belonged to an ancient sorceress named Belladonna. Some said it could bind a human soul, while others swore it was a key to realms unseen and best left alone.

Felicia had scoffed at such tales. Magic was for fairy stories, not the gritty streets of Manhattan. Yet, a whisper of doubt lingered, nagging at the back of her mind. Tonight, she had traded her skintight suit for a dark turtleneck and trousers, her feline mask the only outward sign of her alter ego. Stealth and shadows, not bravado, were her allies tonight.

The antique shop where the locket was hidden seemed unguarded, its quaint wooden door an invitation to trouble. Yet, Felicia hesitated. The air crackled with a tension that set her teeth on edge, an almost tangible wrongness that pricked at her danger sense.

With a resigned sigh, she slipped inside, her footsteps silent on the dusty floorboards. The shop smelled of old paper and sandalwood, a comforting aroma that contrasted sharply with the building paranoia squeezing her chest. Displays of tarnished jewelry and chipped porcelain lined the walls, relics of a time long past. Yet, her gaze was drawn to the back of the shop, where a heavy velvet cloth veiled an alcove. The locket would be there.

As she approached, a faint whisper slithered into her ear, a woman's voice chanting in a language both foreign and disturbingly familiar. It coiled around her like an unseen serpent, tightening its grip with each syllable. Felicia shook her head, her hands balling into fists. This was no ancient incantation; it was a trick, designed to disorient her, to make her vulnerable.

Suddenly, the cloth across the alcove quivered and flew off, revealing not the locket, but a life-sized mirror. Felicia hissed in surprise. In the reflection, the Black Cat was not alone. Standing behind her, just inches away, was a gaunt figure draped in a dark cloak, their face obscured by the hood's shadow. All she could see was a skeletal hand, its pale fingers tipped with impossibly long, blood-crimson nails.

The figure chuckled, the sound dry as brittle leaves. "Always predictable, Felicia Hardy. Curiosity is every cat's downfall."

Felicia whirled, but the figure was already gone. She scoured the shop, her heart pounding. There was no other exit, no trapdoor, no hidden passage. It was as if the figure had simply vanished into thin air.

Shaken, but her pride stung, Felicia returned her focus to the mirror. Belladonna's locket, if the rumors were even partially true, likely held some clue to the identity of her elusive enemy. With a trembling hand, she reached for the locket, suspended from an ornate silver chain.

As her fingers touched the locket, a blinding flash erupted, throwing her back against the wall. The mirror shattered, showering the floor with shards that reflected warped fragments of Felicia's terrified face. The chanting grew louder, no longer a whisper but a chorus echoing through the space, threatening to fracture her sanity.

Then, the chanting stopped abruptly. The oppressive silence was even more terrifying.

Struggling to her feet, Felicia gazed at the shattered mirror. Her reflection stared back, but something was… off. The usually vibrant green of her eyes seemed faded, a touch of gray clouding their brilliance. It was a subtle difference, but chilling all the same. Had a little piece of her soul been stolen, as the legends said?

Doubts gnawed at her. Had this been a simple job gone wrong? Or was there truly some magic at play here, something defying her every understanding of the world? Her mind raced, desperately seeking a rational explanation, but all she found was a deepening terror.

She left the shop, the remnants of the shattered mirror a mocking testament to her miscalculation. The locket clutched in her gloved hand felt less like a prize, more like a ticking time bomb just waiting for its moment.

Back in the safe haven of her apartment, Felicia stripped off her disguise and headed for the shower. The hot water beating against her skin did little to wash away the lingering sense of dread. Every creak of the floorboards, every flicker of shadow, made her jump. She wasn't used to being afraid, least of all of the unknown.

Examining the locket under brighter light, she found no trace of magic, no cryptic symbols, no telltale signs of the rumors' veracity. Yet, the unease didn't fade. Had her encounter truly been nothing more than sleight of hand, a carefully orchestrated trick? Or was she now inextricably linked to a realm of magic she couldn't begin to comprehend?

Felicia Hardy, the Black Cat, had always danced on the knife's edge, taunting danger. But this time, danger seemed to have found her, and it wasn't about to let go easily.

Sleep came in fits and starts, plagued by nightmares of the cloaked figure and the haunting echo of the chant. When Felicia finally awoke, the pre-dawn light filtering through the windows offered no solace.

Haunted by her encounter, she decided to seek help from someone who understood the fringes of the ordinary – Doctor Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme. Arriving at the Sanctum Sanctorum, she found the usually bustling building eerily quiet. A sense of unease settled in her stomach as she pushed open the creaking door.

Inside, the air hung heavy, the familiar scent of mystical incense replaced by a stale, oppressive feeling. She called out for Doctor Strange, but there was no response. As she ventured deeper, the hairs on the back of her neck prickled. Objects seemed askew, displaced from their usual positions, and an unsettling aura lingered in the air.

Then, she saw him. Doctor Strange, suspended in mid-air, his eyes closed, his face pale and drawn. His body was encased in a web of shimmering, crimson energy, pulsing with an unnatural rhythm.

Panic surged through Felicia, her fear amplified by the unsettling sight. She knew she was in over her head, but the thought of leaving someone, especially someone who might hold the key to unraveling the mystery, was unthinkable.

Drawing on her years of experience navigating the city's underbelly, Felicia scanned the room for clues. Her sharp eyes noticed a single, silver locket lying discarded on the floor. It was identical to the one she had taken from the antique shop.

As she reached for it, a voice filled the room. Cold and laced with amusement, it slithered into her ear, sending shivers down her spine. "So, the Black Cat finally decides to play hero? A curious turn of events."

Felicia whirled around, but still, there was no one there. The voice was disembodied, echoing from every corner of the room, seemingly emanating from the very air itself.

"Don't be coy, Felicia," the voice taunted. "You can feel my presence, can't you? We are so very similar, you and I. A thirst for the extraordinary, a hunger for power. Perhaps you could even be persuaded to join me."

Felicia gritted her teeth, refusing to give in to fear or temptation. "Who are you? What have you done to Doctor Strange?"

The voice chuckled, a sound devoid of humor. "Doctor Strange was a mere obstacle, easily overcome. As for me, I am Belladonna, and I have merely reclaimed what is rightfully mine."

Realization dawned on Felicia. Belladonna wasn't just using the locket; she was somehow inhabiting it, using it as a conduit to exert her influence. The locket she had taken from the shop wasn't the real prize; it was a trap, meant to lure someone like Felicia, someone susceptible to the allure of the unknown.

Belladonna's voice continued, its promises laced with deceit. "Together, Felicia, we can achieve great things. Imagine the power we could wield, the secrets we could unlock."

Felicia felt a surge of defiance. Belladonna might be powerful, but she wasn't unbeatable. She wouldn't be another pawn in this twisted game.

With a growl, she activated her signature claws, the metal glinting in the dim light. "There's no 'together' in this, Belladonna. You want the Doctor and you want the power within the locket. But I'm not letting you have either."

The room filled with the crackle of energy as Felicia lunged forward, her claws aimed at the suspended figure of Doctor Strange. She knew she couldn't harm Belladonna directly, but she could disrupt the energy holding him captive, give him a chance to fight back.

The battle that ensued was unlike any Felicia had ever faced. Belladonna fought not with physical prowess, but with illusions and mind games, manipulating the very fabric of reality around them. Felicia, relying on her agility and quick wit, evaded the illusory attacks, her mind a battlefield against the sorceress's manipulations.

Just as she felt overwhelmed, on the verge of succumbing to Belladonna's overwhelming magic, a surge of energy erupted from the suspended Doctor Strange. The crimson web holding him captive crackled and dissipated, revealing a weakened but determined Sorcerer Supreme.

With a combined effort, Felicia and Doctor Strange pushed back against Belladonna's magic, their combined energy forcing the entity back into the confines of the locket. The silver pendant grew hot in Felicia's hand, pulsing with a malevolent energy.

Knowing they couldn't keep Belladonna trapped forever, Doctor Strange recited a complex incantation, creating a swirling portal that led to an otherworldly dimension, a prison for the malevolent sorceress. With a final, desperate plea, Belladonna's

...for more supergirl, chun li, batgirl, tifa, lara croft, wonder woman, rogue, power girl, poison ivy and much more, please visit my page at www.deviantart.com/jadegretzai - Thanks for your support