The Curious Case of Corey Bryant
Fusedtwilight: This is an idea that has been floating around in the back of my mind for some time. I haven't seen very many fics that focus on Corey and Mason, usually they are just background characters so I wanted to add to Morey fics.
"Run!" Liam yelled.
That one little word had become a constant in their lives. Since Liam became a werewolf, and they were constantly faced with monsters and lunatics who wanted them dead, it was often uttered with fear and dread,
By now Mason knew that if someone in the pack yelled run, you ran. No questions asked. Because if whatever it was you were fleeing from was so bad that none of your pack thought you could take it on even as a group then it had to be bad.
It was just the two of them now. Theo was gone, Nolan was MIA but Mason didn't have high hopes for the blondes well being.
The library was abandoned and dark, it always amazed Mason how everything seemed to lead them right back to the school. How many times had someone died here? How many times was there some fight between shifters?
There was even a secret vault buried here. Mason often wondered why the Hales allowed a school to be built over where they stashed their rare and precious artifacts. Right now though he was wishing he was in that impenetrable room right now.
Mason put those thoughts aside, he had more pressing concerns at the moment.
"Do you think we lost him?" Mason asked.
Liam shook his head. "I don't know. He has gotten so much stronger, I can't even sense him!"
Mason was about to speak when he noticed something behind Liam, the very distinct outline of reflected light. "Liam look-"
Before he could warn his friend the outline shimmered and the creature that appeared opened its mouth and its tongue shot out, wrapping around the young wolf's neck.
"Corey no!" Mason yelled.
The Chimera didn't stop his assault. You would almost be unable to recognize him if you saw him now. Corey's skin was like smooth petrified wood with deep wrinkles, his eyes were more chameleon like, they rolled in different directions, glowing a vivid greenish-blue color.
Liam was about to use his claws to cut the tongue off, but before he could Corey's tail shot out, wrapping around his stomach and squeezing with enough force to cause all the air to leave his body. He fell to his knees, the world was starting to spin around him.
Corey approached the Beta, placing his hands over his face. A glow similar to the one from Corey's eyes began to shine from his hands. Mason watched in horror as Liam' was transformed. When Corey removed his hands, Liam had been transformed. His eyes glowed just like Corey's and his skin had turned into the same wood-like form.
Corey released him and Liam stood up. They were both watching Mason now. He knew he was next.
He tried to run, but Liam jumped over his head, landing in front of him, his face morphed into his wolf form, making him look even more horrifying. Mason screamed for help as Liam held his arms behind his back. Corey slowly began to walk towards them.
"No! Stop! Liam let me go!" Mason yelled, trying to get through to his friend.
"It's okay Mason. We will all ride together forever," Liam said in a robotic tone.
Corey stood in front of the two, his eyes looking in various directions. "Corey, listen to me, please!" Mason begged.
Both eyes focused on Mason. He brought his hand up to wipe away the tear that had fallen down his cheek. He wrapped his arms around Mason, hugging both him and Liam. Mason continued to scream until the three of them vanished from sight in a puff of smoke.
Silence filled the library. When the librarian arrived in the morning, she would have no idea of the events that had transpired earlier.
Oh yes, many events transpired in that one room alone.
A few days earlier
Mason awoke to the sensation of something soft running up his stomach. "Happy birthday to you." when the object reached his nose he could tell it was a rose. He opened his eyes and confirmed his theory as he looked at the scarlet petals. He looked up further to see a smiling Corey. "Happy birthday dear Mason. Happy Birthday to you!"
Mason smiled, taking the rose from his boyfriend. "Morning," he said with a smile.
"Morning." Corey leaned down to kiss him on the head.
"You know my birthday isn't for another two days right?" Mason asked.
Corey shrugged. "I know. I just wanted to practice for when it is your birthday. Maybe I will try waking you up with kisses to your belly tomorrow."
Mason smiled and kissed Corey on the lips. "I got breakfast started. Come on down when you are ready."
Corey left the room and Mason took a moment to stretch. He got out of the bed, taking a deep whiff of the rose Corey had gotten him. Mason was turning eighteen tomorrow. Corey, Liam and Mason had graduated thanks to Mrs. Martin using her connections to bump them up a year.
The trio decided to hold off going to college until next year. They figured just because they skipped a year didn't mean they couldn't wait before going to off to continue their education. Plus they wanted to keep an eye on the town just a little while longer.
The town did have a bad habit of attracting trouble.
Corey and Mason were in a good place. Mason finally met his parents at graduation. They had been shocked to learn Corey had a boyfriend...they didn't even know he was gay. It was clear they didn't know anything about Corey. Mason's parents knew more about Corey than his parents did.
They gushed about how he was a sweet boy and how they loved him and how they loved having him over all the time. They knew Corey had a very distant relationship with his parents. Mason's mom always liked to say if it wasn't for the fact Corey and Mason were dating she would gladly adopt him.
The Hewitt's were always supportive of their son. They were happy he found a nice man who obviously cared for him. That didn't stop them from making some rules about when Corey spent the night (which happened a lot) like they had to sleep in separate rooms.
Corey didn't mind. He spent so much time with Mason it didn't matter if they slept in separate rooms. Just as long as they were together.
Mason walked down to the kitchen, still holding the rose. Corey was making breakfast, both of Mason's parents had left early for work. Mason helped get the table ready, and the two enjoyed a nice breakfast together.
It was all very domestic. Mason had the paper out, reading it as they ate. "There has been another disappearance," he said.
"Another?" Corey asked.
"Yeah. Liam said if people keep vanishing he and Theo are going to look into it. See if they can find a scent. Stilinski hasn't been able to find any leads. These people have no connection, other than they live in town. They just...vanished."
"Like Ghost Rider vanished?" Corey asked.
They both winced at the word. The time when the Riders came to Beacon Hills was one of the most terrifying events to take place. Mason still had nightmares of finding Corey, hooked up to Douglass's machine.
"No, if it was them we wouldn't remember them. Besides, they left."
"I hope this doesn't screw up our plans. I want you to have the perfect birthday," Corey said with a smile.
Mason raised his fork, extending it into Corey's mouth and feeding him some of his pancake. "As long as you're with me, it will be perfect."
Liam looked at the photo Stilinski showed him. It showed a middle aged man, with a balding head and lines around his lips that were a sign he smiled a lot. Theo stood quietly behind him, Nolan stood next to him. Theo had his arms crossed, looking rather bored. Nolan mimicked his pose but rather than look intimidating he was trying to make himself seem smaller.
"This is Frank Waller. His wife reported him missing yesterday. His car was found abandoned at the bank. The door was open and his keys were on the ground," Stilinski said.
"You think he was kidnapped?" Liam asked.
"I am sure he was. I am also sure it has something to do with the Supernatural," he said. He turned his laptop around to show them a video. "We got this from one of the security cameras. Watch."
He clicked play, and the trio watched as Frank made his way to his car. The footage wasn't that great. You would think a bank would invest in better cameras. Frank Got in his car, but before he could close the door, the whole car started to shake and they could see movement inside.
"Is someone inside?" Nolan asked.
"Must be, why else would he be thrashing around?" Theo asked.
"Keep watching," Stilinski said.
There was an explosion of light from the inside of the car and they saw the vague shape of two people inside. Smoke poured out from the door, quickly evaporating.
"Okay, definitely not normal," Nolan said.
"Parrish and I are the only ones who have seen this. The way things are now I can't trust my deputies seeing this."
The town may have returned to normal. But now the supernatural world was known by the majority of the town. Even though the Anuk-ite was gone and Monroe wasn't around to stir the pot, there was still a tension that had to be carefully handled.
If people learned something inhuman was abducting people, it could cause another panic. Noah and Parrish made sure the other deputies didn't see this footage for that same reason. Both still felt the sting of betrayal when the whole station turned against them. As much as Noah hated to admit it he still couldn't trust the others like he used to.
"Did you find anything inside the car?" Liam asked.
"No. Nothing. No residue. No fingerprints besides the owners. I had Parrish make a list of any disappearances from possible runaways to this. We tried narrowing it down to ones we suspect have something supernatural about it."
"We'll look into it," Liam said.
"I appreciate it. I know you kids were hoping to enjoy some time off before you went to college-"
"This is what we do, Scott trusted us protect the town, that is what we will do."
The trio left the police station with the file Noah gave them, receiving a friendly nod from Parrish and suspicious glares from several of the deputies. Liam smiled smugly at them, Theo gave them a rather sinister grin and Nolan averted his gaze.
While Nolan remembered working with those deputies when he was with Monroe and felt shame for his history with them, Theo and Liam felt giddy to rub it in the deputies faces how they had won the war. Liam especially loved hearing the story of how Noah had kicked some of their ass's at Eichen.
Theo just hated them for all the times they woke him up when he was sleeping in his truck.
Once they were outside Theo spoke. "So what next little wolf?"
"Well check the guys car out first. See if we can get a scent."
"Could we be dealing with Oni?" Nolan asked. "I read in the bestiary that they can teleport. It was night out so they could manifest."
"You've been doing your research freckles."
Nolan frowned at Theo. He never called Nolan by his name. It was always freckles, blondie or worse, little lamb. Nolan hated the last one. But Theo insisted Nolan reminded him of a little baby lamb. All cute and helpless.
At least Liam got to be called little wolf.
"I may be human but that doesn't mean I can't help out like Mason does," Nolan replied.
"I don't think so. Scott told me Oni don't kidnap people. They track down their targets and either scan them or kill them."
"Scan them for what?" Nolan asked.
"Evil spirits. Usually they are summoned and controlled by someone. The last person to summon Oni in Beacon Hills was Noshiko Yukimura and that cost her a lot of power."
"She doesn't have any more tails so she wouldn't be able to summon any Oni," Theo said.
"Maybe someone else is summoning Oni to kidnap people," Nolan offered.
"You don't summon Oni to kidnap people. Their assistance comes at too high a price from something like this."
"Let's just get to Franks car and see if we can find anything. We'll talk to Deaton later and see if he knows anything about any creatures that can kidnap people without notice."
"I think we already know what creature can do that," Theo said with a stony edge to his voice.
Liam sighed. "Don't even go there."
Corey and Mason walked into Corey's house. He had to grab a change of cloths, he was planning to spend the rest of the week with Mason and needed to grab his best clothing for the party.
"Need help?" Mason asked.
"No, I'll be quick," Corey said.
Mason looked down at the floor when he felt something crumple beneath his foot. He frowned when he saw a bunch of mail and newspapers.
"How long have your parents been gone?" he asked
Corey frowned, bending down to grab everything off the floor. "I didn't even know they were gone. Usually if they go somewhere, they let me know."
He tossed the papers onto the stand by the door and headed for his room. "Get yourself something to drink if you're thirsty," he called.
"Okay."
Mason made his way into the kitchen. He took one sniff and let out a gag. He looked around the kitchen and realized the offensive odor was coming from the stove. He walked over and saw that someone had left food on the stove in some pans.
Food which had well rotted. There was a skillet on the floor in front of the stove and at the kitchen table it looked like someone had been preparing dinner, but it also looked like there had been some kind of altercation because some of the cutlery was on the floor and a glass of milk had been spilled, the milk having long since soured.
Alarm bells were going off in Mason's head. The pile of mail, the state of the kitchen. Mason was starting to think Corey's parents did not just leave without notice.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He needed to call Liam. There had been another disappearance.
Nolan tried not to laugh as he watched Liam and Theo inside the car. Liam was in the front and Theo was in the back. Both of them were sniffing, their noses pressed close against the surface of what they were inspecting.
It was both comical to see them both acting in such a way and fascinating. Once the fear and paranoia that had driven him to the extreme was gone he found he had a fascination with the supernatural. Seeing his companions acting so canine like was interesting to behold.
Watching their facial expression with each sniff told Nolan how the investigation was going. For Liam in the front it was frustration and anger so he must not be scenting anything useful. But Theo's expression was one of surprise and concern. Nolan was sure Theo caught something but whatever it was, it was troubling.
"I smell fear, panic. Frank was afraid. It is over powering," Liam said.
"I got something. It's a little faint because of Frank's scent. But I think I know who was here. Someone we all know."
Liam squeezed his body through the front seats to sniff around the back. Nolan couldn't see his face but judging from how his body tense he to recognized whatever or rather whoever Theo was scenting.
He looked up at Theo. Both of them shared a look Nolan could only describe as concerned.
"It can't be," Liam said.
Just then his phone began to ring. He reached into his back pocket to grab his phone. He looked at the screen and quickly answered. "Mason, hey."
Liam's face became worried. "We'll be right there."
He ended the call and both of them got out of the car. "It has to be him," Theo said having heard the conversation.
"Who? Mason?" Nolan asked.
"No. It's Corey," Theo said.
Less than an hour later everyone was at the Bryant house. Corey stood in the kitchen, looking at the milk on the table. His relationship with his parents was practically void, but the idea they had been kidnapped for God knows how long made him feel truly terrible.
They didn't hit him, or scream at him, yet their negligence had been a form of abuse all in its own. But still they were his parents, and he knew he had to find them.
But instead of coming to help the others were saying he may have been the one to kidnap them!
"This is impossible, I think I would know if I was kidnapping someone," Corey said.
"We smelled you in the car Corey," Theo said softly.
Liam reached into the folder and pulled out a picture of Frank, handing it to Corey. Corey looked at it and a look of recognition crossed his features. "Hey, I know him. He works at the bank. I go there all the time to grab some money."
"What about her?" Liam asked handing him another photo.
"Yeah, she works at the Pizza shop. She always puts extra cheese on my order," Corey said. "She is missing to?"
"All these people are," Liam said waving the folder. "Here look at them all. Do you recognize them?"
Corey looked through the photos. He recognized them all.
"This can't be happening!" Corey said dropping the photos to the floor.
Mason put a comforting hand on Corey's shoulder. "I am sure there is a logical explanation."
"In this town?" Theo asked.
"A Beacon Hills explanation then," Mason said. He turned to look at Corey in the eyes. "Have you had any odd dreams?"
Corey thought for a moment. "Define odd?"
"What do you mean?" Mason asked calmly.
"Mason after everything I have been through you think I don't have odd dreams? I dream about drowning in a lake of mercury, I dream Douglass has me plugged up again, and he has turned everyone into Ghost Riders! I dream I am alone, invisible to the world!"
"Those are more like nightmares," Theo pointed out.
"Not helping," Liam snapped.
"Maybe it is a chameleon thing," Nolan said. "I mean I know Theo is part Werewolf and part Werecoyote. But what is Corey exactly? Is he really a Werechameleon?"
"There is no such thing as Werechameleons," Theo said dryly.
"Are you sure?" Liam asked.
"Positive. Being able to teleport is not a very common power even among the supernatural community."
"And I can't teleport!" Corey said hotly. "If I could don't you think I would have used it all those times we were almost killed?"
"Maybe you just don't remember. Wouldn't be the first time someone in the pack had issues with memory loss," Theo said
"There is only one way to be sure," Liam said.
He held out his hands and flicked out his claws. Corey had a flash of memory. Of the feel of similar razor sharp looking nails digging into the back of his neck. Of the white hot fire that burned through his mind, forcing him to relive terrifying memories.
He was backing away before anyone could stop him. "No...no...no!"
He ran off, they could hear him going up to his room. Mason turned to face his friend. "Really, Liam?"
Liam lowered his hand. "I am sorry, but we need to find out for sure Mason."
"You know how he feels about mind reading! Last time someone stuck their claws in him Scott was forcing his way into his mind!"
Liam looked at his hand, a hint of shame in his eyes. "You are right."
"We don't have time for this. All the evidence points to Corey," Theo said sounding impatient.
"But Corey can't teleport, it's like he said," Nolan replied.
Theo was quit for a moment. "I have an idea. Liam, what did you guys do with the Doctor's journals?"
"Argent took them to a storage unit he owns," Liam replied.
"Is he in town?"
Liam shook his head. "No, he went to France to visit an old friend of the pack, I think Melissa has a key though."
Theo nodded. "Nolan and I will go check out the Doctor's journals. You two stay here with Corey. Keep a close eye on him."
"You think this has something to do with what the Doctors did to him?" Mason asked.
"Could be. I need to read their notes though. Just be careful, he might not realize he is kidnapping people."
Nolan and Theo left, leaving Mason alone with Liam. "I'll go talk to Corey," Mason said.
He left Liam in the kitchen. He went up to Corey's room and found him sitting on his bed, hugging his knees. Mason sat down next to him, wrapping a comforting arm around his shoulders.
"What if it is me Mason?" Corey asked. "What if it's something leftover from what the Doctors did to me?"
"Then we will take care of it," Mason said. "The Doctors are dead, they can't hurt you or anyone else anymore."
Corey sighed. "I thought the nightmare was over. That I didn't have to worry about being a Chimera anymore. But now..."
Mason took his hand and kissed his knuckles. "We will figure this out Corey. We always do."
Corey leaned against Mason. "Are they still downstairs?"
"Theo and Nolan left to check something out. Liam is still here."
Corey nodded. "I'll let him read my mind."
"You don't have to Corey. I know you are afraid of it, I won't let you do something you don't want to. Even if Liam says we need to do it."
"You'd go against Liam for me?" Corey asked.
"Liam is my best friend. But I am not going to let him hurt you. That's not how we treat the people we are trying to help. Or our pack mates."
Corey was quiet for a moment. "I still want to do it. If I am abducting people who is to say I won't try and abduct you? Or Liam or Theo or Nolan. We need to know for sure."
"Are you certain?" Mason asked.
Corey nodded, his expression firm. "Yeah. I need to know if I am responsible for this."
"I'll be with you every step of the way. I promise."
Corey pulled him close and kissed him. "Think we have time for a qucikie?"
"I'm still here you know!" Liam yelled from downstairs.
The two of them laughed. "You can come up Liam!" Mason yelled.
A few moments later a sheepish looking Liam walked in. "Corey, I am sorry for how I acted. I didn't stop to think how you might feel about having your mind read."
Corey shrugged. "It's fine Liam. It happened a long time ago. I forgave Scott. I understand he was under a lot of pressure and he had a lot of lives depending on him."
"Are you sure about doing this?" Liam asked.
"Yes. Let's do this."
Corey made room for Liam to sit beside him. Mason put a hand on Corey shoulder as Liam summoned his claws. "I will try to make this painless."
"That's what he said," Corey replied, making Liam laugh.
"Here we go."
His claws hovered over the surface of Corey's neck and with a sharp thrust he embedded them into his spine. Both of their bodies seized and their minds were connected.
Focus! Liam thought to himself. Think of your parents, think of Frank, the girl from the pizza shop.
It was like dropping a stone into a shallow lake. The stone caused the dirt at the bottom to float to the surface. Just by thinking these questions Corey's mind automatically began to bring up a plethora of images. Each one came with a memory.
For the Bryant's it was resentment, apathy, loneliness. Liam could feel it pressing against his mind. He saw all the times they ignored Corey, leaving him to fend for himself for most of his life.
Liam went a little deeper, pushing against the surface and further into the subconscious. The dark part of the mind filled with secrets and mysteries hidden even from us,
What he found shocked him.
Corey hiding in the back of Franks car, assaulting him as soon as he got him.
The girl from the Pizza shop getting ready to close, only to scream in terror as Corey materialized in front of her.
The Bryant's getting ready for dinner, Corey had been in his room when he went downstairs and chased them around the house. His mother he grabbed at the stove, his father had run outside but Corey had caught him.
Many other memories. People stalked, assaulted, vanished.
Screams of fear, the world glowing green around him. Strange places that looked like alien worlds. A raven black as night, a woman with hair like fresh blood and skin like death, a man dressed like a cowboy, his skin like wood.
A single thought that resonated from deep in the void: The lounge will ride together forever.
The connection ended and Liam pulled his claws out of Corey. The Chimera fell unconscious, Mason held him up, trying to wake him up.
"What happened?" he asked.
"It was Corey. He was abducting people. But something wasn't right. It was like something buried deep in his mind was compelling him to do it."
"Will he be okay?" Mason asked.
"Yeah. He just needs some time."
"What are we going to do Liam?" Mason asked.
"I don't know. Hopefully Theo and Nolan can find something out. For now lets just keep an eye on him."
Nolan and Theo were inside Argent's storage unit. They had a light on and were looking through some books. Nolan hated the unit the moment Theo had used the key they had gotten from Melissa at the hospital to open the door. After explaining the situation to her she had given them the key and told them which unit was Argents.
There had been dozens of dusty old books but most disturbing was the gear that looked like it should be from some steampunk nightmare. Nolan had heard the stories of the Doctors (even read the book in case he had some repressed memories about them) and he was thankful he never had to receive an organ transplant, else he might be a Chimera himself.
Reading the books were going to give Nolan nightmares for the rest of his life. Most of it was in scientific terms he didn't understand. But other bits were way too descriptive in the Doctors gruesome experiments.
"Find anything yet?" the human asked, anxious to leave as soon as possible.
"We have only been here for twenty minutes. There is literally centuries worth of research here," Theo responded.
"What makes you think what is happening to Corey will be in here?" Nolan asked."I thought you were the first Chimera?"
"I was the first chimera to survive the transformation," Theo said. "They had tried making chimeras before but they never made it through the transformation process."
"Until you."
"Until me. But they still considered me a failure."
Theo still remembered the bitterness he felt when the Surgeon called him an ordinary evil and that he was only a profound success in the fact he was entitled and narcissistic. He may have been right but his words still were like a slap to the face.
It was only because the words were true that they stung so harshly. Even now Theo hated to remember those words. Not because they hurt his ego like they did then, but because they were a reminder of Theo's greatest flaws.
"That's a good thing though right?" Nolan asked. "I mean if you had been a success then you would have been the host for the Beast."
"True. But at the time I wanted to be a success. I thought being a Chimera would make me unique. Better than the average shifter. But it only made me a little better than a human. I hated them for that. I felt like I had been hustled by a car dealer. Instead of getting a Lexus I got a Chevette."
"That was why you wanted to take Scott's alpha power. Why you wanted the Beast's power. Because they were the best powers a shifter could have."
Theo nodded. "Yeah. Then I got sent to hell and got a sever reality check. I thought I wanted power, but the truth was I just wanted to belong."
Nolan was quiet for a moment. Letting Theo's words sink in. "I..I am scared of you Theo. You're a murder, a killer and I am not sure if I can trust you. But I understand you better than the others do. I know what it is like to be so sure in your beliefs that you don't consider the consequences to your actions. You also took Gabe's pain before he died, even though you had no reason to do it other than kindness. So I think you are not the same person you were. I think you are better and if you truly try, I think the others will accept you. I mean, it's not like you're the first killer Scott has brought into the pack right?"
Theo smirked. "You're a freaky little kid, but you're also cool."
Nolan frowned. "I am only a few years younger than you!"
Theo laughed.
"So what makes you so sure you know what Corey is going through?"
"Part of the reason why the Doctors made me part Werecoyote was because they all have the ability to turn into a coyote. The ability is more rare among Werewolves though some Alphas are capable of taking on a more monstrous man-beast form. I tried to turn into a coyote but I was only able to assume my wolf form. I had figured since I was a wolf and a coyote maybe I could do both. Then two years before I cam back To Beacon Hills I was going for a run. As I started to transform, I thought about what it would like to become a coyote and when I transformed I realized something was different. I found a nearby stream and looked at my reflection and saw I was a coyote."
"I didn't know you could turn into a coyote," Nolan said.
Theo smiled and put his finger to his lips in a don't tell gesture.
I went to the Doctors and told them. I hoped it was a sign that maybe I was evolving. They did some tests and I admit I was doped up on a lot of drugs at the time. But I remember the Geneticist saying something about-he struggled to remember exactly what was said-something...genesis. Eta? No...beta?"
"Was it metagenesis?" Nolan asked looking at the book he was reading.
Theo snapped his fingers. "That is it!"
Nolan pointed to the book he. "I am reading some notes on here. It talks about you," he made room so Theo could stand next to him as he read from the book. "Subject Theo Raken has recently displayed an unknown ability to assume a coyote form as well as his normal wolf form. After hours of intense testing we can confirm the subject is still a failure."
Nolan looked up when he heard a soft growl come from Theo's lips. "Yeah, I am such a failure that the Doctor's and their project are all dead."
Nolan let out a breath of air. It was amazing how Theo could hold a grudge.
He continued. "Since Theo is our longest surviving specimen, we theorize that with enough time any of the specimens that survive long enough will go through what the Geneticist calls Metagenesis. A process where specimens begin to exhibit stronger abilities depending on what beings are used in their creation. In the subjects case his natural ability to turn into a wolf was a result of the Werecoyote used to make him. Before that the wolf was the only form he can take. The exact time it would take for metagenesis to occur in other specimens is unclear as subject has been alive for six years now. It is unclear exactly unknown how long he has this ability or how other specimens might react. Though the chances of other specimens surviving long enough to undergo the process are slim. The subjects mentality appears to be the same, but due to the fact Werecoyotes and Werewolves have similar instincts could be what allows his mentality to remain balanced."
"That must be what is happening to Corey. He is going through metagenesis!" Theo said.
"But what is Corey exactly?" Corey asked. "I know you guys like to joke and say he is a Werechameleon but-"
Theo turned and began to search through more boxes. "Like I said before there are no such things as Werechameleons. There are plenty of shifters and supernatural beings that can hide themselves. But if what he was doing was actually camouflage then he wouldn't turn entirely invisible. It would only be his skin!"
"How does his ability work exactly?"
"At first I assumed he somehow reflects light. But then I began to realize he was more powerful than anyone realized when the Wild Hunt showed up."
"The what?"
Theo ignored him and continued to look until he found another journal that didn't look as old as the rest. He opened it up and continued to go through its contents. "Here! It's a list of all the Chimeras they created. Age, date of birth, blood type, what transplants they had and what the Doctors used to make them." his eyes widened comically. "I'll be damned, they actually used a chameleon for Corey!"
"Why?" Nolan asked with a frown. "I mean yeah they got the tongue and can change their skin colors but chameleons are not exactly predators."
"True. But the Doctors had a theory that shifters powers had something to do with their animal nature. For instance the Werewolves and Werecoyotes being able to siphon pain. Since they are both pack creatures and tend to their wounded, it could be that translated into their power to ease the physical burden on another. Or an Alphas ability to inflict lasting harm on a Beta. Alphas are supposed to keep the pack in check so you get some little shit causing a fuss you need to make him settle down and make sure he gets the message loud and clear."
"It's like cause and effect. It's kind of like how Deaton is going on about how there is a spiritual aspect to shifters."
"Exactly. The Doctors were hoping to create beings with unique abilities or to even enhance the Chimeras abilities by using animal essence. There was this one Chimera, Josh. He was part Raiju and part eel."
"Okay so if Corey is part chameleon what else is he?"
Theo began to scan the book again. Nolan knew something was wrong when his expression fell. "Shit I was right." He closed the book and tossed it to the floor. He ran his hand over his hair. "Bastards actually put some Ghost Rider into him!"
"I take it that is bad?" Nolan asked.
"I do not have enough time to explain how bad that is. I admit I always wondered when the hunt showed up. Then when I saw him in his new form...they must have wanted to see how the chameleons ability to camouflage itself would mix with the Riders ability to phase out of shift with our reality! I never imagined they would create a Chimera with Ghost Rider powers! What were they thinking?"
"I don't really understand but okay," Nolan nodded his head.
"That book you read said that the Doctors weren't sure how another Chimera might react mentally to going through Metagenesis. Like is said since coyotes and wolves have very similar instincts, it didn't affect me much."
"But the metagenesis has messed his head up because he is part chameleon and part Ghost Rider."
"Exactly, the Riders steal people who see them. If Corey is following the same instinct it would explain why people are going missing...but where are they going?"
Theo pulled out his cell and dialed Liam's number. He told them to meet him and Nolan at Deatons. Nolan could hear Liam speaking in a panicked tone and knew something had happened. Theo merely listened. When Liam was done Theo ended the call.
"Come on Nol, lets go," Theo said.
Nolan didn't move. Just smiled at him.
"What?" Theo asked.
"You called me Nol. Guess we are friends huh?"
Theo tried to scowl. But it was ruined by the curve in his lips.
It was starting to get dark out and Corey had yet to wake up. Mason held his hand. Liam was downstairs cleaning up the mess while Mason kept vigil over his boyfriend.
"I guess we should have known something like this was going to happen huh?" he spoke to Corey. "Things were too quiet for too long. That's how it works right. We might get a couple months off but then we get hit with something supernatural. I know you didn't mean to abduct those people Corey. I promise we will figure this all out."
Corey's eyes began to flutter open. "Liam I think he is starting to wake up!" Mason said excitedly. He gently cupped Corey's face. Wanting to be the first thing Corey saw. But when he did open his lids his eyes shined with a luminescent green color.
"Liam!" Mason yelled.
Just then there was a crash from downstairs and the sound of a roar that had to be Liam.
"Liam!" Mason yelled standing up. Corey suddenly grabbed his arm, his grip firm. "Mason!" Corey groaned. "Run!" he hissed finally letting go.
Mason stumbled back. Corey got off the bed, his movements erratic. Mason stared in horror as Corey began to change, his skin became darker and wooden, his face became more pointed, his eye bulged out and a tail slid out from behind his shirt.
He crouched down low, his eyes rolling in different directions.
"Mason!" Liam yelled from downstairs.
Mason grabbed the door and slammed it shut, he ran downstairs and found Liam fighting three humanoid creatures. Like Corey they had dark wood like skin and their eyes glowed a vivid green.
One of them had Liam in a full nelson and Liam had his legs wrapped around the neck of another. The last creature saw Mason and charged at him. "Mason run!" Liam yelled.
The creature brought its fist back but something grabbed its arm. Mason was shocked to see Corey's tongue had shot out and was wrapped around its arm. With a jerk of his head the creature went flying onto the kitchen table.
"Do not harm Mason!" Corey roared.
The other two creatures went slack, the one holding Liam dropped him. He fell to the floor but quickly got back up and ran over to Mason.
All the creatures were kneeling on the ground. Whispering over and over. "Do not harm Mason!"
"Lets go!" Liam yelled. He pulled Mason out of the house and they jumped in Mason's car and took off. The last thing they saw as they sped down the road was Corey watching them leave.
"What the fuck was that?" Liam yelled.
"My boyfriend," Mason said.
Just then Liam's phone began to ring. It was Theo. He told Liam to meet him and Nolan at Deaton's office, they had found something. Liam quickly explained what happened and called Deaton to have him meet them at the clinic.
The puppy pack stood in Deaton's clinic. Theo was showing them the books he and Nolan found.
"This is more serious than I thought," Deaton said. "I knew the Doctor's were experimenting. Making Chimeras from supernaturals beings and animals but using the power of a Ghost Rider is pure madness!"
"Who or what is a Ghost Rider?" Nolan asked.
"Ghost Riders are part of the Wild Hunt. Normally they are invisible but sometimes people see them. When they do they are taken by the Riders who erase all trace of them from reality, even wipe other peoples memories of the ones they abduct," Liam explained.
"A few years ago they came to Beacon Hills and got stuck here. They took Stiles, and we all forgot about him. We were able to save him though, since he was such an important person to the pack our subconscious told us something was wrong," Mason continued.
"The Wild Hunt are a group of beings made from powerful magic. Ancient and primeval. Only a fool would tamper with them," Deaton said.
"Or a mad doctor," Theo replied.
"Or a Nazi Werelion-Wolf," Liam said.
"Okay so since Corey is part Ghost Rider, and he is going through this Metagenesis thing and he is following his Ghost Rider instincts and is abducting people then where is he taking them?" Mason asked.
"Wait, you said Ghost Riders can erase peoples memories. So why do we still remember these people?" Nolan asked. "I mean if no one remembers them why are they being reported as missing?"
"Chimera's are not as powerful as the creatures we are based on," Theo said. "We can share their powers and abilities but on a diminished level. I am not as strong as regular Werewolves or Werecoyotes . Tracy was part Kanima but her venom didn't refill as quickly."
"So Corey can take people, he just can't erase them from reality," Mason said.
"But what is he doing with them?" Mason asked.
"I...I think he is transforming them," Liam said.
"What?"
"When Mason and I were attacked, I recognized one of the attackers as one of the missing people. But he didn't look human anymore. His skin was like petrified wood. I think Corey is somehow turning people into pseudo-Ghost Riders."
"Can he do that?" Nolan asked looking terrified. "Theo said Chimeras are not as powerful."
"Wild Hunt magic is unpredictable. Add the fact he is going through some kind of mutation like what Theo went through then who is to say he hasn't gained a new ability," Deaton said.
"But the Ghost Riders took people to add them to their group. They are the first hunt, the collectors of souls," Mason said. "The beings we fought were similar, but they had more awareness. They spoke to us and looked more human. They didn't fight using the Rider's weapons."
"Can we turn them back?" Liam asked.
Deaton shrugged. "There has never been a case of a person returning from the Hunt once they become a Rider."
"Alright. So we need to find Corey wherever he is and contain him. He can turn invisible and turn us into his minions and we have to deal with his servants at the same time."
"There has to be a way to reverse the process," Mason said.
"We turn him," Theo said.
"Into a Werewolf?" Mason asked.
Theo nodded. "Hayden became a Werewolf when Scott bit her. If Scott or another Alpha bites Corey he could become a Werewolf."
"Or die!"
"Or turn into something else...I mean. I heard that happens sometimes," Nolan said.
"We need to call for help. I'll contact Scott and tell him about the situation. We'll keep looking for Corey." Liam put a comforting hand on Mason's shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll save him."
"We need to tell Stilinski," Theo said. "If Corey is going to abduct anyone who has seen him, he could target the whole town."
"I'll call him now and let him know, then I will call Scott," Liam said.
Noah slammed the door shut and locked it. He held his gun in his hand, gritting his teeth. The station was under attack, he could hear the sounds of gunfire and screams. Green light shined through the blinds.
A group of creatures (God only knows what) had stormed through the door, attacking everything and everyone in sight. Noah's phone began to ring, he quickly answered it.
"Sheriff?"
"Liam!"
"What's going on?"
"We're under attack! I don't know what the hell these things are but-"
"Listen, it's Corey!"
"What?"
"He has gone through some kind of mutation. He has been kidnapping people and turning them into those things so don't kill them if you can help it, and if you see Corey run!"
Noah couldn't believe it. Corey was the cause of all this?
Noah became aware that it was suddenly quiet. No gunshots or screams. Just a very deadly silence.
"Liam, listen. You have to stop Corey. What ever you do-"
The door burst into tiny splinters. His deputies walked in but they were no longer human. They filled his room, standing along the left side and the right, he couldn't escape.
A creature walked in, just like the others except it had an only pointed face and a tail, the more he looked at its face and saw the thick eyebrows and the hair he realized this thing was none other than Corey.
Noah put his hands up, placing his gun on the desk.
"Corey, son. Listen. You need to stop this," he said.
"You...will join the lounge. You will lead the warriors. You will find my Mason and bring him to me."
Corey grabbed the desk and effortlessly pushed it aside. "Corey, stop!" Noah yelled.
Corey grabbed him by the neck and within moments Noah Stilinski was no more. Just another drone.
"Find my Mason," Corey ordered him. "The time to celebrate is near. Everything must be perfect."
Noah turned to look at the others. "You heard him. Mason Hewitt is to be found and detained. Under no circumstances is he to be harmed."
"Yes sir," the other deputies spoke.
They all vanished in a puff of green smoke. Leaving an empty station.
Fusedtwilight: I am in the process of moving and am working on some other fics right now so updates will be infrequent. I hope you all enjoy the story!