Prologue. Inside the Fire
"See her. You'll never free her. You must surrender it all and give life to me again"
-Disturbed, "Inside the Fire"
The subway system was dimly lit in these parts. The air felt awfully heavy and smelled of a strange mix of metal, concrete, garbage and even the faint smell of water. Deep in the tunnels, Selina Kyle, Catwoman, could hear the voices, Hunters.
"I hear them" she said in a hushed tone, supposedly to no one, but she was heard.
What about Re? Any sign of her? A male voice, transmitting thoughts into her head, asked.
She shook her head. "Not that I can hear. I'll go in further".
The Bat says to be careful.
"Thanks for the concern. I will, and you need to be careful as well, Bane. You don't need to be blowing cover".
Heard you the first three times, hellcat.
The connection cut for a time as she walked further into the darkness. The hunters had struck out at the old apartment complex the new Wolf Pack had called home. They'd taken a young werewolf, Reanna, in the process. Bane was immensely concerned, demanding the whole city be searched. He view Re like a daughter, as she was the first human he ever marked and she was only twelve years old now. The wolf in him viewed the girl as his pup, and he didn't like when people stole what was his. Bane, Catwoman, and Batman all determined stealth was best for this operation and Selina, naturally, was best at that.
Seeing a small hole in the wall, the cat burglar looked. It looked like something one would see out of a sci-fi torture film. The girl was chained to some kind of operating table. Her eyes, deep brown, were wide open, but she was staring off into nothing. On another table were several surgical items, scissors and blades. Several broken syringes and needles were scattered on the floor.
"Mother of god…" Selina mumbled.
What is it?! Is Re safe?!
"I don't think so. She looks like she's been tortured".
A loud growl resounded in her mind and Selina felt his temptation to shift. She had to keep him calm. He was doing just fine now, keeping up his own hunter disguise. If he shifted now, everyone would be done for.
"Look Bane, I need you to keep your cool for like five minutes, at least long enough for me to find an opening so you can get to her".
I can't guarantee anything, miss hellcat. When one of my own is in danger, instinct is my one guide.
"Well you're instinct could get us all killed. Just keep the wolf in as long as you possibly can".
I'll try. Just see what can be done to get her out of there".
"I just gotta find a door or something".
Find it and find it quick. God only knows what they've done to her.
The connection severed again and Selina kept looking. Bingo! Just beyond the surgical table was some kind of door. Damn…it was all the way across from her. It could only be accessed by someone on the inside of the Hunter's Lair.
"Bane I found a door".
Excellent…where?
"It's on the other side of the room where they're keeping Re. It can only be accessed by someone on the inside. I'm thinking maybe you can do it".
How do you figure?
"Can you pick up Reanna's scent or not?"
Not where I'm standing. Right now the scent of humans is too overpowering. I could try another corridor and see about that.
"Alright…anything from Bruce?"
No. His mind's blocked from me at the moment, he's an expert at that. He's probably occupied, trying to keep the other hunters off of us…probably trying to make sure I'm not discovered.
"Anything I can do?"
Simply stay where you are. If I pick up your scent before Re's I'll at least know I'm close. I'll make my own way in.
"Be careful…and don't blow cover Bane unless necessary, got it?"
Fifth time Hellcat, I've heard you. I'll be fine. Thanks for the concern though.
Bane severed the connection, slipping away from the group of hunters and into the shadows. When they were gone, he shifted to his wolf form and sniffed the air. Re's scent was faint, but it was there. They hadn't been here long. Interesting…they moved from one place to the next, at least that's what he concluded. Tasting the air, Bane caught the metallic, somewhat sickening taste of blood.
Re…I'm coming, Re. Just hold on, little pup.
Bane followed the scent, keeping himself out of the sight of the hunters. It wasn't too hard, as in this form he blended in with the shadows perfectly. Not even his eyes, brown even as a wolf, reflected light and blew his cover. He was right at home in the darkness. Now if only it was a full moon…
Reanna had been the first human he ever marked. She had only been a little girl of ten back then, a puppy the first time she shifted. With her history of abuse and neglect, Bane saw himself as a guardian to this girl. For all points and purposes, Reanna, Re for short, was his daughter. And for her, Bane would do anything. Sarantha would be proud of him, establishing his own pack, keeping them stable and under control, and now risking his life to save its youngest member. He ignored the ache in his heart as he thought of his amada, who'd been in self imposed exile for two years.
He followed Re's scent up to a large metal door. Somewhere in the mix he caught Selina's as well. His ears perked and tail wagged a little.
I'm at the door…
"Alright, can you try to get in?"
The lock's fingerprint activated.
"You want me to blow this wall then?"
Oh look who's talking about blowing cover now, hellcat. I don't think that's necessary though, someone's coming. Hold tight, but keep an eye on Re.
Bane kept hidden as two men approached the door, conversing. One wore a white lab coat; Bane didn't recognize him. But the other one…oh he knew the other one. Bane struggled to stifle a low rumbling growl. It was Conn Reynolds.
"How's our subject?" Conn asked.
"She's stabilized for now. She's showing no more signs of demonic nature. Once the serum really kicks in, I believe she'll be completely restored to human form" the scientist used his fingerprint to unlock the door.
"Excellent…we're one step closer to ridding the world of these hellhounds"
Bane shook his head in the shadows in disbelief. The man was desperate now. They were trying to kill her wolf! To do so would be to tear her very soul apart! Snarling, Bane rushed into the room after them. He attacked and killed the scientist easily, biting his throat and bursting a blood vessel. Conn shot a silver tipped arrow at Bane, but he jumped away, off a wall, and landed by the table where Re was chained. He had only a moment to steal a glance at her.
What he saw broke his heart anew. Re had lost all the vibrancy of life. Her wrists and ankles were burned and bloodied. The chains were obviously silver. Her brown eyes, once bright and full of emotion, were just hollow brown pools.
Re…what have they done to you?
Bane jumped away again as Conn shot yet another bolt.
"You're here for the girl".
I should've killed you when I had a chance. I'll tear your throat out! Letting out a roar like battle cry, Bane lunged at Conn, seeing only a red flash.
Meanwhile, Selina watched through the peephole. She tried to hide her fear and disgust as Bane virtually slaughtered Conn. The Alpha wolf bit the hunter first in the throat, tearing it out. But that wasn't enough. Bane tore at Conn's face and bit in several places. It was what she'd expect from a wolf on a Blood Moon.
"Bane!" she called his name which brought him out of his blood lusted mind, "Get Re and let's go!"
I'm on it.
Bane shifted back to human form and tried to unchain Reanna. His hands burned on the silver, but he didn't care. He fought through it and finally broke through the chains, freeing her. He held Re close to him and ran out of the station, killing and avoiding hunters and only hoping this mission was successful.
