The Hunter and the Hunted

This is my third fan fic using the Elder Brothers, but it's set in an alternate universe and I don't own any of the Marvel X-Men characters. No profit is being made on this fan fiction and I don't own anything anyway. In my movie verse, Victor and James never worked for Stryker. Stryker, Scott, Jean, Deathstrike, John Wraith, and the Professor are all alive and well.

I would also like to give a special thanks to GypsyWitchBaby for letting me borrow her Lupa character. She is a bit different here, but it's the same Lupa you'll all know and love from The Feral and The Dreaming Animal.

Rex, Medusa, Nina, Mika, Banger, Gaza, Black Bear, Grizzly, Hannock, and Haggar are creations of my crazy little mind. As are all the members of the Packs and Clans.

I'm in the process of finding a beta reader. This is a non beta read story. There will be spelling, grammatical, and context errors. I'm writing these stories for pure pleasure and my own brand of therapy from the real world. I am Dyslexic and truly can't "see" some of the glaring errors that offend some readers. If you can't stand spelling mistakes, grammatical error, and words used in the wrong context – my stories might not be for you. If you are interested in being a beta reader, please let me know.

Summary: Someone is hunting down Feral Mutants. Can the X-Men help and get to the bottom of this mystery before more Ferals disappear?

Chapter 4: The Explanation and Introductions (Revised)

Same time at Xavier's Study:

Scott and Jean were wide eyed as large Feral left who had silenced Xavier. Ororo knew power when she felt it. Victor had power in spades. Hank was conflicted. He KNEW Victor was indeed an Elder and nothing was ever going to be the same again at Xavier's. Hank put in to words what everyone was feeling. "Clearly Victor shares a healing factor along the same caliber of Wolverine's. He doesn't look to be a day over 35 years old, but in order to be an Elder you have to be at least 100 years of age and extremely wise. The Elders are voted to the Clans by the Packs if the rumors are correct."

Xavier was nodding as well. "The Elder Brothers themselves will also be among the Elders coming to the school. They are the oldest living known Mutants. We MUST convince Victor to introduce us to them. We'll need to find out from Victor how many Elders will be coming to the school. I would love to interview each of them and get their story for our historical records. All of the Elders would have a unique perspective that could give us insight into so many of the modern problems we as Mutants are facing. All of them have lives for a century or more and survived. Not only survived but built a society that has managed to stay out of the mainstream Mutant hatred and thrive. Most Ferals have very distinctive features or characteristics. Yet, I can't find them unless they want to be found. We could all learn from them on how their underground network is set up. It would help us hide the children if it became necessary here at the school."

"Professor are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, Victor came here with an agenda. He already knew that we might have his Brother." Jean was twisting her hair as she spoke.

"Yes, Victor did come under false pretenses. He was looking for Wolverine, but without Victor we wouldn't have a way to warn all of the other Ferals."

Scott interjected. "But Professor, they already KNEW they were being hunted. They also know the name of the man hunting them. Are we going to help them find this William Stryker person? I doubt they are going to turn him over to the authorities."

At that moment a very loud roar echoed around the school grounds. They all ran to the window to see Victor walking towards the woods. Two shapes, one extremely large one materialized. After a short conversation, Victor turned and headed back to the school. He scaled the wall back to Wolverine and Deathstrike's room with his claws.

Scott snorted."I guess Victor had begun to call the Elders? Seriously, are we going to get involved with what they plan on doing to Stryker once they find him?"

Xavier had been pondering the same question in his head. "I hadn't really believed the Packs and Clans existed, but their credo was simple 'We're Brothers (and Sisters) and we look out for each other. WE take care of ANYTHING that gets in our way.' I agree no authorities are going to deal with Stryker. The other concern I have is Stryker might have other Mutant in his care that aren't Ferals. The Feral are only missing 10 Pack members in 25 years. This man could many more Mutant runaways that no one would miss. Let's find out first what the Elders decide and then we can figure out our next move. Ferals don't forgive the spilling of blood. The X-Men do need to help any Mutant in need and Victor is STILL missing some members of his Packs. If there is the slightest chance they could survive with our medical assistance I believe we need to help them."

The X-Men noticed Victor, Lupa, Wolverine, and Deathstrike now all walking towards the woods. Two figures stepped out of the shadows. They all sat down. The male was easily 8 feet tall with bulk to match. He made both Wolverine and Victor look like children speaking to a parent. The female wore a heavy cloak the shadowed her face. She looked at the window and intentionally sat in a way still didn't allow them to see her face when she lowered her hood. Beast spoke. "The Elders have definitely started to arrive. I might suggest fresh barbecue for dinner; most Feral like their meat rare and fresh. Depending on the number of guest we're about to receive they are all going to want to be as FAR away from the children as possible. The same wing as Wolverine and Deathstrike's room would be a good location if we can fit them all. I would also suggest asking Victor how many will be coming and if anyone of the Elders has a special dietary need we'll need to know about in advance." Beast was adjusting his glasses on his nose. "I do believe the woman in the cloak just grabbed and ate a fresh rat before sitting down."

The X-Men didn't know what was going to be decided, but they did know they didn't want to make enemies with the Feral Packs and Clans. If these two Elders, plus Victor were any indication, the Ferals Packs and Clans were VERY strong indeed. Wolverine was one of them as well and none of the X-Men could take him in a one on one combat session. Imagine fighting a whole Pack? William Stryker's days on this earth were definitely numbered.

Back in the Wolverine's Room:

Jimmy could hear Yuri crying. He could smell her tears. He also smelled Lupa? And Victor? Shit! He needed to explain to his Brother WHY his Mate smelled like fear all the time. It was offensive to a Feral to spray fear for no reason. Yuri had one HELL of a reason.

He also needed to formally introduce everyone and he finally had a name to give his Mate. Jimmy opened his eyes and looked to see both Yuri and Lupa crying. Victor was coming back in the window and he stayed at the far point of the room. He didn't approach the bed, but his eyes were reflecting a rage that Jimmy hadn't seen in years.

Victor's voice was low and dangerous, "Welcome back Little Brother. By what name do ya want to be called? I see congratulations are in order – FINALLY- and I and Lupa would like our formal introductions to yur Mate. We also have a shit load of Business to discuss, so please tell me ya remember who ya are?"

Well ya can always count of Victor to get RIGHT to the point. Jimmy started to sit up and Yuri helped him when he started to slide down back towards the bed when he had a strong pain between his eyes hit him. He grunted his thanks to her and started to speak to Victor. "Victor – yur gonna have to wait." He turned to Yuri. "I didn't have a name to give ya, my Mate. I do now. My name is James Howlett. Ya may call me Jimmy if it pleases you my Mate." Yuri let go of Lupa and threw her arms around Jimmy's neck as he pulled her into a hug and met her lips with his own. Victor and Lupa were smiling at the couple; a true smile that showed of both pairs of their respective fangs.

Jimmy turned back to Victor. "Ya and Lupa both can me - Jimmy. Victor Creed and Lupa Creed, this is Yuriko Oyama. Ya may call her Yuri if it pleases ya. Yuri, my Mate, this is my Brother Victor and his Mate Lupa. Ya may call them Victor and Lupa. This is my Pack and now we're going to plan on how to teach William Stryker the meaning of the word PAIN."

Victor nodded his agreement but didn't come any closer. "Yuri has just finished explaining were ya both have been for the past 17 years. I've called for the Elders to come here. Rex and Medusa are already on the grounds. The others will be here in two days. Xavier has a few files on Stryker that we can review. I need to know if ya can find yur way BACK to this piece of Human soon to be dead sack of shit."

Jimmy still had an arm around Yuri and wouldn't let her duck her head. He looked her in the eyes. "I'm sorry Darlin.' Ya shouldn't have had to tell yur tale alone. That won't ever happen again." Jimmy turned to Victor. "The place was called Alkali Lake. It's in Canada. It's an underground facility built into the mountain side."

Victor's eyes glowed with even more anger. "Yuri ain't gonna have to tell her tale period. I'll give the Account to the Clans and the Flacon Bitch can kiss my Ass. Ya know she is gonna be the difficult one during the council proceedings. If they require an inquiry its yur call if ya want ta answer it or ignore the request for additional information. I don't have a problem telling the all the Cubs and Pups exactly what were gonna do. That matter ain't open for discussion. We are the ALPHA's of the Clans and they damn well better respect it and know their PLACE. NO ONE embarrasses or shames one of OUR Mates. The situation really is a done deal. You know the Flacon Bitch wanted to call a special meeting to fill ya seat on the council while ya were missing." Jimmy snorted. HE could see her doing that, Falcona and the Elder Brothers never really got along. They would be glad when her time was up on the council. Only they were permanent members. "Needless to say no one voted with her to approve the motion. I almost ripped her fucking wings off and shoved them down her fucking throat for that suggestion."

Jimmy laughed and smiled his thanks to his Elder Brother. Victor won't allow Yuri be exposed to any discomfort during the council proceeding. While it was not normal for an account to be given by an Elder it wasn't unheard of. Plus several of the Elders were very large males and Yuri most likely won't want to be in the room with them. He would speak with her prior to Elders getting here. It was her choice, she was Mate of an Elder and she did have a place the during the council proceeding. Lupa added. "If ya not up to getting a crash course of Pack and Clan meeting protocol, you and I can go for a run around the grounds or something. We don't have to me in the council room."

Yuri nodded her thanks to Pack-Sister. She would have to think about meeting. She hadn't sprayed the room with fear and Victor was still in it. Jimmy started to sniff as the wind changed directions. "Yuri – while don't you and Lupa go get something to eat while I visit with a few old friends? Rex was Nina's and Mika's Grandfather. I wish to give him a private Account before the council session. He is a friend as well as an Elder. I owe him that much."

Yuri squared her shoulders and spoke. "I wish to met Nina and Mika's Grandfather. I wish to meet Rex, so I may thank him for first Pack I was ever a part of in my life. The Sisters were kind to me before you came to the cages as well." Jimmy was proud of her. She was facing one of her greatest fears and he knew Rex was kind man. Jimmy nodded his consent. They all leaped out of the window headed to the woods towards the other two Elders.

Lupa and Victor walked slightly ahead of Jimmy and Yuri. Yuri was slowing down a little when she saw exactly HOW large Rex was. Rex was a large Black Feral Male that could become a T-Rex dinosaur. He stood over 8 feet tall in his Human form. When he changed he was closer to 10 feet tall with a 12 foot range thanks to his very long and strong tail. His skin was very hard, he was super strong, and could spit fire. He was also a healer. Nina and Mika were the last two surviving off springs of his first daughter.

Medusa was also waiting for them. She had pushed the hood of her heavy cloak down and you could see her face. She was green skinned female with hair that appeared to be made up of living snakes. Her tail rattled when she moved it and had a very wicked looking stinger on the end of it. Her hands were clawed. She could never pass for a Human. Her eyes were solid Red and it gave her a demonic look in the twilight of the late afternoon. Medusa was a flyer as well.

Victor and Lupa were already at the tree line and were speaking softly to the others. Yuri was getting a little nervous as they continued to walk. She would not insult the Grandfather of her Pack Sisters or the friend of her Mate. She was determined to greet Rex in the same manner Lupa did if it killed her. She just prayed it didn't involve touching. She wasn't sure she could take that at the moment. He was bigger than Gaza. Jimmy had grabbed her hand and was rubbing it as they walked. He sent via the Soul-Bond "Rex is the biggest ball of mush ya ever gonna meet. He will be angry my Mate, but not at ya. Ferals don't hit their Females or Children Yuri. Rex is a fine example of how a Male should act towards a Female."

Lupa again helped out her Pack Sister and suggested that they all sit down. The other two Elders smelled her nervousness and agreed. Something wasn't quite right with James' Mate. She was skittish for lack of a better word. She was young, but she wasn't that young. They would wait for her to come, both were pleased James had found his Mate. He had waited a long time for his Mate.

Jimmy and Yuri sat down as well. James introduced Medusa and Rex to his Mate. They would call her Yuriko. Yuriko would call them Rex (AKA T-Rex) and Medusa. Medusa only had one name to give out. She had never known her parents and when the Elder Brothers had found her she was half starved and was being stoned to death by a group of European. They had arranged for a safe home for the child with another family that had a special child. Medusa was also one of the kindest people you would ever meet. Her tongue was forked so she spoke with a lisp that made her sound like a snake.

As Jimmy gave the Account of how Nina and Mika had died. Rex had gone from shock, to sadness, to rage, back to sadness, and then finally anger. He thanked James and Yuriko for trying to keep his Granddaughters alive. He thanked Yuriko for comforting Mika after Nina had died. He thanked James for KILLING Gaza. Both Medusa and Rex were no strangers to abuse; they now had a pretty good idea why Yuri was skittish around large Feral Males. Gaza was indeed lucky to be dead.

All six Ferals knew they had watchers from Xavier's Study and ignored them. They would meet everyone when they went into the house to eat some dinner. As if on cue, after the story was finished, Jimmy's stomach let out a large growl that let everyone know the Feral hadn't eaten since he had healed the bullets that came out of his head. They all got up and headed to the house. They would swing by Xavier's study and get the information he had on Stryker on their way to eat. Jimmy suggested they eat outside on the back deck just off the kitchen. It would be somewhat quiet on the back deck. Appearance wasn't an issue at Xavier's. They had some interesting looking Mutants here. Jimmy joked that if they kids could get used to the Blue tailed devil named Kurt Wagner (AKA: Nightcrawler) in the house they could get use to anything. He warned everyone the Elf as he called him STANK under the best circumstances. His mutation caused a sulfur smell similar to rotten eggs.

….To Be Continued?

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