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 10: Falcona's Account (Revised)
Early the next morning, Victor spoke with Yuri before the Trial. He explained that it was her duty to listen to all of the testimony for each of the accused minds and make a decision that was in the best interest of the Packs and that her personal feelings had no place on the Clans Council Chamber. The Clans represented the Packs and they had a responsibility to rule fairly and justice regardless of the situation. Only the Clans could declare War on something for the Ferals. Only the Clans could execute a Pack Member or remove a Pack Member. He told her that she would be the first person EVER to sit on the Clans Council that was less than 100. The reason everyone was over 100 on the Clans was that was the age Victor and James had decided when most Ferals gained some wisdom and perspective regarding life. An older Feral wasn't as prone to give in his or her Beast and would truly make the best decisions for the Packs. Yuri promised not to shame either Victor or James with his selection of her to the Clans Council in James' place.
Nick Fury had materialized that morning with Wraith in tow. Fury wanted to stay for the trial of Stryker and Falcona. He pointed out that if he could stay, there would be no future questions regarding how Stryker had been handed. Victor agreed. After all it was an open chamber and SHIELD was a known entity to the Ferals, the Clans, and the Packs. The Elder Brothers had done work for SHIELD in the past. Jimmy had always called it good relations. Victor also knew that Nick wanted to see how Jimmy was doing. They were friends. Since he was the Eldest of the Jimmy's Pack, he introduced Jimmy's Mate to Nick. Nick warmly congratulated Yuriko. Jimmy was still asleep this morning. He didn't smell to be in quiet as much pain as yesterday, but he was still very pale. The shaking had stopped during the night and Victor was glad of that fact. Haggar was now pulling out the blood that had gone in his lungs and stomach while the Cleava Blade had been in his neck. It looked truly gruesome, but allowed him to breathe easier than the day before. Yuri had scented her Mate one more time with a kiss to the forehead and said she was ready to leave. She was standing tall. She was still a little scared of large males, but she was not going let Victor or Jimmy down in the Clans Council Chamber hearing.
All of the Elders were sitting in a circle of various chairs. Stryker and Falcona were in the center of the circle still frozen by Medusa with Scanner in between them. The outer circle included: all 11 of the other Hunters, Scott, Ororo, Hank, Lupa, Charles, Nick, and Wraith. Victor called the Trial to order. "We're here today to hear and see the personal Accounts of both Falcona and William Stryker for the crimes committed against our Feral Brothers and Sisters as well as other Mutants as a whole. Falcona is being tried as a Traitor to the Clans and Packs as well as an attempted Murderess. Stryker is being tried as a Murderer, a Torturer, and for crimes against Nature. This is an open Council so anyone may see these people for themselves. Both Falcona and Stryker face Death if their own minds confirm their guilt of these crimes." He looked to Scanner. "Who's Account should start first? Who contacted who first?"
Scanner addressed the Clans Council, "Elders I suggest the Accounts being with Falcona. Her testimony predates Stryker's."
Victor's voice rang out."Proceed. Link the minds of all who are here for the Trial and part of this Council Chamber that are here for the Truth. Ensure that our senses are still aware of the present realm."
Scanner reached out him mind and bridged everyone to Falcona's thoughts. The Account began 20 years ago. It was evening and Falcona was tampering with a large plane. The plane was in an airport repair bay. She was just finished putting the final panels of the metal. She had done it. The metal would give way during the crash and with a little luck would decapitate the Elder Claymore tomorrow. She might even get lucky and kill his Mate as well. Claymore had been asked to sit on the Clans for another 40 year term by some of the Pack members. He was foolishly considering it verse giving another person a chance to sit on the Clans; namely herself. He had to die then it would be her turn on the Clans. She already had some support. The Clans were leading the Packs in the wrong direction and she aimed to change it. They were getting too soft with the Humans. Humans should be at Ferals feet!
Scanner shifted Falcona's Account forward. All of the Elders had come to the Claymore's Pack home in Europe. His death and that of his family had been a great loss to the Packs and the Clans. They had laid the Claymore's family to rest 6 days ago and now her name had been submitted to take his seat on the Clans. It couldn't have gone any better than she had planned it. The "accidental bird strike" to the plane's engine had not only killed Claymore and his whole family; it had killed all of the humans on board the plane as well. No one was suspicious of the accident. It was truly 'unfortunate" the folks in that section of the plane had been decapitated on impact due to a faulty section in the plane. Oh well, it was a GREAT pity.
The other Elders had received her name and would be voting on it shortly. She was nervous; this was the one part of her plan that she NEEDED them to do what she wanted. She had taken to the air for a little flying it always calmed her down. She was on top great hall enjoying the view when she heard some of the Elders below enter the tower level of the great hall. She was down wind so they didn't know she was there. It was the Elder Brothers themselves. She listened to them and didn't move a muscle until they had left.
"I know ya better than that Little Brother; do ya care to tell me what is buggin' ya? Ya have been way to quite during that Clans Council. Falcona has been selected by her Pack. It's just a simple vote."
The Seeker replied."I can't put my finger on it, but I've got a bad feeling about Falcona. I don't she's ready to be on the Clans Council. She ran for seat like a fucking Politician. She didn't even let Claymore's bones get cold in the grounds before she started 'getting' support for her name. She's too power hungry, Victor. That Little Bird is Poison."
"Ouch. Damn Jimmy that's harsh. Ya sure that ain't more about Claymore death vs the Little Bird campaign?" Victor asked.
"Yes. I wouldn't block someone because I don't like em' personally. I'm tellin' ya I've got a bad feeling about her. I don't know HOW I know, but I DO KNOW that Frail is trouble. I don't the when, or the how, or what the circumstance, but Falcona is GONNA betray us Victor."
"OK, Jimmy – let me asked it another way. If ya had run across her and she wasn't already a member of the Packs; which Pack would he recommend for her."
Jimmy snorted. "I would have left her Unclaimed. Her Orb is too Dark for my taste and I DON'T want her near the Packs, let alone the Clans. She reminds me of Jack and he's the only other Feral I've EVER left Unclaimed to walk alone and not know our Kind."
Victor's voice got very serious, "Fuck! Jimmy. Ya know Falcona's people for Christ sake. How can ya compare her to Jack? He was in a category all by himself."
Again Jimmy snorted. "Ya asked. Ya know as well as I do that lineage doesn't mean Jack Shit. If that was the case YOU and I should be the scum of the Earth with that drunken piece of shit we had for a Pa. Yes, her Orb reminds me of Jack the Ripper the first time I came across him. She may not turn like he did, but something about her gets my hackles up. My Beast doesn't like her and I trust my instincts. I'm not voting her to be part of the Clans. I ain't trying to explain either, so make sure that ya call on me last to vote. I ain't got no proof and I really ain't trying to explain the Orb of the Souls to ANYONE. Ya laughed yur fucking ass off the first time I tried to explain it to ya."
Victor chuckled as he headed down the stairs to start the vote. "The choice is yurs Runt, I'll call ya last to Vote on Falcona. We'll keep an eye on the Falcon Bitch. That fact ya say she reminds at all of Jack the Ripper ain't a good thing. Ya are rarely wrong about people's true nature. Even ya gotta admit yur ARE the fucking Pied Piper of finding Ferals and Mutants Jimmy." The Seekers low growl was heard as he followed Victor back to the Council. "Keep it up Dog Boy and ya will be laughing out yur ASS."
Scanner moved forward two years in times. She had been in her spot on top of great hall. The Brothers apparently went there to talk whenever there was a vote and you could learn a lot of interesting things by listening in on the Elder Brothers. Merlin had foretold of the coming of The Seeker's Mate before his death. She was a Feral Asian female with retractable claws; heighten senses, and strong healing factor. Her Pack was also dead, so she was walking alone. She had taken this information Coran. Coran was a witch doctor that hated the Elder Brothers almost as she did. Coran wanted to be on the Clans, but Rex was his Packs choice. Rex's two Granddaughters were going to pay the price for getting in Coran way on the Clans. The same way The Seeker's Mate was going to pay the price for being an enemy's Mate. Coran had been able to use Black Magic to produce an image of The Seeker's Mate using hairs from The Seeker and the words from Merlin's scroll to The Seeker. Falcona always welcomed all of the Elders to town personally when it was her turn to host a Clans Council. She always showed all the Elders where they may lay down and rest after their trip to town and for the time they were in town. Grabbing the bedding after The Elder Brothers had left and she had what Coran had needed for his Black Magic. She would let the Human Stryker know of The Seeker's Female, she should not be too hard to find. Her eye color was distinctive. Coran had also created two very old weapons that would kill The Elder Brothers. The Cleava Blades would put an end to the Elder Brothers.
Falcona had even found a way to be rid of the Elder Brothers' thanks to the Human: William Stryker. He hated Mutants, but Falcona didn't care, once he had served his purpose she would kill him and become a Hero in both the Packs and the Clans. Stryker was hunting Ferals and she was going to give them to him. Rex's Granddaughters had been taken first by the Human Stryker. They weren't even missed until Nina's Mates body had been found. Four females had gone missing including Rex's Granddaughters; now the Clans were looking into it and she had set her trap well for the Elder Brothers. Falcona and Mad Dog were going to met The Elder Brothers at a target location to catch the Human Stryker. Falcona had "gotten" some information that he was snatching in that area. In truth, he would be waiting at the meeting place for The Elder Brothers, Falcona and Mad Dog. She had told Mad Dog one time and The Elder Brothers another time. Stryker would capture the Elder Brothers and use the Cursed Cleava Blades on both Sabertooth and the Seeker. The Elder Brothers would die in this man's Labs. It was PERFECT. She would remove them from the Clans. Rex would be the next Elder to have an "accident" or get snatched. She would most likely have to get rid of the Medusa as well. She was too loyal to both the Elder Brothers' and T-Rex. Coran would be her right hand person. She believed that Mad Dog, Grizzly, Tigress, and Hammer Head would all become allies. They had all clashed with The Elder Brothers in the past and all of them had voted for her to become part of the Clans. Grizzly keep great records but he often left them lying around. His filing wasn't his strong point. She would teach the Elder Brothers a very permanent lesson in what happen to those who stood in her way. How DARE they vote against her membership to the Clans.
Scanner moved again. Of all the ROTTEN luck; The Seeker had been early. Stryker only captured him and the Sabertooth was still free and in her way. The only upside was Stryker had found The Seeker's Mate. Now that The Seeker was dead and his Mate was about to follow; she would rejoice in killing half of her problem. Sabertooth and his Mate, the Wolf Girl, would have to have an "accident", she would have to get creative. Precautions were being taken against getting snatched, but it WAS still happening so that was an option as well.
Scanner moved again. Stryker was becoming a problem. She would have to kill him if he didn't do her bidding. She had found out he was trying to BREED the females vs killing them. He had captured Gaza. That male was scum of the Earth and trying to stud anything off of him would be a mistake. Her problem was both The Seeker AND his Mate were still alive. If Stryker didn't use that damn Cleava Blade and kill him before he scented his Mate that might not be good. The Seeker must never be allowed to leave the Labs alive. Her secret ally was a Hunter in her Pack that was a Seer. The Seer let her know which Pack Members were going to be snatched and she made sure to "give" the information to Stryker. She also told the Hunter they were too late but keep her in the loop; it might save a few of their Pack Members. The stupid girl had brought her load of lies. You would think a Seer would be smarter.
Her meeting with Stryker should shed some light on what was happening. "Hello William. I trust you found my last present I sent to you?"
Stryker regarded the Mutant. Once she outlived her usefulness, he would enjoy taking her apart in his Lab. "Why Yes, Falcona. The Feral Female healer is an excellent addition to my work. Gaza is quiet taken with it, it will have to get use to its place. My guards will help it learn its place. Do you have any more news for me?" Stryker couldn't figure this Traitor to her people out.
"More Ferals can come to your Lab Human, but I need the Male Healer killed. Why does he still live?" Falcona looked at the Human. It was a necessary evil. She would arrange for all of her enemy's to be snatched. Once they were all dead, this Human was going to die by her talons.
"My Dear Falcona, I am a man of science. The Male Healer has unlimited potential to be my greatest weapon. It must be examined fully and if it dies in the process so be it. It will be mated if possible and I will have an army to help you get rid of your enemy's this is a win-win situation for both of us. You need to consider the long term." Stryker replied in an even tone. He would teach this Mutant a lesson when it was time. Mutants didn't command or order William Stryker, they did what he commanded and died when he was done with them.
Falcona was furious. How dare this HUMAN change their deal? Stryker had BOTH the The Seeker and his Mate. They would eventually mate for this man and he wanted to keep them as a breeding pair? They couldn't stop nature if they were put together for any length of time. Also The Seeker knew too many of the Packs secrets, if this Human ever did bend him to his will that would mean trouble for Falcona when she finally controlled the Clans. Fine she would try a different approach. "The Male Healer's Mate is a Seer. As long as the Male Healer lives, his Mate will be able to track him. She is getting close to your facility in Canada. I'm merely trying to warn you, but your security is your affair Human." Let's see how long she kept them alive now. She would threaten his "work".
"Not to worry Falcona. There won't be anything left of its mind for the Mate to track, when I'm finished with it. It will only be my weapon."
Scanner moved forward again. Falcona had finally gotten her wish. The Seeker had met his end while trying to escape according to Stryker! She would call for a vote to replace him. Since the Seeker's role didn't have a Pack. She could suggest Coran to the position.
Scanner moved again. The Elders were being summoned to Westchester NY of all places. Sabertooth claimed that he had found The Seeker. He wouldn't let anyone replace his long dead Brother for 17 years and now he claims to have found him. That wasn't possible, since Stryker said The Seeker died. The entire Clans were being picked up by Gateway. She really didn't have a choice but to go. She would for herself what this was about. If Stryker had betrayed her, she would kill the Human herself before her secrets could be revealed.
Scanner moved again. The Seeker and his Mate lived. This was very bad. The only good news was the Hunter Seer "saw" The Seeker fall in the battle with one of Stryker' weapon. She would make sure to be on the Elder Brothers team and would enjoy watching The Seeker met his end. It had been 20 years in the making. She would have to kill Stryker as well. Sabertooth would be so upset by his Brother's death it wouldn't be a problem to execute the Human.
Scanner stopped Falcona's account and no one spoke for a few moments. Falcona had betrayed them from the beginning. Black Bear spoke. "Scanner requires a break in between Accounts. Let us stop here and reconvene in two hours." Scanner nodded his thanks; he was pale but had been willing to continue if the Clans Council didn't want to take a break.
All the Elders agreed. Lupa approached Victor. He was as angry as she had seen him. He was shaking with rage and hadn't spoken a word. Yuri had tears in her eyes. Victor turned to both women. "Let us get something to eat and drink and visit with Jimmy." The family members began to move toward the Blackbird. Yuri excused herself to use the bathroom. She would meet them on the ship.
….To Be Continued?
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