A Blast from the Past
This is my fourth 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. Scott, Jean, Deathstrike, John Wraith, and the Professor are all alive and well. This is the sequel to The Hunter and the Hunted
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.
The Marvel and OC role call for this story. All of the OC characters, Packs, and Clans are creations of my crazy little mind.
The Elders: Sabertooth (AKA: Victor) – Mated to Wolf Girl (AKA: Lupa), Wolverine (AKA: James) – Mated to Deathstrike (AKA: Yuriko) , Black Bear – Mated to White Bear (AKA: Pinky) , Dragon Fly (AKA: Helena) – Mated to TBD, T-Rex (AKA: Rex) – Mated to Portal (AKA – Odessa), Medusa (AKA: Snakes – a Split Beast) – Mated to Fang, Tigress (AKA: Aria), Witch Doctor (AKA: Haggar – a Split Beast) – Mated to TBD, Seer (AKA: Mahvep), Wild Thing (AKA: Hannock) – Mated to TBD, Hammer Head (AKA: Hanse) – Mated to TBD, Grizzly (AKA: Gary) – Mated to TBD, and Mad Dog (AKA: Banger) – Mated to Shimmer (AKA: Luna)
The Hunters in this story: Taz and Jaz (identical twins and jokesters), Ghost, Scanner, Fire Fox, and Gateway
The Lost Ones: Wind Runner, Crock, Blaster, Tantor, Grey Back all in Canada - A TBD person in Africa - Another TBD person in Europe. Two are dead: Gaza and Jack (AKA: Jack the Ripper)
Other Ferals at the School: Crawler (AKA: Charlotte) - Mated to Beast (AKA: Hank), Oracle (AKA: Narcissi – Charlotte's older Sister and the only tri-animal Split Beast around), Merlin – former Elder now deceased (Witch Doctor leads this Pack now) – Mated to Mirror – also deceased, Falcona – former Elder, Traitor, and deceased (Seer now leads this Pack) – Mated to Hawk, Tabitha or Tabby (11 year feral rescued from Stryker's facility now a member of Black Bear's Pack), Battering Ram: (AKA: Murdock – 14 year old male feral from Hammer Head's), Lion-o: (AKA: Cedric – 13 year old male feral from Hammer Head's Pack). Three more Feral children are at the school. They are all TBD at the moment.
For a complete list of my ever growing Feral community please check out my profile page. I will be updating it as new additions pop into the story.
I'm in the process of finding a beta reader. This is does not have a beta reader. 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: The Elder Brothers have disappeared. The Clans and the X-Men are looking for them, but two little boys seem to hold the key. Will they find them in time?
Chapter 20: The Cuffing
Rogue had dropped off a breakfast basket by their door in the morning without entering the room. They had eaten and then James and Yuriko had leaped out of the window on their way to Victor and Lupa's cabin. They were greeted on the way by all four of the wolves on Xavier's outside of the cabin. The wolves had still been watching over Lupa much to Victor's annoyance. He had managed not to get bit yet but really wanted Jimmy to send the wolves' home.
No one had disturbed Jimmy and Yuri the rest of the day and evening yesterday, but they would have visitors today. He wanted to get their business with Victor and Lupa out of the way now. They swung by their cabin and James got an old looking package out of a chest at the foot of their bed. They headed over to Victor and Lupa's cabin. They were Family and soon enough Yuri was going to get to point where she wasn't going to want to see anyone for the rest of the day. They would be back in their cabin tonight and he might have the wolves' stay in the front yard. They had made nice sentinels when he hadn't wanted to be disturbed in the Medical Lab. He could take out his physical frustrations on fixing the hallway in the sub-level later this afternoon. He was positive that Yuri was going to need some quiet time and would want him to leave her presents. He would get someone to sit with her when he was out. She had only had one nightmare last night, but he knew more were coming.
Victor had heard the noise the wolves were making and knew that someone was outside. He opened the door and saw Jimmy and Yuri greeting the wolves on their way to the cabin. He still wasn't sure what he was going to say to Yuri. Truth be told, he would rather be blasted by Jimmy out of the house again than meet Yuri's sad Silver/Blue eyes. What made it hard for him to stomach was that if they had run up into Blaster just a few hours later; it could have been Lupa rather than Yuri that had lost her Cub. Victor and Lupa had gotten lucky and Victor felt guilty that their Cub had survived Blaster's vengeance. He also felt guilty that a twelve year old Jimmy had taken out four of the Lost Ones and he couldn't even take out one as an adult. That little fact fucked with his head. He was the Head of the Clans and yet his own Pack's Blood had been spilled. He truly had failed Jimmy and Yuri.
Victor was beyond pleased that Lupa was carrying his Cub. He did want to be a Pa to a Cub. He had always envisioned his and Jimmy's kids growing up together. The same way they had as boys but without all of the danger from the Humans. Their Cubs and Pups wouldn't have to run from any Human. They would be safe to live and grow. Victor knew that was the real reason Jimmy had always wanted to form the Packs. He didn't want any Child to suffer through what they had as Boys.
Their childhood hasn't been pretty or nice by any means. They hadn't been able to be Kids. They were too busy trying to survive for one more day in the beginning. Victor had run with Jimmy because he hadn't wanted to be alone. Jimmy was the only one like him and even at fourteen he knew that was something worth fighting to keep alive. Victor had had to teach and protect Jimmy for maybe one year how to survive and then their roles had reversed. Jimmy's powers had come in full and he was the one that could take care of whatever got in their way. The funning thing was that most of the time he used his head naturally. He would meet people that taught them what they needed to know to live off of the land and how to make clothes. He came up with the barter system with traders that let them sell their skins and not have to go into town. He had gotten the Trader's Indian Wife to show them how to dry their food for winter and show them about fruits and roots. Victor was now the one that attracted the wrong attention. He had grown and was an extremely large man that didn't look friendly at all. Add in the fact he never opened his mouth all the way when he spoke and he looked downright scary to most folks. It would have been much easier for Jimmy just to walk away from him, but Jimmy wouldn't do that because they were Brothers. Nope – Jimmy found ways for him to fit into the Human world.
When they first ran and came to a settlement, Jimmy made an excellent beggar. Folks showered him with coins and some paper money as well. While he was 'begging' he started to watch and learn the Human's better. It had all started with Victor's cow skin work gloves stuffed with moss in the fingers. He could now show his hands in public. They had learned how to hide in plain sight; mostly thanks to Jimmy. He found ways that concealed what they were to the Humans. He found them jobs that suited Victor's size. Coal Miner, Hunter, Saloon Bouncer, Rancher (but Jimmy had to be right at his side since most animals didn't like his scent), and even a Blacksmith. The list went on and Jimmy had always been his 'apprentice' and his younger Kid Brother that he was looking out for since their folks had died. It stuck in his craw sometimes that his Baby Brother was the one that found answers to most of their problems when they were Kids. Jimmy was the one that kept the out of trouble all jokes aside. All of the lessons learned, skills and tricks he had learned as a Kid, was what Jimmy had put to used in all of the Pack. He used those lessons in everything from selecting a location, to deciding who when were, and what businesses they were going to operate in then Packs.
Jimmy knew they were going to need money, so they had gone to New York in the early 1900's and they had made a fortune in the stock market. The Packs pooled their monies, so they really did make a killing. Victor could take some of the credit for that because he was the one that was good with numbers, but it still had been Jimmy's instincts that had said they would need cash money in the near future. When the Great Depression had hit, they were protected. All of the Packs were self sufficient, again another one of Jimmy's ideas, and they owned all of their lands outright. They also grew all of their own food. Jimmy was also the reason they had made out very well during the gold rush in the late 1800's. He just knew were vein's of gold were going to be located in the mountains. It didn't matter if they were in California or West Virginia. He could sniff it out better than a pit bull.
Victor was snapped out of his walk down memory lane when Jimmy and Yuri walked up the cabin steps. Lupa saved him from having to say anything. She had come outside and just walked right up to Yuri and hugged her while purring softly. Lupa's star Silver eyes had tears in them. She then lead Yuri into the cabin. Victor gestured for Jimmy to follow and he walked in as well. Jimmy had a sad look in his eyes. Yuri smelled sad and happy at the same time. Jimmy had been right Yuri was happy for Lupa and sad for herself at the same time.
When they had all sat down, Jimmy pulled out a package and handed it to Lupa. "We wanted ta congratulate yur news with a pack gift for yur new Cub. I am sorry again for blabbing it to the whole world."
Lupa opened the package and inside was the most beautiful baby blanket she had ever seen. It was handmade and very soft. There was a note inside and it read.
Victor and Lupa:
Once ya have decided on yur new residency for yur pregnancy, ya will be receiving a new set of baby furniture - congratulations again.
Love,
Jimmy and Yuri
P.S. - Dog Boy if ya don't move back to civilization to have the Cub - I blast ya into New York myself. That's a fucking promise. There is the safe house in NYC or the cabin here at the School. Pick yur spot.
- Runt
Lupa was speechless and Victor could only look at the note in shock and say. "How did ya know?"
Jimmy smiled but it didn't reach his eyes fully. Lupa and Yuri didn't notice but Victor did and it hurt to look at it. "I just had a feeling that yur time was coming and I wanted to have the furniture as a surprise when it came. It's already been made. I just need the address to have it delivered. What's it gonna be Dog Boy? NYC or Westchester, NY? If neither of the two work then ya can pick one of the Packs. What say ya?"
Victor was a little apprehensive now. He really didn't like it when Jimmy got all cryptic but he knew him well enough to know he wasn't going to get a direct answer until Jimmy was ready to talk about it. If Jimmy wanted them close to the Packs then something bad was most likely coming their way in the near future. Jimmy might not know what it was exactly but the last two times he had circled the wagons around all of the Packs were World War I and World War II. Both Wars had broken out a few years later after Jimmy started making the Packs more secure and his desire to have a relationship with SHIELD had saved several Pack members lives. The more he thought about it Jimmy had started to circle the wagons right after that business with Stryker last year by having all the Hunters start looking for Unclaimed Ferals and they started the new alliance with Xavier's.
They would have to speak later; he would know what was going on in his Brother's head this time and they would be as prepared as possible. Jimmy's gut was usually dead right when trouble was coming their way. The only problem is he didn't want to cause Yuri pain with being at the School or he would have given his answer already. Jimmy must have read the look, because he said. "Yuri and I are going take a walkabout in Japan for a least a few month, so we really could use the help at the School. It would be the perfect solution and wouldn't require pulling anyone else away from their Pack to cover my responsibilities here. Hank and Charlotte can't handle all of the Ferals here at the School and all of their regular duties."
Lupa gave her answer to Victor via their Soul-Bond. She could feel his conflict and now she too was beginning to hear what Jimmy wasn't saying out loud. Trouble was coming their way and he wanted them close. Victor said. "We'll stay here at the School; provided Xavier doesn't have a problem with it."
Jimmy smiled and again it didn't reach his eyes. "He ain't gonna have a problem with it. He doesn't know that Yuri and I are gonna taking off for a bit. Now explain to me why I keep hearing everyone hissing at Red? Way more than normal."
Victor told Jimmy, Yuri and Lupa about what had happened in the Medical Lab and how Jean had tried to attack Yuri's Mind when she was having a flashback. Jimmy was more than a little ticked off. He and the good Doctor would be having a few Words later about her conduct.
It really made the request he had in mind for Haggar now seem like a no brainer. He would speak to Witch Doctor later today. He wanted his request done sooner rather than later. Hank wouldn't be offended but Jean was gonna be pissed. He really didn't give a Fuck. The Red Headed Bitch had crossed a line and there was no coming back from it.
Jimmy had gotten a good laugh when Victor got to the part about Yuri taking out Hank, himself, and Banger in under Five minutes flat. He had taught his Mate well. He was proud of his Little Cat. Since she was considerable younger than most of her Clan-Sisters and Clan-Brothers, he knew some of them didn't understand her mutant name: Deathstrike. He had known it was a good name for her and that is why he hadn't suggested she change it once his memories had returned. It suited her and once she gained more confidence in herself she would be lethal in battle. That pleased him. He never wanted her to feel helpless again.
Victor was glad to see them both laugh even if it was at his expense. Yuri had howled when she had heard his version of how he had been ejected from the Mansion Sub-level. Lupa also had tears in her eyes from laughing so hard. Lupa also added that Yuri was in for a treat. Her Silver color eyes twinkled brightly like an evening star. For the first time ever, Jimmy was going to get a bonified Black Bear Cuffing for blasting Victor out of the Mansion.
The look in Jimmy's face had all the Pack members laughing. He took it well and was pleased to see Yuri laughing even if it was at his expense. He said. "Well since everyone is looking forward to this once in a lifetime event. We might as well get this over with and find the Old Man now. Ya ain't opening this up to the whole School or ta Taz and Jaz. I'm putting my foot down on that one. Agreed?"
Victor laughed but nodded his agreement. The Twin Hunters were very immature when they wanted to be regarding some matters. If they choose not to just enjoy the moment and kept bringing it up over and over again; Jimmy would most likely end up blasting them. He did say. "Fair warning, Rogue already knows about it and she ain't gonna miss it. Fair is fair after all. She knows about how Yuri kicked the Shit outta us, so she can watch Black Bear whack the Hell outta ya."
Jimmy rolled his eyes and said. "Fine, but I better not see any of my current Feral Students in the room or I'm walking out." The Pack headed into the Mansion and started to scent out Black Bear.
The audience for his first ever Cuffing ended up being: Ororo, Rogue, Hank, Charlotte, Odessa, Rex, Banger, Gary, Luna, Victor, Lupa, Yuri, Medusa, Haggar, White Bear, Scanner, and Chuck. Jimmy growling grew as everyone made themselves at home in the Library after they had tracked Black Bear to in the Mansion. His favor was when Odessa made two portals so folks wouldn't miss it. Rex, Odessa, Gary, Haggar, Lupa and Banger just laughed at him outright. Odessa simply said. "I promised the Child and well everyone in the Medical Lab that had heard about the event. If it is a comfort, we didn't blab it to anyone else."
Jimmy said. "Really? Could have fooled me. Seems ta me the audience had over doubled in a day literally." Plus he wasn't quiet sure what purpose Chuck, Ororo, Hank, Charlotte, Odessa, White Bear, Scanner, and Luna added to the proceeding other than for added humiliation. Victor was had a big Shit eating grin on his face.
Victor said. "Quit yur bellyaching Runt. Ya got this coming fair and square. Teach ya ta Blast yur Elders outta a house or lose that nasty temper of yurs."
Jimmy again rolled his eyes. "Ya know yur an Asshole right? How many times have I gotten yur sorry Ass outta a cuffing with Black Bear? Hmmm."
Victor barked. "Jimmy, I didn't make the Rules. I believe this is one of yur Rules. 'Blatant disrespect for ones Elders is not to be tolerated.' Ain't that what ya always saying?"
If Rogue hadn't been in the room he would have given Victor a one claw salute. Instead he accessed the Elder Bond and said privately. "Ya know I'm gonna kick yur sorry Ass for this again when we are alone, right? Ya had ta blab about this in the Medical Lab? Seriously Rogue was bad enough, but Scanner and Ororo? I did have the decency not to kick yur the Shit outta in front of the Whole Clans Council, the Hunters, and the School."
Victor replied. "The Wind Rider wanted to attend and I ain't getting a lightning bolt over it, plus Scanner did earn it. The man did save yur life in the dreamscape. The fact that ya shoved everyone in the War Room; is the only reason everyone else ain't here now. By the way, I requested that Black Bear create a new Elder Brothers story around how the 'poor Elder Brother' was the victim of his out of control Younger Brother and the Younger Brother's first cuffing. It should be a good one."
Jimmy growled back at Victor. "Ok Dog Boy the gloves are off and I promise ya there will be a telling of the tale about how a Little Cat kicked yur Ass. Plus I'm sure everyone would enjoy hearing about The Rat, the Cat, and the Scorpion as a long lost 'new' story."
The only thing that made this acceptable was Yuri had a smile that reached her eyes as well. He ended up taking Rex's advice and basically nodding to almost everything Black Bear said to him. The Old Man was really enjoying himself as well.
Black Bear was saying. "Where was I before we got interrupted last time? Yes, your behavior yesterday was absolutely the worse show of disrespect towards an Elder on the History of the Clans Council. Never has an Elder gotten ejected from a meeting facility in such an undignified manner. Never has the Head of the Clan suffered such an indignity at the hands of any Elder. The Elder with the grievance has picked the consequence. James I can truly say you have earned this cuffing. Such disrespect towards an Elder cannot be allowed to stand. You of all people should understand this fact. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
James did look sufficiently embarrassed for his behavior publically (privately Victor knew it was all an act at this point – Jimmy was actually getting annoyed with the whole thing) and replied. "I have no excuse for my poor behavior towards the Head of Clans and the Eldest of my Pack. I shouldn't have blasted him out of the House. I have apologized to Victor. I'll see to the rest of the repairs on the sub-level personally. I have no delusion on the subject. The Head of the Clans and the Eldest of my Pack requires that I have a public lesson. I accept the consequences of my actions." Checky Bastard, Victor thought. He just said all the right things to Black Bear.
Victor was really enjoying himself. He chimed in to the group. "Yep, I do. Black Bear by all means give the Runt his first official cuffing. Show the ungrateful whelp a little respect and make his ears ring for a least a week." Victor had a huge grin on his face showing off his fangs.
Everyone in the room was laughing, hissing, or snorting at Jimmy's expense and misfortunate. Victor was laughing the loudest. Jimmy rolled his eyes and sent to Victor via the Elder Bond. "I sincerely hope yur happy because this ain't never happening again. I hope ya are still laughing in a minute Dog Boy."
Black Bear's arm was pulling back and he had transformed his hand into a giant Bear Paw and it was heading straight for the side of James head. James knew better than to move. That would piss the Old Man off and the cuff would hurt more in the long run. If Black Bear had to chase ya, he was gonna take it outta yur hide. Black Bear's massive paw rocked James' head and his ears did indeed ring. He did however maintain his footing and remained standing.
Victor was laughing so hard he didn't quite get the jab until his ears started to ring through the Elder Bond. The Runt Bastard had intentionally left it open to share the feeling of Black Bears cuff to his head. He just managed not to have the blow rock his head in public or every Feral in the room would know what Jimmy had just succeeded in doing. The defiant little Whelp; he was the most disrespectful towards him in general. He had been fortunate he had been sitting, since without warning he would definitely lost his footing. Victor growled in his head at his Brother. "Ya truly are an ungrateful little piece of Rat Shit. Leave it ta ya to find a way to ruin a good cuffing Runt."
The only response he got over Jimmy's laughter in his head was a "Hope it was as good for ya as it was for me! To bad ya weren't standing up Dog Boy. I would have loved ta see ya fall on yur Ass in public. Payback is a Bitch!"
Banger, Rex, Gary, Medusa, Odessa, Lupa, Haggar, Yuri, and Rogue all laughed even harder at his Feral Black eyes. They had figured out what Jimmy had done to him as payback for this little public cuffing display. The twinkle in Black Bear's eye said he knew as well, but was looking sufficiently somber for the occasion. He really was gonna have to get the Pup's story one day. While Rogue was definitely a keeper, she knew way too much about Ferals in general and Yuri and Jimmy in particular for a Child.
Jimmy had officially been cuffed and the show was over. He did pull Scanner to the side and said he better not be seeing any 'replays' of this event ever so Scanner should consider this a matter up for Silence as well. A quickly hissed "Yes Elder" was heard quickly from the Hunter. Jimmy choose to ignore the hisses of laughter as the Hunter left the room. He did own the man is life for getting him out of Yuri's Mind alive.
Lupa and Yuri were gonna get something ta eat. He stopped Victor and Haggar from leaving the room. Haggar had tears leaking out of her eyes from laughing so hard. Jimmy again rolled his eyes and said. "You youngest Grandson Thunder Cat has just completed his Schooling if I've got my dates correct here in New York?"
Haggar said. "Yes, Ditu just graduated after completing his residence. He just sat for the State Board exam last week I believe. He is weighing his options for setting up a private practice or joining a existing practice."
Jimmy was nodding. He turned to Haggar once he was sure everyone had left the Library. "I would like ya to request his presents here at the School as soon as possible. It's been a while since I've seen the Cub, but I believe I know who his Mate is and where she is located. I don't want ya to mention the Mate part in case I ain't right."
Haggar agreed but said. "There are no Unmated Ferals here at the School. Who do you think is a Mate for my quiet One?"
Jimmy smiled. "If I'm correct, his Mate ain't a Feral. I hope ya don't mind Mutant Blood in yur line? I'll not say more since I might be wrong. If I'm correct he can set up a practice in town and attend ta all of the Ferals here at the School. Hank specialty is really research not primary care and I don't want Jean near any of us in the future."
Victor was use to his Brother playing Matchmaker. It was just something he could do along with seeing Orbs. His hackles did come up about wanting a new Doctor for the School. Jimmy was definitely circling the wagons. He wanted a Doctor on site he could trust and that meant trouble was coming sooner rather than later.
Haggar hissed her agreement at the mention of Doctor Summers and replied. "I have no problem with Mutant Blood, but they don't Mate like we do. Are you sure Wolverine that a Mutant is right for my quiet One?"
Jimmy smiled at his old Friend. "Yes. I believe ya will be well pleased with the match. If I'm right his Mate is well suited to him and Ferals in general. Trust me Haggar I'll not bring trouble into yur House." She took her leave of the Brothers. Jimmy turned to leave as well when Victor said. "Jimmy? Exactly what kinda trouble is coming our way?"
His Baby Brother half turned in the door and answered. "I don't know, but I do know trouble is coming. We gotta be prepared or were gonna get caught with our britches down. When and if I figure out more, we'll discuss it. Now let's go track down the trouble we do know about. It's time to hear what the Red Headed Bitch has to say for herself. I want Chuck present as well. He needs ta hear what I gotta say on the subject." The Elder Brothers headed for Xavier's Study.
They found Chuck with Ororo, Hank, and Charlotte all laughing over his public cuffing. He was fine with it really. If ya can't take the consequences then ya shouldn't dish it out. Wolverine could dish with the best of them and he considered them all Friends. Charlotte had risked a lot by going into Yuri's Mind to repair her Tri-Link and he wouldn't forget it. They all looked up when he and Victor entered the Study and promptly started laughing again. He gave a mock growl but said seriously. "Chuck would ya mind getting Cyke and Red in here? It's time ta address her behavior towards Yuri." That simply statement stopped all of the laughter and everyone got very serious in the room. He could smell the apprehensiveness on Chuck and Ororo, but this was gonna have to be done. "You all are welcome to stay for the conversation, since it is gonna effect how the X-Men operate as well. Also I want yur permission to have a new Feral potentially staying at the School. His name is Thunder Cat. He's not associated with the new Farmers, but I want him in my Pack here at the School as well. I'll get more to him in bit, since he had to first accept what I'm offering him at the School."
To Be Continued?
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