CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO

Let the Hunt Begin

It didn't take long for Kayla to give Victor and the Avengers the abbreviated version of the conversation she'd heard;

~flashback~

BOBBY: "I-I'm sorry Professor, I couldn't sleep. I was worried."

XAVIER: "What about?...Ah, I see. You have concerns about our newest arrival."

BOBBY: "The man's an animal, Professor. How do we know he's truly changed? He's dangerous to have around!"

XAVIER: "We all deserve second chances, Bobby, I believe I have explained this to you before. I have been inside Victors mind and I believe he truly means to change."

BOBBY: "I-I know sir. It's not that I don't trust you, Professor, it's just….I think he's trying to change things here in the school."

XAVIER: "What do you mean?"

BOBBY: "He, he seems to think he can take over. Did you know he's moved the littlest kids classroom?"

XAVIER: "No, I did not know that. Did he give a reason?"

BOBBY: "I don't know, Sir, but it doesn't seem right. Don't little kids need a routine?"

XAVIER: "I understand your position, Bobby, however I cannot turn Mr. Creed out on the fact that he has changed the children's room. Unless Victor Creed causes harm to those under my care, there is nothing I can do."

~pause flashback~

At this point of the narration, Victor just barely stopped himself from hitting the wall. "That stupid old *&^%!"

Steve looked just a tad confused. "What? What is it?"

Tony calmly crossed his arms over his chest. "Looks like baldy may have just given this 'ice-brat' some bad ideas."

"Oh but wait, there's more." Kayla continued.

~continue flashback~

BOBBY: "I-I understand, Professor."

XAVIER: "I understand where you are coming from, Bobby, but for now my hands are tied. Have no worries. I am and always will remain the headmaster and king here."

~end flashback~

"So Wheels really doesn't like you here, huh Kitty-cat." Tony commented off hand and Victor gave him a warning growl…..not that it really had much effect.

"I'm a little more worried about the 'King' part." Steve Rogers/Captain America frowned sternly, crossing his arms. "Charles Xavier is the most powerful telepath in the world that we know of, if he becomes a tyrant—"

"—I assure you no such thing will happen." Came Xaviers voice.

"Well speak of the devil," Bunny said drily, turning calmly to face the man in the wheel-chair who rolled out to see them.

"Ms. Kayla, it is extremely rude to eavesdrop." The Professor chided the Native American and Kayla snarled at him. "Well, Mr. Rogers how nice to see you here, and very unexpected I must say."

"It seems that one of your students may have had something to do with the theft of Furys infinity serum." Steve said smoothly. "If we could talk to the boy—"

"Which one?" The Professor asked. His eyes glazed ever-so-slightly like they did when he was reading someones mind. "Ah, Bobby. I assure you, Mr. Drake would never stoop to theft, especially of something so important."

"Then why was his scent in Furys lab?" Victor growled then spun on his heel. "Never mind. You guys can deal with baldie there, I've got an ice-brat to track."

The Professor frowned, trying (unknown to the others) to stop Victor in his track with his powers, but Victor already had a mental wall up, carefully constructed since the incident when he had taken the Blackbird, so his efforts were for nothing…..

…..Victor felt them though…and in an instant, with a great roar he had turned and leapt, his claws around the Professors throat, his face right up against his, teeth barred.

The rest of the Avengers gave out shouts of surprise and the usual arrow was drawn, the hammer hefted. Victor, however, ignored them completely, focusing instead on the telepath in his grasp. When he spoke, his voice came out in a guttural growl. "I wouldn't try anything like that again, baldy. I know how to keep you out, and if you do anything—ANYTHING—to hurt my mate, brother, his mate, or ANY of these cubs, I'll have your entrails spread out on the front yard."

The Professor managed to keep his cool, though, croaking out; "That would…rather scare….the children, don't you think? …And then would …..they so look up to you?"

Victors growl was threatening velvet. "They would know I'm protecting them. Did you even have any idea that most of'em weren't even in bed?" the feral didn't wait for an answer, barely restraining himself from drawing blood. "Your 'reign' is over here, baldy. I'm alpha here, now, and I'll take care of them."

Abruptly, he let go, shoving Xavier –wheelchair and all—back several feet before he turned. "Let the hunt begin."