Nobody Knows the Trouble We Face
"Now Hank why don't you just settle down and we can talk about this and work something out. I don't want to have to hurt you," said Scott in a half pleading/ half soothing tone.
Hank simply grinned exposing his sharp fangs and then threw back his head howling like a wolf. His grin grew even wider as he sensed Scott's fear. Poor Scott he really must be confused at the change that had come over his old friend. Well he need not worry any longer as Hank was going to give him a more immediate concern. Growling and snarling ferociously he leapt down landing right in front of Scott who nearly had a nervous breakdown. He circled Scott slowly and then suddenly lunged forward as though about to tear out the mutant's throat. Panicked now Scott fired his optic blast but Hank leapt aside.
"You'll have to do better than that to beat the best or should I say beast there is Cyke,"
"Damn it Hank you're not a feral,"
"Oh dear boy you have to admit I look like an animal so now I'm going to start acting like one. I suggest you run," growled Hank crouching down as though about to spring. As an afterthought he shot out his arm grabbing hold of Scott's visor and tearing it off forcing Scott to keep his eyes closed.
"Ready or not here I come!" hollered Beast as the now frantic Scott charged blindly off with Hank in hot pursuit. Of course he had no intention of hurting Scott despite his words, it was just that the urge to chase and to hunt down fleeing prey was just irresistible and the fright on Scott's face just made the game all that more rewarding. Loping along on all fours he could move far more quickly than the average human and he could have run down Scott at any moment but it was more fun to let the prey think he had a chance to escape. As it was he let Scott get as far as the lounge before he decided to be merciful and end Scott's agony. The poor man was just about ready to collapse, gasping for breath, heart pounding, sweat pouring down his face and convinced one of his oldest friends was about to rip his throat out. The next thing he knew he was pinned helplessly to the ground with Hank's heavy weight settled on his chest.
"That was a fine chase Scott but alas for you the hunt is over."
"Hank if there's any of the old you still in there then, well I guess begging for mercy is going to be useless so just make it quick please."
"Oh Scott I was never going to hurt you, I was just having some fun with you. Here let me put this back on for you," soothed Hank bounding onto the sofa and carefully replacing Scott's visor.
"So it was a game and you weren't going to rip my throat out. You ate one of the Twinkies didn't you," whispered Scott. His terror mounted as Hank gave him a solemn nod.
"Yeah I did and stars and garters, but I feel great. I wish I'd unleashed the animal inside me a long time ago. Now don't worry I'm not going to have a berserker rage like Logan but I do feel the urge to go a little wild right about now. I've barely started warming up. Hey Scott old friend, are you alright?"
Scott unfortunately had fainted and was unable to answer. Shaking his head Hank grabbed hold of Scott's ankle and began to drag him back to the infirmary. Obviously the new side to Hank had proven too much for him to handle.
"Unhand me nasty animal! I am Apocalypse and I will not treated thus by the likes of you. Let go of me I said, I have a world to destroy!"
"Sorry darlin but ya gonna have ta come with me fer yer own good. Ya really not yer self Jubilee but don't ya worry, I'm going ta look after ya."
"The name is Apocalypse not Jubilee you runt!"
"No need fer ya ta get personal darlin," growled Logan.
At present he was half dragging the furious Jubilee along keeping a firm but gentle grip on her arm. Fortunately she had stopped shooting off her plasma blasts preferring to resort to verbal protests. Logan's burns were still healing and for the second time that day his hair had been burnt off. He'd also had to deal with Jean, apoplectic with rage at having another wig destroyed. She'd nearly used her telekinesis to hurl Jubilee out of the window and he'd only just talked her out of ramming a table leg down his throat. Now he was just hoping that Hank would be able to come up with an antidote to bring Jubilee around from her delusion.
"Release me feral for I am Apocalypse and you are as nothing before. I was the first of all mutants growing old centuries before you were born and I shall be around long after you are dust in the grave. Release me and you may have the honor of becoming my horseman."
"Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. Now come on darlin,"
"How dare you refer to the High Lord in so familiar a tone?"
Logan growled at Jubilee shutting her up momentarily probably through amazement at his audacity rather than through fear. Oh well at least she hadn't thought she Sinister, Scott and Jean had enough problems at the moment. He was thinking about how to explain this to Hank when the lovable bouncing blue fur-ball leapt out at him and lifted him of his feet in a massive bear-hug. Jubilee stood watching with a raised eyebrow.
"What the flamin hell do ya think yer doing Hank?"
"Just greeting my beloved brother dear feral. After all we are alike in many ways you and I, we have the same hairstyle including sideburns, same color eyes, you have nearly as much hair as I have. I'm also now as wild at heart as you are and you have to admit our powers are somewhat similar. Like you my senses are highly acute and I do heal quicker than most."
"We're going ta put that to the test if ya don't put me down right now," snarled Logan.
Hank bellowed with laughter, setting Logan down on his feet somewhat gently and staggering him with a friendly pat on the back. Logan caught his breath and caught a glimpse of Hank's eyes. The warmth and compassion was still there but Logan sensed something new, something feral.
"What say you brother that we go and wreak some righteous havoc and let our feral sides loose in the woods outside?" suggested Hank.
"Ya know I could do with a little letting of steam. Now why don't ya stay here Jubilee and stay out of trouble."
"Foolish mortal I am Apocalypse!" boomed Jubilee.
"Whatever," growled Logan.
Bobby was beginning to think he'd lost Creed when something heavy landed on his back, the weight smashing his ice slide and sending him tumbling to the ground. He was thankful to still be in his ice form as Creed's claws slashed across his chest sending chunks of ice flying. If he had been flesh that blow would have ripped open his chest and it would have all been over. He sent a wave of ice at Creed but he was barely slowing the man in his tracks. He just kept striding onwards, the cuts and frostbite healing before Bobby's eyes. Sabretooth coolly snapped off the icicles hanging from his sideburns and tossed them aside. Bobby had now completely lost his bravado and reverted to panic.
"Not so tough are ya now kid. I see ya lead me back ta yer home, good since now all yer pals get ta see ya die Popsicle."
"Listen Creed I'm real sorry I teased ya, why don't you let me buy you a drink and we'll call it quits," gulped Bobby.
The grimace on Creed's face was truly frightening as he swung his fist round in a haymaker cracking Bobby sharply under the jaw. He collapsed to his knees groaning and slowly reverted back to his normal form, too stunned to concentrate on his powers. Creed took a handful of his shirt claws ripping through the cotton fabric and lifted him up, barely inches from his snarling bestial visage. He smiled coldly without a single trace of warmth, clearly looking forward to the kill. He was almost tender as he tilted back Bobby's chin with a clawed finger, the better to expose the tender throat.
"Now yer going ta pay fer annoying me son, I'm going ta rip yer throat out. Since I'm feeling generous ya get a choice, claw or fang."
"Please have mercy I beg of you," whined Bobby.
"Sorry bub, no can do," purred Sabretooth.
Then something large blue and furry slammed into him and knocked him to the ground. Hank paused only to check that Bobby was alright before turning to the astonished Creed. Growling savagely he began jumping up and down on top of his prone opponent, who began howling in agony.
"You. Don't. Hurt. My. Friend. Bobby. Do. You. Hear?" growled Hank punctuating each word with another bounce.
"Wow, what got into you Hank?" asked Bobby. He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to find three adamantium claws pointing at his throat and Logan glaring at him.
"Now are ya going ta be a good boy and come with me or do I have ta get rough?" asked Logan.
"Alright I give," said Bobby holding up his hands in surrender.
"Good boy," said Logan.