Female of the Species

"Oh I lack not for many things, strength, intelligence, dexterity, looks, cuddly blue fur, fame, all the Twinkies I can eat and a T-Shirt signed by Britney Spears. Still I lack the most important thing that a man can have, the love of a good woman. Yes this furry blue ape, this fuzzy werewolf feels so lonely right now, I mean the only woman in my life is Jubilee and while she's a wonderful friend she's far too young. Oh woe is me, my heart shall break, oh my stars and garters, every Beast needs his Belle and alas mine has lost its clapper,"

Hank sighed heavily and went back to burying his head in his hands. His on again off again relationship with Trish Tilby was presently in its off phase again. No doubt sooner or later they'd drift back together probably when she felt it wouldn't be damaging her career to be seen with a mutant, even a famous biochemist, ex-Avenger like Hank. As for Cecilia Reyes she was away and would be for some time in her new post as head researcher looking into a cure for the Legacy Virus. He couldn't really find a suitable excuse for undertaking the trip to Muir Island. All the other X-Women seemed to be spoken for and well he just couldn't seem to find the energy to start a new relationship. He knew if he waited long enough he'd probably get back with Trish or Cecilia but for now he was lonely. If only the right woman would come along and find it in her heart to love him.

He looked in the mirror eying his bestial countenance critically, well he did look somewhat intimidating admittedly at first glance but was he really so frightening. No women surprisingly seemed to find his appearance quite attractive; he was often asked if he minded if they just stroked his fur. Then they would marvel at how soft it was and he'd smile and admit that maybe he ought to find a better razor. Still he blinked his gentle blue eyes and wondered whether it would have been an easier life if he hadn't changed, he'd always looked different but he had looked somewhat more human. He growled and shook his head to clear it, no use moping about that and he never usually bothered with whining about his appearance. Quite the opposite, he loved the way he looked. Steeling his resolve he firmly told himself that he was going to stop feeling so sorry about his present lack of a girlfriend. Anyway he had an appointment for a lecture at a local university the next day so he'd focus on that.

"Stars and garters, I probably just need some Twinkies and then I'll feel fine. Maybe if I ask her nicely Jubilee will stroke my fur for me,"

The laboratory of Nathaniel Essex

Victor Creed had come running as soon as he heard the explosion and Sinister's panicked screaming. He stopped short and sniffed the air, catching a scent of lilacs, sandalwood and peppermint, not the type of odors he'd normally associate with Essex's experiment. Creed growled a little under his breath and scratched at his muttonchops with a claw, now what had Sinister told him about the work? It was something about genetically enhancing mutations, mutating mutants to the ultimate degree. That was why he'd asked Sabretooth to join him by promising that he could make him an even more effective fighting machine. Creed had been happy to oblige but Sinister had wanted to make sure that there wouldn't be any more unforeseen side effects. Apparently the first test had caused 'aesthetically displeasing' results and had warned Creed that right now, he might end up looking like a bleached blonde Beast. Now according to Essex he'd perfected the technique now and this latest experiment was expected to confirm that everything was ready. Creed thoughtfully rubbed the stubble on his chin; obviously it wasn't quite as perfected as Sinister had thought.

"Creed, get in here immediately, something has gone most dreadfully wrong. Do you hear me Creed, I said get yourself in here right now," Essex's strident voice seemed somewhat higher than usual, almost contralto.

Creed shrugged and decided he might as well go in before Sinister started giving himself ulcers. He stopped dead in his tracks in the doorway, amber eyes blinking in disbelief, heart racing and if it wasn't for his healing factor, he might have had a heart attack. It seemed that the side-effects were even more severe than Sinister had realized. As Creed gazed at his now transformed employer he found himself getting feelings he hadn't had in a very long time if ever. He could certainly say one thing about the transformation; it wasn't in any way 'aesthetically displeasing'.

Sinister was panicking now; virtually hysterical as he frantically tried to think what had just gone wrong. He knew it was something drastic but whether it was a slight imbalance in the chemicals, a malfunction of the equipment or a simple case of Murphy's Law he couldn't say. The last thing he remembered was that loud explosion and waking up to find his laboratory in ruins and feeling somehow changed. Now worryingly he was getting some very odd looks from Victor Creed, open admiration and could it possibly be the first signs of love at true sight?

"Creed I don't like the way you're looking at me, stop it this instance," snapped Sinister frowning as he wondered quite why his voice had gone up a couple of octaves.

"Essex ya might want ta take a look in the mirror but I can tell ya this, yer looking mighty fine," purred Creed and yes that was definitely in a loving tone.

Sinister rushed past the feral that stood lost in adoration and then a piercing scream filled the air as Essex caught sight of his or rather her reflection in the mirror. Yes the effect had been extremely severe and Mister Sinister had now become Miss Sinister. Still tall but shapely, slender with a figure most women would have killed for, skin still pale but creamy, black hair now shoulder length, straight raven tresses which were glossy and lustrous, burning red eyes now an exotic violet and even the cheekbones were perfect. In short Sinister was now an extremely beautiful if somewhat sinister woman, a gothic beauty who if Creed was anything to judge by no man could resist. As she gazed at her reflection Nathaniel (no it would be oh Natalie now) Essex realized that she had just fallen in love with herself. A frown marred the perfect countenance for a second and she shook her head.

"I am beautiful but I've got to change back, still my shape-changing power ought to handle this,"

To Creed's relief and Natalie Essex's dismay it seemed that in addition to the change in gender, her powers were much diminished, shape-changing seemed to be gone altogether. Also it seemed that the super-strength and energy bolts were gone as she found to her considerable regret as Creed decided to give her a comforting hug. Nor did the teleportation work as she struggled in vain to break free of his gentle embrace. Creed kissed her on the cheek and purred contentedly to himself, as far as he was concerned Sinister could stay this way forever. At last Creed had found the frail that he could truly love.

Then Creed frowned, his darling beloved Mistress Sinister was crying and Creed soon found that he was sobbing too. Tears ran down his cheek, into his sideburns and he sank to his knees overcome with grief. He'd never felt so sad in all his years, not even after having the tar beaten out of him by Logan, not even after his favorite team lost the baseball series. Essex dried her tears and looked down at Creed, could it be that the loss of her old abilities was being compensated by the addition of new ones; maybe she had some sort of empathic ability. Smiling she reached out and gently began stroking Creed's shaggy blonde hair.

"Creed I think I may need some help since I can't begin to find a cure for my present condition with my laboratory destroyed I can't even find the cause for this change. I'm going to need help from someone whose knowledge of genetics and sheer intelligence is equal to my own. I can think of only one man who could possibly fulfill this monumental task. Creed we need to get the aid of Beast," whispered Essex.

"I'll do anything fer ya darlin, ya only need ta ask and I'll be glad ta aid ya with helping ta persuade Hank that yer in need of his help," growled Creed.

"Good boy," said Essex with a smile and she awarded Creed with a kiss.

The next day at Hank's lecture

Hank was feeling a much happier man now, he knew he looked good in this new suit and he'd gotten an admiring glance from Trish Tilby. Apparently she was filming the work at the university for a news report and she'd called him over. At her suggestion that they patch things up Hank had smiled politely but gently refused, he said he wanted to take things slowly and see how they went. Of course he would get back with her sooner or later but not today. Besides he took a certain vindictive satisfaction at leaving her hanging although true gentleman that he was he did feel rather guilty about this. Still he was looking forward to the lecture and it seemed that from the eager talk that so were the students. He was getting a lot of stares but for once none were hostile, simply curious and that made a nice change.

Hank took the time to smile at a tall pale if stunningly beautiful woman who was glancing his way. She smiled demurely and waved back to him and then was lost in the crowd. Hank stroked his chin thoughtfully, he could have sworn he recognized another face in the crowd, tall, muscular, blonde, rather hirsute, thick muttonchops, amber eyes but what could Sabretooth be doing at a lecture? No he was probably just imagining things such as that the woman had seemed oddly familiar. Hank placed these thoughts at the back of his mind and concentrated on his coming lecture.

"Now Creed remember the plan, after the lecture you will pretend to be attacking me. I will call for help and hopefully Hank being a consummate gentleman and generally heroic will come to my aid. You will then engage in battle but you will throw the fight, don't injure him badly so no eviscerating or ripping out throats. After a little while pretend to lose, just pretend he's hit you hard and withdraw, snarl a few threats and say you'll be back to finish the job," ordered Essex.

"Ya know darlin I ain't too happy about deliberately throwing a fight, I mean it's going ta be bad fer my image. On the other hand when ya look at me with those eyes, how can I refuse ya?" Creed murmured as Essex batted her eyelashes at him.

"Good boy," she purred and kissed him on the cheek.

After the lecture

Hank bowed as he received a standing ovation; maybe the students had just been there for the spectacle of seeing a former Avenger who also happened to be a furry blue gorilla. Still whatever the reason he had soon enthralled them with his wit, his intelligence, his suave charm, not to mention his humbleness. There had for a change also been no sign of any mutant haters and was that Trish Tilby waving to him, maybe he would go and see what she wanted after all. He was feeling magnanimous and mending a few bridges would make what was a very good day perfect.

"I'm going ta rip yer throat out frail, I'm going ta gut ya and feast upon yer entrails," roared Creed as terrified screams filled the packed lectured hall. Actually he very much wanted to take Essex gently in his arms and kiss her but still whatever she wanted.

"Help me please, someone save me," shrieked Essex trying hard not to laugh.

"Stars and garters ma'am, help is on its way," called Hank shrugging off his jacket and bounding towards Creed. He was going to teach him a severe lesson for this, besides he could do with a little action.

"Oh great I needed some action and my but Hank's looking just great. Get those cameras rolling," yelled Trish, this was going to get her a Pulitzer for sure.