Touch Not the Cat without a Glove
"Oh what bliss it is to be in a state of ennui, oh yes indubitably this sir is the life for me," McCoy hummed tunelessly murmuring the rhyme over and over.
Dark Beast was bored. He had been somewhat surprised when Creed announced he had a plan. He'd been expecting Creed to want to go after Hank immediately but instead the feral had a more sensible plan. He wanted to clean himself up and get some new clothes. The first part of the plan had been quite straightforward. They'd soon found a public toilet which miraculously possessed both soap and towels. It took about twenty minutes of vigorous scrubbing before Creed got the last of the debris off himself. Even with his keen nose he could only smell the faintest remnant of the noxious odor which had clung to him. He'd even taken the time to pull his long shaggy blonde hair back in a neat ponytail.
Finding and stealing some clean clothes had taken considerably longer. It was always hard finding clothes that would fit Creed giving his burly muscular frame and that he was taller than most. Dark Beast's comment that since Creed was nearly as hirsute as him he only needed a decent pair of trousers did not go down well. So Creed had grabbed him by the throat and threatened to flay him alive to make a decent fur coat. Then dropping him to the ground he'd gone off in search of some decent clothes.
"What do ya think fuzz-ball," rumbled Creed. Admittedly the black T-shirt was straining to contain his massive chest and those denim jeans were rather tight. McCoy had to admit the trench coat suited him though. Creed was still barefoot having sworn to regain his own boots and make the thief pay.
"Yes you look most presentable my fierce feral friend. So anything else we need to do before we get down to business?"
"Yeah I reckon ya could satisfy my curiosity as ta how come yer working fer Sinister," said Creed after thoughtfully scratching his stubbly chin.
"After the lord Apocalypse fell Nathaniel Essex no longer had to lurk in the shadows. It was inevitable that he'd eventually catch up with me and one day he did. Rather than kill me out of hand he offered me the chance to work with him as his partner. It seemed he admired my talent for genetic engineering. Well given the choice of serving him or dying I chose the former and it's worked out remarkably well. You wouldn't believe the fun we're having."
Sabretooth's shaggy brows rose quizzically and McCoy grinned manically before breaking down in a fit of growling chuckles.
"You ever wonder where all these secondary mutations are coming from? Are you curious to know why within a few generations flatscans will go the way of the Neanderthal? Half the worlds mutants may have died with Genosha but that will only delay the inevitable. Mutants will inherit the earth and it will all be thanks to Essex and my humble self. Oh yes the human gene pool is our sandpit!"
Creed paused from stroking his sideburns as realization dawned on him. With a growling chuckle he slapped Dark Beast on the back.
"Now I get it shaggy, I know why Hank has ta die. Ya thought he could stumble onta yer plans in the course of his investigation. He'd try ta stop ya and yer couldn't afford fer that ta happen. Well don't ya worry because I'm going ta kill him first."
Creed and McCoy exchanged fang-filled grins at the thought.
"So you're finally ready then Sabretooth?"
"Yeah I will be after I get my boots back," came the snarled reply as Creed disappeared back into the shadows.
McCoy sighed heavily knowing he'd probably have another hour or so to kill. Feeling his stomach begin to rumble he headed into a nearby burger bar. The solitary acne-ridden teenager manning the bar didn't even look up as Dark Beast ordered a large Pepsi, a double cheese burger and fries. No he didn't look up until he took the money from the furry hand. Then the poor fellow looked aghast, shrieked his head off and fainted dead away. Dark Beast decided that they'd obviously been hiring staff from the narrow end of the gene pool again. Sighing about the inferiority of mundane humans he sat himself at a table to enjoy his snack in peace.
Unfortunately for him a piercing scream ending in a sickening gurgle shattered the night. Startled McCoy bit down hard on the burger spraying ketchup over his fur and also managing to spill the coke over himself.
"Well curse my stars and garters, I hate it when my fur gets messed up," snarled McCoy.
Snarling a few choice curse words under his breath he used the still insensate teenager's apron to wipe himself clean. From the sounds of things Creed had caught up with and exacted revenge on the thief who stole his boots. One more victim just like all the hundreds of others he'd killed. It would be a chilling moment of brief and crimson horror which ended one more insignificant human life. McCoy smiled, at least Sabretooth was performing useful work in helping to weed out the gene pool. He glanced down to the still unconscious youth and grinned. A clawed and furry hand gently shook the boy's shoulder and with a groan he stirred.
"Hey son are you OK?" asked McCoy with mock concern.
"Oh man, oh man, oh man, it was a we-," the teen looked up and his voice trailed off as his eyes went wide.
"Boo," growled McCoy.
McCoy's thunderous laughter echoed through the night as the teenager promptly fainted again.
When McCoy came outside Creed was sitting waiting for him on the steps. From the trickle of blood down his chin and staining his fangs it looked as though Creed had ripped the man's throat out. Certainly judging by his contented growl he'd enjoyed himself immensely. Creed sighed contentedly as he slipped his boots back on.
"I take it you're happy now you've killed someone,"
"Yeah he didn't even hear until I'd slashed his gut open with my claws. Had him screaming too until I ripped his throat out. I enjoyed it almost as much as I will when I pay Beast back fer humiliating me. I'm ready ta begin the hunt now bub,"
"Good and I'll be there to assist you every step of the way,"
"I don't need any of yer help shaggy,"
"Yeah right," muttered McCoy under his breath.
Creed's warning growl told him that his comment hadn't gone unheard.
Xavier Institute for Higher Learning
"I will say this for my new form, it does have its compensations. Logan described his sensations, the things he could see, smell, hear that the rest of us could not. Still it was impossible to fully comprehend the olfactory, aural or optic sensations. Now though I can see the world as he does and Hank my boy, would you ever want to give this up?"
The tree was the highest in the grounds and the sturdy branches could easily take the weight of six hundred pounds of blue-furred feline mutant. Now he was stretched supine along the branch resting his chin on his massive paws and just gazing up at the stars. He could see almost as clearly as though it were day given his now improved night-vision. So many stars twinkling like scattered diamonds in the pitch black of endless space. He'd traveled among those stars many times. Seen and met many beings from other worlds, Kree, Skrull, Brood, and Phalanx and of course the Shiar. It wasn't that long ago that he'd fought the Imperial Guard during Cassandra Nova's reign of terror. Now his fellows were out there among the stars doing what they could to help the Shiar rebuild.
"I understand now Logan what it must have been like for you. I can sense the things you sense and like you I've got a predator's instincts now. I just wish I could talk to you. I need to talk to someone who knows what I'm going through. I wish you were here to help me fight Sabretooth. Sadly that cannot be so I must strive to be 'the best there is' on my own. I just hope I can be strong enough to protect Jubilee, Beak and of course Bobby. Especially Bobby, I will die myself before I allow him to come to harm."
His fur was bristling now from the tension. The very thought of Creed brought a growl rumbling up from deep in his throat. His claws were digging deep into the bark as he fought to quell his rising tide of anger. He panted drawing in deep gulps of breath as he slowly managed to regain control. His humanity had won through again banishing the feral side of him back into his subconscious. It was still a struggle but perhaps it was a little easier. Perhaps he could never entirely banish this new side of him. He had to accept that he had these instincts and they were as much a part of him as his blue fur. As long as he remembered that he'd always be human in his heart that would be enough. He'd never surrender himself to the feral side as Creed had. As long as he never surrendered he'd know he was still human.
"Yes that will be enough."
He'd felt truly happy at the party. He'd rediscovered the old 'bouncing, bodacious, ever-effervescent Beast' who'd been sadly absent this past year. He had been relaxed and even playful. He'd enjoyed that game of tag even if he had ended up under a heap of students when they all ganged up on him. He'd had fun and in the end so had everyone else. Then out in the grounds for a walk and a quiet chat with Bobby. They hadn't discussed the most important matter. That could wait for another day when Sabretooth was defeated and Hank was sure about his feelings. For now he'd sat and watched as Bobby created ice-sculptures according to his choice. Then he'd described the sounds and smells to Bobby. Finally they'd parted ways, he to climb his tree and Bobby to take a wander down to the boathouse.
"Hmm I feel the urge for somnolence and this will be a good a bed as any," murmured Hank closing his eyes.
"Merde, Hank mon ami, no time for sleep. Remy sense dat we have an intruder and dere is danger n'est ce pas. Do you smell anything mon ami," called Remy.
"Stars and garters, I can smell something down by the boathouse. Smells like…….. Sabretooth? Bobby's in danger!" roared Hank leaping down from the tree.
He and Remy hotfooted it to the boathouse praying they'd get there in time.
The Boathouse
"Yeah I'll be alone here to do some serious thinking. I mean it's not as though anyone else will be here this time of night,"
Bobby frowned, he was sure that window shouldn't be open. He shrugged and decided to pay it no further thought. It was hardly likely that Creed would be showing up again for a while after the beating Hank had given him. The key turned in the door easily enough and Bobby stepped into the darkened room. He was just reaching for the light switch when his hand brushed against fur and hard muscle. A low growl sounded in the darkness.
Bobby shuddered for a moment as his heart pounded. Yellow eyes glinted in the darkness and Bobby relaxed. He'd probably just startled Hank.
"Hey easy buddy, it's just your pal Bobby. No need to go all Wolverine on me,"
Then the light was switched on.
"Apology accepted Iceman,"
Bobby's jaw practically hit the floor. The being was distinctly feline, furry and had gleaming yellow eyes. It would be hard to mistake him for Hank though. He was slightly shorter and slimmer but still extremely muscular. The fur was shorter and sandy brown. Those yellow eyes were far more predatory than Hank's with a glint of bloodlust. Perhaps not as bloodthirsty as Sabretooth but certainly more than willing to use those claws and fangs on him. The monster fingered a necklace of teeth around his neck and took a deep drag on his cigarette exhaling a pall of smoke.
"Who the heck are you and how do you know my name?" snapped Bobby with all the sternness he could muster.
"Let's just say I've been well informed Bobby Drake. I'm here for Hank but you're close to him. In fact your heart stinks of him. My name is Puma by the way, assassin and hunter and I always get my prey. You will do nicely for my purposes," the throaty growl dropped to a purr as Puma flashed his canines in a cold grin.
"You're a cool customer aren't you kitty? Well prepare to hit sub-zero temperatures Puma. You'll wish you were a snow leopard."
Bobby was having to fight back his fear of this strange beast/man. He was far too much like Sabretooth and Bobby remembered those claws only too well. He gritted his teeth and sweat trickled down his brow. He was one of the original five and he'd faced far more powerful foes than this. Gradually his fear began to subside and he concentrated beginning to cool the water vapor in the air around him.
"I smell your fear Bobby. You're just like any other frightened prey,"
Bobby was going to wipe that grin of Puma's face and give him fur full of icicles. In just a few seconds Puma would be on his knees and Bobby would triumph. He just needed another second and he'd have Puma at his mercy. Just another second but that was more than enough time for Puma to act.
Bobby howled in agony as a white hot burst of pain seared through his side. He'd just seen a blur and then Puma was back where he began claws dripping with Bobby's blood. Concentration was lost and Bobby doubled up in agony clutching his wounded side. Sinking to his knees from the pain he tried to look brave as Puma leaned in close.
"Actually Bobby I pulled my claws and merely scratched you. I simply targeted a nerve point, just enough to cause temporary agony. It will soon pass and the gashes will heal in a few days. I really don't want to hurt you any more than I have to. I kill but I'm not a sick bloodthirsty monster like Victor Creed. I kill only those who I have to and I would take no pleasure from your death,"
"So why do you want to kill a guy like Hank. He's a good man Puma," growled Bobby through gritted teeth.
"I've a contract on him I'm afraid and I will not break my word. If it's any consolation I'll be merciful and quick," Puma was sincere although that didn't matter to Bobby.
At once a clawed hand was at his throat, the grip even stronger than Hank's. All Puma would have to was squeeze and Bobby's vertebrae would be reduced to powder. For the moment at least Bobby was completely at his enemy's mercy. While Puma may have been kinder than Creed Bobby was still fervently hoping he'd get out of this alive.
"Don't even try icing up Bobby. I can smell your intent and my reflexes are second to none. The moment you even think about icing up I'll squeeze. You will die but it will be instantaneous. Now just tell me where Hank is and you have my word of honor that I'll spare you."
"Go to hell you mangy flea-bitten fur-ball," growled Bobby.
Puma growled warningly and tightened his grip ever so slightly.
"I'll let that childish insult pass but my patience has limits Bobby. I'd prefer to be merciful but if you provoke me I will kill you. Do you wish to die Bobby? Come on you're an intelligent if immature mutant, do the sensible thing and cooperate. Now I'll ask you again. Where is Hank?"
"I'm not going to tell you Puma. Go ahead and kill me if you want to but I won't betray my buddy to you."
Thomas Fireheart sighed and felt some genuine sadness. He could smell Bobby's resolve and knew the man was determined. He really would die before allowing any harm to come to his friend. Puma could admire that and respect Bobby's bravery. He wouldn't kill Bobby after all despite his defiance. Mercy was a good thing if practiced in due moderation. He tightened his grip again just enough to cut off the flow of oxygen and suffocate Bobby. Not enough to kill him but just enough to render him unconscious. He'd find Hank easily enough on his own and he couldn't risk Iceman interfering.
"Sleep well Bobby."
Just as Bobby felt the blackness closing on him the grip was released. Blinking he saw Puma was standing over him, a triumphant and bloodthirsty grin on his face.
"It seems I don't need your assistance after all Bobby. Hank is here right now, I can smell him. He's brought a friend too so I should be in for some fun. You just lie back and watch my friend. Believe me you won't want to miss this fight."
Puma howled a challenge and prepared to spring.