A Gathering of Ferals

Basement level, Hellfire Club

Victor Creed watched with interest as the woman gave a languid wave of her hand, a crackle of energy and images formed in the air. He wasn't so much interested in those as the woman herself, she was certainly good looking; her ebon hair matched the rather low cut black dress she wore which showed off her curvaceous figure to maximum effect. Her emerald eyes flashed with irritation when she saw where she was gazing and a long finger nail snaked out and tilted his chin forcing him to look at the images. Creed growled at the woman, such audacity from a frail but then grunted in surprise as he recognized the figure before him, red on black eyes could mean only one person, Remy LeBeau. The other was not quite as familiar but quite memorable though he'd only fought him once, McCoy better known as the Dark Beast.

"Ah I see you recognize your quarry Sabretooth. Now the task is one so simple even you should be able to fulfill it. I'm afraid that Dark Beast has discovered information about my plans which could jeopardize the whole operation and much as I admire his sadistic genius, I can't allow him to live. Kill him and anyone else with him; consider the fact that Remy is included as a bonus."

"Ya know Selene I'd kill the Cajun fer pleasure, ya needn't worry about paying me fer him. Still if ya wanted ta show yer gratitude why don't ya let me show ya just how wild I can be? I heard yer one sick puppy Selene, I just bet ya can't wait ta get yer hands on me," growled Creed.

Selene cursed, she really hadn't been paying much attention to the way she was flirting with him, the suggestive remarks, the way her long nails had happened to caress his chest. She had always found that acting this way with men gave her the advantage, kept them distracted and far more malleable and therefore suitable pawns. Maybe it hadn't been such a good idea behaving this way towards Creed, being far more animal than man he would always follow his instincts. She found herself cowering back; he was looming over her amber eyes ablaze with predatory delight, sharp fangs showing in his grin. She was just prey to him, something to sate his feral appetites, one more frail, and one more victim. Time he learned his lesson, without hesitation she utilized her pyrokinetic ability and Creed howled in agony as fire exploded in his face. The stench of burning hair and skin filled the air and when the fire cleared Creed was snarling. Skin charred and blackened, the gleaming adamantium exposed in places, already the hair was beginning to grow back and within minutes he'd be fully healed.

"Bad dog, don't do that again or I'll really get nasty," hissed Selene talon-like nails pointing towards his eyes.

"Black Queen or no, even if yer a freaking goddess or some immortal yer not getting away with that," his voice deepened to an ugly growl and he slashed his claws towards her.

Creed was stunned as her slender hand caught his wrist halting his slash in midair. Try as he might he couldn't break free of her grip and she smiled coldly sensing his fear. With her free hand she reached up and grabbed a handful of shaggy blonde hair, pulling his head down and planting a kiss on his lips. Momentary pleasure turned to mortal terror as Creed felt a numbing chill spread to his very bones, strength deserted him and he knew that he might finally be dying. Then mercifully she broke free of the kiss and the draining of his energy ceased, still the numbing chill was receding only slowly and Selene had gained something very important, she was one frail Creed now definitely respected.

"Foolish animal, you're merely a boy compared to one who has lived for millennia and been worshipped as a very god by mortals. You know now that I can take your life in an instance and I will if you ever dare try anything like that again. My favor may be yours if you do well in your task, succeed and maybe I will take you up on your offer. Now do I make myself clear Creed? My next lesson will not be nearly so lenient."

She looked down to see that Creed was kneeling, totally submissive and offering her his throat. Smiling she stretched out her hand and gently began to stroke his hair, nails running through the muttonchops.

"I'm ready fer the hunt," whispered Creed.

"Yes you are Sabretooth, you are a good boy and I just know we're both going to be very pleased with you. After all he did highly recommend you, said your services had been valuable to him in the past. Let's just hope he didn't overestimate your value, it would be a real shame to have killed a man as beautiful as you," Selene's voice was now almost a purr.

Somewhere below New York City

"Now I prefer not to be called Dark Beast, Remy since I find it to be somewhat derogatory despite its aptness. No I usually prefer plain and simple McCoy, not Mr. McCoy or Henry but simply McCoy. However since I reckon we're going to be good friends I will allow you and only you to call me Hank if that's what you prefer,"

"Oui mon ami, Hank it is then,"

Remy had distinctly mixed feelings when they'd first entered the subway tunnels. He wasn't at all familiar with the location of McCoy's lair but his instincts told him they'd been taking the scenic route. He suspected that McCoy had taken him through the old Morlock tunnels deliberately, probably wanting to remind Remy of his past, his shame that had turned the X-Men against him. Also the fact that the Morlocks had been Dark Beast's people, in a way he'd been their father and no father likes to see the deaths of his children. They had stopped just once at a particular wall with the bloodstain in the shape of an angel where indeed an angel had been left to die. Yellow eyes gazed at him intently and there had been intense silence for long minutes, finally a pat on the shoulder. After that McCoy had resumed making friendly conversation, none referring to the past to Sinister or the Marauders.

"Good Remy, we're nearly there now and the rest of them will be dying to meet you. I'm certain the Brotherhood will welcome you with open arms and if not they will answer to me. Remember Remy that this is a fresh start, the sins of the past no longer matter."

There it was then, in his roundabout way it seemed that Dark Beast was forgiving him for any grievances there might have been over Remy's sinister past. Remy forced himself to try and relax a little more, he was still on edge around McCoy no matter how friendly and almost avuncular the man seemed, Remy was expecting at any minute to find those claws closing around his throat choking him. Suddenly McCoy stopped dead and swung round looking at him intently, furry face set in an expression of concern?

"Remy my senses are far superior to yours, I can smell the fear, hear the racing of your heart. I know I make you nervous and well I really can't blame you for that but I won't hurt you. No I would never hurt you just as I never hurt her. Despite my atavistic appearance you have nothing to fear from me,"

"Sorry McC- Hank, it just dat Remy still not sure, don't know if he can ever be sure again, dis de truth and dere nothing dat can change dis. Remy mean no offence, s'il vous plait. After all we are going to be allies' n'est ce pas,"

"Oh allies yes, I would hope friends too given time. Come we'd better get a move on or they'll be wondering where we got to,"

McCoy chuckled and beckoned Remy onwards deeper into the darkness. Remy watched the shaggy gray back for a while, just noticing the way the muscles rippled under the velvety gray fur, the glint of claw and fang, the general inescapable conclusion that this was some kind of monster, a werewolf maybe. Still if McCoy had wanted to hurt him or kill him he would have done it by now. No strange as it may seem he was starting to trust McCoy, he was being told the truth and well he had nowhere else to go. Remy gritted his teeth and followed in McCoy's wake.

McCoy simply grinned, thinking it was good that the young man was beginning to get over his fear now. All in all this boded well for the partnership, he wouldn't admit this to anyone but he could come to see Remy almost as a son.

"Humph, must be getting soft in my old age," he growled to himself.

The back alley

The short man was surveying the scene of the earlier battle, sniffing the air to make sure that he hadn't been followed here. Keeping to the shadows he moved closer and then halted staring intently at something hidden in darkness. Snatching his prize he held it up to the light, half a charred playing card and his fierce hazel eyes widened in what was either surprise or delight. He sniffed the card and his hairy face split into a broad grin. Logan tipped his cowboy hat in a mock salute and grinned again.

"Well what do ya know, looks like the old canucklehead was right after all, and I thought I saw yer face earlier. Yeah I'd recognize yer scent anywhere Gambit. Looks like ya got into a fight here though so let's see if ya won or lost."

Logan moved cautiously, keen sight picking up tiny clues such as loose threads torn from Remy's trench coat, scuff marks on the wall which looked as though they were made by sharp claws, more charred card fragments and in the dirt, an impression roughly the outline of a man as though something heavy had been pressing down on him. Logan frowned, as far as he could tell there had been a fight of some kind despite the almost complete absence of blood and the lack of bodies dead or otherwise. It had gone on for some time though; the stench of sweat was still rank in the air. There were a couple of drops of blood, Remy's by the smell but not enough to indicate he'd been badly hurt. Also a smell both completely familiar yet at the same time frightening, the smell of Hank but not the beloved, benign, bouncing blue Beast that Logan knew. There was something overlaying this scent, something almost indescribable yet utterly malign, the stench of death.

"Dark Beast, I thought that bastard had gone down a while back, looks as though I might have ta rectify that situation. Don't ya worry Remy, I'm going ta come fer ya."

If he needed any further confirmation of Remy's attacker he soon found it. Logan picked up the loose gray hairs and sniffed them. Now he had Dark Beast's scent he was ready to hunt him down like a dog to the ends of the earth if necessary. One thing was certain, the X-Men may have abandoned Remy once but he wasn't going to do the same. No Remy still had at least one friend and whatever danger he might be in, Logan intended that Remy would not face it alone.

Logan snarled and unsheathed his claws, adamantium gleaming in the dim light.

One thing still didn't add up though, as far as he could tell Dark Beast and Remy had left the scene together and it seemed Remy had gone willingly. Logan hoped that Remy would be able to provide the solution to that mystery.

Somewhere in New York City

"Here we are Remy, welcome to my humble abode,"

McCoy swung the door open wide and smiling stepped aside, waving one clawed hand to bid Remy to enter. Remy nodded and not wanting to show any fear stepped in without hesitation. He was pleasantly surprised by the surroundings and behind him McCoy grinned enjoying his erstwhile ally's surprise.

The apartment house had looked normal enough on the outside but from McCoy's reputation Remy had expected something rather different within. Some cross between a medieval dungeon, a mad scientist's laboratory and some wild beast's lair perhaps. Obviously there would be a laboratory somewhere but the lounge was mundane and actually rather cozy. Elegantly furnished, a good sofa, several cozy armchairs and what looked like a beanbag which was probably for McCoy, paintings on the wall, a large screen TV, the only really unusual thing was the several bookshelves packed pull of books both fiction and nonfiction. When he thought about it though Remy realized even Dark Beast must need to chill sometimes. Remy moved over to the small coffee table just next to the bean bag and grinned seeing a packet of Twinkies on the table. So that sugary snack food was one vice common to both Beast's. A pair of reading glasses, a couple of novels and a chessboard set up in some complicated chess problem completed the picture. Now he'd got an insight even a small one Remy grinned, yes even McCoy needed to chill sometimes.

"Dis is a nice place you got here mon ami,"

"Thank you Remy, I'm glad you approve. Please make yourself comfortable. Have a Twinkie if you wish,"

McCoy loped over to the bean bag, settling down almost curling up like a cat. He offered Remy a Twinkie and shrugged when the offer was met with a shake of the head. McCoy took an entire handful and crunched them eagerly, crumbs spilling onto gray fur. A silly thought popped into Remy's head, did McCoy lick himself clean like a cat and most burning of all, did he shed. Maybe he'd ask McCoy later, much later and when he was sure Dark Beast was in a good mood. Selecting a book more or less at random he settled into the nearest armchair and began idly flicking through it. He was feeling a little too tense to really concentrate so he decided to ask a question that had been preying on his mind.

"So when do you introduce me to de others Hank?"

"Well Random and Havok are still away but they should be back this evening. The ladies however are on hand and doubtlessly looking forward to seeing a man as handsome as you. Ah here is Fatale now,"

Remy nearly had a heart attack as Fatale teleported straight into the room just feet away from him. Recovering quickly he gave her a charming smile. A copper cast to her skin marked her as a mutant, still her slightly pointed ears, feline eyes made her beautiful to him. She smiled back, checking him over and obviously approving of what she saw. Still smiling Remy stood, gave her a little bow and kissed her hand.

"Bonjour chere, de name is Remy LeBeau and it is a pleasure to meet you."

"My you are as charming as McCoy said. Well welcome Remy, I'm sure we're going to get along famously," with those words Fatale gave Remy a knowing wink.

"Why don't I give Remy the guided tour boss, help him settle in," suggested the teleporter.

"What an excellent idea my dear, yes I'm sure that will be fine with our new friend," purred McCoy.

Then he looked Remy right in the eye and grinned broadly.

"Have fun."

With that he winked and returned his attention to his book.