Unleashing Of the Beast

Hellfire Club

Selene frowned with annoyance as she observed her reflection in the mirror, one of her best dresses and thanks to Creed's claws tear were a number of tears and holes in it. It was quite simply unacceptable but at least it would be a simple matter to mend the damage. Concentrating she shifted the molecules in the dress, bonding them together as the dress repaired itself within seconds. While she was at it she thought she might as well change the color as black was becoming a little boring now. More concentration and again a simple task with her molecular control the dress was now peacock blue. Selene smiled now and just stood admiring her reflection and confirming once again her great beauty. As an immortal she sometimes spent a whole day just admiring her beauty, gazing into the mirror. Yes it might have been a waste of time but when one had literally all the time in the world you had to find ways to fill it up.

Hearing the approaching footsteps she sighed, with her partner choosing this moment to arrive it looked as though it would be back to business. She hurried over to her chair not wanting to be chided about wasting her time on 'mundane affectations unworthy of the likes of us'. Such a shame to be so serious all the time, didn't he understand that simple pleasures such as watching the death throes of a tormented soul, little things like that were what made immortality worthwhile.

"You will no doubt be pleased to know that I've sent Creed on his little mission to kill Remy, McCoy and any other minor nuisances that happen to be with them. I've even sent along some of our more expendable operatives to provide a little back up. Do you think Creed will be up to the job or not?"

"Creed is quite the most brutal and vicious killer I've had the pleasure to command and he is the most skilled predator I've ever seen. Still our enemies are strong, worthy and it would be wise not to underestimate them. If they should survive and Creed should fall then he will have proved unworthy in the end. Regardless we shall have winnowed out the weak and that is all that matters. Whoever lives shall have a place in the new order while the rest, dust on the wind."

He stepped into view and Selene took the time to admire him. Tall and powerful he was as imposing in his way as Creed. He was also very attractive in her eyes, dark hair neatly brushed back, smoldering cobalt blue eyes and all in all the very image of a younger Sebastian Shaw. Yes she liked this new form, so much more attractive than his usual appearance.

"I must say it's good that you can change your shape because this is a definite improvement, handsome and sexy. I approve," she purred going to kiss him on the cheek only to find herself brushed aside by a gloved hand.

"Do not waste my time with frivolities Selene for I have little patience in such matters," he growled.

"Oh relax please, after all we are immortal you and I and we have all the time in the world. Time enough certainly for a little pleasure, so come sit with me. I would have thought that having lived so long you'd have learned a little patience En Sabah Nur."

Selene frowned, had it been her imagination or had he flinched just a little when she talked about being immortal. Was this some sign of weakness, if so she would be sure to take advantage of it? After all as her partner said the weak must be winnowed out and it would be a task she would do with pleasure.

Somewhere in New York City

Sabretooth was growling deep in his throat, wishing that he could just turn around and rip the throats out of the 'assistance' that Selene had insisted on lending him. He had argued that he worked best alone, that he didn't need any help but she'd simply asked him if he wanted another kiss. After that he'd hastily agreed to accept these partners. Now he was cursing himself for being weak, he should have snarled at Selene and told her to do her worst. After all no matter how powerful she was in the end she was just another frail. Immortal or not it wouldn't make much difference when he disemboweled her. Still even he was sensible to know when he was outmatched and begrudgingly he had to admit that Selene would swat him easily as a fly. A cheerful thought came to him and he grinned chillingly, yes wouldn't it be a shame to report that someone had met with a little accident.

"Most pleasing to hunt with one as skilled as you Creed, I'm sure the glory of this hunt will be great indeed. Then maybe we'll get time to get to know each other more intimately and pleasurably. Would that please you Victor Creed? Yes I think it would, I can smell your desire for me. Deny it if you want but I know it's there," purred Feral rubbing her furry head against his shoulder.

"The only desire I'll have is to rip out yer heart if ya don't quit looking at me with those lovesick eyes," snarled Creed but she only purred.

Creed sighed heavily, she was just as bloodthirsty as him and she also happened to be right. Feral, furry, feline and ferocious, she was certainly no frail and he had to admit, she was beautiful. Maybe he would take her up on that proposition but it was still annoying for her to keep flirting with him, distracting him while he was trying to catch scents. Of course she really couldn't help that she was on heat and therefore interested in any man. He also felt a little flattered that she considered him the worthiest mate for her. As for the others, he growled deep in his throat, death would be too good for them.

"It's most galling dear sister that we have to follow the orders of that filthy animal. I mean he's a feral for crying out loud, not fit to do anything more than growl and just be the grotesque beast he is. As for that other animal, I don't like the way she keeps staring at me," hissed Andreas Strucker to his sister.

"All I can say brother is that she must be absolutely desperate. You know I'm going to regret having to kill a man as handsome as Remy, I mean those devilish eyes, the hair, the smile, I mean he's just the most gorgeous man I've ever seen. Say Creed, couldn't you let me seduce him and turn him to our side?" asked Andrea hopefully.

Sabretooth growled at her and then turned his back determined to ignore her. Why the heck did he have to bring Fenris along, what possible use could a pair of losers like them be. He'd run into them before on a number of occasions sometimes as an enemy, sometimes gallingly as an ally. Admittedly they had impressive powers, Andreas with his concussive force blast and Andrea with her disintegrating burst. Still they had one major weakness which severely limited their usefulness. Their power depended on them holding hands, separate them and they were worse than useless. Plus they were extremely grating and the irritation of their presence was proving almost unbearable.

'I'd rather have died than have to put up with a bunch of losers like these,' thought Creed to himself.

'I resent that thought Creed'

Creed growled the worst of it all was that he was carrying another of those losers inside himself. He had reluctantly agreed to carry Mountjoy inside him since Selene thought he could prove decisive as a secret weapon. As a Hellfire Club member he was also being sent to keep an eye on him since Selene trusted him as much as he trusted her. With his ability to absorb others into himself or to be absorbed by others, the parasitic mutant was in the safest possible place for him, inside Creed. Still maybe he'd come in useful in a fight.

"Yeah at least I'll be able ta work out some of my irritation on my old pal Remy," growled Creed. Then he snarled again as he angrily shook off Feral whose clawed hand had just settled on his chest.

Auger Inn

Logan had found some answers but he was feeling even more bemused now. He'd approached the barkeep, ordered a drink for himself and one for the man and asked a few questions. Since he was a regular here he'd been able to tell the truth, he'd heard that a friend Remy LeBeau was back in town and he was wondering if anyone might have seen him. After receiving his answer he'd thanked the barkeep and then left, waiting until he'd got outside before allowing himself to frown.

"So what have ya got yourself into this time Remy? I'd have thought ya would have learned yer lesson by now about working fer the enemy."

The description of a large, rather brawny dark-haired man was obviously Dark Beast using an image inducer. A quick sniff around had picked up his and Remy's scents so he definitely knew they were together. What was puzzling was the fact that they'd apparently been drinking together and chatting like old friends. They'd stood and left together with McCoy putting a friendly arm around Remy's shoulders. Logan knew all too well how persuasive McCoy could be but surely Remy wouldn't have fallen for his lies. The only possible explanation that made sense to Logan was that Remy was under some form of mind control like Alex had been. Of course there was the other sadly more likely possibility that after his treatment by the X-Men Remy would no longer be a friend but an enemy.

"Ya know Remy, yer might not have been my best pal but I'm not going ta abandon ya. No I swear I'm going ta find ya and if yer in any trouble I'll fight ta the last drop of blood fer ya. I know ya can't hear me bub, but I'm telling ya just the same."

Logan paused, the wind had changed bringing with it a distant scent, one all too familiar. Growling Logan unsheathed his claws and snarled his hatred to the wind.

"Sabretooth,"

McCoy's apartment

"Bonjour Alex mon ami, been a long time non? Like you Remy find dat he no longer stands all de presence of Scott Summers. Actually dey abandons me in de Antarctic but then I never did entirely fit in. Dat's one way dat we alike is it not, we both rebels."

Alex finished absently ruffling his rather wild blonde hair and grinned.

"Yeah good to see you finally got out of my brother's shadow. I just bet he'd give himself a hernia if he knew you were working with me now. It still gets his delicate little panties in a twist that his little brother finally stood on his own two feet, decided he wasn't going to be controlled by anyone else and decided to go his own way. Hence the Brotherhood of which I'm glad to see you'll be joining."

He slapped Remy on the back.

"Glad to have you with us mate. Anyway gotta dash now, so I'll see ya later alright?"

"Oui, au revoir mon ami."

Turning to Fatale Remy favored her with a dazzling smile and was secretly pleased when she flushed ever so slightly. It was good to see that the old Cajun charm still worked fine and well she was an attractive woman. He was curious as well and maybe she'd be willing to answer his questions.

"So chere Remy wondered if teleportation was de only talent dat you have if you'll pardon de curiosity. It just dat Remy like to know about de ladies that please his eye."

"Well I do have another mutant ability, shape-changing which means I can be anybody I choose to be. For example I could be Rogue for you. Care to give it a try Remy, just think of any woman and I could be her for you. I'd love to do that, help you settle in and feel at home. So what do yah say sugah?"

Fatale's features shifted and then there was his beloved Rogue, right down to the white streak in her hair. Smiling, eyes twinkling with mischief she took him in her arms, lips reaching for his own to kiss him and Remy was about to welcome it for this kiss would do no harm. Then he was breaking free of her grasp shaking his head firmly.

"Non chere, Remy think dat dis is not a good idea s'il vous plait."

"My apologies Remy, I should have considered your feelings, look I didn't intend to hurt you," she had shifted back to her own form, eyes full of regret.

"It not dat chere, just dat Remy think are beautiful in dis form. I would like it if we got to know each other but without de disguises s'il vous plait. Although maybe de odd change might be good, to make sure dat de games don't get boring oui?" Remy gave her a rather suggestive wink.

"Why Remy, you are a bad boy aren't you?" purred Fatale grinning broadly.

"So Remy, still worming your way into people's affections with your sleazy charm. Well you can forget about trying any of your cheap tricks with me Cajun," the tones were as cold as ice.

"Merde, Martinique Jason, dis is a pleasant surprise."

Martinique Jason, still beautiful and treacherous as the last time he'd encountered her. She was standing just a few feet away hands on hips, exquisite face marred by smoldering hate in her eyes. Remy found himself afraid to meet her gaze, the memories of the last encounter when he and Logan had fallen into a trap laid by her. She claimed to be the daughter of the original Mastermind and maybe it was true. Certainly she had the same powers of illusion but she was far more powerful than Wyngarde had ever been. It still gave him a chill remembering what she'd done to Arcade and how easily she'd set him and Logan at each others throat. Even as your brain was screaming at you that it was all an illusion you still acted as though it was real.

"I take it that you've met then," asked Fatale somewhat nervously.

Martinique narrowed her eyes but made no reply and Remy suddenly found himself back in the Antarctic. So bitterly cold and desolate, just barren ice as far as the eye could see. He was all alone in the cold, blood seeming frozen in his veins, chilled to his very marrow. Shivering fingers and toes becoming numb, vision blurring, nothing but the cold and the endless white desert. Nothing to do but just lay down and die knowing that he'd at least be warm in hell.

"I think that will be quite enough from you Martinique," snapped an angry voice.

Martinique instantly dropped the illusion and just gaped in open astonishment at McCoy. He'd literally seemed to appear out of thin air. Now he stood looming over her blocking her path to Remy. He was snarling, showing all his sharp fangs and the yellow eyes were ablaze with anger. She gulped retreating back a few steps knowing full well that if he so chose he could snap her like a twig.

"Mastermind nobody is going to harm Remy, he is here as an ally, a friend and I shall have no mercy if anyone does anything to cause him harm. Understand this; anyone who wants a piece of Remy has to go through a piece of me first. Think you can take me dear?"

"Sorry McCoy it won't happen again. If you'll excuse me I think it best if I leave," muttered Martinique.

"That would be the most sensible option."

McCoy's gaze burned into her back until head bowed she disappeared round the corner. Then McCoy was all smiles again as he turned to Remy.

"Well apart from that I trust the tour went well and you've met the rest of the Brotherhood now. Well we've set a room up for you so feel free to go there any time you wish. Anyway I just wondered if you had any more questions."

Remy decided to test just how friendly McCoy really was, just push him a little and see what the limits were. He just hoped that he would be agile enough to get out of the way should he anger Dark Beast with his impertinence. Still he was Gambit and what was life about if not taking risks?

"Oui mon ami, do you shed?"

McCoy simply blinked those yellow eyes and glanced down at his shaggy gray fur. Then he grinned broadly roared with thunderous laughter and gave Remy a pat on the back that nearly knocked him off his feet.

"Very good Remy, I see you are without fear and I respect that. I think you're going to fit in here just fine. By the way the answer is yes but breathe a word of that to anyone and I'll snap your neck," chuckled Dark Beast.

"Oui mon ami, dis Cajun's lips are sealed, thief's honor."