Keep Your Enemies Closest
McCoy's Apartment
"So you see we can expect no quarter from the X-Men, Scott is seemingly intent on hunting us down like dogs. Well that's fine by me; we'll soon show him why it doesn't pay to tangle with the Brotherhood. Stars and garters, I actually think I'll look forward to this fight."
McCoy glanced around the room at the assembled mutants, yellow eyes narrowing slightly in pleasure as he saw he had their rapt attention. Random, Mastermind, Fatale and even Marrow were nodding eagerly seemingly also looking forward to the fight. McCoy smiled fondly, she had chosen to sit at his feet and it was obvious that Marrow had now chosen his cause completely. Remy looked rather sad but determined, obviously he'd take no joy in facing his former comrades but he'd do what he had to. Havok on the other hand seemed positively joyful at the thoughts of taking on his brother. Only Logan was standing with arms folded and a ferocious scowl on his face.
McCoy sighed, he knew full well that Logan didn't trust him and would happily put a claw through his heart given the chance. The only reason that the feral was here at all was to keep an eye on Remy and make sure he was alright. Still if he could only be turned, he'd be a very valuable ally and what a blow to the X-Men it would be to turn one of their staunchest proponents from the course. No use in lying to this one though, honeyed words and silver tongues would be futile against Logan. He could smell deception and the only reward for that act would be those adamantium claws plunging deep into your flesh. It would be a challenge to persuade Logan but McCoy knew he'd be up to the task. He'd be completely honest, appeal to Logan's honor and reason and soon enough he'd be ready to give himself over to McCoy body and soul. McCoy loped over to Logan and crouched before him, tilting his head ever so slightly to offer Logan his throat, making himself vulnerable might go some way to getting Logan to hear him out.
"Logan I know you despise me and everything I stand for and I understand that. Remember you're free to leave at any time and go back to your friends and allies the X-Men. You know now that Remy is here of his own free will and that I mean him no harm. All I'd ask you is this, Scott said and I quote 'until we know otherwise Logan must be considered an enemy'. You have done nothing to betray them yet it seems they do not trust you despite the fact you've always been loyal and you've suffered much for them, given your all to them. What sort of allies are those really that they cannot even give you their trust,"
Logan frowned, much as he hated to admit it McCoy was telling him the truth and his words made sense. Scott had seemed so angry when he told him his plans, practically accused him of betrayal even then. Logan sighed and hung his head, not resisting as McCoy patted him on the shoulder sympathetically.
"Much as I hate ta admit it yer right fuzzy, don't ya go thinking that I've come over ta yer side though. The only person on yer team I'm allying myself with is Remy. We'll see when the time comes who I fight fer, I'm giving yer fair warning McCoy,"
"That's all I ask for Logan, that you keep an open mind. Let's shake hands and agree to this little rapprochement shall we?" asked Dark Beast thrusting out his hand.
Logan growled but shook the furry gray hand as McCoy grinned broadly displaying all his fangs, the first little victory had gone to him. A small victory but it was merely the first step along the road of subverting Logan's loyalty to the X-Men and to him. For a prize this great McCoy was prepared to be patient.
"What about you Sarah, I know this must be difficult for you since the X-Men have become the only real family you've ever had. They've been kind to you Sarah haven't they, even Ororo," McCoy jumped startled as a bone spike suddenly protruded from the wall.
"They haven't really ever forgiven me First One, they look at me and all they see is Marrow, mutant terrorist. Oh they seem kind but you can see it in their eyes, they haven't ever really been able to trust me and they might have forgiven but they haven't forgotten it. No I'm staying with you and Remy, you're a person I can believe in," whispered Sarah.
"My dear child that's quite the nicest thing I think anyone's ever said about me. We'll show you real love not the lies and hypocrisies of the X-men and the false love of a woman who ripped out a little girl's heart. No we'll stand together against anyone X-Men, Hellfire Club, even the likes of Sinister and Apocalypse if need be,"
McCoy drew Sarah too him in a gentle hug and gave her one of his rare genuine smiles.
"Anyway enough of this, let's retire for some repast to quench our hunger. As the saying goes, eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we may hang."
Hellfire Club
For all his sheer might and power, Holocaust son of Apocalypse found himself cowed, shrinking back before the intensity of Selene's glare. All his destructive power was as nothing compared to the devastating effect of the quirked eyebrow, the slight curl of a sneer on those perfect lips. Distracted Holocaust wondered how it was possible for the woman to be so beautiful and yet so terrifying at the same time. It probably presented a comical picture, a hulking monster like him cowering back from a beautiful rather scantily clad woman that he could crush like a fly. Holocaust knew better, in terms of raw power she was at least his equal and he really didn't want to find out if she was his superior.
"Well I must say I am disappointed to find that the so-called son of Apocalypse is not his fathers equal. It seems you've inherited his pomposity and tendency to be brutally unsubtle but certainly not his intellect. Why is it so rare to find men who possess both intelligence and power? I mean I'd have thought the task would be simple enough that even the Juggernaut would have managed it, you know how vital X-Man is to our plans and you assured me you could capture him. Well done Holocaust few could have managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory as you just did," sneered Selene.
"Hey don't ya be too hard on the guy Selene, ya know that Nate's supposed ta be the most powerful mutant alive. Anyway he'd have done the job if it hadn't been fer the interference of some frail from an alternate universe and some cheap copy of yours truly," growled Creed.
"I don't need to be defended by the likes of you animal," snapped Holocaust.
"Cease this nonsensical babbling at once," boomed Apocalypse.
En Sabah Nur smiled coldly as he watched them all flinch and then scramble to attention, even Selene had seemed impressed. Of course if they knew how weak he really was they wouldn't hesitate to destroy him, fortunately they didn't and wouldn't know. Holocaust was look at him raptly, was it really possible that he was speaking the truth, could it be that on another world this being really was his son. Apocalypse thought his 'son' a strange being, little more than a mere skeleton within that containment suit. He had such raw power, able to release enough energy to possibly destroy the entire world and that did impress Apocalypse. If he could be a little more successful perhaps Holocaust would be worthy of being his son. Still in his handsome human guise Apocalypse strode confidently to the monstrous being who listened intently.
"You can be excused once for failure due to the extenuating circumstances. Fail again through sheer incompetence and you shall have been proven unworthy and I'll destroy you personally. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, father," Holocaust bowed his head and dismissed walked from the room.
"Creed, my bedroom now," ordered Selene.
Alone once more she turned to Apocalypse, remarkable how strong he seemed at the moment and so hard to tell that he was fighting to stave off the agony and weakness of his slow death. He still believed she didn't know of this and she wasn't about to disillusion him. So she played her little games, adjusting her dress a little to display a little cleavage, flirting with him. He took no notice of her and sighing Selene decided to abandon the game, it was no fun if the other person didn't want to play.
"Let us hope that our other operative will succeed where others have failed and eliminate the Dark Beast for us. You are sure that this one is at least competent," asked Apocalypse.
"Why of course he is darling, he's swift, ruthless, agile, and very strong and as well as being cute and furry he's cunning. He'll do whatever it takes to get the job done and he's never failed to hit his mark. If you want an assassin you don't get better than Puma. Wonder what he's like in bed?" mused Selene.
"Is that all you ever think about?" rumbled Apocalypse not bothering to hide his disdain.
A rooftop somewhere in New York
"Hmm that's a nasty wound that your friend's got there, still I think I've patched him up as well as I can. He'll live anyway,"
"Thanks Thomas sugah, I'm real grateful tah yah fer all yah help,"
Nate Grey blinked and then frowned, he could hear voices, one low and rumbling and Rogue's southern drawl but he couldn't pick up any thoughts. Try as hard as he might he couldn't pick up a single thought anywhere, for once he was completely and utterly alone with his own thoughts and that terrified him. Somehow the wound he'd received from Holocaust's blast must have knocked out his telepathy and he could only pray the effects were temporary. With a startled yelp Nate awoke fully and floated straight up into the air, only slightly relieved to learn he retained his telekinesis.
He looked down at the others and was relieved to see Rogue and yes it had been true, it really was Blink and the Sabretooth of his world. Clarice had obviously been startled and her lavender skin was now flushed mauve in embarrassment as Victor crouched protectively over her teeth bared in a defiant snarl. Nate looked a little embarrassed himself and settled for just hovering in midair arms folded over his bandaged chest as he took in the stranger by Rogues side. He wished his telepathy was working as it was hard to tell at a glance whether this man was friend or foe. He certainly looked fearsome enough, tall and brawny covered in sandy fur and with sharp fangs and claws, rather too like the Dark Beast for comfort. Still looks counted for little and for all he knew this hirsute stranger could be as gentle and kind as Nightcrawler. Nate blinked in surprise as the man seemed to shrink slightly as Puma chose to return to his human form.
"Well sugah ah'd like yah tah meet mah new friend Thomas Fireheart or Puma, he was the one who bandaged up that nasty wound yah got. Anyway ah've met yah new friends and ah still find it hard tah get my head round the concept of a friendly Sabretooth. Yah friend Clarice had quite a wild story tah tell me. Anyway why don't yah come down and thank the gentleman?"
Nate nodded and settled down on the roof. He shook hands with the man wincing slightly at the crushing grip.
"Hi, well I guess thanks are in order for tending my wound. Well I'll just say that a friend of Rogue's is a friend of mine. My names Nate Grey or X-Man if you prefer."
"Thomas Fireheart, Puma. I just happened by and got into a conversation with a beautiful woman who looked in need of a little comfort. I guess now that you're awake I might as well tell you what I'm doing here, especially since my mission may be of interest to you all."
McCoy's apartment
"You're not entirely happy with this are you, having to fight your old friends. I don't blame you at all, it's just a shame they couldn't forgive you your mistakes but at least with us you've got a fresh start," Fatale's voice was a gentle murmur and her hand on his shoulder was very comforting.
Remy sighed and took another sip of Bourbon. He was remembering the trial and Rogue rescuing him from the collapsing building. He'd felt safe in her arms and sure she'd find it in her heart to forgive the one she loved and he'd thanked her for it. Then she'd dropped him to the bleak ice and said words that shattered his heart, saying that he could never love her as he had no heart, that she couldn't forgive him, she might not wish him dead but she didn't wish him with her. She flew off leaving him to a slow death from starvation, dehydration or freezing, far better to have let him die a quick death in the collapsing building. No she'd been the one without a heart and for that he could never forgive her.
"Oui chere, just dat Remy remembering de sad times, lost love. Maybe it would be good idea to take you up on dat offer oui,"
"Of course Remy, whenever you're ready," she purred.
Alex Summers smiled as he watched the two; perhaps Fatale would be good for Remy and help him forget the past. He'd better not tell Marrow about this though or she might get jealous. Alex stroked his stubble thoughtfully and grinned, knowing his brother they could expect a battle very soon. Scott wouldn't have the sense to have heeded his warning, which was fine by Alex as he was looking forward to him being handed out a humiliating defeat. A creak on the floorboards behind him and a sigh told him that Marrow was there.
"Hey never mind kid, I'm sure you're the one he really likes," chuckled Alex.
"Would ya mind, I'm not that keen on him," protested Sarah perhaps a little too hastily.
"Now Alex don't tease the child it really doesn't become you," growled McCoy's stentorian voice. Hanging from the ceiling he was entirely too close for comfort, the sharp fangs barely inches from Havok's face.
"Sorry boss, you know I get a little bored and after that last battle I'm itching for a little more action,"
"Oh don't worry Alex you'll get another fight and maybe sooner than we think," mused McCoy. Whether another attempt by Selene or Scott and his X-Men he didn't know. Whatever it turned out to be he'd be ready.
A rooftop somewhere in New York
"Mah poor Remy, yah say that he's had his mind taken over by the Dark Beast. Ah'll gladly help yah tah kick his furry butt as long as ah can get Remy back, tell him that ah'm sorry and just hope he'll forgive me."
"Ya can count me in too, Beast was the worst of the worst and if he's really in this world then it's time we made it a better place. I'll rip his freaking head off," snarled Sabretooth.
"I'd be careful; I believe your counterpart had little success in his encounter. I'm just glad you're willing to help me. I'd rid the world of a monster like McCoy for nothing, I'm an assassin, I kill and I'll admit to that but I have my principles. The things he's done, killing for sheer pleasure, those twisted genetic experiments, what he did in your world turns my stomach. Together we can make the world a better place and reunite a man with the woman who loves him,"
Nate Grey listened to the speech and nodded in agreement, his telepathy was slowly beginning to return and he couldn't yet quite sense what was in Puma's mind, he was holding something back that was for certain. He could pick up that Puma didn't agree with what Rogue had done, feelings he shared to a certain extent. Still he seemed trustworthy enough but it would be best to be cautious especially with an admitted mercenary and assassin like him. Now Puma was kneeling on the edge of the roof.
"Do you have anything that belonged to Remy, if I can get his scent I can find him for you, it'll take only a minute or so," said Thomas.
"Here yah go sugah, I kept this as a keepsake tah remember him by," said Rogue pressing the handkerchief into Puma's clawed hand.
"You'll be able to track him all this way, you're sense of smell must be as good as Mr. Creed's," said Blink admiringly.
"Better probably, now please I need calm and quiet to track,"
Concentrating deeply Puma sniffed the handkerchief picking up Remy's scent. Closing his eyes he focused his thoughts finding the inner peace he needed to track that one scent among the so many millions of others in the bustling city. Finally he gave a growl of triumph and opened his eyes.
"I've found him Rogue, now we can take the battle to the enemy and save the man you love. Against us the Dark Beast's days are numbered," growled Puma.