Change Of Heart
Hellfire Club
"You will not formally be Horsemen; you will not be enhanced in power or further mutated. You must make the most of what you have and prove you are of the strong. Further while there shall be Death and War, Selene has decided against a Pestilence and a Famine, instead we shall have Corruption and Infernal at her suggestion. Are you ready to fight and die if that's what it takes?" asked Apocalypse in a tone that brooked no challenge.
It gladdened his heart to see there wasn't a moment's hesitation before they showed their affirmation. Creed simply grinned chillingly and flexed his claws, Madelyn Pryor blew him a kiss and Holocaust's churning inferno of energy glowed ever more brightly. Oh they were keen, eager to hunt down and destroy the enemy and winnow out the weak. It was a shame really that Remy, McCoy and Logan had to die especially after they had proved themselves worthy in Apocalypse's eyes. Still he wouldn't allow sentiment to move him to mercy, after all compassion was weakness. He would regret their deaths though and think of what wonderful Horsemen they might have been.
"Victor Creed it is only appropriate that a killer as skilled and ruthless as yourself should be Death. You have an additional directive from Selene. She wants you to bring back the hides of McCoy and Fireheart. She believes they would make a fine pair of rugs," Apocalypse's face twisted into a parody of a smile at the thought.
"Hey ya know ya can count on me, just so long as I get the chance ta off the runt and Gambit too," growled Creed.
"I shall not fail you father, you have my word on that. If I am to be War then I shall be Armageddon the war to end all wars. Time to see if I really do have the power to destroy the entire planet," roared Holocaust getting perhaps a little too excited.
"I like your enthusiasm and I admire your confidence. Be advised though not to get too cocky or underestimate your enemies, besides your track record has not been entirely successful up till now,"
Madelyn smiled as she saw the wind let out of the two braggarts sails. Of course they were merely men so they didn't really know any better. Still she knew the truth, the enemy needed to be fought with its own weapons. Guile and cunning with a little muscle thrown in would win the day; the cunning would be all hers of course. The key to victory would be turning Nate Grey and she'd always had a certain hold over the boy. If it came down to it she could probably seduce Logan as well since the feral had always had a weakness for redheads. A telepathic suggestion planted in the right mind might be all that was needed to bring the enemy down from within.
"If you don't mind me asking Apocalypse who is to be the fourth Horseman Infernal?" asked Madelyn out of idle curiosity.
"A very demon from the depths of hell himself my dear," rumbled Apocalypse.
Creed growled in disgust as a sulfurous stench assailed his delicate nose and then took an instinctive step backwards as a large form began to slowly materialize. Madelyn stood still reflecting back on a time before she died when she'd consorted with demons but this one she'd heard even other demons feared. After all this was Blackheart son of Mephisto. At almost twenty feet high the form seemed carved out of granite. He was a mass of sharp spines and obsidian fur with two blazing red eyes and a great slash of a mouth the only visible features. Almost immediately the form began to shrink until it was of normal human stature and somewhat incongruously clad in a tuxedo.
"How sweet it shall be to slaughter once more and reap more souls for my father in Hell. Apocalypse I thank you humbly for this opportunity," hissed Blackheart in an eerie sibilant rasp.
"You're welcome demon."
"Well now we're all here, let's go grab us a party," snarled Creed impatient once again.
Somewhere in New York
"Oh good to see you again Nate, are you alright? Do you know where Rogue and that Puma got too? Did you find out whether he was actually on our side or not? How did your talk with the Beast go? Darn, I'm asking way too many questions aren't I?" said Blink chuckling in spite of herself.
Sabretooth simply folded his arms across his chest and growled. As far as he was concerned the best thing to do would be to stand aside and let the two groups fight it out. In his opinion they seemed to have the choice of siding with Dark Beast representing the devil they knew or the unknown danger of Selene. The only people he knew and could count on in this dimension were Blink and X-Man, probably Rogue and just possibly Remy and Puma. He was going to make Blink's safety his main priority and anyone hurting her would face his wrath. If they needed to pick a side perhaps they ought to find this reality's version of the X-Men and just hope they didn't turn out to be like the last universe. An evil Jubilee was something he never wanted to encounter again.
"Well no you don't ask too many questions. Anyway I'm alright, I don't know where Rogue is but Puma is nearby and I think he's misguided and that he'll do the right thing. Let's just say that McCoy and I have come to an understanding, we hate each other but if we need to work together we will," sighed Nate Grey, after all the day might come when Dark Beast was the only one who could save him.
"Well ya know Holocaust is our biggest threat and ya say that Sugar Man's loose in this dimension too. I could do without a clash with that ugly jerk. I think we'd better consider very carefully before we decide ta pick our allies," growled Sabretooth.
Victor Creed sat down on the wall and decided to become engrossed in the newspaper he'd bought earlier. Best to let Nate and Clarice decide what they wanted to do. He'd be happy just so long as they told him who to slash. If he was fortunate maybe he'd get a chance to face down with his counterpart. It was disturbing to think that not so many years ago he'd been just the same, savage, bloodthirsty and only interested in the next kill. It was thanks to Clarice that he'd regained his honor and humanity and without her he didn't think he could live. Unfortunately this reality's Sabretooth seemed to be a mad dog beyond redemption and as Logan had said somebody needed to put him down. Creed hoped that he would be that person. Catching a scent on the air he looked up and smiling waved at somebody on top of a nearby rooftop. As the man waved back Creed grinned, he was sure that Puma too was a man of honor.
Nearby rooftop
"Why Peter this is an unexpected pleasure. It's been a while hasn't it since we last clashed. Don't worry though Spider-man I'm not hunting you down this time unless you want a sparring match just for fun. Anyway how are you old friend?"
Peter's had to admit that his spider-sense was silent so Puma didn't pose a threat to him this time. It was hard to tell where he stood with Thomas really, usually they were enemies but they'd also been allies. He could admit to a grudging admiration for the man, he had a certain nobility and honor that perhaps only he fully understood. He also had a savage bestial side and an unhealthy obsession for him which was rather less attractive features. Something seemed different about Puma now; he seemed more carefree and unbelievably seemed to have a sense of humor now. Maybe he'd gone beyond obsessing Spider-man and started to emulate him.
"I was just wondering what you're up to Thomas and if there's any reason for your uncharacteristic behavior. I mean you seem to be going out of your way to be the center of attention and calling 'Howdy Spider-man' and waving isn't your usual greeting. What's up with you anyway, you had a catnip overdose or something?"
Peter was testing the waters with his little joke waiting to see what Puma's response would be. He was expecting a snarl at the very least and maybe another of their fights to the death. Instead for the first time he heard Puma's laughter, a disturbing sound rather too much like a hunting cat's growl for comfort.
"Peter I've just come to a decision, for the second time I'm rescinding on a contract and it will be the last I ever take. From now on I hope we will always fight together as allies rather than as enemies. I've always met someone, the most beautiful woman I've ever seen and I hope she could feel the same way about me as I do about her," Puma shut his eyes and Peter could swear he was purring.
"Well congratulations Puma, I'm real happy for you especially if it means I've one less enemy and one more friend. So who's the lucky girl? Let me guess Tigra of the Avengers maybe?"
"Peter please, I'm not completely consumed by the beast within me. No she's Rogue formerly of the X-Men. Now if you'll excuse me I need to concentrate,"
Puma knelt down and focusing his thoughts began once more to search for one scent among millions. Within seconds he'd found her and with a triumphant roar he stood up and turned to face Peter. Grinning wildly he suddenly broke into a series of somersaults showing off his agility before leaping off the rooftop. His jump took him right across the street to an opposite roof and he began bounding rapidly from rooftop to rooftop.
"He's enjoying himself, strange I'd always thought of him being kind of like a slightly edgier Wolverine, just a killer albeit a principled one. Now I find he seems more like an overgrown kitten when he's in love. You live and learn," mused Peter scratching his chin.
Feeling the familiar tingle of the spider-sense he put thoughts of Puma to the back of his mind. Somewhere there was need of a friendly neighborhood Spider-man so extending his webbing he swung his way to his latest battle against crime.
Hellfire Club
As Selene lay fast asleep on her bed one could be forgiven for finding it hard to believe what a monster she truly was. She looked radiantly beautiful and almost too innocent to be wholly corrupt. Her black hair was slightly tousled and a beatific smile played across her lips. Selene was having pleasant dreams after the exertions of the previous hour spent with her latest victim. His desiccated carcass drained of all life energy lay in the bed besides her spoiling the tranquil scene.
These dreams were not the usual sweet ones of torture, suffering, hellfire and damnation that she usually had. Instead she was dreaming of the future, the ideal future that she hoped to create. Her plan was grand beyond even Apocalypse's reckoning. She hoped to recreate the Inferno, to literally bring hell on earth and rule over it as queen. Many would of course die and their tortured spirits would be captured and subjected to unending agonies for her amusement. The rest would be enslaved of course for she would need many subjects for her kingdom of hell on earth. The most handsome young men would be kept for her harem so she could draw their life energy to retain her immortality.
She was already far more powerful than she'd ever been before. Absorbing four of her fellow Externals had increased her power exponentially and she hadn't even begun to explore her new limits yet. All she knew was that it wasn't enough; she'd just been left craving more power and the sooner the better. There were a couple of other Externals still out there but they were no longer sufficient for her needs. No she had her sights on more succulent morsels, Apocalypse and Nate Grey perhaps the two most powerful mutants of all. When she'd consumed them she would be a living goddess.
"Yes soon my time will come," she whispered to herself.
McCoy's apartment
"Check and mate in two I believe Logan. Want to surrender peacefully or fight through to the bitter end?" asked McCoy pleasantly. His massive hand delicately held the captured white Queen. That reminded him; maybe he should try contacting his old ally Emma Frost and see if they could come to a rapprochement. Who better to help fight the Black Queen than the former White Queen of the Hellfire Club? Besides he missed her, the only woman he'd ever come close to loving.
"I resign bub," snarled Logan smashing his fist down on the chessboard and sending chessmen flying across the room. McCoy blinked in surprise as the black bishop rebounded painfully of his nose while Alex got a sudden shock as a white knight made a splash landing in his cup of tea.
"I take it that 'the best there is' doesn't cover temper," muttered McCoy rubbing his sore nose.
"Actually ya should count yourself lucky that he didn't break the board over your head McCoy. You know that line in Star Wars, 'always let the Wookiee win', it should cover Wolverines as well," chuckled Alex.
"Watch it bub, I ain't in the mood fer any of yer jokes. Sorry about losing my temper though. I guess I'm just a little tense that's all. I just don't appreciate being tossed around like a rag doll, that's twice that Puma has managed ta defeat, me. Next time he's going ta be the one ta cry uncle," growled Logan unsheathing his claws.
Havok sighed and finished off what remained off his tea. Logan would probably feel a lot better when he got the opportunity to get into a good fight again. Knowing their luck they could probably expect a visit from the X-Men some time very soon or another attack by the Hellfire Club.
"He's on our side now Logan but look on the bright side, you'll probably be fighting Creed again soon. Anyway just try and chill a little," said Alex soothingly.
"Yeah I guess I ought ta let off some team. By the way Dark Beast looks more like a Wookiee than I do," growled Logan.
"May I suggest we perhaps do a little sparring together Logan? Say a no holds barred grappling contest with the same rules that applied to the basketball game. Anyway we ought to bond a little Logan," McCoy gave Logan a fang filled grin.
Logan nodded eagerly enough, the opportunity to use McCoy as a punching bag was too good to miss.
Fatale's room
"So that was Ororo Munroe and we've already done Candra, Carol Danvers, Mystique and a female Sabretooth. I don't really want to know about the last one. Hope it wasn't too much for you Remy?" said Fatale with a quirked eyebrow.
"Non chere, dat was great, Remy still say though dat de true form is de best of all. Mon Dieu dis been de most fun dat dis Cajun have in ages!" gasped Remy.
Fatale smiled and pulled the rumpled sheets up around Remy. Tenderly she reached out and ran a finger tip across his forehead feeling it slick with sweat. He seemed quite exhausted but maybe he'd be up for a little more.
No she had a better idea, to try and get the sadness out of the red on black eyes. It was not seemly for Le Diable Blanc to look so melancholy.
"Remy you said you wished you could talk to Rogue now. Well now is your chance to tell her what you couldn't say at the time. I know it's not the real thing but let's call it practice for when you meet again one day," she whispered tenderly before shifting into the form of Rogue.
"Thank you chere, dis helps Remy more than you can know,"
Little did they know that Marrow sitting slouched against the wall just outside the room had heard everything? She wished that she could tell Remy how she felt about him. She wished he could look at her and see something more than just an ugly freak. But what would a man as handsome as Remy want with a woman with bones sticking through her skin. It could never be so there was no point in wishing it could be true. Yet she did wish it was true and now tears were rolling down her cheeks.
Grounds of Xavier Institute for Higher Learning
"Ah would like tah thank yah Hank fer being such a help tah me. Ah'm sorry that ah won't be staying but ah don't feel ah'm ready tah come back tah the X-Men. Ah'll not be far away from y'all though and ah will come back when ah'm ready,"
"Stars and garters, you know I'll be here if you need me. Goodbye Rogue," boomed Hank as with a cheery wave he saw her off.
Rogue sighed sadly as she watched him leave. Hank had done his best to warn the others about the true danger that they faced but only Kitty, Iceman and Storm had really listened. The others especially Warren were too focused on getting revenge on Remy. Scott as well was seemingly intent on a vendetta with Dark Beast, apparently not being satisfied until his hands were around that furry gray throat. She knew she'd probably made it worse and she just wished she could have another chance to talk with Remy. Perhaps she'd go and find Nate Grey and stay with him for a while.
She flew to the edge of the grounds and landed. She sat on the grass knees drawn up under her chin and sighed. She wasn't going to cry again, there had been too many tears. It was time to think and move on and decide just what she was going to do with her life. The trouble was that she had no ideas at all. Maybe she should go and find her mother but her and Mystique didn't exactly see eye to eye at the moment. No it probably would be Nate Grey. She just couldn't get Thomas out of her head though, she still wasn't sure about the man but she thought he could be the friend.
"Hello Rogue, we meet again,"
Puma's leap took him clean over the perimeter fence to land neatly before her with a showy bow. Rogue found herself gaping at the change in his appearance. His fur was neatly brushed and groomed and she had to admit he looked surprisingly good in those jeans and leather jacket. Puma winked at her from behind his shades and reached behind his back before handing her a bunch of red roses and two tickets.
"Would you care to go for dinner afterwards? It's just I'd like to get to know you better," Puma seemed somewhat unsure of himself now.
"Ah'd love to sugah," exclaimed Rogue, gloved hand brushing his furry cheek.
Smiling now Puma took her arm and the unlikely couple headed off.
"Well it's nice to see that perhaps there will be a little sunshine in Rogue's life after all. Stars and garters must be something in my eye," sighed Beast as he closed the curtain. He'd been watching from the window concerned about Rogue but there seemed no need to worry any more.