Disclaimer: The characters in this work of fiction are just that. Fiction. The fictional characters made by men who surpass me in creativity by so many levels and decades. I reap nothing but satisfaction from this fanfic. And even that, I find sparingly.

Sorry for the wait on this latest chapter (for those actually reading), I have been taking some time out for school (isn't it usually the other way around?) and haven't really had a chance to get on the site in awhile. I don't think I need to do a recap for the uninitiated, do I? If someone is viewing this and not the previous chapters...well, "no, they're being ignorant, y'know, that's just ignorant..."

("X-MEN! THIS IS PROFESSOR XAVIER. I HAVE BEEN MONITORING YOUR PROGRESS, AND MUST WARN YOU: ICEMAN HAS ENGAGED CREED IN NEW YORK. I AM SENDING YOU EACH SEPARATE DIRECTIONS. HURRY, MY X-MEN!")

At once, Nightcrawler began teleporting the distance. He knew he would be the first to arrive, but what possible help could he be against Sabretooth? Regardless, he had to try.

Archangel had been on the northern most tip of the island. Now, he would possibly be the last one on the scene to rescue one of his oldest friends. "Stupid Worthington, stupid," he thought to himself. He couldn't help but feel guilty for telling Bobby to turn his communicator off. Now his friend was in very deadly danger. He leaned hard into the wind, determined to close the gap.

The Wolverine's muscles strained even harder. He knew the others had no business being involved with Creed. Especially since Creed had gained Adamantium. But, there wasn't time to think about that now. He gave his word to Drake that he'd be there to back him up. And the Wolverine was a man of his word till the end.

Elsewhere, the Iceman did his best to keep a cool head. Though, at this point, he'd have been happy keeping his head at all. Sabretooth, growing impatient, finally lunged forward. Thinking quickly, Iceman covered Creed's hands in blocks of ice before sliding out of view.

Creed whipped around hissing ", you'd better have a better trick up yer sleeve than that!"

"I do," Bobby quipped, as he slid back towards Creed and hammered him into the wall with an iced up fist. The wall crumbled underneath Creed's massive form, and brick remnants fell out of place to land on his back, just to add insult.

As Creed lay there motionless, Bobby Drake breathed a sigh of relief. But before he could congratulate himself, he heard the distinct sound of ice breaking. As he turned back to the hole, Creed had already righted himself and broken his 'restraints.' "Got eny more?" gloated Sabretooth.

BAMF!

"Matter of fact," Bobby beamed ", I guess I do." Nightcrawler's timely appearance revived his confidence, and he quickly attempted to recreate the ice-shackles over Creed's claws.

Moving quicker than Bobby had anticipated, Sabretooth closed the gap between the two mutants and slashed at Iceman's chest. "Uh-uh," he grunted. "Fool me once, shame on me..."

Nightcrawler teleported onto Sabretooth's back and punched at the back of the large mutant's neck. A few quick teleports and well-placed blows later, he finally came to rest about 10 feet away from Creed while holding his hands tenderly.

"My bones don't give no more," Creed triumphantly stated. "Howzabout yers, demon-seed?"

"Bobby," Kurt called.

"On it," Bobby returned. No sooner was it said, than a small patch of ice was created under Victor Creed's feet.

"What th—"

It was too late. Nightcrawler teleported directly in front of Creed and released a powerful kick. Iceman positioned himself behind Creed's feet and physics took over from there. As Creed hit the ground, Nightcrawler grabbed Iceman and teleported them high atop a nearby building.

Bobby glanced at Kurt's uniform. "Are you bleeding, Elf?"

"Nein, mein freund, you are," Nightcrawler corrected.

Sure enough, Creed's newly Adamantium-laced claws had cut through the ice armor and found soft tissue within. At the sight of his own blood, Bobby became light-headed.

Nightcrawler caught a glimpse of Archangel coming over the horizon. He flailed his arms wide, attempting to catch the winged man's attention. As Warren landed on the rooftop, Bobby slid to his knees holding his chest.

"Bobby!" Warren cried. "What happened?"

Kurt Wagner brought his teammate up to speed.

"O.k., I saw Logan running up 5th as I swooped down here. He should be here any moment. Obviously, Creed knows we're here, now. Is he still down on the street?" Warren looked over the edge of the building, but could not see Sabretooth anywhere. "Never mind, it doesn't matter. There's no point in Logan hanging back. Kurt, can you back Logan up, while I fly the kid back to the mansion?"

Bobby teetered to his feet. "Christ, War, I'm not a kid anymore!"

Paying no attention to his icy comrade, Kurt replied ", Ja."

"Good, you and Logan can handle Creed together—"

"You and Logan couldn't lift my dick!" Sabretooth barreled out onto the roof, catching Warren from behind by his wings. As Archangel squirmed, Creed continued ", so, the angel, the devil and the pussy! What the fuck are you X-Dopes on my johnson, fer?"

"Let me go, Sabretooth!" Warren cried.

"Aww, poor rich fly-boy," Creed mocked. "My claws ain't hurtin' yer feathery wings, are they, boy? Wouldn't that be a hoot to just RIP 'em out again!?" And with that, he grabbed a handful of feathers and pulled, much to Warren's dismay.

Suddenly, two columns of ice shot past Warren! Pinned against the roof was Creed, held in place by a much larger Iceman. The X-Man had transformed himself completely into ice. For the time being, his wounds would not affect him.

"Excellent work, Robert," congratulated Kurt.

Iceman didn't respond. His gaze was fixed upon the object of their mission, making sure that this time he didn't escape.

"Argh!" moaned Warren. "Son of bitch dislocated my wing!"

"Yer breaking my heart, wings," Creed hissed.

"Shut up, Creed," Bobby retorted. "You're beaten. Done. You're pinned against the floor. You've got no leverage. Now, what did you to Jean?"

"You think so, huh?" growled Creed, ignoring the obvious question. The ice began cracking. Bobby reacted to catch the crack, but it was too late. Creed's "body-cast" erupted, and he was on his feet in less than a heartbeat. He slashed frantically at Iceman's form, taking huge chunks of ice away from the main body. "Third time's the charm, eh kid?" he growled.

A large wing slammed against Creed. Satisfied that he'd dealt enough damage to Iceman, Sabretooth turned towards Archangel and Nightcrawler.

When the two X-Men had flanked Creed, Warren extended his wing for another punch, but Sabretooth caught it and tightened his grip. As Warren collapsed in pain, Creed ran up close to Nightcrawler and stopped just in front of him. The back of Kurt's heel edged over the side of the building.

"Nowhere to go, kid," Creed smiled.

"But up," Kurt finished, and with that he grabbed hold of Sabretooth and teleported them both high above the rooftop.

"This is a new one," Creed yelled over the wind. He grabbed Kurt's costume and continued, "Guess which one of us is walking away! You can teleport us to solid ground, kid, and let me carve ya real nice! Option 2 means yer comin' with me to the bottom floor. Tell me, kid, do you have a healin' factor?"

Kurt Wagner weighed his options. The ground was getting closer. They were just about to pass the rooftop where Archangel and Iceman lay. No way can Warren fly now, Kurt thought.

"Well," Creed yelled ", what's it gonna be?"

Kurt closed his eyes and bowed his head to his chest. "Our Father, who art in heaven..."

"Huh?"

"Hallowed be zy name..."

"Oh, this is too precious!"

"Zy kingdom come, Zy vill be done on earth as it is in heaven..."

"Earth's coming mighty quick, furry!"

"Give us zhis day, our daily bread. And forgive us our many trespasses. As ve forgive zose who trespass against us..."

"I'll do more than that once we hit the ground!"

"And lead us not into temptation..."

"But deliver us—"

"RRRRYAAAAAGGHHHH!!!!!" There was no denying the sound of Logan's roar. The gruff Canadian leapt from the roof of the building where his teammates lie and tackled Creed in midair! The force freed Nightcrawler, but Kurt did not teleport away.

"Get outta here, Elf!" Logan commanded.

"I vill not leave you, mein freund," Kurt answered.

"Don't worry about me, I'm gonna land on Vic's head," Logan quipped. "That oughta soften the blow."

"Shaddup, Runt!"

"Kurt, GO!!! Before your velocity gets too high to land safe!!"

Nightcrawler knew his feral teammate was correct. Wherever he teleported, he'd be going the same speed and direction: FAST and DOWN.

"GO!"

"I vill pray for you."

BAMF!

"Aw, that's so sweet 'a you, Logan! Works out better this way, don'cha think?"

Logan didn't answer. He merely steeled himself for the landing.

"You and me," Creed continued. "This'll be the true test. Let's see who walks away from this, runt!"

"You first," Logan growled, and maneuvered Creed underneath him.

As they fell, two men watched from an undisclosed location. "I cannot fully stress that Creed must NOT be captured by the X-Men. Look, see there! Wolverine is trying to kill him!"

"Sorry, Sinister," replied the other man. "I've seen this one, already. Logan has ALWAYS tried to kill Sabretooth."

Turning only his face towards the other man, the enigmatic Mr. Sinister pecked at a keyboard while arguing ", Scott, Scott, Scott. You're forgetting our goal here, son. If—and I say 'if'—IF Creed kidnapped your dear wife, then isn't it safe to assume that Creed is the only hope we have of finding her?"

Scott reached up to his temples, as if something were distracting him.

"Do you want LOGAN to find your wife first? Considering the possibility he may have tried to poison you—your words, not mine—isn't it additional safe to say that YOU should be the first to interrogate Creed?"

By this point, Scott had to reach out and grab a nearby monitor for support. He was dizzy again. The few lights in the room jumped out at him and began to dance. His heart was beating fast—faster than normal, anyway. So, why did he feel so...good?

"Scott," Sinister repeated.

"Yyyyyyesss," Scott managed, jaw clenched. Try as he might, he could not relax his jaw.

"Don't you agree? That WE should get Sabretooth? No matter the cost?"

"Gnnnnooo matter the costtt," Scott growled.

"Then go," Sinister commanded.

A/N: I may get lynched for this, but I already have the next chapter typed up. In fact (bracing for impact), this one has been done for quite some time now. I just never posted it. heh Anyhoo, I want to revise some of the next chapter before posting it, but I promise the wait won't be quite as long this time. Thanks to all who still find this entertaining. You know my rule; if you don't like it, tell me. I can't fix what I don't know is broke.