Disclaimer: I decided to do something different this time around.

This work is pure fiction and written by me

there's no need to sue because this is for free

The story is drawn from sources old and new

so I think it's my duty to give credit where it's due

Rue Morgue is by Poe who had such a spooky air

but he's been dead for years and I don't think he'd care

Stevenson made Jekyll but no need to scowl

It's been many years now so no harm, no foul

League is a great movie and is quite fun to see

but that won't change the fact that it's not owned by me

The movie was based on Moore's comic so fine

and I'm most sorry to say that it isn't mine.

This poem might be bad and lacking in diction

still I hope you enjoy this piece of fanfiction

Rue Morgue

Chapter 3: captured and recruited

"Should I tell you what they were, eh? These evils he was so desperate to get rid of?"

-Hyde, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, vol. 2

Hyde bounded across the rooftops, fleeing as fast as possible, taking into account his wounded leg. He caught the scent of the two men. They weren't too far behind him. Hyde snorted. He didn't need to be running. He should jump down into the streets and let the puny men come to him and he'd show them a death that would leave them cursing in Hell the foul day that they'd ever seen the face of Edward Hyde.

But it wasn't that easy. If these humans knew that Jekyll and Hyde were of the same person, then even hiding inside the prudish mind of his other half wouldn't save them from the gallows.

He could see the two of them, running through the streets below to try and follow him. They were much too close for Hyde's liking. Could he crush them? ...maybe. But it was caution that sped him onward, not fear, Hyde reasoned to himself, never fear. That was for his weaker side. Still, the urge to escape was strong enough to overpower his bloodlust.

Hyde had just leapt across an alley onto another rooftop when he heard the first gunshot split through the quiet night. As soon as he landed, he turned slightly and jumped again. The bullet had barely grazed his arm and struck a chimney behind him, spraying his back with shards of masonry. He landed on the next rooftop with a pained grunt, mentally cursing that stupid Yank who had shot him in the leg earlier.

Hyde turned to view his pursuers, his anger rising to dangerous levels. He should rip their arms off and drink their blood! However, reason returned to him when he saw the old man raise his rifle for another shot. Hyde ran on again, limping more than he would have preferred.

A bullet suddenly shattered a chimney to his right. He quickly darted left to avoid the flying debris. Although the two men were doggedly, irritatingly persistent, Hyde noted the parade of sloppy shots striking off the rain gutters near his feet and assumed the chase was wearing his pursuers thin.

Just as he was smiling his good luck at the incompetence of these two men, another shot to his right made him wince and turn left. He realized that he was going back the way he'd come and he groaned. This would be a long night.

Bugger this, Hyde thought as he ripped a chimney off its stack. He waited for his pursuers to come around the corner and he threw it into their path. Unfortunately, it didn't kill or wound either of them but they hid under the eaves now. HA! They were cowering from him. So much for the brave hunters, Hyde chuckled his satisfaction and tried to see them from where he crouched, fingers clenched tightly around the cane he still clutched as dearly as a weapon. Hyde intended to be somewhere safe before they developed the courage to venture out of hiding again and stay there until they tired of looking for him. Hyde assured himself once more that he was not afraid.

He was on his way when the gunshots rang out again. Hyde swore and, raising his arms to protect his head, jumped to an adjacent building, realizing too late that its slope was too steep. He landed on his bad leg and stumbled, grasping at the chimney for support as he regained his balance. He turned growling and baring his teeth at his opponents, damned if he'd go down like a simpering coward.

The next shot was much too close to his face. Hyde looked at the spot on the chimney where the bullet had made its mark. Another couple of inches and that could have been his brains flying about instead of bits of stone and mortar. Hyde turned and prepared to make another jump. But the old bastard was quicker than he looked. One shot and the shingles began to give way beneath his feet. The chimney he clung to was no longer a match for his bulk and as it broke he fell, quite gracelessly, onto the cobblestone streets.

Hyde started to rise off the ground. He barely heard the final gunshot over his own snarling. For moment, he thought it was the final killing blow but he was proved wrong as ropes were suddenly all around him, pulling, dragging him off at a furious pace.

Trapped.

Hyde was really brassed off now.

Rage was not a strong enough word for how Hyde was feeling at the moment. That could only be expressed by the storm of curses he rained down upon the men who surrounded him and had him chained before he could disentangle himself from the ropes.

With their task accomplished, they quickly scurried out of striking range. Unfortunately, not all of them were so swift in their movements and Hyde grinned in feral satisfaction when his arm lashed out and was rewarded with the feel of flesh and a cry of pain.

He could also hear the sound of someone making a futile attempt to reason with him. Hyde growled and knocked back another man who had rushed forward to double check that the chains were secured.

"Come, little men!" Hyde Bellowed, "Come and meet death like the cowardly sons of spit you are!"

The men were angry at being so insulted and a few charged forward. Hyde easily knocked them back, grunting in annoyance when the chains restricted his movement. But again that annoying voice cut through his thoughts.

"Sir, I'm going to ask you again: If we were able to affect a cure for your condition..."

Hyde snarled and turned to stare at the dark skinned man. "A cure! You'll cure me, will you, like a wart on Jekyll's arse? Why, you self-important little turd! Unfasten these confounded chains. I'll snap your neck in two!"

The man met Hyde's gaze unflinchingly, "That would hardly be very wise of me, would it, sir?"

Hyde smiled at the dark skinned man. Respect was earned there. Still, Hyde couldn't resist the temptation to pick another fight. "You're pretty brave. Are you the leader of this sorry tribe?"

Again some fools rushed towards Hyde and he was only too happy to show them what pain was. However, it didn't escape his noticed that more people had entered the room and were watching the scene unfold as casually as if they were watching a parade.

"Mr. Hyde!" a voice called out.

Hyde turned to face the speaker, eyes narrowing in immediate dislike when he saw the old man.

"You've done terrible things in England. So terrible that you fled the country…"

Hyde let out a sound that was somewhere between a chuckle and a growl and swung his arm out in front of him, hoping to use it as a weapon. I could do terrible things here if I wasn't chained, Hyde thought.

The old man was studying him carefully as he continued, "Now, I'm ashamed to say that Her Majesty's government is willing to offer you amnesty, in return for your services." There was a pregnant pause before the old man said "Do you want to go home?"

Hyde thought for a minute, suppressing a grimace as his other side became ecstatic at the offer. It was a fair deal and it seemed they were trying the gentlemanly approach. Very well, he could play along if it got him out of chains. He stood up straight and looked the old man in the eyes.

"Home…Home is where the heart is, that's what they say. And I have been missing London so… its sorrow is as sweet to me as a rare wine." He paused, thinking of all the death he'd caused there and caught the scent of a woman. His eyes met hers and Hyde's mind was set. "I'm yours."