Reticence Saga
Severed Webs
Chapter 7: Return to the Savage Land, Part 2
"Well, I'm back in the place where I never thought I'd be again: the Savage Land. A prehistoric world that time forgot, hidden in Antarctica. And the reason I'm here is because my friend Dr. Connors has been kidnapped by Sauron and evil lizard aliens. Only when we got here, our ship was wrecked and we got scattered. Right now, me and Chris-"
A second later, a coconut narrowly missed him. "Hey! This is not the time for narration!" Chris snapped.
"I only hope the others are having more luck," said Spider-Man.
"Yeah, I was referring to the fact that these things might hear us," hissed Chris, pointing to the Pteranodon people, who had landed to make camp for the night.
"Oh, right," said Spider-Man.
Zira was first up, to see a bunch of raptors peering at the group, one looking like it had a cold. "Cool." she said. The raptors growled at her. "You look hungry," said Zira, "Here, have some fruit." The ill-looking raptor sneezed at that before chirping at its fellows, the raptors walking forward, Zira grinning evilly.
White Tiger woke up when a raptor flew into a tree beside her and ran for it, Kira cackling insanely as she beat up the raptor pack, a sneezing one facepalming from where it watched.
"You couldn't have found a more pleasant way to wake me up?" griped White Tiger.
"Hey, they were gonna eat you," snapped Kira, punching out a second one.
"Eat...what's there to have for breakfast around here?" asked White Tiger.
"They're velociraptors. Do the math," sneered Kira, before one raptor tried to bite her hand...and got lifted up and headbutted.
"I mean our breakfast," said White Tiger.
Kira said, "My other half can handle that." as the last of the pack ran for it, shifting back to Zira, who smiled pleasantly as if she hadn't been beating the snot out of a pack of apex predators.
"There is fruit that is safe to eat here, right?" asked White Tiger.
"If not, I can grow some. I was designed to terraform colony sites," said Zira.
"Oh, that's convenient," said White Tiger.
"Though this soil's all weird..." said Zira, a small plant growing next to her and sprouting what looked like a purple pineapple. "Ooooh...it's not poisonous," she said after sniffing it.
"Uh...Ka-Zar, do you know where there's edible fruit here?" asked White Tiger.
"Hey..." complained Zira.
Ka-Zar saie "There are fruit like that. Coconuts as well." He picked the mutant fruit and using a crude dagger from his belt to cut the skin off.
"Oh, ok," said White Tiger, "I just wasn't sure what Mesozoic fruit would do to a human stomach."
"Do not eat the skin," said Ka-Zar calmly.
Zira looked around. "Where's Snowbell?" before a scream was heard.
"Was that Zabu?" asked White Tiger.
"It sounded too high," said Ka-Zar.
The group headed past some bushes to where Zabu was growling at an adolescent female sabretooth who looked panicked.
"I didn't know there were other saber teeth here," said Ka-Zar.
"How many saber-teeth have you seen with white fur?" asked White Tiger.
Coldlahd floated up before he shot into the female's head and out again. "It's...it's Snowbell," she said in surprise.
"Ok, I know this land is supposed to be lost in time or something like that, but I'm pretty sure cats don't grow up overnight here," said Zira.
"I...what...why is everyone smaller?" said the female in shock, looking around.
"Ok, there can't be two talking saber cats with white fur," said White Tiger, "But how did this happen?"
Ka-Zar peered at her, before he said, "The flower...the same one used on Spider-Man..."
"How could a flower cause this?" asked Coldlahd.
"I heard about this. It sent Spider-Man feral, turned him into a literal spider," said White Tiger, Snowbell trying to make herself look smaller.
"So why would it make Snowbell bigger?" asked Coldlahd.
Zira rolled her eyes, "No...she looks older."
"Same question applies," said Coldlahd.
"It is making her one with the Savage Land," said Ka-Zar, Snowbell looking even more worried
"She was already a sabre-toothed tiger," said Zira, "How much more savage can she get?"
"Yeah...one that's basically the team mascot and before that, had me looking out for her. She's not had to hunt a thing," said Coldlahd.
"Tigers not pets," said Ka-Zar disapprovingly.
"My pod landed on her folks. I wasn't gonna let her get eaten," said Coldlahd, icily.
"Raise her, good. But not raised like tiger," said Ka-Zar.
"So sorry...I left my tiger rearing book back at the exploding laboratory," said Coldlahd sarcastically.
"Let's focus less about the past and more about the present," said White Tiger.
"Yeah, she's my bud. What's this...whatever gonna do to her?" snapped Coldlahd.
"Bring out wild side, awaken beast within," said Ka-Zar.
"Well, she was already a beast, so it's not gonna do a lot, right?" asked Zira.
Snowbell twitched at that, growing slightly larger with a crackle before growling at Zira. "Except reawaken her hunting instincts," said White Tiger.
Coldlahd snapped, "No eating my sis." before she shot into Snowbell's head. Snowbell paused before saying in the experiment's tone of voice, "Man, her brain's a mess. Whatever this stuff is, it's nasty."
"Can you control her long?" asked White Tiger.
"For a while. But unless Zira wants a new sister, I can't stay in here too long," said Coldlahd.
"Ok, Spider-Man didn't return as a big spider, so there must be an antidote," said White Tiger.
"There is, but hard to make. Creature needed do not live in this part of Savage Land." said Ka-Zar.
"Then we better find it quick," said White Tiger.
Snowbell nodded, Coldlahd saying, "Yeah...before Snowbell tries to eat someone."
At that, Snowbell shook her head, actually throwing Coldlahd out. Snowbell roared loudly, but the sound of her own roar seemed to snap her to her senses. She fell down, curling up before whimpering in English, "I want mum...where's Chloe?"
"We're going to find her," said White Tiger in a soothing voice, "We're going to get everyone home." Snowbell rubbed her head against White Tiger's side with a happy purr at those words. "Good kitty," said White Tiger, scratching Snowbell's back.
Snowbell purred some more before Zira sniffed her. "Maybe be careful. We dunno if she still has some of that mutagen on her."
"What are you going to make her do? Take a bath?" asked Coldlahd.
"I'm just saying. If there is still some of that stuff on her, anyone touching her could catch it," said Zira, adding "I know plants."
"Ok, Snowbell, down girl," said White Tiger, pushing the big cat away.
Snowbell got down. "Sorry," she said.
"We better get hunting for whatever we need to find," said Coldlahd.
"The animal does not live in this part of the Savage Land. We will need to travel closer to the mountains." said Ka-Zar calmly.
Snowbell gulped. "What'll happen when this takes full effect?" she asked.
"We hope we're not part of your food chain," said Coldlahd.
"I'll eat you? I'd never do that," said Snowbell, horrified.
"If your hunting instincts are strong enough, you won't even care," said Coldlahd. Snowbell's ears went flat at that, her head hanging.
"We'll get to it in time," said White Tiger, "You don't need to worry.
"I hope so. My head hurts," grumbled Snowbell.
"Let's not waste time," said Ka-Zar.
Travelling through the Savage Land was not easy. There were no straight paths, or anything really recognizable as a path. It mostly involved swinging from tree branches.
Snowbell throughout this had continued to grow, now the same size as Zabu. She said in a voice that, to Zira, reminded her of Chloe, "How...much further?" sounding like she was struggling to form a sentence
"Should not be far," said Ka-Zar, "Megamiphitis live near here."
Zira paused as her mind looked it up. "Skunks?" she said in a deadpan voice, asking, "How is that gonna help? You gonna have it fart on her?"
"Well..." said Ka-Zar. "Hold up a moment. Isn't there a better way than getting skunked?" asked Zira.
"The scent glands contain antidote for savage wildflower," said Ka-Zar, "It does work."
"Good...head...all...foggy..." said Snowbell, with a growl.
"Then we better..." said White Tiger before she nearly slipped from her branch.
"You ok?" asked Zira.
"Fine...sinuses are getting a bit clogged up," said White Tiger, "It's throwing off my sense of balance."
The group pushed past some wood to see a clearing...and smoke in the distance. "No," said Ka-Zar before running faster.
The group followed, Snowbell catching on and yelping, "No, no, no!" The group caught up to see a section of wood had been torched.
"Coldlahd, start spraying down ice before it spreads too far," said White Tiger.
Coldlahd nodded, taking off and flying, a white smoke coming out, before snow started falling, the fires being extinguished. "Who did this?" said Snowbell in horror.
Zabu started sniffing the ashes, growling as he did. Ka-Zar noticed that before saying, "They are still here." just before a hail of laser bolts shot out from the treeline, kicking up dust. The group quickly scattered to avoid fire. "Kraven's returned," growled Ka-Zar.
"No, this is definitely not Kraven's work," said White Tiger, "Kraven doesn't burn down sections of forests and he doesn't set up ambushes like this."
Zira blinked, her eyes glowing green before she said, "10 of them in the trees in some sort of armor. They got laser rifles."
"Whoever they are, they've hurt the jungle," growled Ka-Zar.
Zira nodded. "Yeah, I like this place. It's lively," she said, before another hail of laser fire shot out, several troopers in full white endoskeletal armor coming into view, firing with deadly practice.
"Don't know who these guys are, but they've whacked the wrong weeds," said Zira before focusing her power on the ground. Large vines burst up and started thrashing in the air. "Now the weeds are gonna whack back," said Zira.
Several troopers yelled in shock as the vines tried to grab them, before a quadrupedal mech-bot came out behind them, a large cannon with a pilot light on top, before it fired at the vines, Zira screaming.
White Tiger snarled, her eyes glowing green as her amulet glowed brighter. She charged at the walking tank with a roar, claws outstretched. The mech staggered back, several scratches in the power armor, before, under its 'head' a twin-barreled laser turret aimed and began firing, a weak and desperate secondary defense.
White Tiger roared as she climbed up the mech's legs. Once on top, she started clawing at the mech's back, not even noticing when the gloves of her costume burst open to reveal bigger claws.
Two of the troopers did notice though, aiming and trying to fire, only for one of them to be pounced on by Zabu and another being flash frozen when Coldlahd flew through him.
Eventually, White Tiger ripped off the roof of the mech, obscuring its cannon from turning. A few pulls of circuitry caused the mech-bot to stagger and twitch before its legs gave way under it, the lights in its optics darkening. The remaining troopers began to back up at that, but not before one threw an orange canister under the mech.
"Ava, get out of there!" shouted Coldlahd.
White Tiger leapt up just as the mech exploded from the magma grenade, the magma solidifying rapidly. "Never seen White Tiger attack like that," said Ka-Zar.
The troopers backed up at that, one of them firing a stunner at Zabu and dragging his mate along, another being pounced on by Ava. "Get off, you crazy local!" snapped the trooper, the helmet coming off to show a human face with a cybernetic eye.
Ava just snarled and raised a clawed hand to slash off the trooper's face. Thankfully, a newly-grown vine grabbed Ava and pulled her away. The trooper breathed a sigh of relief before yelping as the other human grabbed him, his face shapeshifting to a draconic one.
"Why did you burn the jungle?" growled Ka-Zar, the blade on one gauntlet extending.
The splitter glared before spitting. "Suck an eggshell, humie," he hissed.
Ka-Zar growled before bringing his blade dangerously close to the splitter's eye. "Why did you burn the jungle?" repeated Ka-Zar.
"Yer tresspassin' on Executive Genetics property, Tarzan. And our gunships probably already headin' this way," the splitter sneered, a distant whine heard.
"The Savage Land belongs to no one!" snapped Ka-Zar.
"Stupid savage," sneered the splitter, "Completely incomprehensive about the concept of ownership."
Two dropships came into view at that, spotlights shining down. "This is E.G.I.S. You are trespassing on corporate territory. Lay down your weapons or we are authorized to turn you into mince," said a voice.
"I think we're out of our depth here," said Coldlahd.
The gunships' guns began to glow before a new voice was heard at that, "Captain, stand down at once."
The splitter glared, before taking a com unit off his belt. "The boss wants to talk to you," he said icily.
"Well, that's a relief," said Coldlahd.
"Can I put White Tiger down now?" asked Zira.
A hologram of a coyote woman appeared, her left and right arms and left leg cybernetic. "I wouldn't. She seems to be infected with mutagen X-R7. Lost three of my assistants to that plant. Hence why I sent in an incineration unit. Especially when I found out it can be passed on by pollen on the victim's hands."
"You have no right to hurt the jungle," growled Ka-Zar.
"I do if the research here can stop another Sy-Yong," said the coyote a little angrily, before taking a breath, "I think we've gotten off to a bad start. I'd like to invite you to my laboratory so I can explain more calmly why I am here. I assure you, hurting your ecosystem is the last thing on my mind."
Just then, the tiger amulet stopped glowing and White Tiger's eyes returned to normal. "Ok, why am I entangled in a giant grapevine?" she asked.
"Fascinating...first time I've seen someone resist the effects," said the doctor, one of the dropships landing, several troopers jumping out and aiming, not at them, but at the treeline. "My ship will fly you to the laboratory. I doubt you want to be out at night. The weather's been very strange as of late," said the doctor enthusiastically.
"Yes, the weather has changed. Gotten colder, nights lasting longer," said Ka-Zar.
The splitter snapped, "Yeah, so if you don't wanna be cold, get on the damn dropship." pushing Ka-Zar back and stomping towards the ship.
"If we want to find the Megamephitis, I think we want to go with them," said Coldlahd, "Ready to go, Tiger?" However, White Tiger seemed to have passed out.
The splitter noticed before snapping "MEDIC!"
The two dropships flew low over the treeline as they approached a brand-new white tower, surrounded by a wall lined with defense guns, a small corvette landed inside. A sign in an alien language and in English read 'Executive Genetics, pharmaceutical research division. Head of Research: Dr Anika Karisa'
Zira and Coldlahd looked out a window. "That's a lot of security for a research facility," said Zira.
"Considering this is a primordial jungle, that's normal," said Coldlahd, "It's the private army that seems overkill."
This was confirmed as, as they watched a patrol returned, an honest-to-God tank leading them. "With the shit that Combine nutcase is researching, it's more to keep it contained," said the pilot as he began the descent, before looking back. "Your mate ok? I got a med team waiting down there," he said, looking at White Tiger.
She seemed to be ok, even if she was unconscious right now. Though the bigger concern was how her gloves had shredded completely, revealing hand-like paws with white fur and black stripes. If that weren't enough, her feet had also changed, shredding her boots as they became tiger paws.
"Oh, she picked the wrong flowers," laughed one of the troopers.
Snowbell snarled at him, which sounded a lot more intimidating with her deeper voice and bigger size. Two of the troopers aimed. "Keep the kitty in line or we see if it flies," snapped the pilot, more out of anger that his concentration was being interrupted, "If she threatens a crash..."
"Snowbell, easy girl," said Coldlahd, only for Snowbell to growl at her. However, Zabu made a chuffing sound, which seemed to have a better effect.
Snowbell glared, the pilot nodded. "Ok, we're landing in 10 secs. Your pets will be taken to the hydroponics garden. Plenty of space for them while you meet the doc."
"Zabu not pet, Zabu brother," said Ka-Zar.
"Your brother goes in hydroponics then," said the pilot nastily.
Dr. Karisa was pacing outside for the guests to arrive. She knew it was dangerous, but she got so restless when indoors for so long. She blamed it on her coyote DNA. She peered out the window to see the dropship landing. "About time," she muttered, practically running out to the hoverpad, in time for the pilot to be thrown out the ship, the locals getting off as a mediteam ran up to get their exposed member. "Hello, I'm Dr. Karisa. I'm sorry about the rather improper greeting you received," she said.
"You burnt the cure we needed," snapped Zira.
Dr. Karisa said, "No, I burnt a hostile mutagen. Our station was downwind."
She didn't blink as Ka-Zar headed for her. "You tried to destroy the Savage Land," growled Ka-Zar, drawing his knife and trying to stab her.
The knife, while it didn't stop, didn't get very far, stopping just past the clothing, metal glinting. The troopers aimed before the doctor grabbed Ka-Zar's arm. "My team's lives come first. We're still trying to find a cure for them," she snarled, her optic glowing red.
"What are you?" asked Ka-Zar.
"I'm a refugee. These are a...mandatory going away present from my old home," said Dr. Karisa, dropping Ka-Zar. "If we're all finished, I had my incendiary teams relocate the creatures. We were going to plant T-former beacons to regrow the forest tomorrow and move them back," she said calmly.
"You do know you're messing with an ecosystem," said Zira, "What's considered a weed to us would still be a vital part of the life cycle here."
"That's why we have T-formers and seeds. We're installing air filters for our suits and the main building so we won't have trouble again. But till then we had to stop the danger, not with the work being done here," said the doctor, walking towards the lab, pausing before looking at the two sabertooths intently before saying to the captain, "Let them tag along."
"Ma'am, we shouldn't let wild animals wander the premises," said one of the guards.
The doctor paused before glaring and growling at the guard. "Fine, you're on the next transport out. You're fired," she snapped.
"I'm liking her style," said Zira.
The guard just hung his head as two of his companions led him gently away. "I won't have intelligent animals treated like that," she said calmly, leading them in. "We do research here on cures for some of the multiverse nasty genetic mutagens and diseases," she said calmly as they were led past several labs, with robots working at chemistry consoles.
"You don't keep those mutagens and diseases here, do you?" asked Coldlahd.
"We have to keep samples on site. That's why the hot labs only have mechanoids working," said Dr. Karisa, adding, "It's adamantium crossed with local vibranium ore. Even a nuke won't pierce them and we can irradiate them in case of a dangerous breach."
"So what makes you look here of all places?" asked Zira.
"Rumors of a cure-all for mutagens, capable of repairing DNA. Stuff like that could have nipped the Sy-Yong disaster in the bud, saved millions since," said Karisa calmly.
"Right now, we're looking to cure just one kind of mutation," said Coldlahd.
"X-R7, yes. That one's trouble. We still haven't found the cure-all...though we did find several interesting antibiotics," said Dr. Karisa.
"Yeah, I'm sure they're very interesting byproducts," said Coldlahd dryly.
"They are, one of them cures petrification gas effects," said Dr. Karisa.
"Where did you take White Tiger?" asked Ka-Zar.
"Your friend? She's in medical bay 2, having that damn pollen washed off. Did she go near...this?" asked the doctor, making a hologram of a yellow flower appear.
Snowbell said, "Hey...that's the nice flower I saw."
"Savage wildflower," said Ka-Zar, "It brings out the beast in people, makes them part of the Savage Land."
"Yes, it's not a normal mutagen either," said Dr. Karisa, "People don't normally devolve into panthera tigris tigris when exposed to it. I assume it possesses some form of magi energy which is interacting with her artifact."
Another doctor passing, said, "It could be related to the facility under the volcano. We did detect evidence of an old leak from a few millennia ago when we turned up."
"What facility under the volcano?" asked Zira before adding, "How can there be a facility under a volcano?"
"It's very old. I sent the second security division there. We think the weather malfunctions related to it," said Dr. Karisa.
"Er, speaking of the other facility," said the other doctor, "The security division there has just called in a code double red."
"Send Ringer 2 to see what's going on..." said Karisa, the other doctor hurrying off, "Your friend's rapidly deteriorating, though slower than I expected. Usually it's the space of a few seconds."
"She got the pollen off of Snowbell," said Zira, "And I hear she's got very great discipline."
"Nothing holds it forever. It's one of the nastiest mutagens I've ever seen, both in the Combine and the NSC," said Dr. Karisa, pausing, "Who's Snowbell?"
"Me," said Snowbell.
Dr. Karisa turned to look at her, before she ran to a button, an alarm wailing and a voice saying, "Biohazard alert...containment to corridor 12."
"Hey, she's not that dangerous. Well, more than a saber tooth tiger should be," said Coldlahd.
"She's covered in pollen from X-R7," snapped Dr. Karisa.
"Sorry for not having time to take a bath," said Snowbell with annoyance before she started licking her foreleg.
Karisa yelped at that. "No! You're ingesting it!" she snapped.
Snowbell started spitting at that. "Ugh, bleh!" she yelled before she started rubbing her tongue across the floor.
"Too late..." said Karisa, backing up as Snowbell's eyes went wide, her pupils going to pinpricks.
"So what happens now?" asked Kira.
Then Snowbell, all signs of higher thinking gone, roared. "Now it's open season," said Dr. Karisa. Snowbell was about to spring when Zira surged up into Kira and grabbed her. Snowbell roared, trying to claw Kira, who just headbutted her with just enough force to daze her.
"We need the Megamephitis," said Ka-Zar.
"The what? The skunks we're looking after till their biome regrows tomorrow?" said Karisa in confusion.
"Their glands hold the medicine," said Ka-Zar.
Dr. Karisa stared for a minute before sighing, "You gotta be kidding me. The only glands of note I know on those stinkbombs is...well..."
"Yes, there. Cure almost worse than disease," said Ka-Zar.
"You're telling me. We had to add an airlock to their habitat," said Karisa quietly.
"I hope you didn't make them use up all their spray," said Coldlahd.
"They're vicious. We had to seal the area. The stuffs minorly acidic...was burning seals," said Karisa, adding, "Second basement level, follow me. Control, call off hazmat response," the last part into the intercom.
"I'll...hold her...down..." grunted Kira, who was struggling with Snowbell.
Karisa walked over, her left mechanical hand sprouting a syringe, injecting her. "I had a sedative injector added to my finger," she said, as Snowbell slumped.
"What were you?" asked Ka-Zar.
"What do you mean? The cybernetics? The Combine prefer people to follow orders, not have consciences," said Karisa.
"No, you not... human," said Ka-Zar.
"There weren't humans on my world. The Combine conquered my universe centuries ago. They're all I've ever known..." said Karisa, sounding unhappy with the comment.
Coldlahd added, "She's a bioweapon chemist. She made weapons for them."
Karisa snarled, "I did make them, past tense. I've spent the last 12 years trying to make medicine instead, save instead of take."
"Yeah, and how many of those medicines were for diseases you've made?" asked Coldlahd.
"All of them," said Karisa to herself quietly.
Meanwhile, the doctor was observing White Tiger, who was still unconscious. It was very remarkable how she was able to stave the mutagenic effect of the pollen for so long. But it was a slowly-losing battle as more feline features were becoming apparent, such as the tail and ears. And the jade amulet at her throat was glowing very brightly.
"Nurse, advise Dr. Karisa that I recommend she be moved to the secure habitat in Sub-Basement 1...and till then we get some E.G.I.S in here..." said the doctor in charge, one of the few humans on base that weren't E.G.I.S.
"Doctor, you know this is a magi energy situation," said the nurse.
"That just makes all the more unpredictable," said the doctor.
"I'll make the call, do-DOCTOR!" the nurse said, pointing at White Tiger who was twitching.
White Tiger's mindscape was alot neater than the Lynch siblings, not surprising given that she had to control the tiger amulet all day and night. At the moment though, it looked like it was shaking, vines growing through the windows.
"I can hear you know," said Ava, "You're rattling the bars more than ever. But you're mistaken if you think I'm going to let you loose."
An angry roar was heard, the mindscape vibrating and cracks appearing in the walls.
"I've handled you at your strongest, you know," said White Tiger, "You think I didn't notice a difference when Dormammu tried to enslave me? It was more than just my costume that got an update. I know the amulet changed as well. You're as strong as you were when you took over Kraven, but I could still handle you. That's not going to change just because of a little flower dust."
The cracks grew bigger at that, a chunk of wall falling down.
"You know, I really don't want you wrecking my space. How about we do this on your turf?" asked Ava.
There was a flash of jade-colored light and suddenly Ava found herself on a snowy mountainside, a larger monastery not too far from there. "This...this is K'un-L'un," said Ava with surprise.
There was a growl at that, from the snow behind her Ava turned around, not seeing anything. Suddenly, the snow surged up, forming into a tiger. It immediately shot forward, pinning her with its paws
"What are you? Who made the amulet? Why are you not still in K'un-L'un?" asked Ava.
The tiger just snarled, before trying to swipe her, narrowly missing.
Ava jumped backward and said, "There's more to you than a beast in a cage. You were put in the cage for a reason."
"Wannnt ouuut…" growled the tiger, before lunging again, managing a scratch this time.
"So you do have a mind," said Ava.
"Want...body...want...to...live." snapped the tiger.
"Well I'm not just going to give you mine," said Ava.
The tiger roared, the loud noise causing the mountain to rumble. Ava looked up to see an avalanche heading towards her, forming a roaring tiger's maw. But inside the maw was a green light.
The tiger grinned at that, grabbing her in a bear hug to stop her moving out the way
However, that gaping maw did not look like icy death to Ava, it looked like a portal. "You've spent a long time trying to break into my head," said Ava, "Let's see how you like me in yours."
The tiger just grinned knowingly and growled "Our body..." before the avalanche hit...
The next thing Ava knew, she inside a cave. There was a light source coming from somewhere further down so she moved forward. There was something strange about the walls, but as it grew less dark, she could see they were made of solid jade.
She got up, knowing better then to call 'hello' from her training. Her sixth sense however was screaming 'TROUBLE!' though. "Am I inside the amulet itself?" asked Ava.
"I was...locked away. My body stripped after I lost my challenge to that lizard..." snarled a voice.
"What lizard?" asked Ava. Just then, she walked into a larger, well-lit chamber where one wall was covered in many carvings that told a story.
The first picture showed what could be passed as the same humanoid tiger she'd seen Kraven become, what were meant to be monks below him.
The next picture showed the tiger man facing a dragon, though it didn't like an Asian dragon very much. It was large, black, and had more in common with a European dragon in shape, asides from the head fins and elongated tail.
"They tried to take my right. They challenged me...and I lost. They imprisoned me...for your people to guard me..." snarled the voice, sounding closer.
Ava noticed a very long line of people lining the bottom of the wall. On close inspection, she could see they were various versions of White Tiger across generations. Down at the end, she could see her grandfather, her father, and herself. Looking back at the first one, she also noticed that same White Tiger was accepting the amulet from a monk in another carving.
"Your family imprisoned me...kept me from my rightful place as the protector of K'un-L'un," snarled the voice, now sounding like it was being said into her ear.
"No, that's not right," said Ava, looking at the monk and the first White Tiger, "I don't think they were your jailors. I think they were your caretakers."
"Caretakers?!" roared the voice, "Am I some feeble old man who needs to be looked after? I am a beast, a celestial creature! Your family has kept me behind bars for millennia!"
A hybrid of a paw and a hand grabbed her wrist, seeming to melt into it. "And now...I have earnt the right to breathe again," snapped the tiger, his eyes glowing the color of jade.
The doctor was immediately alerted when White Tiger's heartbeat started to spike. The two new arrivals, two E.G.I.S troopers with stun sticks tensed up as the doctor ran over. "Someone get a sedative patch," he snapped.
White Tiger started to thrash on her bed, her costume ripping at parts to show more white fur and black stripes. "Doctor, get back!" snapped one of the guards, reaching for his sidearm.
Truthfully, with White Tiger's costume, it was a bit difficult to notice the difference between what was clothed and what was bared. Though easily the most notable change was when the bottom half of her mask ripped open to reveal a snarling tiger's muzzle filled with sharp teeth.
The two guards were already aiming when she pushed the doctor flying, getting up, firing as she got off the bed and the photon blasts, which should have punched neat holes straight through, only burnt a few tiny holes and bounced off.
The tigress only roared, the blasts clearly angering her more. Luckily for the doctor, it meant nobody paid attention as he reached the intercom. "Get a fireteam down here, no!" he snapped, before a hand grabbed him.
The tigress lifted up the doctor, holding him above her head. He expected her to bite out his neck, but instead she asked in a deep, guttural voice that didn't even sound female, "Where...am...I?"
"You're...in a medical bay...Miss Ava..." choked the doctor, his collar pulled tight, though he noticed the guards out cold, their guns shattered.
"Ava...no... I...am free...at last..." growled the tigress.
"The mutagen's...messing with your head...we can help you…" gasped the doctor, seeing out the corner of his eyes, shadows behind the wall, the fireteam he'd asked for.
"Don't...need...help..." growled the tigress.
"Yes...you...do..." gasped the doctor, before the door behind the tigress was kicked open, two troopers in armored hazmat running in, holding plasma rifles.
"Freeze, mutie!" snapped one of them. The tigress turned and snarled, her eyes glowing a bright green.
"Shoot her, you military lunkheads!" snapped the doctor, the troopers firing. However, whatever tiger magic or prehistoric mutagen was powering her made the tigress very resistant to injury. However, there was still concussive force behind the blasts.
The doctor, coughed as the troopers walked forward, several more coming in, one with a flamer unit. "What are you doing? Keep firing!" the doctor snapped as the first two troopers peered closely.
With a roar, both troopers were sent flying backwards. The others took aim and tried to fire, but as anyone would tell you, guns only beat martial arts at range, something the tigress proved with great efficiency, till again the doctor was all that was left.
"Listen, you're very sick right now," said the doctor nervously, "We can help you."
"I don't...want...help. Baekho will never be a prisoner again," snarled the tigress. The tigress around the room with a growl. "Enough with these walls," she growled, "I need to be free."
"You can't leave. You're ill. And God knows if you're contagious," snapped the doctor.
"And you intend to stop me?" asked the tigress, unsheathing her claws.
"Not me..." said the doctor, the tigress noting he was looking behind her, turning in time for a metal arm to knock her through the wall. The doctor gave a sigh of relief as the mech suit walked forward, its weapons trained on the hole in the wall it just made. "What are you waiting for, pilot? Incinerate her!" he snapped.
The mech stepping off the ledge of the hole and into the courtyard, one of the cargo flyers open its side with a dent where the mech's target had hit. The mech's optics swept the courtyard, scanning for the target's heat signature. A creak from the flyer confirmed, as the tigress pulled herself free, wiping her snout. "Stand down or face incineration under the Sy-Yong quarantine accord," called the pilot.
The tigress snarled but seemed less interested in the mech suit. She could tell that freedom was so close. "I say again, stand down or I will use lethal force," called the mech pilot, the autocannons on the arms making a clunk as they primed, the shoulder laser charging. The tigress ignored the mech as she bounded towards the wall.
A second later, the ledge she was aiming for exploded, the mech firing a few more shells. The tigress roared with frustration, throwing rubble from the destroyed ledge at the mech. The mech, for its credit took the rubble and continued to fire rapidly.
The tigress soon saw that if she wanted out, she'll need to deal with this thing first. With that, she charged at the mech, intending to break its legs. The blow she dealt would have broken any creature's knee. Instead, the mech took a step back and kicked out. The tigress was sent flying backwards and sent tumbling.
The mech walked forward, a second shoulder gun unfolding before a bola net shot out over her, the balls digging into the ground with a whirring noise and sticking. The tigress roared and thrashed, but she couldn't rip the net nor loosen it. The mech aimed its blaster arms at her at that while standing over her. "Tell the director we got this contained," said the pilot.
"The director is dealing with a related crisis right now," said the doctor.
"Well tell her that I got a psycho mutation out here," snapped the pilot.
"And she's dealing with a feral mutation in there," said the doctor.
Snowbell snapped angrily under Kira's grip as the group were led to a large lift, automated turrets aiming at it. "You're not just keeping prehistoric skunks here, are you?" asked Coldlahd.
"They seem to eat the plants, so we had to move some of the mutagen flowers down there," said Karisa, putting on a gasmask.
"They surely have a more varied diet that that," said Coldlahd.
"Yes...but they seem to have a liking to the plants," said Karisa, entering in a complicated code, before the lift opened up.
The savage wildflowers were kept in broad terrariums that were on the floor. The Megamephitis were seen walking around the room. They resembled modern skunks almost identically, asides from the pointier face and the spikes on their back. "Huh, they kinda remind me of cousins of mine," said Coldlahd.
"It's the red eyes," said Kira, as one of the skunks glared at them, the lift lowering down and opening into a sealed corridor.
"Now we just need to catch one of the little stinkers," said Karisa unenthusiastically.
Kira smirked, "Oh please, that can't be that hard."
"Care to give it a try?" asked Karisa.
"Gladly. Zabu, hold down Snowbell for me," said Kira. Zabu growled before snarling at Snowbell as a warning, Kira letting go. "Ok, this should be easy," said Kira, reaching out for the nearest Megamephitis.
The skunks all paused before scattering with chittering noises, Kira lunging after them. Kira chased after them, but the little proto-skunks were surprisingly fast. And unlike their modern relatives, they didn't seem interested in spraying before fleeing.
"When should we help?" said Coldlahd
"I think we can wait a while," said Karisa, sounding amused.
"There is easier way to grab them," said Ka-Zar.
"Ah, ah, not yet," said Karisa.
Kira finally roared, before bashing her fists into the ground, causing most of the skunks to jump skywards.
"She does know that skunks only spray when they're scared, right?" asked Coldlahd.
Kira soundlessly, via the glass, was starting to tear up a tree to try and swat them. "Surprised they aren't though," Coldlahd added.
"What could be scarier than a gamma mutate chasing after them?" asked Karisa.
At that, Snowbell managed to push past Zabu, lunging at Kira with a roar, which caused all the skunks to get a bug-eyed look, before there what could only be politely described as a raspberry in stereo
Now, that much stench going off all at once was rather equivalent of being tear-gassed or maced. Everyone who wasn't wearing a gasmask was slumped on the ground in temporary olfactory-induced paralysis. Even Karisa's eyes were watering from the sheer overload of foulness.
When the smoke cleared, Snowbell was trying to desperately bury her head in the ground and Kira seemed to have grown a venus flytrap and was trying to convince it to eat her nose.
"I hope there's enough of this...medicine for your friend," said Karisa who was wiping at her eyes.
"That was medicine," said Ka-Zar, who seemed to be the only one unaffected.
"Are you not...bothered by this?" asked Karisa.
"No, I live here for a long time. You get used to it," said Ka-Zar.
Kira walked back holding a sullen Snowbell. "I think she's ok now," Kira said icily.
"Still...too...big..." gasped Coldlahd, barely able to breathe.
Snowbell said sullenly, "Don't wanna be small."
"The pollen's accelerated her maturation," said Karisa, "Strictly from a biological standpoint, there's nothing to cure."
"Chloe will not be a happy bunny," said Kira.
"She'll still like me," said Snowbell.
"Yes, but now you're not cuddle-sized," said Kira.
"More of me to love," said Snowbell.
Karisa paused as the biohazard alarm went off again a trooper on the PA snapping, "Fireteam 6...scramble to medbay."
"Now what?" asked Ka-Zar.
"The subject's attacked Dr. Vanko. Get a mech down there," snapped the voice, apparently forgetting he was on an open line.
"Don't hurt White Tiger," said Ka-Zar, "She can be cured."
"Those skunks have used up all their musk in one blast," said Karisa, "It will be hours before they're reloaded."
A boom was heard from above at that.
"There's still musk in the air," said Coldlahd.
"And how do you intend to get it to her?" asked Karisa.
"Carefully," said Coldlahd
Fortunately, E.G.I.S. was very used to transporting dangerous animals. Once the tigress has been bound, they were able to put her in a cage. That cage was now being taken to the terrarium.
Karisa left the lift to find such a cage. "Ok...what the hell happened? It was meant to be a normal checkup."
"The mutagen had a delay reaction, but something gave in," said Dr. Vanko, "This magi artifact has more power than we thought."
The tigress glared. "My prison..." she snarled, trying to bend the bars.
"Let's not waste time. We need that musk," said Karisa, "I doubt we'll be able to hold her long enough for the skunks to make more."
Coldlahd floated into range, looking a little green. "Ok...let me at her..." she said weakly, sounding like she was ready to throw up.
"Stand back," said Karisa, quickly backing away.
Coldlahd floated up to the tigress who glared before her cheeks bulged and she burped the same pink smoke in her face. The tigress was halfway through a roar before she started gagging on the awful stench. "It's no picnic for me either," said Coldlahd, "I'll be washing that out of my mouth for a week."
The tigress's snarling grew weaker as the fur and tail started to fade away, paws became hands and feet. The tiger's features left her face, though her upper half was still covered by what was left of her mask. Her costume had also been through the wringer, being rather scantily torn though at least covering the important parts.
"Get her out that damn cage NOW!" snapped Karisa, the troopers scrambling.
"Ugh...my head..." groaned White Tiger.
"Easy...you got exposed to X-R7 mutagen. It'll clear. That headache is basically your brain doing a system's check," said Karisa, helping her up.
"It wasn't just that..." said White Tiger, "I...I saw inside the amulet. The spirit inside...it's much more than I ever thought. I don't think my father or grandfather ever saw that side of it. I need to know..."
"You need to rest and recover," said Karisa, "You're in no condition to be charging off in search of answers, particularly in your state."
"What?" asked White Tiger before noticing her badly-damaged costume.
"I can get you a spare suit and have this sent down to the quartermaster to be nanolathed back together," said Karisa, nodding to a female trooper.
"This isn't just a costume," said White Tiger, hugging herself, "It's enchanted, it helped me get further control over the amulet."
"You're not going feral now," said Ka-Zar.
"Don't worry, the magic's there. All the nanites do is fill in the holes," said Karisa.
"Clothes get torn here all the time," said Ka-Zar, "Especially girl clothes. There's no point in getting upset."
"Easy for you to say, jungle man," muttered White Tiger.
"Women don't seem to wear sturdy clothes down for some reason," said Ka-Zar.
Dr. Karisa, however, was saying, "To think, those skunk farts are the cure-all I am looking for. Maybe from them being in proximity to the mutagen. This could be a godsend for the medical world."
"I'm not so sure if it'll work on every mutagen," said Zira, "It's effective, but it might not be a panacea."
"With a few modifications to the active ingredient, it could even cure Sy-Yong syndrome," said Karisa to herself.
"I hope that doesn't mean you're planning on taking all the flowers and skunks," said Zira.
"Command base has one of the best genetic cloning facilities in the sector. We'll just need some blood samples," said Karisa, before looking at Ka-Zar, adding, "...with permission from the locals of course."
"The jungle can provide, but it can't be plundered," said Ka-Zar.
"Of course, just blood samples and seeds," said Karisa.
Not long after, White Tiger was back in her repaired uniform. She was sitting in the courtyard, not looking at the damage she had. She was looking at the Tiger Amulet she was holding in her hand.
She felt something rubbing against her side and saw Snowbell rubbing against her with a purr before she said, "Miss Tiger...is something wrong?"
"I thought I knew all there is to know about this amulet, but I guess there's a lot that not even my family knew," said White Tiger.
Snowbell looked at it, "It looks very old. It's probably not surprising."
"I thought I mastered the amulet's power, but apparently there's levels I haven't even tapped yet," said White Tiger, "I'm scared I won't be able to handle it."
Snowbell blinked before saying, "In my home, there are literal dragons, trolls, vampires, werewolves, elves, all sort of things. Coldlahd looked after me but I was still just a cub in big bad Skyrim. I had to learn how to do things that I should have learnt from mother and father. I pushed myself to the absolute limits and look at me now. I have friends and a weird family...and I'm alot smarter than other sabertooths on my homeworld. If I can do it, you can beat that nasty little kitty."
White Tiger smiled at Snowbell and said, "You're pretty mature for someone who just grew up."
"I know I am. And I hope Zabu notices too," said Snowbell with a purr.
"Ok, that's not something I need to know," said White Tiger.
A rumble was heard, the two looking up to see a dropship approaching, at the same time as the PA saying, "Medical team to pad one...incoming casualties."
"Where are they coming from?" asked White Tiger.
"I think it had something to do with that other facility," said Snowbell.
The dropship landed to let out a dozen or so troopers, many of them nursing wounds as medical bots shot out with hover-gurneys before a familiar draconic figure walked numbly off, as the bots came back out with a gurney...before several lizards, albeit more evolved-looking ones came off.
"Matt?" asked White Tiger with surprise.
Sauron smirked, walking with two guards towards Chloe's 'room'. She'd been feeding better. He knew very well that after the first taste, it was hard to quit...well his previous life had...
He paused at Chloe's door before knocking. "How is my bride-to-be feeling?" he asked.
"Leave...me...alone...I'm not...draining...anyone...else..." rasped a voice.
"I have a special treat for you though," said Sauron. With a gesture, his reptilians forward a cave filled with rather weak raptors. Obviously, they had been trying their luck with the wrong prey.
"Ok...If we survive, we get a new alpha," grumbled one of the raptors.
"No...more...food," hissed Chloe.
"Feeling stuffed, are we?" asked Sauron, "Trust me, that'll pass with time. I can barely remember feeling glutted."
"You...turning me...into a monster..." snapped Chloe.
"Others see a monster. I only see someone worthy of ruling the world at my side," said Sauron.
"Can we go?" asked one of the raptors.
"Put them in the fridge," said Sauron to the reptilians.
There was a click at that. "Can't...so...hungry..." said Chloe's rasping voice inside it.
"I knew you'd come around. Hmm...we only really need one," said Sauron, most of the raptors looking at each other before pushing one of them forward. Sauron gave a small snort. "Hardly a meal," he said dismissively. The ex-alpha gave a sigh of relief until Sauron said, "But I suppose it will do as a snack."
The other raptors watched as their ex-leader was grabbed by arms that looked halfway to being Pteranodon arms. The ex-alpha gave a squawk before he was dragged out of sight. There was a glow before several crackles and tears
"Pace yourself, my dear," said Sauron, "You have several more courses left."
"I...feel so much better…" said Chloe's voice, the tone changed.
There's the second chapter of this exciting arc. We're covering some of the stuff that appeared the last time Spider-Man went down to the Savage Land, namely the devolving poison and the skunk used to cure it. We're also putting in some stuff that will appear in later chapters. White Tiger's amulet is definitely going to the focus of another chapter. But we've got plenty more chapters before that happens. Look for the next chapter tomorrow and please review.
