Thanks to everyone sticking around. Lord knows I don't really deserve it. Apex still growls at me every day I don't sit down to write. And amazingly I still got so much more I want to get to ... but least I got a new plan of how to share that with all of you. But I'll share that explanation for later. For now, I'll just thank everyone for the reviews and the support (Cheshire you're the best).
Part 4: The Hunt Begins
The forsest that surrounded Kraven's estate had always been filled with wildlife. Despite his title of "Hunter", Sergei Nikolaevich Kravinoff had a deep respect for nature. And in turn nature flourished around him. But there were no more animals in the woods. They had gone silent when a new predator had slipped into their trees. They fled when the shooting started.
Gun shot ... Roar ... Yells ... Silence.
The cycle kept repeating itself until that's all that filled the forest. Until Kraven found himself gasping for air as he fought to ignore the tide of crimson covering his chest, pouring from the deep slashes that went practically shoulder to shoulder. A few inches deeper and it would have been the end of his hunt.
The hunt ... it was like nothing Kraven had ever experienced before. At first he had been the predator ... stalking his prey through his forest. He'd caught glimpses of shadow but could never corner his target. But it would only be a matter of patience and skill ... the beast may be the "Apex" predator but he was the Hunter. That was until a feeling Kraven had never felt before seeped into his soul. The hairs on his neck standing up. A chill ... yet a rush of exhilaration ... Kraven had looked through the trees, turning and turning, and without quite knowing why began running and darting through the forest, until he realized what the feeling was.
Kraven had become the prey.
That was when the true hunt started.
Kraven and Apex traded gunshots and when Apex finally closed quarters the two exchanged claws and machete. But Kraven had known all along that once he lost the element of surprise he had little chance against the pantera. He believed that no one did. This had been a test, both for himself and Apex. A chance to see if they were both up for the challenge ... and the beast didn't disappoint. He had hoped taking the fool tigress would bring out the beast and it had. Kraven never stood a chance.
Not now at least.
"The hunt has just began pantera!" Kraven yelled out and with a grunt sprinted through the forest before sliding into one of the numerous hidden entrances that led to the labyrinth of tunnels beneath this estate. It had been why he'd chosen this particular hunting ground in the first place. He'd managed to hit at least two of the poison darts he'd perfected since he'd tested them on Tigra ... which should buy him enough time.
"The hunt is not over." Kraven growled again, this time only to himself, as he sprinted back towards home.
...
"The hunt is not over!"
Apex roared at the sound of Kraven's yell, but it sounded muffled as he fought to shake off the poison coursing through his system. He'd worked to inoculate himself ever since the attack on Greer but Kraven had obviously upped the potency.
Flashes of Greer ... Vanyss ... feral pelts ... students ...
Apex slammed his fists into the ground, focusing on the earth shifting beneath his claws as he fought to maintain his focus. Kraven was getting away ... Greer was so close.
Greer. She was taken. Because of him. Again.
Apex felt more flashes coming on when his ears swiveled at a sound almost impossible to hear ... unless you knew what to listen for. Trees and wind only shifted for one reason like that: a jet with propulsion suppression technology. A big one.
K had gotten a transmission out. The X-Men were here.
"Stay away." Apex growled to no one as he fought back to his feet and bracing himself against a tree for a few breaths, fixed his gaze in the direction of the stone structure Kraven called home until the shifting subsided enough that there was only one. He wouldn't put anyone else in danger.
"Not again."
"So do we just call out their names or - sonofa?!" and Amara nearly jumped sky high when something sprung from the bushes and then slapped herself on the head when she realized it was just a deer. Biting her lip, she proceeded to pick up speed and catch up with the rest of the team, deciding to stand next to a very intimidating Logan. Any chance something attacked them, her best chances were to stick close to him.
They'd arrived a little over ten minutes ago. Scott had explained that K had a tracking device on her and they'd used that as a guide. Logan had been pretty upset when they'd landed and instead of K there was a pool of blood but the fact she wasn't there aside from a pair of slashed fancy looking cuffs ... she had to hope the little berserker was okay.
"How are you like not panicking right now?" she whispered, and though the fiery brazilian teen definitely knew that Logan was concerned, it didn't quite show like on the rest of the X-Men. Even Scott was somewhat readable.
"Focus." Logan growled and Amara sealed her lips, feeling a little stupid. Her first mission as an official X-Man and she wasn't making many good impressions. The flight had been worse ... vacillating between not being able to shut up and keeping her mouth shut afraid she was going to be sick. God, what made her think she could do this ... she'd barely held it together as a junior team member ... she didn't belong here with the likes of Scott or Peter ... or K, wherever she was ... definitely not the Wolverine ...
"Hey,"and Amara felt a comforting hand on her shoulder. Looking up, she saw Jean give her a reassuring smile, "relax. You can handle this." the teen took a deep breath and nodded before following the rest deeper into the forest before they finally they arrived at the compound. Scott taking the liberty to rebrief everyone before the berserker popped a claw and shook his head.
"I think we should split up." The entire group of Scott, Jean, Kurt, Amara, and Peter shared looks at Logan's idea.
"Absolutely not." Scott rebutted but Logan just crossed his arms.
"We're losing time as it is and if we split up, at least we cover more ground in less time." Piotr didn't say anything but the fact that Kurt took a step closer to Logan said enough.
"I don't need anymore of my team going missing." Cyclops pointed out but stop when Jean came and stood next to him.
"I think Logan has a point. I mean… I've been scanning the compound but I still don't pick up on anything and traveling in such a large group… It's not helping."
"Seconded." Piotr nodded toward Jean while the others mumbled something along the same line. Scott's mouth pressed into a thin line before turning to an almost impatient looking Logan. He knew the feral was eager to track down his mate.
"If you're worried about anyone going missing I'll go in alone."
"Fine ... Loganand Kurt will infiltrate the compound directly and meet up with K and locate Tigra and Vanyss. The rest of us will split up and search the surrounding area. Amara, Peter, and Jean, you're with me. Also, I want a psychic link up. When you find them there, you'll contact the rest of us and we'll engage whatever defenses Kraven has in place. When we have his attention you'll get the two out of there and back to the jet and we'll get the hell out."
"And what about Colton?" Amara piped up, working to keep her voice assertive.
"If Apex is doing what he came here to do ... that should keep Kraven occupied."
"In other words fraulein," Kurt whispered to Amara, "stay out of the panther's way." Amara shot Nightcrawler a look and managed a tight smile as she nodded. In truth, she wasn't sure to be comforted by the comment ... or take it as a warning.
After all, no one - or at least not her, actually ever saw what exactly it was that Colton did. When she was a teenager she'd imagined he was out there doing kinda what Logan did ... taking it to the bad guys. But now that she was older she'd heard the staff talk ... she'd caught a glimpse of some of the photos K had been going over in one of the prep rooms ... she had to wonder if she really wanted to know what it was the protective panther really did.
"Neuteshitel'nyy ... so disappointing."Kraven had sprinted into one of the most innermost rooms of his home, grabbing what he needed and barely bothering to take care of his injuries, when he caught sight of the cameras littered throughout the woods. He looked almost sad as he surveyed the multiple screens showing different views of the assembled mutants approaching his home. But his eyes seemed drawn to the Wolverine but his look quickly shifted from interest, to forlorn, to anger.
"Can't you see that they have all poisoned you. Restrained you." Kraven called out to the empty halls of his fortress as he raised an eyebrow when he saw the team splitting up. The devil and the feral were coming for him then ... but where was his amte? He glanced at the remaining mutants as they hiked to higher ground and smirked with shrug.
"Very well pantera ... I will show your corruptors what a true predator looks like," Kraven almost purred as he pushed a few buttons and crossed his arms. He had a few moments to watch. He was prepared for his hunt. Let's see if the X-Men were prepared for theirs.
Part 5: X-Men vs. Tigra
Scott's group had moved to higher ground - in this case little more than a hill - to keep an eye on Kraven's home and make sure no surprises came for the ferals hunting inside. Scott had his eyes on the sky, convinced that'd be Kraven's mode of escaping once things turned bad for him. And then things turned bad for everyone.
"WHAT THE- AHHH!" Jean spun around to see Peter clutching his side and Amara tackled onto the ground, screaming bloody hell from underneath a mass of snarling bristled fur that only matched one other mutant.
"GREER?!" and luckily the teen had been fast enough to light herself up, causing the tigress to leap off her with a hiss before disappearing back into the shadows, "Greer!" Jean called out.
"Are you OK?" Scott had raced over to the stuttering teen who was beside herself with fear, barely able to stand up while Jean tried to take a defensive stance while scanning the dark treeline for any signs of Greer. Peter was cursing quickly in Russian as blood dripped from between his fingers.
"SHE TRIED TO TAKE MY LEG OFF!" Amara screamed as Scott bent over her, concerned about the gash that was now pouring blood just above the teen's knee and dangerously close to a major artery. Her arms had been slashed too ... and when he tried to get Amara to stand, the teen just collapsed back down, her torn leg unable to support her weight.
Then Scott realized what was going on.
"Can you flame up?" Amara was shaking from shock but managed to take a breath and nod before slowly turning to molten rock, "alright good. Stay that way." Scott took a stand next to Jean who was still struggling to scan the forest and pin her best friend down. Her mind was ... a rush.
"She's gone feral. Bastard Kraven must have - it's not her fault. You know it's not her fault." Scott wasn't sure if Jean was trying to comfort herself, Amara, or him.
"Like Logan?" Peter grunted as Scott tossed him a field medpack to slap on his side.
"I don't think this is like that. Be careful jean. I don't think this is just Greer going feral. She didn't attack us blindly ... this was planned. A tactical decision." Jean looked confused for a second at Scott's assesment but looking back at Amara, stuck in place, and struggling to keep herself molten, Jean realized Scott was right. She'd struck the easiest target. Pinned them to this spot. In her element. It was hard not to accept the truth: Greer was hunting them.
Apex should have known better ... in truth he really did know better. It didn't matter that he'd blown her knee off. Or that those stolen cuffs had been designed specifically to contain Logan.
He had just thought he'd bought himself a bit more time.
He scented her before he saw her … and what he scented had his hackles edge.
"You know I gotta stab you now right?" K growled when she turned the corner to find Apex, the bottom right leg of her uniform gone and a fair bit of dried blood around her wrists. But instead of going on, Apex watched as K stalked right past him.
The little berserker was many things but near the top of the list was a professional. Apex doubted she even knew how much. He considered attempting to knock her out again but much like K … he was here for someone else. Letting out a rumble of his own, Apex stepped in behind K as the two continued their hunt.
Part 6: No More
As Kurt scouted ahead, Logan made his way through the massive building Kraven obviously considered his home. The size of it meant that Kraven had to employ some sort of staff and a garrison just to guard it. But as he stalked through halls, libraries, and empty rooms they didn't come across anyone. And that included K, Greer, Apex, Vanyss ... or Kraven.
"We sure this asshole is even here?" Kurt didn't bother whispering when he reappeared with bamf at Logan's side. They were definitely being watched so what was the point? Besides ... wasn't like they were trying to hide.
"He's here." Logan growled as he tried to focus on picking up some scent that might lead him to K. She was definitely somewhere in this place but there was somethign in the air messing with the scent ... likely some trick from Kraven. Logan eventually called out for an update.
"No movement out here." Scott responded. With a nod at Kurt, the devilish mutant once again bamfed away. But this time it didn't take long for Logan to finally get a response.
"I think I've found something my friend ... I think - mein Gott - L - Logan you have to come see - it's horri - scheisse!" The gun shot that rang out was loud enough that they didn't need the coms and Logan broke into a run.
"Nightcrawler! Night - Kurt answer me damnit!" Logan yelled and even when the coms went dead - even the psychic link to Jean - What was going on? Logan kept calling for his friend to yell back.
When he finally got to Kurt it was in one of the larger rooms - some sort of trophy room filled with what must have been hundreds of Kraven's kills. Kurt was laid out near the entrance, a trail of blood showing he'd survived the first shot and dragged himself - or been dragged - this far. Logan slid to a stop next to his unmoving and bleeding friend and only looked up when K came sprinting into the room, a somewhat worse for wear looking Apex close behind.
"What happened?" K growled as she ran to cover her husband who was still cradling the elf.
"Kid got himself shot ... shit c'mon Kurt ..." Apex growled while taking a protective stance over both the kneeling Logan and the shorter K. Something didn't sit right with the panther. This had to be some sort of trap … then the scent hit him and despite the instinct to protect the rest of the team Apex couldn't ignore this. Greer's scent hung heavy in the air and following it Apex headed towards a cleared area littered with bits of hay and blood. Claw marks covered a ring around the area gauged into the stone floor.
"You smell'n that?" K sniffed as she kept an eye on both Logan and Kurt and now Fuzz. Wonderful.
"Yea," Logan was busy wrapping up the still comatose Kurt, "Tigger was kept in here ... smells like for a while." Logan's frown deepened even more. Greer was either caged or chained down in a place like this ... kid hadn't shown herself to exactly keep it together when penned in. Taking another quick look around at the glass cases filled with dead animals that feeling only deepened. Must have been hell for her to have to look at ... look at all ...
"No." Logan's tone caught K's and even Apex's attention who had been kneeling where he knew Greer had been kept and turned to see K go from looking at Logan to following wherever he was staring at. Shifting a little K caught sight of what Logan was still staring at and Apex stood as he saw K's arms go slack as now she slowly started to walk towards something and out of sight.
Apex couldn't see where K had gone or what she must have been staring at but whatever it was her heart rate and breathing slowed and that alone caused Apex's own hackles to raise. Slowly he walked around the case he'd lost sight of K behind and as he turned the corner he stopped.
K had seen and experienced too much horrible shit in her life to be stunned at what she saw. Mutants ... ferals ... Vanyss ... frozen in some disgusting tableau. No K had lived too long to be stunned at the sickness of humanity. But she was furious ... and focused. She only barely noted Colton coming up to stand next to her and place his clawed hand on the glass.
K was in search and destroy mode now.
"Too far," The berserker growled as she slowly backed up and turned her head catching the scent that would lead her to her target, "I've got this, love."
"Sweetheart..." Logan's tone wasn't challenging but more trying to get K to turn around, "K we're not falling into his game."
"Who said a word about games? Get Kurt patched up and back to the jet. I won't be long." K purred but now Logan growled low, getting her to turn around.
"You know damn well that's what he wants. He winged Kurt to keep us busy and he did it here cause he knew it'd get us to split up again." But K just put one hand on her hip and gave him a smirk.
"Are you really gonna lecture me about ghosting a group mid-mission? You?"
"That ain't the point." Logan rumbled but K just kept her smirk.
"Don't worry about me, love. Besides, I got Fuzz to carry my slack, right-" both Logan and K looked towards Colton ... or at least where he'd just been standing. Logan had been so worried about his wife getting rattled and running off he hadn't bothered to think about the kid. As if K was ever the one to worry about.
"Damnit," Logan growled mostly to himself and only had to look at K.
"On it, love. Like I said. Take care of the Elf." and with that the tiny and lethal feral shot off once again after the panther.
Scott had always known Greer had the potential to be dangerous. The few times Scott had seen Apex fight had only confirmed his theory. But this - this was the first time the thought hit so close to home. Jean meanwhile was having trouble reminding herself this was her friend she was trying to stop.
Oh god… What are they going to do? What are they- No, no, no calm down she had to collect her thoughts, she absolutely couldn't let her mind panic. But it was next to impossible considering how scattered it already was. Trying to pickup the psychic link between all the x men, doing her best to calm and ease Amara's pain, religiously scanning the vicinity for Amara, Greer, Kraven or anyone else that might leap out and suddenly attack them. Again and again Greer had come blitzing out of the forest of trees and taken slashes at them. Scott and Greer sporting multiple cuts while Amara was barely staying conscious.
With all this going on, it really shouldn't have come as a surprise that it took just a little too long for Jean to pick up on something right above them.
"Scott… SCOTT ABOVE US!" and everything happened so quickly. A bright flash of red erupted as Greer leaped down at Scott, her legs going around his neck, while she tore off his visor, her hands latching onto his face as she violently forced him to direct his gaze towards Jean and Amara, the telekinetic barely levitating the both of them out of the way before another blast nearly missed them by millimeters.
"SCOTT CLOSE YOUR EYES!" Jean screamed as tried to get both Amara and her out of Greer's line of vision.
"I can't! Her claws… She'll tear them out if I AGH!" and Jean had to concentrate particularly hard to telekinetically hold off a beam from cyclops ... grunting as she tried to force it another way. She managed, though just barely before having to move again as Greer sent another blast their way. Jean cringed, she knew what the tigress was trying to do… Greer was trying to overwhelm her before she could telepathically blast her or read her thoughts. Jean quickly tried to do the next best thing.
"X men! We found Greer! We need backup! We nee-" and Jean grimaced as one of the blasts got her and she and Amara were sent colliding right into a tree. Jean grimaced in pain. Looking over she saw Amara had finally passed out. While her own chest was smoking. Out of the corner of her bleary vision, she saw Scott try and get to her and Greer snapping something and him collapsing.
"SCOTT!" and Tigra immediately removed herself from Cyclops when the ground shook violently and pine needles and branches hurtling her way. Jean trying quickly to trap her so she'd at least get the chance to rid whatever that was plaguing Greer's mind or at the very least hold her in one place for the others before she joined Scott and Amara. It seemed to work for a moment, the tigress stopping stride to block the onslaught of things Jean was hurling at her and the red head felt a quick sense of relief only to panic immensely as the tigress let out a roar and braced herself through the pain, clawing and tearing through the branches, rocks and getting closer and closer to Jean.
"Oh no…" and the telekinetic switched focus and instead tried to freeze her friend.
"Greer! GREER! SNAP OUT OF IT!" but all Jean got from her best friend was a defiant roar, those red eyes almost glowing as the tigress worked herself into a frenzy trying to break free, and she was succeeding… Jean could only watch helplessly as Greer raised her arm, presumably to kill her only to fall over snarling as red filled both their senses and looking up, Jean saw Scott readjust his visor while the tigress disappeared back into the shadows.
K didn't have to run long to catch up to Apex. But once she did it didn't seem he was slowing down and when K simply kept pace with him, the panther let out a low growl.
"You know better than this." K shot him a look. It wasn't like a feral on the hunt were safe to be around ... nevermind two.
"Go back." Apex growled which K naturally ignored.
"Has that ever worked for you? Telling me what to do?" and K didn't lose her focused smile as Apex stepped in front of her and glared down.
"Go back." K kept her eyes upwards and took a step closer. The only reason she didn't simply step around was that the damn cat was taking up the entire stone hallway.
"Unless Kraven's behind me ... I'm going that way," K nodded her head past the towering panther."
"K ..." but the little feral was on a roll now.
"You're not the only one with a stake, fuzz nuts -"
"No one else is dying because of my mistake."
It was the tone that got K to take a breath and read the muzzle that the world felt was unreadable and her stance shifted.
"Back it up. The fact you think I have a chance of dying by Kraven, frankly ... is insulting," but K held up her hand before Apex could get his growl out, "Shush. You want your macho moment. Got it. Loud and frikkin' clear. But if you think I'm going to just wait around while you bust out the tape measure, you're nuts."
This time K didn't wait and despite his size slipped past Apex and moved further down the hall and ignored the growl that echoed behind her. 'Always so moody.' K commented to herself. Apex for his part knew that convincing K to do something she didn't want to do was pointless and he quickly fell in next to her.
"Kraven wants me. Only me. Greer ... Kurt ... the others ... he's doing this because I brought them along."
"Well aren't you important to rate all those dead kids," K said with a dark, humored tone. Apex just growled some more earning an annoyed frown from K, "You really think you're so important that Kraven did all this /just/ for you? No ... no if you fell for this 'hunt' and he actually managed to kill you? Get real. He'd be after the main event in no time."
Apex fell silent as he thought over K's remark. It had bothered him ... seeing the other ferals - Vanyss ... like that. The things he had done to Greer - wherever she was - was his fault. All of this was his fault. He knew that. But maybe K was right ... Kraven was a hunter. He'd done all of this to have his challenge. Just to get him alone ...
"Stop." Apex rumbled and froze where he stood.
"I already told you no," K called over her shoulder without slowing down. Another room was up ahead and Kraven's stank was getting stronger. How big was this place anyways ..., "I have things to get done and a weekend to get back to -"
"Stop!" K stopped and turned with a dry look Colton's way but took one step too far and she felt the stone beneath her foot sink into the floor but before K could react, she felt Colton's massive hand close around her arm and then pain on her side as she was first thrown and then proceeded to skid into the darkened hall, looking up just in time to see the panther's frame disappear behind the huge double doors as what looked like some sort of gas filled the hall.
Things were not going well. In almost any other situation, a team of Cyclops and Jean Grey - nevermind adding in Amara and Colossus - would be enough to take down most of the heavy hitters in the world. Never mind a tigress-mutate without any long range or psychic abilities. But things get complicated when Jean couldn't get a firm lock and Scott had trouble seeing out of of one eye ... and neither one was trying to seriously hurt their friend. Jean must have muttered, 'It's not her fault' fifty times in the last hour.
"I've got a plan." Jean announced suddenly standing up. "The only thing Greer has over us is the element of surprise. We need to draw her out ... overwhelm her. Or at least give me enough time to wipe whatever Kraven has over her."
"And how do we do that? How do we know she's not like watching us right now?" Amara pointed out, the field work Scott had been able to quickly do and adrenaline finally getting her back to her feet.
"If she was, I'd be able to sense her." Jean shot back but the firey teen shook her head.
"Ok… So here's the plan…."
Unknown to the X-Men, Jean had never really appreciated Greer's senses the way everyone did Logan and K's, her hearing comparable to Logan's sense of smell. The tigress furrowed her brow as she listened in on what the telepath was saying. Her mind was both a rush and somehow highly focused ... focused on her prey. She didn't want to think. She just wanted to hunt. They were going to set Amara as bait hoping that she would go after her while the rest rush her. Alright… That was easily solved.
She stalked them from the canopy. Close enough to hone in on what they were saying, far enough so the telepath couldn't sense her. She watched as they all took their places… Tigra narrowed her eyes, analyzing all their positions. Going after the bait was pointless , going after all of them was too dangerous. The tigress growled in anticipation before silently leaping from one tree to the next. Silently kneeling near her prey before striking.
Part 7: Feral Hunt
K hadn't even come out of her role as the lights came on and K growled as she sprung to her feet, her hackles immediately raised. Something was off ... Kraven's scent was here but it was all wrong.
"Ne vey! Not you!" K slowly spun as she tried to locate the sound of the voice that roared - wait roared?
"Guess you'll just have to settle. Sure I'm not the first woman to say that to you." K taunted as she worked to locate where the hell this guy was. It looked like some kind of lab ... but one that had been worked over. She'd have sworn Apex had been the one to do this kind of damage.
"You have all dishonored him. Tamed him. While you have dishonored me by taking the Panthera's place. A predator never saves. It hunts. And you have stolen my hunt." Kraven truly sounded sad as he mourned his lost chance at Apex. K just barked out a laugh.
"You're not actually lecturing ME on what a predator is, are you? Squishy, sad little wannbe chasing after actual predators with no idea what you're dealing with." But K wasn't ready for the low growl that came from her left as Kraven finally came into view. Or at least ... what used to be Kraven.
He was massive ... and very clearly a lion standing on two feet. His face remained mostly familiar along with a huge, black main and the auburn fur, dark claws, and a thick build coiled with muscle. His only item of clothing was the remains of the black pants from his costume, his height only increased from his raised heels. it seemed Kraven had finally found a way to become what he'd always imagined himself: a true predator.
"I will show you what a true predator is. And after I've added your pelt to my collection ... I'll go after your mate. Perhaps he will prove a true challenge with the panther." Instead of responding K simply dashed in and started her attack, a move Kraven with all his bravado of finally stealing and making use of the mutate serum he'd stolen from Weapon X and his previous employer, just never saw coming. But K had trained for months to take on Sabertooth. If Kraven thought she would be intimidated ... he was dead wrong.
K landed plenty of strikes and her speed kept her from getting pinned but all it took was one backhand from Kraven and before she could get her bearings, he had her trapped against a wall, one hand keeping her hands pressed to her chest with his claws as hooks, the other he placed close to the smaller feral's eyes, wishing to smell her fear.
"You are the past. A step in the wrong direction. I am the future ... a return to true predators. My hunt will never end." Kraven almost purred as he brought his face to K's.
"You're not actually still lecturing ME on what a predator is, are you? Squishy, sad little wannbe chasing after actual predators with no idea what you're dealing with." She lashed out fast and hard, landing an adamantium laced kick and Kraven grabbed his bleeding muzzle as he stumbled back, surprised by the power of the small woman's when she had so little room to move.
"Suka." Kraven spat out a fang, but K just smiled as she motioned for Kraven to come get some more and with a roar Kraven rushed in and after a few exchanges let loose a roar of triumphs he stabbed a fist full of claws into the woman's stomach, slyly digging it in before pulling it up her belly. Relishing at how she cursed. He had wanted to be in peak physical condition when he faced off with Apex and there was no way about it ... he had no time to play with his prey this time ... he had to kill her there and then. Surprisingly it didn't take much to overpower her. Another set of claws to the side and he had the berserker pinned to the floor. Grinning he sadistically pressed each of his foot onto her outstretched arms. Using his weight to hold her there and prevent her from using those claws.
"I have to say… I am disappointed. You're not that hard to kill after all." The Russian sneered as he knelt down. But his sneer faltered as K spat out some blood and once again smiled up at him.
"Kill me? You know, Spidey said that you were a pompous dick ... but he was short selling you." The brunette grinned from under him seemingly oblivious to the pain. Kraven didn't like this but did not let his confidence falter. He had heard many stories of this woman's infamous tongue.
"Then what would you call this?" He smiled back while K just seemed to laugh dryly.
"Stalling." And Kraven frowned.
"Stalling?"
"Buddy, if I wanted you dead. You'd be dead. Too bad fuzz already had dibs." And Kraven actually looked puzzled as a tearing sound followed by a huge bang filled the hall, the obviously metal doors shredded from adamantium shards, as what must have been a freight train suddenly collided into Kraven. He didn't even have time to get on his feet before he was picked up again and slammed against a wall, the force enough to send the two felines crashing out into the forest along with a fair amount of debris, followed by a roar loud enough to echo through the entire estate.
But Kraven smiled.
"Panthera ... finally you have come." Kraven actually seemed glad to see the panther growling murderously at him.
"To kill you." Apex growled as his eyes turned white.
"Finally." Kraven rumbled and the two massive cats collided.
