He had planned for every contingency. He had dispatched the mutants with enough time to handle Wolverine. However, he had not prepared for this feral mutant that stood alongside him. Why had the General not briefed him on her? He did not question his own abilities, but the element of surprise was not something he particularly preferred to grant to the enemy. Regardless, Wolverine was coming with him. There was no other option.

"Don't let the look fool you Tigger. This guy has had training. Remember to employ your own." Logan instructed…right before going berserk and lunging at the giant leopard with his own feral roar. Typical, Greer mentally rolled her eyes and followed Logan on the offensive.

The fight only went on for a few minutes, but it was clear Logan had been correct. Even against the two of them, this invader was holding his own. Blocking their attacks with gauntlets on his wrists or dodging most of their attacks, he seemed to be moving simply too fluidly, too fast, for anything that size. His own attacks involved not only his lethal claws, but elbows and knees, which felt capable on smashing concrete and Greer was certain without her healing factor, her bones as well. Soon, Greer and Logan were catching their breaths and allowing their own claw marks to heal as the invader did the same.

What do we need to take this monster down? Greer grumbled to herself. Despite the wounds healing on both herself and Logan, Greer felt that she and Logan had the advantage, if barely, and could eventually take him down. But she was worried about her friends still inside the mansion. It was time she and Logan finished this. Circling to her left, Logan followed her lead and slowly they attempted to surround their attacker.

Damn HQ for not warning me about this mutant! I was not prepared for something capable of matching my own strengths. His wounds were healing but not fast enough. He recognized a losing situation and retreat seemed like his only tactical move left. Then his com link came alive, "Predator clearance certified. Prepare." NO! The General had promised to not take control aga-. And that was his last coherent thought he had as the changes took over.

As Greer was about to give Logan a signal to attack, a sudden beeping emanating from the monster caught her attention. She had not noticed it before but in addition to the gauntlets he was wearing on top of the wrappings, he appeared to have a metal collar beneath his mane as well, and it was these that were beeping. A sudden look of fury appeared on the invaders face and for the briefest of moments, she thought she saw something resembling fear in his golden eyes. He took a few staggered steps away from her and Logan and tensed himself, as if from an attack from some unseen enemy, and suddenly stopped and let out a blood-curling roar of pain. His eyes wide, he continued to roar as a familiar noise reached Greer's ears: ***SHINK***

What appeared like adamantium bone thrust through his fur at each elbow and knee. He appeared to increase in size as every muscle became tense and stood out against his skin, the veins in his neck bulging. But the starkest change occurred to his eyes. Where before the golden irises had projected focus and intelligence, became suddenly blank as a white light emanated from his eyes, similar to the red haze the covered Greer's when she succumbed to her feral instincts.

As he slowly lowered his head, his roar of pain suddenly dying in his throat, he appeared to simply be content to stand there and look intimidating, a constant growl coming from his throat. Greer could have sworn she heard a crackle and then her sharp hearing picked up another voice, "Terminate the unnecessary target." With that, he turned his attention to Greer and slowly began to approach. While shocked at the sudden transformation that had taken place before her, Greer prepared herself for the coming fight. While shaken, she was not about to let Logan or this monstrosity see her as weak. That was when the next surprise came and it was even more shocking than the last.

Cliffhanger! For the eyes, think pissed off gargoyles.

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