Chapter Eight: Truths
In a Secure Meeting Room in the Justice League's Headquarters
The atmosphere in the secure room was tense. Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman, and Catwoman stood together, their gazes fixed on Wolverine, who leaned casually against a wall with his arms crossed. Sylvia sat near the center of the room, her fists clenched in her lap as she fought to contain the turmoil inside her. Her father's name was all too fresh in her mind, and every mention of Sabretooth had her on edge. The room was designed for high-level discussions, with reinforced walls and advanced surveillance to ensure privacy. The League members knew that any discussion involving Sabretooth would require the utmost caution, especially with Sylvia's connection to him.
Wolverine broke the silence, his gravelly voice filling the room. "Sabretooth—Victor Creed—he's not someone you want to underestimate. He's not just a meta. He's a killer. A predator. And when it comes to family… he's never been one for loyalty, unless it suits him."
Superman stepped forward, his posture rigid. "You know him well, then. You're saying he has a personal connection to Sylvia?" Wolverine's sharp eyes flicked to Sylvia, then back to Superman. "Yeah. He's her father. I've known Creed for years. I never trusted him. He's cruel, manipulative, and he always finds a way to stay in the shadows. He's had a hand in a lot of bloodshed. And I'll be honest, I've been looking for a way to take him down for a long time." Batman spoke next, his voice low and measured. "And you didn't think to mention this sooner? Sabretooth is one of the most dangerous metas alive."
Wolverine narrowed his eyes. "I didn't know she was here. And frankly, I didn't think it mattered. Until now. But I'll tell you this—he won't let her go. Victor's blood runs through her, and in his twisted mind, that makes her his property. He's used her before, and he'll do it again." Sylvia's hands gripped the armrests of the chair, her jaw tightening. She wasn't sure whether it was the thought of her father or the idea of being treated like property that hurt more. Her emotions were a raw, jagged mess. "What does that mean? What's he going to do?" Wolverine took a deep breath, a look of grim understanding crossing his face. "It means he's not done with you, kid. He has a way of making people do things. He's a master of manipulation, and if he thinks he can use you to get what he wants, he will. And he won't hesitate to hurt you or anyone else who gets in his way." Catwoman crossed her arms, her expression cold but thoughtful. "And what's to stop him from coming here and tearing this place apart to get to her?"
Wolverine's gaze met hers. "Nothing. Not unless you're ready for a fight. And I'm sure you're all familiar with what Sabretooth can do. He's got the same healing factor I've got, plus enhanced strength, speed, and senses. He's relentless." Wonder Woman stepped forward, her voice commanding but understanding. "You know we'll protect her, Logan. But we need information. The more we know about Sabretooth's tactics, the better prepared we'll be."
Wolverine nodded slowly. "I can tell you one thing. He's methodical. He doesn't rush in. He watches, waits, and he knows how to use people's weaknesses against them. He could already be watching us. Hell, he might have eyes on this place right now." Superman's brow furrowed. "What's his next move, then? Is he already planning to come for Sylvia?" Wolverine shook his head. "That's the thing with Creed. He's unpredictable. But he'll move when he's ready. And when he does, it won't be just you that he targets. He'll come after everything and everyone connected to Sylvia. He'll use her emotions to get to her. You've got to be ready for anything."
Sylvia stood up suddenly, her voice trembling with both anger and fear. "I won't be used. Not again. I'm done being his pawn. And I'm not going anywhere." Wonder Woman moved to her side, her hand resting gently on Sylvia's shoulder. "We won't let that happen, Sylvia. You're not alone in this. We'll fight with you." Batman glanced at Wolverine, his expression unreadable. "You've fought him before. Have you ever defeated him?" Wolverine's eyes darkened. "I've fought him a hundred times. I've knocked him down, but he always gets back up. The only way to end it is to make sure he doesn't have a way to come back. But even then, it's not easy. He's like a shadow—always lurking, always waiting." The silence that followed was heavy. The heroes knew the gravity of the situation. They would have to prepare not only for Sabretooth's eventual move but also for the toll it would take on Sylvia. She had her own demons to face, ones that Wolverine knew all too well. Finally, Superman spoke. "We'll protect you, Sylvia. But you need to understand that Sabretooth is a threat to everyone here. It's not just about you anymore. He's dangerous, and if he's coming for you, he'll stop at nothing to get to you."
Sylvia nodded, her fists clenched. "I get it. But I'm not running. I'll fight him. I'll fight him with everything I have." Wolverine looked at her with a mix of respect and caution. "You've got guts. But guts alone won't take down someone like Creed. If you're serious about this, you'll need training. And you'll need to trust us." Sylvia met his gaze, her expression firm. "I trust you. But I'm doing this my way." Wolverine smiled faintly. "That's the spirit. Just remember, you don't have to do it alone."
He looked at the League for a moment, before turning back to Sylvia. "But here's the thing—if you want to take Creed down, you're going to have to get a grip on yourself. I'm not talking about your powers. I'm talking about your instincts. I've been there. I know what it's like to feel like you're losing control. You're a fighter. I can see that. But you're also a little… wild. I had someone teach me how to rein it in, how to channel that rage, how to use it without letting it use me. If you want, I can teach you the same thing." Sylvia's eyes widened, her voice softer. "You'd teach me?" Wolverine nodded, his gaze steady. "Yeah. There was a guy, a good friend, who taught me how to control my… darker side. He helped me find balance. If you're serious about stopping your old man, you'll need that same kind of discipline. It won't be easy. But I think you've got it in you." Sylvia looked down, her emotions swirling. The thought of controlling the beast inside her, of actually having some measure of control, was something she hadn't considered. But if there was a chance to be stronger, to not be a pawn, maybe it was worth it. Finally, she looked up, meeting Wolverine's eyes. "Alright. Teach me. I'm ready."
As the conversation continued, Wonder Woman spoke up, looking slightly confused. "You keep referring to Sabretooth as a 'mutant.' You've mentioned that he's dangerous, but you've also said you share certain abilities. But we call people like you metas. What's the difference?" Wolverine paused, eyes narrowing as he took in Wonder Woman's question. "Ah, yeah. That's a common misconception. You see, 'meta'—or metahuman, as you all say here—is a term used for individuals who develop powers due to external factors, like science experiments or freak accidents. Mutants, on the other hand, are born with these abilities—they're in our DNA from the start. That means my healing factor, my claws, my senses… they're all natural to me, part of my biology. Sabretooth? Same deal. We're not 'created' by any outside force. It's just who we are. There's a lot of history behind it, but that's the main difference."
Superman, looking even more concerned, spoke next. "So, he's not like the metas we know. He's more dangerous, and you believe he has more control over his abilities than the average meta?" Wolverine nodded. "Exactly. Sabretooth's been alive for a very long time, and his healing factor is a lot more refined than most metas. He can heal almost instantly, regenerate from nearly anything, and he's been honing his abilities for decades. He's a predator by nature."