A New Threat

chapter 11: The War Begins
Danielle woke up in unfamiliar surroundings.  It had been a month since she actually felt conscious of herself.  She got up on wobbly legs and walked to the window of her room.  There were iron bars on it – obviously meant to keep the occupant inside.  Outside, the sun was shining brightly.  Trees were full of leaves – broad leaves of varying shapes and sizes.  Roses were in bloom in the yard.  The grounds were meticulously well kept.

She took in a deep breath and had series of flashbacks – flashbacks of people and places.  She first saw a large stone mansion.  Then, there was a rugged man with long metal claws.  A child with long curly brown hair smiled sweetly.  Other faces drifted into her subconscious – a dark haired man wearing strange red eyeglasses – a tall African woman with white eyes and white hair – a redheaded woman wearing a white lab coat – a bald man in a wheelchair.  Then, there was nothing.  She leaned against the window and placed her hand on her belly.  There was a deep emptiness inside her and she wanted to cry.

Those faces must have been people she knew but couldn’t remember now – there were no names.  She felt a deep desire to escape – to find out where these people were.  Escape would be easy.  Her captor didn’t know she could do so easily with a slash of her adamantium claws – she looked to her hands and remembered she had those.

Just then – just before she could pop her claws, the door opened.

“Darling, you are awake.”

His voice was deep and seductive and entrancing.

“Set me free,” she begged as a tear drifted down her cheek.

“Why, my sweet?”

She tried to remember.  Her mind was so fragile.  Part of her sensed she didn’t belong here and part of her wished to submit to the delicate desire of her visitor.  She closed her eyes and shook her head trying to rid herself of the cobwebs filling her mind – to remember – she wanted to remember.  Her eyes widened with fear – her animal heart knew instinctively she didn’t belong here.

“I want to go home,” she labored to say.

He rushed to her sensing her desire to escape.  He enveloped her in arms like iron – a grip so strong and tight she thought her chest would collapse.  The dark sinister eyes bore deep into hers.  She saw his anger with her, his rage – like a wild animal that had captured his prey and would never relinquish his grip.  Then, his eyes softened and a hand gently slid over her cheek.  He mesmerized her – capturing her very soul with a deep stare and soft touch.  She forgot about her desire to escape, forgot why she was questioning where she was, and she was now under his command and would do whatever he desired.

“You are home, my dear,” he whispered to her.

The Count leaned into her – his embrace loving and sweet.  She felt an urge deep down inside – a primal force of wanting and needing.  His hands slid over her sides gently caressing her sleek form until they rounded up her front side – traveling over her belly to just beneath her heaving breasts.  The sensations running through her body were so erotic – as if they were so alien and yet so familiar. 

She closed her eyes and sighed softly enjoying his touch.  His hand slid up between her breasts journeying with exploring fingers to her neck.  The sensitive pads of his fingers felt her racing pulse.  Her head tilted back and exposed the vulnerable flesh of her neck.  He listened carefully hearing her blood coursing through her veins and without further hesitation he took her.

She winced for just a second as the fangs sank into her flesh piercing her skin and the carotid artery.  Her body felt light like a feather and as he took her, and she felt as if a part of him was inside her.  She thought she could hear him speaking to her even though he was not saying a word.  He moaned softly as he drank.  She felt a sensation – a deep feeling – of feeling owned.  She belonged to him and only him and now they were a part of each other. 

He felt her skin demanding his release.  Her healing factor was trying to mend the wound and he was forced to bite down again.  He drank down the warm blood as it flowed freely from the wounds, revitalizing his body, and she didn’t fight him.  She couldn’t.  She didn’t wish to.  She wanted him to take her – to make her his own.  She felt she would do anything if he commanded.  And, she would die to protect him.  He had taken command of her animal side – subdued her primal spirit and bridled her to obey his every order and desire.  Her first test of her obedience and loyalty was about to happen.



The tensions between mutants and humans were rising and fighting was increasing all over the US – some of the city streets had turned into battlefields.  The Count laughed heartily as he watched media coverage on the nightly news.  It was now time to strike.  It was time to move forward and take command – to declare himself a leader for mutant freedom, but only he would know his hidden agenda.

Mutants were struggling for a chance to live life without being hated or feared, except that would not be now.  Humans were too afraid of losing their position at the top of the food chain.  The victims of the unknown killer were numbering into the hundreds now, and Xavier ordered a lock down of the mansion to protect the children under his care.  Logan declared himself the one-man army and defense of the mansion.  He swore to protect his adoptive family, his own daughter, and to find his missing love.  His heart ached for her – for together, they were a deadly fighting duo.

Cyclops was still Team leader and now put his knowledge in military strategy to work, with some guidance from the older more experienced soldier Wolverine.

Kurt continued to pray in church hoping that God would intervene and set all things right.  As the days passed and the fighting increased, Kurt wondered if God was hearing his pleas for peace.  He also worried more about Ororo.  With the increased tensions and fighting going on, her heart boiled with anger again.  She had always been angry with human society – with their hate and fear of mutants because they were different – special.

“Please, Storm, have faith that this will work out in the end,” Kurt pleaded.

“Kurt, I honor your faith, but I need my anger.  It has always helped me survive.”

“But, anger is not the way to find peace and understanding.”

“There won’t be any peace or understanding now.  Kurt, the President is having all mutants arrested.  It is only a matter of time that they will come here.”

“Charles will not allow that.  He has convinced the police to leave us alone.”

“I know.  But, the President is the law of this land.  If he orders our arrest, there will be no choice and we will have to fight.”



The Count decided to show himself to the public.  Outside on the grass covered lawn of the White House, the Count appeared with Panther by his side.  There were more mutants who had traveled to Washington DC.  They were carrying signs saying ‘Mutant Freedom’ on them in a peaceful display of protest.  They shouted in anger about the outrage of having to fight for freedom.

“Are you going to stand for this?  We are the supreme beings!” the Count called out.

“We need to join together as a show of force!  We are the Brotherhood!”

Erik Lehnsherr had heard about the demonstrations and about the man who had appeared inciting a desire of unity amongst the mutant population.  He decided to travel there himself – to meet this new voice for mutant freedom.  Magneto wondered about this Count after his unusual request to have his side hand, Sabertooth, join him.  He was also more curious now as it was his desire to unite the entire mutant community into his Brotherhood.

“Well, it’s time to meet this Count,” Erik said to Mystique.

The President looked outside the window at the growing population of mutant visitors.

“Sir, they keep coming from all over.  Should we send out the Sentinels?” Commander Smith asked.

“Do you have a sizable enough holding facility?”

“Um… well, not yet.”

“The other thing to keep in mind is that we don’t know what kind of powers we are dealing with here.”

“If I might, Sir.  The Sentinels are all armed with grenade launchers.  The grenades are loaded with gas that will make the mutants sleep.”

“Oh, that’s good.  Then, no harm will come to them and hopefully we can tag each mutant and begin the registration process so we know what kind of powers are out there.”

“So, the Registration Act will be passed?”

“I’m afraid we have no choice but to pass it and put it into immediate effect.”

“Sir, it is time,” a voice called on the intercom.

General Miller had a lump in his throat.  He felt he was betraying the mutant community by partaking in this battle. 

“For God’s sake, my own daughter is a mutant.  She will hate me for doing this,” he cursed himself.

The Sentinels were brought in by way of armed transport.  They were mighty droid robots created and programmed to act as arresting officers.  They would be unaffected by touch, telepathy, or most fire power.  They were made of metal – another new alloy quite like adamantium – but not quite as indestructible.  The one man capable of manipulating adamantium was dead and those trying to follow up on his studies were just not educated or experienced enough to handle adamantium effectively.

“Sir, we are awaiting your orders,” Commander Smith said.

General Miller couldn’t do it.  He just couldn’t be a part of this.  “Do as you will,” he said.

Orders were given to release the Sentinels – their first mission – to arrest all mutants protesting outside of the White House.  In the meantime, General Miller turned to the President.

“Mr. President, I am resigning from the army and relinquishing my command.”

President McKenna looked up into the general’s eyes.

“I can’t say I am not surprised with your decision.  I regret putting you into such a position, but you do understand my situation.”

“Sir, I keep seeing my daughter’s face.  How is she going to feel about this?  How will she feel when she learns I was a part of this?”

“I can’t begin to say I understand your dilemma.  But, the safety of this nation is in my hands and I just don’t think I have any other choice here.”

There was a knock at the door.

Commander Stan Smith walked in.

“Mr. President, we are ready to commence.”

General Miller scratched his head.  He felt so ill with what was about to happen.  Something in his gut wasn’t sitting right with him.  He quietly left and trekked to New York to the Xavier Mansion.

Magneto and his associates arrived and they made their way through the crowd.  He introduced himself and the Count made it known that he admired Erik and his desire to unite the mutant community.

“We are the future – we are what all mankind is to become,” the Count said.

Erik glanced to the side seeing Panther turn around.  A sharp growl escaped her lips and her eyes glowed golden yellow.

“How did you manage to recruit her?” Magneto asked with curiosity.  “She belongs to a force of mutants who don’t believe in fighting for our rights.”

“I showed her the way,” the Count replied while draping his arm over Panther’s shoulder.

“You have quite a force of nature at your side.”

“You are controlling her – she would never have left her Wolverine so easily,” Mystique interjected.

“Wolverine?” the Count asked.

“Her mate and father of her child,” Erik answered.

“Yes… well, control takes convincing and I believe I convinced her that my way – our way – is the right way… for all of us.”

Erik smiled.  He liked this man.  He liked his vision of all mutants united as a supreme force.

“I must ask if you declare yourself leader?”

“It is my wish to lead, but to lead for the benefit and success of all mutants.  We are the future of this world – we are the next step over humankind – and we will be the successors.”

Just then, the Sentinels began to move in.

“The war begins,” Erik said.

“Mutants unite!  Use your gifts to fight this battle!” the Count urged the crowd.

And the protestors did so.  The war began – a battle of mutant versus machines.  Erik found the task of eliminating the machines quite easy.  He crushed the robot monsters with his power over the metal they were constructed of.  The Count laughed heartily with the ease of their success.

Then, the army moved in under orders to protect the President, who was taken into protective custody and under guard.  The Count looked to his new weapon – Panther.

“It is time, my dear.  Show them what you are made of.”

She looked into his eyes as he implanted mind controlling thoughts with the depth of his stare.  Panther shook her head – her strong instincts attempted to fight back – the civilized part of her wanted to surface.  But, the Count was strong – his telepathic abilities overcame her instincts and she went to work.

Panther led the attack on the invading soldiers.  Her claws slashed at any human in her way.  The Count praised her as she fought and that made her continue on.  While under his control, she felt she was doing the right thing – the animal in her was being awarded with the master’s praise and she was happy to please the master.

She moved forward with blood-curdling cries of rage.  Her face and arms became covered in blood as she moved through the onslaught of attackers.  She wounded many men – others died.  She had become an unstoppable force – a creature controlled with a desire for killing.  The Count’s control went deeper than just telepathic suggestion – he was a part of her as she was of him.

Mystique and Sabertooth joined the attack.  The military had no choice but to retreat.  Erik and the Count laughed as how easy the mission was.

“This is just the first step, my friend,” the Count said to Erik.

“Dracula!  Dracula!” a familiar voice sounded in the distance.

Amid the fallen soldiers, Gabriel Van Helsing stood.  He sent his tojo blades in motion knocking Mystique and Sabertooth down.  As Panther wheeled around, Gabriel hesitated to strike.  His heart sank to see her again – to see her covered in blood.  His feelings for her surfaced strongly and he was now on a mission not only to stop the Count but to save the condemned soul of Panther.

She howled with rage and ran full speed towards Van Helsing knocking him to the ground.  His unnatural speed allowed him a chance to push her off and get free before the claws embedded themselves into his flesh.  Her cat like moves had her facing him.  She hunched over and growled.  Her stance was threatening.  Gabriel looked into her eyes.

“Come on, this isn’t really you.  He is controlling you!” he cried out.

She roared and charged.  There was no way to reach the human side of her now.  The animal was free and the animal had tasted blood.