A New Threat

chapter 8: Commotion
The police emptied the school of all its residents and through the commotion, Logan lost sight of Danielle.  He called for her frantically, sniffing the air for her scent, while holding his daughter.  

In the distance, Van Helsing watched the crowd of people being herded together and piled into several large police vans.  From the corner of his eye, he saw a familiar shadow – the hell beast he had thought he had destroyed centuries ago.  The creature carried something in his arms and Van Helsing followed as best as he could.

Van Helsing traveled into the heart of New York City miles away following the winged figure as it flew threw the sky.  He was a master tracker of unholy creatures and his unnatural speed could not be explained.  As Van Helsing entered the city, he watched with night vision binoculars.  The beast flew into the window of a tall apartment building.

“This is too easy,” he mused.

In the meantime, Xavier was brought before the Chief of Police and Agent Roy MacPherson, a member of the FBI.

“I beg you to release us.  None of the residents of the school pose any harm to anyone,” Xavier pleaded.

“I dare say I differ with you.  There are five officers trying to restrain one of your residents now,” Agent MacPherson replied.

Xavier stretched out with his mind and made contact with the agitated Wolverine, demanding him to calm down and not make matters worse.

“Please explain why it is you have arrested us,” Xavier said.

“All over the country, mutants have been found banding together into groups and beginning to cause riots.  They say they are demanding freedom – while we have it on good authority that they – you – are looking to take over the world.”

“What evidence do you have of this?”

Chief Stevens handed Xavier one of the flyers that has been circulated all over the country.

“This is no proof that any of my students are involved,” Xavier said while handing back the flyer.

“I’m sorry, but this decision comes down from the President of the United States himself,” MacPherson said.

Xavier was not surprised.  Even though the X Team’s visit to the President after the Alkali Lake mission left him hopeful of good things to happen for mutants, it was now very apparent the fears of mutants had again peeked and this fear reached the highest of all US officials.  They took Xavier back to one of the cells holding Jean and Scott.  Across from them were Logan, Rogue, Bobby and several of the younger residents.

“I can get us all out of here.  These cages are only made of steel,” Logan said as he extended the claws on his left hand.

“Logan, you will only make matters worse.  I must use some diplomacy here.  Violence and escape is not an option here,” Xavier said.

“Can you implant some memories to let us go?” Scott asked.

“I can, but it still will not solve the problem that faces us.  I would rather try this and resort to using my powers if necessary.”

Just then, Kurt was brought down to the cell block holding his comrades.

“Kurt!” Jean cried out.

“I’m ok.  They do not believe our innocence.  Another three men were just murdered in the same way,” Kurt said as he was tossed into the cell.

Xavier reached out with his telepathy.  He felt he no longer had a choice.  He reached the police chief and planted suggestions for their freedom and a promise to find the murderer, even if he was a mutant, and promised to bring this person to justice.  Agent MacPherson refused but since the murders were in the chief’s jurisdiction, there was no choice.  The Xavier School residents were freed without further adieu.


Van Helsing entered the halls of the penthouse suite the Count called home and flung the servant against the wall.

“Where is your master?” Gabriel snarled as he lifted the man and held him by his neck against the wall.

“Please, do not hurt me!”

“Where is he!?”

“On his way home to Europe!  I swear it!  He left just a little over a half hour ago!”

Gabriel dropped the man and headed out the door.


Van Helsing followed the beast – hunting a creature he was determined to destroy.  He instinctively knew the Count would be returning to his native homeland.

The Count had indeed gone home – back to the still remote mountain regions in Europe.  He had his beast woman who was unable to fight the Count.  His ability to get into her mind left her defenseless to fight him.  The Count promised to spoil her with everything a woman could desire and he promised himself to make her belong solely to him – he would erase the memories of her former mate and her child.  He wanted her all to himself – claiming her as his new mate and to make her the force that would bring supremacy over all creatures to the Count.

After reaching his home, the Count left her in a sealed room of stone with no windows and the only source of light was the candelabras on the walls.  She was made to sleep by his commanding powers.  The Count knew it would take a great deal to fully conquer her as the animal part of her wanted her freedom.    

Stephan inhaled the late afternoon air.  There was the scent of approaching danger and he quickly entered the castle to report to his master.

“Van Helsing,” the count murmured to himself.

As much as he craved a new bride, he now desired a rematch with his old adversary.  He was surprised Van Helsing arrived so quickly.  Dracula ordered Stephan to lock the door and protect his new female companion.  

Gabriel entered the castle with extreme caution and his crossbow ready to fire.  Stephan turned into a wolf beast and attacked Gabriel.  Through all the commotion, Danielle regressed into Panther, used her claws to cut open a way out of her room and headed down the hall.  She fought Gabriel in an attempt to escape and Gabriel could only assume she was another of the Count’s evil partners.

Gabriel was confronted by the wolf beast and destroyed him with one shot of a silver tipped arrow.  The Count fled vowing to meet with Van Helsing again and turned into the hell beast and took flight.  Gabriel didn’t understand the Count’s lack of desire to fight.  Perhaps it was a remnant of fear of what had happened to him before.  

Van Helsing then wheeled around, ran outside where he jumped aboard his horse and quickly galloped off in pursuit.  Van Helsing followed the trail of tracks in the mud hunting a woman beast.  Vivid images returned to him of times of old when he hunted the Wolfman.

He followed her as she ran through the village dodging the people without harming any one of them.  Gabriel didn’t understand – this creature was indeed capable of killing and if she was one of the Count’s evil bitches, she would have no love of life other than her own.  He tracked her until it became too dark to follow.  Gabriel lit a fire and sat down by it taking part of some of his rations.