The tension was palpable as Logan and Beta faced off in the dimly lit clearing outside, far enough from the Chicago Outfit's main base but still close enough for the echoes of the fight to reverberate. Logan's claws gleamed under the faint light as he sized up Beta, the hulking amalgamation of animalistic DNA and human experimentation.
"Monster," Logan said, his voice low and steady, his eyes locked onto Beta's glowing, predatory gaze.
Beta's expression twisted with fury. "Monster... MONSTER!!!" he roared, his voice a guttural growl that resonated in the night.
With an animalistic scream, Beta charged at Logan, the ground shaking under the sheer force of his movement. Logan stood his ground, waiting until the last possible second before sidestepping the attack with precision.
"Mindless beast," Logan muttered as he spun on his heel, slashing his claws across Beta's torso in a fluid motion. Blood sprayed from the wound, but Logan's confidence faltered as he watched the gashes knit themselves together almost instantly.
"Tsk," Logan clicked his tongue in frustration. "Regeneration on top of that monster strength. Figures."
Beta's growling grew deeper, his fury intensifying. With a deafening roar, he unleashed a punch at blinding speed. Logan barely had time to react, crossing his arms to block the incoming attack. The impact was catastrophic, the force of the punch sending Logan hurtling through the air like a ragdoll. He crashed into a cluster of trees, the wood splintering under the weight of his body.
Logan groaned as he hit the ground, pain radiating from his arms. He glanced down, seeing the grotesque angles of his broken bones. "Damn it," he growled, shaking his head as his mutant healing factor kicked in. The broken bones realigned, and his arms regenerated swiftly, good as new.
Beta, seeing Logan rise again, let out a guttural laugh, mocking his opponent. "Strong... N-ot enough."
Logan rolled his shoulders, his claws flexing in and out as he regained his stance. "You're strong, alright," he admitted, his voice steady despite the tension. "But strength alone isn't enough to take me down."
Beta's enraged growls echoed across the clearing as he lunged forward, his massive frame hurtling toward Logan with unstoppable momentum. Logan, undeterred, mirrored Beta's ferocity, dropping to all fours and charging like an animal, his claws tearing into the dirt as he moved.
"You're a monster? Then I'll be the beast that brings you down!" Logan roared, his voice raw with intensity.
Beta snarled in response, his speech stilted but forceful. "I... Beta... strong!" The words came out broken, his intelligence dulled by the cruel experiments that made him what he was.
Logan smirked darkly, mocking him even as he moved. "Wh-what ar-e you even saying, ya dumb brute?" he taunted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. His pace quickened, claws gleaming as he leapt through the air toward Beta, aiming to drive his adamantium claws deep into the monster's chest.
The strike landed true, Logan's claws sinking into Beta's thick torso. But to Logan's shock, Beta barely flinched. The massive creature stood firm, blood seeping from the wound but showing no signs of faltering.
"I am... STRONG!!!" Beta roared, his voice shaking the ground beneath them.
With a sudden, violent motion, Beta shook Logan loose, his massive hand swinging in a brutal arc. Logan narrowly ducked the punch, rolling to the side and slashing at Beta's legs in retaliation. The sharp claws left deep gashes, but Beta only grew angrier, his movements becoming more erratic and forceful.
Beta let out an enraged roar, his eyes glowing with primal fury as he lashed out wildly, shaking off Logan's attack like an insect. Logan was thrown to the ground with a heavy thud, skidding to a halt as he quickly scrambled to his feet.
"Tsk," Logan muttered under his breath, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. He glared at Beta, his sharp eyes studying the creature's every move. "This isn't gonna be easy. But I didn't come here for easy."
Beta, now fully consumed by rage, charged again, his strength and speed increasing with every passing moment. Logan dug his claws into the ground, bracing himself for the storm that was Beta, ready to meet the beast head-on.
............
Inside the luxurious halls of the Chicago Outfit's public-facing operations, Lenore Van Ryn exuded an air of sophistication and poise. She led Gil Felcoms through the polished showroom, her gestures graceful as she showcased the latest designs from the Outfit's fashion line. Everything about her screamed confidence and control, the perfect facade for a business that, beneath the surface, harbored dark secrets.
Gil, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, nodded politely as Lenore explained the intricate details of the designs. However, his mind wasn't entirely on the clothes.
A distant, guttural roar echoed faintly through the walls, enough to catch his attention. "Seriously," Gil said, glancing toward the direction of the sound. "There's a loud noise outside. It almost sounds like some kind of beast shouting in the distance."
Lenore didn't miss a beat, her expression remaining composed as she dismissed his concern with a wave of her hand. "That must be some animal," she said smoothly. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. The city has its quirks, after all. Now, shall we move on to the next design?"
Gil hesitated for a moment, his instincts telling him there was more to the noise than Lenore let on. But his ambition quickly overrode his suspicion. "Yes, please proceed," he said, flashing a charming smile to mask his unease.
As Lenore continued the tour, her tone remained engaging, but her mind was elsewhere. She wasn't naive—she knew something significant was happening on the lower levels. But for Lenore, that was irrelevant. Her focus was singular: climb the ranks of the Chicago Outfit and cement her place at the top. Whatever chaos unfolded below, it wasn't her problem—not yet, anyway.
Gil, meanwhile, walked alongside her, his thoughts churning. "There's something fishy about this place," he mused silently. (But that doesn't matter right now. All I need is to prove to my family that I'm just as capable as any Felcoms. This deal could be my chance to shine.)
With both parties holding their secrets close, they moved deeper into the showroom, oblivious—or perhaps indifferent—to the storm brewing below.
...........
Inside the Chicago Outfit's grandiose halls, Mindy and Loe moved silently, cloaked in the perfect invisibility granted by the Michael's flashlight. They had already slipped past the numerous guards stationed at key points, their stealth unmatched.
Mindy glanced at the map on her wrist device, her sharp eyes scanning for their target. "Loe, we're here," she whispered, her voice barely audible as she gestured to a side hallway. "They must be down there."
Loe, ever the cautious one, kept his eyes scanning their surroundings, his grip tightening on his utility tool. "Where exactly are they, Mindy?"
Mindy pointed toward a reinforced elevator at the far end of the corridor, the kind that required special clearance. "They're in the lower level," she confirmed. "That's where the experiments are happening. It's where they'll be."
Loe nodded, his jaw tightening as determination settled over him. "Let's go. We can't waste time.
The duo moved swiftly and silently toward the elevator, blending seamlessly with their surroundings. Despite their invisibility, they remained cautious, knowing the Chicago Outfit was not short on advanced tech and traps. Every step brought them closer to the heart of the operation, where they would confront not only the Outfit's crimes but perhaps horrors they hadn't anticipated.
As Loe and Mindy advanced toward the elevator, Loe murmured under his breath, "We'll meet again soon, Alphonse."
The words hung in the air, quiet but charged with emotion. His hand subconsciously clenched into a fist, the tension in his body betraying the storm of thoughts racing through his mind.
"This time," Loe thought, his resolve hardening, (I'll stop you for real.)
Mindy glanced at him briefly, sensing his intensity but choosing not to comment. She understood. They had both been haunted by Capone's actions in their own ways, and this mission meant more than just another job.
As they reached the elevator, Loe pressed the button, his expression unreadable but his thoughts clear: "This ends now, Alphonse."
...........
The fight raged on, the room echoing with the sounds of combat: fists connecting, grunts of effort, and the occasional crash of furniture being overturned.
Alphonse, towering and seemingly unstoppable, slammed Gustav into the ground with brutal force. The impact left a dent in the flooring as Gustav winced, clutching Alphonse's massive hands to keep him at bay.
"You three pests!" Alphonse bellowed, his voice filled with both irritation and amusement. He seemed to revel in his own dominance.
Gustav gritted his teeth, barely holding Alphonse's grip back. With desperation, he shouted, "Nightwing!"
Mark responded immediately. "On it!" he yelled, twirling his baton and hurling it with precision toward Alphonse's exposed side.But Alphonse was quicker. With a wicked grin, he pulled Gustav in front of him, using him as a human shield.
"Wait—!" Gustav shouted, but it was too late. The baton struck him squarely on the shoulder.
"Sorry! My bad!" Mark called out with a sheepish grin, though his eyes betrayed his frustration at the missed opportunity.
Chris, ever the strategist, circled Alphonse with his knife in hand, his sharp eyes scanning for an opening. He moved with precision and patience, his mind racing to analyze Alphonse's movements.
Alphonse turned his attention to Chris, his grin widening. "What's the matter? Can't find my weak spot?"
Chris sneered, gripping his knife tighter. "Fuck you," he spat, his voice low but filled with venom.
On the sidelines, Vivian watched the chaotic scene unfold. Her hands were clenched tightly together, her expression a mix of fear and determination. Her heart ached as she saw Gustav struggling against Alphonse's strength, his resolve unyielding despite the pain.
"Everyone..." she whispered, her voice filled with worry, her hands trembling as she took a hesitant step forward. Her instincts screamed for her to intervene, but she knew she couldn't match Alphonse's raw power.
Vivian's heart raced as she stood frozen, watching the battle unfold. The chaos around her was deafening, but her thoughts were louder.
"What can I do? I can't just stand here…" she thought desperately, her eyes darting from Gustav, struggling against Alphonse, to Mark and Chris, who were trying their hardest to hold their ground.
Suddenly, a calm yet firm voice echoed in her mind.
"Vivian, we are coming," the voice said.
Vivian blinked in surprise, immediately recognizing who it was. "Mindy?" she thought back, her tone tinged with relief.
Mindy's voice came again, confident and unfazed. "Me and Loe are on our way. There are a lot of guards here, and it seems they can detect us even with the invisible light… but don't worry, we've beaten them all up."
Vivian couldn't help but let out a small, awkward laugh at Mindy's casual confidence. The image of Mindy, a petite girl with sharp wit, effortlessly taking down guards was both amusing and reassuring.
"That sounds... impressive," Vivian thought back, unsure how else to respond. Her tone carried a mix of admiration and disbelief. Mindy's telepathic powers had always been remarkable, but her fearlessness was something Vivian could only marvel at.
Mindy's response was warm but decisive. "Stay calm. We're almost there. Just hang on."
Vivian took a deep breath, her nerves settling slightly. She glanced back at the fight, her resolve hardening. "Alright," she thought. "But hurry, Mindy. I don't know how much longer they can hold him off."
The telepathic connection faded as Vivian steeled herself. Even though she wasn't directly in the fight, the knowledge that reinforcements were on the way gave her a glimmer of hope. She clenched her fists, her determination growing stronger by the second. "Just a little longer…" she whispered.
To be continue