[Issue 11] Hunting the Hunter

[Sergei Kravinoff]

Rage grows on Kraven's face as he perceives the bubble enveloping him again. He struggles to his feet, limping slightly with the leg that Ryan hit and still holding one end of the net as if it were a weapon.

Ready to swing it, he backed further into the cave, where a number of crates were. In the dim light, an odd stylized sunburst symbol could be seen stenciled in black on their sides.

[Nick Varkan]

Nick came closer, forcefully flinging a crate at Kraven.

[Sergei Kravinoff]

Kraven roared, staggered to a knee as the crate slammed into him and shoved him further back into the cavern.

"I do not think I like your friends so much, my bird of prey! They do not appreciate the joy of this like you or I, yes?" He called, grunting.

[Nick Varkan]

"Hey Gabriel, the demented supervillain doesn't like me. How will ever I go on?" he asked mockingly.

[Ryan Gabriel]

Ryan growled as he dragged his way out from under Steph. "I.. am not... ENJOYING THIS!" he screamed in a blind rage as he launched himself at Kraven, powers flaring. He wasn't looking to knock him out... he wasn't looking to hurt him... no, after all that had been done to him, to his friends, by THIS bastard? Ryan was trying to kill him.

[Sergei Kravinoff]

"One of us is honest about what we want here," he said as his grin returned, tumbling back at Ryan's onslaught. One of his hands seemed to be groping about for something in the equipment at the back of the cave, while his other frantically blocked Ryan's blows, his breath quickening.

[Stephanie Kaltiera]

Steph growled and kicked herself up after Ryan extricated himself from under her and charged towards Kraven as well.

[Rachel O'Brien]

Rachel reached in to Kraven's mind, and felt what Ryan was starting to do to him "Ryan! Stop!" she shouted "You're killing him!"

[Sergei Kravinoff]

"Ah, finally such fire in you! But I do no think your friends will let you do what you really want, yes?"

He laid his hand on something metallic.

"...so make it good," he said with a manic grin.

[Ryan Gabriel]

"Exactly!" Ryan snarled, pulling on that sweet sweet lifeforce some more...

[Stephanie Kaltiera]

Steph realized what was happening mid-charge and changed her tactic slightly.

"Ryan! No!" she roared as she made a flying tackle for Kraven, aiming to get in the way of the transfer, (and maybe get a few punches in if she had any strength left).

[Ryan Gabriel]

Ryan felt the change even before his mind had a chance to register that Stephanie had gotten in the way, and cut the power off, snarling as he yanked the knife from his belt and tried to rush past Stephanie.

[Sergei Kravinoff]

Kraven gave another laugh, punctuated by a stuttering cough as he went to shove Steph off, his strength failing him somewhat.

"Even you would deny him this? Perhaps none of you are ready..."

He clapped the metallic object to his chest.

"...but I am!"

Pressing a button on the object, there was a sudden rush of air towards the spot he stood on, accompanied by a violet light. In its wake, all that was left of Kraven was an ashen outline, and the smell of brimstone...

[Ryan Gabriel]

"NO! DAMN it!" Ryan bellowed, throwing the knife where Kraven had been as he collapsed onto his knees.

[Stephanie Kaltiera]

Steph coughed as she inhaled some of what remained of Kraven, and tried to force herself to shift back human.

"Ryan...it's okay. This is better. You're not a killer."

She was beyond caring about how little clothing she had left at this point.

[Byrna Cooper]

Bear was visibly shaken as she made her way into the cave, making sure the area was secured.

"Is everyone okay?" She asked, looking worriedly at Ryan.

[David Renko]

Renko followed behind Bear seeing Stephanie shifted back to human he removed the jacket portion of his uniform.

"Here," Renko said holding out his jacket to Stephanie while looking around the room.

[Rachel O'Brien]

"He's gone." Rachel said "Not dead, I don't think."

[Narrator]

Scattered around were several of the crates, most opened and ransacked, all bearing the black sunburst stenciled on the side.

[Stephanie Kaltiera]

"Thanks," she said distantly, the jacket mostly sitting over her shoulders like a cloak.

[David Renko]

Renko not wanting to make another mistake put a hand of Stephanie's shoulder for a moment before going to look through the crates.

[Ryan Gabriel]

Ryan gritted his teeth, taking a deep breath. "Then let's not stick around. Someone make a call and get this place sealed down fast."

[Narrator]

There wasn't much left. A few more collars, some radio equipment, nothing like what Kraven had grabbed at the last.

[Nick Varkan]

"I fucking hate it when they get away," Nick grumbled.