A Challenge

.

He knew he was there before he saw him.

"Is there a reason why you're in my bedroom?"

"Two hours. 162 Bulford Blvd. See me then."Viktor said before vanishing into the night from which he came. Gambit was more than ready for the official challenge. He would take back what belonged to him and if he had to kill Viktor to do it then so be it.

In seconds he was dressed, hanging out of his open window. There was no reason to wait two hours. He would fight Viktor whether he was ready or not. Running at the speed of the undead creature he was he found Viktor at a cemetery with Rouge standing next to him.

"I knew you would come." Viktor smiled, "I am happy that you did not keep us waiting."

"I'm glad I could be of service." He said loosening the buttons of his trench coat and tossing it safely to the side. He rather not have it ruined. He looked rather dashing in it after all.

"Ya know tat this is a challenge Vikki." Gambit said. Viktor nodded, "The winner get's te girl indefinitely."

"So be it."

Viktor and Anna shared a look. She began to walk away. Apparently Viktor didn't want any distractions. He choose to stand alongside a tall grave marker. With the moon behind him it cast shadows over his features that grew uglier as his mouth extended further back. As his human teeth moved in then up and his fangs dropped down to replace them. Every tooth from front to back, top to bottom, were now pincers.

The skin of his human nails receded as the nail surged forward taking on the characteristics of a hawk or an old lady who had yet to clip her nails. His skin palled as his honey eyes bleed red. The hairs on the back of his neck standing.

Gambit was in similar fashion except his eyes were that of the devil how they shown in the darkness rivaling the light of the waning moon.

One could hear the graves stir at how quiet it was between the two males. Neither moved for a whole minute before Viktor lunged forward. Gambit may be strong but he was still a fledgling. He would not understand his gifts.

A true vampire could move in the shadows as if they became one. He lunged for Gambit. As planned the fledgling dodged, but his advisory was not his goal. The shadow of the tombstone beside him jumped in and vanished.

Gambit used his ears to hear. He used his nose to smell and got nothing. As he spun around he heard laughter.

"What is wrong young one? Can't find me?"

It tickled him how Gambit looked around with no idea that he was hiding in the shadows. Then he struck his back. Just enough to leave a mark. Gambit tried to grab him, but missed. How could he attack what he couldn't see?

Then he was struck again across his chest, his ankle, and thigh.

"Hahahahahah! You though you could challenge me?"

Gambit growled. How was Viktor doing what he was doing? Viktor, in need of a real challenge, removed himself from the shadows poised atop a morning angel. Gambit instantly picked up his sent and turned to him.

With a haughty laugh Viktor beckoned him forward with the curl of a pale finger. He figured Gambit was inexperienced. Only a fool would charge forward. Instead Gambit waded back into the shadows. His eyes piercing the darkness.

"I see you boy." Viktor said cocking his head in his direction. Almost instantly his eyes disappeared as if someone had flicked a switch. Before Viktor could say anything he was clawed from behind. He landed at the Angel's feet gracefully as he turned.

"You're a fast one." Viktor said. This time it was Gambit's turn to smile. He exploded the angel, its innards falling upon Viktor. Gambit went to expect his work, but only received that haughty laugh. Viktor had hidden from him again. But how?

Pacing, he tried to use his senses to find him again. He was sure that Viktor was here. He could almost taste the man's insults. Then he saw it. Something had moved in the shadow. Could that be Viktor. He crouched over to the shadow, but it felt of nothing as do normal shadows.

"Behind you." Viktor cackled. Gambit whipped around, but Viktor moved to his backside. He scratched at him, but missed. Gambit was ready for that move. Upset he tried to grab him. Gambit had managed to dodge him perched atop a marble cross.

But not for long.

As the moon moved in the sky the shadows shifted. His feet had fallen into darkness. Viktor pulled him into the shadows. It was a rather odd sensation feeling that his body was everywhere yet nowhere at the same time before he fell to the floor in a crypt.

A one hundred and ten percent dark crypt. There was no doubt that he was underground.

"You cannot win Gambit." Viktor's voice emanated from the darkness.

"I wil have her." He shouted back.

Viktor then lashed out at Gambit from every angle. He left no piece of flesh unscathed. His torso, back, lip, forehead, leg, jaw, knee, foot, eyelids, everything became pry to the darkness. Gambit breathed heavily. He would not stand for this any longer. He placed his hand on the ground and used his powers to force the shadow to flee.

As a human he thought he had ample control over his powers. He was wrong. As a vampire his mind became a blueprint for his powers. There was no limit to their reach. His red energy engulfed the tomb and spread like cancer to the rest of the cemetery till it was reminiscent of blood in color and sun in brightness.

Viktor could not escape the shadows fast enough. It took all he had to find a shadow hiding underneath the shadow of a leaf for him to escape and fall on the red ground. He did not comprehend why it was red, but he knew who was doing it. There was nowhere to escape.

He looked to his left and to the right another angel. How dare she smile down at him! The redness crept up the statue making her tears bleed and his body glow. Then Gambit released his hand activating the caged energy.

Instantly it lit. He ground shattered. Viktor could not handle the pain. It was too much. He placed his hands on his ears screaming into the night. A banshee in the obscurity.

Gambit jumped through the light landing on the ground he had yet to destroy. He enjoyed Viktor's cry. When the red disappeared and the cemetery was left in ruin Viktor stood and faced him. No more games. He was pissed.

His clothes had been lost. Half the flesh of his face was gone. One of his eyes bulged. His torso missed a chunk, but that did not stop him from charging at Gambit again.

He swiped high. Gambit kicked low. Viktor jumped then used his other leg to kick Gambit's head down. Gambit grabbed the foot, flinging Viktor into the sky. Viktor cat landed and returned for more. This time he punched. Gambit dodged it, but fell prey to the other fist. He stumbled backwards.

Viktor reached for the open jugular, but fell short. Gambit punched him with all the force he could into his torso. The action caused Viktor's body to bend. His head instantly was closer to Gambits so he bit his neck hard happy to see the blood flow down freely. Loss of blood equaled loss of strength.

Upset he removed his fist and kicked Viktor in his chin hard enough to break it. Viktor began to limp backwards. It would take a few minutes to completely heal a leg bone. Then Gambit came again sensing his weakness throwing punch after punch that was immediately blocked by Viktor.

After the fiftieth punch he dissapered leaving Viktor alone. Viktor awaited Gambit looking much like Gambit did when he hid in the shadows. His sharp hearing picked up a noise over his left shoulder. He extended his arm.

Instead he was met with Gambit legs that fastened around his arm and his hand on his. The move pinned him to the ground and disconnected his shoulder bone. Hearing the pop Gambit rid him of his limb.

"She is mine!" Viktor spat.

"I don't thank so." Gambit growled back.

Viktor watched as Gambit thrust his claws through his chest and grabbed his motionless heart.

"I will come back for her."

"Then I'll see you next Halloween." Gambit said as he charged his body into oblivion. When he was sure there was nothing left he went to claim his prize.

…

He found her in an abandoned house.

"Remy!" she ran to him, dropping to his knees at his feet.

He ran his claws gently across her jaw before picking her up and kissing her, "Let's feast."

.

Please Review