In this dark and dirty town, sometimes things got out of hand and in the case of New York City, this happened more often than not. This was why Vigilantes existed and this was supposed to be why the X-men existed in some cases.

Or at least that’s how things used to be, things have changed and with the X-men working with the Police trying to stop international crimes normal crimes were often left untouched, this is where the vigilantes came in, Vigilantes like Shred, who had become fairly notable in the back alleys of the city. A strange masked Vigilante who destroyed villains whether they were human, mutant or otherwise. Always knowing where the trouble was, always knowing weak points, Shred was a force to be reckoned with and many knew that.

However, the persona of Shred was no longer enough, not anymore.

Emerald had originally thought that she would be able to fight and not only save people as herself but as Shred as well. Not only that, but in the fast paced life as Shred, it helped her burn off the extra energy she had stored up. Problem was, it didn’t burn off all of it, the basic need to fight, to tear into her opponent was still there and she couldn’t seem to shake it. She couldn’t seem to leave that part of her behind no matter what she did and even with weekly hunting trips, she still had those bestial urges to attack.

The good thing was that she had gotten a lot better at holding herself back, but it was gradually getting harder and harder to do so. After an extended amount of time, even with herself control, Emerald’s urge to fight was far too strong even for her to handle on a daily bases, she needed a release. Something that could just get her blood boiling and to be able to release all of that rage and hatred she felt against others. Something that reminded her that she was once a fighter and always will be, something to give her a reason to fight and to get better and better every day.

If there was one thing about the fights she was forced into as a child during her imprisonment, it was the fact they always kept her on her toes. She was used for her life, it had been such a huge factor for her personality for so many years she almost felt a little naked without it.

Sure she would much rather fight for other people and the greater good, but that can only sustain the human side of her brain, right now, the beast was clawing at the walls within her mind and her body. It howled for blood and violence, the life it once lived almost five years ago. It roared for the feeling of blood beneath it's claws, for the screaming sounds of it's victims beneath it's mighty fangs. It craved a worthy opponent, wanting to feel the rush of a good fight and the euphoric feeling of fighting someone without rules and limitations.

And so did Emerald

This was where the cage matches were going come in.

After the vision that a young man had of her cage fighting, Emerald had begun to ask around, if there anything like an underground cage match in this dark and twisted city. It didn’t take her too long scrounging in the underworld to find exactly what she was looking for.

A way to let the beast free.

The Cage.

That’s what this place was called; it was the gathering of some of the scourges of the New York City’s Underworld. At one time it was, it was a gladiatorial like an arena only meant for those poor souls forced into it, but now, that had been outlawed for all Emerald knew and it had become more of proving ground. Some of the most dangerous individuals spent their time and money here, making deals and bets on the fights that occurred beneath the cities surface. A lot of money could be made here if you knew fighting well enough or if you had enough blind faith in your “pick” of the litter.

This wasn’t what Emerald was here for, she wanted to fight and she didn’t care about who bet on her. The entrance to the Cage was within an alleyway, a staircase lead downwards beneath the fairly bustling apartment building overhead. Not many civilians came on this side of town because crime wise, it was by far the worse in the city, only a fool would come here unarmed. The wolf girl on the other hand, was far from being a fool, she easily avoided any confrontation on the way their simply by detecting the scents of certain people. For her this was child’s play and soon she found herself at the staircase then within the cage itself.

The area was lit up by a good deal of lights and for being an underground arena for fight and an area for deal making it was well furnished, posh carpeting, fancy chairs, everything a mob boss would want. Speaking that, mob bosses seemed to lurk around here and those suited thugs gave Emerald a strange look as she walked in the door, staring at her lack luster combat boots, tight fitting shirt and tight fitting worn out jeans. Emerald really wasn’t surprised though, most of the women here were either lady criminals themselves or just arm candy for the men, at least in this part of the cage.

The place used to be a lot junkier and a smell of mildew used to soak the air, but once the big time gangsters got involved with this place, everything changed. Those that fought were given top notch treatment from healers or doctors, If only because of the fact that the bosses didn’t want them to be too damaged, after all this was far more entertaining to them then horse racing would ever be.

The wolf girl would grumble a little beneath her breath, making her way to one of the wooden doors that lead to the arena’s sidelines, at least there she could relax a little more.

In the second part of the cage, it was clear that the people were a little less then savory, while the posh bosses got their own beautiful entrance and side room to match, most had to find their ways in otherwise and the usual entrance for the “scum” of New York was less than flattering. Why Emerald didn’t take this route, to be more stealthily, was mainly because she didn’t care for class differences, that and she wanted to make some sort of entrance for those old fools.

There were people of all kinds here, dealers, users, all sorts of people that were just messed up and other than those expensive boxes far above the ring that carried so many of the upper class, these seats seemed to be better and they were right up close to the arena.

Speaking of that, the arena itself was a site to see, a large circular arena, surrounded by chain linked fences that were intertwined with dangerous looking barbed wire. Those that were in the front seats surrounded the edges of the cave, looking excitedly at the fight that was going on below them. Emerald didn’t take any mind to the fight going on below her though, this fight was just the opening matches, fights to see if those who won were good enough to survive against the top guns, what she needed was to fight something far worse than some smuck who came off the street needing a quick buck for his fix, she needed to fight a warrior.

The werewolf would go up to the entry box, a small booth with a tired looking man sitting at it. In front of him were all sorts of electrical equipment that he used to broadcast the victors and the next fight over an intercom system. He also took in the bets and the entries for the next fighters.

“Hey, what the hell do you want, can’t ya see the fights already going on? No more entries for the rookie matches.” The man grumbled irritably, cigar hanging out of the side of his mouth. His weathered eyes surveyed the werewolf. “If ya want to see some of the boys though, I can get you a real good spot.”

Emerald fought a grimace, her lips curling back in a fake smile. “ That won’t be necessary, I’m here to fight, but I want to fight one of The Five.” Emerald told him, watching the shocked expression crawl across the man’s face.

The Five were a group of fighters; practically breed to do damage, the higher played betters and sponsors helped recruit/find these combatants and supported them for destroying everything in their path. No one had beaten any of them since they had been crowned champions of the ring. People tried, but they usually left the ring on a stretcher. These fighters just had better resources and better training then most of these street punks got in a lifetime. So the fact that an upstart wanted to challenge one on the first try, was sort of a big deal.

“What...AHAHAHHAHAA” The ma n roared in laughter, early chewing off the end of his cigar as he did so. “You have to be playing me, runt! There is no way you would last five minutes in the ring with one of them!”

“That a challenge old man? Bet ya I could down any of them within about 20 minutes so, maybe less depending on how stupid they are.”

Now this man, this man that worked at the booth was in charge of not only the bets, announcements and entries, he was also in charge of The Five themselves, in a more promotional way that is. Someone challenging them in such a reckless sort of way, in a hostile sort of way was not only an insult to them, but an insult to him. His face flushed red and he would glare at the young woman that stood before him.

“You fight The Minotaur, no stops, cage match, he won’t hold back and I’ll make sure he tears you to pieces.”

Emerald let out a hearty chuckle, turning around to walk to the Entrance of the arena, waiting for the previous fighters to get done with their match.

“HEY!” The angry bet taker called after her. “What the hell do I call you?”

Emerald turned towards him, grinning at him with a mouth full of sharp lupine teeth, eyes glittering with a feral excitement that could not full be described.

“Call me The Beast.”

The crowd was ravenous; all of the bystanders in this large stadium were practically salivating over a new combatant fighting one of their greatest champions.

The Five’s champions always brought out huge shows when they were announced but with this sudden development of an upstart newcomer challenging one of The Five’s champions was a big deal. The crowd was chanting various things, so many different things in fact that they all became muddled together after some time. Even with keen hearing the Lupine female found herself blocking out what the mob like crowd was chanting, too many words were conflicting with each other’s leaving them as distant background noise as she walked into the ring.

It was very large for such a covert underground operation; the tattered concrete beneath her feet was very dry thanks to the cleanup crew that would take care of it after the fights. The previous match’s stench was still in the air, hanging like a toxic cloud over the werewolf. The two combatants that were in the cage last fought viciously with one another and one nearly lost their life judging by the lingering smell of the complete and total loss of control of bodily functions The werewolf would wrinkle her nose in distaste at such a putrid smell but it did not cause her to lose her lunch like it did so many others outside of the ring. That was also a lovely smell, the contents of someone’s stomach.

The Alpha Female would roll her eyes at the weak-stomached people that were watching this. They acted as if they hadn’t ever smelt the smell of death before, this was the sort of thing they were into wasn’t it? Watching others brutalize each other to the point of death or unconsciousness, that was how they got their jollies or entertainment. Why should they be so disgusted at something they came to watch? Emerald really didn’t understand other people sometimes, which might be the reason why she was a lone wolf for such a long time.

Blue eyes gazed outward at the arena, glancing around at the chain linked fence, barb wire covered dome that walled the two competitors in. Once she was inside the cage through the side door, she heard it shut behind her with an audible clang. It was here that she met her opponent, The Minotaur.

He was a normal man once, until one fateful night that his anger got the better of him causing him to mutate and show his powers for the first time. The bull-like man towered over Emerald, his horns nearly reaching the top of The Cage. He was covered in thick brown fur, shaggy, yet groomed, his chains that covered his chest looked clean and his loincloth looked fairly well laundered. It would seem that the members of the Five wanted to keep their precious champions looking good in order to appeal to the masses. After all, if The Minotaur walked out on the streets covered in some guys entrails, people would likely take notice. In his hands, he carried two massive spiked hammers, making him even more deadly than he was in the previous fight he was in. He let out a massive roar with his bovine head, stepping forward into the ring, glaring at the wolf girl with his glowing yellow eyes.

A voice suddenly blared over the microphone set up throughout The Cage and 6 large televisions lit up vibrantly above it, showing the silhouetted figures of 6 men instead of five. The crowd stirred wondering if it was some sort of joke, the two fighters on the other hand just looked anxiously at one, Emerald wanted to start this fight as soon as possible but those Idiots from The Five, now Six, were not letting them, a large chain grate sliding upwards between the two combatants, electrified so if they disobeyed they would be shocked. Emerald didn’t like these sorts of tactics in order to get someone to listen to them, these men must be compensating for something.

“Loyal Visitors, are you ready to see the Minotaur tear into our newest challenger?” The lowest ranking member of The Five Asked, his shadow gesturing to the combatants. The crowd went while, hooting and hollering, throwing things at the cage only to have them bounce harmlessly off. They were like a crowd of monkeys demanding a banana and that, Emerald found slightly amusing. “Well then let’s start the bets.”

It was at this point Emerald just stopped listening as did the crowd and The Minotaur himself. All of the members of the Five were betting ludicrous sums on The Minotaur, as they always did, none of them wanted to show disfavor to the other nor did they think that this Beast, stood a chance against this monster of a man. Sure, she looked strong, but what damage could she possibly do really? The bets went on as usual all the way up until they got to their newest member, who did not speak at first.

“Come on Lawrence, soon The Five is going to become The Six thanks to you and your generous donations, now make your bet!” The announcer said to the shaded man on the sixth TV screen, which looked to be sitting in the chair, his hand resting on his cheek.

A deathly silence followed before Lawrence finally spoke up. “Seven hundred Million Dollars,” He began, causing the crowd to go dead silent, he had bet the most out of all of the members and of course no one expected him to, being so new in the fray.

“Alright that’s seven hundred million dollars on The Minotaur,” The announcer began “Now lets-“

“Wait, I never said who I was placing my bet on did I?” Lawrence’s smooth voice practically purred out. “I’m betting on The Beast, not The Minotaur.”

At first the crowd was placed in a stunned silence, including the Beast herself who looked over at that 6th screen with a baffled look on her face. The man on the screen gave her a small wave, a low chuckle.

“Let’s have a good show, hm?” He asked, causing a shiver to run down Emerald’s spine. She didn’t like that tone he took, he was talking way to confident for someone who might have just spent all of his earnings on just a fight with her and some big, idiot, Minotaur.

Not only that, but his voice sounded too…smooth, seductive for one of these big time criminals. Most of them sound rough or at least like some sort of gangsters, this guy sounded like he just got out of finishing school.

Oh well, might as well flatter the guy before I show him I’m worth every penny. Emerald smirked

“I’m Glad someone has faith in me, Emerald called out to him, laughing a little as she gave a mock bow. Besides, at least someone didn’t bet on that creature.

Speaking of that creature, before Emerald knew it the fight had already begun and that Minotaur was charging straight towards her.

Just as the Minotaur’s massive hammer took its swing downward, the Minotaur would find himself striking nothing but air where the wolf girl once was. The massive hammer struck the ground and the creature roared in rage, and he turned only to see the wolf girl’s leg that swept his legs out from under him.

Emerald grinned as the mad bull plummeted to the ground, the sheer force of her leg swipe disorienting him for the time being. The creature crashed on the ground, creating a resounding boom that echoed throughout he age. Emerald couldn’t hear the incessant roar of the mob-like crowd, as all she heard was that wonderful boom and the crunch of the floor beneath the monstrous mammoth.

Her adrenaline was running high and Emerald let out a resounding snarl, her eyes taking on the appearance of a wolf’s eyes. The she-wolf felt her body singing, crying out for more action, more combat.

The beast wanted to feed on the violence, to relish in the feelings that a fight gave her. The Alpha let out a contented sigh, her hands suddenly shifting into the massive pair of arms from her werewolf form, claws and all. They were easily several sizes above the normal human arms, capable of grasping a normal man around the waist and able to throw him with the sheer size of the black furred covered arms. There were so many feelings going through her, she knew she couldn’t hold back the beast anymore, but this battle wouldn’t last longer than five minutes so she wasn’t too worried.

As the Minotaur got up Emerald bolted towards him, but those two massive arms with the clawed hands attached to them right behind her. The she-wolf let out another snarl and sliced straight across The Minotaur’s chest with those massive claws. The Minotaur let out a bellow of pain, with his hammer from before lying to its side the creature struck out at Emerald. He struck her with an open palm swatting her aside as easily as a fly.

The wolf girl bounced across the cold floor, letting out a startled yelp in the process. Somehow, she managed to land on all fours, breathing heavily as she kept herself steady. Nothing was broken, but she certainly was bruised, Emerald would have likely have to ice it as soon as she was done here so she wouldn’t remain purple for the rest of the week. With that said, Emerald wasn’t in pain, she was angry; a horrible feral noise erupted from her throat. She rose from the ground without any struggle and charged straight at the bull man as he charged for her again, the scent of sweat and blood was strong in nose. The look on her face was probably terrifying if the gasps from the mob could be consulted.

Emerald didn’t care as she wanted to fight, she wanted to maul, but this guy was too big. If she hadn’t fought guys twice as big as he was she would have been beaten by now. Size tended to intimidate inexperienced fighters but Emerald was far from inexperienced, and this guy was cake. she-wolf dodged the first and second hammer swings with relative ease just as she jumped up onto the creature, her teeth that were getting larger by the second clamping down on his brown furred stomach skin. Emerald’s large claws dug squarely into his chest, clawing at him furiously.

A distinctive human-like cry escaped the bull-man’s throat; horrified at the damage he was taking in what should have been an easy battle. The bull felt blood flowing out of him far faster than it should have been and that was when he realized the crazed wolf was tearing into him like he was something she was planning on taking down for a hunt. He dropped his hammers and frantically tried to pry the werewolf off but only found her tearing at her flesh speed up.

Emerald made quick work of the ull man, holding on for dear life every time he tried to pry her off. He did succeed in dislocating her left shoulder, causing her arm useless from her body. The she-wolf knew that this wouldn’t go that well for that much longer, and the dislocation of her shoulder did hurt like a song of a bitch. Emerald had about two minutes left, and she wasn’t planning to waste any of it.

With what could be described as pure adrenaline and rage coursing through her body, burning through her veins Emerald clawed her way up the massive man with one hand, using her legs to push her way up and somehow managed to get up to the Minotaur's face.

“Goodnight Sweet Prince,” Emerald smiled before her massive fangs, which barely fit into her human mouth anymore, clamped down onto the bull massive bull’s face. Emerald wrapped her legs which were progressively getting longer around the ull-man’s upper torso and detached her hand from his chest.

The Alpha Female took this chance to break off half of the ull-man’s horn causing no doubt more pain for the already beaten bull and struck him with his own horn as much as she could as she released the grip her legs held, falling haphazardly to the ground. he Minotaur, with all his massive weight, fell through the cage and into the audience. uckily all who were in the bleachers fled the scene before anyone could get hurt, other than the massive creature that fell.

The Minotaur lay upon the ground in a pool of his own blood not dead, not yet, but he was bleeding out pretty fast. The age was still with him, despite the fact that he was laying on top of the barbed wire covered chain link fence. Emerald walked up to the fallen body of the beast, staggering a little as the adrenaline wore off, and with only about a minute was left the redhead still had to let out the rest of this rage before she full transformed and endangered the people in the audience.

“You wanted a bloodbath?!” Emerald yelled, her long red hair caked with blood, with an absolutely feral gleam in her eyes. “WELL YOU GOT ONE!”

With that final declaration Emerald let out a haunting howl of triumph, the sound of a victorious battle echoed throughout the underground arena. It was the sound of triumph, the sound of blood lust, finally quenched and the beast released but not fully dominating its host’s soul.

Suddenly, the audience erupted in sound, it sounded and looked like hundreds of people shouting loud things, ranging from obscenities to praises for the fighter who defeated him.

The words chanted in the crowd were at first low and ominous but then grew to a resounding war-like chant. It was invigorating and also absolutely terrifying, as it would seem at the crowd gave into the blood-lust they must have just seen before them.

“BEAST! BEAST! BEAST! BEAST! BEAST!” The crowd roared, stomping their feet in synchronization to the words chanted.