Title: Memories
Author: fanficexpress
Fandom: X-men
Rating: R
Chapter: 7/?
Warnings: Violence, Blood, Language, Slash and MPREG
Summary: A forgotten tragedy from Logan's past suddenly resurfaces leaving Logan a shell of his former self. Can anyone get through to him?

Author's Note: This story will deal with dark issues and imagery but its Logan so what do you expect.

Chapter 7: Tension

They were paranoid. Entering the war room they tried their best to look natural but it felt like their dizzying scene that had occurred just moments earlier was displayed all over their faces and as much as Scott tried to calm down his cheeks were still flushed. It also wasn't lost to them that they were entering a room that housed two of the most powerful psychics. Not thinking in so many words that Jean and the Professor would secretly dig through their minds without their consent but paranoia was a strange, strange thing. The eyes of the team watched them enter. Scott took special notice of the sour and resentful frown and squint he received from Jean. They quickly took their seats, Scott on one side of the table and Logan on the other. The professor cleared his throat and his pupils snapped to attention.

"What's going on professor? Is it Mckay?" Scott queried, quickly smoothing a brown lock out of his face and his once flushed cheeks hand finally cooled. He now looked flawlessly put together. He'd turned into the wooden soldier his team was use to and Logan couldn't help but let his mind wander back to the gym just moments earlier where he didn't look so put together; he didn't look so stuffy, so prepared. He liked seeing Scott that way.

"I'm afraid so. This time on a much larger scale then before." The professor nodded. He rested his elbows on the metallic table, letting his fingers press against his lips in the shape of a steeple. He took in a deep breath before continuing on and the team could sense his hesitation.

"His abilities seem to be growing exponentially. He can no longer handle his power. He's gone on a rampage of destruction. His anger is fueled by the fear and animosity his own people have toward him."

"What are his powers?" Logan asked which got him an awkward glance from Scott. Not that Logan had said anything wrong, but hearing his voice triggered memories he was trying to subdue. They shared an awkward glance between each other before clearing their throats and turning their gaze back to the professor. Xavier pressed a few buttons on the console in front of him, which made the holo-projector located in the middle of the table, crackle and come alive. Soon through the static the form of a boy appeared.

"He's so young!" Rouge exclaimed. He was short with hair so dark it looked blacker then night. His eyes held the same intense black as if his anger and hatred had fed on his pupils. His skin was pale and his cheeks were sunken. His clothes were in tatters and were covered in filth.

"He's a 15 year old young man from a small town in Germany. He has the ability to manipulate matter." The professor broke in and gauged his student's reactions some seemed to get the implications of having such a power while other's seemed mildly confused.

"So what's the big deal? The kid can manipulate matter…" Logan interrupted, leaning back casually in his chair. He pulled out a cigar but thought better of lighting it with the professor sitting in the room. He just clamped it between his canines and crossed his arms over his burly chest. Logan could feel an odd tension rolling off of the professor and he didn't like it. He could feel that they were just beating around the bush, they hadn't even gotten to the meat of the conversation.

"With his ability he can theoretically manipulate anything he comes in contact with like putty. Everything on this planet could be his lump of clay. Right now all he's doing is bending earth but there is no doubt in my mind that he will soon inherent the abilities to manipulate both inanimate and animate objects. That would spell disaster if he isn't taught to use his abilities properly." The professor explained and the team finally understood the importance of retrieving this boy. What kind of horrors could he commit spurred on by so much rage with so much power at his command? The team could only imagine and shudder at the thought. All eyes focused on the holo- image that slowly spun on top the war room table. This little deprived boy could really spell so much disaster?

"Animate objects…so you mean living t'ings, like people? He be able to tear Remy apart and put Remy back together, non?" Remy questioned.

"Tear you apart, yes. Put you back together if he so chooses but from the level of rage I pick up from the boy…I'm quite certain putting you back together will be the least of his concerns." Remy didn't much like the professor's answer. He frowned to himself. This mission seemed like a death trap.

"So what can we possibly do against an enemy like this? Scott says he pulled the ground apart just by raising his hands. If he's stronger now then he was then, then there's nothing to stop him from lifting his hands and tearing us limb from limb." Rouge said which got a nods of agreement from both Remy and Beast. She vocalized what they were all thinking.

"Cher is right, He could tear us apart befo' we even get close." Remy injected.

"I must agree with Gambit, if he's as strong as you say I'm afraid we'd stand no chance against him." Storm's regal voice spoke out. All eyes fell on the professor for an answer. He must have some ace up his sleeve or some information that will give them the upper hand. How did he really expect them to reason or capture someone with such awesome ability?

"He's stronger but I don't think he's that strong yet. We must reason with him before his powers fully develop…" The professor started but Logan had, had enough.

"What if the kid don't wanna be reasoned with…" Logan finally said cutting the professor off. He didn't like beating around the bush. He knew where this was going. A kid with that much power and ability would be hard to sway. He was having a temper tantrum and he wouldn't stop until the whole world heard him. He could feel the underlying hum from the professor. There was a moral snag that was causing him to hesitate in answering his question. Fifteen is young to die, real young.

"If he can't be reasoned with…then he has to be taken down…" The professor said letting his blue eyes rest on his team. His eyes were both soft and determined. He looked as if he'd already wept for the child but was determined to keep hope alive in the slim chance that they could persuade this Anthony Mckay that he was heading down the wrong path.

"We understand" Scott said filling the chilling silence. He stood with his jaw tight and his body language screamed leadership. He took in a deep breath seeming to draw in confidence and with that subtle display of assurance the rest of the team stood as well and nodded their understanding of the mission in all it's detail. Everyone stood except Jean Grey who had sat poised and quiet throughout the entire meeting.

"Professor, As medical advisor I don't think Scott is ready to lead the team on this mission. His wounds are not 100%." Jean said.

"What?!" Scott said whirling around and attempting to bite back his anger. He glared at her but she didn't return his gaze.

"I'd also like to share my concerns with having Logan on this mission. He's not mentally stable. He still holds on to an unpredictable rage that will blind his judgment and could cost us our lives out in the field. He can't be trusted to make sound decisions.

"Look here Jean…" Logan erupted, slamming his hands palm down on the table and leaning forward menacing. He had thought the exchange between Scott and Jean was rather amusing until his name was incorporated. The inner rage began to boil again.

"Logan please! Jean your concerns have been noted. Scott, I agree with Jean. You're not yet ready to lead the team on this mission. Your injuries would be a liability. Storm, you have command. All X- men are cleared for this mission." The professor said and his tone made it clear that there was no room for debate. He gave the team one last look before making his way out the door and leaving all eyes on Scott and Storm. Never before had anyone taken his command. Scott stood silently at first, then his fists balled up and he stormed out after the professor followed by Jean.

"What the hell is going on here!?" Scott bellowed down the hallway, trotting after the professor with his brow creased in anger.

"Scott this isn't a punishment, don't see it as such. The best interest of the team is at stake here. Your going to have to put your pride aside and realize that in this instance someone is more qualified to command. Not become of your incompetence or any fault of your own, but because of medical circumstance." The professor said not taking the time to stop and look at his angry pupil. The professor continued forward and Scott fell behind leaving Jean still biting at the Professors ankles.

"Professor…" She said but he abruptly cut her off.

"Jean, I understand your concerns about Logan but segregating him from the team isn't going to help his healing process."

"Isn't having him on this mission taking a gamble with our lives…" She stopped, in a since holding her ground. Her hands were poised on her hips and her lips were tangled in a snarl. The professor stopped but didn't bother to turn around. His shoulders were squared and he took in a deep breath.

"Going on this mission without him is gambling with your lives…" He said and with that he continued on, heading down the hall and around the corner. The both stood frozen and quiet in the hallway watching him turn the corner out of sight and as the whirr of the hover chair disappeared the sound of storm talking to the team echoed through the hall. It was her giving the departure orders instead of Scott and the sound caused a mixture of anger and sadness to churn in his guts. She ended her pep talk like he always ended his and he frowned. It felt too much like someone was taking his place. It felt like he was losing the control he coveted so much. Everything was so confusing! First his relationship with jean, Then the awkwardness between him and Logan and now in front of the team his command had been stripped from him. When exactly had he lost control? His eyes fell on Jean's cold one's and then fell into a hateful squint. This wasn't over, not by a long shot.

"You heard the women, Jean. Suit up." Scott said and then stormed down the hallway.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Most of the team was dressed and ready to go but Scott found it hard to keep his mind grounded. The simple task of putting on his uniform seemed to be beyond him and was taking forever. As Scott struggled to keep his head on straight he sensed that Someone was still in the Locker room with him. Standing fully dressed just leaning against the doorjamb was Logan. The tension in the room immediately began to rise between them even though they hadn't spoken a word. Logan only moved to light his customary "before mission" cigar, dipping his head to his lighter and taking a long drag. The cigar seethed red-hot and the smoke he released seemed to encase the whole room as Logan's dark eyes continued to watch Scott slip into his uniform.

"Shouldn't you be heading up to the blackbird?" Scott asked with irritation. He didn't like him looking at him like that. He didn't like how his eyes studied him so intently. He hadn't looked away once; he just leaned against the doorjamb with his arms crossed over his chest and large clouds of murky smoke billowing from his mouth and nostrils reminding him of a looming steamboat giving off steam.

"Yeah I should but I'm not. I'm thinking about knocking you out and leaving you here on the floor while the rest of use take care of this mission. That way you won't be pouting and feeling sorry for yourself out in the field. Your gonna get someone killed." Logan said, taking a step forward. He used his tongue to roll his cigar from one corner of his mouth to the other while adjusting his worn jet-black leather gloves that matched his form fitted black leather outfit. He abruptly popped his claws and Scott could see the muscles in his arms ripple as the blades erupted from his fists. They glinted in the dim overhead lights and then slowly retracted and for the first time Scott heard the faint sound of metal scraping against metal as the six identical claws slid into his forearm. It amazed Scott that Logan didn't even flinch, it was as if he welcomed the pain the claws brought him and welcomed the fear and awe it seemed to inspire in all who saw them. Watching those deadly blades always mystified him but as soon as the blades were fully retracted he shook off their mesmerizing effect and looked away, feeling silly for being so captured by Logan and his claws.

"Fuck you, Logan. You're the last person I wanna hear that from." Scott spat.

"Naw, I think I'm the only person you can hear this from." Logan said and with those words he turned on his heel and sauntered out. Scott watched his retreating form, his eyes focused on him and he clenched his jaw in frustration but his words echoed in his mind. Was he really "pouting"? Was he really that preoccupied with feeling sorry for himself that even Logan, an emotionally disturbed man, could sense and feel it? He could feel it so much so that he felt compelled to confront him about it. What better man to know what anger and frustration could feel like than Logan?

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

"I've never been to Germany before. I've always wanted to visit but under better circumstances." Rouge said straightening out her uniform and smoothing her wild hair back. She looked out the window watching the scenery zip by as the blackbird soared through the air.

"Well, Remy never wanna go to Germany and Remy still don' wanna go now." He said while attempting to tame his own hair by tying it back. He sat next to Rouge like he always did while Logan and Beast sat quietly in the back. Scott sat in the co-pilots chair while Storm took the pilots chair. Jean did her usual in the back of the plane making sure that supplies and the back room were prepared just in case a team member received injuries. Logan couldn't help but think that she was foreshadowing things to come. As if maybe she knew that they wouldn't all get out of this one unscathed. He noticed his hands shaking; he balled them into fists and looked out the window at the greens and blues of the world below. Was he ready for battle? He wasn't sure. Could he control his inner fury? He couldn't say. He'd been talking to the professor a couple times a week trying to come to grips with it all but everything was moving so slowly. He felt fragile, like the slightest thing could push him over the edge and now he's on a mission where they might have to take the life of a child…It just rang to close to home.

"Logan are you ok?" Beast queried raising an insightful eyebrow. Logan turned to him with a scowl but it faded. He could never be angry at beast. He was just to gentle of a man to be anything other then respectful towards.

"Yeah, I'm just fine…"He said and then diverted his attention back to the window.

"Under these dire circumstances our trip to Germany will be far from pleasant. I truly hope we can find a way to reason with the child." Beast interjected speaking to everyone and not just Logan. Suddenly bright flickers of red and orange caught their eyes from the blackbird's windows. The Team simultaneously gasped at what they saw. Fire and destruction spread across the entire landscape. The ground was torn apart and uneven while the few sparse buildings the people had called their town had crumbled to the ground leaving behind huge mounds of debris.

"Attention X-men. The blackbird is about to touch down. The area is hot. Stay alert spread out in teams of two. We aren't sure of the magnitude of his abilities so do not attempt to engage him on your own. Help these town's people, but if you find the boy immediately call for backup" Storm's voice bellowed from the cockpit. The team looked at each other as if it could possibly be the last time they'd ever see each other in this capacity.

"Ready?" Rouge asked

"Ready as I'll eva be." Remy said back with a charming smile and he pressed the hatch release. Everyone took a deep cleansing breath and stepped out into the chaos. .

"I can't believe one boy did all this." Jean commented, being the last to walk down the ramp. The rest of the team had already broken into their usual groups. Rouge with Remy, Storm with Hank, Logan of course stormed off on his own, which left Scott with Jean. This was their usual team up but the tension between them was so thick he could cut it with a knife. His mind was divided between his topsy- turvy life and the mission at hand and he found himself slightly relieved that he wasn't in command.

"Believe it and stay alert" Scott, said matter-a-factly and marched off ahead. Jean frowned deep and then followed.

"Scott…"

"This isn't the time nor the place but you best believe we'll talk later." He said through gritted teeth and then pointed ahead at a large pile of debris.

XOXOXOXOXOX

"Please help me. Get me away from this place. That boy is evil. Pure evil!"

"Yeah, I've heard the speech before. The kid ain't evil, just misguided." Logan drawled. He grunted as he pulled the rubble off of an elderly man. He hobbled to his feet with Logan's help and stared up at him. One eye was a piercing blue while the other was milky white and Logan assumed he had no vision in that eye. His hair was sliver and receding and his mouth was twisted and wrinkled with age. He held on to Logan as if he at one point had a cane but Logan had no clue where it was and we wasn't about to look for it.

"Look at the destruction! He must atone for his crimes!" The man blathered on. The stink of his breath assaulted Logan's nostrils. He grimaced and frowned. His senses were going haywire. The smell of burning materials and carnage crowded his nose and wouldn't budge.

"And what about your crimes old man! What of the crimes you've committed against me! You should atone for your crimes!" A disembodied voice rang out. Logan instantly snapped to attention and from behind a smoldering stack of rubble a boy emerged. He was thin, sickly thin and under normal circumstances Logan would have laughed in his face but not today because even though his body seemed so fragile Logan could sense the power coursing through his veins. He was high on it, High on the ability to finally exact on his enemies the terror they had forced him to live through. The boy stared with his chest heaving for mere moments before raising one hand. The ground shook violently and then opened up at his command leaving Logan only a fraction of a second to gather the old man in his arms and lounge out of the way. He landed hard on his side behind a slab of fallen concrete. He quickly checked the man for injuries. He was knocked out cold but otherwise he seemed fine.

"Slow down kid! I know your angry but tearin' up the place isn't the answer!" Logan shouted but the boy paid his words no mind. Logan's concrete cover was quickly being chipped away by every flick of the enraged child's wrist.

"Fuck this, I ain't no negotiator." Logan muttered and then pressed his built in communicator located in the collar of his uniform.

"Storm, I've got the kid over here, he's having a hissy fit."

"We are on our way" Storm confirmed and the channel went dead.

"You're the man from before. Here to take me away to your demon school again?! I'm not going anywhere! This is where I was born and this is where I'm gonna stay! These people are going to have to accept me or they are going to suffer!" The boy shouted and Logan peered from behind his cover to see Scott and Jean standing to his far left. Anthony pointed accusingly at Scott as he screamed with angry tears welling up in his eyes.

"Look at what your doing! Yeah, they've treated you bad, they've called you names, hit you and spit on you but that's just ignorance on their part. They don't know any better but you do! I know it hurt but destroying everything in your path isn't teaching them that you aren't a demon! What your doing is feeding into the stereotype that they've placed upon you! What your doing is becoming the demon they think you are!" Scott shouted back extending his hands to show all the damage that had been done.

"Shut-up! You don't know anything! It's easy to say such things when you're not living my life! I can see into their minds…they will never accept me no matter what I do! All I can do is make them fear and respect me!" Anthony screamed and the ground quaked. They all stumbled for footing and reeled at the boy's power.

"See into their minds? What do you mean by that Anthony?" Jean questioned with concern. If he housed some sort of telepathic ability in conjunction with the powers he already possessed then their wasn't a snowballs chance in hell they could defeat him.

"I can…I can see their feelings and thoughts." The boy stammered a little, not sure how to describe his newly awakened power. Logan quietly stood sensing his chance to maneuver himself in a better position while the boy was occupied with Jean and Scott. Out of the corner of his eye the boy noticed movement. His eyes widened and he whirled to his right. His black demon eyes locked on to Logan's steely glare. Anthony's pupils expanded and Logan froze in his tracks, Mesmerized and unable to look away.

Chapter 8: unravel

He stood in the middle of a field in full bloom. He stood bare foot at the top of a small hill and he wiggled his toes in the sun-warmed grass. He wasn't in uniform anymore, the leather was long gone and what replaced it were worn jeans with holes in the knees and a plain white t-shirt. . His hair was much longer then he ever remembered it being. It laid bone straight down to his shoulders and the tips of his ears peeked out slightly through the strands. Through the initial confusion he felt a sense of calm. This place was so beautiful and the air was crisp and pure.

"Hey! Hey slow down will ya!" someone shouted from behind. He recognized the voice in the sense that he'd heard it before but he couldn't put a finger on who's voice it was. He turned around to see a man running up the small incline he was on. He had a smile spread across his face that was infectious. He chuckled with delight as he made his way up the incline. Completely out of breath he stopped in front of Logan and hunched over with his hands on his knees.

"Jesus James…What's the idea running off like that and leaving me behind." He wheezed out.

"James…" Logan mouthed to himself. Why did he call him that? He didn't know. The man finally stood to his full height after finding his second wind. He was Logan's height but didn't posses his bulkiness. He was slender and lean with raven hair that had picked up the gentle rhythm the breeze had constructed. His eyes were what struck Logan the most. They were a misty gray, like those of a cat, which gave him a sudden wildness. He seemed to be the perfect contradiction, with wild mischievous eyes on the face of a cherub.

"Are you ok? You're acting strange." He inquired.

"I…I don't remember you…" Logan finally said and was surprised at how his voice sounded in his ears. He was so use to the sandpapery rumble that he was startled at the pitch and tone his voice had now. It was light, clear, smooth.

"Aw, well…it's been a long time since I've seen you. You've probably had a lot of partners since me. I guess it's not a big deal that you forgot me." He looked hurt but he tried to hide it with a sad smile. He took a step closer and placed his hands on Logan's shoulders. His eyes softened and a quick flash of yellow streaked through them.

"Who are you?" Logan whispered. Those eyes, he'd seen them before. He'd studied them before.

"I'm Marcus, Your first love…" He said with a smile so wide it could split his face in two.

"What?!…" Logan gasped out but before he could get clarification the beautiful landscape disappeared and so did Marcus. He closed his eyes and when he opened them he was in an old cabin, which also struck him as familiar. In fact, it was more then familiar…he had a sense of home. It smelled like Him, the man who called himself Marcus, his first love. As much as Logan wanted to deny that he could ever love a man he could truly understand falling in love with those eyes.

"We loved it here…" Logan snapped his head to the right startled. Marcus stood by the door with his hands jammed in his pockets and the same infectious smile as before.

"We use to come here all the time. You and me. You said we were the closest to nature here and I agreed. This was the only place where I felt free." He said while looking down at his feet. He was reminiscing about times long ago. Talking about them as if something horrible had upset the happiness he had described. Logan looked around the bare yet homey cabin. There weren't any pictures on the walls or anything definable that screamed to the fact that people use to live here. Just two old jackets hanging on hooks by the door and blankets thrown hap-hazard across the old flannel couch that faced the fireplace. Logan stared at the fireplace and remembered a time when it was roaring with red and gold flames and he sat next to Marcus on the old flannel couch, tired yet satisfied after a weary day of hunting and cutting wood. They had just made it inside before the storm hit. Now the rain tapped at the windows and the thunder and lightening boomed and clacked.

"Why are you so quiet?" Marcus asked sitting on the opposite side of the couch. He knew his lover was tired and needed some space to unwind or he'd become agitated.

"Hmm, oh I'm just thinking about stuff." Logan said while taking a deep breath and letting the fire hypnotize him. Every now and then he'd take a swig of his beer and look at the two jackets that hung by the door.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing, don't worry about it." Logan waved it off but there was a solemn expression on his face.

"No I want to know. Tell me."

"No really it's nothing."

"Come on…you look sad." Marcus pleaded while scooting down the couch toward Logan. He sat right up against him and Logan wrapped one arm around him squeezing him tight.

"I was just thinking how there use to only be my jacket hanging over there by the door. I didn't realize how lonely those days were until now. That's all." He whispered.

More small memories of their time together in the tiny wooden cabin came to the forefront of his mind and he smiled to himself. He'd never unlocked a memory from his past that gave him nice warm feelings like these did. This was the only time when remembering didn't cause him pain.

"What are you waiting for?" Marcus said pulling Logan out of his memories with a chuckle. He nodded toward the quiet fireplace against the wall.

"It's supposed to get real cold…real cold. Come with me, I'll help you get the fire started, after that your on your own." He said reached out for the doorknob.

"Wait, I don't understand what's going on!" Logan yelled out.

"No…you've waited long enough…" He said. He opened the door and a blinding white light burst through the door and engulfed the room. Logan covered his eyes against the lights assault and just as quickly as the light had appeared it was gone and Logan was alone in a small metallic room. There were no windows or doors, just solid metal walls that were old and rusty. The air was thick and damp and it was so cold he was surprised he couldn't see his breath. He turned in a circle taking in the meager space. He came full circle but on the wall in front of him was a large mirror that he was sure wasn't there before. He was taken aback by his reflection. He stood barefoot and filthy. His face, Hands and feet covered in layers of grim. He wore layers of clothes that were tattered and covered in grunge. He subconsciously ran his hand over his face, down his neck and chest in disbelief but when his wondering hand met his abdomen he almost broke into tears. His belly was rounded out and firm to the touch and at that moment he could feel flutters of movement inside. He brought his hands to his face, he couldn't fight back the tears anymore. He knew this place, He knew what was happening, he could remember it now. This was the test facility where they had experimented on him, where they had given him his adamantium skeleton and where they had held him when they found out his secret. The memories all came flooding back to him and he teetered foreword. He braced himself against the mirror, struggling to hold back tears that had been building and threatening to burst free for years.

"Do you remember now? Do you remember me? Us? What they wanted? What they did?" Marcus's voice echoed in the small space and he appeared in front of Logan like an apparition.

"Yes, I remember." Logan whispered but he couldn't take his eyes off of the mirror. After the episode at the hospital when he remembered the loss of his daughter he wanted nothing but to get her back but now that he had her, could feel her kicking inside of him, he wanted nothing more but for this nightmare to be over.

"We started out as partners at first and we hit it off immediately. I think it was because we both carry this feral beast inside of us so it was easy to relate with one another. We did the dirty work that no one else wanted to do `Dogs of the military' is what they called us but we were the best at what we did and It wasn't long until the military realized they could capitalize on our abilities as a team. They started entrusting us with the high-class jobs and the high- class search and destroy missions we'd always wanted." He paused for a moment staring off into the distance before he continued.

"I was always attracted to you. From the very beginning when I saw you I was amazed by how comfortable you seemed to be with your animal side. I struggled with mine all my life but you were so confident in yourself and your abilities that I was drawn to you. I think you knew I wanted you…you just never said anything. The day came when I couldn't stand it anymore and after a brutal mission we were both in the locker room peeling off our uniforms. I remember I took a deep breath, leaned over and kissed you. I remember that day so vividly because you didn't look the least bit surprised. You didn't kiss me back but you didn't pull away either. You just stared at me the way you always do with those sharp eyes. My heart was beating in my chest, under those piercing eyes you looked like you were gonna eat me alive. Then in a flash I found myself pressed hard against the lockers. You had my shirt collar balled up in your fists and a scowl on your face. You were seething with an emotion I still to this day can't put my finger on. It was something between passion, frustration and confusion. With one last reaffirming shove you let me go and stared at me again and I defiantly stared back. We stood like that for what felt like forever just staring wildly at each other and before I even knew what was happening you had pulled me into a crushing kiss and I kissed you back hard." The ghostly Apparition chuckled at the memory. He slowly looked up and the ceiling turned to static and through the static images of their life together played like an old videotape.

"It seemed that as long as we did our missions they didn't care what we did or how we lived out lives. We decided to build a cabin in our favorite part of Canada, up high in the mountains. We'd do missions and on our downtime we'd run away to the mountains. It was the best time of my life but soon the military wanted more from us, more from you to be specific. They had this new project, they called Weapon X and they were looking for a volunteer. They asked you nicely if you'd like to participate but when you declined they asked harder. You kept saying no until they threatened my life, then you reluctantly accepted the offer." Marcus frowned as if he was reliving the pain all over again. It hurt him to talk about it but it had to be said.

"It really was crazy. I didn't realize what they had in mind and neither did you. You left for the first day of the project and I didn't see you again for seven months. Every time I asked about you they said you were away on a top-secret mission."

"Those seven months I was away…That's when they experimented on me and gave me these." Logan said lifting his hands and releasing his claws but Marcus refused to look at them as if they repulsed him. The images on the ceiling turned from the pleasant scenes to the dramatic change Logan had gone through. He could see how the feral part of his mind would overtake him. His conditioning in that hellhole of a facility made him a monster that didn't feel guilt or remorse for the atrocities he committed. He was a perfect killing machine. He closed his eyes and looked away from the horrific scenes of him slicing and gutting people with that twisted smile on his face. He had enjoyed the killing at one point but only because he was tried of feeling guilty for what he could not control. Like when an insane person finally embraces their insanity because they are tired of fighting it and feeling broken. It feels like the only thing to do.

"When you finally came back you were a different man and you had those monstrous claws. You didn't laugh or joke or smile anymore, you were this concrete slab posing as the man I had fallen in love with. Everyone was deathly afraid of you with good reason and when we went on missions it was like something in your mind would switch on and you'd just go completely berserk, slashing everyone to ribbons with those evil claws without remorse. The scariest part was that you enjoyed it. You enjoyed the carnage. I'd ask you about what they did to you that made you this way but you'd get so angry and full of rage that I'd just drop it. Soon you started having these breakdowns. They were these moments when your cold exterior would crack and you'd fall to pieces, ashamed of yourself and ashamed of what they had done to you. I was always there for you during those times, I took care of you. Those were the only times when you'd let me take control of things. Take control in everyday life…and in bed."

"Then one day you went away on a mission…and you never came back." Marcus whispered.

"Marcus…I wanted to come back but I couldn't…" Logan started but Marcus's eyes were resting on his protruding belly and Logan subconsciously tried to hide it. He remembered now. He never told him… Marcus never knew.

"You don't have to say anything or explain anything Logan, I mean…why should you? I'm not real…"Marcus said and then disappeared from sight.

"Marcus!" Logan yelled out for him tried to grab him but he was already gone.

"Marcus isn't here." A cold voice hissed. Where the mirror once stood a door had appeared. It was a solid metal door with a small hatch at the bottom. Logan recognized that voice right away and a shiver ran up his spine. He began to hyperventilate and frantically looked around the room for a way out or something to protect himself with but he found nothing.

"God no…not again." He whispered and backed up against the far wall. He wrapped his arms around his abdomen, feeling the fluttered he felt before turn into forceful kicks. Searing pain suddenly gripped him and he doubled over. At that moment a swarm of doctors rushed the room and Logan screamed out.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

"LOGAN!" Scott yelled but he didn't move or respond. He just stared wide-eyed into Anthony's black voids.

"What is going on?" Storm demanded as she descended from the blue. Her eyes were clouded over with white and storm clouds churned and darkened in the sky.

"He can't be reasoned with. He has more power then we thought. He has Logan in some sort of mental hold." Jean quickly summarized.

"Jean, can you break whatever this hold is he has over Logan?" Storm said quickly.

"I can try…" Jean belted out. She closed her eyes in concentration bringing her hands up to her temples. Simultaneously the boy moaned and grabbing his head, teetering at Jean's sudden mental attack. Never tearing his eyes away from Logan he lifted his hands and the ground curled up and like a crescent wave heading in Jean's direction. Rouge soared through the heavens overhead carrying Gambit in tow. She set him down quickly beside storm and took back to the air.

"I got it! You try to get to Wolverine" She yelled to gambit over the sound of churning earth. She picked up speed and revved back one powerful fist and with one mighty punch pulverized the earthy wave. It exploded and shattered into pieces upon impact sending Rouge flying off course and into a dilapidated building head first.

"Beast, The boy!" Storm shouted and beast bounded off to subdue the boy while his powers were spread thin.

Jean concentrated on her task. So much so that she was completely unaware of the danger she was in. Her mind had left her body and she found herself in a conjoined space where both Anthony and Logan's mind were intertwined. There was a huge door that sat in front of her. It had to be at least 10 feet tall. It looked old and wooden but it was sturdy and had a large keyhole. It reminded her of something from Alice in wonderland and she snorted. She squinted through the keyhole to see what was on the other side. What she saw was a meadow, with the sun shinning and the birds singing. On top of a small hill sat a slender young man with his elbow propped up on his bent knee. He seemed deep in thought but otherwise content.

"Hey! Hey let me in!" Jean yelled but the man didn't respond. She pulled on the doorknob but the door wouldn't budge. She frantically banged on the door with balled fists.

Meanwhile…

Huge shards and pieces of debris from the Rocky Wave were raining down on Jean's position while both Gambit and beast gracefully dodged bolder bombardments. They weren't sure how Anthony knew where they were without using his eyes but his aim was true and accurate. Storm quickly thrust her hands out before her and summoned powerful winds to carry the boulders away but there were to many of them and she realized that she couldn't stop them all. Scott immediately bound into action running at the oblivious Jean at top speed he lunged for her and they toppled together in a sloppy tumble just as the rocks slammed to earth. The impact caused Dust to kick up and mushroom and Storm flew into the air summoning the winds to blow away everything that was obstructing her view. The dirt settled and from her high perch she found both Scott and Jean lying side by side, incapacitated.

"Jean! Scott!" She yelled out but before she could go to them the earth swelled from underneath her and parted like the jaws of some sort of terrain sea creature lunging out of the water. It swallowed her whole and the jagged opening clamping shut, leaving her completely enclosed in rock. Her mind reeled, this place was cold, dark and cramped. Ever since she was a child she always had a fear of enclosed spaces and this place was culmination of all her nightmares. She started to shake violently. She called out for help but no one answered. Panic welled up inside of her. She had to get out, had to escape. The walls felt like they were closing in on her, and she couldn't breathe. She cried out in desperation and the sky crackled with lightening.

XOXOXOXOXOXOX

"Jean?" Came a voice from behind. She turned to find Scott standing behind her looking confused and slightly shaken.

"Scott? How did you get here?" She looked at him equally confused.

"I don't know…where is here?" He looked around but all he saw was a door. The place was surreal with no definable ending or beginning of the white that surrounded them.

"This is some sort of mindscape Fabricated by Anthony. How did you get here, Scott?" Jean asked again with concern.

"I don't know, Anthony targeted you with one of his attacks and I knocked you out of the way…Then suddenly I'm here." He said looking down at himself and at the non-existent floor. There wasn't a floor, only white yet they weren't falling but weren't floating either.

"Jean, we have to get back to our bodies. The team can't handle Anthony on their own. They need us." Scott said firmly and Jean immediately closed her eyes in an attempt to sever her ties to this mindscape and return them back to their bodies.

"I don't understand…"

"What's wrong?"

"I don't have a tether…" She opened her eyes to see the confused look on Scott's face.

"A tether, it's like a psychic rope or trail of bread crumbs that leads back to my body. It's so I don't get caught in someone's mind. With a tether you can leave anytime you want because you always have a connection to your body but here that connection was never made. This has never happened before…" Her eyebrows bunched and she walked up to the looming wooden door.

"Scott, we can't get back without a tether. We can't get back unless whoever is controlling the mindscape lets us out. We have to get through this door and find Anthony...He's the only one who can let us go."

To Be Continued…

The secret to Anthony's abilities is revealed and Scott stumbles onto Logan's Secret past.

Next Part: Anthony and Logan Revealed.