WOLVERINE AND SUPERNOVA
By: The Carefree Quill
Summary: Previously released as three separate stories, now edited and combined into one epic. It begins with an alternate ending to X2 and goes on from there.
Disclaimer: The X-men, Generation X and all related characters are the property of Marvel Comics. No copyright infringement is intended. Danielle, Gabriel, Jesse, Jett, Nikki and Odium are characters of my own invention. Star Trek and all related characters are the property of Paramount and Gene Roddenberry.
Notes: Telepathy is in Italics. All Arthurian Legend references are based in research, but given my own twist.
~2002~
**Finding Violet**
Sweat beaded up on Logan's forehead as he sniffed the air in the tunnel. It was a frosty Canada morning, but inside these tunnels it was hot and humid. The complex had obviously fallen into disrepair on the inside as well as the outside.
Only a week ago, he had come here alone, looking for evidence of a secret lab, and found nothing. He was looking for the truth. He wanted to know why he woke up fifteen years ago with adamantium claws, and no memory. His only link to his past was a dog tag on a chain around his neck. It had numbers on it, and the name 'Wolverine'. He knew his name was Logan, but nothing else about himself. Now he was back, and he felt more alive than he had in years. All he had been searching for was here, somewhere. He just had to find it.
But this time he was here to rescue his friends, Xavier, Cyclops, and several students from the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters. The name of the school doesn't tell you that 'gifted' means mutant. Everyone there, teachers and students, has a special power. Professor Charles Xavier was the mentor to all of them. He was a distinguished older man in a wheelchair, but far from handicapped. He was both a very powerful telepath and the leader of the X-men. Logan was a new member of the team. They accepted him, and his unique gifts, without question.
Logan thought about his gifts. Not all of his abilities were natural. He had heightened senses, and his body could heal itself at an accelerated rate. Self-healing is the reason for his other gift, an adamantium reinforced skeleton with retractable claws. Only someone with extraordinary healing ability could survive such a procedure. Ironically, it was his claws that made him stand out as a mutant, and they were man made. There were three nine-inch adamantium claws on each hand, and they extended from between his knuckles. He popped them out, *snikt*, and examined them. Adamantium was indestructible. With his healing factor and his reinforced skeleton, so was Logan.
He had so many unanswered questions. Who was he? Who did this to him? And why? First, he would help his friends. Then he would get his answers!
Finding himself at a junction of three tunnels, he had to choose a direction. Time was running out. He tried to pick up the scent of the kidnapped students. There were so many distracting smells here; even his finely tuned nose was having trouble separating them. Mildew, rust, filth, decay... and a few odors he didn't want to put names to. Everything about this place was foul!
He caught a whiff of something unfamiliar, and out of place. He couldn't identify it, but it piqued his interest. He retracted his claws and followed the scent down the left tunnel. Suddenly, he caught sight of a high security door. It was made of adamantium. Everything about it seemed to say 'keep out,' so he naturally wanted to get in. But it seemed to require some sort of code to open.
*snikt* -Smash! Amidst a spray of sparks, the door slid open.
Inside, the room's walls, floor, and ceiling were covered in adamantium. The only light in the room came from a strange purple forcefield around a large cylindrical tank. It looked like a glass tube lying on a large operating table. The caps on the ends had wires and tubes extending from them to the walls. The whole unit was about twenty ft long and eight ft high. There was a workstation with a computer control panel, but he couldn't make out what it was for.
After his initial inspection of the lab, something caught his attention. There was a young woman crouched in the corner of the tank. She looked terrified. He realized she was staring at his claws, so he quickly retracted them. Slowly, so as not to frighten her, he walked toward her cage. She didn't shrink away as he had expected, but straightened up to face him.
"How do I get you out?" he asked when she looked at him.
Having a better look at her, it was obvious that she had been there a while. She was pale and painfully thin. But what he noticed most were her eyes. They were a rich, deep violet, and she seemed to look right through him. Her hair was light brown and curly, hanging down to her waist like a mane. She looked fairly young, he guessed about twenty. She was wearing what looked like surgical scrubs, only sleeveless, and with the legs cut off at the knees. She was barefoot, but around her right ankle was a chain with a tag on it. It looked just like his. Logan almost lost control at the sight of someone with such innocent eyes wearing that tag. He understood what the tag represented, in every gruesome detail. She was a test subject, like he had been. He was furious, but he consciously reigned in his anger. He was determined to get her out, and he didn't want to scare her with his rage.
She was already in an obviously secure enclosure, so why the strange forcefield? And why was there adamantium on the walls and doors? He waited for her to speak, but she merely pointed to the console that controlled the forcefield.
*snikt* That was an easy enough fix. Smash!
A brief spray of sparks and the room went dark except for the light coming through the door behind him. Logan swore, wondering how he was going to open the cage. Suddenly, a soft white glow surrounded her as she lowered her head and closed her eyes. What looked like bright violet sparks cascaded from her head to her toes as she vanished. Then as suddenly as she disappeared, she materialized in much the same manner a few feet behind him near the door. He retracted his claws, still trying not to frighten her, but he could see that she wasn't scared. He walked to her, and she stood her ground, unafraid. He was surprised by this show of trust, and it touched him.
"What's your name?" Logan asked quietly.
The girl looked right into his eyes, and the effect on him was powerful. She seemed to look right into his soul, and he felt naked under her scrutiny. Then she smiled at him. It was a warm, affectionate smile that one might give to an old friend. The effect the smile had on her features was breathtaking. She was beautiful. She beckoned for him to follow her and started down the hall. She continued in the direction he had been heading, and he followed. He noticed how gracefully she moved, and how silently. She stopped at a junction of two tunnels, and paused to look at him.
"What is it?" he asked expectantly.
She pointed down a dimly lit tunnel to another lab. The Lab. Logan knew it instantly when he saw the door. How had she known? Why didn't she speak? She was turning to leave and he caught her wrist. When she looked at him, something inside him began to melt. Those eyes. There was so much going on behind those beautiful eyes.
He tried again to get her to answer, "Wait, what's your name?"
Pulling away and shaking her head furiously, her expression grew angry and defiant. She was suddenly terrified. He had to calm her down. He was one of the good guys. He needed her to trust him.
"It's okay; don't be afraid, I'm not going to hurt you. I let you out of that lab, remember?" He eased his grip on her wrist, but he didn't want to let her run away. "I just want to know your name. My name is Logan."
She seemed to calm down, and he let go of her wrist. The girl backed away, but stopped after a few steps, looking around as if she heard something. Logan heard it, too. Somewhere, there was a noisy battle. She seemed to start, as if she heard something that frightened her more than the noise. She glanced at him sadly as she vanished in a gentle rain of violet sparkles.
Where did she go now? He had to assume she was able to take care of herself. It wasn't as if he could do anything for her now. She was gone. He couldn't get a word out of her. He wondered if she was able to talk. Maybe it was just the trauma of being in here. What had they done to her? He wanted answers! He wanted answers about his past, and about her. He wanted Stryker to spill his guts. Then he wanted to spill Stryker's guts. He chuckled to himself at his play on words.
He went down the tunnel to the lab. *snikt* Maybe he could get some answers in there.
*****
She came back, though she didn't know why. She could have orbed herself to Hawaii by now! What was she thinking? She told herself it was to help these mutants save their friends, but the only one she was thinking about was him. Logan. She knew he had been there before, as a test subject. They bragged about all they had done to improve him. They made him indestructible, and gave him claws. He escaped years ago but was still talked about in the lab.
And now he was back. He had set her free, and she bailed on him. She immediately felt bad about leaving, and worried. They had done unspeakable things in that lab. She couldn't bear anything happening to another mutant in that house of horrors, especially Logan. She had to make sure he was okay. She orbed herself into the hallway outside the lab and found Logan in a bloody brawl with Yuriko. She hid in the shadows and watched the battle. That horrible woman! She hated the witch.
He fought with skill, but so did she. There was a great deal of blood from all the cuts being traded. He was obviously stronger, but she was very fast. The match was fairly even. She waited to make sure he didn't need any help, but she knew this was a fight he could easily finish himself. Then the fight was abruptly over as he injected her body full of molten adamantium.
Orbing outside the complex again to avoid being seen, she decided to wait there to make sure he got out all right. She took a moment to think back on their encounter in her cell. He had helped her, and tried not to frighten her with the rage he had just unleashed on that woman. He had asked her what her name was, but she couldn't bring herself to speak.
She hadn't spoken for a long time. She couldn't cooperate with that madman, Stryker. He wanted her to use her power. He was always trying to get information about her abilities. Then he brought that monster to see her. That pathetic looking man in the wheelchair was evil. His name was Jason, and he tried toying with her mind to make her talk. She had seen right through it and protected herself with a kind of shell that she built in her head. She had conditioned herself to never speak again until she could get free. Now she was free, and she couldn't make herself speak. When Logan asked her what her name was, she felt like she had in the interrogations.
Stryker had asked for her name, too. When they couldn't break her will, they finally named her Violet, after her eyes. She was glad Stryker never found out her true name. She knew Logan wouldn't hurt her, but Stryker had. Every unanswered question came with pain. She couldn't get away. They kept her drugged, and in that room they made. She couldn't transport through it. They had made plans to use her as another adamantium implant subject. But then Stryker had a better idea. He was just going to kill all the mutants. So she was forgotten. She felt bad that she couldn't talk to Logan. She would have told him anything he asked, but every sound caught in her throat.
It was freezing out here and she might as well have been standing there naked for all the protection her cotton scrubs gave her. But she stayed and waited. She knew something big was happening in there. They had come to rescue the newly arrived mutants. Things were going badly. Something was about to happen, she could feel it. Then it did happen.
Her head felt like it was going to explode, and she felt as though she was on fire. The pain was indescribable and seemed to go on forever. Then, as suddenly as it started, it stopped. She waited. Not long after she saw a helicopter leave, but he was not on it. It was some blue woman and an old guy along with a teenage kid. They didn't wait for anyone else, they just took off. What about the others?
Then Logan and his friends came out and went to where the helicopter had been. Great! The dam was in the final stages of collapse, and they were in the spillway. Just then, a jet came over the rise and clumsily skidded across the mud, embedding its wing. They scrambled aboard, and she relaxed. Logan was okay, and all of his friends. But they wouldn't be for long. The plane couldn't get free from the mud.
A woman emerged from the plane and used some sort of telepathic power to try to free the plane. Then, as the dam broke, she also held back the water. She was straining, it was obvious. She chose to sacrifice herself for the others. The plane was free, but she was exhausted, and finally she faltered.
Without any hesitation, Violet orbed to her and the force of the water overtook them both. Violet felt the woman's ribs break as she took the brunt of the water's force. It was icy cold and Violet fought to keep her senses. Violet held fast to her, but it was as if the woman had already given herself to her fate, and she didn't even know Violet was there. Violet orbed them both into the crew cabin of the plane.
They were lying on the floor. Violet was coughing up water and gasping, the woman was not. Violet saw Logan and another man, with a strange contraption over his eyes, rush to them but she held her hands up to ward them off. She could not have interference if she was going to help her. Logan held the man with the visor back and looked at her with concern... and trust. He trusted her. She could not let Logan down; this woman was his friend. She could see how the other man was watching, and knew he was the woman's lover. She forced herself to sit up. She held her hands palm down an inch above the woman's chest. She concentrated on taking away her injuries. Violet's eyes and hands glowed with a soft violet light and the woman began to breathe. It was strained at first, but each breath became stronger as her color returned and her bruises faded....
*****
Everyone's eyes were focused on the miracle. Scott was holding his breath. Only Logan noticed that as Jean recovered, the young woman faded. He could hear her bones cracking even as Jean's healed, and saw the bruises appear. She was healing Jean by actually taking the injuries into herself. He glanced around. Everyone looked at Jean. No one seemed to notice the sacrifice, until she collapsed on the floor in a heap as Jean woke up.
Scott ran to Jean, of course, but looked at Logan who had run to the young woman, and said, "That is the most amazing power I have ever seen. Who do you suppose she is, and why do you think she helped us?"
Logan was too angry at his insensitivity to answer. Dumb ass! He just gently lifted her up, carried her to the plane's tiny infirmary and laid her on the stretcher. She had begun convulsing from hypothermia, and Logan covered her with a blanket. He didn't know what had made him trust her when she motioned for them to stay back. Logan saw something in her eyes. She had already risked her life to pull Jean from the water. He decided she deserved his trust. Cyclops was going crazy, but he was no trouble. It was obvious right away that this woman was helping. She looked terrible, and he knew the injuries were bad. All he could do was try to keep her warm, and wait.
Logan wouldn't leave her side. Her body had relaxed, and her temperature was gradually returning to normal, but she was in bad shape. Who was she? What had they done to her there? Why did she help Jean? He gently stroked her cheek, and brushed a wayward curl from her forehead. She was beautiful. Not just her face, but her heart. He had known her barely an hour, didn't even know her name, but he knew that she was beautiful. She seemed to stir, but she remained asleep. He could see that her condition was improving. She had to have a healing factor, but healing factor or not, her saving Jean had been a sacrifice. She was weak from her captivity, and healing someone in that manner was obviously painful and required a lot of energy. Even if you did know you would recover, it took guts. She impressed him. What was her name? He lifted the blanket by her foot to look at her tag. '8675 3099' He turned it over. 'VIOLET.' Bingo. But was that her real name, or just the one they gave her?
*****
They reached the school late that night, the students having already returned. Dr. Hank McCoy had rounded them up and began the clean up. He was all ready to tend to the injured when the jet arrived, but the new faces surprised him. Kurt, a blue man with a tail and pointed ears, had a gunshot wound, but said he would be fine. Logan carried a frail looking woman to the infirmary. He laid her on the gurney and gave Hank a concerned look.
"It says on her tag her name's Violet. Take real good care of her," Logan said roughly. Hank ignored his tone and sent Logan out, leaving Logan to pace in the hallway like a caged tiger.
Hank made an unusual looking doctor. He was a brilliant man, highly educated, but looked a bit like a five hundred pound blue gorilla. His mutation made him look like a beast, so that was his nickname, -Beast. Hank looked her over carefully, and took some x-rays. After an extensive exam, he called Logan back in.
"Logan, she will be fine with some rest and food. Her ribs were almost all broken, but look almost completely mended now. She is, however suffering from malnutrition. When Violet wakes up, feed her... often. She'll be right as rain in no time," Beast's assessment was good news.
Logan stopped pacing and went to her side. Beast had put a hospital gown on her and bundled her up. She looked helpless, but somehow Logan knew she wasn't. He had looked into her eyes, and they spoke of power. She held surprises for them, he could feel it. Logan loved surprises, he couldn't wait.
He watched her sleep peacefully. He liked seeing her resting in a safe place, instead of that awful cell. It had obviously been designed to hinder her transporting ability. That had been something! Not all dark and freaky like Nightcrawler, but elegant and magical. She began to fidget in her sleep and he recognized the look, -nightmares. He could smell her fear; she was having a really bad one. He reached for her, gently putting his hands on her shoulders.
"Hey Violet, wake up. It's all right, you're just dreaming. You're safe, here with friends, c'mon darlin'..." He spoke softly, and there was tenderness in his tone.
Hank watched Logan try to comfort her. He saw his expression as Logan tried to coax her from her nightmares. Beast smiled to himself. Logan was a rough customer. They called him Wolverine, and it fit. He looked like a biker, complete with a leather jacket. He had a thick crop of hair that seemed to always come to points just above and behind his ears. He had bushy sideburns that came nearly to his chin. Always in boots, faded jeans, and a T-shirt, everything about Logan said trouble. The professor said that Logan had an anger management problem. Razor sharp claws or not, Hank knew he was really a softy. Logan was a loner, and liked the reputation he had as a rebel. But look at him now. -Not quite so tough after all. When Violet stirred, and opened her eyes, Hank discreetly slipped out.
"Hey, how ya feelin'?" Logan asked. He hoped that she would feel like talking to him now that she was away from that place. He had a real bad feeling that she couldn't talk, and he wanted desperately for her to prove him wrong.
She looked at him and smiled again. Then she looked around the room, and became apprehensive. Her whole demeanor changed. She was struggling, and seemed to be panicking. She was terrified, and that was the last thing Logan wanted.
He grabbed her wrists to keep her from hitting him and tried to reassure her, "It's our infirmary, not a laboratory. We just brought you in here to get you fixed up," he explained. She settled down and looked at him questioningly. He let go of her wrists. She was still wary, but calm. He realized she could have used her power to get away, and hadn't. Maybe she trusted him.
"Now, is Violet your real name?" he asked with an eyebrow cocked, and a smirk.
Violet shook her head.
"Did they give you that name?" He asked, but he knew the answer already.
She nodded sadly.
Logan reached inside his collar and pulled out his tag. "Wolverine is the name they gave me. Your name is nicer," he said, "but I'd really like to know your real name. Can you talk to me?" Logan couldn't bear the thought of never hearing her voice.
She blushed and turned away from him. She was upset, but not with him. Logan could see her frustration. He didn't know how to make this any easier. It was definitely time to talk to the Professor.
"That's okay, I think I'll let you rest, and I'll go get you something to eat," Logan said, but she grabbed his wrist and shook her head. Her expression was desperate. She obviously didn't want to be left alone. "All right darlin', I'll stay with ya. Just let me call and have someone bring us something to eat in here."
"Already taken care of," said Xavier as he wheeled into the infirmary, followed by Jean, Scott, and Storm, who carried a tray. "We thought Violet might be awake by now."
She looked at the professor with horror. A man in a wheelchair! In her mind, she saw Jason. Xavier probed her mind to find what was upsetting her. She had a very strong shield around her thoughts, but her fear was still readable. Jason. Jason had been a powerful telepath. He enjoyed toying with people's minds; he liked inflicting pain and fear. Xavier immediately understood. She walled herself up deep inside her mind to hide from the telepathic onslaught. She had been under siege by the same people who had shattered Logan's memory. They had been trying to break her. No wonder she appeared so traumatized- she was. He had to make her trust him if he was going to help her.
You are not at Alkali Lake anymore. No one here wants to hurt you. My name is Charles Xavier. The mutant you knew as Jason is dead. He projected as much comfort with those words as he could. She studied him warily for a moment. She looked from Logan, to Xavier, and then to the others. After a long moment of looking at Logan again, she let out a soft sigh, and relaxed. Charles knew he had gotten through, but she was still not allowing him to see her thoughts. As a transporter, she could have left at any time. Xavier realized that the only thing keeping her here was Logan.
Giving her a warm smile, Xavier started the introductions. "Well Violet, you know Logan. This is Dr. Jean Grey, whom you also know. Scott Summers, also known as Cyclops and Ororo Munroe, also called Storm." Storm brought the tray of sandwiches over.
Logan, take one and offer one to Violet, Xavier told Logan.
Why? She think we're gonna poison her? Logan protested.
I'm not sure just what she's afraid of. She doesn't show it, but she is terrified. She trusts you, Logan, but no one else.
Logan swore a long string of colorful expletives in his head that made Xavier raise an eyebrow at him. He grabbed a sandwich and took a big bite. "Storm, these sandwiches are great. Here Violet, try one. You must be very hungry," he said as he offered one to Violet.
She timidly took it and started eating. Her manner was deliberate and polite. For someone who probably hadn't eaten in days, it surprised all of them.
Logan watched her. Her manners gave her away. She was well educated, and came from a good home. Somehow he knew she would be able to speak, when she was ready. And he wanted to be there when she did. He offered her another sandwich, and she ate that too.
Beast walked in. "Here is our resident doctor, Hank McCoy, also called Beast," Xavier said by way of introduction.
"All right, visiting hours are over. Violet needs to rest," Beast said as he kicked everyone out, including Logan. "You, get out. She'll be fine. She's already nearly asleep. Come back in the morning."
Logan growled, looked back at Violet, but didn't argue. She was obviously exhausted, and besides, he needed to talk to Chuck.
*****
Logan went to Xavier's office with the others. Xavier was quiet and thoughtful, letting the others speak first.
Scott started. "She must have been really valuable to them. They must have been after her transporting ability. Healing people is too noble to be of interest, unless it would be for doing something like they did to Logan."
Jean chimed in, "She has telepathic ability, but it's not developed. And her teleporting ability is different than Kurt's. I can't describe it. And the healing is...amazing." Jean looked introspective for a moment, "Why would she do that?"
Storm knew the answer to that without being psychic, "Logan. She wanted to help his friend."
"That's very good insight Ororo. You have all made good observations. Logan, you found her, what do you think?" Xavier prompted.
Logan tried to explain what he'd seen. "She was in a weird tank, with a forcefield, and that was inside a room of adamantium. I'm guessing it was the only way to keep her from transporting out. She won't talk, but I know she understands. Did they do something to her to keep her from talking?" Logan looked at Xavier with sincere concern.
"I can't read much from her, she has become very good at blocking out telepathy," Xavier said. "She had been there a long time. I can't get in to talk to her. I'm sure she is capable of speaking, but her silence is driven by survival instinct. She has fought hard to keep herself safe, so she will be hard to reach. When she fully trusts us, I believe we will see the real Violet. Although, I doubt that will be her name then."
"I think Logan should spend more time with her. It's obvious that he has the best chance with her. She already trusts him," Scott said.
"For once I agree with Scooter here. She and I have a connection. I don't understand it either, but I could feel it right away. Let me try." Logan wasn't really asking permission, he'd already decided that was what he was going to do.
Jean protested, "But he has no psychic abilities. She can't or won't communicate yet. How can he possibly help?"
"Logan doesn't need to be psychic, he has good instincts. Besides, he's the one person in this room that can honestly understand what she's been through. That is part of their connection," Storm said making Jean feel foolish in her unfounded protests. Storm wondered just what was bothering her. Was it possible Jean was jealous?
"Then it's decided. She needs a little patience, and understanding from us until she can break out of her shell. Logan that's your department. Now everyone off to bed. Logan, you stay," Xavier bid them all goodnight. They shuffled out of his office quickly, except Logan.
"Logan, she needs a friend here, and that is obviously you. However, I believe that you may have difficulty remaining objective here," Xavier tried to broach the subject delicately.
"Chuck, you know me better than that, and you know I wouldn't hurt her. My feelings won't get in the way." Logan was indignant. How dare ol' Chuck spy on his feelings? He hadn't even figured out what he was feeling.
"I wasn't spying, Logan, everyone noticed the way you act around her. I believe that it may help to draw her out. Just remember how fragile she is right now," Charles reminded.
Logan knew she was fragile. He didn't need to be told to treat her gently. He couldn't imagine treating her any other way. "How long do you think it will take for her to return to normal after she opens up?" Logan asked.
"I believe it will happen relatively quickly. There will be an initial period of shock, over what has happened to her, but I'm sure we can help her through that. I'll be keeping an eye on her, and you know what you need to do," Xavier said, "Goodnight, Logan."
*****
Scott opened the door for Jean. "You must be pretty tired after the day you had. How about a hot bath before turning in?" Scott said with a broad smile. He thought about how easily he could have been coming home without her. He just wanted to hold her and never let go of her again. "I'll wash your hair," he added suggestively.
She looked at his handsome face, and that disarming smile of his. The thought of a hot bath was appealing, but she'd certainly never pass up an offer like he just made. "You run the water, and I'll grab our pajamas," she said smiling.
A few moments later she came into the bathroom empty-handed. "I thought you were going to grab our pajamas," he said with a smirk.
"Yeah I did, and I brought everything we need," she told him with a devilish grin.
"I thought you'd be tired," he said, making sure that she wasn't just doing this for him.
Jean read the concern in his thoughts, You ought to know me better than that by now, Scott. I wouldn't be climbing in this tub with you if I didn't want to. I expect you'll make it worth my while... she told him provocatively.
Oh, he'd make it worth her while, all right. She could bank on that. He had nearly lost her today when that dam broke. He saw her go under, and it nearly killed him inside. When Violet appeared holding her, he'd had an epiphany. He swore, if she lived, he'd do anything to make her happy. He'd even step aside for her to be with Logan, if that was what she wanted. He realized, in that moment that he loved her enough to let her go. Thank God that wasn't what she wanted. Nothing makes you appreciate the people you love like nearly losing them.
They helped each other peel off those leather X-men uniforms. They offered a lot of protection on a mission, but when it was over, they were hard to get off. They both had aches and pains from their battle that morning. Scott climbed in the tub and sat down. Sitting in front of him, Jean lay back against his chest, and Scott wrapped his arms around her affectionately. He had never felt contentment like he did at this moment. He smiled to himself when he realized that Jean had fallen asleep right there in the tub, wrapped in his arms. He needed to remember to thank Violet for saving his Jean. That young woman would have his undying gratitude.