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Origins: Sealed & Unlocked

X-men Origins: Wolverine

Logan . Victor

1

Stain

War, a distinct scent forever engraved in memory, overshadows nothing in the many layers of warfare. Each battle holds a different aroma. Where once the smoke from the cannons of the American Civil War lingered and the stench of the World War flight fuel, missiles and gun powder linger, now there's the evolutionary fume of the machine gun.

So much more advanced than what it once was on the beaches of Normandy. It hurt more than any blade or cannon could afflict. Took longer to regroup the skin enough to cover bone. Just having the filth of battle entering your open wounds could bring even more pain. Especially when you're trying to run through a massive mob of soldiers. Trying to reach those who meant more than the battle's contemporary purpose.

The splitting crack of metal sliding from gun barrels left a hazed perception. Yet it came to a sudden halt. An annoyed growl replaced the constant firing.

I had to cling fast to the top of the helicopter before being forced out. Logan had pulled his brother back to stop the unnecessary shootings. Victor merely jerked away and continued targeting those who had already surrendered.

And thus, the sudden fall prevention as Logan took control of the pilot's obvious ignorance. The helicopter turned just enough to avoid Victor's rage. A spasmodic turn though. Victor spun on his heel, army boots nearly losing balance from how quick. Logan glanced over his shoulder, a simple warning.

He went too far.

"Take us down!"

The pilot nodded before snatching the control back, an aggressive spite. Logan didn't notice though. Both he and Victor were staring as they moved near the edge.

The ground came closer. The men had left more than enough room with the Vietnamese tucked behind. We had successfully carried out this mission with a fair amount of the opposing army leftover. Even after the previous event mistook.

These somewhat strong arms motioned for the two brothers aside. Prepared for any instinctual habits. Even this tarnished army imprinted top had more than enough rips to handle any more of their temper tantrums. Still, they barely made enough room for me to squeeze between. Victor merely stared while Logan examined his usual tactics. Counting how many of our soldiers stood guard and how many of the opposing knelt in defeat.

"This is just a civilian weapon clearing procedure. We've already gotten the militia. You know what to do!" the co-pilot shout.

We didn't acknowledge what we already knew. But waiting for the appropriate distance gave us time. For the standard pre-battle discussion. Their usual warnings before entering unstable territories always clashed.

Victor bore his teeth as if to say the usual. Don't get in our way. His way definitively. If Logan had seen, he would have expressed the opposite. Victor threatened for either our safety or his gain. Logan clarified with a simple gander which always meant. Stay close to whoever's near. Meaning him.

Victor wanted to risk rather than think. Apart from this though, the past few battles we've fought, the World Wars, have been unrelenting. He's been fighting against his feral mutation yet it's getting worst. This control could very well lose, soon, and when it does, we all will.

"Elix," Logan turned so his chest pressed against my arm instead of his arm to mine.

"She's heard what you have to say every single time we do this. She doesn't need to again-"

"Am I speaking to you Victor?"

"We're wasting daylight. By the time this guy lands this thing, the war will be over," he pushed me further into the chopper before grabbing Logan. Jumping to the foreign country with enthusiasm.

Took me awhile to even notice I was alone. I didn't even feel how forceful the push was. It wasn't a push rather a slight nudge actually. Why couldn't I feel? Something was holding back. Victor. The answer came even more clear the moment I realized just how close he was to losing.

"Waiting on you Chavelier," two young soldiers stood by each side of the door. Bearing their weapons firmly by their sides. No matter what army we serve, there are always suspicions. They've known something wasn't quite right from the recoveries. Fatal injuries men only dream about surviving. No one's brave enough to strike a claim for what we are. They needed firm evidence.

So far, the only evidence they've seen is a woman in war. Specifically, a woman who has been accepted into the army, not as a nurse or administrator but a soldier. The army wasn't fond of having women be a part of history but they made exceptions when two very strong men took the rule past its boundaries.

I might have moved too sudden. An acute headache soaked the brim of my brow as soon as I touched land.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," took an extra few minutes to gain balance.

"Where's your weapon?"

Weapon? It's right here. One between my boots and skin but the cool metal wasn't there. And my gun? Should be in my hands. Where was my gun? Knife? Had I forgotten to bring them before we left camp? No, I wouldn't do that.

"You are not to enter this village without proper protection-"

Why can't I remember how long I've been standing here?

"Private Wright! Get the men over here now!" Before any of us could move, shots were fired. Warning shots.

They already took off, towards a gathering crowd of soldiers. I moved with them but seemed to waver back and forth like I'd been drugged. A thick milky veil covered the surroundings. The noises were distinct. Shouts, thrashes, struggles. The veil lifted only slightly but it was enough to move. To run. Didn't take long.

Victor?

His name dripped slowly and with caution but ruined everything. A young Vietnamese girl held tightly to the few soldiers who were tending to a wound upon her head. It only took a moment but when she looked to me and I looked to her, I knew exactly why she clung to her shaking body with fear and pain.

Why I felt so sick not a moment ago.

Our platoon held their most loyal and perfectly trained soldiers at gunpoint. Logan was the only one who noticed I stood before them. Victor was crouched like an animal, fangs completely out and fierceness magnetized. He's blind by the feral. Logan's claws reached strong, honorable intentions compared to his brother. He shook his head to me, brown gaze piercing with command. To not become involved. He should have known better than to even blink.

Does he even realize what he's done?

As if he could hear it, he turned and joined Logan with the same look. Only different.

Elixandra. He mouthed my name with the same silent effect I did his.

Before I could understand why, a hard forceful blow to the back of my neck left both rushing to catch the fall.

New School Year. New Story. I saw X-Men First Class awhile ago. Wasn't impressed. And I was so excited to watch it but turned out disappointed. At least Wolverine was in it for a moment. And this also inspired a chance for improvement =)

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