My name cannot be pronounced by the human tongue, but you may call me Spirit. If you don't know who I am, then here is part of my story. My story began a few years ago with the X-Men, when I was found by Logan (aka Wolverine) on the side of the road after I escaped from the scientists that had held me captive. I'm a mutant of mutants. I was born a wolf, experimented on to become the ultimate shapeshifting weapon; I wasn't as willing as I was supposed to be. I made and lost friends at the X-Mansion, and I needed to get away for awhile after I was possessed by Phoenix, Jean Grey's alter ego, I guess you could say. Logan helped me get into the Army as a German Shepherd dog. I was made a partner of a man who went by the name of Duke and, by default, his friend Ripcord.

Life's been good for the past six months. I felt satisfied, happy even. I saw combat, I got to fight, and I got to be with the people I liked the most. I may not have been able to shift, but I was still doing what I loved.

I should have known better. Nothing good lasts forever.

Hey guys, so this is Part II of Spirit's Life. If you're new to Spirit's Life, I highly recommend you read Part I first, which takes place with the X-Men. Please R&R, and enjoy this first chapter of Spirit's Life 2.

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I laid in the waiting area, watching as men scurried around like ants who's hill had been kicked over. I didn't pay them much attention, waiting for my handler instead. He'd gone to get some stuff ready for the mission tonight, and I didn't want to get under his feet; he could get tense when it came to missions. Instead, I took a chance to get to know the area, my one blue and one black eye gazing around the area. The black eye was a "gift" from Phoenix from her time possessing me. I'd been a rabid monster during that time; definitely not my favorite thing to look back on.

I yawned and shook myself as I pushed myself up into a sitting position, gazing around as I pushed the memories away; I'd joined the Army to get rid of those memories, not relive them. My attention was drawn to a commotion off to the side, and my ears pricked as Duke strode into the room, barking out orders. I gave a bark of my own, and Duke's eyes snapped over to me. He gave a hint of a smile, clicking his fingers. I immediately ran to his side, dodging between legs and under crates before I came to a sliding stop next to him. I barked again, wagging my tail. Duke chuckled, ruffling the fur on my head.

"I need you on high alert tonight, Spirit," he said, kneeling down to place something into one of the pockets of my bulletproof vest; probably rations of something. "This is going to be a tough one; we're transporting some high tech stuff tonight. Think you can handle it?"

I gave a third bark of confirmation, eyes shining with excitement. Duke gave the dog tags around my neck a gentle tug - a ritual of ours - before he rose, turning to look at a group of Special Forces men in front of him.

"Alright, listen up! The Cougars will be front and back, Grizzly in the middle carrying the package. Minimum distance at all times. Choppers will cover us overhead," he said, looking from one soldier to the next. I stood at attention next to Duke's side, ears erect and my body still. As he finished talking, a man came forward, holding something in his hands.

"Captain Hauser," he said, handing him a handful of forms. I could almost hear him groan as he started filling out the paperwork. As I watch Duke, a familiar scent hits my nose. I wag my tail, looking over my shoulder to see Ripcord as he takes a case from another man.

"Not gonna explode, is it?" he joked.

The man didn't look as amused. "They're not weaponized yet," he said. "And the kill switches are attached to the launchers. All the same, I'd avoid potholes if I were you."

I mentally laughed at Ripcord's expression, even more so when he hurriedly hands the case off to another soldier. Duke gives him a look, and I have to work hard to keep my thoughts to myself; it wouldn't be good for the others to hear a feminine voice laughing in their heads.

"Why can't we just stick it in a chopper and fly it out?" Ripcord asked Duke as we started towards our ride, one of the Cougar vehicles. "If you want, I could-"

"We have our orders," Duke interrupted, clicking his fingers for me to get into the car. I did so without hesitation, moving to make room for the others. "Ok, people! We're on the clock, let's move!"

I barked to enforce his orders, sticking my head out one of the windows. Ripcord pushed my wagging tail from his face.

"Calm down, Spirit," he said, though he affectionately scratched my rump before getting into the drivers' seat. "This is going to be easy as pie. Maybe we'll have time to actually get some pie once this delivery is done and over with."

I growled playfully at my friend, watching as weapons were loaded and engines were turned out. Before too long, I felt the Cougar lurch underneath me. And we were off.

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So, I know that this chapter isn't very long, but it's mostly to give you guys a feel for how things are going to go, and I hope that you guys like it! Reviews make my day and allow chapters to be posted sooner! :)

ML out