[A/N:]While I was bored, I found a somewhat obscure moment in comic history: the time that the High Evolutionary stripped the mutants of the area of their powers. Not having the ability to actually acquire the comic books in question at the moment, I searched the internet for information on this event, specifically: how Wolverine dealt with it. Although Adamntium is said to be poisonous and Wolverine was suffering from the effects of that after his healing powers went 'poof!', no one could seem to tell me exactly what it was supposed to be like for him. A lot of the canonical information is probably wrong, such as what other team members were there at the time and the rule on artificially gained powers, but I'm doing the best I can with the knowledge I have. This story is set directly after the meeting/battle/whatever with High Evolutionary and circles around Logan's realization of his mortality. The whole thing is first person from Logan's perspective. I also put two of my OC's mostly as foil characters for Logan to interact with and show more of his character based on what he thinks/says about them. I hope you'll enjoy it! Feel free to criticize/review/comment.

EDIT 4/6/13: I couldn't bear it any longer, I had to re-proof this thing. It was sending people away with its grammatically-ignorant being long enough.


Chapter 1: Aftermath

At least none of us are dead - yet. Most everyone's in shock over suddenly losing their powers. Elise and I're the most unsure, since neither of us can remember a time before we could heal.

She's sitting still, staring straight ahead - as if a single wrong move will do her in. I sigh and sit next to her with my hand on her shoulder.

"The furball is sure the meds he gave you will keep you safe, at least from turning into a pile of dust or something."

"That's real comforting. ONE person is pretty sure I don't spontaneously disintegrate. Wonderful." She pouts and looks the other way.

She always was a bit of a drama queen…

"No, everyone here except you. I ain't that good at math, but I'm pretty sure twelve is better than one." She glances at me over her shoulder then leans on me.

"I suppose it is…"

~ooOoo~

"Ugh" Elise groans holding her forehead. "Do humans' heads usually hurt like this?" She asks after the X-jet landed in the hanger.

Must be just her 'cause I don't feel a thing.

"You are probably merely fatigued and suffering from stress. Discomfort is to be expected if you are not used to it." Hank replies.

He's probably right: if she was going to die from this, it would have happened hours ago.

"Yeah… I guess I should probably go to bed."

As if on cue, she yawns.

Hank chuckles, "I think we all should. Today has been a long day for everyone."

My hearing ain't nearly as good as it used to be, but I can still hear Scott whispering to Jean fairly clear, "Bed would be nice…"

He has his visor off as he runs his dammed fingers through her hair.

I grumble as I get up. At least now Jean can't get cross with me for fantisizin' li'l Cyke burning in Hell. Fuck you, Summers! Go rot in a fucking hole! If you were missing, I would glance over the surrounding area then tell everyone you were dead!

Walking into the brightly-lit subbasement, I hafta squint because the lights hurt my head.

I nudged Elise and whisper, "I see what you mean about that headache thing."

She nods with a chuckle and follows her husband, John, upstairs. Before she turns the corner, I notice a little red dripping out of her boot.

"Hey, sis."

"What?" She asks, annoyed.

Definitely over-tired.

I motion for her to sit down on a ledge and take her boot off. She gasps at the sight of the large splotch of blood on the underside of her sock. I look in her boot and pulled out a small, sharp rock before examining the wound.

"Just a few scratches, none too terribly deep. Let's go get you a bandage, though."

"I'll get it," John says quietly.

Maybe this no-power thing would be good for him, force the boy to actually speak up instead of using telepathy.

'No-power' ain't a completely correct way to describe it, though. Any mutant that had an artificial enhancement of some kind kept it: Hank's still got blue fur and animalistic features, but 'normal' proportions. Rogue's still strong and can fly, but she don't have to worry about accidentally bumping into someone; and Elise still has her claws. Don't know whether she still has her forcefields and invisibility, but I wouldn't bet against it.

John comes back with a first aid kit and begins to bandage her foot. I watch, glancing over at their faces before looking down again.

Woulda preferred she picked someone who'd stick up for himself better with people, but at least he's been good to her. And I suppose that's all I can ask for her: to be happy and loved.

I watch their exchange awkwardly as she tries to get down but John insists he carry her. She sighs, smiles and slings her arms around him as he scoops her up and carries her away.

Soon as they leave, it's silent as the grave.

Normally I'd hear all the electronics on this floor and people a few floors up, but no. It's completely silent. For a moment, I feel like I might not even exist, or this all is just a nightmare, because I can't hear my own heartbeat or breathing. But I touch my chest and feel it.

I squint, looking up, and contemplate whether I should follow the others, but the thought of speed, fresh air, and the roar of my motorcycle's much more appealing than the thought of lying awake in my room.

B'sides, I could use a stiff drink.

I change outta my costume then wander off to the garage to take a look at my bike. As I walk closer, I quickly realize it's list its luster. I grab my favorite riding jacket and hold it to my face to sniff, then frown.

It's like all the memories've been stripped offa it. It's like the opposite'a normal: I have my memories but the rest of the world forgot 'em.

"Logan?"

I jump in surprise 'cause I hadn't heard anyone come in. Had that been Sabretooth rather than Chuck, I'd probably be dead.

"Yeah, Chuck?"

"Logan, please remember not to do anything rash. You're not as indestructible as you used to be."

"Believe me, I know," I mount my bike and put on Scott's helmet.

The prick'll just have to deal.

"The world isn't any less beautiful now, Logan. You just have to look beyond the surface like the rest of us." I turned back to him as I started up the bike.

"Thought you couldn't read my mind."

"I don't have to," he says.

I take a long look at the road and drive off.


*** [another Author's Note:]

Fuck you, Summers! Go rot in a fucking hole! If you were missing, I would glance over the surrounding area then tell everyone you were dead!

While editing, I chose to leave this tidbit in, but also provide an explanation.

For those of you who didn't get the joke, this is exactly what happened in the movie that shall not be named. *coughcough*Last Stand*cough* In that scene, Logan and Ororo go looking for Scott at Alkali lake. Instead of continuing to look for him, they spazz out upon finding Jean alive and presumably just forget about Scott. Eventually Logan remembers that they were supposed to have been looking for Scott, so he asks Jean about him. Jean thinks she killed him and flips out, but since the scene doesn't show the moment he disintegrates, we cant be sure.

I conjecture that Scott is STILL pulling a Velma in the forest, surviving off of bugs and rabbits like Bear Grills, looking for his glasses that Wolverine pocketed.

Thanks for humoring me. I'd still love to see reviews, even a bad one. Let it rip, I won't take it personally.