Chapter One: The Girl

The howling breeze swept across the alleyway like a tidal wave. Opening her eyes slowly, Kayla sat up. It had been a rough time of her life, for she had broken out of the forsaken orphanage to survive on the streets on her own. During the winter, she found it difficult to escape the cold, and was usually found curled up in a ragged blanket at night. Steam escaped her lips as Kayla eyed her surroundings wearily. Strange dogs and people often hid in the alleyway as a refuge from the law, and posed somewhat danger to her. The wind blew by again, sending Kayla more shivers of cold. She did not have much to wear except a worn jacket, black toque and jeans. She walked out into the streets where people were bustling by, trying to get to work. Her rummage today was a used wooly blanket she had found by a garbage can and stole some loaves of bread from the nearby store. Her thoughts had unconsciously drifted back to her earlier memories, one when her mother was dying, and the other when she had accidentally set the orphanage one fire. Kayla recalled how much trouble she had caused with the fire, and it was the reason she had runaway, because the fire had ignited when she touched the wooden door. Odd things happened to her, ones that she had no explanation for.

(

Logan had slept uneasily that night. He had a dream, one he had never experience before. He was caught by Magneto, who was forcing him to tell of the plans the X-Men wanted to execute on his vast army. Shaking his head resignedly, Logan got up. He could not explain the strange dreams he often experienced, but they were clues to his forgotten past. As he walked down the corridors that morning, a crowd of students were walking down, finding their way to their classes. The first thing every morning for him was too well, meet with Xavier. Xavier was the owner of these premises, teaching the mutants to control their extraordinary abilities and what they should be learning academically. But the force he had founded, the X-Men was to protect mankind from the ever so dangerous Magneto.

"Logan" Xavier said from behind his desk. He wheeled his wheelchair to the spot beside the seat Logan had taken.

"The search must begin today," he continued, "We must find the girl before Magneto does. I suspect he has some use for her powers, and without the proper guidance, she would prove to be a powerful adversary." Logan understood at once, for Xavier had repeated on more than one occasion about this mysterious girl. It was said that she would possess a power to be desired by all mutants, and that it could change the future of mankind.

"Has Magneto begun his search?" Logan asked in a brusquely voice. He wasn't a morning person and always seemed grumpy at the time. Xavier paused for a moment, but replied, "the search for her has indeed begun, as it has another lifetime ago."

"You mean, there's another.like her?" He did not understand, what did Xavier mean by a "lifetime" ago. Though he was prone to speaking in riddles, this was one riddle Logan did not comprehend.

"Power was desired years ago, Logan, it does not matter what form it takes, it was and always will be desired by many" Xavier replied in a final tone "Cyclops and Storm are ready for you, you must depart immediately."

(

Kayla had decided to snuggle inside the ragged blanket that morning for the temperature was too cold for her to go wandering. Several figures entered the ally and she quickly sat up. It was not often people went in the alley, unless there was someone they needed to find. Unfortunately, there was no one else occupying the space other than her.

"What do you want?" she muttered under her breath. The figures were drawing closer, at an alarming rate. One of them took out a gun-like pistol and that was enough for her to panic. But something unexpected happened. Metal claw-like things emerged from in-between Kayla's frozen knuckles, causing the three figures to stop. Three on each hand, and Kayla's eyes turned wolf-like as she snarled. The figures were approaching fast, and Kayla, who wasn't in her normal state of mind, lunged at them. One of them possessing a magnetic-type power managed to bend her metal claws backwards and levitated her in the air.

"I thought we were looking for the Chosen One, not a baby Wolverine," Magneto said in disgust. He was hoping the girl possessed more power than just several claws.

"Perhaps she has not mastered her abilities yet master, seeing from what she just did, I doubt she can even control herself" said the figure to the left of Magneto.

"Let's just shoot her, we'll know once we run some tests on her, the X- Men will find us, Master" suggested the other one. Magneto knew his time was short before the X-Men were on the scene, and shot the girl a dirty look. Kayla's pupils contracted and fire shot from her right hand.

"I think we have the right one" he gloated demonically. A tranquilizer shot from his minion's gun just before three others arrived. Cyclops, Storm and Wolverine managed to arrive at the scene before she was taken.

"Let her go!" demanded Storm as she stepped up to Magnet "your fight is with us, not the girl." But Wolverine did not hesitate; he charged straight at him, he could not let Magneto harm another, especially after he saw what happened to Rogue. Rogue was a young girl that had a staggering ability to use another's power for a short while for she could take the life force of another. She cannot experience physical touches for she could seriously harm them. Several years ago, Magneto had attempted to use Rogue's abilities to turn the world's senators into mutants.

"Let her go before I have to hurt you" he snarled. The man to the left of Magneto unveiled his hooded cloak. He had the power of invisibility and landed several punches on Wolverine before he could realize that.

"You cannot see me, therefore you cannot save that pitiful girl there" he laughed diabolically. Kayla had become very drowsy since the dart had hit her. Her mutant powers had suddenly disappeared and she seemed almost normal, floating in mid air. She saw the battle, a man sending heated beams across the battlefield and a lady with white eyes. But before long, Kayla collapse and the world went dark.

(

"Logan" said Tessa, holding a handful of papers. Logan turned to her, looking very puzzled but decided he would let her talk.

"Yes?" he sighed; he hated being interrupted from his sleep, for he rarely got some quality time to enjoy nightmare free nights.

"The blood work, from the girl" she said slowly, with an extremely irritable look from Logan, "matches yours. They are so close you h-have to be f-father and daughter." He almost fell of his bed.

"Tessa, I don't have a wife, least of all a girlfriend" said Logan, shaking his head "you must've done something wrong." The thought of that reminded him of Jean, a woman he loved who unfortunately had died.

"I checked it five times Logan, the system is reliable" she said in an exasperated tone "you cannot recall your previous life, perhaps you had someone then."

"I-it can't be." This was something he could not bring himself to believe.

(

Kayla was starting to come around from the tranquilizer. She rubbed her head because it was throbbing. Her eyes were adjusting to the light, and Kayla found herself on a metal medical examination table. She couldn't remember why she was here, but after several moments she recalled that three strange beings with powers had come to take her. Jumping off the table, Kayla was off to find a way out. But footsteps were coming down the corridor, and she was left in the open. Her eyes darted around until they spotted a doorway with a big "X" on it. If that isn't a way out she thought I don't know what is. She went up to the door, it was roughly the size of a garage door, and it was circular. Ramming her fists into, it did not budge nor open.

Logan had followed Tessa to see the girl. He could not believe what he was hearing and had to see her himself. Catching sight of her by the hangar door, he shouted "hey you! Stop!" Kayla turned around and found two adults standing several feet away, glowering at her.

"Y-you stay back!" she shouted with as much force as she could muster "I don't know what you do in these labs, but you are not going to do it on me." Kayla was slowly backing away from them, her eyes never leaving the two long figures.

"You're all mixed up" Tessa explained "this is a place for mutants." Her eyes were in fear, as Kayla turned around and ran. She wanted to leave, she did not know why people were after her, but it was probably not for something good. Sprinting down a white corridor, she came upon the stairs where she skipped every other step. The next room was very much different from the one downstairs; it had a very "royal" look to it. Logan and Tessa ran after the girl, surprised at how quickly she ran. The two were closing in behind her, so Kayla opened the nearest door and slammed it shut.

"I was expecting you, Kayla." Those words made a chill run down her spine. She timidly looked around, and was relieved to find a man in a wheelchair.

"W-what do you want?" Her hands were still on the doorknob, ready to spring the door open once again should he even suggest of capturing her.

"I am Charles Xavier, found of Xavier school for the gifted or mutants," Xavier declared. The knob frantically being turned by Logan and Tessa outside as Kayla fought to keep it shut.

"Well, I'm sorry to say, but your basement looks awfully like a lab.Do you breed mutants or something?" she said angrily. Xavier closed his eyes; he read her mind like an open book. From her earliest memories to her encounter with the two "scientists" from his premises he saw all.

"Oh, please let Logan and Tessa in. I assure you, they pose no harm," he said in a soft encouraging voice. Kayla felt as if told her what to do and she let the knob loose. Logan and Tessa came bursting in, much to their embarrassment. Kayla was slowly edging away to the far corner of the room.

"Logan? Tessa? Might I ask why you have come in so -abruptly-?" he asked. The two exchanged glances and Logan replied, "We have come to see the girl." Kayla's heart jumped up to her throat and the stomach had at least a million butterflies in it as Logan stared at her. Logan saw his eyes, the steel grey ones full of determination, and his hair color, the dark tones he had. Tessa was muttering something in Xavier's ears and Logan continued to stare in wonder at Kayla. She had uncanny resemblance to him, funny how he did not notice that in midst of battle.

"Tessa, I would very much appreciate if you could let me speak with Logan and Kayla privately," Xavier said finally, after several minutes of talk with Tessa. She left the room without a word and shut the door.

"As I understand, Kayla, you come from an orphanage?"

"How did you know that?"

"You are not that only one that possesses powers, we all do. I have been given a gift and curse, the power of telepathy."

"H-how are you so sure I'm one of you? Like I mean I don't think I-"

"You have experience a taste of your powers, when you encountered Magneto."

"That man who levitated me?"

"Yes." Logan listened to this, surprised at the fact Kayla grew up in an orphanage and broke out. Kayla sat in the seat closest to the door, as if she was ready to run out of this room should the opportunity come. He glanced at her, and saw that her face was in concentration.

"I remember that, this happened." Claws shot out by her knuckles, and it made Logan rub his hands for it reminded him of his own.

"Still in doubt Logan?"

"No sir." Xavier had read his thoughts, once again. Logan continued to rub his hands nervously as he watched his daughter examine her newly found powers.

"I think this would come to be the greatest shock you have experienced yet" Xavier said after several moments "this man, Logan, is your father." Kayla looked up and looked at the man seated a foot away from her. She almost fell of her seat and stood up and repeatedly hit her head against the wall.

"I am dreaming" she said in a monotonic voice as she rammed her head again and again "I am no mutant and I have not met my father. I will wake up in a minute." Xavier seemed to have expected this behavior from her for he said "you knew this would happen Kayla, you have the power of telepathy too. You know you are awake." She looked up, shifting her gaze from Logan and Xavier.

"Then why was I at the orphanage? I am not wanted, I am different," her statement was blunt. Logan did not know how to answer this, nor did Xavier. The two men were at a loss for words.

"I am the one to blame," Logan said quietly "I remember spending pleasurable time with a woman, you mother, before I left and if I knew she was pregnant, I would not have left at all." Kayla looked at him, a face without emotion. There seemed to be a lifetime of lingering silence before Xavier spoke again.

"I believe you father Kayla, he would not have left" he said calmly, seeing as the tension was rising dramatically.

"I'm not sure I do" she said turning away from the two "I'm going back." Logan looked up, he owed her everything. He caused the pain, he sensed she did not have a happy childhood but he stopped her.

"You are running away again." Kayla scoffed and replied, "I am." She reached for the brass doorknob and was about to turn it before she interrupted.

"It is time to face your troubles Kayla, stop running." She withdrew her hand, but did not seat herself down.

"My life has been nothing but trouble. You would not understand. If it was you, you'd run." Logan stood facing the door; his eyes were down at the floor. He was so weight down with guilt at the moment; he would've killed every soul in the world to make it up to her.

"Ah, but your father's life has been similar too, and so have mine. The life of a mutant is indeed difficult path, all of these whom dwell here, have taken the same path as you and I." Kayla swallowed hard. She didn't know what to think, she couldn't believe this man was her father, everything seemed unreal at the moment.

"Stay, for one day, then tomorrow come back and tells me your decision. Logan show her the spare bedroom." Logan had half wished he did not ask him, he did not want to look at her. The pains in her eyes were like knives, they hurt him every time he looked. He led her upstairs to a hall- full of dormitories.

"What was her name?" her voice was so quiet, Logan could barely hear. He was surprised she wanted to talk to him and gave her a short reply, "Amy Johnson." Kayla enjoyed the sound of the name, echoing in the halls. Their footsteps were drowned out by the noise from the activity on the main floor.

"Do you love her?" The next question was a bit harder to answer. Logan had not seen her in a long time, and she was probably dead since Kayla had ended up in an orphanage.

"I did" if he had not been a mutant, Logan would not doubt ask her hand in marriage. But then, he had a question to ask as well, "what happened to her?"

"She had cancer when I was three, died six months later." The words boomed in his head again and again. Rogue appeared down the hallway and she shouted a joyful greeting to him.

"Logan! I'm so glad to see you, and this is." she asked, noticed Kayla behind him. Rogue was so happy at the moment; Logan did not want to spoil it for her.

"Kayla, she's erm, new here."

"We're having a hockey tournament outside, please come." Logan nodded and Rogue bounded off.

"Is she your girlfriend?" At the moment, he did not feel like explaining to his daughter about his and Rogue's relationship. They were good friends, but his heart was still with Jean.

"It's complicated," he sighed as he opened the door to Kayla's room, "she's this kid I gotta look out for." Kayla gave an "oh" one that sounded as if Rogue was more like his kid than her.

"It's not like she's my kid," Logan said quickly "I just have to look out for her."