Ch. 2

Although the entire Institute was surprised by X-23's unexpected arrival, she was allowed to enter and speak with Xavier and Logan, who was all in the Professor's office, discussing whatever it was that X-23 wanted to talk about. And while they were talking, which took the entire day, Kitty was using her powers to phase her ear through the professor's door to eavesdrop, and give Kurt updates on their meeting. Alex, who was confused about what was going on, followed the two mutants, and saw them listening in.

"Is all this standard routine for the X-Men? Listening in on other people's conversations?" Alex asked.

"Yes actually; we do it on a regular basis." Kurt said, and Alex just smirked.

"So what's going on; what is it about this girl that you guys don't like?" Alex asked, and Kurt looked upset.

"A few months ago, that girl infiltrated this school and knocked out over half of us just to get to Logan, and fight him. You see, she's a clone of Logan, believe or not; she was created by HYDRA to be an assassin, but she betrayed them, and hunted Logan down instead. She has all of Logan's powers, being able to heal rapidly and has claws made out of adamantium, courtesy of HYDRA." Kurt said, and Alex looked both shocked and pitiful, surprised to hear that someone could make a child go through things like that. "So Kitty, what's going on?"

"I think…I think X-23 is, like, asking the Professor to allow her to stay…here…to, like, live here." Kitty said, trying to focus on the conversation in the Professor's Office.

"So, X-23, you're saying that you want to live here, with us?" Xavier asked, and X-23 nodded hesitantly.

"Yes…Wolverine…I mean, Logan, said that you'd be willing to let me live here…that'd I'd be safe here. Look…I'm not used to asking others for help, so I'm just going to go." X-23 said, and she was about to leave, but Logan stepped in front of her, blocking her.

"X-23, wait, I'm not saying that you're not allowed to stay with us. Of course you're allowed to live here. I'm just surprised that you came of your own free will." Xavier said, and X-23 shrugged.

"Logan promised me that if I came here, I'd have my own room to stay in, food to eat, and that I won't have to hide from Shield anymore. Is that true?" X-23 asked, and Xavier looked at Logan, and then back at X-23.

"Yes. All that can be arranged. Shield will never know you're here. Now, we'll have to nearby computer, and activated it. "Do you have any ideas on what you'd like to be called?" Xavier asked, and X-23 shook her head.

"How about 'Laura'?" Logan asked seriously, and X-23 thought it over and eventually nodded.

"Okay, 'Laura' it is. Though, you'll need a last name. I think Logan will do, considering your relation to him." Xavier said, and X-23 actually looked a bit annoyed at Xavier's suggestion, but Logan just smirked. "Okay, now that that's taken care of, Logan, you can show Laura to her new room. I'll let the others know of our new arrival." Xavier said, and Logan nodded as he motioned Laura to follow him. When Logan opened the door however, Kurt and Kitty fell forward, but Alex was nowhere to be seen. After collecting themselves, they looked at Logan and Laura, which the latter looked at them with a threatening glare. "Ah, well, I see our two 'information seekers' have already been informed about you Laura. Kurt, Kitty, I'd like you to meet our newest student; Laura Logan. She'll be living with us for awhile." Xavier said, and the two got up and smiled nervously.

"I'll deal with you two later." Logan said annoyed, and he led Laura out of the office.


After Laura was settled in, Xavier called every student into the living room to meet Laura, though he'd know all of them would be surprised by the news.

"Everyone, we just received another new student, though, most of you already know who she is; everyone, I'd like you to meet, Laura Logan." Xavier said, and Laura walked around the corner, revealing herself to the other students. They weren't shocked silent at first, but Xavier could hear their confused thoughts. "I know you all had a troubled experience with Laura the last time she was here, but I'm hoping, and expecting, you to put that behind you, and make Laura feel welcome." Xavier said, and Scott stepped forward.

"Of course Professor; the X-Men don't hold grudges." Scott said, and Xavier smiled as the others nodded and smiled.

"Good. Now, everyone should get to sleep; for those who haven't graduated, your new school year will be starting in three weeks, and you need to get ready." Xavier said, and everyone went back to their bedrooms, except for Laura. "That means you too Laura; this may be a school, but you need to learn how to blend in with the crowd on a social level so you can make it out in the real world." Xavier said, and Laura nodded as she went back to her bedroom, one of the many things she'd thought she'd actually have.


When Laura walked into her room, she turned the light on, looked around, and for perhaps the first time in her life, she smiled. Laura wasn't sure how things were going to work out at the Institute, but if everything Logan promised her comes true, she knew she'd finally be able to live in peace, without running or without the fear of being found for those who just want to use her abilities. Laura then decided to lie down on her bed, which felt comfortable, something she never experienced before. Of course, everything about being in the Institute was new to her, the room, the bed, the kindness; none of it Laura experienced with HYDRA, or in the wilderness. As Laura put the blanket over and closed her eyes to go to sleep, she was thinking she was going to enjoy being at the Institute.


When Alex woke up the next morning, he got out of bed to stretch his arms and wings, and made his way to the bathroom, only to find a long line in front of it. Surprised, Alex just sighed and got behind the last person in line, telling himself he'd have to get used to it. After getting cleaned up and dressed, Alex decided to head to the main dining room, where everyone else was already eating.

"Good morning Alex. Did you sleep well?" Xavier asked, and Alex nodded and smiled.

"Yes Professor, thank you." Alex said, grabbing a plate and putting food on it.

"Good, because we have a training session today, and you're going to be a part of it bub." Logan said, and Storm looked at Logan worriedly.

"Logan, are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, he just started…" Storm started, and Logan interrupted her.

"He's going to have to start eventually. No time like the present anyway." Logan said, and Alex smirked.

"I'm game. Sounds fun." Alex said, and everyone looked at Alex sadly.

"You've never done a training session with Logan. You won't think it's so fun afterwards." Kitty said, and Alex just kept smirking.

"That means you too kid; I expect you to be out there with the rest of us in two hours." Logan said as Laura walked into the room.

"Whatever." Laura simply said, grabbing a plate and started eating breakfast. Meanwhile, one of the other students, a girl named Amara, was looking Alex's wings, which he had torn through the back of his shirt.

"So…do they never go away? Even when you get out of your…dragon form, you called it?" Amara asked, and Alex looked at her, and realized she was talking about his wings.

"Oh, yeah. They're always out here. For some reason, they never disappear, even when I turn into my human form. I don't mind though; I love flying." Alex said cheerfully as he kept eating.

"Anything else you can use while outside your dragon form?" Kurt asked, getting ready to take a bite out of his sausage link, which all of sudden was set on fire when a burst a flame appeared out of Alex's mouth.

"Maybe." Alex said sarcastically, and the others laughed while Kurt freaked out and blew out his now burnt sausage link. "I also have super human strength, speed, heightened reflexes, and what I call my dragon senses, whether I'm in my dragon form or not." Alex explained.

"What do you mean by 'dragon senses'?" Jean Grey asked, and Alex again smirked.

"I have heightened hearing, smell, and sight, meaning I can hear and smell things others can, and I can see up to two miles when I activate my senses." Alex explained.

"So you can activate your senses whenever you want to?" Scott said, and Alex nodded.

"Yeah. That's about the extent of my abilities outside my dragon form." Alex explained.

"Well then what's the point of your dragon form?" Amara asked.

"Well, the first use of that form is my scales; they're stronger than tempered steel, and when I wrap my wings around me, it's like adding a second layer of steel around me. There are also my claws, which can slice through steel like a hot knife through melted butter. My regular teeth turn into fangs, which can tear through anything with flesh. Don't ask how I know that." Alex said.

"Well, you certainly have an impressive list of powers." Xavier said.

"Yes sir and I love them all!" Alex said proudly.

"Hmm…most children, and some adults, would see their gifts as a curse, even after being taught how to use them properly. You seem to have gladly accepted them." Xavier said, amazed and impressed.

"Well, the way I see it Professor, I was never given a choice if I wanted these abilities or not, so I shouldn't sulk about having them. Like I always say; if life gives you lemons, burn them to a crisp." Alex said, and Xavier nodded, and everyone continued with their breakfast.


A couple of hours after breakfast, Alex, along with the other students, went outside to take part in Logan's training session. When Logan met them out there, he was followed by Hank McCoy, also known as Beast, most likely to make sure Logan doesn't push the children too far. As Logan got the training programs ready, Alex turned into his dragon form, and spread his wings, ready to go.

"Okay, your objective is to reach the end of the course without losing your team member, while trying to stop the other teams from beating you to it and avoiding the hazards. Half-pint, you're with the Elf. Ice Cube is with Cannon Ball. Scale Face is with Laura, and Sun Spot is with Magma." Logan explained, and the other mutants got ready. "Any questions?"

"Yeah; any hints for the new guy?" Alex asked.

"Yeah; don't screw up!" Logan said, and Alex smirked.

"Great, thanks." Alex said as he got on all fours, and had his wings lay back to reduce wind resistance.

"GO!" Logan ordered, and the children took off, with Alex and Laura getting a head start.

"I got our left flank covered. You take the right, and don't get in my way!" Laura ordered, and Alex rolled his eyes.

"Well, you're certainly a delightful conversationalist." Alex said sarcastically, but he admitted that Laura had a good idea, so he went with it, watching for whatever Logan meant by 'hazards, when suddenly, a net flew from the trees, heading straight for Alex; he responded with a quick fire burst, burning the net before it stopped him. As the two continued running, Laura noticed several turrets pop out of the ground, and started firing rubber projectiles at her and Alex.

"Incoming!" Laura said, revealing her claws, ready to stop the projectiles.

"I see them. You take care of the projectiles; I got the guns." Alex said, and every time a turret popped up, he'd either shred it with his claws, or melt it, while Laura would prevent the projectiles from slowing them down. They were getting close to the end, when all of a sudden, the ground fell out from under Laura as she activated pit trap. However, Alex's reflexes were fast enough to spot the danger, and grab Laura's arms while she falling, and flapped his wings so they could get out of the hole before the automatic cage bars closed the pit. Alex then dropped Laura back onto her feet, and the two kept running all the way to the finish line.

"Hmm…very impressive; it takes most of the students over a month to complete even one of Logan's training sessions, Alex and Laura managed to do it in one go." Storm said.

"Yes; it seems that they only use their powers when they need to, not to show off like the others." Xavier explained, as he saw the rest of the students, who were already caught in Logan's traps.

"I don't believe this; the newbie's beat this course with no trouble at all, and yet you whelps still can't! Scale Face, Laura, head back to the Institute, Hank will continue your training for today. As for the rest of you; we're doing this course again until all of you get it right!" Logan said, and there were simultaneous groans from the other students as Beast, Alex, and Laura made their way back to the Institute.


At the end of training, Alex wouldn't admit it, but he was exhausted; Beast wasn't anywhere near as hard as Logan was when it comes to training, Alex discovered, but training for hours nonetheless wore him out. As he lied down on his bed, Alex spread his wings, hoping that he'll be able to fly later on in the day, maybe even fly outside where he'll have the wind in his face, and smell all the different scents the outside world had to offer. Right before he closed his eyes to take a nap, however, there was a knock on his door.

"Come in." Alex said, and the door opened, and Xavier rolled in.

"So Alex how was your first 'real life' training session, as Logan calls them." Xavier said, and Alex smiled.

"I loved it Professor; the rush of not knowing what to expect, the thrill of being hunted. It gave a great adrenaline rush!" Alex said, which surprised Xavier.

"Hmm…most of the other children don't enjoy training with Logan as much." Xavier said, and Alex shrugged.

"Eh, guess I just have higher stamina. But to tell the truth Professor, I was hoping to spend a little outside time practicing flying in an uncontrolled environment." Alex explained.

"What do you mean?" Xavier asked, and Alex got of bed and looked out his window.

"When I was living with my parents, Professor, they did help me learn how to fly, but they wouldn't let me go out side if the weather wasn't clear or if the wind was too strong. I know they were trying to keep me from being carried off by the wind to land who knows where, but they never let me test my limits. I'd like to do that here Professor, if that's alright." Alex said, and Xavier smiled.

"I'm sure we can find the time later on today, but why don't you get some rest first; we don't you flying while exhausted." Xavier said, and Alex nodded while he lied back down on his bed, and went to sleep.


"This. Is. AMAZING!" Alex said as he looked over the edge of the cliff that was behind the Institute. When he looked down, he saw jagged rocks and crashing waves from what was easily a one hundred and fifty meter drop, and had only the look of excitement show on his face.

"Now Alex, don't push yourself too far. If you don't think you're not ready for this sort of thing, just back away, and we can try again another day." Xavier said, and Alex continued looking over the edge of the cliff, trying to resist the urge to just jump off. He looked like he was about to, when he suddenly just started backing up and eventually turning around and walked slowly back to the Institute. "You have nothing to be upset about Alex, we can try again when you're a bit more comfortable with this." Xavier said, but what Alex did was unexpected; he suddenly turned and began towards the cliff edge, and jumped off. "Alex!" Xavier yelled worriedly, when suddenly, Alex appeared flying above Xavier and the others watching, flapping his wings to gain altitude.

"WOO!" Alex yelled, flying as fast he can, as high as he can. As he reached the highest he could go, Alex folded his wings, and nose dived towards the ocean, gaining speed, and he was about to open his wings so he could fly, but for some reason, he couldn't; he was going to fast for his wings to open. Alex soon started panicking as he got closer and closer to the waters edge, the thought of crashing terrifying him.

"No! Alex!" Xavier yelled in horror as he and the others watched Alex get closer to having a fatal crash. It all happened in slow motion in Alex's eyes though; the feeling of his wings being unable to open, the feeling of death embracing him as he fell closer to the ocean's surface. Just seconds later, the only thing Alex could feel was pain as he hit the ocean, as if he hit solid concrete. He was starting to lose consciousness, when he felt someone hold onto him, and then felt himself leave the water, and somehow end up on dry land instantly. Alex then began to cough up salt water as air filled his lungs, and he felt the shadows of people over him as he came too. "Alex…are you alright?" Xavier asked frantically, worried for Alex's well being.

"Blech! I think I swallowed a fish!" Alex said, and as he started regaining feeling throughout his body, he calmed down when he felt that nothing was broken. "But yeah, I think I'm fine. Doesn't feel like anything is broken." Alex said, and he stood up, proving that he was alright. "Professor, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you like that. I honestly didn't know that I would crash." Alex said, and Xavier just sighed.

"It's okay Alex. None of us knew that this would happen. But you must be more careful. And we must find out what happened that made you crash like that." Xavier said, and Alex nodded.

"But one question; how did I go from sinking to the bottom of the ocean, to being next to ya'll again?" Alex asked.

"Kurt brought you here; he teleported to where you crashed and returned you to us before you drowned." Xavier answered, and Alex looked at Kurt.

"Thanks Kurt, I owe you big time." Alex said, and Kurt just shrugged.

"No problem. You would've done the same for me." Kurt said, and Alex nodded as everyone went back to the Institute to find out what happened, and so Alex could rest.