A Battle for a Friend

Logan walked through the streets of the city and out into the country where he had left his things. He had brought along a couple of very special items and he would wear them now. He would wear them in honor of his fallen friend.

He found his backpack with its bundle tied to it and pulled it out into the moonlight. Logan dug into the backpack and pulled out an old suit. One that he hadn't worn in a long time. One that he had never thought to wear again. He unfolded it and looked down at the brown and tan suit that had housed a Wolverine. It was time that it housed the same old Wolverine again. The one who cared more for his friends than he ever had about himself. Logan took off the brown suit that he was wearing and felt he had a different suit, one more appropriate to the task at hand.

Logan put the suit on and slowly pulled the mask down over his face. The same motion that he had done so many times before. Logan looked down at the uniform he now wore and saw the gashes in it. It had been a uniform that he had worn on a mission with Betsy and he would wear it now for his last mission for Betsy. As Logan looked at the rents in it he couldn't help but think the times he had done that with this suit had usually been with a woman named Betsy Braddock by his side as they prepared for a mission. That would never happen again thanks to this Vargas!

Logan reached down and pulled the bundle off the backpack and slowly unrolled it. When he was done the moonlight glinted off a samurai's blade. A blade that had been one of Betsy's not a ninja blade like many would have thought. It had been one of her many that she had left behind at the mansion.

Logan unsheathed the blade and looked at the surface and saw his own reflection. "I shall use this blade of yours Betsy to rid the world of this Vargas. Then and only then can I feel that I have done my part as your friend," Logan said as he slid the blade back into it's sheath and slung it across his back.

As Logan walked back towards the city and back to his friends who he knew would be waiting for him he slowly started to focus on the task at hand. He became his namesake. He became the Wolverine; pound for pound the most dangerous animal in the animal kingdom.

* * * * *

Jubilee was the first to see Logan walking up the street back towards the house. She had known that he would come back. She had just known it! Deep down she had known that her Wolvie wouldn't leave them behind to go face this Vargas and his cronies on his own.

She watched him move up to the house with a purpose in his movements that she had only seen when he was on a mission of the utmost importance. She heard the door open behind her then Storm say, "So you were right child. He did come back didn't he. Well I shall round up the others."

"Thanks Storm and was there any doubt that Wolvie wouldn't come back and get us. Deep down he cares whether or not he will ever admit it," Jubilee said and then she heard the soft click of the door as it shut. Jubilee hoped she was right and that deep down Wolvie still cared if he lived or died because she knew that she and the rest of the X-Men cared. They all cared very much even if Wolverine didn't.

"Well Wolvie it seems that we are going with you huh. You came back for us after all," Jubilee said as Logan drew even with her and waited.

"Darlin' I just want you all to be there so that you can all see what a friend does to the person who killed your friend," Logan said his voice cold and his eyes hard.

Jubilee shivered in spite of herself at the tone of Logan's voice. She wondered if they had lost Logan now. She wondered if he had become that which he hadn't ever wanted to be in the first place. She wondered if Logan hadn't become just like his nemesis Sabretooth.

The door opened again and the X-Men filtered out. Storm was first out the door followed by Bishop, Sage, Neal, and lastly by Rogue who shut and locked the door behind her. They all stood on the doorstep waiting for Wolverine to lead the way it seemed and none of them wanted to talk.

Wolverine didn't blame them though. There didn't seem to be much to say not with his mind made up. All they could really do was go along and support him if they wanted or just be there to see the fall of the honorable man.

"Well Logan I guess we should be going then shouldn't we," Storm said as she motioned that he should indeed lead the way.

"Very well 'Ro I will take you all to the place where a man dies this night," Logan said as he turned on his heel and walked down the street silent as a shadow. The others followed and each was accompanied by their own thoughts of the Wolverine that they used to know and this grief stricken man that was now in front of them. They didn't' seem to be anything alike and it made them wonder just what had happened to their old friend Wolverine.

* * * * *

Logan led his friends to the address that he had been given. The address had led to a small abandoned castle on the outskirts of the city. Logan shook his head slowly as he gazed at the dilapidated walls and the shrubs that were growing into the wall itself causing it to crumble at the slightest touch. The turrents were falling down as well and there was even an old drawbridge that was lowered so that they could enter the castle crossing the moat that had stale smelling water.

"Well isn't this just a cozy place," Jubilee wandered aloud as she gazed around at the place.

"Well sugah it seems that he picked a right fine place didn't he. Ah just hope that he shows," Rogue said because she didn't want to see what Logan would do if the man known as Vargas decided not to show up. She feared for everyone who had ever committed a crime if Vargas didn't show up.

"It would seem that we may have beat him here. So shall we cross this rickety bridge and enter," Storm said and at those words Logan headed across the bridge.

As he started across he heard a creak and felt the bridge give slightly under his weight. He looked down then into the water that had a smell that was making him nearly gag and he saw the water swish as if a giant fish or other some creature had just been there and swam off. He didn't want anyone falling in and so he called back, "Ro, Rogue will you two carry the others across. I don't want anyone falling in since it seems there might be something in the water."

As those words left his mouth a rather large alligator came out of the water and crashed into the bridge sending wood shards everywhere. The bridge hadn't been that sturdy in the first place and it crumbled under the impact, sending Wolverine crashing into the chest deep water.

"Wolvie are you all right," Jubilee called and Logan looked around quickly to make sure that no one else had been knocked into the water.

"I'm fine darlin'," Wolverine called back when he was satisfied that no one else had been knocked into the moat.

"It seems that you might have been right Wolverine," Bishop called from where the rest of the team was. Logan located them on the inside bank. Rogue must have flown them across and Logan was grateful. He wasn't going to lose any more teammates.

He swam over to the bank and as he was starting to pull himself up onto the bank he felt something close on his leg and start to pull him back into the water. He turned over tearing the flesh of his leg worse as the gator's grip on his leg didn't lesson. "I don't have time for this," Logan growled and punched his claws through the head of the alligator. As it died it's grip lessoned and Wolverine pulled himself up onto the bank.

"Well shall we get moving," Logan said not even slowing down to let his leg heal before he went into the courtyard.

The others followed him into the courtyard where they saw all sorts of statues. There were statues of soldiers from a time long forgotten and of women in flowing dresses whose beauty could still hold a man entranced.

Logan gazed around and noticed that he was standing on stone slabs that were cut perfectly to fit together. He wondered what that meant or if it was just what the original owner of the castle had wanted. He sniffed the air then and caught three scents. Two of the scents were familiar, they were the ones who had brought him the address where he now stood. The other was a scent that he didn't recognize.

"Come out and show yourself you coward," Logan growled and his upper lip curled back from his teeth in a snarl.

"What are you talking about Wolvie," Jubilee said but her question was answered as she watched three people emerge from the darkness as if they had been a part of it. She hadn't noticed them and she was pretty sure none of the others had either.

* * * * *

Vargas strode our of the darkness with the twins at his side. He had strapped to his back a sword much like a king would have used. A sword that looked familiar to the rest of the X-Men except Logan and Jubilee. They hadn't been there the day that the weapon had taken the life of their dear friend Psylocke.

The twins had weapons of their own strapped to their backs as well but they walked two paces behind Vargas as if they were subjects of his and he their king. Vargas did indeed feel that he was superior to everyone. After all he was to be the scourage of the mutant menace. They were his prey and they would all die in time.

As Vargas came into the light his face was outlined in a golden glow and it was the same face that Rogue recognized from when she had fought him and he had nearly killed her until Psylocke took her place on the chopping block. Rogue would never forget that no matter how long she lived. That was something that was burned into her mind and nothing would ever take it away from her.

Logan saw the look that came to Rogues face at the sight of Vargas. He knew the look well, after all he had worn that same look countless times. The look that said it was his fault that someone was dead and now he would have to live with that knowledge. It was a look that Rogue didn't need to be wearing at her young age. It was a look that Wolverine knew he had to erase from Rogue or it would eat her up inside until the day that she died.

Logan stepped up next to Rogue and put his hand on her shoulder. It was a move that Rogue had grown to shy away from since her power had hurt so many. It had never frightened Logan though. Not like it had her. Now he felt that she needed the comfort more than ever. Even though most of her life now she had went without human touch. She truly did need it now.

Tears sprung to Rogue's eyes the longer she looked at Vargas. She should have been able to take him. He wasn't like many that they had fought. Hell she had even fought the Phoenix and survived to tell the tale! Why couldn't she beat this one man. Her failure had cost her friend her life. Rogue's hands came up and covered her face as sobs racked her body. That was when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't you dare think that Betsy's death is your fault Rogue. Don't you dare. You did what you could and from what I hear this man is a great warrior. You have nothing to be ashamed of Rogue," Wolverine said his voice hard and cold though he was trying hard to make it sound warmer for Rogue's sake.

Rogue heard the raspy voice of Logan and turned her face to look at him. "Of course it's mah fault Logan. I should've been able to eat him. I failed everyone," Rogue said while her tears continued to fall.

Logan reached up with his gloved hand and brushed a tear away as it slid down her cheek. "No Rogue it's my fault. I should have been there. It is my job to make sure you are all fine. As the oldest age wise member of the group it was my duty to make sure you all survived and I failed in that. I am the one to blame here not you or anyone else. Now I am here to correct my mistake Rogue. I am here to avenge our friend so that everyone may find their peace in their own ways," Logan said as he walked out into the middle of the area that had been chosen as the fighting ground. At least that is what Logan guessed. He was finally sure that it wasn't anyone's fault but his own and he was prepared for whatever fate had in store for him now. It that was his death then he would have to deal with that though he didn't want any of the others to see him die.

* * * * *

Storm saw what Logan did for Rogue and she felt grateful. None of them had been able to do anything about Rogue's grief though she hid it very well. Logan it seemed though had taken it away from her. Her face looked so peaceful now that it was almost as if Rogue was a young girl again.

Storm knew that somehow Logan had taken the blame for Psylocke's death onto himself. She knew that he had always done that trying to keep the others innocent or at least keep them intact with their emotions. Storm knew that Logan felt he was the only one that could bear the weight of responsibility of his friends dying and it being his fault.

Jubilee watched her Wolvie walk out and stand on what she was guessing was to be a battlefield. She had seen Wolvie do this many times in the danger room when he had thought that no one was watching but she had been watching. She had seen that he was a very honorable man and would keep his word and his honor at all costs.

Jubilee though had heard about this Vargas and how he had manhandled Rogue which hadn't ever been done in front of Jubilee. If someone could beat Rogue with ease what hope did her Wovie have. She hoped that he could win but deep down she knew that he couldn't. Not from what she had heard about this Vargas. Jubilee felt she was going to watch the last fight that her Wolvie would ever fight.

* * * * *

Logan looked at the Vargas as he strode out to stand across from him. He looked the man up and down and knew at once that Vargas was indeed a warrior born. He had long blue hair that he let flow behind his back. His eyes were a dark brown color and held no compassion in them. Logan knew that this man was indeed a man that would be worthy of dying by the sword. His features seemed to be slightly asian though Logan wasn't sure.

"Where is her body Vargas," Wolverine said his tone frosty as the winds that Storm could command.

"Ah Logan I did indeed bring her for you," Vargas said conversationally. He motioned for his two companions and they pushed something out into the light from it's position among the other statues. Logan knew that it wasn't a stone statue as those two wouldn't have had the strength to push it. What he saw though when it came into the light made even his heart pause.

He saw Betsy his long time friend and fellow along the path of honor in combat. She was in warrior's pose but there was no life in her dead eyes. They stared straight ahead unseeing at Logan. It was a sight that nearly brought Logan to his knee. Betsy also known as Psylocke was displayed to Logan as a trophy stuffed like she was some sort of great beast. Logan's eyes went dead at that point and he felt his heart freeze. His breathing came slower and his head dropped to his chest. "What did you do Vargas," Logan said and his voice sounded as if it came from beyond the grave.

"I have merely preserved what I deem as a trophy mutant. You see she fought with courage and honor which did her credit. I wished in a way to honor her and this was the best that I could come up with. That and to prove to the rest of you that your time is coming," Vargas almost cheerfully.

"Besides you mutants have met the end of your reign. I am a true Homo sapiens superior and as such it is my duty to vanquish the abomination that nature put forth on this planet. I am here to be the scourge of mutants," Vargas said as he drew his sword and held it in front of his face.

* * * * *

The others saw what Logan saw as Psylocke was brought before them and presented like it was their right to do so. Psylocke had been a person and not deserving of what had been done to her body Jubilee thought. Tears sprang unbidden to her eyes as she gazed at a woman that she hadn't known well but had known was a good person. "Oh god what did they do to you Psylocke," Jubilee whispered into her hands as the tears made trials down her cheeks. She honestly didn't know what she should feel.

Storm looked at her old friend and her tears came as well. She didn't feel bad about crying though because she had loved her friend like a sister just like she loved Rogue and the others. They were her family and it saddened her to see one of her family stuffed like a fish. Psylocke deserved better and despite herself she hoped that Wolverine did indeed kill Vargas for what he had done to Betsy.

Bishop didn't cry though he felt a great sadness settle over him. Another of the legendary X-Men had fallen and he had to witness it yet again. No matter what he did he could never save any of them and his future was slowly coming to pass. With each death it came closer and closer and he wasn't sure if he would be able to deal with too many more deaths. In fact he thought that perhaps he should be the one fighting. After all he could beat this Vargas at least that is what he kept telling himself as he looked at the body of Betsy.

Rogue felt the tears slid down her cheeks once again as she looked at the woman who had died in her place. Rogue loved her like a older sister and now that older sister had died before her time. Rogue didn't know what to think. Her grief was so strong and yet she knew that Logan had accepted the blame for her death with an open heart and good intentions. Rogue knew that Logan had done his best in order to lift the burden from Rogue and he had. Rogue though was still grief stricken now that she had seen what had become of her friends body.

Rogue let the tears fall and she adjusted her glasses with her right hand. "Be careful Logan ya hear," Rogue whispered. "I don't want to lose yah as well. I have lost too many friends and family."

Storm heard what Rogue said as she gazed at her through her own tears. She wondered what Rogue must be feeling to say such a thing. She had heard Jubilee as well and Storm herself had wanted to say something as well though she had remained silent. She knew it was her duty not to show too much emotion at such a time as the leader of the team.

Sage even felt tears come to her eyes. She didn't know why for sure she had never been that close to Psylocke and in fact hadn't got to know her all that well until recently when they had been on the same team. Sage knew though that no one should have to die the way that Psylocke did. Everyone had the right to die old and with their children and grandchildren at their side. Betsy had been denied that and that was something that Sage didn't like in the least. No she didn't think that anyone should die unless they deserved it and she was starting to wonder if Vargas didn't deserve it.

That was when they all saw Vargas pull his sword from his back and hold it in front of his face. They watched as Logan pulled the sword that had at one time belonged to Psylocke from its sheath on his back and he held it at his side.

* * * * *

Wolverine pulled the sword from it's scabbard on his back and held it as his side. He was nearly dead inside now and a coldness was starting to spread throughout his body. He felt it emanating from his heart and spreading outward to encompass his whole body. He didn't know what that meant but he knew that he had a man to kill and kill him he would.

Logan lifted his eyes slowly and everyone there let out a gasp of surprise and shock. Logan's eyes were glowing slightly a pearly white color. The color of purity and yet the color innocence. White though was also the color of Chaos and destruction and Logan gazed at Vargas.

Vargas didn't show any outward signs of nervousness but he was nervous. He knew about each of the X-Men and their powers and there was nothing that had said anything about Wolverine and his eyes glowing white. It was almost as if his anger and hatred and grief were all being shown in those glowing orbs of his.

"Well Vargas let's go. This night your blood will stain the ground and this blade which will then be buried with the warrior Betsy Braddock. I will have my vengeance on you Vargas," Wolverine said as he slowly stalked forward. He had very few thoughts at that moment but the one that kept pounding inside his head was that he needed to kill Vargas.