Wolverine: A Link to the Past

By X-Gene

Note: The characters in this story are not made by me. They belong to Marvel Enterprises.

Also these characters are from the X-men movies and the story is told through the eyes of Wolverine.

Part 1 "The Link"

It was cold, the moon shone bright and the glare on the icy cold Canadian lake almost burned my eyes. The camp fire I had stoked was burning low and I had run out of firewood. The best thing to do would be to go looking for wood but instead I waited 'til the fire was out. For some strange reason the darkness always sooths my soul. I sat there at my camping spot alone looking at the lake. I had grown used to being alone. Night is my favorite time of the day partly, because you can't see in the night. In the night you can't see my pain.

Losing Jean was all I could bare. Although I don't show it much, I too am a victim of her death. I tried to comfort the one she loved, but I can't help but turn the other cheek when he's in the room. She wanted me but she choose him, she wanted me but she choose Scott. I'm not sure I understand why I feel this way; she clearly told me that she didn't love me. I'm not sure whether she meant that or just wanted to make me feel bad by loving her but whatever the reason, she said it. It was almost like she knew she was going to die.

My name is Logan and I'm a lost soul. I have no family, few friends, and I've lost the woman I loved. I guess that's why I've decided to continue my search. I'm searching for myself, my past and maybe my future. I'm a mutant with the uncanny ability to heal myself rapidly. Unfortunately, that makes my age impossible to tell really. Well okay, I guess that's not so bad. The bad part is that over the years I've lost my memory somehow. I'm slowly getting back some memories now days but not enough for me to figure out who I am. I want to know so bad now, because the loneliness is getting old.

The professor's school is nice and all but it's become a place full of memories. I haven't been there long but the times I was I was happy. I felt almost complete knowing I was among people who weren't considered (freaks around me). I was interested in Xavier's dream at one time but now I'm not sure about it anymore. It could be the fact that Jean is gone and I've lost interest in the school. Or it could be that the idea of humans and mutants living together peacefully is impossible. And besides that everyone around here seems to have the busy fever. No one bothers to talk to me much anymore, not even my personal fan Rogue.

I look into the darkness as the fire burns out and I realize that I'm not alone. I have the animals around me and sky above me to keep me company. I don't need anyone, not anymore. From now on Logan returns as a loner. When I get back to the school I'm going to pack my things and leave. Leave everything that I've done for them. Leave Rogue, leave the professor, and even leave Jean. I look at the lake one more time, that lake that destroyed my dear Jean. I will never again visit Alkaline Lake, never…

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"Good morning, Logan, care to have breakfast with us?" asked a man in shimmering silver wheelchair. The man was in a nice pair of striped pajama pants and a white T-shirt. His eyes were on me as if I had done something wrong. Or was going to do something wrong…

"Sure." I said as I walked toward the table in the kitchen. The kitchen was small but was good enough for the many students attending the professor's school. We sat at the table and the professor put a plate of eggs and bacon in front of me. Jean used to make bacon, I thought, but I wouldn't be rude by not eating it.

"So, have a nice trip?" asked the professor as he picked up his newspaper. The professor was always into the news. He had suddenly been watching the media just in case there was any concern about the attack on the president. The professor was now harboring a wanted mutant, Kurt Wagner.

I hesitated before I spoke, "I guess so."

The professor wasted no time in cutting to the chase. "Logan, I know what's going on with you now. I know you've been trying to cope with Jean's apparent death... I know you've been feeling things…" the professor trailed off. I knew exactly where this was going and I knew exactly where I'd be if I listened to him. I quickly stood up from where I stood.

"Logan," said the professor as he turned to me. I picked up my mug and headed for the patio, "Logan, I've found something. I think it may indeed have something to do with your past." I kept walking; I didn't want to go on anymore goose hunts.

"Xavier, do you realize how many times you've told me you found something?" I asked the professor, being as sarcastic as I could. The professor didn't say anything; he just stayed there in the room. His eyes were fixed on me I could tell even though I was turned completely around.

"You're going to leave us again aren't you Logan?" asked the professor. I turned completely around and looked at him. I understood that as a telepath it was very hard to control going into another's mind, but honestly I think he does it one purpose. My mind seems to be one he can't help but enter.

"Yes, I'm leaving. Is that a problem, professor?" the professor pauses," I'm not one of your lackeys like Scott and Ororo. I make my own choices and I've already made up my mind." I said, responding to the professor's question.

"Logan, I understand your choice. Wish is why I've arrange something for you, something that will give you time to think about your decision. Meet me in the conference room after you're dressed and packed." said the professor as he started for the living room. I had no idea what to expect from the professor as always.

I finished my coffee then headed for my room but before going I had to have one more beer. Well, maybe two more, who knows what could happen on the road. I reached in the frig and grabbed a beer. When turned to exit the kitchen my favorite person just happened to be there, Scott. He didn't move from where he was standing. All he did was smirk, I knew something was up. He had on the usual, tight jeans with a collar shirt tucked in his pants and those ugly boots. His leather jacket was the only thing that looked valuable.

"I heard you were leaving." he said with a grin on his face. He walked toward the frig; he reached for one of the beers I had pulled out. I pulled my hand back before he could take the bottle.

"Since when did you drink?" I said, knowing exactly why he did in fact drink. Jean's death devastated him; he was always in a mood. Usually he's moping around and watching TV, but today is different. Could he really be that glad that I was going to leave? Scott looked down at the floor and grits his teeth. There was laughter under his breath, something that was unusual now days.

"You know Logan, I won't lie to you and say I want you stay here with us. You know, to be a big family and everything." Scott said as he looked at me. "I want you to go away so that I can forget whatever happened between you and Jean before she left us. I know you and her were friends and everything, but I always knew you had a thing for her. It's not that I don't like you, I'd just feel comfortable if you left and never came back."

I wasn't surprised that he said it; I was surprised how he said it. He didn't waste any time telling me he wanted me gone for good. I'm surprised he even confronted me; I know he's scared of what I am. I know he thinks I'm a threat to his relationship with Jean, but I never really thought he'd say anything. I looked at him then headed for the door. I stopped; I did have one more thing to say before I left.

"…You know something, Scottie boy? You can say that it's not that you don't like me but I on the other can definitely say I don't like you." Scott didn't say anything, he just stared.

I turned around and walked up the steps to my room. I walked down the hall. There were four kids running around, one of them was a dirty blonde haired boy, Bobby. I hadn't known him long but I knew he'd take care of Rogue for me. Although I'm still confused about the 'kissing' part of their relationship, I do believe Rogue's happy here with him. Bobby didn't wave when he saw me; he just looked up then quickly looked away. Don't know what that was about.

I reached my room, the door was opened already. I looked inside; there was a man about seven foot tall standing at the window. I realized it was Peter, a guy that everyone liked to hang around. He was from Russia so his English was limited, but I've grown used to the accent. "What's up Peter?" I said as I headed for my closet. He didn't move all he did was look outside. For a second I thought he didn't hear me, and then he turned around.

"Comrade Logan, how nice to see you up bright and early." said Peter as he walked to me. Peter always says 'comrade' that's what made him different from most people. He's always being friendly to someone, even the meanest of people. "I heard you were leaving and I just wanted to say good-bye."

"How'd you know I was leaving? Did the professor…?" I asked as I put a clutter of clothes in my suit case.

"Yes he did send a telepathic memo to everyone in the school. But I didn't need to have a memo to know you were leaving again." Peter said as he headed for the door. "Oh, really?" I said wondering how he'd known I was leaving. He stood inside the door and said on his way out," Why else would you be up a eight in the morning?"

* * * * * * * * * * * *

I started for the conference room. This was it, no more goose chases. No more mixed up feelings and memories. I stated down the hall and stopped when I saw the school yard. I looked and saw a girl in a black hood jacket sitting alone on a bench. I couldn't really make out who it was. My senses hadn't been necessary for a long time so my eyes weren't focused enough. I looked again but the harder I looked I soon realized who it was immediately. Though she had gone through a who new look, I recognized her scent perfectly; it was Rogue.

I wanted to go and say good-bye but I knew if I tried to she'd ask for me to stay or even worse; she'd ask to come with me. I couldn't endanger any more people's lives. I didn't want another incident caused by me. Stryker's attack wasn't just on mutants in general. Stryker wanted me as well, so what better way to get Wolverine than to hurt the one's he cared the most about? I just stood there for a second then kept moving. If she saw me I wouldn't be able to get away from her.

I entered the conference room only to see my fellow X-men in the room. Ororo, Scott, and Kurt were all waiting on me as the professor fooled around with some papers. Kurt looked up and twirled his long blue tail. He was a strange looking creature, almost demon-like if he had red skin. He had little hooves for hands and feet. His blue skin was tattooed with markings and he had bright yellow eyes. His teeth were pointy, which was one of the reasons why ordinary people would be scared of him.

"What's up fuzz-ball?" I said as came in the room. Kurt grinned but didn't leave Storm's side. He had a thing for her I'm almost positive.

"So you have decided to leave again, yes?" asked Kurt.

"Yep." I said as I walked to a seat. I looked at everyone around me, they either didn't care that I was leaving or they were too busy to talk. Ororo didn't move; Kurt on the other hand leaped on top the table.

"I've not been here long my friend, but do understand that you've said you were leaving before." said Kurt as leaped over my head. His acrobatic skills were amazing, he was now behind me. "But if you ask me, I don't think you'll leave just yet."

"And why's that?" I asked. Kurt looked at me with a funny look, and then he crept closer to me until he was at my ear. He whispered softly, "Because, my friend, God works in many ways and through many people." I stared at him not knowing what the hell that statement meant. Ororo finally got up and moved over to me.

"Wherever you go Logan, be careful." said Ororo. Her chocolate brown eyes met with mine and for second I thought something was wrong. The professor finally spoke, "Ready Logan?" I looked at him; his papers were now in a folder. "Yes, just tell me what you want me to know." I said not expecting a lecture. The professor wheeled his way to the computer and typed in something. The screen showed a 3D picture of the world and then it turned into an outlined version. The blueprint-like world turned around. The professor typed in something again and the screen magnified on one specific spot.

"There, small place in Canada, that's where you should go. There's an abandoned town there; very suspicious. I believe that some answers will be there." said the professor pointing to a place on the map of Canada. His finger wasn't on a town name.

"So why this place?" I asked in curiosity.

"Because of abandoning and the fact that William Stryker some how was affiliated with a research program there. I think there's more to the town than we can see." explained the professor as he shut off the screen.

"What do you mean by more than we can see?" I asked now ready to hit the road.

"I don't know." said the professor shaking his head.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The professor followed me up into the cockpit and saw to it that I was ready. He said his little farewell then wheeled down the ramp into the lift off bay. He and his students watched as I shut the cargo door. Scott wove a fake good-bye and smiled. Kurt waved and said something in German but I could understand. Ororo looked at me but didn't manage to wave good-bye. She smiled, but stopped when the professor looked at her.

I was off, off to some deserted town where who knows what I'll find. It's almost too good to be true; I'm finally away from the Xavier Institute. Nothing is holding me back, nothing… I looked back at the school one last time through the window shield as I headed towards my destination. I'm gonna miss the school, I'm gonna miss everything about it. The way the professor confuses me with pointless journeys, the way the kids of the mansion look up to me, but the thing I miss the most is Jean. She wouldn't have let me leave… But she would, she would let me leave. She wanted Scott and not me. I'm finally going to except that.

The ride was lonely and long. I put the mini-jet in autopilot while I take a pee. The jet seems different when you're alone. I'm still a little puzzled why I got to take the mini-jet instead of the van but hey, who's complaining? I head back for the piloting seat when I heard a noise. It sounded as though it was from the cargo area. I walked into the cargo room, nothing. Maybe it was a box shifting? I started back for the pilot seat when I heard another noise but this time it was different. This time it was a human voice.

"Ouch!" whispered a voice, as a box shifted towards a wall.

I headed for the area where the box was; only to find the person I thought I had avoided, Rogue. She was in that same black hooded X-jacket I had seen her in. She was crouched up in fettle position and when she saw me above her she just smiled. I was in a state that only could be so plainly described as mad. Not only did she stole away but she also caught me a bad time. I was almost to Quebecc and there was no turning back. If she hadn't ran out to the piloting area I would have had the guts to throw her out the jet through the cargo door.

"Hi, Logan. Funny I seem to be lost; I thought this was training simulator version not the real thing. I guess I'll just go back to the mansion." Rogue smiled and looked out the window. "Oh, shucks. You've already left the mansion. Guess I'll have to tag along too." said Rogue sarcastically. She seated herself in the co-pilot chair.

"You think you can waltz your way into an adventure don't you? Well I can show you a real cool adventure." I said almost was ready to kill her for sneaking onto the jet. I pressed the cargo door button and the door started to open. A gust of wind was sucking out air and tiny particles from the jet. Rogue's eyes bulged.

"You ever go airborne, missy?" I yelled as the door widened. "Well that's what'll happened to you if screw up my mission, got it?" I can't believe I'm going soft on her. I pressed the button for the cargo door to close. Rogue looks at me in shock. "You scared?" I asked.

"No." she replied.

"You should be, scratch that, you will be." I said as I headed to the pilot's seat. Rogue put on her seatbelt and stared out into the sky. She was different form any other mutant I've meet. She had it hard as such a young age, it almost seemed unfair. But then again, life isn't supposed to be. Mutant or human, life will have challenges that must be met. I just wish I could help with her challenge.

It was silent for a long time until Rogue again broke the silence. "Why are you doing this?" she asked. She looked into my eyes, she had forest green eyes. She almost reminded me of Jean, almost. I thought about her question but I didn't answer.

"Does it have anything to do with this?" Rogue asked as she pulled out a picture of a wolf. I stared at the picture; it was one that I had thrown away when I found the professor. It was something I found when I was in Canada, something that caught my attention. There was something about the wolf that I liked. Maybe the fact it was silver made it different.

"Where'd you…" I started to ask, but she interrupted. "I found after Sabretooth attacked us on the road. It was in a compartment under the dashboard. That was the only picture I saw in there. I was gonna steal it from you when we first met but I liked you enough to keep it where it was. But when we taken to the X-jet by Storm and Scott I took it."

I looked at her, why was she doing this? What did she want from me? I looked at her; she had changed since we first met. She wasn't a girl anymore, she was woman. Her appearance even changed, she changed her style and everything. She cut her hair to chin length and wore visible make-up. She had a darker tone in her voice and she moved more elegantly. She was different and the thing that surprised me was that she knew it.

"That picture was special to me a long time ago but it's not anymore." I said.

Rogue was silent for a while, she just looked forward. She looked sad almost, she looked lonely even with me there. I suddenly understood why Bobby had looked at me so strangely, he and Rogue had broken up. Rogue was wearing dark colors 'cause she was unhappy, that I understood but it seemed more than that. She turned to me and looked at me. I turned the jet to autopilot I could tell something was up.

"Guess you and Bobby broke up." I said; she nodded but that face she was making didn't change.

"What's up?" I asked now confused as to what the problem was.

She was silent for a moment, almost as if she didn't know herself what was wrong. "I know you have the dream, Logan." I almost opened my mouth out wide, but instead I got goose bumps all over my skin. How did she know about the dream, no one knows about the dream. Not even the professor, no one. I looked at her as if I was a child and was looking up at my mother. I wanted to know how it was possible that she knew about the dream.

"They're my memories too; I have the same dreams too." Rogue said. She closed her eyes and put her hand on her chest. "It stays with me." she said and clutches the fabric of her jacket where her heart was.

"What stays with you, Rogue? What are you talking about?" I said very confused but at the same time kind of understanding. She opened her eyes and looked at me. "You, you stay with me everywhere I go. Ever since I touched you I could see your memories. I could see things that were in your past or somebody's past. And now that I have your memories I also have your dreams… Well, not all of them, just the ones that matter the most."

I looked at her with surprise; I hadn't forgotten that she had touched me. But one thing that never occurred to me was that she would gain anything from it. I had forgotten that everyone she touches will not only loss consciousness but also loses a bit of themselves. Rogue had touched me more than once and it would have been easy for her to get my memories.

"What do you see in my memories?" I asked eagerly.

"Nothing much, I've seen a tank of water and people drinking wine and laughing." she said.

They were memories that I've already remembered. Rogue looked as if she were holding something back. "Logan, I also see something else." said Rogue as she picks up the picture of the wolf. "I see the wolf, not the picture but the real thing…I know you have you the dream about the woman and I think the wolf has something to do with it."

I now understood, it was so simple, this trip was obviously a set up. Rogue being here was a part of the mission. The professor had planned the whole thing. That's why Ororo was smiling and why Kurt was talking with symbolism. That's why the jet was given to me; the professor knew I would have to comeback. Rogue was the link to all of this. I stared at her in shock and she smiled.

"I'm the link Logan; you can't stop me from being a part of this trip because in a sense you need me. How else are you supposed to find what you need?" Rogue was grinning from ear to ear. The computer beeped making sure we were aware that we've reached our destination.

"Suit up, Logan, I have feeling we might have company." said Rogue going to the back of the jet to change into her uniform.

I waited a little while before going to the back of the jet, I didn't want to invade anyone's privacy. When I came to the back she was already dressed in the black leathered x-men uniform, she still had on her hooded x-jacket; it was over her uniform. She looked like a real woman in her outfit, almost like Jean and Ororo. She pulled her hair into a ponytail with a long bang of her white hair hanging over her left eye.

"May don't we look like an x-man now? Or should I say x-woman?" I said as she walked passed me. Rogue grinned and headed backed to her seat. I got dressed and landed us on top a building. We walked into the deserted town square. It was almost scary how deserted the town was and at the same time it was suspicious. I looked at Rogue; she was scared for some reason.

I walked over to the gas station, I looked at the pump. Something was wrong, I felt as those I should be aware of something. My senses were now up and I realized what was wrong. I exerted my adamantium claws and tapped the tank where the pump was; hollow.

"There's no gas, its fake." I looked around at the town and realized something. "The whole damn town is fake, now I'm interested." Rogue looked at me and then at the town. Suddenly she started to run towards the station, but instead of seeing for herself what I had discovered, she headed passed me. She ran passed the station and said, "I knew it!"

I followed her, we were in this together and I didn't need to lose her out here in the boonies. I ran through the small woods that were behind the station. She was chasing something, something or someone. We reached a river and she stopped. She was out of breath and was bent over, by the time I got to her whatever she was chasing disappeared.

"What was that about?" I asked as she got to her feet, I was now annoyed.

"I saw it, I saw the wolf." Rogue said looking at me.

"You dragged me all the way down here 'cause you saw a wolf, one wolf?" I yelled.

"I thought…" she began but I interrupted. "I know what you thought but that could have been any wolf in that picture, Rogue. It doesn't mean anything, now let's go." We walked back to the gas station but something stopped me. I looked around, the scent. That's what stopped me, there was no scent. I hadn't smelt the wolf, that's impossible. My senses were definitely working, I smelt no gas in the fake gas pump so what was wrong with the wolf. Why didn't I smell it or even hear it coming?

"What's wrong?" asked Rogue.

"I'm not sure, but there was something wrong with that wolf. The wolf had no scent, everything has a scent."

She looked at me in a strange way. "Maybe it's a…ghost."

"No such thing." I said. I turned around and looked at the building where the jet was but I quickly turned toward another direction. A scent, a familiar scent, one I'd smelt a few times. What was it? I grabbed Rogue and we walked in that direction. The scent was faint but it was there. Then something happened, something I couldn't figure out. The scent multiplied…

"There!" yelled Rogue pointing to a woman at the top of a snowy hill beside a brick building. The woman was Native American, Apache I think. She was tall dark skinned and skinny. Young yet her hair was shimmering silver that draped over her deer skinned clothing. "Hey!" I said, the woman ran away.

"Let's follow her." said Rogue climbing the snowy hill chasing after the woman.

We ran trying to catch up but it was no use, the woman was as fast as the wind. I could see here way ahead of us, legs moving like lightning. She looked back several times laughing, sounding almost playful. We reached wood and the deeper in the less we saw the woman. Rogue ran ahead of me to catch up with the woman. When I caught up to Rogue she had stopped, I stopped to take a deep breath. Then looked at Rogue she was staring at something. I turned forward only to see a building, a school building.

"…I'm afraid now, Logan…afraid of what'll happen if I go any farther." Rogue looked at the building, shaking in fear. "Don't worry I'm here." I said as we started for the building.

We entered the one storied building only to see what no one would have expected, desks flipped over and papers everywhere. We walked through the first room and into a hallway. The hallway was dark and cold, something was wrong you could tell. The hallway seemed endless. The scent that had multiplied was overwhelming me; I didn't understand what was going on. What was that scent? It was so powerful and familiar. We finally reached the end of the hallway and reached a door.

"No, Logan don't open the door." I turned to look at Rogue, she was shaking. I turned to the door and held the knob. "No! You can't open it. I remember it; it's in one of your memories. Everything here is in your memories; the hallway, the door, woman. I know that if you open that door it only will get worse, somehow I know." I couldn't resist the temptation to open the door; I turned the knob and opened it.

There were steps leading somewhere, but the ending was in the darkness. I headed down and Rogue followed unwillingly. The scents were driving me nuts; I had to know what it was… I had to know what was so familiar. "It only gets worse from here, I know it." whispered Rogue as we went down the steps…And then it hit me, I knew exactly what it was but it was too late…

"Well, well, well look who's come home…" said a deep voice and knew I was in trouble…

"Sabretooth." I said, growling. Rogue froze, she was pale. Sabretooth was propped up on a table grinning evilly and said, "The girl's right, it only gets worse from here…"



To be continued…