Disclaimer: None of these characters are mine, except for Aurora, Granite and Serpentine, and the weapons I gave to Orion, plus her name. But the character itself remains Marvel's. Plot is mine though.

Throughout story: " " = Speech ' ' = Thoughts ^ ^ = Telepath

I have some great news, over Christmas a good plan for my 2nd X-Men Fan Fic had developed; it will be a sequel for War of the World! So, you're not getting rid of me just yet! :P

Here we go then.

Chapter 25

The jet flew on through the night sky, gliding majestically. It's engines chugged in silence, powerfully allowing it to streak through the cloudless sky. When a rare cloud floated by, the jet sliced through it, the fluffed edges departing into nothing, erupting its mute scream.

Storm was in control, the steering device in her gloved hands. She stared determinedly out at the night sky, eyes flicking upon the radar screen to check their coordinates every now and then.

Kurt was sat stiffly in his seat, for this was his first time out in the jet as an X-Man, even though he had been trained up to be ready for battle, German prayers echoed from his lips, making the atmosphere tenser and more dark.

Logan appeared to have felt that, for he was hunched gently in his seat, though the belts were restraining him any further. Elbows rested at his knees and hands clasped each other. He stared down at his boots in thought. The atmosphere was sombre, this mission was quite unlike any other, for they knew the experiences their student could be going through, and for Logan, she was more than a student, she was a friend, and to have that relationship with Logan, any on good terms at least, was rare.

The jet soared on over lit up cities that stood out in small groups, their lights illuminating the world below, oblivious to the goings on about them, the danger that was unfolding in their world.

The silence within the jet was broken by an impatient Logan who had stood up out of his seat and was stalking round the other X-Men, grunting incoherently, his anger level still high from the earlier disturbances with Scott. He prowled to the front of the jet where Scott and Storm sat, and at last the tension was snapped by his swift murmuring of speech, "How long now?"

Scott bristled gently in his seat, the seatbelt restraints holding him back. For now.

Storm's voice replied, her eyes never leaving the radar screen as she watched a map develop and disappear, coordinates lining themselves up, "Passing over the White House... another 20 miles to go, not long, be ready to leave."

Logan grunted and turned away, resuming his pacing, travelling around each X-Man. The tension had soared again, for Logan was radiating his anger, like an animal trapped in a cage he was ready to lash out at somebody, and it was building to a climax, and the only victims would be an X-Man.

"Logan! Sit down!" Came a defiant female voice.

Logan hurled round on the spot, growling at the person who had dared order him. He was met by Aurora's face, which stared at him with just as much confidence, her narrowed eyes battling him down. They just glared at each other, each daring the other to question their dominance.

"We're landing." Called Storm from the front, this comment an automatic order for seatbelts.

Logan then sat down, reluctant of course for losing the mini-war with Aurora. If it had been any other X-Man or person, Logan would have ravaged them dry with sarcastic bitter comments, meanwhile focusing his released built up anger upon his poor victim.

The jet soared downwards, gliding majestically along the clouds, which were now built up and were looking suspiciously dark. The jet sank below their rolling barrier, setting for Earth. Platforms landed with graceful ease on the snow-strewn grass no animal had grazed on it for a while so the grass crept out of the white blanket, reaching roughly 1ft. When the jet touched the surface, the lit engines switched off, the humming dying away.

They had landed in an empty field, surrounded at one end by a dense foliage of bracken and trees which they had hidden in, the other end was a large building, in darkness. The moon lit a small section of the field, luckily missing the jet by a few yards, peeking through the built up clouds, it was a searchlight, drifting across the sky, lighting up any possible evidence of the attack.

Inside the jet, the X-Men had gathered round near the exit, comments being exchanged and questions being asked. Of course, many were replied with silence, this mission hadn't been prepared for, they didn't know how tight the security was or where abouts Rogue would be. "Let's just get ourselves inside first." Said Logan, automatically taking charge, with much disapproval from supposed leader Scott who glared at him behind his red- glassed headpiece. However, it was one of the smartest idea so far, if they didn't get inside, then nothing could be done. Logan was met by nods from other X-Men and by a cold expression from Scott. The ramp was lowered and stairs lifted to meet the first footsteps down them. Logan came first, for he was at his best, alert and attentive to even the slightest sound.

Across the snow they travelled, Logan at the front leading the team. Scott was hurrying through the group, desperate to retain his status as leader. Logan froze, causing the group to stop roughly and stare anxiously at him then at the blackness of their surroundings. Logan wasn't the only one who had froze to keep senses at a high. Aurora had paused a few feet away, same posture, straining to pick up the sound. They had both heard something.

"Get outta sight!" Hissed Logan, running for a hill in the field where a lone bush was dominating it by twisted thorns and thin scrawled branches. Aurora was right behind him, shifting out of sight. The other X-Men took a little longer to respond, but Kurt teleported suddenly, sinking out of view beside Aurora.

Just in time, for a searchlight came from one of the windows of the building, scanning the field. It went up and over the shelter of their bush, then illuminating the tall foliage of trees, which the jet was hiding behind. Then, as quickly as it had struck, it shut off, throwing the field in sudden darkness. Unexpected blackness was thrown back upon the X-Men. Scott, refusing to hand leadership to Logan crawled out of the spot and straightened, walking calmly across the field, not hanging near the bracken strewed hedge that lined the field, but out in the open. Logan growled over to him, "Idiot!" Scott snorted at this, determined to be right and lead his team to victory. A few seconds passed with tension, cursing from the bush from a furious Wolverine.

Then it happened.

About five floodlights burst from the building, the entire field illuminating with an incredible explosion of frenzied flood of white light. Scott was trapped in the middle of the field, seen clearly with the light. He froze, gaping from the shock. Kurt teleported and brought Scott back to the other X-Men in a soft burst of blue smoke. Once Scott had landed Logan rounded upon him, repeating, "Idiot!" The X-Men stared at Logan watching the fight being redeveloped.

Suddenly, Aurora gasped, "They're coming!"

Scott froze and turned upon Aurora, "What?"

It was a pointless question for the field of light was being disturbed by shadows sprinting across the lawn, savage dogs a few feet ahead. Barking and growling hungrily. Shots were fired, not aimed at the bush in particular, but into the remaining blackness when the light ran out. Every X-Men slammed themselves to the snow as bullets fired over their heads. It was no use; the dog had found the prints. Three of them separated from their master and bounded across the field to the large bush that was still a good 30 feet away.

"Oh God..." Cursed Storm softly, staring across as the vicious beasts pounded towards them.

"We gotta move! Move!" Roared Logan, alerting the X-Men.

Scott's eyes did a automatic travel over the team, "Aurora..." He said softly. She's gone."

"What?!" Cried Logan, looking round in a panic, he didn't need to look, for her scent had disappeared with her.

The dogs were still running powerfully towards them, the guards following clumsily, running through the thick snow. The closest dog was nearly upon the bush, growling and snarling ferociously, ready to attack. Logan remained crouched; want to stay out of bullet range. His fists spread, claws sharply erecting with a swift sound from his knuckles. The other X- Men did likewise, preparing for an attack. Scott readied his headgear, training it open the area of the guards. Logan was ready for the dogs. Just as Scott was about to fire, a loud roar, fierce and powerful drowned the barking of the dogs. A flash of pearl and grey appeared, landing in the dog's tracks. Muscle dominated the slim form of stealth, thick fur gleamed as it was rippled by the passing wind, alert pale eyes shone with a usual triumph and confident. The tag glinted round the wolf's neck said it all. Logan straightened almost choking on his words, "Aurora?!"

Scott did likewise, but remained flat in the snow, "Aurora?" He said scornfully, voice full of doubt as he watched the wolf, which was now glaring down upon the three dogs, which were dominated by her size and her obvious strength. They turned, barks turning to whimpers, anger turning to fear.

Even the men froze in the snow for it was an unexpected sight. Aurora growled, placing a paw forward and lowering her head, eyes staring brightly at the guards, preparing.

A bullet shot, then another. Metal tipped with death. They fired towards Aurora.

Awash with fury and pride and many mixed emotions Logan leapt through the bush, roaring claws smashing down upon the travelling bullets, they ricocheted off and fell harmlessly to the snow. After this display the X- Men rose from the bush and stopped behind Aurora and Logan, each glaring across to the enemy.

Logan smirked, brow rising to them as a stream of red laser erupted from behind him blasting the guards to the floor in cries of pain. Once the immediate danger had passed attention turned upon the wolf, which stood proudly, staring defiantly across to the fallen opponent.

"Woah." Commented Logan softly, crouching beside the wolf to meet her height.

In response the wolf cast an affectionate rumble, tail slowly wagging. The tag still glinted in the moonlight, her name being proudly presented. She set off walking, leading the way; her left foreleg was cast in gold.

*** To view pictures and detailed profiles of my created characters, visit: (www.freewebs.com/xwotw)

Hehe, Scott's cruisin' for a bruisin'.. Go get 'im Logan!

REVIEW REVIEW!! (: