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

Reviews! I love 'em! Make me feel happy happy happy. XP

Chapter 26

Aurora led the group swiftly across the snow, passing the still bodies of injured guards, the dogs were no where in sight. The floodlights were still on and the entrance could be seen clearly because a single guard stood beside the door.

Then, all of a sudden the floodlights switched off, throwing the entire field and building into uncomfortable darkness.

"Ah.. shit." Muttered Scott as they travelled.

Logan continued going with Aurora, both training senses as they passed through the blackness. Behind, the rest of the X-Men followed, trying to not stray from Logan and Aurora.

Logan stood, raised a gloved hand to signal them to stop. Aurora sat down on her haunches obediently, staring up at Logan with a hint of respect beyond her pale eyes. Logan travelled forward alone, much to Scott's verbal dislike for he stopped, held back by Storm, muttering words related to Logan. He was soon shut up when Aurora gave him a throaty growl, standing to her four paws.

Logan's boots crunched through the snow, eyes trained upon where he could smell the guard. He could hear the guard breathing, he could sense the fear radiating from the man who clutched his rifle with clammy hands and breathed shakily. This man knew there was something out there, but he couldn't see him or hear him, just sense the Wolverine.

Logan was almost right beside him, in silence, crouched gently. A few seconds passed by uneasily, tension mounting as Logan's eyes stared up at the dark shadow of a man. Logan rose forcefully, extended claws rising and ramming upwards through the guard's ribcage whilst his other hand grabbed upon the gun so he couldn't shoot.

The body was thrown to the floor; the man had died in silence, not expecting the death. Logan could hear Aurora running across the snow, leading the X-Men, she had known of the death, she could smell it.

Now the entrance was clear and the X-Men including Aurora passed through the metal door inside. It was still dark inside, perhaps more so for the moonlight was limited to the field outside and not through the windows of this building.

Logan sniffed cautiously at the air, he couldn't smell anyone close so he calmly raised a hand and flicked on the light. Good for the sight, bad for the battle. For the upper level had suddenly burst alive with guards, all pointing guns down from the railing of the walkway.

"Ah.. shit." Repeated Scott.

The X-Men wasted no time, amidst the firing of ravage bullets they attacked. Kurt teleported and heftily threw guards over the railing, allowing them to plummet quite freely to the concrete floor. Scott geared up his headpiece and fired streams of red laser upon the guard, never missing and each one suffering.

Storm had raised the wind levels, windows smashing through and doors erupting open as strong gales blasted around the opponents, knocking many off balance and sending plenty to their death over the railings.

The opening doors brought more guards and another array of growling dogs Logan rushed in through bullets, dodging them by shifting without the slightest noise. His adamantium claws sank through the guards flesh and he shredded their weapons to mangled strips of useless metal. As the dogs ran forth growling and barking furiously they were swiped neatly out of the way by a blow from Aurora or a slice from Logan.

The room went quiet, heavy breathing echoed from the X-Men who stepped back to survey their work. The floor was littered with wounded or dead guards, their dogs had fled or died.

"Right." Announced Scott, stepping to the front of the group, regaining leadership, with hands spread, he explained, "We now need a plan."

There was a comical silence, a rolling of eyes from Logan said it all.

"We know we need a plan, but what?" Said Kurt simply, looking to the leader of their group for ideas. Scott softly hmphed, folding his arms, looking savagely across the group, "Any suggestions?"

"Yeah, better make it quick, this -is- supposed to be a mission y'know. Gotta be ready for the unexpected." Said Logan calmly, glaring across to Scott with his thick arms folded over his X-Men uniform. In response Scott huffed and stepped over to the man who was affecting his dominance.

"You just got to be the best haven't you. Got to lead, got to take charge, got to order people about, got to threaten people." Said Scott softly, eyes narrowed behind his visor, "I don't know what Stryker did to you, Wolverine! But shitting up your mind is one!"

Kurt swallowed nervously at this confrontation and Storm was almost holding her breath. No one spoke to the Wolverine like that, no one.

Scott continued, anger rising with his voice, "This isn't your pack! You're not a wolf! You're a human! You DO NOT enter my team and boss my X-Men around! You do not take CONTROL!! YOU are not ALPHA!!" He cried his fists shaking as he clutched them whilst he roared his anger upon Logan. His ears had turned pink, face blotched. Anger pulsing through his veins a mad torrent of waves within his bloodstream inside his mind.

Logan had stood there with his arms folded, claws neatly in within flesh. But he was now growling under his breath, eyes narrowed with hatred. Logan breathed heavily, chest heaving with anger that was roaring inside him, his mind racing furiously. The beast within him ravaging to escape and unleash all the bit of energy Wolverine had upon Cyclops. He had never had this strong energy of anger since Stryker's men confronted the school, where he let rip upon every man who dared to step foot and terrorize his home.

His territory.

Scott calmly stepped back, deciding to stay out of range from the adamantium weapons Logan had just sprayed from his knuckles. Logan still heaved with anger, trained eyes glaring down at Scott.

That last bit of patience that lingered inside Logan's mind was being stretched to the limit, those words roared on a replay in his mind tugging, wanting to make him snap and lash out.

From still and silent, Logan erupted into a roar of frenzy. Rearing claws towards Scott, feet lifting to making way for him. Scott's face dawned upon the threat and his hand snapped upwards, ready to open his visor. Logan still tried to get closer, but Aurora was at his feet, nipping savagely at his ankles in attempt to waken him from his anger.

Scott cried out as Logan stumbled over Aurora, desperate to get his claws inside the wretched mutant in front of him. Scott's hand twisted, and laser rushed out, hissing as it moved to strike Logan. Logan was suddenly pushed down by a force, but it wasn't the deadly laser, It was Aurora, her front paws had raised and her strength matched his as her feral muscles and adamantium strength slammed him upon his back, the laser streaming over his head and flying over the dodging bodies of Storm and Kurt.

Storm straightened, gasping softly, surprised at the lack of attacks on them with all the commotion. Suddenly she frowned, stepping over Logan and roughly pointing at Scott, "Our leader!" She cried, "Trying to blast down one of your team! I'm sure Charles never opted for that when he applied you with this status." She turned away, stepping back over the fallen Logan and rejoining Kurt, "I knew this was coming. But why now? Why when we are trying to save a girl's life!"

Logan now straightened, Aurora obediently dropping off him , nipping gently at his heels as he growled towards Scott, "Let's go." He muttered stepping past Scott and ventured alone down the room, disappearing through a door.

"Logan! Wait!" Cried Kurt, followed soon by Scott, "Where the hell do you think you're going!"

The remainder of the X-Men stood now without one of their teammates. Scott growled and shook his head, "Fine, let him go. C'mon... " He muttered, turning and going through a different door to Logan, the X-Men and Aurora following.

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

* cackles hysterically *

Scott is such a bitch! Good job Aurora stopped Wolfie or it would have been more blood on the walls! XD