Disclaimer: A whole host of new characters are mine. Please don't use them. Of course, the X-Men and other such characters involved in the comic, books and the movie belong to Marvel, and new ones are mine. Also the plot is my own.
Throughout story:
" " = Speech
' ' = Thoughts
^ ^ = Telepath
LoneEagle: XD is a face, close eyes and open mouth. Big grinning sort of face. XP is the same, only the 'P' represents a tongue stuck out! LMAO is 'laugh my ass off' Lol is 'laugh out loud' And 'nowt' is a Yorkshire word, shorter version of 'nothing' There you go! (:
No.. Logan's not going to be convicted of anything.. yet. *wink-wink*
Jenny: Unfortunately we won't be seeing the woman in detail until the next story. That was just for you to know her, and what she's like. First impression kind of thing. And you can probably guess why she's going to be in the next story. (Read her dialogue) But no suggestions or questions on her everyone! Please! Want to keep it quiet until Story 3 folks!
I loved the arm wrestling scene, when Logan just sat calmly and Johnny is falling off his chair in effort. Then Logan to breaks their arms through the table. Woohoo!
Ironic: He could do some ass whooping.. but that would endanger the entire country..
Crystal113: I'm not going to mention anymore about the woman. Read Jenny's reply to see why. (:
Blix: Ooh yes. :) Logan is gonna have to be careful though.
The Wolf: Hehe, lil army dude, lol.
Chapter 34
Logan stepped back slightly, blinking, shocked from the impact. The pub was now cheering on for a fight. The owner of the fist was Johnny's companion was had now recoiled in astonishment and pain.
It hurt punching an adamantium-plated face.
Logan looked back to the man, who was staring at Logan in disbelief. Logan raised his own fists, glaring back at the man. Logan found something jolt inside him.. he couldn't start a fight.. once his claws came out he would be completely exposed. Then the manor would be exposed, and then the entire country of mutants would be exposed. For the first time ever, the Wolverine thought about his consequences. He suddenly thought back on the TV bulletin.. could her fate be his if he fought?
During his few seconds of thought he had zoned out from reality, and for the second time a fist came his way. Logan's eyes snapped up to the fist. He clenched his fists and sent them hurtling back at the body. The impact made the man stagger, losing stance. Logan delivered another set of punches. Bullet style hits, constant, lightning quick. The man groaned and yelped every time he was hit, till he eventually fell back on the floor with a cry of mercy.
Logan growled softly, unclenching and re-clenching his fists. He could feel his claws desperate to come out and smother some blood.
He turned slowly to the bar, the entire pub staring at this undefeatable man in disbelief. Logan stopped in front of Michael, his head tilting and adamantium joints cracking shrilly, causing several gasps around the pub. Logan lifted his beer and downed it, "I better go now.." He muttered, inhaling on his cigar before he turned and stepped over the groaning Johnny and to the door. With one look back, he saw everyone watching him fearfully. Except Michael, who just nodded slowly, as if understanding. He wiped over a glass and placed it down, picking up the second.. as Logan watched he saw that Michael never actually touched the glass as he lifted it, but it was summoned into his hand..
Logan returned the slow nod, the small cut on his faintly bruised cheek fading away. A moment of understanding and sympathy drifted between the two men before Logan exited into the cool night air. He took a deep breath slowly; rubbing his knuckles mildly to sooth them of their addiction for blood. As Logan lifted his head to scan the dark street, he thoughts travelled back over to the woman.. it was a mad suggestion.. but he had to go to London and save her. With this new desperation he flung his legs forward, beginning a speeding run out of the village and silently pounding across the smooth grey road and out into the dark night towards Xavier Manor.
Charles Xavier watched out of one of the many large windows in Elizabeth's and his old sitting room. He watched the black outdoors with a quiet sigh, Elizabeth watching him anxiously.
"I never thought it would happen here.. not so soon." Sighed Charles quietly. They too had seen the news coverage.
Elizabeth smiled gently, passing him a cup of tea through the air, "The country still is unaware of mutants.. it is only this virus that is making us so dangerous. Look what it did to the girl in London.. "
Charles sipped at his tea slowly, nodding.
"And when your Wolverine and Aurora go down there, they have a chance of destroying this man made illness.. " Elizabeth continued quietly.
Charles looked to her suddenly, "When did the virus first begin here?"
Elizabeth blinked, a little surprised by his sudden question, "Oh.. well, almost two months ago I think."
Charles now frowned, "It happened in America a little later I presume.." He then stared at the floor thoughtfully. He was thinking extremely hard on something.
"Charles?" Asked the telekinetic sister.
Charles now looked up, "When we had the first attack on mutants at the mansion, it was also the day we had the first virus outbreak."
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes, trying to think on what was coming next.
"And when the humans came.. I could sense something.."
"What could you sense?"
"Anger.. a lot of anger. But it wasn't natural anger."
"What do you mean Charles..?" Said Elizabeth suspiciously.
"The virus does affect humans. It makes them aggressive." Said Charles, now watching Elizabeth intently, "With aggressive humans and weak mutants.. Who ever created this virus wanted humans to empower mutants and get every mutant destroyed."
Elizabeth now gasped softly, "The girl in London!"
"She was attacked by virus controlled humans.. and in return.. the virus effected her powers – which caused the national outcry."
Elizabeth's head slowly sunk to her hands. It all fitted into place, it made sense, "You are right Charles.. I know you are." She whispered softly.
Charles nodded sombrely, "Our only hope.. is if the virus is destroyed. Then America should return calm once more."
"But didn't the President carry out the registration?"
"He did.. but if he was effected by the virus or not I don't know. If so many people were against mutants he could have done it just to get people in favour of him as leader."
Elizabeth sighed quietly, "We need to tell the others."
Aurora was sat in the cool night air. The sky was a stunning navy, stars twinkling down upon the manor that glowed from the radiant moon. Aurora was positioned on the steps to the manor, her view of the surrounding garden and landscape was spectacular. Her head was lowered to a palm, and she watched the distance morosely, if not regretfully.
She felt rejected.. rejected by Logan. But she knew, she knew inside that she'd never vocally told Logan how she felt.. but couldn't he sense it radiating off her? She could sense something from him.. she could never put her finger on Logan's scents.. but when he had kissed her.. everything had become clear.
After the small incident with Phantom she thought that that was that. she had decided to give him the cold shoulder.. she was an independent woman. She could survive with him.
But when he was almost killed.. the shield she had built up to hide her real feelings from Logan -and- from herself had been shattered. The thought of losing him.. a terrible weight settled into her stomach at that thought. She would die in sorrow and grief.
Unbeknown to him.. he meant everything to her.
Aurora sighed quietly, staring sadly at the horizon. Her head slowly canted however when footsteps came behind her. She didn't need to look, she could smell them..
Phantom.
Aurora felt a rush of jealously over her chest, a wave of envious heat. She stared ahead of her as Phantom walked up round her. She heard Phantom come to a halt.
"Are you alright?" She then asked quietly to Aurora, "I can sense some extreme feelings in you."
Aurora frowned and shook her head slowly. She was not going to discuss it with anyone, especially not Phantom.
Phantom frowned, "Hey.. you got to go down to London tomorrow.. you'll never be done in time for our arrival."
"You're all coming?" Aurora then asked curiously.
Phantom nodded, "Yes, you're going down in the morning and we're heading there later in the week. You can sneak around and find out where to go. We can't."
Aurora nodded slowly, looking down to the floor again, "Oh.."
Phantom's head tilted, "Have I done something wrong..?"
Aurora said nothing, glaring at the grass.
"Aurora?"
"Will you leave me alone please.."
"But – "
"Please!"
Phantom sighed and straightened from Aurora with a frown, "Fine!" She said scathingly before turning and heading back into the warm manor whilst Aurora continued to stay outside in the bitter cold night.
Logan swore aloud as he climbed over the top of the wall. The gates had subsequently been locked as the later hours dawned, and so shimmying up a nine-foot wall and over iron spikes was his only option. Logan grunted as he swung a leg over the sharp iron spikes at the top of the wall. They glinted provocatively as he straddled upon them for cautious balance then over them completely with a small sigh of relief. He might be able to heal.. but the dangers couldn't bare to be though of.. especially climbing over them the way he did..
He jumped off the top of the wall and landed neatly in the surrounding foliage of the manor grounds. He straightened slowly, glancing about his surroundings naturally as he proceeded to exit the bushes.
Logan began to run out of the trees and out onto the moon streaked lawn. Aurora's eyes snapped upon the dark figure on the grass. Instincts flooded her. A trespasser. She jumped off the steps and dived through the air, form changing. She landed upon the lawn grandly and streaked across the grass, now on four paws..
Logan paused from his running.. hearing something in the blackness. His head only managed to turn as a pair of fierce yellow eyes came upon him. He was forced back with a shout, a roar shuddering the night air as the beast pounced upon Logan's front and sent him down, pinning him powerfully to the grass.
Logan glared up at the panther. He caught the scent and the glinting dogtag, "Aurora.." He said sternly, as if scolding her.
The snarl on the panther's face softened and mouth closed.
"Aurora.. get off me. I need to go and see Charles."
Aurora now promptly turned back into her usual form. She now frowned, still sat upon him, "No, don't Logan. I really need to talk to you.."
"It'll have to wait Aurora!" Logan pushed her off him, firmly but carefully, "There's someone in trouble!"
Aurora fell on her rear in the grass with a small yelp, "But Logan!" She cried, scrambling onto her knees, "No! Wait! I have to tell you something!"
Logan shook his head, now sprinting off towards the manor, disappearing into the darkness.
"Logan.." She whispered softly, watching the blackness around her sadly.. if only he had stayed..
Sora was sat in the living room now with Charles and Elizabeth. Destiny had since been put down to sleep. Sora smiled as she accepted her cup of tea off Elizabeth.
"Thank you.." She said softly, "I took a overhead scan of the area a few hours ago."
Elizabeth then inhaled sharply.
Sora smiled to her, "It was dark, I was not seen.."
Elizabeth nodded slowly to this, falling still.
"I have been seeking out the appropriate routes down to London and – " She stopped, now frowning at Charles who was not looking at her.. but at the television. The News at 10 had come on, and scenes of a plane were being shown from the south of England.
The three exchanged wary glances.
"The abandoned plane had been inhabited at one point. When checking in side experts found no left over items of any peculiar status. Forensic searches are been carried out on the plane seats. One has particularly attracted attention to the British Government, a hair from a man that is said to be on the loose from America after a series of brutal and horrific crimes, including murder."
"Logan.." Said Charles quietly, staring at the television.
Logan then burst into the room, slamming the door madly open, the slam against the wall shocking everyone, "Charles! I need to talk to you!"
***
Oooh yeah! Poor Aurora though. ): Maybe she'll get her chance when they go down to London together? If they manage to get down there that is..
(www.freewebs.com/thoh)