I do not own the X men all I lay claim to is any of my OC's that appear of may appear in this story.
As always please read and review.
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Meanwhile in the woods a lone figure stands outside a cave. Stretching his body to full length scanning the surrounding area for anything interesting. Then the wind begins to sweeps through the area bringing with it a warning. A distinct scents that are both familiar and different at the same time enter his nose. The winds change direction once more bringing his medium length messy brown hair, across his rough stubbly unshaven face.
"Great I don't have time for this." The man said to himself as he disappeared into the woods. Running through the trees dodging swiftly between and around them with ease. Who ever it is after him is in for a rude awakening when he finds them. He isn't going back. He can never go back. So for their sakes they better not be here to return him to Hydra.
Stopping in a clearing a clearing by a stream, the man bent down to scoop up some water. Bringing it to his lips he takes a deep drink of the crisp cool water.
"Sneaking up on me is useless at this point. I know the two of you are there." He said as he wiped his hands dry on his pants.
"Not surprised you noticed us once the wind changed." Said the gruff voice of Logan as he entered the clearing. He was surprised at the appearance of their young target. For being a clone of him he appeared more like a true child then and actual clone. But that must be thanks to being born of a surrogate mother so part of his appearance must be thanks to her DNA. He stood near six feet tall, built similar to Logan only a little leaner, and his facial features looked much like a younger Logan. He was wearing a pair of tattered worn old blue jeans, no shoes, as well as a torn hoody with no sleeves that zipped up in the front but was currently unzipped.
X-23 stayed at the edge of the clearing just encase this experiment proved hostile.
"So why is it you to are up her obviously looking for me." The man said looking directly at Logan. "If it is to take me back to that lab you can forget it and go on home now." He said adding a guttural feral growl for emphasis. As well as extending his claws to show that he will not go down with out a fight if needed.
Sarah was quick to react unleashing her claws as well. But before she could charge X-20. She was stopped by Logan who signaled with his left hand hold where she was.
"Look kid we aren't here to take you back to the lab at Hydra. We came to investigate an attack on a campsite not to far from here is all. While rangers believed a bear was responsible I know you were." Logan said still standing passively to hopefully signal that he didn't wish to fight him.
"Wait how did you know I was from a Hydra facility? And if noticed clues in that campsite that lead to me I must be slipping up in covering my tracks. And for the record I didn't hurt any of those campers. I just gave them a little scare for deciding to camp so far off the trail near where I was." He said still poised to attack should these two attack.
"Yeah I noticed the claw marks on a tree in the picture of the campsite in the paper. I know you didn't hurt any of them the article reported no injuries in the incident." Logan said walking toward X-20. "Look kid you don't need to live here in the woods away from everybody. You can come back with us to where we lice there is plenty of room for you as well as some others around your age there as well."
X-20 stepped back a little at those words keeping Logan at a distance. "What do you mean? It will just be another lab where I will be tested on and used as a weapon." He said to them.
This is when Sarah finally spoke. "Look X-20. The place where we live is a great place. It is a huge mansion where many mutants like us live. Where you are free to live your life the way you wish and not just as a mindless weapon to be used for others gain." Sarah retracted her claws as she walked forward to stand beside Logan.
It seemed like X-20 was warming up to the pair standing before him. Then another figure leapt from the tree line into the clearing. Swiping his claws across the back of X-20 who was caught unaware thanks to his focus being on Logan and X-23. A scream came from X-20 as the flsh of his back was rended open and blood spilled out to the forest floor as he landed face first in the dirt.
Sabertooth now stood over the body of X-20. "Logan I see you have another offspring for your brood. And even after I personally took care of your females over the years to make sure that didn't happen. Not to mention just to see the look of agony on your face as I did it to. But yet you still managed to reproduce. At least this one isn't a runt like you Logan. "Sabertooth said in a condescending and cocky tone with his deep gruff voice.
"Creed!" Is all Logan yelled as both he and X-23 changed the larger Sabertooth. Claws extended on both with full intent on causing Sabertooth great pain.
Sabertooth laughed as he was attacked. He side stepped Logan and landed a savage elbow to the sternum of X-23. Knocking her off her feet. Sending her flying into the stream.
Landing hard in the stream X-23 quickly got up but was holding her chest with one arm. Unlike Logan and X-20 she only had adamantium on her claws and skull.
Logan continued to fight fiercely against Sabertooth, much like every time the two meet. Logan landed a vicious slash across Creed chest. Not to be out done by the runt Creed grapped a hold of Logan's wrist, throwing him away like he was a mere child. Logan flipped in the air landing with his feet against a tree, he quickly lunged off the tree at Sabertooth only to be caught again. Only this time Creed was also met with the claws of X-23 in his back and one of his kidneys. To a normal person that blow would have been devastating and most likely fatal, but to one with an advanced healing factor like Creed it would only serve to slow him down. Sabertooth tossed Wolverine away this time with the force to put him through trees. And then proceeded to back hand X-23 knocking the young girl off of his back. Seeing that fighting these to was going no where and proving to be unwise to continue. Creed quickly fled the scene. Especially since if the other of Logan's progeny was to joining the fight he stood absolutely no chance of winning.
But unknown to the others X-20 used the fight as an opportunity go get away.
"Sarah you okay?" Logan said getting up from the trees he had just moments before been thrown through.
"Yeah." She said cracking her neck and getting back to her feet. "I'm lucky to still have my head on my shoulders after that last hit." She said forgetting that Creed had a bit more strength then she or Logan.
"Looks like X-20 took off during the fight. Can't say as I blame him really." Logan said as he sniffed the area to get X-20's scent again.
"Damn it if Creed hadn't interfered X-20 probably would of returned with us to Xavier's." Sarah said as she slashed the tree next to her as her claws retracted.
"I know but I think we will be seeing him again before to long. So lets head back to the bike and go home. No point in standing around here anymore." Logan said.
The two made the hike back in silence. Both silently blaming themselves for not noticing Creed sooner. But when they reached the location where they left Logan's motorcycle it wasn't there. All that was left was the helmet X-23 wore on the ride there and a note scratched into it saying: 'Thanks for the wheels.' And from the scent on the helmet X-20 was the one who pilfered Logan's motorcycle.
"Damn kid stole my bike." Logan said angerly.
All X-23 did was laugh since if she was in X-20's shoes she would of done the same. Plus she knew how protective of it Logan was.
Logan pulled his communicator out of his pocket. Placing what looked like an ordinary bluetooth headset in his ear. Pressing a button he contacted Xavier directly.
"Chuck we need a pickup. Kid stole my bike so if you could send Hank or someone in the X jet to pick us up I would appreciate it." Logan said still holding the helmet in his hand.
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Next chapter: A surprise visitor to the institute.