The cold air brushed up against X-17 sent a shiver down his spine as it woke him up from his short slumber. He rubbed his hands together as he blew his hot breath into them. He slowly got up as he looked outside his cave.
"I-It's getting dark…I b-better find somewhere else to sleep before they come back." His teeth shivered as he stepped out of the cave and began to walk down the mountain.
"It was like I said there was he just sorta lunged at Mystique and fought her off before she could do anything to us. Then as soon as he heard the jet sound, he just climbed up the mountain with some sort of metal things from his hands. But there was another thing that I'm still unsure about, Professor." Rogue said as she looked down and crossed her arms.
"And what may that be?" Professor X asked as Rogue pointed to Logan.
"Well… I think he looked kinda like like Mr. Logan just… younger and a little bit taller. But I'm not sure I didn't really get a good look at him before he left." Rogue said as the rest of the X-Men looked at her perplexed.
"You must have been seeing things then kid but what do you think about this Charles?" Logan crossed his arms and looked at the Professor.
"I'm unsure about the last part just as you Logan but we must go and find him now. So Logan Ororo prep the X-Jet we have to make it to him before he freezes to death. I'll use Cerebro to find his exact location in the meantime then regroup with the both of you." Professor X said as Ororo and Logan nodded their heads as they rushed out of the common area and left for the Hangar while Charles went to use Cerebro. Charles quickly put on Cerebro as he began to search for the boy. Once he did he held his head in pain as he was flashed with images of X-17's past. He took off Cerebro and rushed for the X-Jet. Once everyone was on board and strapped in Charles fired up the X-Jet and made their way to the icy mountains once more.
"Metal from his hands… looks like me… Charles, when you used Cerebro were you able to see anything else about him other than his location?" Logan mumbled under his breath.
"I was able to yes Logan but his mind it's a mess. I was only able to make out bits and pieces of his past akin to your own Logan. Once we've located him and given him proper medical attention we'll help him sort everything out and maybe figure out just who exactly he was before he saved Rogue and Scott." Charles said as they entered the frozen mountain range. Storm got out of her seat and used her powers to make it easier for them to fly through the harsh cold winds as they began their search for him. Back at the institute the rest of the X-Men sat and talked to one another as they awaited for the return of the Professor, Wolverine, and Storm.
"So like Rogue, you seemed pretty worried about him huh?" Kitty asked as Rogue was knocked out of her train of thought.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I? I mean he did save me and Scott." Rogue asked as Scott rubbed his head from where a rock had hit him.
"I'm just like asking you know but I guess we'll figure out more once the Professor and the others return." Kitty said as Rogue rested her head on her arm.
"Say Scott, did you manage to get a look at the dude or were you already out cold?" Kurt asked as Scott stopped what he was doing.
"No I was already knocked out but once the Professor comes back I'll make sure to thank him he did save both mine and Rogue's life after all." Scott said as they continued to wait for the rest of the X-Men to come back.
"I've got to…keep moving…" X-17 said his voice strained from the cold as he collapsed onto the snow. Despite his body already wanting him to stop his spirit said otherwise as he slowly crawled. With each movement, it was as if thousands of hot needles were being sent straight for his muscles. He looked up and saw what looked like to be a man with red armor and a purple cape. He blinked his eyes and suddenly the man was gone. With a deep sigh, he laid his head on the cold snow. His breathing slowed as the roar of the X-Jet blasted through the mountain range. This time he couldn't run his body already having given out as the X-Jet came closer.
"There! I think I see him Charles get me close to him and I'll get him." Logan said as he pointed at the unconscious boy then the X-Jet made its way toward the boy. The door opened as Logan hopped out and picked up the boy. Doing so he could finally get a good look at the boy as he thought. 'The kid was right… he really does look like me.' Logan and the boy both got back onto the X-Jet. Logan set the boy on the floor as both Storm and the Professor looked at the boy in awe.
"He really looks just like you Logan." Storm said in a whisper.
"Just younger and a bit taller." The Professor said as the X-Jet soared across the sky back to the institute. Logan checked on the boy again just then he noticed something on the boy's arm. He turned his arm to the side as he saw a tattoo with the name X-17 written on it.
"Professor Storm I'm starting to think me and the kid share something else other than just looks." Logan said as he went back to his chair.
"What might that be Logan?" Storm asked as she got back in her chair as they exited the mountain range.
"I think the kid was in the same experiment as I was back then." Logan said as he slumped back into his chair.
"I assume that'll explain why he had bits of metal that came from his hands Rogue had told us about." Charles said as Logan looked back at the kid with sorrow in his eyes. Within the hour they made it back to the institute. The rest of the X-Men had rushed to the hangar as the X-Jet landed all of them chatting about whether or not they had found Rogue's mysterious man.
"Their back guys maybe they found him!" Kurt Wagner said as he bamfed into the hangar.
"They like totally did!" Kitty Pryde said as soon as the rest of the X-Men ran into the hangar.
"Guess Rogue really did tell the truth." Evan Daniels said as the X-Jet landed in the hangar.
"Alright everyone calm down." Scott Summer said as the door to the X-Jet began to open.
"Like what Scott said everyone calm down he's probably been through a lot right now." Jean Grey said as the door to the X-Jet fully opened.
"Hopefully he's alright." Rogue said as Logan held the boy in his arms and ran to the medical wing with the Professor and Storm following suit. As the rest of the X-Men ran off to catch up to the three of them the Professor stopped.
"Everyone go and wait in the common area right now that boy needs urgent medical attention once he's better I, storm, and Logan will meet you all in the common area and inform you of the situation." The Professor said while most of the X-men had displeased looks both Scott and Jean had the rest of them follow the Professor's order. Soon the Professor rejoined Ororo and Logan in the medical wing of the institute. Just Charles entered the room Ororo was about to stick an IV drop in the boy's arm X-17 jumped off the and pinned her to the wall with his forearm pressed against her neck. As he popped his claws Logan popped his as they clashed with X-17's before he could do anything else to Storm. X-17 quickly let go of Storm as he used his other claws to strike at Logan. Logan countered his attack as they both stood still their claws twined together.
"You…" X-17 muttered under his breath as he stared danger into Logan's eyes.
"Listen kid you've been through some stuff that nobody your age should have to go through so how about we just talk this out before things get messy." Logan and X-17 looked into X-17's eyes with a bit of anger and pain. X-17 snarled as he put away his claws and Logan did so too.
"I know you're Weapon-X but who are you to? And where did you take me? The last thing remember was being back on that mountain." X-17 said as he sat on the hospital bed.
"She is Ororo Munroe" he gestured at Storm then to Logan, "The man you call Weapon-X is Logan and my name is Charles Xavier you're currency at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters which we three help mutants such as yourself and my other students to train in controlling their powers." The Professor said as X-17 looked confused.
"I'm…a mutant?" X-17 asked as he pointed at himself.
"Yes Ororo can control the weather, Logan has a healing factor with an adamantium skeleton, and as for myself, I possess the powers of telepathy as well as telekinesis. And from what I've seen just know I pursue you and Logan share the same set of powers?" The Professor asked as X-17 looked at his hands.
"I… yeah if I remember… I was supposed to be a clone of Weapon-X I mean Logan except better." X-17 spoke as Logan looked at Charles with a worried look.
"I thought they shut the program down though?" Logan asked as he looked back at X-17.
"I guess they didn't… ugh my head is a mess right now agh." X-17 groaned in pain as he held his head in his hand. Logan placed his hand on his shoulder as a sign of reassurance.
"We'll help you get through this son but if I may ask do you have a name?" Charles asked as he rolled closer to him.
"I… I only ever went by X-17… that's what I've called ever since I was born." X-17 said as he lifted his head as the pain as already subsided.
"We'll you got something you want to be called other than a number?" Ororo asked as she crossed his arms.
"James… James Frost that feels right to me." James said with a slight smile on his face.
"Now Mr. Frost judging by how we found you I assume you currently don't have a home?" The Professor asked as James nodded his head.
"Then how about you live here in the institute? Although we will also have to enroll you in Bayville High School as well we can't just have you around the mansion all day long. And you'll have to see if you can join the X-Men as well." Ororo asked as James contemplated her question.
"I'll accept your offer but I've never been to a school before… I know I was taught most things but I've only ever known how to be a soldier or a weapon." James said as he looked up at the three of them.
"Well now you will no longer have to that is unless you want to join the X-Men as well Mr. Frost?" Charles asked as he waited for an answer.
"But what is it you "X-Men" do exactly?" James asked as Charles had a smile on his face.
"Well, Mr. Frost the X-Men were formed for the goal of creating a peaceful co-existence between humans and mutants is that something you'd be interested in?" Charles asked as he interlocked his fingers and held his hands together.
"If it means I can put my powers to good use then I'll gladly accept and join the team." James said with a smile.
"Good I'll go and inform the other's about our new member Professor." Ororo said as she left the room.
"I'll get the kid some spare clothes can't have him walking around nothing but a pair of torn-up shorts." Logan said as he left to grab some spare clothes.
"Now once you've got some new clothes you can follow me and I'll introduce you to your fellow teammates and students that is if you want to of course." The Professor said as James got off the table.
"I'd like that Mr. Xavi-." James said as the Professor spoke in his mind 'You can just call me Professor Mr. Frost.' James looked shocked then quickly corrected himself. "I'd like that Professor."
"Alright kid I wasn't able to find much but this is all we got me and the Professor will be waiting for you outside once you've changed." Logan and the Professor exited the room as James shifted through the box of clothes. After a while, he started to pick out the bits and pieces that he took a liking to. He threw on a pair of black Frye boots, dark blue Bootcut jeans, a light brown belt with a silver buckle, a white undershirt, a dark red flannel with black squares incorporated with light and dark red squares, and finally a black leather jacket with brown stripes on sleeves. Once he threw everything on he ran his fingers through his hair in an attempt to fix it as he brushed the bits that were in front of his face to the side. He Finally exited the room and joined up with the Professor and Logan.
"Took you long enough kid now come on the rest of the X-Men are dying to meet you ever since Rogue told us about how you saved her and Scott from Mystique back in the mountains." Logan said as the three of them walked to the common area.
"Rogue… was she the girl with the purple around her eyes and white streaks of hair?" James asked as the Professor answered his question.
"Yes that's her Mr. Frost soon you'll meet them all and exchange introductions but I know they'll ask you a marriade of questions about your past so if you don't want to share it with them then you don't have to." The Professor asked as James put his hands in his pockets while he pondered the Professor's question.
"I… I'll share a bit of it that's all." James said as he thought to himself. 'I hardly know anyone here but after what the Professor told me they seem like good people. But how will they react to my past… to me being a clone of Logan? I'll tell them that I was just a mutuan who was genetically modified and just so happens to look like Logan. Maybe as I continue to live here and my trust betters with them all I can tell them the truth that is once I feel comfortable too. But then wouldn't they trust me less if I keep this information from them? I…I'll just have to figure it out in the moment.' James thought as soon the three of them continued to walk to the common area.
"I know you all have a lot of questions to ask him but please keep them to a minimum he's just woken up a few minutes ago." Ororo spoke as the Professor, Logan, and James entered the common area.
"Everyone I'd like you all to meet our new student and new member of the X-Men his name is James Frost." The Professor said as the three of them stood in front of the X-Men. Instantly the common area broke into a myriad of questions.
"Why do you look like Mr. Logan?" Kitty asked.
"What powers do you have?" Kurt asked.
"Why were you up on a mountain?" Evan asked.
"Everyone what did I just tell you! I expected better especially from you Even." Ororo said in a commanding voice as the room went quiet.
"We sorry Auntie O it's just that after what Rogue told us about him we couldn't wait to meet him." Evan said as James sighed which drew the attention of everyone.
"I…", James looked at the Professor and Logan as he took a deep breath facing the rest of the X-Men, "The reason I look the way I do is that I'm a clone of Mr. Logan…", the room went silent once more as the all stared at James shocked, "I have the same powers just as him from the healing factor to his claws", he popped his claws then quickly put them away, "I didn't have a home at least I don't think I do my minds been a mess for a few days. As for what I can remember was just walking away from something I don't remember what that something is but I know I walked for days and days until inevitably climbed the same mountain that Rogue was on and saved them. That's the most I can remember at least for now…" The room continued to go silent until Scott went up and walked to James extending his hand.
"I believe you've answered most of our questions, James, but no matter your past we won't treat you any different I can count on the name Scott Summers my code name Cyclops whenever we're training in the Danger Room, or out on a mission and my power is that I can shoot Optic Blasts from my eyes and thank you for saving mine and Rogue's life James we owe you one." James shook his hand as soon as the rest of the X-Men introduced themselves.
"I'm Jean Grey you can call me Jean too and Phoenix wherever we're out on a mission plus my powers are being telepathic and telekinetic." Jean said as she went to join Scott.
"I'm Kitty Pryde but you can just like call me Kitty and my code name is Shadowcat and I can phase through stuff." Kitty said as she pointed to herself.
"Kurt Wagner Nightcrawler but you can just call me Kurt dude I can teleport." Kurt said as he bmfed closer to James and Scott.
"I'm Evan Daniels Evan is just fine my other name is Spyke since I can shoot bone spikes out of my body." Evan demonstrated his power and then put his spikes away after.
"Well, you already know my name… I can absorb other people's powers through skin contact… but thank you for helping me and Scott back on the mountain though James." Rogue said as she got up from the couch and joined the rest of the X-Men.
"It's no problem really." James said as he looked at Rogue enamored by her green eyes.
"Then James since you'll be joining the X-Men do you have a codename we can call you?" Scott asked as they stopped shaking hands.
"You can call me… X-17." James looked at his arm where the tattoo was then back up at Scott.
"Now that everyone had introduced themselves everyone to bed it is a school night after all. James follow me I'll show you to your room where we can discuss when you'll be joining Bayville High School." The Professor spoke as the teens groaned and went back to their rooms.
"You heard him back to bed everyone." Ororo said as she went wen the teens to make sure they went back to their rooms. Logan did the same as the Professor took James to his room.
"Thank you Professor I just…" James tried to thank the Professor as the Professor opened the door to his new room.
"No need to thank me Mr. Frost now here's where you'll be sleeping and doing whatever else you might need here in the institute the men and women all share their bathroom so if you want to wash yourself with some hot water I'd suggest you wake up early." The Professor said as James chuckled and walked into his new room. It had a window showing the front of the institute, a bed with a box on top of it, a closet, a dresser, and a nightstand with a small lap. James looked at the box and opened it up. He picked up his suit as he looked at the Professor.
"Is this… my suit?" James asked as he placed his suit on his bed.
"Yes it is as a member of the X-Men you are issued a uniform I hope it is to your liking as we didn't have much time to add anything you'd like Mr. Frost." The Professor said as James finished taking each part of his uniform out of the box. It consisted of a dark navy blue bodysuit with yellow stripes along the side of the sleeveless body suit and had two yellow platelets with the X logo on its shoulders. Then he took out two matching yellow combat boots, two matching yellow gloves with metal sheathes on top of each knuckle, and lastly, a yellow utility belt that had the X logo as its buckle.
"Thank you again Professor this is just so much," James said as he looked at his uniform displayed on his bed.
"No thanks are needed James now I'd suggest you get some sleep tomorrow we'll asses your combat prowess and knowledge after that you'll have to go to school Scott and Jean will be able to help you with that good night Mr. Frost." The Professor said as he closed the door. James put away his uniform and threw his jacket and flannel on the side of his bed. He sat on the bed as he took off his boots and laid on it. He closed his eyes and took in the comfort of having a real bed for once. After a few minutes, he soon fell asleep. During the night James kept tossing and turning in his bed. Slowly as he slept bits and pieces of his past had started to come back to him.
"You need to get out of here X-17." Dr. Frost said as another image flashed in his dreams.
"Doctor…" James had started to speak in his sleep as his dreams grew ever darker.
"You're a weapon that's all you'll ever be." Colonel Stryker said as James kept tossing and turning his his sleep.
"Stryker…" Soon he saw images of a metal hallway covered in blood. The sounds of gunshots and the screams of the people he'd killed rang in his mind as he woke up in a cold sweat. He popped his claws instinctively as he quickly looked around his room. There was no one there but himself as he wiped the sweat off his forehead and got out of bed. A few rooms down the hall Rogue had woken from her sleep she looked to Kitty who was still asleep. She opened the door quietly as she tried to listen in to who could be making the noise.
"Mm Rogue what are you doing?" Kitty asked as she rubbed her eyes and yawned. Rogue jumped as she looked back to Kitty trying to catch her breath.
"You nearly scared me half to death Kitty… But I think something's up with him he sounds like he ain't doing too well." Rogue said as she continued to listen to the hallway.
"Then like go back to bed or something because I know that's what I'm going to do," Kitty said as she fell back asleep.
"Well, I'm going to go and check up on him," Rogue said as she quietly left her room and sneaked toward James's room. She knocked on the door and waited for his response but nothing happened. She accidentally jiggled the door knob and noticed it was unlocked. She slowly opened the door only to have noticed that the window was open. She ran into his room and looked around until she finally looked out the window and saw him walk across the front of the institute.
"Maybe some fresh air will do me some good." James whispered as he walked over to a nearby tree lying against its cool wood he took a deep breath looked up at the sky and closed his eyes. Rogue went back to her room and put on her boots waking up Kitty again.
"Rogue like what's wrong now?" Kitty asked as she tried to go back to sleep.
"I don't know if James is tryin' to leave to institute or not so imma go and see if I can talk him outa it." Rogue quickly put her boots on and sneaked out of the institute. James continued to rest as Rogue walked up to him.
"James?" Rogu asked in a whisper startling the young mutant.
"...Rogue? What are you doing out here?" James asked as he quickly looked around to see if anyone else was nearby.
"I could be asking you the same question," Rogue asked with a heavy sigh James looked down then back up at her.
"I just wanted to get some fresh air you know today's been… something," James said as he looked up to the starry sky.
"Yeah, it has been something huh? Mind if I join you?" Rogue asked as James motioned for her to sit beside him. As they both sat beneath the tree they looked up at the starry sky in silence. They sat there taking in the beauty around them whilst the tranquility grew better as the stars shone brighter.
"Rogue you ever wonder if what you're doing is the right thing?" James asked taking Rogue by surprise.
"Yeah, I've been feeling that for a while now but now that I've joined the X-Men and the institute I feel like I'm doing some good." Rogue continued to look up at the sky as James asked her another question.
"When did you join then Rogue?" James asked looking back at Rogue.
"I guess today just like you," Rogue said as she looked back at James.
"Huh go figure," James said as they both sat in silence. After a while, Rogue asked James a question of her own to break said silence between them.
"Does it hurt, when they come out?" Rogue asked taking James by surprise for a bit as he looked at his hand.
"... every time" James replied as Rogue looked at his hand. She started to reach for it but then quickly retracted her hand once she noticed she was missing her gloves. James took notice and looked back at her confused. "I'm not going to hurt you Rogue," James said as Rogue shuffled a bit away from him.
"It's not that James it's just you remember when I told you what my power was?" Rogue asked as he thought for a moment.
"Yeah, you absorb people's powers through skin contact," James replied as Rogue sighed.
"I can absorb people's powers through skin contact temporarily but because of that I can sometimes leave them in a coma… or worse." Rogue kept her legs close to her chest as James looked at her with his sense of worry.
"I guess that's why you wear those gloves? I can get what you're feeling though Rogue." James looked at his hand as he formed a fist.
"Really?" Rogue asked as James popped his claws.
"Really." James looked at his adamantium claws that same blood-covered hallway flashed in his mind as he put them away.
"James… I gotta be honest I didn't come out here to sit and talk with you although it was really nice knowing someone else who gets where I come from… I heard you talking in your sleep James… you sounded-" James's expression grew stern as he cut off Rogue.
"I'm fine Rogue just had a bad dream that's it," James said as he got up.
"But James… if you ever-" Rogue stopped talking as James started walking back to the mansion.
"Trust me Rogue I'm fine" He looked back at her for a moment then continued walking, "I don't want or need anyone else to pity me like I'm some sorta sick dog." James climbed back into his room and closed the window leaving Rogue all alone.
"I… just wanted…" Rogue sighs as she gets off the ground and sneaks back into the mansion. She slowly opens the door to her and Kitty's room closing it as she takes off her boots and sits on her bed.
"What's wrong now?" Kitty asked as she sat up in her bed and rubbed her eyes.
"It's James it's like theirs something deeper in him that's hurting him…" Rogue spoke as she pulled her blankets over her.
"Guess that's just the way he is huh? But you do you Rogue now please go to bed I like need my beauty sleep." Kitty asked as she laid back in her bed starting to fall asleep.
"Maybe… or maybe not," Rogue spoke softly as she started to fall asleep, too. As she slept, there was still the running thought that raced in her mind. 'What's hurting him?' James laid in his own bed as his own thoughts raced through his mind. 'I shouldn't have been a jerk to Rogue… she was just trying to help me… and there I was being… me… I'll apologise to her in the morning I've really got to learn to let people in but how can I do that when I don't even remember parts of who I am?' James thought as he slowly fell asleep.
That marks the end of the 4th chapter, everyone! I will now be posting every Friday! I hope you all really enjoyed it as much as I did writing it! Also, make sure to leave a review on any of the references that I left in this chapter. As I continue to write out this story I'll also be leaving little references to other X-Men media and even some to the greater Marvel Universe as a whole! So don't forget to leave a review telling me what you thought about this chapter and a like or follow to get more updates as I continue to write out the story.