Guten Tag everyone! I was honestly blown away by your support :D,

to my frequent commentors 3bodyjaa, nashawnbest, and Scourgessj I appreciate you guys for sticking around since chap 1 :D

And a special guest partial editor. Terrence Johnny Stanford, maybe this would look a bit more polished compared to the previous chapters - Kaiser

Shadow grunted as he struggled beneath Juggernaut's massive weight, his body pinned to the ground. Juggernaut's menacing laughter echoed in his ears, and nearby, Blob was cackling like an overgrown child.

"Time for lights out, little man!" Blob jeered, raising his oversized fist, ready to deliver a devastating blow.

Shadow braced himself, his mind racing for a way out. But before the punch landed, the entire scene flickered and disappeared. The hulking figures of Juggernaut and Blob vanished, replaced by the sterile, metallic walls of the X-Men's Danger Room. The simulation was over.

Shadow sat up, dusting himself off with a frustrated huff. He clenched his fists, the memory of his defeat fresh in his mind. "I should've been able to take them both down," he muttered to himself.

As he stood, the door to the Danger Room slid open, revealing Gwen, who had been watching from the control room. She stepped in, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Hey, you did a good job so far," she said, her voice warm and encouraging. "Don't be so hard on yourself."

Shadow gave her a sideways glance "I didn't beat them," he said, his voice cold and distant. "I should've done better."

Gwen shook her head, walking closer to him. "You're pushing yourself too hard. Those simulations are designed to be nearly impossible to handle alone—especially when you're up against two powerhouses like Juggernaut and Blob. Even the best of us struggle with that."

Shadow's eyes narrowed, still not convinced. "That's not good enough. I need to be stronger."

Gwen crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly as she studied him. "You're already one of the strongest fighters I've seen," she said, her tone matter-of-fact. "But strength isn't just about power. You've got to think, strategize. And you're not alone, you know. We're all here to back you up."

"….I'm not used to relying on others," he admitted, his voice softer than before.

Gwen smiled again, this time a little more playfully. "Well, that's what being part of the X-Men is about. We've all got our strengths, and we've all got each other's backs."

Shadow glanced at her, his expression unreadable but his stance slightly more relaxed. "I suppose."

"Besides," Gwen continued, a teasing lilt in her voice, "if you ever really want to show Juggernaut and Blob who's boss, you've got plenty of time to train. But you've gotta pace yourself."

Shadow smirked faintly, appreciating the encouragement, even if he wouldn't admit it out loud. "We'll see," he said.

"That's the spirit," Gwen replied, giving him a friendly nudge. "Come on, let's get something to eat. You've earned a break."

"Hey Jason~" said Jubilee as she runs to catch up with them making Gwen slightly grimace "Sooo you by chance looking for a new partner for the Danger Room?"

"Actually he'll be doing that with me" Gwen interjected making Jubilee frown as she persistently quickly changed tactics. "Okay, cool. We can figure out something else to do then. Like...arcade games? Or we could—"

"We'll see," Shadow cut in before she could list another dozen suggestions. He glanced at Gwen, who now moved to sit on his other side, still trying to hide her slight irritation. She gave him a small smile but remained quiet for now as the three of them sat down

As they all settled down, the television in the corner was playing the local news, the usual dull hum of the day's events filling the room. However, the tone quickly shifted as a familiar topic came up: debates over mutant rights.

The screen showed a split panel of a pro-mutant activist arguing with a stern-looking man on the opposing side. The anti-mutant representative was spouting the same rhetoric they had all heard a thousand times—fear-mongering about mutant "danger," accusing them of being too powerful and uncontrollable. The pro-mutant speaker was passionately defending their rights, but the anti-mutant voices were loud and dominant.

Jubilee's face scrunched up in frustration, her mood darkening. "Ugh, these people...they never get it. They always blame us for everything that goes wrong, even when it's just regular humans causing trouble."

Shadow glanced at the screen, his eyes narrowing. He wasn't one to care much for politics, but the open hostility and ignorance in the man's words grated on him. Gwen shifted uncomfortably, watching the debate unfold, but didn't say anything.

"It's like no matter what we do, they always see us as the problem," Jubilee continued, her tone more bitter now. "We save people, we stop disasters, but they still look at us like we're freaks."

"Hmph. Doesn't matter to me. They can cry all they want" said muttered Shadow making Jubilee slightly giggle

"Hey, let's not let those idiots on TV ruin our day. We've got each other's backs, right?" Said Gwen lightening the mood as she changed the channel to an episode of Spongebob

Jubilee nodded, though her annoyance lingered. "Yeah, you're right. Just gets under my skin sometimes."

Shadow leaned back into the couch, his thoughts drifting once more as the the TV continued to go on.

"Hey Jason! This episode is pretty good!" saod Jubilee "Mr. Krabs is hilarious in this-"

And then suddenly Logan strode into the lounge, his rugged figure immediately catching the attention of the trio sitting on the couches. He cast a quick glance at Jubilee and Gwen before settling his gaze on Shadow.

"I need you, kid," Wolverine said in his usual gruff tone making Gwen and Jubilee exchanged looks of dismay.

"Aw what? But we are getting to the good part" said Jubilee frowning

"You can just record it and have him see it later" said Logan "Lets go Jason, we don't have all day"

"Ugh… fine" said Jubilee "Well we have to watch this together later alright?" making Gwen grimace hearing her say together.

"Sure" said Shadow shrugging getting up to follow Logan out of the room as he puts on his iconic yellow and black mask. The two walked through the halls in silence until, halfway down, they were intercepted by Rogue.

"Well, look who it is," Rogue said with a playful smirk as she sauntered up to them. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around Shadow from behind, leaning in close. "Ah've missed ya all day," she said, her voice carrying a hint of affection.

Shadow's usual stoic demeanor wavered for a second, feeling her arms around him again. He was about to respond when Wolverine, clearly unimpressed, interrupted. "Lay off him, Rogue. I need him for somethin'."

Rogue pouted and reluctantly released Shadow, a soft sigh escaping her lips. "Ah, fine. But you're not gettin' away from me later, sugar," she teased, her Southern drawl thick as she playfully nudged Shadow's side before stepping back.

Shadow gave her a nod as she smiled, turning on her heel to head down the hall. "Can't wait to see ya later," she called over her shoulder.

Once she was out of earshot, Wolverine glanced at Shadow. "You're getting popular, kid."

Shadow merely grunted in response as they continued down the hall, reaching the hangar where Nightcrawler was already waiting by the jet.

Nightcrawler looked between the two with a curious expression. "Logan, vhat exactly do you need me and Shadow for?"

Wolverine gave him a knowing smirk as he stepped into the jet's cockpit and began preparing for takeoff. "Got a little errand. We'll be back before anyone even notices."

Nightcrawler raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "A mission? Does Cyclops know about this?"

Before Wolverine could respond, a message came through on the jet's comm system. It was Cyclops.

"Wolverine, I know you're out there. Bring the jet and everyone back now. We've got a situation—"

Wolverine silenced the message with a flick of a switch. "He'll get over it," he muttered, which to the surprise of Nightcrawler, actually made Shadow let put a slight chuckle.. as pushing the throttle forward as the jet's engines roared to life.

Nightcrawler shot a concerned glance at Shadow, who seemed just as stoic as ever. "Are you sure about this?"

Wolverine grinned as the jet lifted off the ground. "Trust me, Elf. You're gonna want to be on this one."

As the jet soared through the night sky, the interior was eerily quiet except for the steady hum of the engines. Shadow, seated across from Nightcrawler, gazed out of the small window. After a few minutes of silence, he finally turned to Wolverine, who was piloting the jet.

"Where exactly are we going?" Shadow asked, his tone calm but laced with curiosity.

Wolverine, keeping his eyes on the controls, responded without turning. "East Ukraine."

Both Shadow and Nightcrawler shared a glance, confusion evident in their expressions.

"East Ukraine?" Nightcrawler repeated, his voice tinged with bewilderment. "Vhat could ve possibly need to do there?"

Wolverine smirked, glancing over his shoulder at the two. "It's a stealth mission. Can't give too many details, but let's just say there's somethin' there I need to find."

Shadow frowned, not entirely satisfied with the vague answer. "And why us?"

Wolverine gave a small chuckle as he flicked a few switches on the control panel. "You two are the most qualified for this kinda job. I need someone fast, and someone who can teleport. Plus, we can't afford to make too much noise. You two are perfect for this."

Nightcrawler looked out of the window, still unsure. "Vhat exactly are ve looking for, Logan?"

Wolverine finally set the jet to autopilot as they began their descent. "This errand requires me to looks for a specific little bastard who's been up my ass a lot"

"Sabertooth?..." said Nightcrawler

"Bingo" said Wolverine as Shadow wondered who this Sabertooth was "Me and Beast have been tracking some of the Rogue Sentinels going off. I think he has something to do with it"

As the jet descended into a forested area, the landing was smooth and completely undetected. They had landed far from any populated areas. Once the hatch opened, the trio stepped into the cool night air. Wolverine took the lead, sniffing the air and moving with a purpose.

"Follow me," Wolverine said, his voice low but authoritative.

Shadow and Nightcrawler followed close behind, their senses alert. Shadow kept scanning the area, his instincts on edge, while Nightcrawler moved with silent grace, occasionally teleporting to higher ground to get a better view.

Wolverine paused after a few minutes of trekking through the dense forest. His nostrils flared as he caught a specific scent. "We're close," he murmured.

Shadow narrowed his eyes. "Close to what?"

Wolverine didn't answer immediately, his attention fully focused on the ground ahead. He crouched low, his hand brushing against the dirt before he stood again, his eyes sharper than before.

"Beast said this place would have a lot of secret" Wolverine finally explained. "Just keep your guard up."

As three moved silently through the dark forest until they came upon a clearing. In the distance, a large compound stood, surrounded by barbed wire and patrolled by armed guards. The base had a militaristic look, but something about it felt off—its insignias were unfamiliar, and the technology seemed advanced beyond what one would expect from a typical Ukrainian military outpost.

Wolverine came to a halt at the edge of the treeline, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the compound. "This ain't Ukrainian military," he muttered. "It's gotta be them."

Shadow, standing beside him, frowned. "Who exactly are we dealing with?"

Wolverine didn't respond right away, still scanning the area. His sharp gaze moved from guard to guard, then settled on the compound itself. "Besides Sabertooth. We'll find out soon enough."

Nightcrawler, who had been crouching on a nearby rock, looked at Wolverine expectantly. "Do you vant me to teleport us in?"

Wolverine nodded. "Yeah. Get us inside, near the main building."

Without a word, Nightcrawler grabbed both of them, and in a flash of blue light and a puff of smoke, they reappeared inside the compound. They materialized in a shadowed corner near the main building, unnoticed by the guards patrolling the perimeter.

Wolverine's claws unsheathed with a soft snikt as he sniffed the air. His nose wrinkled as he caught a familiar scent—one that made his muscles tense. Shadow noticed the sudden shift in Wolverine's demeanor and realized they were close to whoever—or whatever—he was looking for.

"Who is it?" Shadow asked quietly, his eyes scanning the area.

Wolverine clenched his fists, his claws still extended. "It's him, Sabertooth…"

As soon as the name left Wolverine's lips, Shadow's sharp eyes caught a movement in the distance. From behind the large warehouse doors, a hulking figure stepped out, casually brushing past the guards as if they weren't even there.

Sabertooth.

His towering form loomed in the dim light, his sharp yellow eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger. His lips curled into a wicked smile, his fanged teeth bared in a twisted grin. He sniffed the air, his gaze turning towards the shadows where Wolverine, Shadow, and Nightcrawler were hiding.

"Logan," Sabertooth called out, his voice dripping with malice. "I can smell ya, runt. And your little friends, too. Why don't ya stop hidin' and come say hello?"

Wolverine's grip tightened, his claws gleaming in the faint light. His jaw clenched, trying to keep his agitation in check, but it was clear that Sabertooth's mere presence was enough to set him off.

Nightcrawler glanced at Wolverine. "Are ve going to engage him now, or…?"

Wolverine's gaze never left Sabertooth. "We don't have a choice now. He knows we're here."

"I can see that" muttered Shadow sarcastically

Shadow, sensing the tension between the two, readied himself for the inevitable fight. He could see that Wolverine wasn't just tracking down some target—this was personal

Sabertooth's grin widened as he stepped further into the open, arms outstretched as if welcoming a challenge. "I've been waitin' for this, Logan. Come on out. Let's have some fun."

Wolverine let out a low growl, finally stepping out of the shadows. "Yer gonna regret this, Creed."

Sabertooth's grin only widened as he casually leaned against a nearby console. His fingers danced over the buttons, activating something with a sinister click. The entire compound buzzed to life, and in an instant, robotic guards began pouring out from hidden compartments in the walls and floors, armed and ready for combat.

"Gonna be a lot more than just me you're fightin' today," Sabertooth sneered, his voice echoing as the robotic guards moved in.

Wolverine's claws gleamed as he slashed through the first wave of robots with ease. "You got some nerve, Creed. What Qasim with the rogue Sentinels!?"

Sabertooth chuckled, his predatory gaze fixed on Wolverine. His tone was dripping with mockery. "Nah, that was all part of the plan. Got some big players backin' me now. And trust me, Logan... you and your little team don't even know what's comin'."

Wolverine growled, slicing through another set of robotic guards, but the numbers kept growing. Shadow fired off chaos spears, taking down several of the robots, but the situation was quickly escalating. Nightcrawler teleported between guards, trying to disable the control panels, but it wasn't enough.

Without warning, Sabertooth hit a large red button on the control panel, and the floor beneath them rumbled. "Time to mix things up," he said, his smile never fading. A massive trapdoor opened beneath their feet.

Before anyone could react, the ground gave way, and Wolverine, Shadow, and Nightcrawler plunged into darkness, separated as they fell through different shafts in the floor. The mechanical sound of shifting walls and machinery echoed all around them as they landed in different sections of what could only be described as a labyrinth.

Wolverine groaned as he landed hard, quickly getting back to his feet. He slashed at the walls, only to find reinforced metal keeping him in place. "Creed!" he shouted, his voice bouncing off the walls. "Yer not gettin' away that easy!"

Shadow, landing on the other side of the labyrinth, stood up quickly, scanning his surroundings. The winding corridors were filled with traps, shifting walls, and more robotic guards. He clenched his fists, feeling the frustration of being separated from the others.

Nightcrawler teleported, trying to find his way back to the others, but every turn led to more dead ends. "This is some kind of maze," he muttered to himself, trying to keep calm. "Ve have to regroup."

Back up in the control room, Sabertooth watched the chaos unfold on the monitors, his grin growing wider. "Let's see how you do in there, Logan. I've got a lot more surprises for ya." He stepped back from the console, turning to walk away as alarms blared and the robotic guards continued to flood the labyrinth below.

Shadow landed hard, rolling onto the cold metallic floor. For a moment, everything was engulfed in complete darkness. The air felt thick, and an eerie silence filled the room. As he stood, adjusting to his surroundings, he saw something that made his heart skip—a pair of glowing red eyes watching him from the shadows.

"You….." Shadow muttered under his breath, recognizing the presence immediately. He clenched his fists,

A low, sinister chuckle echoed through the darkness, followed by Mr. Sinister's smooth, unsettling voice. "Relax Mr. Thornton, I'm not here to fight. Not today."

Shadow's eyes narrowed. "What do you want, then?"

From the darkness, Mr. Sinister stepped into view, his red eyes gleaming with malicious intent, yet his posture relaxed. "I'm here to offer you... a gift."

Shadow scoffed, his body still tense. "I'm not interested."

Mr. Sinister smirked, completely unfazed. "Oh, but you will be. You see, there's so much about your potential that you've yet to unlock. Your power could be... so much more."

Before Shadow could respond, a sudden, sharp pain shot through his head. He winced, gripping his temple as his vision blurred. It felt like something was piercing into his mind, crawling its way through his thoughts.

"What... are you... doing?!" Shadow groaned, struggling to maintain control of himself.

Mr. Sinister's laughter echoed once more, filled with a dark amusement. "You'll thank me later. You can't comprehend it now, but in time, you will. Consider this... an enhancement. A little something to unlock the true power lying dormant within you."

Shadow gritted his teeth, forcing himself to focus through the searing pain, but when he looked up again, Mr. Sinister had vanished, leaving only a faint echo of his laughter in the room.

The pain in Shadow's head started to subside, but a lingering unease remained. His thoughts were jumbled, and something inside him felt... different. But there was no time to dwell on it.

The room flickered to life as dim, red emergency lights came on. Shadow turned to find himself surrounded by an alarming number of decommissioned sentinels, standing in rows like dormant giants. The size and sheer quantity of the machines filled the room with an oppressive atmosphere.

Before Shadow could react, one of the sentinel's eyes flickered on. Then another. And another.

The sentinels began to power up, their glowing eyes locking onto Shadow, targeting him as an immediate threat. The hum of their systems roared to life, and in unison, they turned to face him, their large frames moving with unnerving precision.

"Surrender. Mutant" they all chanted

Shadow felt his heart race as the nearest sentinel raised its massive arm, aiming a laser cannon at him. Without hesitation, Shadow jumped into action, narrowly avoiding the first blast that scorched the ground where he had been standing.

More sentinels activated, their cold, metallic voices declaring their objective: "Mutant threat detected. Destroy."

Shadow fired off a volley of red Chaos Spears, but the sentinels' armor absorbed the blows. He quickly realized that this wasn't going to be easy—he was completely outnumbered

He had to get out of there, fast. But as he dodged another sentinel's blast, his mind kept circling back to what Mr. Sinister had done. What had he implanted in his mind? And why?

More sentinels advanced, cornering him. Shadow's instincts kicked in as he zoomed between them, looking for an opening, all while trying to suppress the nagging feeling that something inside him had changed

His eyes narrowed as he began to dodged the laser blast from the Sentinels despite his headache he raised his fists and shoots out Chaos Spears flying at the onslaught of Sentinels. Each metallic giant came at him with lethal precision, their weapons firing rapidly in a barrage of lasers and energy blasts. The room echoed with the sound of heavy metal crashing as Shadow dodged and countered, his body moving with blinding speed.

But the headache persisted, growing more intense with each moment. It pulsed behind his eyes, distracting him just as a Sentinel swung a massive arm at him. Shadow barely dodged, the force of the blow skimming his side. His movements, though quick, were becoming slightly erratic as the pain sharpened.

"GET BACK!" Shadow shouted, unleashing a series of red energy bolts toward the advancing machines. Some of the blasts hit their marks, damaging a few Sentinels, but most bounced off their reinforced armor

He then zoomed over and put more power into his punch in the sentinel's eye breaking through, however it hurt, so he quickly used his air shoes to burn

His mind was racing, clouded by the pain, but he could vaguely hear distant voices through the haze. It was faint, almost as if coming from another world, but unmistakable.

"Shadow! Can you hear us?!"

It was Wolverine's voice, gruff and urgent.

"Mein Freund! Where are you?!" Nightcrawler's voice followed, his thick accent straining with worry.

But Shadow couldn't focus on them—not yet. He had to clear this room, had to defeat these Sentinels. His hands ached from striking the machines, and his headache grew worse with every second, but he kept going. He leaped onto a Sentinel's shoulder, driving his fist into its head with a crack of metal. The machine sputtered and fell, but more were already moving in.

Despite the pain, Shadow's instincts took over, his body moving almost on autopilot. He launched himself from one Sentinel to another, systematically taking out their joints and circuits. The battle was chaotic and relentless.

Meanwhile, in another part of the labyrinth, Nightcrawler was teleporting rapidly between turrets that lined the walls, trying to find a way out. The turrets fired on him relentlessly, but with each blink of blue light, he vanished just in time, reappearing across the room.

"Damnation! This place is endless," Nightcrawler muttered to himself, blinking out of sight again just as a turret fired.

In a burst of blue smoke, Nightcrawler appeared in a new corridor and finally spotted something—a fight in the distance. As he drew closer, his eyes widened in recognition.

Wolverine was in a vicious battle, his claws tearing through a swarm of robotic guards. They rushed him from all sides, but Wolverine, with his feral instincts and indomitable will, cut them down. Metal parts flew as he slashed through them, his face set in a snarl.

But that wasn't all. Just beyond the chaos, standing ominously and watching with a menacing grin, was Sabertooth.

Wolverine instinctively lunged at Sabertooth, their claws clashing as the two tore into each other. Sabertooth laughed cruelly as he fought, clearly enjoying himself.

Nightcrawler quickly assessed the situation, teleporting down into the fight to help. "Logan! I found you!"

"Get in here, elf!" Wolverine grunted, slashing at Sabertooth's arm. "This bastard set the whole thing up!"

Nightcrawler immediately teleported behind one of the robots, disassembling it with a few quick moves, but his focus shifted back to Shadow. "We need to find Shadow—he's alone!"

Wolverine growled as he locked claws with Sabertooth. "Then we'll find him"

Back in the Sentinel chamber, Shadow could feel the weight of exhaustion creeping in. The headache pounded in his skull, making it harder to concentrate. Still, he fought on, determined not to be overwhelmed. But the Sentinels weren't letting up.

"Come on... focus..." Shadow muttered to himself, pushing through the pain.

"SURRENDER MUTANT" the Sentinels kept saying

He had to survive this.

He had to win.

Even as his mind throbbed, Shadow threw himself back into the fight, the sounds of Wolverine and Nightcrawler faintly echoing in the background. As Shadow gets hit by a Sentinels arm launching him into the wall

As Wolverine and Sabertooth clashed in their brutal fight, Sabertooth's laughter echoed through the labyrinth, clearly savoring every moment of the brawl. Wolverine growled, his claws flashing as they locked in combat, but Sabertooth suddenly broke free with a vicious swipe, knocking Wolverine back.

"Catch you later, runt," Sabertooth snarled, and with a speed that belied his bulk, he dashed toward an escape route, disappearing into the shadows before Wolverine could stop him.

Wolverine roared in frustration, his claws slashing the air where Sabertooth had just stood. "Damn it!"

Breathing heavily, he turned to Nightcrawler. "We need to find Shadow now!"

Nightcrawler nodded, sensing Wolverine's urgency. They sprinted through the maze-like corridors, Nightcrawler teleporting ahead to scout while Wolverine used his enhanced senses to follow the faint scent of Shadow and the mechanical stench of the Sentinels.

Finally, they reached the large chamber where Shadow was still fighting. It was chaos—the air was thick with smoke and the sounds of metal crashing as Shadow, clearly on the edge of exhaustion, struggled to hold off the relentless onslaught of Sentinels.

"Shadow!" Nightcrawler called out, teleporting into the room beside him.

Shadow didn't respond immediately, his breath labored as he dodged another attack. The pounding headache from Mr. Sinister's earlier interference hadn't subsided, and it made his movements sluggish. He was reaching his limit.

Without wasting a second, Wolverine lunged forward, his claws tearing through the nearest Sentinel. "Let's finish these tin cans!" he barked.

Nightcrawler joined the fray, teleporting around the room, disarming Sentinels with a series of precise hits, while Wolverine ripped through them with brute force. The teamwork between the three of them was seamless—Nightcrawler distracted, Wolverine destroyed, and Shadow, even though tired, found a second wind, delivering powerful blows where needed.

The Sentinels, though powerful, were no match for the combined efforts of Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Shadow. One by one, they fell, their metallic bodies clanging against the ground. With every Sentinel that went down, the pressure on Shadow eased slightly.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last Sentinel collapsed with a heavy crash, its circuits sparking as it went offline for good.

Shadow, breathing heavily, took a moment to catch his breath, his headache still lingering but the immediate threat gone. Wolverine approached him, his expression a mix of frustration and relief.

His headache while still present. Didn't hurt as much

"You alright, kid?" Wolverine asked, his voice gruff but concerned.

Shadow nodded, though he was clearly exhausted. "I'm fine. Did you find what you were looking for?"

Wolverine grimaced, his eyes narrowing slightly as he glanced back toward the way they came. " unfortunately we need to leave" as then the trio felt the ground begin to shake as the base began to fall apart

"Well, at least we know what's going on now ja?" said Nightcrawler trying to lighten the mood

Shadow straightened up, still feeling the lingering effects of Mr. Sinister's meddling in his mind, but ready to move on. "Whatever. Let's go"

With that, the trio began making their way out of the labyrinth despite the base falling apart, Wolverine leading the way with his heightened senses, Nightcrawler teleporting ahead to check for any more traps, and Shadow staying close behind.

As they moved through the maze of corridors which thankfully was now easier to alginate as the more broken it was the more clear way out . As they sprinted through the crumbling base, the walls around them groaned and cracked, debris falling from the ceiling as the entire structure seemed to be on the verge of collapse

"Move it!" Wolverine growled, his voice barely audible over the chaos.

Shadow, despite the lingering headache and strange feeling gnawing at the back of his mind, kept pace. The fight with the Sentinels had pushed him to his limits, and now the weight of whatever Mr. Sinister had done to him lingered like a dark cloud. But he wouldn't show weakness—not here, not now.

A loud rumble echoed through the corridors as part of the ceiling caved in behind them, sending dust and chunks of concrete crashing to the floor.

"Go! Go!" Nightcrawler yelled, teleporting back to them to offer an extra hand, but they were too close now. The exit was just up ahead, the light of the outside world shining through a crumbling entryway.

As they burst through the collapsing door, the ground behind them gave way, and the base began to cave in completely. The three of them sprinted across the open ground, dodging debris and leaping over the widening cracks in the earth. Finally, they reached the jet, which was still cloaked and hidden in the distance.

Wolverine hopped in first, powering up the ship while Nightcrawler and Shadow followed closely behind. Just as the last of the base collapsed into a heap of rubble, the jet's engines roared to life, lifting them off the ground as the dust from the explosion billowed into the sky.

Giving the three of them the relief to catch their breath

Inside the jet, Nightcrawler looked over at Shadow, who had taken a seat in silence, staring out of the window. "Shadow, are you alright?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

Shadow's eyes flickered, his mind still trying to process what had happened with Mr. Sinister. He could still feel something... off, deep inside his head, as though something had been planted there, but he forced himself to push it down. He couldn't afford to show weakness

"I'm fine," Shadow said curtly, brushing it off as if it were nothing. "Just a headache."

Wolverine glanced over from the cockpit, his expression hard but knowing. He didn't push the issue, though. "You sure? That didn't look like 'fine' back there."

"Yeah," Shadow replied, his voice steady, though his mind was anything but. "Let's just get back."

Wolverine grunted in response, steering the jet towards the mansion. The mission had revealed more questions than answers, but for now, they were alive, and that was all that mattered. As they flew through the night sky, Shadow leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes for just a moment.

The lingering effects in his mind buzzed faintly, like a distant echo of Mr. Sinister's laughter, but he forced himself to ignore it. Whatever Mr. Sinister had done, he'd deal with it later. For now, they were headed back to the mansion, and he'd figure out his next steps when they arrived.

The jet sliced through the air, and the X-Mansion loomed ahead on the horizon, waiting for their return.

As the jet touched down on the landing pad at the X-Mansion, the ramp lowered, and the trio stepped out into the cool evening air. Before they could even set foot inside, Cyclops was already waiting for them, his arms crossed and his expression stern.

"Where have you three been?" Cyclops demanded, his voice tight with frustration. "I sent you a message to come back. We don't need any rogue missions, Wolverine."

Wolverine, as usual, brushed him off with a grunt, walking past him without even a glance. "Relax, Summers. I had business to take care of," he said, dismissive. "If you've got a problem with it, you can take it up with me later. Right now, I'm going to see Beast."

Cyclops opened his mouth to protest but stopped himself, knowing it would be pointless. He watched as Wolverine strode away toward the lab, his frustration palpable.

Meanwhile, Shadow and Nightcrawler lingered behind, exchanging a look. Nightcrawler shifted uncomfortably under Cyclops's gaze but said nothing, letting Wolverine handle the brunt of the scolding.

Once Cyclops finally stormed off in the other direction, grumbling about 'loose cannons' and 'lack of discipline,' Nightcrawler turned to Shadow, concern still evident in his expression.

"Are you really okay, Jason?" Nightcrawler asked softly as they walked inside the mansion. "You've seemed... different since we left the base. I know you said it's just a headache, but—"

"I'm fine," Shadow interrupted, his tone firm but not harsh. He glanced over at Nightcrawler "You worry too much, Kurt."

Nightcrawler gave him a thoughtful look but didn't press further. "If you say so," he said with a shrug, trying to lighten the mood. "Just... next time, maybe we should let Cyclops in on these little field trips, ja? Could save us from all the yelling."

Shadow let out a low chuckle. "I'll leave that to Wolverine," he replied dryly.

As they continued walking through the halls of the mansion, Nightcrawler glanced over at him again. "You know, if you ever need to talk... about anything, you can trust me," he offered sincerely. "I've been through a lot myself, and sometimes it helps to have someone listen."

Shadow hesitated for a moment but nodded. "Thanks," he said, though his mind was still swirling with the strange feeling left behind by Mr. Sinister. For now, he kept it to himself.

They both walked down the hallway in silence as they reached the end of the hallway, Nightcrawler hesitated for a moment before speaking up again, concern still etched on his face.

"Jason," Nightcrawler said softly, "if you're really not feeling well, you should consider seeing Beast about it. He's helped me out with things like this before, and—"

Shadow cut him off with a wave of his hand, his expression calm but firm. "I'm fine, Kurt. I don't need anyone checking up on me," he said, his tone slightly more curt than he intended. "It's just a headache."

Nightcrawler opened his mouth to say something but thought better of it. He could see that Shadow wasn't in the mood to discuss it any further, and pushing him wouldn't help. With a sigh, Nightcrawler nodded. "Alright, if you say so. But just know... the offer will still stand"

Shadow gave him a short nod in acknowledgment before turning and heading down the hall towards his room, his pace brisk. As he walked, he felt the dull throb in his head intensifying, along with the nagging feeling that something was... off. But he pushed it aside, just like he had before. The last thing he wanted was to look weak in front of the others, especially after everything that had happened.

When he finally reached his room, Shadow closed the door behind him and leaned against it for a moment, taking a deep breath. The headache was still there, gnawing at the edges of his mind. He moved toward the window, looking out over the mansion grounds as the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the lawn.

His reflection stared back at him from the glass, and for a moment, the faint image of Mr. Sinister's red eyes flashed in his mind. He clenched his fists, shaking the image away. Whatever Sinister had done to him back at that base, it wasn't something he could afford to dwell on right now. He needed to stay in control. He had no intention of going to Beast or anyone else about it—not yet, anyway.

"I don't need help," he muttered under his breath, trying to convince himself as much as anything. Shadow turned away from the window, sitting down on the edge of his bed and resting his head in his hands. Whatever this was, he'd deal with it on his own terms.

As Shadow walked through the hallways, his irritation still simmering from the day's events, he unexpectedly ran into Beast, who was walking toward him with a calm but inquisitive expression. Shadow's jaw tightened. He immediately suspected that Nightcrawler must have spoken to Beast about their conversation earlier.

"Jason," Beast greeted with a warm smile, but his sharp eyes were full of concern. "Are you alright? You seem... tense."

Shadow's irritation spiked. "I'm fine," he muttered, barely looking at Beast. "Kurt's been talking, hasn't he?"

Beast raised his hands in a placating manner. "There's no need for hostility, Jason. I'm not here to pry. I simply wanted to check on you. It's not about what Kurt said, but about what I've observed. You've been pushing yourself hard lately."

Shadow narrowed his eyes. "I told him I was fine. I don't need anyone checking up on me."

Beast's expression remained calm as he gently pushed forward. "I understand your desire for independence, but being part of a team means you have to allow others to help from time to time. It's what being part of the X-Men is all about. We look out for one another, not out of obligation, but because we care. Professor Xavier gave you a chance, gave you a home—like he did for all of us."

At those words, Shadow fell silent. He had nothing to say to that. While his mind still reeled from what had happened during the mission, the mention of the Professor did make him pause. A part of him resented the idea of relying on others, but another part—smaller, quieter—knew that Beast had a point.

Seeing Shadow's hesitation, Beast gestured toward a nearby hallway. "Come with me. I think it might do you some good."

Shadow's first instinct was to decline, but something in Beast's calm and patient demeanor kept him from snapping back. With a reluctant nod, he followed Beast, wondering what this was about. "Where are we going?" Shadow asked, his voice gruff but less resistant.

Beast simply smiled as they made their way through the mansion. "The library," he said. "I thought it might be a good place to talk—nothing more. Sometimes a quiet space away from everything can help clear the mind."

Shadow was skeptical but didn't object. When they finally reached the library, it was as tranquil as ever, the smell of old books and the soft lighting creating an atmosphere of calm. Beast gestured for Shadow to sit down in one of the chairs by the window.

As Shadow sat, Beast settled into a chair across from him, studying him for a moment before speaking. "You've been through quite a lot in a short amount of time, Shadow. Sometimes, even if we feel like we can handle things on our own, it helps to take a moment to reflect—away from the danger room, away from missions. That's all I wanted to offer."

Shadow folded his arms, his face impassive. "What are you trying to say?"

Beast leaned forward slightly. "What I'm saying is, you don't have to fight these battles alone—not the physical ones, and certainly not the ones inside your mind. You've proven your strength. Now, give yourself a chance to heal, if you need it. If not, this room will still be here"

Shadow didn't respond immediately, his gaze shifting toward the window, where the evening sky was darkening. He wasn't used to these kinds of talks. But the peace of the library, and Beast's lack of pressure, made it easier for him to sit in silence for once.

Finally, he muttered, "I'll think about it."

Beast nodded, satisfied with that for now. "That's all I ask."

With that, Beast rose from his chair and quietly exited the room, leaving Shadow alone with his thoughts.

Left alone in the library, Shadow sat for a moment longer, letting the quiet settle over him. The soft rustling of pages from distant shelves and the faint ticking of an old clock created a soothing atmosphere. He hadn't spent much time in places like this—usually preferring action to reflection—but something about the calmness of the room piqued his curiosity.

His eyes drifted toward the shelves, where hundreds of books were neatly stacked. He rose from his chair, wandering over to the rows of books. He scanned the titles with mild interest, until one caught his eye—a book on world history. He plucked it from the shelf and flipped through a few pages, reading snippets about the history of this world.

The more he read, the more his curiosity grew. As a being from another dimension, the history of this world was completely different from what he had known. Shadow slowly found himself engrossed, learning about events and figures from centuries past. The conflicts, the evolution of society, and the battles between governments—it was all new to him. He settled back down in the chair, turning page after page as time slipped by.

After a while, Shadow's gaze shifted to another section of the library: the language books. He had been relying heavily on English, but he knew there was more to learn if he was going to continue functioning in this dimension. Picking up a few language learning books—specifically Russian and German—he sat down again and began scanning the basics.

His sharp mind absorbed the information quickly, though it was a challenge to focus with everything that had been happening. Still, the methodical nature of learning helped calm his thoughts. The repetitive structure of language exercises provided a much-needed distraction from the lingering headache and chaotic thoughts that had plagued him since Mr. Sinister's interference.

Every now and then, his mind would drift back to the unsettling encounter with Mr. Sinister. But instead of letting those thoughts consume him, Shadow buried himself deeper into the books. He silently worked through the Russian phrases, repeating them in his head, committing the words to memory as he carefully pronounced them under his breath.

As he silently read through his book, flipping another page on Russian grammar, he heard soft footsteps approaching. He didn't need to look up to know who it was, the familiar presence giving it away.

Gwen walked into the library, her gaze settling on Shadow as she noticed the small collection of history and language books spread out on the table in front of him. "I didn't expect to find you here," she said with a soft smile, stepping closer. "Learning some new stuff?"

Shadow didn't respond immediately, his crimson eyes still scanning the pages. After a brief pause, he gave a small nod. "Just learning some things," he muttered.

Gwen studied him for a moment before pulling out the chair beside him. "Mind if I join?" she asked, her tone casual but with a hint of curiosity.

Shadow looked at her briefly, then gave another silent nod, shifting slightly in his seat to make more room on the table. Gwen smiled at the quiet gesture and took a seat, grabbing one of the nearby books—an old history text—flipping through it as she settled in beside him.

For a while, they sat together in a companionable silence. Gwen occasionally glanced over at Shadow, watching him concentrate on the phrases he was memorizing. It was rare to see him like this—so still, so focused. It was clear that, despite everything, Shadow was trying to adapt to this world in his own way.

The soft creak of the library door opened again, and Beast quietly entered the room. His tall frame moved gracefully between the shelves as he approached the table where Shadow and Gwen sat. He gave them both a gentle smile, his eyes twinkling behind his glasses.

"I see you've settled in nicely, Jason," Beast said, his voice a warm rumble. "And it looks like Gwen has joined you. What a pleasant surprise."

Shadow glanced up briefly, but didn't respond as Beast sat down across from them, carefully folding his hands in front of him. Gwen smiled at the older mutant. "We've decided to have a little study session," she said with a light laugh.

Beast chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair. "There's something rather calming about reading and learning, wouldn't you agree? It allows the mind to wander while staying grounded in knowledge."

Shadow didn't say much, but his eyes flicked between the two before returning to his book. Despite his usual preference for solitude, he didn't seem to mind the company.

Beast, noticing Shadow's focus on the Russian language, gave him an approving nod. "Learning new languages is an excellent way to understand the world around you, Jason, You may find that knowledge can be just as powerful as strength."

Shadow merely hummed in acknowledgment, though it was clear he was taking in what Beast said. The three of them continued in comfortable silence, reading and studying together, each lost in their own thoughts while sharing a quiet, peaceful moment in the mansion's library.

Gwen glanced over at Shadow again, watching him skim through the language books with intense focus. After a moment of contemplation, she smiled and spoke up.

"You know," Gwen began, "since you're getting into all this history stuff, there's someone I think you'd find interesting."

Shadow raised an eyebrow slightly but didn't look up from his book, signaling for her to continue.

"There's this superhero, someone who was really famous during World War II—Captain America," she said with a spark of excitement in her voice. "He was one of the first real heroes, a symbol of hope for a lot of people. The last time anyone saw him was near the end of the war, and then… well, he disappeared."

Shadow finally looked up, his curiosity piqued by the mention of a missing hero. "Disappeared?" he echoed.

"Yeah," Gwen nodded, "No one's really sure what happened to him. But he was this huge icon—strong, brave, and always fighting for what he thought was right. You might find his story interesting."

Shadow thought for a moment, glancing at the stack of books in front of him. "I'll look into it," he said simply.

Gwen smiled brightly. "I think you'd like him. He wasn't just about strength—he had this thing about always trying to do the right thing, even when it was hard. Sounds a little familiar, doesn't it?"

Shadow didn't respond directly but gave her a small nod of acknowledgment, standing up as he gathered the books he'd been reading. Among them, he picked up a book on Captain America that Gwen had pulled from the shelf, along with an English-to-German language book he had found earlier.

As Shadow prepared to head back to his room, Beast smiled warmly at him. "I'm glad you joined us, Jason. I do hope we can continue this tradition of study in the future. It's nice to see you take interest in these subjects."

Shadow, though still reserved, nodded slightly. "Maybe," he muttered, his tone neutral, but there was no dismissal in it.

Beast chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling with approval. "Take your time. Learning is a journey, not a race. I look forward to the next session whenever you're ready."

With that, Shadow quietly took his leave, the Captain America book and language book tucked under his arm as he walked back to his room. Gwen watched him go, a thoughtful expression on her face as she sat back in her chair.

"He's definitely opening up a little," she said quietly to Beast.

Beast nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Gwen. In time, he may come to realize that there's more to strength than combat. Knowledge, too, is a form of power—one that can bring understanding and peace."

As Shadow disappeared down the hallway, the mansion settled into its usual quiet as the evening grew late. For now, Shadow would have a moment to himself, but the small steps he was taking toward learning, and maybe even connecting with others, wouldn't go unnoticed.

In his room, Shadow sat on the edge of his bed, the Captain America book resting on the nightstand beside him. The soft light of the lamp cast a warm glow across the pages, but Shadow's focus was elsewhere. The moment of quiet he had been hoping for began to slip away as a familiar, unwelcome sensation crept into his mind.

A sudden flash.

The image of a young blonde girl appeared before him. She was sitting in front of him, her face kind, eyes filled with curiosity and warmth. Shadow's voice echoed in his mind, distant yet familiar.

"Tell me about Earth."

The girl smiled softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I've read a lot about it," she said. "There are trees, oceans, cities full of people… all kinds of places." Her voice was gentle, but there was something distant about it, as though she was reciting facts from memory rather than experience.

Shadow, his younger self in the vision, leaned in slightly, confused. "You've never been there?"

The girl's expression faltered for a moment before she responded, "No... I've never stepped foot there." Her voice carried a sadness that he couldn't quite place, as though there was something more she wasn't saying.

"Why?" Shadow's voice pressed, genuinely curious, yet the answer never came. The sound faded away, as if the memory itself had been abruptly cut off, leaving him in an eerie silence.

Then, the scene shifted, moving forward rapidly like the distorted reels of an old film.

An older man now, the scientist with a familiar large mustache, stood before him. His voice was stern, filled with urgency. "You must protect her," the man said, his words resonating with a deep sense of importance, though the 'her' in question was not named. Shadow could feel the weight of responsibility, but the context, the reasons why, were slipping away from him even as he struggled to hold onto them.

The flash ended as abruptly as it had begun.

Shadow blinked, returning to the present. He was back in his room, staring at the blank wall. His chest tightened with frustration. Why were these memories coming back now? And why were the answers always just out of reach?

He clenched his fists, breathing heavily as the lingering confusion settled into his mind. The girl, the scientist… why couldn't he remember their names? Why were their words so important, yet lost to him like fragments of a forgotten dream?

Shadow's thoughts raced. Who was she? Why did I have to protect her? The questions echoed in his mind, but no matter how hard he searched his memories, they were like scattered pieces of a puzzle that refused to fit together.

His hand reached up, brushing against his forehead as the faint ache returned, a subtle reminder of the headache from earlier.

Shadow stood up and paced the room, his frustration growing. The silence of the mansion outside his room only made the emptiness of his mind feel louder, more oppressive. He needed to know. He needed to remember why he had these memories, and what they meant.

But for now, all he had were pieces of a story he couldn't yet understand... should he ask the professor? was it worth telling at all?

what if... he shouldn't?...

And that's where I shall stop, so once again, if you like it, want to suggest something you'd like to see, have something you don't like, whatever else, leave a review or DM me. I am open to anything you guys want to say

And while we wait for everything, I think I want to say some things that did inspire me when writing this. are FanficHazza's story "Kingdom Hearts": a Fragmented Passage - Shadows of the Past", Terrence Johnny Stanford's story "Dinner is Not Over" aaaaaaand DrWriter21's story "Blank Slate"

and last but not least. anyone ever listen to the song Memoir 2# by Maryroosavelt? That is the most omnous/sad instrumental I heard in a long time.

Bis zum nachsten mal! - Kaiser