ISSUE #63

The Xavier Institue for Higher learning.

The school, which once prospered and thrived full of young and excited mutant children, ready to finally be accepted and to learn their abilities. Now, almost empty and surrounded by the O.N.E. A government agency that has been called upon to protect the last of Mutant kind, with their own Sentinels.

The X-men are now doing everything they can to bring in mutants to their home. Providing everyone, no matter what their background, sanctuary on their grounds.

Logan sat alone, in the medical wing, on his phone, speaking to a very familiar young girl.

" You might as well say hello, kid. I can hear you breathing." Logan told the young girl.

" I miss them." The girl replied.

" I know you do, but they aren't there anymore." Logan told the girl.

" She was my only friend." The girl replied.

" I know she was, Laura. I know she was." Logan told the girl. " But she's gone now and you being there won't bring her back. Look, you're breaking my heart. But I didn't call to talk about that. You have to come back." Logan told the girl.

" No!" Laura replied.

" You and I had a deal, and I kept my end of it. I didn't tell anyone I knew you. I even let you slash me across the face, something I don't remember agreeing to, but whatever. And you-

" I tried!" Laura exclaimed.

" No, you didn't. No more alien costumes, no more growling, and no more BS!" Logan exclaimed. " You have to come back and try it for real this time."

" They'll find me there. They found me once before." Laura replied.

" You're probably right. But do you think weapon X will ever stop looking for me?" Logan asked the girl. " Not a chance! But that doesn't matter now." Logan told the girl. Logan explained. " The world just got a whole lot scarier and the kids back at the school will need you."

" But."

" And more importantly you need them. There's a kid here who knows just a bit about what it is you and I went through, and I've done my best to try and help him. But maybe what he needs isn't someone like me. But someone like you. The only chance you really have is here Laura. If you don't come back. Then you're already dead. Trust me, just come-" Logan was speaking when

* Click!

Laura hung up the phone.

Logan sighed and rubbed his head.

" I really messed that one up." Logan groaned. " I guess I'll need to try a different approach." Logan sighed. " Time to call in that favor." Logan got up from his seat and walked up the stairs.

.....

Logan walked through the institute, looking for Ian. He believed now was the time to make good on the boy's promise.

When Logan finally did find Ian, he was in the gym, letting out his frustration, over the Sentinels being placed at their front doors and Scott's foolish orders, on the punching machine. And he was really laying into it.

" Runt! Lay off the machine for a while." Logan told the boy.

Ian looked back and shook his head.

" What's up, Logan?" Ian asked.

" Okay, fine. I'll cut to the chase. I need yer help with something." Logan spoke up.

Ian stopped punching the machine and wiped his face from the sweat. He turned towards Logan and started paying attention to what the man had to say.

" What is it, Logan?" Ian asked.

" Now, yer paying attention?" Logan asked. " Heh! Well, remember a long time ago, when I said that I was trying to find someone?"

" Yeah." Ian replied.

" Well, I found her. And I want your help to bring her back." Logan explained.

" Who is this girl, Logan? I mean, why is it so hard for you to bring her back yourself?" Ian asked.

" She's special. That's all you need to know, Runt. I know where she is. But she won't listen to me. I'm hoping someone who knows what she's been through will be able to convince her." Logan explained.

" Okay, I did say I'd help. So, when do we go?" Ian asked.

" Right now, take a shower and get dressed. I'll meet you in the Hangar in ten minutes. Hurry it up." Logan told the boy.

.........

10 minutes later.

" Alright, Runt. You ready?" Logan asked.

" Yeah, I'm ready." Ian replied. He sat down in the X-jet and strapped himself in. " Does this girl have a name I should know?" Ian asked.

" Her name's Laura. And that's all yer getting from me. So, no more questions. Got it?" Logan asked.

" Yeah, I got it." Ian replied. " She must mean a lot to you for you to be doing all this. But It's not like I don't understand. The world's going to hell. Do you think, sending the people who lost their powers away was a good idea?" Ian asked.

" What did I say about questions?" Logan asked.

" Oh, shut up, Logan. I'm being serious. This changes everything. And I want to know what you think. Honestly." Ian told the man.

Logan sighed and nodded.

" I think it is the right thing to do, runt. But I also agree that it is a mistake. But in this scenario, we're damned if we do and damned if we don't. We keep them here and they'll always be in danger. On the other hand, we send them away from the danger the institute faces, and they'll be alone to face whatever might come. It's a real head scratcher." Logan explained.

" Damn."

" We'll just have to keep moving forward and accept whatever consequences come our way." Logan spoke.

Ian sighed and grabbed his head.

" I hate feeling so helpless. I just can't wrap my head around this, Logan. There's still so much, I can't understand."

" You're not just talking about, these kids, are you?" Logan asked. Logan looked at the boy's face and knew what he was feeling. Having fake memories planted in your head was something Logan knew quite well. " Look, kid, I can't tell you not to be upset, or scared, or worried, or confused. Because honestly, everything you're feeling right now... Is normal. I know what you're feeling. I went through it myself."

" Does it ever get easier, Logan? I mean telling which is which. Separating reality from what doesn't exist?" Ian asked the man.

" Do you remember what I told you, before? About slowing down and not missing things along the way? That's how." Logan told the boy. " Ye can't let the things of the past weigh you down, like I did. I spent so much time, trying to piece things together that I was letting the world around me fly by me. I don't want that for you, or for Laura." Logan explained. " Things are gonna be hard. But if you open up to yer friends, and really try to move forward with yer life... Then you might just find that none of that other stuff matters." Logan told the boy.

" It's easier said than done, Logan. In one life I was happy, in another I'm in constant despair. How do I move forward, Logan. When I can't stop looking back." Ian asked.

" You take one step at a time, kid. One step at a time."