LOGAN

Real name: Logan (unknown if this name is his first or last, or even real at all)
Occupation: Adventurer, Mercenary, former government operative
Identity: Logan's status as a mutant is secret to the public
Legal status: No official records of his existance
Other aliases: Wolverine
Place of birth: Unknown
Marital status: Single
Known relatives: None
Group affiliation: X-Men, formerly Weapon-X
Base of operations: Salem Center, Westchester County, New York
First appearance: June 2000

History:

On a cold Canadian winter night in 1967, a man awakens in a snow bank. Snow swirls in the air around him. His head is aching, he's disoriented. He looks down at himself and sees that he's naked. Funny, he doesn't feel too cold. There's a metallic taste in his mouth and he's got an insatiable thirst. The man looks around, surveying his surroundings. He's in a clearing in the woods but the area doesn't look familiar. He slowly picks himself off the ground, head swimming, and staggers out of the clearing. About three paces later, he falls on his face. The thirst is too much. He begins scooping handful after handful of snow into his mouth. Finally, he picks himself up off the ground again and lumbers forward, with much more success this time. He has no ide a where he's walking, it just seems like he should. 

As he walks, he thinks, trying to remember how he got here. Nothing comes to him, nothing at all. That becomes even more of a problem. At that moment, he realizes that not only does he not know how he got here; he doesn't know who he is. Panic sets in, his mind is racing. He searches his mind for any trace of a memory, something to grasp onto. Nothing. 

As he stumbles up a hill, still lost in his thoughts, he hears a low growl. The sound snaps him from his reverie. A bear, a rather large bear actually. The great beast sees him and the man picks up a scent. Although he can't tell why, his brain knows this is the scent of hunger, the bear's hunger. The grizzly begins to lumber towards the man but he doesn't run. An instinct takes over, an instinct to survive. A red haze falls over the man's vision and a low guttural growl erupts from him. Some sort of primal instinct slowly pushes aside his rational thought. In its place is simple feeling, kill or be killed. He clenches his fists as he bares his teeth and snarls at the approaching beast. Suddenly, large metallic claws rip through the backs of his hands. The man pounces, leaping at the beast with his claws flailing. The bear's claws slash across his chest but he doesn't stop. The red haze doesn't seem to let him notice this. Only one thought is in his mind... kill! His claws plunge into the beast's stomach and it unleashes a roar of half pain, half rage. The man darts around the side of the beast and claws his way up it's back. He wraps his arms around the beast's neck, clutching desperately. Finally getting a steady grip, he takes ones of his clawed hands and plunges it deep into the bear's neck. One last howl escapes as the beast dies and drops to the ground. The man counters with a howl of his own, this one of victory. 

Panting and salivating, he finally begins to return to his senses. As the haze in his brain begins to clear, he finally looks at his injury. Amazingly, what should be a gaping wound is no more than a scratch. Before his eyes, that scratch disappears. Is this a dream? He should be dying from that wound but now it doesn't even exist. He looks at his hands. The claws, they're still there. The man inspects his kill. A bear, a fully-grown grizzly. How did he know how to fight this beast? Where did that instinct to fight it comes from? His head begins to swim again and he pushes the questions aside. He slumps down against the dead bear to rest and let his head clear. A couple of minutes later, he picks himself up and begins to clean his kill.

Weeks, maybe months pass. The man has made himself a simple hut of branches. He clothes himself in animal skins. He eats what he finds in nature and what he hunts. He learns that he can retract and unsheathe his claws with a thought. He no longer bothers himself with questions of how he got these claws, why he heals so quickly, or why his senses seem so strong. He just survives. He has become yet another of the animals that populate these woods. One day while hunting, the man catches a scent in the air, a fire. As he follows the scent, others add to it. The smell of charred animal flesh becomes stronger, overpowering that of the fire. He creeps closer, quietly following the trail. A footprint, not one made by the creatures of the forest. Something in his mind tells him this is the footprint of a man. He continues along the trail, remaining out sight. As he gets closer to the source, yet another scent hits his senses. Actually, it's two scents, human scents, a man and a woman. 

Following the trail even further, he begins to hear noises. He knows this is talking, human speech. He stops and listens. He recognizes the language they are speaking. In the back of his mind, some of the words bring up images. He understands what they are saying. The man listens, hoping this will help determine if they're friend or foe. They speak of a wedding and images of fancy dress and happy people fill the man's head. He lays waiting, listening, for some time. They speak of various topics, nothing o f any importance. He decides to creep closer.

As he reaches the edge of their camp, the man gets a better read on them. Nothing hostile can be found in their scent. Maybe they are not a threat? He retracts his claws, as to not present himself as a hostile. He decides to make his presence known, no longer staying quiet. He walks through some brush, letting the branches rustle. Alarm! The couple heard him. The man-stranger flashes a light in his general direction. "Hello? Is somebody there?" He understands this but isn't sure how to respond, how to form the words. How long has he been here? How long has it been since he's spoken? He steps into the clearing, trying to find words but only getting out a few grunts. 

The couple sees a short man emerge from the woods, one that barely resembles a man. He's covered in dirt and dressed in animal hides. A scary sight indeed but not overtly hostile. He makes noises but nothing intelligible. Finally regaining his composure, the male of the couple steps forward a bit, keeping his hands visible and trying not to use any aggressive body language. "Hello stranger, my name is Mac and this is my wife, Heather." The man tries to respond in kind, still trying to find his voice. What is his name? He searches deep in his mind for an answer. He finds something! He croaks out a single word "Logan".

Logan spends the day with the couple, listening as they talk to him about various things, sharing their food. As he listens to them, words start coming back to him. Slowly, he remembers how to speak very simple sentences. He begins to tell them what he remembers, talking with them into the night. Logan picks up their sense of wonderment. He listens to them intently, learning more about them and where they come from.

Two weeks pass. Logan has stayed with Mac and Heather the whole time, talking and listening. His speech has gotten better with practice and he can communicate with them with little effort. They tell Logan that they must go home soon. His new... friends... are leaving? Mac and Heather offer to take Logan with them, to help him. After much thought, Logan decides to join them. He wants to see the things they've told him about. He wants to learn more.

Mac and Heather Hudson return home with Logan in tow. For the time being, they keep him presence hidden from others. As weeks pass, Heather tries to teach Logan about life, love, and other aspects of his humanity. Mac, who Logan finds out is actually named James, teaches him things like honor, responsibility, and conviction. Of course, things like this can't be learned in such a short time but the seeds are planted. These values are introduced to Logan and he absorbs them, ready to build on them.

Eventually Mac and Heather feel Logan is ready for the world, at least in a limited capacity. Looking to give Logan some sort of purpose to his life, Mac offers to take him with him to work with him. His work is for the Canadian government, a small organization named Department H. They are a group dedicated towards preserving Canada's safety, working in secret. Department H works closely with groups like Interpol and the United States' CIA and FBI. Mac brings Logan in under the premise of being an amnesiac. Although this is mostly true, he conveniently leaves out the details of what Logan was like when they found him. 

Logan agrees to this, wanting to learn more about the world and seeing this as an opportunity to do that. He also confides in Mac and Heather, telling them about his gifts that make him human. Mac's sense of patriotism and maybe a bit of naiveté convince him that Department H will help Logan discover his origins and what made him the way he is. Mac decides they should come clean and tell Department H the whole story. Reluctantly, Logan goes along with this, only because of his trust in Mac.

After a lot of explaining, Logan is taken in by Department H. Many tests are run, trying to figure out more about the man only known as Logan. Leading the research team is a man named Dr. Cornelius. After a short time, Dr. Cornelius determines that Logan's skeleton is bonded with the same metallic substance his claws are made of. As the weeks go on, the testing continues. During this time, Logan is also put through a 'boot camp', getting him ready for more advanced training later on. Cornelius and his team tested the limits of Logan's various gifts, trying to learn more but they cannot determine its cause. Tissue samples are taken and stored away for later research. Attempts at sampling the metal of his claws are met with failure. Nothing is able to cut it, not even diamond or lasers. Finally, it seems they've reached a standstill.

During this time, Mac and Heather were relocated under the guise of a new assignment. The Department felt more progress could be made with Logan if he wasn't under the protective wing of his 'friends'. At the suggestion of Dr. Cornelius, the next phase was initiated. A progressive method of hypnotism would be used on Logan to try and bring some of his memories to the surface. It was hoped that more could be discovered about his abilities if they could unlock his past. Unknown to those outside of Cornelius' team, this process had to functions. One would be to try and unlock his Logan's past as promised. The other would be to plant various memories into his mind that would help him serve the Department better. This would be an effective tool to control the human weapon they knew only as Logan. 

As the 'therapy' continued, Logan began to have several visions. According to Dr. Cornelius, these were memories buried in Logan's mind that were beginning to rise to the surface. Among these were visions of being a young, undersized Native American boy cast out of his tribe for being too weak. He lived in the wild, raised by a pack of wolverines. Another memory was of Logan living with the Blackfoot tribe, married to a young tribe member, in the 1800s. A brutal animal of a man murdered the woman. Yet another memory was of Logan, in 1937, taking part in the Spanish Civil War. There were more memories, many of war. Logan had visions of serving as a corporal in World War II and yet others of serving in the American Civil War. Could he be this old? Is it possible that he had lived that long and experienced all these things? 


Flash forward to 1976...


After years of training and several successful missions, Logan services were loaned to the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States. He was given the codename Wolverine and attached to a team of black-ops commandos called, Team X. This team was a crew of hard cases but that was okay, so was Logan. 

After a while, Logan began to fit in with the team. Most of them were okay, considering the type of person you have to be to do that kind of job. Guys like Maverick, Wraith, and Mastodon. Even the woman, Silver Fox, who looked oddly familiar. They were pros; they did their job and kept it clean. They kept the killing to a minimum, only when it was unavoidable. They stuck to the mission. There was one team member that Logan clashed with right away though. The man, if you could call him that, was Sabretooth. He seemed to have the same animal nature as Logan but none of the humanity. He towered at over seven feet tall and had thick claws at the ends of his fingers. This hulking monster was more animal than man. This is something Logan was familiar with; he'd learned to control his own inner beast. Keeping this in mind, Logan gave him a chance but also never let him run wild. 

Over the years, Logan participated in several missions with Team-X. More and more, he'd clash with Sabretooth. The man seemed to delight in causing pain. The monster would kill indiscriminately, whether the mission called for it or not. More often than not, the team would have to physically restrain Sabretooth. He just laughed at them. On a couple of occasions, Logan had more than just words with him. Upon returning from a mission gone horribly wrong, Logan confronted Sabretooth about his behavior. Of course, this was answered with Sabretooth's usual attitude, "Mind your business, runt!". Logan wouldn't let it go any longer. In the ensuing brawl, Logan was overcome with that red haze again. His only thought was to stop Sabretooth once and for all.

The two fought like animals in the wild; clawing, kicking, and punching each other. Finally, not caring, giving in to his berserker rage, Logan popped his claws. SNIKT! He thrust them into the Sabretooth's chest. As he removed them, Sabretooth laughed in his face and said, "We're more alike than you realize, runt". The wounds Logan's claws had just made were starting to close and heal. The man had gifts... just like his own.

Before things go progress any further, a control team entered the room and broke them apart. Both Logan and Sabretooth were restrained, not without several control team injuries, and corralled into separate rooms to cool off. After regaining his composure and given some down time, Logan was returned to his team. Upon his return, Logan learned that Sabretooth had been reassigned and was no longer attached to Team-X.


Flash forward to 1981...


Since the departure of Sabretooth, Team-X had gelled into a finely tuned machine. The members trusted each other to do their jobs professionally, although they were tight-lipped about their pasts, including their real names. They even believed in their mission, thinking they were doing some good in the world. This would suddenly change for the agent codenamed Wolverine. His world would come crashing down around him.

Team-X was dispatched to Kirtland, AFB in New Mexico. A 'friendly' by the name of Captain Robert Collins had provided clued them in to a situation. Collins was assigned to the Plasma Physics group at Sandia National Laboratory located at Kirtland. This group was a cover for a government agency that worked with 'advanced technology'. Apparently, an Airman Craig Weitzel stumbled up the testing of one of their projects in 1980. 

Weitzel had reported the incident to a Sgt. Richard Charles Doty, at the Kirtland OSI office as a UFO sighting. Under orders from his superiors, Doty filed this report as a hoax and instigated an investigation of Weitzel. In 1981, the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization received an anonymous letter from an individual who claimed to be a USAF airman assigned to the 1550th Aircrew Training and Testing Wing at Kirtland AFB. The writer further claimed to have had a rather dramatic UFO sighting, which he reported the sighting to a "Mr. Dody" at Kirtland AFB OSI. This was attention the government didn't want. The orders were to 'liquidate' Airman Weitzel, retrieve the project's data, and destroy all evidence of its existence. 

While Team-X wasn't too keen on killing an innocent, they were convinced that 'national security' was at risk and it was necessary. Assigned to that task was agent Silver Fox. Her mission was to meet the Airman at a local nightclub he frequented, seduce him, and bring him back to a hotel room where she would make his death look like a drug overdose. This part of the mission was easily accomplished. Apparently, the Airman had experimented with drugs in the past, which he admitted on forms upon entry to the Air Force. OSI reports could easily be fabricated stating that during their investigation of Weitzel, they had discovered he was a drug abuser. Everything fell into place.

The next phase of the mission was to infiltrate Sandia National Laboratory. They broke into two pairs. Maverick and Mastodon were assigned to demolition while Wolverine and Wraith were tasked with data retrieval. Everything was going according to plan. Maverick and Mastodon had used phosphor charges to melt down any special equipment and then set several explosive devices throughout the facility. In another part of the building, Wolverine and Wraith were going about their part of the mission. In the main computer room, Wraith accessed the research database and downloaded its contents to a portable storage device. Wolverine had already set charges in the room where all hard records were stored. Rejoining Wraith in the computer room, Wolverine was scanning some of the database entry titles. A name caught his eye... Cornelius. 

Frantically, Wolverine tried to access one of those entries. Wraith had already started the file destruction program and the files were being wiped out one by one. Wolverine managed to get into one entry and read 'Subject Logan's re-education has been progressing with a high degree of success. The memory implants have..." before the entry disappeared before his eyes. He searched the database for more entries relating to Cornelius or himself but the program was faster. Not taking the time to explain to Wraith, Wolverine stormed out of the room and headed to the paper records hoping to find answers there.

As Wraith tried figure what was going on, he noticed the time. It was five minutes until the facility would detonate. They couldn't change the detonation time, it had already been planned. Operations had arranged for no personnel to be in the area at the time. If they delayed it, Security Police would be doing their pass-by and would see their departure. This mission was going FUBAR but they had to stick to the plan. Despite his respect for Wolverine, he would have to be an 'acceptable loss'. The mission had to stay on schedule. Wraith gathered his equipment and headed to the rendezvous point, leaving Wolverine in the building.

Later, the team regrouped at the rendezvous point. Wraith explained the other members what happened to Wolverine. Hoping for the best, they waited longer than planned. Still no sign of Wolverine. Grudgingly, Team-X packed up their equipment and headed to their pickup point, silently reflecting on their times with their fallen teammate. Upon returning to headquarters, they would file a report on the situation and Agent Wolverine would be on record as KIA.

Despite contrary belief, Wolverine had survived the blast. He had been in the records room digging for information when the charges detonated. Unfortunately, he can up empty-handed. The blast had done a number on him but not near as bad as the rubble had. Anyone else would've been killed, but not Wolverine. He's got a skeleton bonded with an unbreakable metal. Even more important, he's got a healing factor that just won't quit. Barely alive, Wolverine pulled himself from the wreckage. No sign of his team but sirens could be heard in the distance. He had to get out of there. In agonizing pain, Wolverine made his way off the base.

Deciding he couldn't trust the very people he was working for, he went into hiding. He had to figure out what was going on. What memories were his? Which ones were given to him? He knew only one thing for sure. Agent Wolverine was dead. The man known only as Logan was a free agent.


Flash forward to 1983...


After spending the last couple of years working as a mercenary for various organizations, Logan found himself drawn to Japan. He had carried out a few missions there while working with Team-X, mostly situations where the US and Canadian governments wanted technology developed by some company on the island. The culture and the beauty of the place had always taken him. To Logan, this was the perfect place for him to try and find some peace. More and more often, he had succumbed to his feral nature. He'd disappear into the wild for days at a time. On some missions, Logan would slip into his berserker rage and things got messy. He couldn't do his job professionally if this continued.

Just being in Japan helped a little but not that much. Environment could only do so much. He needed help. Logan needed to find a way of controlling his urges, not just a setting that would help curb them. While he was trained in several forms of martial arts, Japan had taught him that there was more to learn in those arts than just fighting. Logan decided to see out a sensei.

As fate would have it, Logan found a sensei in a man named Ogun. Ogun was a of an older school of thought than most in Japan. He considered himself a samurai, although he had no master. Ogun offered to teach Logan the ways of the Samurai. In addition to swordplay, he would teach Logan the ways of the Code of Bushido, founded upon honor, loyalty, courage, self-control, and justice. 

As part of this training, Logan would learn about Zen Buddhism,the philosophical basis of bushido. Bushido demands, above all else, the willingness to face death - and facing death willingly means conquering fear. According to Ogun, this mental training is even more important than the physical. This was furthered by meditation, an ideal means of personal developement, as it is designed to perfect of kind of discipline necessary to cultivate alertness, speed of action and direct cognition, - qualities that are as important today as in the days of the samurai. Logan would spend the next three years learning only these mental aspects and etiquette before he would begin any of the physical side. During this time, he was not permitted to leave Ogun's estate. I n between lessons, Logan would tend to the gardens, cook, do housework, and other tasks. During this time, memories surfaced in Logan. He had memories of being a samurai in the 1500's. Were these memories true?

After reaching a level understanding that met Ogun's approval, Logan was permitted to leave the estate and experience the local culture. With his new understanding, Logan appreciated the beauty of the land more than he ever had before. He would spend many afternoons admiring flower gardens, drinking tea, and visiting places of interest. It was on one of these afternoons that Logan would meet the woman who would steal his heart. That woman was Mariko Yashida.

This passive yet strong-willed woman instantly won Logan over. The more time he spent with her, the more strength and conviction Logan saw. The way she balanced this with such a peaceful nature taught Logan more he had ever learned. This was the balance he sought. Mariko brought out the best in Logan. They began to spend all of their free time together and through this, Ogun's lessons of Zen Buddism were reenforced. Over the months, they became closer and closer. His feral side was buried deeper than ever. Mariko brought out the man inside the beast. Logan was truly happier than he had ever been in his life.

Unfortunately, for Logan all good things must come to an end. Ogun's behavior began to change. The sensei's once balanced persona began to edge towards a more darker shade. Ogun's temper was quick, his punishments harsh. Instead of focusing on honor and mental calm, the lessons leaned towards assassination methods and revenge. At first Logan thought this was a test. He figured Ogun was trying to see if he could be swayed, if he had really absorbed what he was taught. He soon learned this was not the case.  

Ogun began bullying local merchants and peasants. His behavior soon resembled that of the mob. He forced the locals to pay him for 'protection', even though he was the one they needed to be protected from. Ogun tried to force Logan to enforce his will. He claimed it was part of his 'lessons' and that these were skills he would need in life. Of course, Logan resisted. If he had learned anything from his time working for the government, it was that only a fool blindly follows orders. Ogun's teachings of the Bushido were valuable and true. Loyalty was an important component of Logan's personal outlook now, but it had it's limits.

During this same time, Logan learned something about Mariko's family. Ogun's bullying and 'protection' caught the attention of a powerful branch of the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia. This branch of the Yakuza was the Clan Yashida, led by Mariko's father, Lord Shingen. With word coming that the Clan Yashida would strike and re-assert its power, Ogun demanded Logan's obedience and loyalty. Logan's refusal infuriated his sensei and brought down his wrath. 

The two fought and it was a battle for the ages. Using only their bodies as weapons, they exchanged blows over and over. Many of the assaults were blocked or countered while many were landed. It went on for hours. Ogun's skill was far superior to Logan's. The only thing keeping him in the fight was his healing factor. It allowed him to heal the damage as the fight progressed and it kept him from tiring. The same could not be said for Ogun. The man was old and fatigue was setting in. From his robes he retrieved a dagger, laced with poison. He plunged it deep in Logan's side, finding a home between two ribs. Unknown to Ogun, his student wasn't a normal man. He had a healing factor that could easily fight it off. 

This betrayal infuriated Logan. It was one thing that Ogun had turned to the dark side and disregarded the Bushido. But to take such a cheap shot, to use a weapon in a hand-to-hand battle between master and student, that crossed the line. That familiar red haze clouded Logan's vision as it had many times in the past. It had been so long since it had happened, it caught Logan off guard. With a savage roar, Logan popped his claws <SNIKT!> and lopped his sensei's head clean off. 

Still in a berserker rage, Logan fled. He headed to the wild, the animal inside him taking over once more. Logan stayed there for months. He would alternate between the beast and the man. Over and over, Logan tried to put together the pieces. He tried to figure out why Ogun would turn so drastically. How could the man who taught him honor act in the opposite manner? Eventually, the man in Logan won control. Although he couldn't find a reason for the betrayal, he began to pick up the pieces. After months of living in the wild, Logan returned to civilization.

His first order of business was to find his love, Mariko. Logan visited all the places they used to meet at. No sign of her. He went to her home and was told to go away. Had she forgotten him during his absence? Did she feel betrayed when he left her for so long? Determined even more, he called upon her daily, with the same results. Finally, after continually making his presence know, Logan was given an invitation to meet Mariko's father, Lord Shingen.

Logan went to Lord Shingen's manor and met with the crime boss. He knew it could be trouble but he had to do it. Logan loved Mariko and would risk anything for her. Shingen explained to Logan that he could never let his daughter be with a Gaijin, especially one who had been dishonored as Logan had by Ogun's actions. Shingen went on to tell him that he had arranged for Mariko to be married to one of his under-bosses.

Infuriated but keeping a calm demeanor, Logan tried to plead his case with Lord Shingen. His efforts were answered with a laugh as Shingen told him that it didn't matter, for Logan would die this day. From behind Logan came several Yakuza, boxing him in. With a gesture from Shingen, the assault began. Logan took all the men gave him and returned it in kind but more and more kept coming. Finally, he popped his claws as the red haze clounded his vision once again. SNIKT! Logan cut through the men like a scythe does wheat. Bodies lay all over the ground, dismembered and ravaged. Finally, when none were left, he bellowed a savage roar and lept at Lord Shingen. While once a great fighter, Shingen was now an old man. He relied on his men to do the fighting. He had no chance at all. Logan plunged his claws through the man's chest, straight into his heart, ending his life.

As he was finally starting to regain his wits, Mariko entered the chamber and saw the carnage. Crying at the sight of her dead father, she uttered a scream when she noticed a savage looking and blood-coated Logan. He tried to explain but the scene told her more than his words could ever hope to. Choking back her tears and steeling herself, Mariko told Logan to leave. In her eyes he was a dishonorable savage. He had to leave Japan immediately or face the wrath of the Clan Yashida.


Flash forward to 1990...


For the past year, Logan had lived the life of a drifter. After returning from Japan, he traveled across the country seeking answers. He hoped to find clues about his past. He wanted information on Dr. Cornelius and Department H. What Logan found was mostly dead ends. The only bit of info that he came up with was that Dr. Cornelius was presumed dead after a fire at a Canadian research facility. 

This occupied most of Logan's life during this time but he also had other problems to deal with. More and more often, Logan was overcome by his beastial urges. He found himself drawn to the wilderness again. He'd lose control, brawling with whoever looked at him the wrong way. He'd even black out for hours at a time and not know where he had been.

Through some old FBI and Interpol contacts, Logan got the name of a man who might be able to help him. The man's name was Charles Francis Xavier, somewhat of a renaissance man. Xavier was well versed in a variety of topics including anthropology, genetics, psychiatry, parapsychology, and the occult. The man was currently located in New York, serving as an adjunct professor with Columbia University's Department of Genetics and Development.

Once arriving in New York, Logan tracked Xavier down. Having been burned in the past by trusting blindly, Logan decided to follow the man and observe him to make sure he was okay. Logan followed Charles for about two weeks, cursed with headaches the whole time. One evening while Logan was watching Xavier from a tree outside his mansion, he got a big surprise. Suddenly, Logan 'heard' a voice in his head. "Spying is not very polite, Logan. Why don't you come inside and talk to me face to face?"

The shock of 'hearing' this voice in his head threw Logan for a loop. He fell from his perch with a loud and heavy thud. Too surprised to be have hurt his pride, Logan shook his as if trying clear it. Again the voice "Your name is Logan, isn't it?". Feeling foolish, Logan responded aloud "Yes...". Looking towards the window he was watching Xavier in, Logan saw the man had wheeled his chair over to it and was looking directly at him. "Then please come inside so we can talk."

Shrugging, Logan headed to the door of the mansion. What did he have to lose? The man was already aware of his presence. The reason he had come here in the first place was to seek help from Xavier. Warily, he knocked on the door. The click of a lock. "Come in". As instructed, Logan entered and followed the voices directions to the study. 

Sitting in the study was a bald man in a wheelchair. Charles Francis Xavier, the man Logan had come to see. Not sure where to begin, Logan just stood there. "Please, sit down", Xavier gestured to a chair. "So you've come to seek my help? Tell me your story..."

Logan sat and talked with Charles for hours that night. They exchanged stories and experiences. Xavier explained his own abilities and his theories on mutants. The end result was an offer to help Logan deal with his feral nature, to possibly try to control it. This was also good research for Xavier. He would also help Logan try to find out more about his special gifts and hopefully discover their origin.

For the next three years, Xavier worked with Logan. Many tests were run with mixed results. Xavier taught Logan techniques for building proper mental defenses, keeping out unwanted intruders, masking surface thoughts, and eliminating stray thoughts. Combining this with the disciplines he was taught in Japan, Logan made a great deal of progress. During this time, Xavier earned Logan's respect. Although he didn't agree with all of his views and thought him to be rather a stick-in-the-mud, Logan was grateful for his help. Eventually, they hit a wall. No more could be done to help control Logan's urges. They could not tell which memories were real and which were false. Investigators were trying to dig up information on Logan's past. There was nothing left to do. Logan packed up his belonging and headed out on his own. Before leaving, Logan made Xavier a promise, "You ever need me, I'm there. Whatever the situation."


Flash forward to 1995...


After leaving Xavier's, Logan began travelling the US and Canada again. He worked on investigating his past, trying to find out more about himself and Department H. Again, he found little success. To his surprise, he received correspondance from Mariko during this time. She was now a widow, her husband assissinated by rivals. However she did not grieve his loss. Her husband had been abusive, beating and verbally assaulting her regularly. With her father out of the way, he sought to lead the Clan Yashida by bullying her. But that would happen no more. She came out a stronger woman as a result of this an now lead the Clan Yashida with authority while trying to legitimize it.

Mariko also offerred an olive branch to Logan. She had learned of her father's plot against Logan and although she wasn't happy about Logan's actions, she found them justified. Logan was no longer an enemy of the Clan Yashida and was once again a friend of Mariko. She requested his presence in Japan. She needed his help but would say no more. Logan's feelings for Mariko were still as strong as they ever had been, so he immediately set off for Japan to aid her with her troubles.

Upon his arrival in Japan, Logan could sense trouble right away. He got off the plane and headed across the tarmac to the terminal. Along the way, he caught a scent he couldn't quite place. Right away, Logan knew this wasn't good. The smell was one of death but not quite. Before he had time to ponder this any more, Logan saw shadows moving around him. Five black-clad figures, resembling ninjas, emerged from the shadows. The one standing directly in front of Logan was most likely the leader, while the other four took the sides. The lead ninja spoke "Go home now Gaijin. Stay out of the affairs of the Clan Yashida or face the wrath of the Hand!"

With a snarl, Logan gave them his answer "I don't scare easy, bub. Either bring it on or get outta my way." No second chances from these assailants. No more discussion, no more threats. They lept into action, converging on Logan. Good, this is the way Logan likes. He hadn't had a good workout in ages. The Hand genin (assassins) came at him from each side, swords drawn and ready for action. SNIKT! If they wanted a knife fight, they came to the right place. Logan took a defensive posture, blocking what they came at him with, waiting for the right opportunity to strike back. He could feel that too familiar rage coming on and struggled to keep it in check. He needed his wits in this fight, maybe he could keep one alive to question. 

He put up a good fight but eventually Logan lost the struggle with his animal within. The red haze once again clouded his vision as his rage got the better of him. Claws flying, he attacked his assailants, slicing into them while taking several himself. Finally, none stood but Logan and the one he figured for the Hand leader. With a savage growl, Logan lept at the ninja with his claws slashing. His attack disarmed the ninja, knocking the sword from his hand. Logan pounced on him, pinning him down with his knees on the ninja's shoulders. With a quick downward stab, Logan plunged his claws into his attacker's head and unleashed a howl that would send nearby dogs cowering.

As he regained his wits, Logan looked over his handywork. He silently cursed himself for loosing control. Picking himself up, his wounds already healing, he went to the body of the leader and moved to remove his mask. Before he could do this, the body turned to mist and was gone. Looking around, Logan saw that the others must have done the same. Where there had once been fallen ninjas now only black suits remained. He tried picking up a scent or some sort of trail but there was no sign of them. They were gone. Although confused, Logan picked up his things and headed for Mariko's home.

Upon his arrival at the House Yashida, Logan was ushered directly to Mariko's office. Immediately, Logan saw her peaceful beauty was masked by fatigue and frustration. Mariko was under a great deal of stress. Despite all of this, Mariko greeted with a warm embrace. Ever the traditional one, Mariko insisted they sit and perform the tea ceremony. Despite Logan's pleads for her to tell him of her troubles, she wanted to hear of his life since they last saw each other. 

Finally, Mariko explained her problem. It all began with her husband's death. Although she was happy to be free of his terror, the circumstances of his death troubled her. The two had planned to attend a festival together. At the last minute, Mariko had to back out because she was feeling under the weather. Her husband went on alone. On the way there, the security detail lost track of his limosine. When the finally found it, her husband was dead along with his driver and bodyguards. Fleeing the scene were a group of black clad genin, ninjas. Although they attemped pursuit, the security detail soon lost them. Since that day, the Clan Yashida's operations had been plagued by these ninja known as the Hand. Mariko's attempts at legitimizing their business had been put on hold in fear that these attackers would pick up the work that Mariko was trying to put an end to. 

Logan listened intently, absorbing all of this and not interrupting Mariko. When she was done with her story, Logan told her about his encounter with the Hand upon arriving. He could see the regret in Mariko's face, wishing she had been able to warn him before he arrived. Gathering her courage, Mariko asked Logan to undertake a great favor. She wanted him to be the Clan Yashida's champion. He would be like the daimyos of old Japan, their samurai lord. Logan would defend the Clan Yashida against the Hand. Realizing this was a great honor in addition to being a serious responsibility, Logan accepted graciously. With tears in her eyes, Mariko thanked Logan with a kiss. 

In a ceremony among Mariko's clan members, Logan was officially named as the samurai to the Clan Yashida. The ceremony followed age old traditions, very solemn and without fanfare. At the conclusion of this ceremony, Logan was bestowed the Honor Sword of the House of Yashida. By recieving this, Logan took responsibility for the welfare of Lady Mariko, head of the house. 

For two years, Logan performed his duty diligently. He fought the minions of the Hand in many encounters but never made any progress in finding their source or stopping their activity. During this time, Logan became familiar with the rules of the Yakuza and their customs. He also saw the shadey underbelly of the Japan he once thought was only full of beauty and peace. Over these two years, Logan and Mariko's relationship developed even further. The two announced their plans to wed.

In the months before the wedding, the Hand's activity seemed to lighten up. Logan was called into action less often. He began to think his efforts were showing results. Everything was going better than Logan could have ever wished. Little did he know, it was the calm before the storm.

On the eve of Logan and Mariko's wedding, alarms sounded to alert the presence of intruders on the grounds. Quickly, Logan made his way to the courtyard to find a swarm of Hand genin. With the aid of the Yashida guards, he fought the assassins for hours. Again his rage overcame him, actually a benefit in a fight such as this. Both sides had taken heavy losses. When the last of the Hand had been dispatched, Logan turned on the Yashida guards who had been fighting by his side. He was so caught up in his berserker rage that he could not tell friend from foe, nor did the animal in him care. Alas, only Logan was left standing.

Once he regained control, Logan rushed back into the house. He feared for Mariko's safety. Had other assassins entered the house from a different point? Logan sped through the house, eyes roving, until he finally reached Mariko's chambers. His fears had become a reality. Mariko lay on the floor gasping for air. He saw no blood, no wounds. Quickly, Logan went to Mariko's side. She was still alive. Struggling, she explained that she had been poisoned, blowfish toxin. She was in agony, this type of toxin not being so kind as to offer a quick and merciful death. The worst thing was, blowfish toxin had no antedote. Tears in his eyes, Logan held his would-be wife in his arm, giving her a last kissed. She whispered one last request of him, she asked him to kill her. She wanted to end the pain. Gathering his emotional strength, Logan granted her wish while silently sobbing.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Mariko's cousins Keniuchio Harads and Shiro Yoshida, met to sort through the mess their family and business was left in. For the time being, they would share power, just until things were running smoothly. Logan spent his days meditating and mourning the loss of his one true love, until finally he was called to see the two cousins. The room was dark, lit only by candles. Logan could sense the ill feelings towards him. He bowed before the two and awaited their response. Logan was told he had failed in his responsibilities. He had not protected the head of the house as he was honorbound to do. He had disgraced the Yashida name as he was once disgraced by Ogun. This offense could not be forgiven. The cousins stripped Logan of the Honor Sword of the House of Yashida and banished him once again from Japan. 


Flash forward to 2000...


Since leaving Japan in disgrace, Logan has gone back to the United State. He wanders from place to place as a ronin, a samurai with no master. This time he doesn't seek answers to his past. Logan seeks redemption for his past mistakes. He helps out where he sees trouble, accepting no money for his services. Still, no matter how much good he does, Logan feels no closer to redeeming himself.

Finally, his chance comes to him in the form of a letter from Charles Xavier. The man who once helped Logan gain some control over his animal insticts, has asked him to return. Xavier has called in his marker. More and more people like Logan, mutants or whatever the current name is, are appearing across the globe. The First International Symposium on Mutant Origins and Issues is slated to gather in early July 2000 at Columbia University in New York. This symposium will be chaired by none other than Charles Francis Xavier himself. There have been reports of threats by both mutants and humans alike. The event is likely to get ugly. Xavier wants Logans protection. He also wants Logan's service after the symposium for something he calls the X-Men. A group of mutants fighting to protect humanity from mutantdom's bad apples and itself. 

Logan made a promise to Xavier and Logan never breaks a promise. Even more than that, this is his chance for redemption.