You could see something deep within yourself. Something dark and looming.

You could hear a whisper. It was low and hoarse.

You could feel a chill. It came from underneath your skin.

You tasted blood. It was not your own.

You could smell smoke. It never really left your nose.

You knew there was something wrong with you. Even though you escaped Apocalypse's destruction of your world and came to this one, you could still see, feel, smell, taste, and hear everything from that day.

Your name is Y/N L/N. Your field name is Tag. You have the ability to copy other powers with just a touch. By doing so, you also get all the memories if the one you "tagged".

You and your team traveled to this world after yours was destroyed by a great force known as Apocalypse. You found the X-Men of this world and joined them to pick up where you had left off.

You fought a few bad guys here and there. The Brotherhood of Mutants was rough. You got a girlfriend, Laura, and you even met another you.

But in the end, you're still the same scared kid.

So you decided to do something about it. You started to search for something after being placed on trial for your so called "crimes".

You followed a trail of clues with another mutant known as Sage. Granted, you had to "leave" the X-Men. Only a few knew the truth.

You needed to find who was running Shadow-X. Who the traitor among the X-Men was.

But you finally found the truth. And now, you were ready to go back to Xavier's School for the Gifted.

You were ready to go home.

X-Men:
Season 3

Y/N: Looks like New York hasn't changed much.

You leaned back in the backseat of Domino's car. Sage was in the front and Domino was driving.

You were finally heading back to the mansion for the first time in months. You were so excited to see everyone.

Well, almost everyone.

But you were excited to see one person in particular. Your mind was on Laura.

You couldn't believe how long you've been together. A whole year. You had never had a relationship like this.

How funny that you had been hung up on Jean for so long.

But you could say with certainty that you did love Laura.

You couldn't wait to see her.
-------------
The first thing you learn is how to be alone. You learn, or suffer. It is an easy lesson. You suffer more when people are around.

People make you feel alone. And loneliness is a quiet wound.

Laura thought this as she walked along a deserted road along Interstate 80. She held her bag to herself while her mind wondered.

She had left the mansion just a few days ago. She couldn't just wait for you to come back. She felt awful for leaving a note behind, but she thought you would be better off if she was just gone.

You had enough on your plate. You didn't need some broken person dragging you down.

She heard a vehicle driving up behind her. It slowed to a stop and the window rolled down to reveal a nice looking man. He offered a kind smile.

Man: Excuse me, miss. Do you need a ride? The temperature is rising and it heading towards town. I can give you a lift.

Laura didn't sense any malice on the man. She didn't smell booze or drugs or sex. He was being honest. So she got in.

Man: Where you heading?

Laura just sighed.

Laura: Away.

The man nodded and started to drive away. As he did, Laura hugged her bag and allowed herself a moment to rest.

Man: Day like this, you try to walk the road, the road'll walk all over you. Burn your feet, burn your bones. Cook a grown man just looking at it. And you're only a young thing.

Laura knew. She had felt the heat all day. It was starting to bother her and the A/C in the car offered some comfort.

Man: You have a boyfriend?

Laura gave the man a look. She said nothing and looked out the window.

Man: Right. Nevermind. None of my business. But I see girls like you all the time. Runners. Running away from boyfriends. Bad families. Got a niece, maybe your age, always told her it was better to stay and fight your problems. Gotta outlive the hard times. Make better what you got. Running never solves anything.

Laura: I'm not running.

Was she?

No. No. She was making a choice.

A choice to let you all live good lives without her.
-------------
Domino: Get out of my car.

You jerked awake when the car suddenly came to a stop. You sat up and looked around before you realized that you were back at the mansion.

Sage and Domino opened their doors, but you just hopped over the door of the convertible. You hurried up the steps as some of the students began to notice you.

Some called out to you, but you had someone you needed to see.

You ran through the familiar halls to get to your room. You were sure Laura would be there. Sitting on the bed, reading some weird book full of Gothic poems.

As you ran towards your room, Bobby stepped out of his. He let out a sigh before he saw you. His eyes grew wide as he went to greet you, but you just hurried pass him.

Y/N: HeyBobbynicetoseeyoubutigottafindLaurabye!

Bobby watched you race down the hall. He then realized what you had said.

Bobby: Oh, crap!

Bobby changed into his ice form and quickly tried to race you down the hall. But he was too late.

You got to your room, wide smile, and opened the door.

But you found that smile suddenly gone. The room before you was empty. No bed, no posters, nothing.

No Laura.

Bobby finally caught up and slowed down when he saw your face. He slowly began to reach out, but you just looked to him.

Y/N: Where's Laura?

Bobby: Y/N, look, I....

You didn't wait for his answer. You just pushed past him and headed for the Xavier's office.

When you got there, you pushed the doors open, only to find everyone there. All eyes suddenly landed on you as you entered the room.

Scott: Y/N?

Emma: What are you....

Y/N: What the hell is going on?

Xavier and Emma were just as surpised to see you as the others were. However, it was for a different reason. They weren't expecting you to be so early in the day.

Xavier: Y/N, my boy. I'm glad that you're back...

Y/N: Where's my stuff? Why is my room empty?

Emma: We had to move it to storage.

Warren: Why are you not surpised that he's here right now? He's been gone for months.

Jean: Where have you been?

You finally stopped for a moment and looked around the room. Your team, Rouge's team, and even Betsy and Rachel were here. You took a second to calm down and collect yourself.

Y/N: Uh, hey, everyone. I'm back. Yeah. I'll explain everything in a bit but....

You looked around the room and realized that someone was missing.

Y/N: Where's Laura?

Everyone looked at each other in silence. You noticed that they all looked nervous. Like they didn't want to say something.

Xavier: Y/N, while you were gone, something....

Logan: She left.

You all turned around to the door where Logan was standing. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a letter. He then handed it out towards you.

You looked at it for a moment before you took it. You opened it and read what it said.

Don't look for me.
Please.
This is better for both of us.
I'm only a burden.
-Laura

You read it again and again. A burden? What did she mean? She has never once be a burden to you.

She left?

You slowly lowered the letter and looked to Emma. Out of everyone, she knew the best. You finally clenched your hand and took a deep breath.

You'll have to deal with that later. For now....

Y/N: I have my report.

Rouge: Report? What report?

Jubilee: Wait, were you on a mission this whole time?

You nodded. This came as a surpise to your team. Well, maybe they weren't your team anymore.

Hank: Why didn't you say anything?

Y/N: Because.....one of us is a traitor. And I know who.

Wanda: A traitor? What does that mean?

Storm: I means that there is a greater force at work. One that we've known of for years now.

Betsy: Shadow-X? I thought that was just a rumor.

You shook your head.

Y/N: No. I've been tracking them for the last few months. Someone has been feeding them information.

Scott: That can wait. Right now, we need to know who the traitor is. You said you knew?

You nodded.

However, before you could say anything, there was a commotion outside. You all looked over to the window where you saw a bright red light dance around unseen figures.

Not just any figures, either.

Standing there were three of the five masterminds who had made your life a living hell since you got here.

The ones who planted Mister Sinister in the Savage Land. The one you killed and believed to be the real one.

The ones who placed Lady Mastermind in power at that small town to move their weapons.

The ones who sent the Brotherhood to attack the Manor to weaken you all.

Rouge: Shit.

Y/N: Everyone, to the courtyard!

Everyone followed your order without hesitantion. And once you reached the courtyard, you came face to face with three leaders of Shadow-X.

Scott: Hello, Y/N. It's odd to see you so young.

Scott quickly stopped when he saw a much older version of himself. His eyes grew wide behind his visor when he realized that his enemy was himself.

And he wasn't the only one.

Emma: Oh, dear. Why are you wearing that outfit?

You looked back to your Emma who was in shock. She almost couldn't believe it.

You looked to the others, but you saw Rouge staring at the third leader.

Magneto.

Magneto: Hello again, dear children.

You clenched your fists as you turned back to the four Mutants.

Yes.

Four.

???: Can we hurry this up? I have stuff I want to do.

Magik. A Russian mutant who was once a part of the X-Force. She still had a brother on the team. She up and vanished a few months after this world's you died.

Cyclops: I'm not here to fight. We're not here to fight anyone. Especially not fellow Mutants. We are here to clear the air as best we can and to make you an offer.

Rouge: Scott Summers, you are out of your mind!

Scott flinched.

Scott: It's hard not to take that personally.

Rouge: I meant that one over there.

Scott: I know, but still....

Cyclops: And my offer is this.....

You all looked back to the four Mutants.

Y/N: If it involves you standing trial for the murders of Y/N L/N, Bobby Drake, and Jean Grey, we accept.

Everyone looked at you in shock. You just gestured for them to hold it for a bit longer.

Cyclops: We all have sins to atone for, Y/N.

Y/N: But only one of us murdered his friends. His family.

Cyclops sighed. He then nodded his head. He placed his hands on his hips and looked at you.

Cyclops: Yes. I did. But do you think that's exactly what happened? Do you think that I set out to murder my best friend and my wife? The man who picked me out of the gutter and taught me everything I know. The woman who gave my life purpose and meaning beyond anything I though I would have?

Scott was hit by his words. Maybe it was because of it was his own mouth? Maybe it was because he didn't know what he meant.

This world's Scott had a hand in the death of this world's you?

Y/N: Alright. Enough talk.

You popped out your claws, surprising everyone when they saw that they were now metal, and approched the four Mutants.

Cyclops simply took a step towards you.

You held up your claws and pointed them at him.

Y/N: Just take your fucking traitor and go.

Cyclops shook his head.

Cyclops: I wish you wouldn't refer to him like that. He is your friend....

Y/N: He's your puppet. Hurry up. Take Warren and get the hell out of here.

Everyone looked to Warren. He took a deep breath and simply walked over towards the others. When he passed you, you exchanged glances.

He finally joined the others while you dropped your arm.

Cyclops just reached into his pocket and looked to the others.

Cyclops: We opened a school.

Frost: We're accepting applications now.

Rouge: You've got to be kidding me!

Cyclops: You do good work here, Rouge. You all do. But we're days, weeks, months away from a push-back on our people and we have to be ready. Everyone here has a choice. Even if you don't join us, just know that this school is under our protection.

While you stood firm, you could tell that the others were effected from his words.

Scott always did have that effect on people.

Cyclops: We tried hiding in plain sight. We tried everything but letting them know what we really are. What Xavier trained us to be...

Y/N: What is that, Scott?

Cyclops looked to the younger you and smiled.

Cyclops: Warriors. Who will do anything for what we believe is right. And aren't you the poster boy for that, Y/N?

Y/N: Really?

Cyclops: You're not? You're always do what you think is right. No matter what the cost. We are fighters. Since we were kids, we fought with everything we have. And I say that we remember that and we take this huge second chance our people have been given and we fight for our right for all of us to live in this world because if we don't....who will?

He began to walk over to the his team while you all watched.

Cyclops: I know my words may seem scary, and that seeing me with Magneto might be weird, but I've learned through experience. The world won't help us. And we can't trust Xavier. If you don't believe me, then ask him how the Phoenix ended up here in the first place.

They were suddenly surrounded by the same red energy as before. You and Cyclops shared one more look, then he threw something towards you.

They were gone in an instant.

While the others were still reeling, you looked down at your feet. Sitting in the grass was your old hat.

You reached down and picked it up.

Scott: What did he mean by that? What the hell is the Phoenix?

Everyone looked to you. You slowly turned around, and shook your head.

Y/N: I have no idea.

Worst welcoming party ever.
------------
Laura waved to her new friend as he drove away with a smile. He was actually quite pleasant company to keep during that long drive.

The sun had begun to set and Laura was hungry, so she had him drop her off at a roadside diner. It wasn't the food she had grown used to in the mansion, but she's had much worse.

She began to head inside when she walked past a car where another man was leaning. He wore a pair of very dark sunglasses and had on a white suit. He seemed to watch her as he smoked a cigarette.

He tossed it down as Laura walked past a blonde girl who wore a hoodie. She was talking on a payphone. She sounded....broken.

Laura decided against checking in her. She wasn't her problem. She had her own thing to do.

Laura entered the diner and found herself a booth. She had ordered a cup of coffee just to start out. Maybe she would get a burger.

While she waited, someone entered the diner. It was the girl from outside.

She spotted Laura and made her way over.

Girl: Excuse me, but can I sit here?

Laura didn't say anything. She just gestured for her to sit down. The girl smiled and took a seat across from her.

Laura could see that she had a black eye.

She ended up getting her a burger too.

While she watched the girl eat, she thought back on the first time she had actual food instead of what she was fed by the Weapon X program.

Girl: Thanks for this. My name is Alice.

Laura: Laura.

Alice: Laura. That's a cool name. I read a book once about this kid who lived during the pioneer days. His sister's name was Laura.

She took another bite of the burger. Laura noticed that she was eating like she hadn't ate anything in weeks. She looked worse for wear as well.

Alice: You traveling? Cause I am. Seeing the world. But I don't have a car. I've been hitching. It's....easier for girls. Do you have a car?

Laura: No. Who hit you?

Alice was caught off guard by the sudden blunt question. She just pulled her hood down a bit lower.

Alice: No one.

Laura: But you want something from me.

Alice: N-Nothing.

Laura: You want something.

Alice: No.

Laura: If you're traveling, where's your things?

Alice: I...

Laura: Who's the man in the car? The one who's been watching us?

She had noticed that the man in the white suit had been sitting in his car. He had been keeping his eyes on them from the parking lot.

Alice: How...how did you...

Laura: I think he sent you in here to talk to me.

Alice shook her head.

Alice: No. You're crazy.

Laura: You smell like him. Like sex and drugs. He's your pimp.

Alice: You're a freak.

Laura tried to reach across the table, trying to maybe help her in some way, but Alice just got up.

Laura saw herself in the young girl. She had a pimp once as well. She knew what she was going through. And this Alice girl definitely didn't have a healing factor to get through it.

Alice hurried out of the diner, leaving Laura all alone. She formed a fist and tapped the table.

She then got up and slapped the money in the table.

She hurried outside just as the man peeled out of the parking lot. Laura simply gave chase on foot.

She wasn't as fast as the car was, but she had a smell to track.
--------------
You tapped your foot as you sat with everyone in the lounge. All the students had the rest of the day off, though they were restricted to the confindes of the mansion.

Most just stayed in their rooms after word got out of the Shadow-X team showing up. Everyone was still pretty rattled by what had happened.

Jean: I couldn't read their minds.

Kitty: Well, Magneto's helmet does prevent that. Maybe they're all outfitted with similar stuff?

Logan: We could've had their base of operations just like that.

Jean looked over to where you were sitting. Even after months of chasing leads, you never did find out where their main base was.

They had hid it so well. You had tried to get the information out of someone, but it was hopeless.

They worked under a need to know bases. None of the grunts knew.

Hank: I must say, Scott Summers seems genuinely disappointed in all of you as you are with him.

Bobby: I noticed that too.

Emma: Do you think that any of the students will join him?

Rouge: The Stepford sisters for sure. Emma is their mom, after all.

You all looked to Emma in surpise. Her cheeks just grew a bright red.

Betsy: They're clones. But they do see you as a mother.

Emma: Oh, dear God.

Ahe seemed relived. But that only brought up a new question.

Rachel: My dad's been alive this whole time?

For that, everyone looked to you.

You let out a sigh and turned to everyone.

Y/N: I don't entirely get it, but yes. The last mission this world's us ran did end in the death of some of us. The only survivors were Scott, Emma, and one other person. I couldn't find out who. But what I did gather is that this third member is being held against their will.

Bobby: So it could be any one of us?

Hank: Sabertooth stated that he killed Warren.

Jean: Yeah. They also claimed that everyone else died, so...

She had a point. It really could be anyone else.

Storm: Under normal circumstances, this would be a wonderful opportunity.

Logan: Send one of the students in undercover.

Wanda: But Emma is one of the strongest telepaths on the planet.

Storm: I said under normal circumstances.

Bobby: Since when are we under "normal circumstances"?

All: Never.

Bobby: I rest my case.

Rouge: Whoever chooses to go, we can't stop. Everyone has to follow their own paths.

Scott: So, where the hell have you been?

You looked up at Scott. You just waved your hand around. You were too tired to try and make some kind of remark.

Y/N: Around. Sorry that I had to go all.....black ops. Xavier figured it was best if no one know what I was really up to. The only ones who did know were Emma and Laura. Emma because I had been inside of her head enough to know she wasn't the traitor, and Laura because.....

Everyone watched as you lowered your head again.

Y/N: I trusted her more than I should have.

Scott stared at you for a moment. He then nodded and gently kicked your foot.

Scott: You can sleep in my room until we get your stuff back into yours. You should get some rest.

Sage: I agree.

You all turned to the door to find Domino and Sage standing there. They had given the full report to Xavier on your behalf.

Sage: Sleep. In the morning, we have work to do. I'll try to see if I can get into some files to find out where Shadow-X is.

Domino: And I'll stay with her and see if I can stumble upon something.

Y/N: Thanks.

Hank: And who are these two?

Y/N: Oh, uh, everybody, this is Sage and Domino. Ladies, these, are the X-Men.

The two greeted everyone as you stood in the back of the room. You watched everyone start to interact with each other before you reached into your coat pocket.

You pulled you your old hat and stared at it for a moment.

The ball cap on your head a bit too big for you so you had to wear it backwards but you didn't mind. You were going to be like your dad soon enough.

You simply fixed it, and placed it ontop of your head. As you did, everyone watched.

You slowly lifted your head, and smiled.

Y/N: Alright. Looks like we're going to be having some fun this year.

Bobby: Yeah. Oh!

You looked to Bobby in surpise.

Bobby: I totally forgot! We found someone that you might want to meet!

You tilted your head confused.
-----------
Y/N: What the hell?

You looked at the girl who was laying on the medical bed before you.

She looked like she could be your sister.

Scott: I found her when I was training. She just sort of....showed up.

You then looked at the costume that was folded neatly by the bed. It was blue with what looked to be a black web like design on it. In the center of the chest was a spider logo.

Y/N: Hm. Okay, then.

You then looked back to the girl*. Who was she?

(*Hmmmm? Perhaps you should read The New Spider-Man to find out)
------------
Laura finally found the car that the man in white had been driving. The doors were open, a beeping sound echoing from the car, and the headlights were shining in the dark.

Laura could smell blood.

She quickly made her way to where the smell was the strongest, only to find the man hunched over Alice.

Man: You don't say no! You don't say no to anyone! You do your job!

Every sentence was finished with a blow to the young girl under him. However, Laura could tell that Alice was no longer moving.

She felt an anger boil inside of her. She clenched her fists, two metal claws appearing between her knuckles.

The man had heard her. He turned around and reached into his jackets pocket and pulled out a pistol. He took aim, but every bullet simply served to annoy Laura further.

Before long, he was without a head.

The body fell to the ground next to Alice's. Laura looked to the girl, and closed her eyes.

Digging the grave took longer than she would've liked. Her hands had blistered, bleed, healed, and repeated. But she couldn't just leave Alice's body here to rot in the desert sun or to be picked clean by the vultures.

However, Laura picked up a scent. A familiar one.

Laura: You.

She looked over her shoulder to find a man standing there.

Laura: Gambit. How did you find me?

Gambit looked to the two bodies.

Gambit: Doesn't matter now. How much of this blood is yours, petite?

Laura rose to her feet.

Laura: Some. Not enough. I didn't kill the girl.

Gambit: Didn't think you did. I stopped at a restaurant near here. The waitress recognized your photo. Said a girl wit a black eye had been talkin' to you an' got upset. Ran out crying. Drove away wit a man.

Laura: Her pimp.

Gambit sighed.

Gambit: Always hated that word.

Gambit kneeled down and began to search the man.

Laura: She was trapped. If I killed him sooner than....she would still be alive.

Gambit: That's bleak.

Laura: That's the truth. And what are you doing anyway?

Gambit: Being nosey. And lookin' for trouble.

Gambit pulled something free from the man's pocket. He unfolded the paper and looked at it. He then showed it to Laura.

It was a picture of her.

Laura: Why me?

Gambit shrugged as he folded the picture and stuffed it into his own pocket. It would be bad to leave it here.

Gambit: I don't know. But a dead man wit your picture in your pocket, who killed a girl sent to talk to you?

Laura: It's confusing.

Gambit nodded in agreement.

Gambit: I don't like it. Come on. We out of here.

While Gambit walked towards the bike he came on, Laura looked at the grave she had dug. She didn't want to just leave Alice like that.

Gambit stopped and looked back. He then shook his head before he walked back.

Gambit: We should bury her. Once we do, let's get going.

Laura nodded and began to do so.

What a horrible way to start an adventure, huh?

Season 3 is here!!!!!

And it's only going to get more depressing!!!!!

Whoooooo!!!