[Osaka, Japan. The Hand Compound. Logan stands amidst nearly one hundred ninja assassins while Jubilee is visible though a glass wall on the upper levels. She is securely manacled and has two Hand ninjas training guns on her.]

Logan: And so Tsurayaba plays his "Hand." Jubilee trapped with some killers just waiting to mow her down and the canucklehead with a belly fulla anger and no chance of release. Yet. Looks like the ball's in your court, scum.

Tsurayaba: Ball's in your court ... Ha, ha! ... Little man, how I do love your inane colloquillisms ... I have one for you ... Do you feel as though you're in between a rock and a hard place?

Tetsuo: Ha, ha, ha ... quite good, Master ... ha, ha, ha!

Logan: You'll be laughin outta a different orifice when I'm through with you, Toadie.

Tsurayaba: Now, now, Logan ... we do have our own, if you'll allow another western phrase, trump card.

Logan: Again my eyes drift to the chamber above this looney big top. Jubilation. It shames me that I forgot her for a second. It's just when I see this one-eyed snake, I can't help thinkin about how he took Mariko away from me when we finally had a chance to be happy. I owe him for a life lost. The greatest life. Looks like takin you apart one lousy piece at a time wasn't good enough for you. My mistake, your funeral ... cyclops.

Tsurayaba: You--!! ... Yes, you have exacted a small measure of revenge for the Yashida cow. My revenge upon you shall far sweeter and lasting, dwarf.

Logan: Whaddaya want, Tsurayaba??

Tsurayaba: Want? Simply for the sufferrings visited upon me to greet you a thousandfold.

Logan: Then leave the kid outta it! This is between you and me.

Tsurayaba: No, Logan, the "kid" is most definitely "in it."

Logan: Name your price.

{Tsurayaba makes a grand sweeping gesture toward a previously darkened area of the large chamber, now illuminated brilliantly by blinding kleig lights.}

Logan: No ...

{Logan had regained a measure of his humanity through a near death encounter with Magneto, the master of magnetism. Magnus had torn the adamantium from Wolverine's body on a molecular level. Logan had learned to rely on himself and his instincts to overcome challenges that forged his new humanity. Now, staring at him is the very machine that made him more than mutant, less than man. The adamantium-bonding tanks.}

Logan: How ...?

Tsurayaba: How is unimportant, save for a mention of the late mutant known as Genesis and a dead zone known as--

Logan: Akaba.

{High above, Jubilee looks down helplessly on the man who has become more than a father to her. Guilty in the knowledge that it was her that brought him to this.}

Jubilee: Noooo!!! I know what that thing is! I won't let you do it to him again! Not for me!

Logan: Jubes is kickin up one helluva fuss. Can't hear what she's sayin but I catch the drift of it. She saw this iron maiden at Department H a few years ago. The tanks. Now why would you want me super-charged and near-indestructable again?

Tsurayaba: To finish what we started in Hong Kong with that fool the Mandarin.

Logan: Make me the Hand's master assasin? I fried your last telepath and nearly did Psylocke in the bargain. Unless you have Charlie Xavier workin for you, don't bet on turnin me, bub.

Tsurayaba: Ah, but you were unwilling.

Logan: Bub, I ain't never gonna be willing.

Tsurayaba: Won't you? [Tsurayaba casts a hand toward Jubilee, powerless, guns trained upon her.]

[Madripoor, The Princess Bar. Four shadowy figures emerge from the night into a busy bar.]

{Jean Grey, Scott Summers, Hank McCoy, and a striking woman known only as Rogue enter the haunt their friend has made a home away from their Westchester home. These X-Men always wondered what could make Logan want to spend time away from their hearth and hearts. That place suckled Logan's need for calm. This place represents his wild side.}

Rose Yu: Jean?

Jean Grey: Excuse me?

O'Donnel: Well, Logan sure wasn't lying. Your picture doesn't do you justice, lovely lady.

[O'Donnel attempts to kiss Jean's hand when Archie Corrigan puts a firm hand on his shoulder.]

Corrigan: Careful, O'Donel. I know the guy with her and believe me, an eyeful of her gets you an eyeful of him. Hello, Jean, Scott.

Cyclops: Archie Corrigan! Did you ever get a replacement plane for the one you lost with us in Scotland?

Corrigan: The check from Xavier was put to good use, Scott.

Jean Grey: This is Rogue and Dr. Henry McCoy.

O'Donnel: Doc. Well, pretty lady, the name's O'Donnel and if Jean is spoken for then--

Rogue: Then ah'd suggest y'all keep your lips to yourself, Mr. O'Donnel.

Beast: I'd listen to her, Mr. O'Donnel. Her kiss can make a man ... forget himself.

O'Donnel: I ... see.

Rose Yu: Looking for a certain "wild man from the Yukon?"

Jean Grey: Yes, he called us about--

Tiger Tyger: I might have a clue about why he called you.

Jean Grey: Who?

Rogue: Hey, you're--

Tiger Tyger: Tiger Tyger now, Rogue. And you must be Jean Grey. You are as fetching as Logan described.

Cyclops: Ahem, yes. Ms. Tyger? You said you might help us find Logan?

Tiger Tyger: Find, I cannot. But, Mr. Summers, I will direct you to one that I believe knows.

[Tiger Tyger points toward Zoe Culloden, the belle du jour of the Princess Bar, surrounded by admirers.]

Jean Grey: Culloden!

{Jean Grey abruptly stalks across the bar in a designer Chanel dress that is decidedly out of place in this setting. She cuts a swath through Zoe Culloden's admirer's, grasping the Expeditor around the collar.}

Jean Grey: Culloden, I knew you weren't looking out for Logan! Where is he?

Zoe Culloden: Grey! And the X-Men! Blast, this was sooner than I'd expected! Have to phase out of here and regroup.

Jean Grey: Can't move, Culloden? Can't traipse out of here with your teleportation devices, as you have before? You're dealing with a telepath, witch. And you're going to tell us what's happenned to Logan.

Zoe Culloden: You ... uhhh ... can't ... uhhh-h ... honestly believe ... I'm not prepared for your telepathic ... attacks?

Jean Grey: I've brought friends.

[Cyclops, Beast and Rogue form around Culloden.]

Zoe Culloden: I've read your ... dossier ... X-Men. You ... haven't got ... the guts.

Jean Grey: Oh, Culloden ... you'd be surprised how much "guts" we've got when it comes to Logan.

[Osaka, Japan. The hand Complex.]

Logan: I could tell you how little I want to endure this process again. I could tell you what it feels like to be reconstructed on a skeletal molecular level. I could tell you how it feels to have your mind fractured into shards of glass, knowing what's happennin and not bein able to do a damn thing about it. I could tell you all these things and tell you why Tsurayaba can't control me. I can't tell you how much I care about Jubilation Lee.

{In a shocking effort of resignation, Logan sheathes his claws and holds out his arms in submission. They are encased in vibranium manacles, secure enough to withstand his claws. And all hope dies. And Jubilation Lee feels, smells the tangible, odious scent of Matsuo Tsurayaba's victory.}

Jubilee: No. It's over.

Tetsuo: All is in readiness, master.

Tsurayaba: Excellent! Lead the gaijin dog to the chamber.

Logan: And the kid walks, right Tsurayaba?

Tsurayaba: I am many things, Logan. I am not a liar.

Logan: No. And you're not long for this mortal coil, either.