[Xavier Institute, Westchester, New York]

[Logan is in a sweater and jeans walking with books across the campus. He's somewhat younger, almost a teenager.]

Logan: It's a few years back. School. Naturally I stick out like a sore thumb when I'm only tryin to fit in, make friends.

[Teen versions of Scott Summers, Warren Worthington III, Henry McCoy, and Bobby Drake, clad in letterman jackets with an "X" stitched on them, approach the young Logan.]

Warren: Well, well, lookee what we got here. The hairy midget who thinks he can make the team.

Bobby: Not that being hairy's such a bad thing, huh, Hank.

Hank: Undoubtedly, Robert. But it looks so much better on me.

Warren: Think he has a chance of making the squad, Slim?

Scott: Warren, we all know I have the old man's ear and there is no way a roughneck loner like him will ever make it on our team.

Logan: That's not true! The coach asked me to join!

Bobby: Yeah, we had some injuries. You're sort of like a "replacement player." Well, the strike's over, short stuff.

Logan: You're wrong! I can be an asset to the team!

Scott: Sorry, ugly. Not gonna happen.

Warren: Face it, hairball, you just don't belong.

Logan: They wouldn't let me in their boys clique. Never. I was just as popular with the ladies.

[Jean Grey, Ororo Munroe, Elizabeth Braddock and Rogue, in cheerleader outfits, saunter by a daydreaming young Logan.]

Jean Grey: Oooo, look, 'Ro, it's that dreamy starter wannabe Logan.

Ororo: Too short for me.

Elizabeth: But you've got to loooove the hair.

[The four girls walk away laughing, except for Rogue, who appears sad and casts a glance back toward Logan.]

Logan: I don't get it. I came to school the same time as a bunch of other guys who were accepted right away.

[In a grove on the school grounds, a picnic takes place, with Piotor Rasputin, Kurt Wagner and Sean Cassidy joining in the festivities with the aforementioned "in crowd."]

Logan: Maybe they're right. Maybe I never belonged with people like these.

[From behind a tree, Remy LeBeau motions to Logan.]

Remy: Hey, Mes Amis. Over here.

Logan: Huh?

Remy: Let's ditch these squares, score some smokes and brew and head down to this Club Madripoor I been hearin so much about.

Logan: That sounds good, I'll—Nah, I wanna try and make a go of it here. You know, fit in.

Remy: Fittin in for squares, man. You can only be who you are, non?

Logan: The guy who recruited me to this school turned out even worse than my classmates. He specialized in private torture and public humiliation.

[Charles Xavier has his students gathered in an auditorium and he sits at a desk on a stage.]

Xavier: And now for our student of the week, Logan!

Logan: Huh? Me??

[Logan walks to the stage amidst cheers from the audience.]

Xavier: And why not YOU, Logan? After all, you are the best at what you do!

Logan: Yeah, hey, Prof you're right! Wait a minute, what was it I was best at again?

Xavier: Why my dear Logan, you are best at failing! Failing to make the team, failing to make the grade, failing to ever fit in with good people like these!

[The X audience laughs and jeers at the young Logan. Never before has the loner felt so alone. Logan runs outside, Rogue starts after him but receives chastising glances from her fellows in the "in" crowd. She decides to stay in the auditorium.]

Logan: I'll never fit in anywhere. I'll walk alone forever. No friends, no love-

Jean Grey: Logan?

Logan: Jean?!?

Jean Grey: I think it's awful how they treat you. I want you to know you're very special to me.

Logan: Really?? Jean, that's great! I've wanted to tell you the same thing for so long!

Jean Grey: Tell me Logan! Tell me!

Logan: You mean so much to me! From the first day I met you I knew we were meant for each other! I- huh? Don't ask me how, but for as long as I can remember, I could hear better than anyone else. What I heard now was the reverb of my own words in the auditorium. Microphone?

Jean Grey: Ha! Ha! Ha! You can come out now guys, the dwarf's onto us!

[The auditorium empties outside, with the students having a hearty laugh at their classmate's expense.]

Logan: YOU! All of you! You can't do this to me! I'm the best there is at what I do!

Matsuo Tsurayaba: Let us go.

Logan: Huh? Who are you?

Matsuo: Someone who too knew very well the role of the outsider. I have also been friendless. Perhaps now the two of us can find our way.

Logan: It's got possibilities. Okay, I'm in. First let me take care of some unfinished business.

[Logan walks over to the dumbstruck Xavier students and stands face to face with Slim Summers. He gutpunches Summers, who crumples in a heap while the others rush to his aid.]

Logan: Who needs your stinkin team, baldy. I got me a partner and nothing's gonna stand in our way.

[The inside of The Hand complex. Logan leans on a desk smoking a cigar.]

Logan: And that, Tetsuo, is how I met my best friend and boss, Matta.

Tetsuo: A great story, Logan-san. The two of you have benefitted through your allegiance.

Logan: Yeah, Tesuo, he's been a friend. Best friend anyone could have.

Matsuo: Ah, Logan, my ears are burning.

Logan: Hey, pal. What's the word.

Matsuo: I'm afraid we have company. Old acquaintances of yours. The X-Men.

Logan: Bring 'em on. Ain't nothin the two of us can't face.

Matsuo: Excellent, old friend! I will ready our forces! Once more into the breach ...

[Matsuo leaves.]

Tetsuo: It seems close friends like you and the master would do anything for each other.

Logan: Well, Tetsuo, when it comes to him, I'll do whatever I gotta do.