The Clawed Heroes: Season Three (MHA X Wolverine)

Chapter Five - Remorse

After what happened in the Gym Gamma, X-23 ran out into the nearby forest. Once she was alone, X-23 drops to her knees and screams at the top of her lungs, not caring whether anyone heard her. After screaming, X-23 looked around at the trees that surrounded her. She then unsheathes her claws and began cutting down the trees, releasing the anger she had been bottling up inside her. For X-23, cutting down those trees was as if she was fighting Daken despite knowing full well that it wasn't the case. As X-23 continued to chop down trees with her claws, the stress of everything that had happened finally took it's toll on X-23 as she dropped to her knees. 

X-23: Why....why.....

As X-23 was overcome with emotions, she could hear footsteps coming nearby. Immediately, she becomes hostile, thinking it was Kirishima. 

X-23: I told you to leave me alone, Eijiro! I want to be left alone! 

To X-23's surprise, it wasn't Kirishima that approached her. Instead, it was Wolverine. Upon seeing her father, X-23 was in a state of shock. 

X-23: D...Dad? What are you doing here?

Wolverine: Aizawa called me. He told me about what happened today. 

As Wolverine said that, X-23 turned her back on her father, ashamed at what had happened. Wolverine simply sighs as he walks up to his daughter and turned her around. 

Wolverine: I don't blame you for what happened. What Akihiro did hurt me too. 

The more Wolverine tried to comfort her, the more X-23 began to feel guilty about everything that had happened. Her mind soon fell to her fight with Daken. As she thought about the fight and how Daken brutally took her down, X-23 broke down in tears. Wolverine hugged his daughter to comfort her. 

Wolverine: It's okay, Laura. It's okay. 

X-23: Why?! Why couldn't I beat him?! Why couldn't I stop him?!

Wolverine: It wasn't your fault, Laura. You couldn't have known about this. 

X-23: But it doesn't change the fact that I failed! I could've stopped him! I wasn't strong enough! I.....I.....

It was clear to Wolverine that X-23 had been bottling up her emotions ever since Daken betrayed them. Wolverine knew exactly how she felt. He looked around to see all the trees X-23 had chopped down. 

Wolverine: I know this thing has been hard on you. I know it feels like everything is falling apart and there's nothing you can do about it. But there is. When you get knocked down, you get back up. 

As Wolverine tried to console his daughter, he thought of all his experiences in his life. He could see that X-23 was going through the same thing he went through many times before. 

Wolverine: You haven't had an easy life, Laura. Despite that, you've stood tall. You want my advice? Fill your heart with better memories. Better actions. Better friends. That's all you can do. That's all any of us can do. You've got people who care about you. That's more than what I got when I was your age. I can't even remember all the good from those days. But that doesn't matter. What does matter is that you've got people who care about you, myself included. Hell, that boyfriend of yours is looking for you as we speak. I picked up his scent not too long ago. I'm sure you did too. 

As Wolverine said this, Kirishima had finally reached Wolverine and X-23. 

Kirishima: Laura! 

As Kirishima ran up to X-23, he hugged her without hesitation. Wolverine smiled at this display, feeling pride that his daughter found someone who truly precious to her. 

Wolverine: I'll leave you two lovebirds alone. Kirishima, take care of Laura. 

X-23: Dad? 

Wolverine: I've got some business to take care of. But when you feel ready, we'll continue this talk. In the meantime, take this time to cool down. Don't rush things, Laura. 

X-23: I...I will. Thank you, Dad. 

Wolverine then hugged his daughter. Wolverine then left X-23 and Kirishima alone. After that, Kirishima spoke with X-23. 

Kirishima: I'm so glad I found you, Laura! I was real worried about you!

X-23: You were worried about me? After what I did? 

Kirishima: Of course I was! Why wouldn't that be? You're my girlfriend! I'll always have your back!

As Kirishima said this, X-23 was in shock that Kirishima was still supportive of her despite her recent actions. With tears in her eyes, she hugged Kirishima. 

X-23: T...thank you, Eijiro. Thank you for everything. 

Kirishima: We should head back. The others are probably worried.

With that, X-23 took a deep breath and followed Kirishima back to the Dorms. There, Class 1-A expressed relief that X-23 was well as well as concern for her well being. In that moment, X-23 felt the pressure she had put on herself being lifted. When night came, everyone decided to rest for the night, preparing themselves for whatever tomorrow would bring. Meanwhile in the city of Musutafu in a dark alleyway, Daken had just slaughtered a group of thugs. He looks to see one of the thugs attempting to crawl away. Daken was quick to spot the thug and stops him. 

Thug: W...why....are you doing this? We...we did what your boss asked us to do....

Daken: To send a message. Romulus sends his regards. 

Without hesitation, Daken finishes off the thug by thrusting his claws into the thug's skull. After that, he paints a message on the wall of the alleyway with the blood of the thugs. After writing the message, he walks out of the alleyway, satisfied with the message he sent for all the Pro Heroes to see.