The Ancient One stood at the center of the Sanctum with one hand raised as golden sparks spiraled around her fingers, slowly forming a circular portal in the air. The Eye of Agamotto was open as the time stone worked it's magic.
Deadpool stood beside Kakashi, watching the glowing gateway with his head tilted. "So, just to clarify," Kakashi said, "we're going backward in time, into another universe, to stop a man called Mr. Sinister from killing Wolverine, thereby saving my universe from collapsing."
The Ancient One nodded calmly. Deadpool looked at Kakashi. "When you say it out loud, this sounds completely insane." Kakashi adjusted his forehead protector. "It is." Deadpool nodded approvingly. "Good. At least we're being honest."
The Ancient One's expression became serious as the portal expanded. "You will be entering the timeline from which your universe diverged. You must be careful. This is not simply a matter of traveling into the past and changing an event."
"Your universe has already suffered significant temporal damage. If you interfere carelessly, you could create another branch instead of restoring the one you came from."
Kakashi nodded. "Then we need to find the exact cause of the divergence."
"Correct," the Ancient One replied. "Your first objective should be identifying the people responsible for Wolverine's death and determining why he was targeted."
Deadpool raised a hand. "And preferably we do this before they kill him." The Ancient One looked at him. "That would be advisable."
Kakashi stepped toward the portal, followed by Deadpool.
The portal closed behind them. Kakashi immediately began studying the surroundings, taking note of the architecture, vehicles, advertisements, and people moving along the street.
Deadpool pulled a newspaper from a nearby trash bin and unfolded it. "Okay, we're definitely in my universe."
He pointed toward the date. "Three years before Logan dies." Kakashi nodded. "Then we have time."
Deadpool looked at him. "Three years?" He folded the newspaper. "That's plenty of time to save Wolverine, destroy a secret genetic empire, defeat Mr. Sinister, and maybe grab lunch."
Kakashi started walking. "We should begin with Wolverine's movements before his death." Deadpool followed. "Fine. But I'm still voting for lunch."
Their first problem was that Wolverine had left very few records of his activities. Logan had never been the sort of man who enjoyed paperwork, and whatever intelligence files existed were heavily restricted.
Instead of searching for him directly, Kakashi suggested they investigate the cases Logan had been involved with before his death.
The pattern gradually began to emerge through old reports concerning missing mutants. Several young mutants had disappeared from different cities over the previous few years, and in each case, Wolverine had apparently become involved at some point before the trail went cold.
Deadpool studied the files they had managed to acquire and frowned beneath his mask. "These aren't random disappearances."
Kakashi nodded. "No. Look at the victims." Each had a different mutation, but every mutation involved some form of enhanced cellular function, unusual regeneration, heightened senses, or accelerated biological adaptation.
"Someone was selecting them," Kakashi said. "Based on their genetics."
Their investigation eventually brought them to a name neither man expected to be so useful: Hank McCoy.
Beast had been quietly investigating the same disappearances for years. Unlike the authorities, Hank had recognized the scientific pattern behind them and had begun tracing the financial networks supporting the laboratories connected to the missing mutants.
Kakashi and Deadpool tracked him to a private research facility, where Hank was surrounded by stacks of scientific papers, biological samples, and several computer screens displaying complicated genetic sequences.
After introducing themselves as investigators and looking for Logan, Hank trusted them enough to rebeka some information.
Hank's expression became serious when Kakashi explained why they were searching for Wolverine. "Logan has been investigating these disappearances as well," Hank said, pulling several files from a cabinet.
"I initially thought he was simply following the same trail I was, but I've since realized he may have been closer to the truth than I was." Kakashi examined the documents.
"What did you find?" Hank activated one of his monitors and displayed several financial records. "The missing mutants all had connections to private medical facilities, research centers, or pharmaceutical programs. Those organizations appear unrelated, but when I traced their funding through shell companies, they all led back to the same organization." A name appeared on the screen.
Essex Foundation.
Deadpool leaned closer. "Essex." Hank nodded. "Nathaniel Essex. A geneticist with a disturbing interest in mutant evolution."
Kakashi's attention sharpened. "What does he want?" Hank shook his head. "That is what I've been trying to determine. But I know what he's been studying."
Hank opened another file. Genetic sequences filled the screen alongside photographs of several mutants. "Essex has been collecting genetic samples from mutants. Not simply studying them, but cataloguing them. Healing factors, heightened senses, telepathy, enhanced strength, cellular regeneration. He appears to believe mutant abilities can be reproduced artificially."
Deadpool looked at Kakashi. "So he's making a mutant cookbook."
Hank then brought up a medical profile that immediately caught Kakashi's attention. It contained information about Wolverine's healing factor, his mutation, and his unique skeletal structure.
"Logan's genetic material has been accessed by Essex," Hank explained. Deadpool's posture changed. "How do you know?"
Hank pointed to the laboratory records. "These experiments specifically reference his regenerative abilities. Essex believes Wolverine's cells may provide the missing component for creating a stable genetic copy of a mutant."
Deadpool stared at the screen. "A clone." Hank nodded. "Among other things. Most of his previous attempts were failures, but Logan's healing factor could potentially allow a clone to survive the genetic manipulation."
Kakashi's expression hardened. "So Wolverine is not simply being hunted." Hank shook his head. "No. He is being studied. His DNA is being treated as a resource."
Kakashi asked, "Where is Essex?" Hank leaned back with a frustrated expression. "I don't know. I've spent months trying to find him. He doesn't operate openly. His laboratories are hidden behind shell companies, his researchers rarely know who ultimately funds them, and whenever I get close to identifying one of his facilities, the entire operation is abandoned. What I know is Logan is not yet in his hands but I also don't know where he is."
Hank added, "But I did identify one of the people working for him." The screen displayed the image of a large, feral-looking mutant with claws.
"Sabretooth. He has been connected to several of the disappearances. He locates mutants, captures them, and delivers them to private facilities. I believe Essex employs him as a field operative."
Kakashi studied the photograph. "Then Creed may know where Essex is operating." Hank nodded.
Deadpool stared at the photograph before looking toward Kakashi. "So we find Sabretooth."
Kakashi nodded. "Yes." Hank stepped forward. "Be careful. Creed is extremely dangerous, and if Essex realizes someone is investigating him, he will erase every trace of his operation."
As Kakashi and Deadpool left the facility, Hank watched them disappear down the street.
-----Author Notes---------
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