(1st story)
Bound to a tree out in the middle of nowhere, Logan asks where they are. How long have they been gone? How long has he been tied up to this thing? Flesh and muscle are almost all healed up. No glint of bone showing through. Terrific. Just gives them more to come and pick at. This mutant healing factor can be a real pain sometimes. Here they come again. He can hear their greasy little wings flappin’, beaks ready to pick him clean down to the bone. He then calls out to the oncoming crows to come on birdies, it’s time for lunch. Today’s special – Wolverine surprise.
As they begin to peck away at him, Logan says there they go. Keep picking away till there’s nothin’ left but his gleamin’ adamantium bones. Then the healing factor kicks in, and dinner will be served. How long has this been going on? His head is so foggy he doesn’t even remember who tied him up there. Well, it’s going to stop now. With that, Logan pops his claws and frees himself from his bonds. As he does, he remarks that the crows ain’t real, the pain ain’t real. He’s lived through plenty enough real pain to know the difference. None of this is real. It’s all in his head, a nightmare.
When Logan calls out to for Professor Charles Xavier, he tells him that he’s right there. He proceeds to tell Logan that he’s out of it now, he can relax. Lying in his bed, Logan tells Xavier that it’s the same one every night for the past week. They’re getting worse. It’s Nightmare, he knows it. He wants something from him. He’s goin’ to keep tearin’ at him till he gets it. He’s got to fight him, but how does he fight somethin’ taking place in his mind?
When Xavier tells him it’s not in his mind, Logan asks what he is talking about. Xavier confirms that it is Nightmare, but he’s stepping outside of his realm. He’s confronting him on a separate astral plane and is pulling him there with him. Logan asks why and Xavier answers that he doesn’t know. Logan then asks if he can help fight him, to which Xavier replies possibly. But the risks… Logan cuts him off and tells him not to talk to him about the risks. He wants him out of his head. Xavier says they’ll begin but remember, he will not be able to guide him. He can only give him substance on the astral plane. Nightmare will have more control. Logan tells him just let him get his hands on him and he’ll do the rest.
In short time, Logan finds himself on the astral plane. Looking around, Logan remarks nice going Professor. No bonds, no flesh-eating birds, just him and a big, overgrown jungle. Just like the good ol’ days. Now to hunt him a Nightmare.
Just then, Nightmare tells Wolverine very impressive. He should have expected him to try and fight back but he will not be daunted. His mind holds the potential key he has been seeking for such a long time. So come along, and fight if he wishes. But the jungle holds surprises for him. Others minds are open to him. Another awaits him. A mind full of fertile, alien dreams. A powerful weapon to be used against him.
Calling out Nightmare, Logan asks if that’s him. He tells him to stop clawing at his brain with his cackling. Let’s do it one on one. Sniffing the air, Logan asks Nightmare if that’s him. Did he decide to face him after all? Looking up, Wolverine spies not Nightmare… but Venom, who cackles down through razor teeth. Oh no, not Nightmare, Venom replies, but stand in their way and Venom will feast on Wolverine’s entrails.
