When Reverie woke up, she found herself strapped to a hospital bed wearing black silk pajamas. She tried to undo her bonds telekinetically and found she couldn't. Then she realized there was an inhibitor collar around her neck. She sank back into the bed and looked around the room as best she could. It was stark and utilitarian, obviously a medical area.
Lying there, she began to worry. If she failed to complete her mission, the Hand would kill her. She struggled with her restraints, finally managing to loosen one enough to get her hand free. She started undoing the other hand. When she was done, she reached down to undo her feet.
"Goin' somewhere darlin'?" A gruff voice came from the doorway.
She turned around and found a short feral looking man leaning casually against the doorframe, watching her.
"You!" She ripped free of the last bond and dove off the bed at him. He reached out and caught her, holding her as she clawed at him.
"Ashby! It's me, Logan." He dodged her flaying arms.
"I know you gaijin. I was sent here to kill you."
He looked at her, startled. She took advantage of his surprise and delivered an uppercut to his chin. His head snapped to one side. She followed through with a roundhouse kick. He growled and tackled her. Scratching at him, she drew her nails down his face. Snarling, he punched her hard and knocked her out. He picked her up, tossing her over one shoulder. He carried her down the hall and deposited her in the danger room. Locked the door behind him, he went in search of the professor. On his way he ran into Hank.
"Logan, have you seen my reluctant patient?"
"Yeah, I locked her in the danger room. She got loose while I was on watch and attacked me." He started off again. "I wouldn't go in there if I were you." He added.
Hank decided to take a look at the girl he had proclaimed to be Ashby from the observation booth. Her DNA matched exactly with the DNA from the little girl Logan had rescued seven years ago. The young woman lay prone on the floor, not moving. He shook his head and left.
Logan knocked softly on the Professor's office.
"Come in."
The Professor was reading some papers behind his desk. He looked up as Logan came in. "Yes, Logan?"
"She woke up."
"How is she doing?"
"She attacked me. Said she was sent here to kill me."
Professor Xavier took off his glasses and rubbed his forehead. "Where is she now?"
"I locked her in the danger room. I figured she couldn't do any harm in there."
"I'll take a look at her."
"Thanks."
When the Professor looked in on Ashby, she was running through her kata, centering her chi. She moved fluidly and elegantly. When she was done, she began a more combative routine, kicking and punching at an unseen adversary. After she had finished, she bowed to her unseen enemy and sank into full lotus position. The door opened and Professor Xavier watched Logan stalk into the room. He knew they had been close when Ashby had been kidnapped and he was interested to see what would happen.
Ashby didn't open her eyes when the door opened. She knew who it was by the sound of his steps.
"Ashby." He called her. She still didn't move. "ASHBY." His voice was more forceful this time and she unfolded herself and stood up.
"My name, gaijin, is Tenshi. My code name is Reverie. If you feel the need to speak to me, please favor me with one of my correct names." She bowed slightly.
"Ashby. Your name is Ashby." He told her.
"Tenshi. I do not know who this Ashby is. She is not me." She turned, watching him out of the corner of her eyes. "Will you kill me now?"
As she spoke, Professor Xavier noticed something odd about her voice. He realized it was a soft Asian accent.
"No. We don't kill."
"So you will send me back and the Hand will kill me instead." She laughed a short, harsh bark. "I believed the X-Men were merciful. Obviously I was wrong."
"What'd ya mean darlin'?" They were circling each other now.
"If I fail in my task, the Hand will kill me by torture. I had hoped that if I failed, the X-Men would kill me quickly instead."
"We're not going ta send ya back t' the Hand. Yer stayin' here."
"They'll come for me."
Logan looked down, hurt obvious in his eyes. "Ashby, darlin'. What's happened t' you?"
"Tenshi. My name is Tenshi!" She shouted, her mask of control slipping for a few seconds.
"No. It's not. I don't know what they've made ya believe darlin', what they've done t' ya but this is where you belong." He looked at her sadly. "This is yer home."
She said nothing, simply stood there looking at him. She suddenly looked up at the observation window. Her violet eyes met the Professor's blue ones and he could feel her confusion.
"No. I have no home. I am called Tenshi." Her voice was quiet and unsure. She straightened up and her voice grew stronger. "I am confused. Go away, please. I need to think."
He stepped forward and unlocked the inhibitor collar. "If you need anything, give a yell." He shut and locked the door behind him.
Ashby sank back into the lotus position to meditate. She dove deeply into her mind, searching to see if what Logan had said was true. The Professor watched as the young woman sat completely still, her breathing the only signs of life. He knew she was exploring deep within herself.
Tears began to run down her face. She opened her eyes and stood. "What is happening to me? I do not understand." She paced about the large room. "I am Tenshi. I know this. But my mind is unsure."
A voice sounded in her mind. // Ashby.// She looked up at the observation window. //Do you remember who I am?//
She thought for a moment and a name came to her. //Professor Xavier.//
//Correct. What do you remember?//
//I was sent here to kill Logan. But I, I lived here. Didn't I?//
//Yes, child. You were kidnapped three years ago from a hospital in Japan. When you were taken, you were 9.//
//How can this be? I am 21 and I have been with the Hand for 3 years.//
//Have you? Think about it. Can you remember anything that happened while you were, say, 15?//
She thought about it, her brow wrinkling in concentration. //I cannot. Why can I not remember?//
//Do not distress yourself, child. We will discuss more later. Would you like something to eat?//
//Please. I am hungry.//