Lucian was unlike the other X-Men. He couldn't control his mutant abilities very well and had never experienced a real battle.
Unbeknownst to them, Professor X had telepathically informed the team that Logan was coming to the lab to find Clark, which made them all lower their guard. The next moment, however, a misunderstanding caused Logan to attack.
In that instant, Lucian forgot all about his telekinetic powers. He stood frozen in shock as Logan lunged toward him.
Fortunately, he wasn't the only one there. The Beast, standing next to him, reacted just in time.
Despite his appearance, Beast was from the same generation as Professor X and was far from being a youngster. His experience from the era of fierce conflict between mutants and humans had honed his fighting instincts. He lunged at Logan, punching him hard in the head in an attempt to knock some sense into the out-of-control mutant.
However, Logan's strength was immense, perhaps even greater than Sabretooth's. One punch wasn't enough to stop him. Any attack that didn't kill him would only make Logan more furious.
Logan's claws ripped through Beast's robe, ready to strike a fatal blow. But just as he was about to land the attack, Lucian finally remembered his powers.
An invisible force enveloped Logan, stopping him in his tracks. Veins bulged on his neck and his face turned red with effort, but he was completely unable to move.
"Calm down, Logan. We didn't hurt the boy; he's injured. We're operating on him," Lucian said, his voice strained.
Logan continued to struggle, but when he realized his efforts were useless, he finally had a moment to think. He looked over at Clark, who was breathing steadily on the operating table, and finally believed what the two mutants had told him.
He nodded, indicating his understanding, and Lucian slowly released her telekinetic grip, lowering him to the floor.
"Phew… sorry," Logan muttered, the apology being all he could manage.
But a simple apology couldn't erase the fear he had instilled in Lucian.
Just then, Professor Charles Xavier's telepathic presence reached them, linking their minds.
"It was my mistake for not telling Logan everything. Logan, I can answer your questions now. Come up and meet me."
Hearing the professor, Lucian pushed aside her resentment and nodded at Logan. "The professor wants to see you. I'll take you there."
Led by Jean Grey, Logan walked toward a classroom. On the way, he saw many students, each displaying their unique mutant abilities. Some had claws, others could create ice, control fire, or fly. The place was full of non-humans. As Logan and Jean entered the classroom, he even saw a girl walk straight through the closed door instead of opening it.
"Surprised?" Charles asked with a knowing smile, watching Logan's reaction.
"Where is this?" Logan asked, trying to sound unbothered. He wouldn't admit that he was surprised by a school full of mutants.
"Westchester, New York. My partner found you and the children and brought you here for treatment."
"I don't need treatment!" Logan snapped, still on high alert.
Charles's next words left him speechless. "That's obvious, but it's also obvious that the boy needs treatment—and he needs it urgently."
Logan had to admit that he didn't care what happened to him after he passed out, but Clark's injuries were what mattered.
"How is Clark's injury? And what about the girl? Where is she?"
Jean answered him, her voice holding a hint of annoyance. "The little boy, Clark, is stable. I have to say, his vitality is incredible, not inferior to yours. In fact, his physical strength seems to be much higher than yours. That's why he can't heal himself the way you do. As for the little girl..."
Jean walked over to the window and pulled back the curtains. "If I remember correctly, she's been sitting on that lawn chair since Clark was taken to the lab."
Logan looked outside and saw the girl, Rogue. Just as Jean had said, she was sitting motionless, staring blankly ahead. Two boys nearby tried to talk to her, but she didn't react at all.
"She's worried about Clark..." Logan mused.
"Maybe it's more than just worry." Jean smiled, a warm expression aimed at the connection between Rogue and Clark, not at Logan.
Logan didn't care about the details, as long as the two children were safe.
At that moment, Cyclops and Storm entered the classroom. After a brief introduction, Charles got straight to the point.
"Here, Magneto won't be able to trouble you. And about Magneto, I think you need to know some details."
In the garden, Rogue endured the noisy chatter of the two boys beside her, her thoughts consumed by Clark, who had been taken to the lab.
"You're going to be okay, aren't you?" she whispered to herself, praying for Clark's safety. She ignored the boys' attempts to impress her with their powers of ice and fire. Nothing could distract her.
Finally, Beast appeared before her.
"Sir, how is Clark? Is he alright? Can I see him?" she asked, jumping up.
Rogue would never forget how Clark had endured the flames to carry away the burning gas tank. She would never forget how he stood in front of her, covered in bruises, to protect her. This child, half her age, had shown her a kind of courage that had broken through the emotional wall she thought would never waver again.