CHAPTER 174 — A NEW X-MAN
The mansion felt different the next morning. Lighter, almost — though it might've just been the sound of a car pulling up the drive. The team gathered by the front doors, some curious, some still raw from the night before.
Logan leaned against the bannister, cigar tucked behind his ear instead of in his teeth. He didn't want Xavier nagging him about smoke in the foyer. His nose twitched at the scent of nervous sweat, bubblegum, and cheap perfume.
'Fresh. Young. Scared outta her mind.'
The doors opened, and in stepped Kitty Pryde. Thirteen years old, awkward, her brown hair bobbing as she shuffled in, clutching her bag like a shield. Her eyes went wide at the mansion's size, then wider still when she saw who was waiting for her.
"Uh… hi," she squeaked.
Xavier rolled forward then, hands steepled. "Kitty, welcome to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. You are among friends now. This is your new home."
Kitty looked around, still shy but no longer trembling. "It's… it's nice. Big. Um… where's my room?"
Nightcrawler clapped his hands. "Straight to business! I like it. Come, young lady, we shall find your quarters, and perhaps later, I can introduce you to the library. The collected works of Newton await."
"Uh… sure," Kitty said, not entirely convinced.
As the group began to break apart, Logan hung back, watching her. She moved light on her feet, like she half-expected the floor to vanish under her. And from the little tremors in her scent, her fear was still there, hidden under excitement.
'Kid's green as grass. World's gonna chew her up fast. We'll see if she's got teeth.'
Storm lingered at his side. "She is so young, Logan."
"Yeah," Logan muttered, scratching his chin. "Too young for what's comin'. But maybe that's what makes her dangerous. Ain't learned to be scared yet."
Storm looked at him, eyes questioning. "And do you believe she belongs here?"
Logan lit his cigar, the flame's crackle answering before he did. "Belongin' don't matter. She's here. That's enough."
Storm's lips curved into a small, sad smile.
The war room felt heavier than usual. The great round table gleamed under the overhead lights, polished but cold. Xavier sat at the head, hands folded, gaze sweeping over his students.
Cyclops's chair was empty. That emptiness was louder than any words.
"With Scott's departure," Xavier began, voice calm but edged with strain, "the X-Men must choose a new field leader. The chain of command is vital to your survival. We will discuss this as equals."
Logan leaned back in his chair, boot propped on the table, a cigar tucked between his fingers. He exhaled a slow stream of smoke that curled through the air like a lazy ghost. "Alright, Chuck. Let's get this over with."
Storm's eyes flicked to him. "Logan, must you smoke in here?"
He smirked. "Keeps my mind sharp, darlin'. Plus, if Slim were still around, he'd be lecturin' me about it. Somebody's gotta pick up the slack."
Angel snorted, wings twitching. "More like someone's gotta stink up the place."
"Better than smellin' like birdcage liner," Logan shot back without missing a beat.
"Children," Xavier said sharply, though his lips twitched like he was fighting not to sigh. "Let us stay on task."
Colossus spoke first, voice steady but hesitant. "I… I do not think I am ready. I am strong, yes, but too young. Too inexperienced. Jean believed in me, but I do not believe in myself enough to lead."
Nightcrawler placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Your humility is strength, mein freund. But ja, perhaps not leadership strength… not yet."
Angel spread his arms, feathers catching the light. "Then it should be me. I've got seniority. I was here before half of you even knew you were mutants. I know the ropes."
Logan barked a laugh, loud and sharp. "Seniority? You've been sittin' on your feathered backside drinkin' martinis while the rest of us were bleed'n for the cause. On the moon you froze, Warren. Froze. You'd lead us straight into a coffin."
Angel bristled. "Better than following a hothead like you!"
"Careful, bub," Logan said, leaning forward, claws clicking out halfway with a metallic snikt. The sound cut through the room like lightning. "You don't wanna test me."
Storm slammed her hand on the table, eyes flashing white for a second. "Enough! This is not how Jean would have wanted us to honor her. We are not enemies."
The room fell quiet.
Nightcrawler cleared his throat. "I… could lead, perhaps, but—"
Logan cut him off. "Nah. Sorry, elf. You show up on a battlefield and half the enemy drops dead of a heart attack just from lookin' at ya. Not the kind of face that rallies folks."
Nightcrawler's ears drooped, though he managed a half-smile. "Danke, mein freund. Your honesty is… cutting."
Colossus raised his hand slightly. "And Angel?"
Logan blew smoke through his nose. "He's a chicken tryin' to remember how to crow. Thunderbird?" He jerked a thumb toward the proud Apache. "Guy'd run us all off a cliff just to prove he's tough."
Thunderbird slammed a fist on the table. "You watch your mouth, Wolverine—"
"I'm watchin'," Logan cut him short, steel in his voice. "I've fought beside men like you before. Brave. Deadly. Stubborn enough to get the whole damn platoon killed. You're not lead material. Not yet."
Kitty sat quietly, knees pulled up to her chest, trying to look small. Logan glanced her way. "And the kitten? Cute, but she'd piss herself first time Magneto sneezed."
Kitty's cheeks flushed red. "H-hey!"
Logan shrugged. "Nothin' personal, kid. We'll toughen you up. But not with the weight of the team on your shoulders."
Silence fell. All eyes turned to Storm.
Storm looked startled, hand on her chest. "Logan… me? Why me?"
Logan stubbed out his cigar on the edge of the ashtray and leaned forward. His eyes were sharp, steady. "Because you're the only one who can carry it. You've got calm when the rest of us got claws, wings, or tempers. You listen before you strike. You got guts and brains in equal measure. That's leadership. Plain and simple."
The words hung in the air.
Colossus nodded slowly. "Da. I would follow Storm into battle."
Nightcrawler smiled, tail flicking. "As would I. She inspires trust."
Beast adjusted his glasses, voice thoughtful. "Her strategic sense is strong. Her empathy stronger. It is a sound choice."
Angel sighed, leaning back, wings folding tight. "Well… better her than Logan."
Thunderbird crossed his arms but grunted. "Fine. Let's see if she can handle it."
Kitty whispered, small but firm. "I… I think she's amazing."
Storm stood tall, regal even in her shock. Her eyes swept the room, each of them, then lingered on Logan. "I… accept, if you will have me. I will not fail you. Nor Jean's memory."
Logan leaned back, lit another cigar, and smirked. "Then it's settled. We got ourselves a new boss lady."
The room exhaled as one, the tension easing just a little. For the first time since Jean's death, there was a flicker of something that might one day grow into hope.