Chapter 213– Kindergarten with Claws
The sun bled through the mansion windows like lazy gold, catching dust motes as if even they wanted to hang around the old house and eavesdrop. The X-Men were gathered in the big meeting room—Cyclops with his arms folded like a drill sergeant, Storm serene but watchful, Nightcrawler perched half out of his chair with that tail of his twitching, Colossus sitting polite and enormous, Kitty trying to look confident while secretly inching behind said enormousness, Illyana with her hair catching light like she'd swallowed a torch. And Logan, arms crossed, boots on the table, chewing on a cigar he wasn't technically supposed to light indoors.
Then came Xavier, rolling in with that calm, iron presence of his. His eyes twinkled like he had a secret and, knowing Chuck, he probably did.
"My X-Men," Xavier began, "today I'd like you to meet the next generation. Students who, with time, training, and guidance, may follow in your footsteps. I present to you—the New Mutants."
The doors hissed open and in shuffled five kids who looked like they'd just wandered out of five different genres of trouble.
A lanky, serious-looking kid with shaggy brown hair and eyes that never stopped scanning the room. Xavier gestured. "Danielle Moonstar. She has the ability to bring forth people's greatest fears or desires as illusions."
The girl crossed her arms and met Logan's stare like she'd been staring down grizzlies since birth.
Logan snorted. "Kid's a walking bad trip. Perfect fer a team that already lives in one."
Cyclops shot him a look. Logan ignored it.
Xavier's hand moved to the next. "Roberto da Costa. Sunspot. He absorbs solar energy and channels it into superhuman strength."
The kid flexed just enough to show he knew he was built like a brick wall. Logan muttered around his cigar, "Great, another Colossus, but tan and with better hair."
Colossus gave Logan a sidelong glance, half amusement, half wounded dignity. Kitty stifled a giggle.
Next—short, wiry, black hair wild as weeds. "Rahne Sinclair. Wolfsbane. She can transform into wolf or half-wolf form at will."
Rahne ducked her head shyly, and Logan leaned forward. "So… we're bringin' puppies to the fight now, huh? Gonna chew ankles off Sentinels?"
Her face went crimson. Storm's eyes narrowed at Logan like thunderclouds forming.
"Logan," Xavier said smoothly, "these are your future allies. Not chew toys for your sarcasm."
"Yeah, yeah. Just sayin', it's startin' to look like a kindergarten in here." Logan blew out a breath, eyes flicking toward Kitty. "And it wasn't enough havin' one baby runnin' around already."
That earned him a hard jab in the ribs from Kitty, who popped out from behind Colossus. "I'm not a baby, you jerk! I saved your hairy hide more times than I can count."
Logan grinned wolfishly. "That so, half-pint? You still need a step stool to reach the top shelf."
Colossus rumbled in her defense, "Katherine is very brave. She is not a baby."
Kitty shot him a radiant smile, only to realize Xavier was smirking at her.
"Don't worry, Kitty," Xavier said warmly. "You won't be joining the New Mutants. You've already proven yourself an X-Man."
Her relief was instant and obvious, though she tried to hide it behind a little shrug.
Meanwhile, the fourth recruit shuffled forward—a blonde with a soldier's spine, her eyes sharp, movements precise. "Illyana you know," Xavier continued, "but this is Sam Guthrie—Cannonball. When he flies, he becomes nearly invulnerable."
Sam ducked his head politely, Kentucky thick in his drawl. "Howdy, everyone. Hopin' not t' crash through too many walls first week."
Logan chuckled. "Kid, this place was built t' survive me. You won't scratch the paint."
Finally, Xi'an Coy Manh—Shan to her friends, Karma to the battlefield. Petite, but with a presence that reminded Logan of a dagger hidden in silk. "She can possess others' minds," Xavier explained.
Nightcrawler, tail curling thoughtfully, raised a brow. "Ach, so ve have a body-snatcher on the roster now. Logan, maybe she can teach you manners by takin' over your mouth, ja?"
"Good luck survivin' five seconds in this head, elf," Logan muttered.
Introductions finished, the room hummed with energy. The new kids fidgeted—half excitement, half nerves. Xavier beamed like a proud father introducing one batch of kids to another.
Logan cracked his knuckles. "Well, Chuck, looks like yer buildin' a nursery while the rest of us keep takin' bullets."
"Logan." Xavier's tone softened but carried weight. "Every generation needs its guardians. You all proved yourselves in battle. Now, it's time to guide those who will one day replace you."
Logan rose, stretching his shoulders. "Guide 'em, huh? Not my gig. I need a drink." He jabbed a finger at Nightcrawler. "Elf, you're comin' with me."
Nightcrawler brightened instantly, tail flicking. "A bar run? But of course! I vill bring ze cards, we play some poker maybe, ja?"
"Long as you don't teleport the deck when you're losin'," Logan growled with a smirk.
The room dissolved into chuckles. Kitty crossed her arms with mock indignation. "What, no invite for me?"
Logan eyed her. "Kid, the day you can legally order a beer, I'll buy ya two. Til then—milk an' cookies."
Kitty made a face and stuck out her tongue.
Xavier shook his head, amused despite himself. "Try not to break any bars this evening, gentlemen."
---
Later that night
The mansion had fallen quiet under a velvet sky. Crickets outside. The faint creak of old wood as the house sighed in its sleep.
Logan pushed through the front door, alone. His boots heavy, his mood heavier.
"Elf ditched me for his girl," he muttered, tossing his jacket onto the couch. "Figures. All charm, that one."
He cracked his neck, reached for his cigar tin—and froze.
There. A thread in the air. A smell.
Not human. Not familiar.
His nostrils flared, instincts prickling like live wires under his skin. He slid his claws free with a whisper of steel, crouching low, moving silent as shadow down the hallway.
The scent led him past Xavier's study, past the staircase, toward the east wing. His nose sharpened. One scent he knew well—Kitty. Wrapped up with that foreign tang, musky, alien, reptilian.
He rounded the corner and there she was, back turned, leaning over something.
Logan's voice dropped to a growl, quiet but urgent. "Hey, kitten. Come to me real slow. And no matter what—don't look behind you."
Kitty stiffened. "Behind me?"
She started to turn.
"Damn it, kid—"
The thing opened its mouth. A tiny dragon, scales glinting like coals, maw yawning with a crackle of fire aimed straight at her head.
Logan lunged, scooping Kitty up and rolling with her across the hall. Claws unsheathed, ready to carve. He came up in a crouch between her and the creature.
"How the hell did this lizard get in the house?" he snarled.
The dragon hissed, wings fluttering, eyes like living embers.
Kitty scrambled up, waving her arms. "No! Don't hurt him! He's my friend!"
Logan blinked. "…Your friend?" He didn't lower his claws. "That thing was about to flambé your skull."
She rushed forward, scooping the dragon into her arms like a housecat. It nestled against her shoulder, purring—a literal smoky purr.
"I don't know how," she admitted, eyes shining. "I just found him. He's smart, Logan. He understands me. And I love him already."
Logan exhaled hard through his nose, claws retracting with a click. "Kid, you bring home stray puppies, not flamethrower lizards."
Kitty scowled. "He has a name. Lockheed."
"Lockheed." Logan rubbed his temple. "Sure. Why not. Next you'll bring home a Sentinel an' name it Fluffy."
He turned away, muttering. "Not my problem. You wanna keep yer dragon, you take it up with Xavier. Let him lose sleep over it."
Kitty stuck out her tongue at his back. "You're just jealous 'cause he's cuter than you."
Logan ruffled his hair in exasperation, heading for his room. "One o' these days, half-pint, you're gonna give me gray hairs. Not that you'd notice."
The dragon's eyes followed him as he left, glowing faint in the dark, as if it knew something Logan didn't.