𝖆𝖓𝖎𝖒𝖆 𝖎𝖒𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖆𝖑𝖊 ━ 𝖑𝖔𝖌𝖆𝖓 𝖍𝖔𝖜𝖑𝖊𝖙𝖙

𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 15

The train screeched to a violent halt, sending everyone lurching forward. The lights flickered, casting eerie shadows as the screech of tearing metal filled the air. Sparks flew from the exposed wiring, and the train car began to split open, revealing a figure floating toward the wreckage.

Verena and Logan tensed, unsheathing their claws in unison. Gasps rippled through the passengers at the sight of the sharp metal protrusions.

"You must be Wolverine and Lynx. What a pleasure," the figure said, his voice dripping with a casual menace.

Logan lunged first, but before he could strike, his body was frozen mid-leap, held in place by an unseen force. Verena followed suit, her movements halted just as swiftly.

"That remarkable metal doesn't run through your entire bodies, does it?" the mutant taunted, flicking his fingers. With a sickening screech, the claws of both Logan and Verena bent, sending shockwaves of pain up their arms.

Verena screamed in agony, her breath ragged, while Rogue cried out, "Stop! Stop it!"

The mutant's grin widened as he lifted both Verena and Logan off the ground, suspending them effortlessly.

"What the hell do you want with us?" Logan growled through gritted teeth, the strain of his contorted claws almost unbearable.

"The two of you? My dear boy, whoever said I wanted you?" His eyes shifted to Rogue, a sinister glint flashing across his face.

"No! Don't you touch her, cagna!" Verena shouted, thrashing against the invisible hold.

With a flick of his wrist, the mutant sent Logan flying across the train car, slamming him into the far wall. Verena was thrown after him, their bodies colliding and crumpling to the ground in a heap.

Rogue tried to run, but before she could make it far, a dart whizzed through the air, striking her. She collapsed to the floor, unconscious. 

When Verena and Logan came to, the train car was in chaos, filled with the panicked shouts of civilians scrambling to escape. Logan groaned as he stirred, feeling the weight of Verena's adamantium-laced skeleton pressing down on his thigh where she had collapsed. He shook her gently. "C'mon, sweetheart."

Verena stirred, wincing as she sat up, her body aching. She grumbled in pain before offering Logan a hand, which he gratefully took to pull himself up. "Why do we always end up getting thrown into walls?" she muttered with exasperation as they both stumbled out of the wreckage, moving away from the shattered train car. 

Logan grumbled, "Just our luck," throwing an arm over Verena's shoulders as they made their way back to where he'd parked Scott's motorcycle. When they arrived at the mansion, both mutants covered in dust and dirt, they decided to change. Verena insisted on a quick shower first.

Afterwards, she slipped into a fresh pair of jeans, surprised at how well-stocked her closet was. She opted for a dark red button-up and her signature leather jacket. Once ready, she made her way to Logan's room, where he was still changing in the bathroom.

Verena flopped onto the bed, the mattress dipping in the familiar way. While she waited, the professor and Storm entered. "Verena," Charles greeted with a nod. The sound of voices in his room caused Logan to open the bathroom door.

He emerged, also wearing a dark red button-up, jeans, and boots. Verena grinned. "Look, Lo', we're matching."

Logan rolled his eyes, but Verena giggled to herself.

Sitting up, her laughter faded as Logan's expression darkened. He directed his scowl at the professor. "You said he wanted us."

"I made a terrible mistake," Charles admitted. "His helmet was designed to block my telepathy. I couldn't sense what he was after until it was too late."