A Little Bit of Madness Wouldn't Hurt

CHAPTER 5 - PART 2

Summary:

Logan felt Maddy's presence beside him, her arm slightly brushing against his as she clung to him with a casual familiarity that was both annoying and oddly comforting. He shot a sideways glance at her, trying to maintain his tough exterior, but he couldn't help the small grin that tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You know, personal space is a thing, right?" he remarked, his voice a mixture of annoyance and teasing.

Maddy looked up at him, her eyes wide and innocent. "Oh, come on, Logan! Where's the fun in that? You're way too serious! Besides, you can handle it!" She beamed, her cheerfulness infectious.

Logan shook his head, pretending to be irritated as they continued their stroll. "Seriously, kid, one of these days you'll have to learn about boundaries."

Maddy giggled, her laughter light and airy. "But what's the point of having boundaries when we can be friends? I mean, look at us! We're practically best buddies now!"

--

Inside the facility, Jean, Scott, and Storm regrouped in a dimly lit corridor. The walls were lined with reinforced steel, and the only sound was the distant hum of machinery and the crackle of Storm's lingering lightning in the background. The trio paused, taking stock of their surroundings.

"We're getting close," Scott whispered, his voice barely audible. "The main control room should be just ahead. We need to break inside and disable whatever's powering this place."

Jean nodded, her focus sharp. "I'll take care of the locks. Scott, you cover us. Storm, be ready to disrupt any remaining security systems."

Storm stepped forward, her eyes glowing white as she summoned a faint breeze that rippled through the corridor. The wind carried the scent of ozone, a reminder of the storm she controlled outside. As Jean concentrated, her telekinetic energy focused on the heavy steel doors before them, searching for the mechanisms that sealed them.

"I'll keep the area clear," Storm said calmly. "We can't afford any interruptions now."

Jean's focus deepened, and with a flick of her wrist, the intricate locks within the door began to twist and groan. The metal strained under her telekinetic force, but it held strong, clearly reinforced to withstand powerful attacks.

Scott tightened his grip on his visor. "We might need to apply more force. Be ready."

---

Outside the facility, Maddy and Logan faced off against a squad of guards dispatched to secure the perimeter. The two mutants stood side by side, ready to ensure that no one would disrupt the infiltration team inside. The air around them was charged with tension, and Maddy's teapot was already simmering with power.

Maddy grinned, a dark edge to her smile. "Let's give them something to remember, Logan."

As the guards charged, weapons raised, Maddy swung her teapot with a flourish, releasing a thick cloud of steam that engulfed the nearest enemies. The steam wasn't just hot—it was scalding. The guards screamed as the searing heat hit them, their skin reddening and blistering under the intense assault. Maddy's eyes gleamed with a mix of satisfaction and cruelty as she poured more energy into the attack, her teapot unleashing a relentless stream of boiling tea that burned through armour and flesh alike.

"How's that for a warm welcome my dear friends? I sure do hope you love it!" she taunted, her voice laced with dark amusement.

Logan, who had been ready to strike, paused for a moment to take in the sheer power of Maddy's attack. He let out a low, appreciative growl, clearly impressed by her ferocity.