𝖆𝖓𝖎𝖒𝖆 𝖎𝖒𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖆𝖑𝖊 ━ 𝖑𝖔𝖌𝖆𝖓 𝖍𝖔𝖜𝖑𝖊𝖙𝖙

𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 17

Magneto flew away, and Logan finally managed to retract his claws, allowing Verena's wounds to heal over, though they both remained pinned to the wall. Frustrated but determined, Logan did the only thing he could think of—he stabbed himself with his claws. The metallic force holding him in place released instantly, sending him tumbling face-first onto the floor. He lay still, catching his breath.

"Logan?" Verena's voice echoed, but he didn't respond, too focused on what was coming next.

Suddenly, Sabertooth appeared, lifting Logan's limp body effortlessly. But Logan had only been playing possum. With a growl, he sprang up, driving his claws deep into Sabertooth's chest. Sabertooth roared, tossing Logan aside like a rag doll. Logan crashed outside onto Lady Liberty's crown, the sound of metal clanging echoing back into the chamber.

From inside, Verena could hear the fight—the unmistakable sounds of claws slashing, fists colliding, and Logan being thrown around. Rogue's scream cut through the noise, followed by the sound of Logan's claws tearing through the metal of the statue, dangerously close to Jean.

The team was still trapped, immobilized by the metal. Desperate, Verena took a page out of Logan's book and stabbed herself, cutting through the restraints. The sharp pain made her gasp, but she dropped silently to her feet, determined.

Sabertooth had leapt down, stalking towards Storm with a predatory grin. "I think you owe me a scream," he taunted, voice dripping with malice.

Logan came crashing back into the pit, landing beside Verena just in time. Her eyes narrowed at Sabertooth as she spat, "Why don't you scream instead, stronzo."

Jean's voice cut through the tension, steady and calm, "Scott, when I tell you to, open your eyes."

Logan held up Scott's visor, smirking at Sabertooth, "You drop somethin', Bub?"

Logan released the visor, and it began to float toward Scott, slowly aligning. The second it was perfectly angled, Jean shouted, "Scott, now!"

Scott opened his eyes, unleashing a powerful beam of red energy that blasted through the visor, hitting Sabertooth square in the chest. The force sent him flying backward, crashing through the metal, and hurtling off the side of Liberty Island, landing with a loud thud in a boat docked near the shore.

With Sabertooth dealt with, Logan and Verena quickly started slicing through the metal restraints trapping the rest of the X-Men. Once everyone was free, their focus turned immediately to saving Rogue.

"We gotta get her out of there. Cyclops, can you hit it?" Logan asked, his voice tense.

"The rings are moving too fast," Scott replied, frustration lacing his words.

"Just shoot it!" Logan snapped, his impatience flaring.

"I'll kill her!" Scott countered. "Storm, could you get me up there?"

"It doesn't work like that," Storm said, shaking her head.

"Then we'll go," Verena interjected, her tone resolute. "If we don't make it, then at least you can blast the damn thing."

Scott looked to her, his jaw tight, but nodded. "Alright, do it. Jean, use your power to try and steady them."

Storm moved into position as Jean concentrated, preparing for the next step.

"Hang on to something," Storm warned. Her eyes turned white, and a powerful gust of wind whipped around them. Verena's hair lashed across her face as the wind intensified, the force preparing to carry her and Logan up toward Rogue.

When the wind became strong enough, Verena and Logan began to rise, floating toward the torch where Magneto's machine stood revealed. They caught hold of the support beams, steadying themselves before the gusts could sweep them away. The beams of the machine pulsed around them, poised to turn all the humans below into mutants.