Lucien looked ahead and saw four figures waiting to greet them.
He recognized them immediately from movies and comics—Scott Summers in his signature ruby quartz glasses, Emma Frost in pristine white attire that probably cost more than most people's cars, Wolverine looking exactly as gruff as expected, and Dr. Hank McCoy.
Natasha stepped forward first, extending her hand to Scott. "Cyclops," she said with courtesy.
"Agent Romanoff," Scott replied, shaking her hand firmly. "Thank you for bringing them safely."
Lucien assumed Scott was the leader here, which made sense given his demeanor, but he couldn't help wondering where Professor Xavier was. Wasn't he supposed to be in charge? Still, he kept that question to himself.
"This is Lucien Reynolds," Natasha said, gesturing toward him. "He's the one who broke out of the original facility and then helped coordinate the rescue of the others from their captivity."
Scott turned to face Lucien directly, and his expression grew warmer. "Thank you, young man. You really did something extraordinary. If anyone else had been in your position, they probably would have just thought of themselves and run—which nobody would have blamed them for. But you chose to help others instead. Thank you for that."
The sudden direct praise caught Lucien off guard. He wasn't used to being thanked in public, and having Scott Summers—Cyclops himself—expressing genuine gratitude made him feel oddly uncomfortable.
He just nodded awkwardly. "It was the right thing to do."
This Cyclops seems far more mature and leader-like than the irrational one I saw in that movie, Lucien thought, studying Scott's calm, measured demeanor. But then again, he was just a kid in that film. Here, he's one of the leading members of a nearly extinct race. Of course, he'd be more mature.
The weight of leadership and survival would change anyone.
That's when Lucien noticed Laura had started growling softly, a low rumble that spoke of tension and barely controlled aggression. Following her gaze, he saw she was staring directly at Wolverine, who was studying her with equal intensity.
The realization hit him immediately. Laura was X-23, created from Wolverine's genetic material. This was probably the first time they'd seen each other face to face.
Without hesitation, Lucien reached over and gently grabbed Laura's hand. "It's alright," he said quietly, his voice calm and reassuring. "I'm here."
Laura's growling stopped instantly at his touch, and some of the tension left her shoulders. She looked up at him with those intense eyes, and he could see the conflict there—recognition, anger, confusion, and something that might have been hope.
Scott, who had been watching the entire exchange with sharp attention, stepped forward with concern. "Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, everything's fine," Lucien replied, keeping his voice steady while maintaining his grip on Laura's hand.
Wolverine continued to stare at Laura, his expression unreadable but definitely not casual. There was something in his eyes—recognition, maybe even understanding—but he didn't say anything.
"Let's go inside then," Scott said, clearly deciding to move past the moment of tension. "I'm sure you're all eager to see the place."
They walked through the massive entrance doors into the mansion proper. The interior was even more impressive than the exterior—high ceilings, elegant furnishings, and the kind of old-world craftsmanship that spoke of serious money. But what caught Lucien's attention more than the décor was the activity.
Kids and adults moved through the hallways with purpose. Some were clearly students, carrying books and talking animatedly about classes. Others looked older, possibly teachers or other residents. Everyone seemed... normal.
"This place is incredible," Daniel whispered, craning his neck to look at a crystal chandelier hanging above them.
"It's definitely fancy," Anna agreed, though Lucien could hear the caution in her voice. She was probably thinking the same thing he was—all this comfort came with strings attached.
"Why don't you guys look around the mansion," Scott suggested. "Emma and Logan will show you around, give you the full tour."
Logan was about to say something—probably a complaint about playing tour guide—but Scott gave him a look that clearly said 'not now.' Logan just grunted and said, "Come on, kids. Let's get this over with."
"Such enthusiasm," Emma said dryly, but there was amusement in her voice. "Don't mind Logan. He's not much for social niceties."
"I can hear you, Frost," Logan growled.
"That was the point, dear."
Emma took the lead, guiding them through the mansion with practiced ease. "This is the main hall, obviously. Classes are held in the east wing, living quarters are in the west wing, and the recreational facilities are scattered throughout."
"Recreational facilities?" Illyana asked with interest.
"Pool, gymnasium, library, game rooms. We try to make sure everyone has ways to relax and socialize."
As they walked, Emma explained the mansion's layout and daily routine. "Breakfast is at seven, classes start at eight for the younger students. Everyone contributes to the community in some way—whether that's teaching, maintenance, or helping with younger children."
"Sounds very structured," Anna observed.
"Structure helps," Emma replied simply. "Especially for people who've experienced trauma. Routine provides security."
They continued the tour, passing by classrooms where Lucien could see students learning everything from basic mathematics to what looked like advanced physics. In one room, a teacher was demonstrating something that made small objects float in the air—clearly a mutant ability being used for education.
"Everyone here is a mutant?" Daniel asked.
"Everyone," Emma confirmed. "Students, teachers, staff. It's one of the last places in the world where people can be completely open about their abilities."
That's when they encountered a massive figure in the hallway—Colossus, his metallic skin gleaming under the mansion's lighting. He was talking to a group of younger students, his voice gentle despite his intimidating appearance.
"Hello, children," he said warmly as they approached. "Welcome to our home."
But when his eyes fell on Illyana, he stopped mid-sentence. His expression shifted from friendly welcome to complete shock.
"Illyana?" he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Is that you?"
Illyana smirked, though Lucien could see something complicated in her expression. "The one and only."
Colossus immediately shifted out of his metallic form, revealing the man underneath—tall, broad-shouldered, with kind eyes that were currently filled with disbelief and joy. He rushed forward and pulled Illyana into a bear hug that lifted her off her feet.
"My little sister," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I thought... we thought you were dead."
Illyana hugged him back, but only briefly. When he didn't let go immediately, she squirmed in his grip. "Enough hugs now. Don't embarrass me in front of my..." She looked at Anna, Lucien, Daniel, and Laura, and her voice softened slightly. "Friends."
Colossus released her, though he kept his hands on her shoulders as if afraid she might disappear again. "Where have you been for the past few years? You disappeared from the house, and we searched everywhere. The police, private investigators, even other mutants—no one could find any trace of you."
Illyana's smirk faded, replaced by something harder. "It's a long story, and I don't have the energy or will to recount it right now, Piotr."
"But you're safe now," Colossus said, his voice filled with relief. "You're here, you're alive, you're safe."
"Safe is a relative term," Illyana said quietly.
Colossus's expression grew serious. "Come with me. We have a lot to talk about, little snowflake."
The nickname made Illyana's tough exterior crack just slightly, revealing the girl underneath. She looked at Lucien with an expression that was part apology, part uncertainty.
"I'll be back soon," she said.
"Take your time," Lucien replied. "We'll be here."
As Illyana walked away with her brother, Lucien could see the tension in her shoulders. Whatever had happened to her during her missing years, it wasn't going to be an easy conversation.
The tour continued for the next half hour, but the atmosphere had shifted. Emma showed them the library, the dining hall, and several training rooms, but there was an undercurrent of tension that everyone could feel.
Most of it was coming from Laura and Wolverine.
Throughout the entire tour, they'd been stealing glances at each other. Logan would watch Laura when he thought she wasn't looking, and she'd do the same to him. But neither had said a word directly to the other. Googlᴇ search NoveIＦire.net
"The tension is getting pretty thick," Daniel whispered to Anna as they walked through the mansion's garden area.
"Tell me about it," Anna replied quietly. "It's like watching two animals size each other up."
Lucien kept a protective hand near Laura, ready to intervene if the situation escalated. She seemed calmer when he was close, but he could still sense the conflict brewing under the surface.
Emma, for her part, seemed to be using her telepathic abilities because she kept shooting meaningful looks at Logan, who studiously ignored her.
Finally, as the tour wound down and they returned to the main hall, Logan stepped forward.
"We need to talk, kid," he said, looking directly at Laura.
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