Months Earlier
Boston, Massachusetts
Emma sat across from Ben, still processing his unexpected kindness. She wasn't used to people stepping in without wanting something in return, but how he looked at her threw her off.
"You're... different," he said cautiously.
Her voice wavered. "What do you mean?"
"Back with the waitress... The 'money.'" he paused. "It wasn't real."
Emma looked away. "What are you implying?"
Ben rolled his eyes and sighed. "To put it frankly, you've got powers. Illusions if I had to guess."
'I can work with that.' She raised a brow. "You're not... freaked out or anything?"
He shook his head. "I've seen a lot of stuff in my life. Plus, with billionaires with super suits and giant green men walking about, it's pretty tame in comparison.
"I suppose... But, yeah. I made her see what I wanted her to see."
Ben nodded thoughtfully, showing no judgment.
Emma blinked. "It's not exactly something I'm proud of, but..." she trailed off, her gaze drifting to the table. "It helps sometimes. Some people won't understand."
Ben nodded. "People do what they can to get by." He paused, carefully choosing his next words. "You've been struggling financially, haven't you?"
Emma's eyes darted up to meet his, and for a moment, she looked like she might deny it. But then, she sighed, lowering her gaze. "Yeah... I've been trying to make it on my own. I don't want to be associated with my family anymore. They were... unkind to my brother. I just needed to get out, you know? But it's harder than I thought."
Ben's expression softened. "So, what did you want to do in the world? If money wasn't an issue."
Emma hesitated, surprised by the question. She'd never been asked that before. "Don't laugh, but the reason is a bit stupid."
Ben held his hands up. "Have at it."
"Back in high school, things were hard. The only one who seemed to care was my teacher. I had a bit of a crush. I suppose that got me interested in wanting to be one, too. I... I want to finish college. I was studying for a teaching degree before... everything happened. Wanted to go to Empire State in New York." She sighed. "But it feels impossible now."
Ben nodded thoughtfully. "Teaching, huh? Questionable relationships aside. I guess you wanted to be the person you needed at the time."
Emma rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment. He didn't need to know about her kissing Ian Kendall.
"So, you like working with kids?"
Emma smiled slightly for the first time since they'd started talking. "Yeah... I think I do. I always thought I could make a difference that way. Help them learn things I had to figure out the hard way."
Ben grinned. "That's a good reason. The world could use more people like that."
Emma looked at him, still uncertain but warming up. "So, why are you doing this? Helping me?"
Ben shrugged. "Everyone needs a little help sometimes. I've had my fair share of people looking out for me, so I like to pay it forward when possible. If you haven't noticed, I'm familiar with the above-average side of society." He leaned back in his chair. "With that in mind, you seem like someone worth supporting."
Emma raised a brow. "An investment?"
Ben smirked. "Maybe not like that. Yeah. Think of it as my small contribution to getting you back on track. Who knows? Maybe one day you'll be teaching a class full of kids, and one of them will turn out to be the next genius who saves the world."
Emma seemed a little lighter. "That's some expectations, Ben." She still wasn't sure what to make of the situation
"Maybe, but if every person with superpowers can live a fulfilling life, there would be fewer supervillains out in the world." He huffed. "Could you see yourself as someone like that Victor Von Doom Character?
She chortled. "I don't think I could handle wearing some tacky costume if the other villains I've seen on the news are true."
Ben leaned back in his chair, casually swirling the last bit of his drink in the glass. "In any case, I'll be heading to New York later this week. Ever been?"
Emma raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more. "I can't say I have."
Ben smiled. "Well, I'm going. If you want, you could come with me. Enroll in that university you were talking about and get that degree."
Emma blinked, caught off guard. "Come with you? I—" She stopped herself, the careful side of her kicking in. "Paying my check is one thing, but traveling with you is more personal than I would like."
Ben shrugged. "It's less traveling with me and more both of us going in the same direction. We'll be going our separate ways in New York."
"This isn't a quid pro quo or something, right? I had an uncomfortable conversation with my landlord about that."
He cringed at the implication. "Yeah... I'm not asking for any of that."
Emma sighed. "How am I supposed to deal with the expenses?"
Ben shrugged. "I've got some connections. You'll be fine. Trust me."
Emma went quiet, her fingers fidgeting with the napkin before her. She was silent for a long moment before looking up at him, suspicion clouding her blue eyes. "Why would you do that? For me?" She narrowed her gaze. "You're basically a stranger?" She shook her head, the uncertainty and distrust bubbling to the surface. "It seems too good to be true." 'And the fact that I can't read your mind isn't exactly helping me trust you.'
Ben stared at her. He didn't immediately respond, and for a moment, she thought he wouldn't answer at all. But then, he sighed, leaning forward, resting his arms on the table. "I get it. It does sound fishy. Out of the blue. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably be just as suspicious." He ran a hand through his hair. "The thing is... I've met a lot of people with incredible abilities over the years. People like you." He paused, considering his next words carefully. "It starts small, like getting a free meal, but it can eventually snowball into something you can't take back. And I've seen what happens when society bears down on them. When the pressure becomes too much, they break. And when they break... those gifts, those powers? They turn against the world."
Emma's eyes softened. She didn't want to think about what she would do if things got desperate.
"You've got potential, Emma. Real potential. You could use your gifts to benefit everyone—including yourself. But that won't happen if you're stuck fighting to survive daily. I'm considering doing some work similar to this FEAST thing I've read about. I want to help people get back on their feet."
Emma sat there, processing everything. His words hung in the air. She still didn't fully understand why he cared so much and was so willing to help her. But there was a hope that he wasn't lying. "And what if I say no?"
Ben shrugged. "That's up to you. I won't force you. But the offer stands. No strings attached."
Emma looked away for a moment. She had no idea what she was walking into, but at the same time, what did she have to lose? A chance like this didn't come along often. Maybe... just maybe, he was telling the truth. She finally met his gaze again. "I'll think about it."
Ben smiled warmly. "That's all I ask."
As they finished their meal, Ben reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small wad of cash, placing it gently on the table in front of Emma. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight, her initial instinct to push it away.
"This should cover you for the next week," Ben said calmly. "Food, shelter—whatever you need while you figure things out."
Emma stared at the cash, her hand twitching slightly as if unsure whether to take it or not. "I— I don't know if I can accept this…"
Ben smiled softly, pulling a pen from his pocket. "No strings, Emma. It's just to ensure you don't go hungry or end up on the streets while you decide."
He picked up a napkin, scribbling something down in quick, neat handwriting before sliding it across the table to her. "Here's the address and time. If you've decided, meet me at the train station in a week."
Emma looked at the napkin, the address and time standing out starkly against the crisp white cloth. There was so much happening at once, and part of her still wasn't convinced this wasn't some elaborate trick.
Ben gave her a knowing look, leaning back in his chair. "You've got your own path to follow."
Emma hesitated, then slowly reached for the cash, her fingers brushing the worn bills before pulling them toward her. She folded them carefully, slipping them into her pocket as if they were a lifeline of sorts.
Ben stood up, sliding his chair back as he prepared to leave. "Take care of yourself, Emma. I hope I'll see you at that station."
She watched him walk out of the restaurant. She just sat there for a moment, staring down at the napkin and the cash in her pocket.
Weapon X Facility
Earlier
Steve turned and hurled his shield at the control panel. The impact shattered the device, and the restraints binding Laura's limbs instantly disengaged.
She slipped off the bed, feeling the freedom in her movements for the first time in as long as she could remember.
But there was no time to savor it. As expected, alarms blared throughout the facility, and red lights flashed ominously.
Steve took carefully took Laura's hand. "Stay close to me, Laura. We're getting out of here."
They bolted out of the small room, Steve leading the way as they sprinted down the corridor. The sound of heavy boots pounding against the floor and muffled shouts echoed from all directions. Steve knew they had little time before the facility's guards closed in on them.
"We have to get to James," Steve said, his voice firm as he guided Laura through the maze of hallways. His mind raced, recalling the quickest path to where he had seen James on the surveillance screens.
They rounded a corner just as a group of guards appeared from the opposite direction, guns raised. Steve didn't hesitate. With a powerful throw, he sent his shield flying down the hall. It struck the first guard square in the chest, knocking him out instantly, and ricocheted off the wall to take down two more. Before the remaining guards could react, Steve was on them.
Laura watched as Steve disabled the guards. She had seen plenty of violence in her short life, and despite her reservations, she wanted to live, just like what happened with those strange beast men.
"Come on!" Steve called out to Laura, retrieving his shield as the last guard fell.
It didn't take long for another squad of armed soldiers to come rushing around the corner. Laura instinctively dropped low, her claws unsheathing from her hands with a distinctivesnikt. Steve's shield flew from his hand, bouncing off the wall and smashing into the lead soldier's rifle, sending the weapon flying.
Laura darted ahead. Before the soldiers could fully react, she slashed through a riot shield with her razor-sharp claws. A soldier swung his rifle to fire, but she ducked beneath the barrel and thrust upward, her claws sinking into his armor as she tossed him aside like a rag doll, bleeding from the torso.
Steve caught his shield as it ricocheted back into his hand. He slammed it into the chest of another soldier, knocking him to the ground. The soldier reached for a sidearm, but Laura was already there, slashing it from his hand before delivering a swift kick that sent him crashing into the wall.
"More coming!" Steve shouted as he heard more boots echoing down the hall.
Laura nodded and positioned herself beside Steve. Bullets poured into the hallway. Steve raised his shield, deflecting a hail as he charged forward. He bashed the first soldier in the face with the edge of his shield, following up with a spinning kick that sent another stumbling back.
Laura, meanwhile, darted through like a shadow. A soldier aimed his rifle at her, but before he could pull the trigger, she leaped into the air, somersaulting over him and driving her claws into his back as she landed behind him.
"How many of these guys are there?" Steve muttered, knocking out another soldier with a brutal shield bash.
"Enough," Laura answered. She spun around and sliced through the legs of another enemy.
Steve smashed through another wave, using his shield to create openings for Laura. Every time a soldier raised their weapon, Steve was already there, deflecting bullets and creating an opportunity for her to close the distance and strike.
Despite her age and size, Laura's claws slashed through the soldiers like they were nothing more than paper.
Steve took down another group with a series of punches and shield strikes before glancing at Laura. She was already dispatching the last few soldiers. Blood stained her clothes and hands.
As the last soldier fell, the hallway was littered with unconscious and dead bodies. Steve could hear the faint crackle of radio chatter from one of the fallen soldier's helmets. More reinforcements were coming.
He placed a hand on Laura's shoulder. "You okay?"
Laura blinked up at him, her claws retracting with a softsnikt. She nodded, wiping some blood from her face with the back of her hand. "I'm fine..."
"You don't need to kill if you don't want to, Laura. I've fought in the war for years. I've already got blood on my hands and seen what it does to the new recruits. I can't imagine what it must have been like for you..."
She pondered those words. Doctor Kinney was her first kill, and it's felt wrong ever since.
#
"Sector Five lockdown in progress," a mechanical voice announced over the intercom. "All personnel report to designated stations."
Steve's grip on Laura's hand tightened. As they neared a junction, Steve suddenly halted, pulling Laura into a small alcove just as another patrol rushed past them, oblivious to their presence. He waited, counting the seconds until the footsteps faded into the distance, then exhaled sharply.
Despite her young age, Steve knew what she was capable of, but a child didn't deserve to fight the battles of adults. A child shouldn't have to kill to survive, but this one had to.
They moved out of the alcove and continued out of Sector Five. Steve could see more soldiers at the end of the hall. He paused, assessing the situation. There were too many of them to take out quietly, and he didn't want to risk Laura getting caught in the crossfire.
He turned to her, his voice low but steady. "Laura, I need you to stay back while I handle this. Can you do that?"
Laura's eyes flicked to the guards, then back to Steve. Her claws urged to come out. She hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Okay."
Steve offered her a reassuring smile before stepping forward. The guards spotted him immediately, their guns snapping up. Steve charged down the corridor, his shield deflecting the first barrage of bullets. With a powerful leap, he crashed into the midst of the guards. Within moments, they were incapacitated, and the path was clear.
They reached a corner, and Steve raised a hand, signaling Laura to stop. He pressed his back against the wall, peeking around the corner. A pair of guards stood by a door ahead. He turned back to Laura, motioning with two fingers and nodding toward the guards.
She understood immediately and kept in mind what he told her earlier.
Without a sound, Laura slipped around Steve.
Steve watched her approach the guards, who remained oblivious.
She crouched low, and her claws extended. Before either guard could react, she sprang forward.
Laura swept the legs out from one guard with a single strike, sending him crashing to the floor, while her other clawed hand slashed upward, disarming the second guard before he could even blink. Steve returned with a right hook and a stomp, leaving them unconscious on the ground.
Steve nodded his approval as Laura retracted her claws.
Steve turned back to her, breathing heavily. He looked up and saw a large enough vent hatch. "I think it's time we try the quiet route," he said.
Earlier
Lady Deathstrike stood before the submerged Wolverine, her mechanical claws twitching. The man who had haunted her every thought for years was now at her mercy. Her father's voice echoed in her mind, urging her to finish what she had started so long ago. She had sacrificed everything to get this opportunity. She would finally kill Logan and reclaim her honor.
"You will die today, Logan-san," she hissed. "It does not matter what the professor says. These are your last breaths."
Wolverine glared at her. There was defiance, but Lady Deathstrike didn't care. She wanted only his death. She brought her adamantium claws to the tank. The tips of her claws began to press into it.
Just as she was about to break it, a voice cut through. "Deathstrike, what are you doing here?" Professor Thorton stepped into the room. "I'm about to start Wolverine's reprogramming!"
Lady Deathstrike's claws froze in place. She turned her head slightly at the professor. "He has to die! This ends today!"
Thorton's expression hardened. "How many times do we have to have this conversation, Yuriko? He's more valuable alive than—"
From behind, Sabretooth was just about to slash the man's back when the facility's alarm blared.
"Alert: Security Breach in Sector 5."
Before he could finish his sentence, Sabretooth, who had been silently lurking in the shadows, made his move. His feral grin spread wide as he prepared to slash at Thorton's back.
But before the strike could land, the facility's alarm blared loudly.
"Alert: Security Breach in Sector 5."
Sabertooth dropped his arm. "Huh?"
Thorton instinctively flinched, turning around to see Sabretooth. "What are you doing? You nearly gave me a heart attack."
The man kept a blank expression. "Uh, nothing... Never mind that. The alarm?!"
Even Lady Deathstrike stopped what she was doing.
Thorton quickly recovered. "Subject 23 must be trying to escape! We must secure the exits! Get me Omega and Deadpool!"
Sabretooth huffed. "Finally. I was waiting to have a shot at the welp."
Lady Deathstrike seethed. "This isn't over, Logan." With that, she turned to follow Thorton out of the room. At least she could take her anger out on his spawn.
Sabretooth cast one last glance at Wolverine before following the others.
Later
Wolverine floated in his containment chamber. He had finally been left alone.
About a minute passed before he noticed a strange banging from above. His eyes flicked upward to the source. The banging grew louder until the air vent duct above the chamber suddenly crashed to the floor.
Wolverine tensed as a familiar figure dropped from the vent.
"Steve?" Logan asked, muffled.
Steve Rogers dusted himself off before his eyes settled on Logan. "Nice to see you again, James." A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
Logan rolled his eyes, though a sense of relief washed over him. However, before he could process the reunion, another figure dropped down from the vent—a little girl.
She was thin, with raven-black hair that fell in messy strands around her face. The girl turned slowly, her dark eyes meeting Logan's. For a moment, she stood still.
Logan's brow furrowed. Who was this girl? Did Steve free her?
Steve chuckled. "I'm sure you have questions."
Logan watched the girl step forward. A small hand reached out to touch the glass.
Before he could piece it together, the girl did something that made his heart skip. She extended two adamantium claws from each of her hands, just like him.
His eyes widened. 'What the hell!?'
Laura brought her claws to the reinforced glass and began to cut through.
As the chamber emptied, Logan felt the restraints loosen. He collapsed forward, gasping for breath.
Steve helped him to his feet. "Take it easy. Quick introductions: James, meet Laura. Laura, meet James. We need to get out of here before they realize what's going on."
#
AN: Special thanks to Seana, Jebest4781, Charles, vividlearner744, OmegaDelta, Henry Stickman, fearmegu, Kitsune Robyn, Salo Guzman, Traiton Moses, SonicSonicsSonic, KA012, Monkey, Tapion, Roger Cornejo, Dragon lord, JJsouza09, Alexander SegreLaw, Red Rasher, I am lord dems, Ajax Roranson, and trey hill!
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