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Chapter 24 – A Duel in the Danger Room
🕑 Added 2025-03-05 07:01:25 +0000 UTCJack stood, stretching his arms. His black-and-pink hanfu flowed behind him as he turned toward Logan, who was still leaning against the doorway. Logan's arms were crossed, his usual scowl in place.
Jack grinned, rolling his shoulders. "Alright, Badger. Let's see if you're really made of adamantium—" He paused dramatically. Then, with a smirk, he added "—or just some river clay."
Logan exhaled sharply through his nose, shaking his head. "You got a death wish, bub?"
Jack shrugged. "I dunno. Depends. Do you count 'dying of laughter'?"
Kurt, Roberto, and Jamie burst into laughter.
Logan grunted. "Let's go." Jack grinned, stepping toward him. The younger boys watched Jack go, eyes wide.
Kurt leaned toward Roberto. "Zis is going to be interesting."
Roberto nodded. "Yeah, but my money's still on Logan."
Jamie grinned. "I dunno, man. The new guy's weird. That means he's dangerous."
Tenzin sipped his tea, watching silently.
Meanwhile, at the older kids' table, the girls had also taken notice. Anna Marie leaned toward Jean Grey. "C'mon, Jean, let's go watch the fight!"
Jean didn't even look up from her tray. "No thanks."
Anna pouted. "Seriously? You don't wanna see The Wolverine get his ass kicked by the new guy?"
Jean sighed, finally looking at her. "Logan doesn't lose fights, Anna."
Suzanne Chan, sitting across from them, smirked.
"Then wouldn't that make it even more interesting? If the new guy's crazy enough to challenge Logan, he must have some skills."
Petra, leaning back, grinned. "Or he's just suicidal."
Anna grinned. "Only one way to find out!"
She grabbed Suzanne and Petra by the wrists, pulling them along.
Jean shook her head, watching them go. But then—her eyes flickered toward Jack. And for just a second—she felt something strange.
A presence.
Something not quite human. She shook the thought away and went back to eating.
…
Jack walked with his usual bounce in his step, hands behind his back. Logan strode beside him, silent, focused. Behind them, Storm, Hank, and Xavier followed at a distance. A small crowd of students trailed after them, excitement buzzing in the air.
Jack turned his head slightly. "Damn, I didn't know we were selling tickets."
Logan grunted. "They just wanna see you get your ass kicked."
Jack smirked. "Aww, you think they like me enough to watch?"
Logan rolled his eyes. They arrived at a large metallic door. The entrance to the Danger Room. The advanced, futuristic training facility used by the X-Men for combat simulations.
Jack whistled. "Fancy."
Logan stepped forward, punching in the access code. The doors hissed open, revealing a massive open space inside. The walls were lined with steel panels, sensors, and hidden mechanisms designed to generate combat scenarios.
But today? It would be just them. No distractions. No simulations. Just a fight between two warriors.
Jack stepped inside, stretching his arms. "So, what's the rules? No biting? No eye-gouging?"
Logan cracked his knuckles. "Only one rule, bub—try not to die."
Jack grinned. "Ah, my favorite kind of fight."
The students gathered at the observation deck above, looking down. Anna, Suzanne, and Petra leaned against the railing.
Suzanne crossed her arms. "This is gonna be over fast."
Anna grinned. "Not if the new guy's actually strong."
Storm, Hank, and Xavier watched from the control panel.
Xavier folded his hands. "Let's see what he's really capable of."
Hank nodded. "I have to admit, I'm curious."
Storm glanced at Logan.
Then, at Jack—who was still grinning like this was all a joke. "I just hope Logan doesn't kill him."
Xavier smiled slightly. "Oh, I don't think Logan will be the problem here."
Storm raised an eyebrow.
But before she could question it—The fight began.
…
Silence hung in the air.
Logan and Jack stood opposite each other, a few meters apart. The polished metal floor beneath them reflected the harsh white lights above, casting long shadows. Above, in the observation deck, the spectators leaned forward.
"So no weapons?" Anna asked, tilting her head.
Storm nodded. "Looks like it's just hand-to-hand for now."
Bobby smirked. "Wolverine's gonna wreck him."
Suzanne leaned against the railing. "Maybe. But I get the feeling that guy is... different."
Kurt grinned, his golden eyes flickering with anticipation. "Oh, zis is going to be fun."
Jack rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck. His body was completely relaxed—almost like he wasn't even taking this seriously. His hands raised loosely, fingers slightly curled, swaying back and forth like leaves caught in a breeze.
It wasn't a formal stance. It wasn't structured. It was unpredictable. A mix of drunken boxing, mantis style, capoeira, and his own madness.
Logan grunted, cracking his knuckles. "You done dancin', bub?"
Jack grinned. "Dancing is fighting. Fighting is dancing. The only difference is the rhythm."
Logan snorted. "Alright then, let's dance."
BOOM.
Logan exploded forward. No hesitation. No testing the waters. Pure, animalistic ferocity. His fists shot forward, aiming straight for Jack's jaw.
Jack tilted his head. The punch missed by a hair.
Logan followed with a brutal left hook.
Jack leaned back, his body bending unnaturally, dodging by mere centimeters. "Wooo! That was close!" Jack laughed.
Logan gritted his teeth and kept pressing forward. The room shook with the sheer force of his attacks.
Jack moved like liquid. His body flowed effortlessly, twisting, bending, weaving between Logan's attacks. Every time Logan's fists came close—Jack was already gone.
His dodges weren't just reflexive—they were playful. He spun on one foot, hopping back, flipping over Logan's strikes. It was as if he wasn't fighting at all—just playing.
"He's not even trying!" Bobby whispered.
Suzanne furrowed her brows. "No... he's reading Logan. Studying his rhythm."
Logan lunged again, throwing a powerful straight punch. Jack sidestepped, barely dodging—then immediately snapped his hand forward.
THWACK!
A light tap on Logan's forehead. Nothing damaging—just a flick of Jack's fingers against his skin.
A tease.
Logan's eyes narrowed.
Jack grinned, wiggling his fingers.
"Boop."
The spectators burst into laughter. "OH SHIT, HE JUST BOOPED WOLVERINE!" Jamie Madrox cackled.
Bobby nearly choked on his drink. Even Kurt covered his mouth, giggling.
Logan snarled. "You little—" He lunged forward, doubling his speed.
Jack stopped dodging. He flowed into the fight.
Logan's next punch—Jack caught it with one hand, spinning with the momentum. He twisted Logan's wrist just enough to throw off his balance.
WHAM!
Jack's elbow struck Logan's ribs. Logan grunted, but didn't stop. He swung his other fist—Jack ducked under, spinning around his back.
BAM!
A palm strike to Logan's shoulder. Then—Jack bent backward, dodging a retaliatory strike, twisting into a kick aimed at Logan's ribs.
SMACK!
Logan stumbled slightly. The spectators gasped.
"Holy crap! He actually made Logan step back!" Sam Guthrie exclaimed.
Anna's eyes gleamed. "Oh, this just got good."
Logan exhaled slowly, eyes sharpening.
Jack smirked. "Getting serious now?"
Logan rolled his shoulders. "No more games, bub."
Jack grinned wider. "Oh, but I love games."
Logan shifted his stance. More grounded. More focused. He wasn't just swinging wildly anymore.
Jack felt the change immediately. Logan was watching. Waiting. Adapting. Jack narrowed his golden eyes. "Ohhh, this just got fun."
Logan smirked. Jack grinned, wiping a small bead of sweat from his brow. Across from him, Logan was breathing steadily, stance solid, muscles tense. The playful, teasing rhythm from before was gone.
Now?
Logan was watching. Calculating.
Jack narrowed his golden eyes. "Alright, Badger. Ready for round two?"
Logan exhaled. Then—SNIKT. His adamantium claws extended.
Jack's smirk flickered for just a second.
Above in the observation deck, the spectators tensed.
Bobby whistled. "Ooooh, boy. The claws are out."
Kurt frowned. "Zis is getting dangerous."
Suzanne crossed her arms. "Wasn't it already?"
Petra leaned in. "Yeah, but now it's different. Now Logan is done playing."
Logan moved. Faster. More aggressive. His claws sliced through the air with deadly precision. Jack dodged—barely.
A slash aimed at his throat grazed his cheek, drawing a thin line of red. "Tch—!" Jack hopped back, but Logan was already closing in.
Another swipe—Jack ducked. A spin—Jack flipped over it. The claws were deadly, unrelenting. Before, Logan fought with instinct and force. Now, he fought like a hunter. A predator.
And Jack? He was the prey.
Jack twisted mid-air, flipping over Logan's strike—But then—SHING!
A claw caught his thigh. Blood splattered across the steel floor. Jack winced, landing on one knee. "Ow, ow, ow. Damn, those are sharp."
Logan was already moving again.
Jack leaned back—barely dodging a claw swipe across his chest. Then—he felt it. A sharp, searing pain across his ribs.
SHING!
Logan's claws raked across Jack's side, tearing through his robe.
Jack gritted his teeth, stumbling back. His robe was now shredded, revealing deep, bleeding wounds across his torso.
The spectators gasped. "Shit, this is getting brutal." Sam muttered.
Anna's hands tightened into fists. "Should we stop this?"
Storm shook her head. "Not yet."
Hank's gaze was sharp. "They both still want this fight."
Jack clutched his bleeding side, smirking despite the pain. "Damn. You really wanna kill me, huh?"
Logan snarled. "You wanted a fight. Here it is."
Jack exhaled, shaking his head. "You sure you want your memories back?"
Logan's brow furrowed.
Jack's golden eyes gleamed. "Sometimes the thing you think is a curse... is just a blessing in disguise."
Logan's teeth clenched. "YOU DON'T KNOW ME!"
Then—he charged again.
Jack sighed. Then, his hand reached for his left ear. The golden earring dangling from it shimmered.
With a flick of his fingers—he pulled. And in an instant—The earring expanded. A staff materialized in his grip, growing to its full size.
The Ruyi Jingu Bang.
Jack twirled it effortlessly, the air whistling with its weight. His stance shifted. Gone was the loose, playful unpredictability.
Now, he was rooted. Powerful. Like an unstoppable storm. Logan skidded to a stop, eyes narrowing.
Jack smiled. "Alright, Badger. Let's get serious."
Logan lunged.
Jack swung.
CRACK!
The staff smashed against Logan's ribs—sending him flying. Logan grunted, rolling across the floor—his healing factor already kicking in.
Jack didn't wait. He leapt forward, spinning mid-air, bringing the staff down like a hammer.
BOOM!
Logan rolled away just in time, the floor denting from the sheer force of the impact.
The students stared in shock. "Holy shit." Suzanne whispered. Roberto swallowed. "This guy's on another level."
Logan rose, blood dripping from his mouth. His wounds were healing, but slower because of the sheer amount of injuries.
Jack grinned. "Hurts, doesn't it?"
Logan spat blood. "Not as much as it's gonna hurt you."
He rushed in again. But Jack—Jack was different now. He let loose.
BOOM! The staff slammed into Logan's shoulder.
CRACK! A follow-up strike crushed into his knee, forcing him down.
Jack was relentless. Every time Logan healed—Jack hit him harder. Chunks of flesh peeled from Logan's body, only to regrow seconds later.
The room became a blur of red and silver. The floor was stained with blood. Logan's. Jack's. It didn't matter. Because the fight had become something else now.
Something primal. The boys watching were silent. They had never seen Logan this injured.
The girls, usually intrigued by Jack's charm, were pale with horror.
Petra covered her mouth. "This is... this is insane."
Suzanne's eyes were sharp. "He's punishing Logan. He's not just fighting anymore—he's breaking him."
Anna's face was pale, hands gripping the railing. "Someone really needs to stop this."
Jack twirled his staff, blood dripping from its surface. His robes were shredded, deep claw wounds across his arms and torso.
He exhaled, gazing at Logan—who was still trying to get up. Logan's body was covered in open wounds, healing rapidly, but the pain never stopped.
Jack sighed, shaking his head. "Still think you're ready for the truth?"
Logan growled, breathing heavily. "I don't care how bad it is. I need to know."
Jack spun his staff, stepping forward. His golden eyes gleamed. Blood dripped onto the cold metallic floor. Jack stood over Logan, his chest rising and falling steadily.
Logan? He was barely moving. His healing factor worked overtime, but every time his body tried to regenerate—Jack would tear him apart again.
Chunks of flesh peeled from Logan's body, wounds reopening faster than they could close.
But Logan kept fighting. His claws still lashed out, his teeth still bared in rage.
Jack sighed. Then—his fingers traced a symbol mid-air. A golden, glowing rune formed in front of him. Jack's voice dropped to a whisper. "Body Freezing Spell."
The air hummed. A pressure rippled outward. And Logan—froze. Mid-attack. His muscles locked, his body suddenly immobile. His healing factor? Stopped.
Jack's golden eyes glowed as he twirled his staff. Then—he laughed. A low, unhinged, manic cackle. "KEKEKEKEKEKE!"
He raised his staff. And then—he struck.
WHAM!
Jack's staff slammed into Logan's ribs, shattering them instantly.
CRACK!
Another blow—his arm twisted unnaturally. Another—his shoulder caved in. Another—his stomach burst open, blood spilling out.
Logan couldn't scream. He couldn't heal. He couldn't move. The students watching from above froze in horror.
"Jesus Christ," Bobby muttered, pale.
Anna's fingers dug into the railing.
Kurt swallowed, gripping his rosary.
This wasn't a fight anymore. This was punishment. Scott Summers' hands clenched into fists. His visor glowed red.
Jack raised his staff again, still grinning—
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Scott fired. A burst of ruby-red energy shot toward Jack. Jack whirled—just in time.
CLANG!
His staff met the optic blast mid-air. The force sent Jack skidding backward, feet digging into the floor. Smoke rose from his staff's surface.
Jack tilted his head. Then, he laughed again. "Ooooh, that was fun!"
Scott gritted his teeth. "The fight is OVER."
Jack twirled his staff lazily, still grinning. "Alright, alright."
He spun the staff once—then flicked it. The Body Freezing Spell shattered. Logan gasped, collapsing to the floor, his body finally allowed to regenerate. Jack turned away. His robes were shredded, stained with blood—his own and Logan's.
He tilted his head, looking down at Logan. And then—he spoke. "You're too caught up in what lies behind the hill..." He turned toward the exit.
His voice was softer. "...that you don't realize you're already standing on a mountain of gold."
Then—he walked away. His laughter echoed behind him. And in the center of the Danger Room—Logan just lay there.
Silent. Breathing. Thinking.
