REBORN IN X-MEN

The hum of the Reavers' aircraft grew louder, the vibrations sending faint tremors through the secluded cabin nestled deep in the mountains. Inside, Jade paced restlessly, his claws extending and retracting as sparks of borrowed energy flickered across his fingertips. Logan sat by the window, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. Deadpool, ever unpredictable, lay sprawled on the couch, balancing a dagger on his finger.

The air was thick with anticipation. The fight was coming, and all three knew it.

Jade turned abruptly. "We've got to do more than wait. What if they're planning something worse? What if they're bringing something we can't handle?"

Logan glanced at him, his tone calm but firm. "Worrying about what they'll do won't help, kid. Focus on what we can do."

Deadpool threw his arms up. "Yes, let's all focus. Like a motivational poster. Maybe with a cat hanging from a tree that says, 'Hang in there!'"

Jade ignored him, his frustration spilling out. "You're not taking this seriously! This is my fight, my problem—"

Logan cut him off, his claws extending with a metallic snikt. "Your fight? We're all in this now, whether you like it or not. You think you're the only one with something to lose?"

Deadpool sat up, surprisingly somber. "Logan's right, kid. You're not the center of the universe. Not yet, anyway. Give it time. But seriously, we're here because we choose to be. So stop acting like you're alone in this."

Jade clenched his fists, the tension in his body evident. But Logan's words and Deadpool's unorthodox support began to sink in. He took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay. Then let's figure out how to win this."

Logan led Jade to the clearing outside the cabin. The morning air was sharp and cold, but it carried the scent of pine and earth, grounding them.

"First lesson," Logan said, unsheathing his claws. "Stop relying on just the powers you've copied. You've got instincts, kid. Use them."

Jade hesitated, his claws shimmering in the weak sunlight. "I don't even know what my own instincts are anymore."

Logan didn't give him a chance to think. He lunged, claws slicing through the air. Jade barely managed to dodge, his borrowed reflexes kicking in.

"Stop thinking. React!" Logan barked, attacking again.

Jade parried clumsily, sparks flying as their claws collided. Each movement was a test of endurance and precision, and though Jade stumbled, he began to adapt. Logan pushed him harder, forcing him to rely less on copied abilities and more on his own growing skills.

Meanwhile, Deadpool decided to join the "fun" in his own chaotic way. He fired a barrage of rubber bullets at Jade, yelling, "Dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge! Also, don't forget: aim for the crotch. Nobody expects the crotch!"

Jade groaned as a rubber bullet grazed his arm. "Wade, this isn't helping!"

Deadpool grinned. "Sure it is! Nothing motivates like pain!"

Despite the chaos, the training paid off. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, Jade's movements were more fluid, his strikes more precise. He was learning to balance Logan's disciplined ferocity with Deadpool's unpredictable flair.

That night, the trio sat around a crackling campfire inside the cabin. The flickering light cast long shadows on the walls, creating an atmosphere both intimate and somber.

Jade stared into the flames, lost in thought. "Why us? Why mutants? Why do we always end up being hunted, used, or worse?"

Logan leaned back in his chair, his expression hardening. "Because we're different. And people hate what they don't understand. Always have, always will."

Deadpool, lounging on the floor, added, "And because the universe is a jerk. But hey, at least we're awesome. I mean, look at me. I'm basically a supermodel with a sword."

Jade shot him a half-smile. "How do you stay so… normal about it?"

Deadpool raised an eyebrow. "Normal? Sweet summer child, I am not normal. But I cope. With humor, stabbing, and copious amounts of chimichangas. You? You've got to find your thing."

Logan's voice softened. "He's not wrong, kid. Everyone's got scars. What matters is what you do with them."

Jade looked at them both, their words sinking in. For the first time, he felt like he wasn't just fighting for survival—he was fighting for something more.

The peaceful night gave way to the inevitable. The hum of the Reavers' aircraft returned, louder and closer than before. The trio stood at the cabin's edge, watching as shadowy figures descended from the craft.

Jade's claws extended, the glow of his borrowed energy lighting up the dark. Logan's claws gleamed in the moonlight, his expression grim. Deadpool twirled his katanas, a manic grin on his face.

"Time to shine, boys!" Deadpool said. "Let's show these guys why messing with us is a terrible idea."

Jade smirked, his nerves steadying. "Let them come."

Logan's lips curved into a rare smile. "You're learning, kid. Let's hope it's enough."

The first wave of Reavers charged, their weapons blazing. But this time, the trio wasn't running. They stood united, ready to face whatever came next.

As the battle raged, a shadowy figure watched from the treetops. Tall and clad in a dark cloak, the figure's red eyes glinted with amusement.

"Well, well," the figure murmured, their voice smooth and cold. "The boy is stronger than I anticipated. Perhaps this will be more entertaining than I thought."

The figure disappeared into the shadows, leaving behind a faint whisper that echoed in the night:

"This is only the beginning."