The Avatar in Marvel

Date: Friday, May 6, 2011, 8:00 am

Location: Cactus High, Cactus City, Texas

Three months, that's how long Laura Kinney, AKA X-23, has been in Cactus City, Texas, and it has been an adjustment. Three months since she had rolled into town in one of Logan's Harleys and joined Cactus High as a 17-year-old Junior. She arrived here with Logan to find this elusive Omega-level mutant, but this mutant was like catching smoke with a net. The anomaly that had evaded the X-Men for a year and a half remained a ghost, a taunting whisper of immense power that never materialized. More frustratingly, both she and Logan could feel and sense the tremendous power but could never fully locate it. It was as if this mutant was constantly humiliating them, yelling at them that they were here but that they would never find them.

Both she and Logan later realized, after being there for a month, that the reason they couldn't locate this mutant was not because this mutant was talented in concealing his immense power, but rather the exact opposite. This mutant power was so powerful that when they used it, they were surrounded by its effects.

She and Logan had scoured every inch of this sleepy town, every back alley. She'd mapped the town's electrical grid, looking for unusual power drains. Nothing. She'd spent nights perched on rooftops, sweeping the sleeping streets with her heightened hearing and smell – a far less exhausting task than Jean Grey's continent-spanning efforts, but just as fruitless for finding what she needed. The powerful traces she sometimes picked up were too diffuse, too fleeting. She'd even tried to trigger a response, creating minor, controlled disruptions – a burst pipe here, a temporary power outage there – hoping to elicit some reactive flare from the elusive mutant. All she got was a visit from a very confused local plumber and a lecture from her landlord. The gnawing suspicion that she was missing something fundamental, something right in front of her, grew with each passing day. The power was here, she knew it, but it was like smoke in her grasp.

The hunt was becoming less a thrill of the chase and more a dull, persistent ache of failure. For Laura, who prided herself on her precision and effectiveness, it was a bitter pill to swallow. The X-Men had sent her because she was the best tracker, the silent hunter. And here, in Cactus, she was hitting a wall, a wall built of ordinary life and extraordinary elusiveness.

What she didn't expect was how close she got to a certain boy. After the initial tour around the school with Julius, Laura thought she would hardly see him again since he was only a sophomore and she was a junior in high school. However, the universe seemed to have other plans.

When she was about to head to her first class, which was AP physics, Julius stated, "I have that class too. Let me take you there so that you don't get lost. Actually, let me see your schedule."

Laura handed Julius the thin piece of paper that held her schedule. He examined it, and his eyes widened with surprise. He then stated, "Well, that's surprising. I have two other classes with you besides AP physics. It looks like we also share Precal, and Spanish two together."

Julius quickly handed back to Laura her schedule and then exclaimed, "Well, I guess I'll be seeing you around then, Ms. Kinney. Let's hurry to class now; Mr. Finch is ruthless about being late to his class, and it's on the other side of the school from where we are."

That was three months ago. Since then, Laura felt that fate was somehow intervening in every way. In all three classes, she was either partnered up with him on projects somehow or sat close to him. What surprised her the most was how intelligent he was. She knew that he wasn't stupid since he was already taking pre-calculus and AP physics as a sophomore, but he wasn't merely passing the classes.

When Laura was initially partnered with Julius in a specific project in AP Physics, she learned, to her surprise, that he wasn't just an... aesthetically eye-pleasing individual; he was actually brilliant. Laura hated group projects since she remembered that every time she was partnered up with Bobby or Kitty back at the mansion, she would always do the majority of the work while they were goofing around. However, Julius took work seriously and always contributed. While other groups fumbled, Julius calmly offered precise adjustments, and Laura, relying on her enhanced dexterity, executed them flawlessly. They completed the task with an unexpected, almost silent, synergy.

"Good job," Julius said softly, as they packed away their equipment. "We actually made that spectrometer work."

Laura just nodded a terse acknowledgment. "You're good with this."

He chuckled. "Just trying to make sense of the universe, you know?"

Later that week, they were assigned a particularly challenging group project in Pre-Cal. They spent several after-school sessions in the library, poring over equations. Laura, usually preferring solitary work, found Julius's presence surprisingly welcoming. He'd explain a concept patiently, drawing diagrams, never making her feel slow.

"You pick this up fast," Julius commented one afternoon, watching her solve a complex derivative. "Most people struggle with this part."

"I learn fast," Laura replied, a faint, unfamiliar warmth in her chest at the genuine compliment. "You explain it well."

"Thanks," he said with a small, easy smile. "It just clicks for me, I guess. Like, I can see the numbers moving."

He never pushed her for conversation beyond the academic, never commented on her quiet nature or her lack of participation in classroom chatter. He simply existed, efficiently collaborating on their tasks, occasionally offering a helpful explanation without condescension. He didn't pry; he just was. He made her feel… less like a secret, more like herself.

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the walls around Laura began to shift. It wasn't a conscious decision, just a gradual erosion of her usual detachment. She found herself subtly anticipating their shared classes, a faint, unfamiliar warmth stirring within her. One afternoon, after a particularly grueling Physics lab where they'd been the only group to complete it successfully, the professor let the two of them leave class early. Since this was their very last class for the day, Julius was walking Laura to her Harley. Julius had turned to her. He was wiping grease from his hands with a rag, his face smudged but smiling.

Julius then asked, "So hey, there's this end-of-the-year party that Matt Davis is throwing at his parent's barn on the 21st. He throws it every year at the end of the school year. I was wondering...would you like to go with me?"

The question caught Laura completely off guard. Her carefully constructed composure wavered. A blush crept up her neck, surprising her with its intensity. Her mind, usually so sharp and focused, suddenly felt like static.

"Uh…" she stammered, an uncharacteristic sound escaping her lips. Her training screamed at her to remain detached, to prioritize the mission. But something else —a flicker of unexpected excitement —sparked within her.

Julius waited patiently, his hopeful expression unwavering.

Taking a breath, forcing a semblance of her usual calm, Laura met his gaze. "Yes," she said, the word coming out a little breathlessly. "Yes, I'd like that."

A relieved smile spread across Julius's face, making him look even younger and more genuinely happy. "Awesome," he said. "It's a date; I'll figure out the details."

As Laura turned to leave, a small, involuntary smile touched her lips. She reminded herself that this was still about the mission, about observing, about potential triggers in a heightened emotional environment. But beneath the surface of her pragmatic reasoning, a thrill of anticipation bloomed. A date. With Julius. The thought, despite the inherent complications, was undeniably exciting. The Omega mutant hunt continued, a frustrating, elusive presence, but now, a bright, unexpected detour had appeared on her path.

Their routine evolved beyond school and the aftermath of the invitation to the house party. Julius's smile seemed a little brighter when he saw her in Pre-Cal, his help with equations a touch more lingering. Julius even helped Laura fix her bike together. He never pressured her, but the knowledge of the upcoming date hung in the air, a pleasant, intriguing question mark.

Their classmates noticed the shift. The envious glances from the girls intensified, their whispers in the hallways more pointed. "Did you see Laura with Julius at lunch?" one hissed, her voice sharp with resentment. "She just shows up out of nowhere and suddenly she's going on a date with him?"

Another chimed in, her tone dripping with disbelief. "I heard Julius asked her. What does he even see in her? She barely talks!"

Tiffany, the cheerleader, was particularly vocal in her displeasure, muttering about "outsiders" and "stealing our star player." The undercurrent of jealousy was palpable, a low hum in the social atmosphere of Cactus High.

One afternoon, after school, a group of girls, led by a particularly disgruntled Tiffany, cornered Laura when she was about to leave on her motorcycle. "So, a date with Julius?" Tiffany said, her saccharine smile even less convincing than before. "That's quite a step for the new girl."

Laura met her gaze, her own unflinching. "He asked me," she stated simply, offering no further explanation.

The other girls exchanged annoyed glances. "Well, don't think you're suddenly queen of the school just because Julius Valdez asked you to 'hang out,'" Tiffany sneered. "He's nice to everyone."

"Maybe," Laura replied, her voice flat, betraying none of the internal turmoil the prospect of the date actually caused. "But he asked me." And with that, she turned and drove off on her motorcycle, leaving the simmering group of girls behind.

The week leading up to the party blurred by in a mix of mission vigilance and a growing, unfamiliar anticipation. Laura scanned every interaction with Julius, every conversation, for any sign, any flicker that might connect him to the elusive Omega mutant. But he remained resolutely… normal. Kind, intelligent, talented, and seemingly genuinely interested in spending time with her. The normalcy was both reassuring and deeply frustrating, especially with those fleeting energetic traces still tormenting her senses.

One evening, after three months of fruitless searching and the whirlwind of the homecoming invitation, Laura found herself back at the mansion for a routine check-in. She parried a holographic Sentinel's claw in the Danger Room, her movements precise and economical, a primal satisfaction in every blocked blow. Just as she was about to deliver a finishing strike, a voice cut through the simulation's hum.

"Well, look who it is! Our resident Texas Ranger, back from wrangling cowboys... and apparently landing dates with the local hero!"

Laura paused, the Sentinel flickering out of existence. She turned to see Kitty Pryde phasing through a wall, a wide grin plastered on her face. Rogue leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, a knowing smirk playing on her lips.

"Kitty," Laura grunted, her tone flat, but without its usual defensive edge. She deactivated the Danger Room.

"Oh, don't 'Kitty' me, darlin'," Rogue drawled, pushing off the doorframe. "We heard all about your little rodeo out there... culminating in a date. Seems our little loner is blossoming."

Kitty bounced closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Yeah, Professor X just gave us the lowdown. 'Laura has successfully integrated into the community and established a... unique rapport with a local individual, leading to an invitation to a friendly gathering of peers.' Unique rapport, huh? Is that what they're calling 'scoring a date with the star running back and state wrestler' these days?'"

Laura's jaw tightened imperceptibly. "It's part of the mission. Establishing a cover. Maintaining normalcy. Observing potential emotional triggers."

"A cover that involves being escorted by a handsome football player while half the school glares daggers at you?" Kitty pressed, nudging Laura playfully with her elbow. "Come on, Laura. You can tell us. Can he, like, charm the socks off a Sentinel? Is he a good kisser? Is he...big?" Her grin widened.

Laura shot her a glare, a flicker of genuine annoyance mixed with something else, something warm and undeniably flustered. "He's just… a kid. It's just a date. It's not involved."

"Not involved yet," Rogue corrected, her gaze steady, insightful. "You think we didn't notice that little skip in your heartbeat when you mentioned the invitation in your last report? Or that you actually asked Jean for advice on… hairstyles?" She raised an eyebrow. "That's definitely new, sugah. Like, galaxy-brain new."

"It was a mission debrief," Laura insisted, a faint flush creeping up her neck, betraying her. "Logistical considerations for maintaining cover during a social event."

Kitty giggled. "Logistical considerations that include him looking 'really nice' when he asked, I'll bet. And you said yes! Our little Wolverine is officially going on a date! This is monumental!" She leaned in conspiratorially. "So, the dress? Does it sparkle? Are you gonna let him kiss you? Maybe even… get to a base?"

Laura stared at her, unblinking. "I was just going to wear what I usually wear. Also, no." The thought of kissing him and maybe doing something a bit more was surprisingly not entirely unpleasant.

"What! You can't just wear whatever! You know what, after this, we are going to the mall right away and going shopping!" Kitty continued, ignoring her.

"You, looking all mysterious and sexy, and Julius, your gridiron beau, leading you onto the woods. Oh, the romance!"

"Kitty," Laura warned, her voice a low rumble, a genuine threat beneath the humor.

Rogue chuckled, stepping forward and putting a hand on Kitty's shoulder. "Alright, that's enough, Kitten. You're gonna overload her circuits." She turned to Laura, her expression softening, a genuine concern in her eyes. "But seriously, Laura. We're glad you're… experiencing this. It's important to have these… human moments. Just... remember that we live a different world than them."

Laura met Rogue's gaze, the reminder a grounding force, a cold splash of reality amidst the swirling emotions. "I know," she said quietly.

Later, as Laura made her way through the mansion's quieter halls, a familiar presence emerged from the shadows near her quarters. Logan. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a lit cigar clutched between his fingers, its smoke curling lazily into the air. He was a silent, imposing guardian.

"Heard you got yourself a big night planned, kid," Logan rumbled, his voice gravelly, but his eyes, though, held a rare, almost unreadable glint, a flicker of paternal concern mixed with something akin to amusement.

Laura stopped, her posture tense, instantly on guard. "It's a social observation exercise, Logan. Part of the mission parameters. To analyze high-density emotional environments. And those intermittent energy signatures."

"Uh-huh," he scoffed, taking a slow drag from his cigar. "A 'social observation exercise' that involves booze and a boy? Xavier's really expanding your curriculum."

"It aids in integration," Laura insisted, a defensive note entering her voice, betraying more than she intended. "Facilitates long-term inconspicuousness within the target environment."

Logan pushed off the wall, taking a few steps closer, his scent of cigar and old leather filling the air. "Look, kid, I get it. Actin' like a normal teenager ain't easy for you. But don't forget why you're there. That Omega-level ain't gonna find itself by itself. And distractions… well, distractions can be deadly." His voice was low, serious.

"I haven't forgotten," Laura said, her gaze steady, unwavering, though the image of Julius's hopeful smile flickered in her mind. "We both know that he is here. We feel his powers whenever he activates them. We just can't pin it down. It keeps slipping away."

He nodded slowly, then blew out a plume of smoke, a silent dragon. "So, this Valdez kid. He treatin' you right?" There was a new edge to his voice, a protective undercurrent.

Laura felt a prickle of unease, a cold dread at the thought of Logan's potential interference. "He's… fine. He's respectful."

"Good," Logan said, his voice deceptively casual, but his eyes were sharp. "Make sure it stays that way. Because if it doesn't…" He let the threat hang in the air, unspoken but clear. He flexed his claws subtly, the faint snikt sound barely audible, a chilling reminder.

Laura's eyes narrowed, a fierce protectiveness flaring, hotter and faster than she expected, this time directed at Logan, not just the mission. "You are not to interfere, Logan. He's a civilian. This… this is my operation."

"Your 'operation' that involves gettin' asked to a date?" Logan challenged, a hint of his usual gruff amusement now mixed with genuine concern. "Just be careful, kid. Don't let those teenage feelings cloud your judgment. That Omega level could be hidin' in plain sight, even at a school dance. Might even be the reason all those emotions are runnin' high."

Logan studied her for a long moment, a ghost of a smirk playing on his lips, a flash of understanding in his eyes. He saw the flicker of genuine resolve, the unexpected mix of teenage excitement and focused determination in her eyes, a complexity he was beginning to recognize. "Alright, alright, wildcat. Just lookin' out for you. But you handle it your way. Just… keep your claws sheathed on the dance floor, alright?" He took another drag from his cigar, his gaze softening almost imperceptibly, a profound concern shining through the gruff exterior. "And remember what I said. Things ain't always what they seem in places like this. Especially when emotions are runnin' high. Sometimes, the biggest threats aren't the ones you're looking for, but the ones you get close to."

He watched her for another beat, then turned and melted back into the shadows, leaving Laura alone with the lingering scent of cigar smoke and the heavy weight of his unspoken warning. The mission remained a cold, hard fact; the elusive energy signature was still a tantalizing mystery, but now, undeniably, inextricably, a bright, fragile anticipation had woven itself into her focus —a human vulnerability amidst her mutant purpose. The hunt continued, but now, the stakes felt both higher and deeply personal.