The Blackbird descended smoothly onto the outskirts of a long-abandoned military installation surrounded by cracked asphalt and overgrown fences. The landing ramp lowered with a hiss, and Adrian stepped onto the gravel-strewn landing zone.
"Wow, this place is definitely not haunted," he muttered, dripping sarcasm.
Professor Xavier chuckled from behind. "Don't be so glum, Adrian. This facility was chosen for its remote location and diverse terrain. It's perfect for training."
Peter hesitated at the base of the ramp, eyeing the dilapidated buildings with concern. "I still don't think I should be here…"
"Nonsense," Beast said, adjusting his glasses. "With your intellect, you'll contribute And survive greatly."
"I'm sorry—did you say survive? Did I hear that right?" Peter's voice cracked with panic.
Adrian clapped a hand on Peter's shoulder. "Don't worry. Kurt can always teleport you back if you break something."
"If I die, I'm haunting your ass," Peter muttered.
Logan grunted and stepped forward. "Enough dilly-dallying. Let's move."
The training grounds were divided into zones of obstacles: collapsed buildings, narrow corridors, mock control rooms, and dense brush. Xavier's voice echoed from their earpieces as he guided them remotely.
"Team One: Adrian, Peter, Kurt, Jubilee. Wolverine is your field mentor. Your objective is to retrieve the red flag hidden deep within the west wing of the facility."
"Copy that," Adrian said, cracking his knuckles as his body shimmered slightly with the activation of Hardening.
"Let's keep it simple," Logan said. "Kurt, scout. Jubilee, cover the rear. Peter, stick close to Adrian."
As the team moved deeper into the facility, they faced standard simulations: turret traps, collapsing platforms, and a puzzle that Peter managed to crack in seconds. They were halfway to the flag when the ground trembled.
"What was that?" Jubilee asked.
A nearby wall exploded inward, sending concrete flying. From the dust emerged a towering, spider-like training drone—rusted but active, its AI corrupted by time. Its red sensors flared as it locked onto the team.
"Stand back!" Logan barked, extending his claws.
The drone lunged. Adrian surged forward with OFA 9%, lifted off the ground, and activated Smokescreen. "Scatter!"
Jubilee fired off explosive lights to distract the drone, giving Kurt a window to teleport Peter to safety. Logan attacked its flank, but the drone retaliated with an electrified pincer, forcing him back.
"Adrian! Left side panel—it's exposed!" Peter yelled from behind cover.
Adrian activated Permeation, phasing through the debris, then re-solidified with Hardening just before impact, slamming into the panel with a hardened fist. The drone screeched, sparking violently.
Kurt teleported behind it and slashed at the sensors. Jubilee launched another burst of light, blinding the AI long enough for Adrian to charge up and deliver a final blow. The drone collapsed in a heap of scorched metal.
Everyone caught their breath.
"Well," Logan muttered, eyeing the wreckage. "That wasn't part of the plan."
"I think the place has some old defense tech still running," Beast's voice crackled over the comms. "We're disabling what we can remotely."
Peter sat down against a wall, panting. "This is insane. And I'm not even the guy with powers."
Adrian offered him a hand. "You still did great."
Later – After the Mission
As the group waited by the Blackbird, Storm gave Xavier the full report.
"Despite complications, they adapted well," she said. "Peter held his own with quick thinking, and Adrian kept his team together."
Xavier turned to the two teens. "You've both shown exceptional progress. But I sense something else is on your minds."
Adrian and Peter exchanged a glance. Adrian spoke first. "We've been thinking… maybe it's time we form our own team. Something smaller. Something… proactive."
Peter nodded, still catching his breath. "We're not trying to leave the X-Men behind, but we want to try something different. Build something together."
Xavier nodded with understanding. "The road ahead won't be easy. But sometimes, it's the ones who dare to step away that shape the future."
As the Blackbird lifted off into the setting sun, Adrian and Peter looked ahead—not just to their next mission, but to what they would become.
A team of their own. A new beginning.