Marvel: Blaze

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting warm beams across the room. X-23 stirred, her sharp instincts pulling her from unconsciousness. Her eyes fluttered open, and she winced as her body reminded her of the beating she'd endured. Her surroundings were unfamiliar—a modest living room with mismatched furniture and the faint smell of cheap air freshener.

The sound of a door creaking open snapped her to attention. Her claws extended instinctively, slicing through the air as she jumped to her feet, her muscles tensing for a fight.

"Whoa, relax."

The voice was calm but firm, and X-23 turned to see the man from the alley—the one who'd found her. Michael Kaiser stood in the doorway, holding a bag of donuts.

"So that's your mutant ability, huh? Claws. Interesting." He smirked and held up the bag. "Anyway, here's breakfast."

X-23 hesitated, her claws still extended. Her sharp eyes scanned him for any sign of deceit.

Kaiser chuckled. "It's just Krispy Kreme. Not poison."

Her claws retracted with a faint metallic snikt. She approached cautiously, plucking a donut from the bag and sniffing it like a feral animal. One bite, and her guarded expression melted into wide-eyed amazement. Without a word, she devoured it, crumbs falling to the floor as she tore into another.

Kaiser smirked and pulled out a second bag. "Good thing I bought some for myself."

He dropped into a chair across from her, watching as she devoured the rest of the donuts.

When the food was gone, an awkward silence filled the room. They stared at each other, two strangers bound by chance. Finally, Kaiser broke the tension.

"So, why were you beaten and bloody in an alleyway?"

X-23's expression hardened, her eyes narrowing. For a moment, he thought she wouldn't answer, but then she sighed and muttered, "I escaped from a bad place. They caught up to me. I fought back and barely got away."

Kaiser's mind raced as he pieced it together. A mutant experiment facility. They found her, tried to drag her back. She escaped but took a beating in the process.

He sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Do you have anywhere to stay?"

X-23 shook her head, her defenses lowering just slightly.

"You can stay here if you want," Kaiser offered, his tone casual. "I've got a guest room."

Her eyes widened, but her mind screamed against the offer. Memories of her past flooded back: the cold, sterile labs, the cruel voices.

"Monster."

"You're nothing but a weapon."

"A killer."

"I can't," she said, her voice trembling. "They'll always find me. And I don't want someone else to die because of me."

Kaiser chuckled softly, surprising her. "I'll be fine," he said, his voice calm. "I can handle myself."

To prove his point, he held up his hand, and flames erupted from his fingertips, dancing like they were alive.

Laura's eyes widened. "You're… like me?"

"Yeah," Kaiser said, letting the fire fade. "So, if they come for you, they'll have to deal with me too."

Her gaze dropped to the floor. "Why do you want to help me?"

Kaiser hesitated, his eyes darkening. "Because you have the same eyes as me," he said quietly. "And I don't want to be alone anymore."

Laura stared at him, the raw vulnerability in his words hitting her harder than she expected. She remembered her mother's dying words:

"Your name is Laura… not X-23. And I love you, my daughter. I hope you can find someone you trust unconditionally."

Maybe… just maybe, she thought, she could trust him.

"I'll stay," she said softly.

Kaiser looked up, surprised but relieved. He nodded and stood, grabbing a bag off the counter. "Here," he said, handing it to her. "Some clothes I picked up for you. The bathroom's around the corner if you need it. I've got work, but the TV works if you get bored."

Laura took the bag, her fingers brushing against his for a brief moment. As he turned to leave, she muttered something under her breath.

Kaiser stopped. "What was that?"

She looked up, her voice louder this time. "Laura. Laura Kinney is my real name."

Kaiser smiled. "Michael Kaiser. Nice to meet you." With that, he left.

Far away, in a dimly lit room, a phone rang. A man's hand, pale and veined, reached for it.

"So, she escaped again?" the man said, his voice low and gravelly. "With someone else? Got it. Both alive? Understood."

He hung up the phone just as a woman entered the room. Her sharp features were framed by dark hair, and her long fingers extended unnaturally as she spoke.

"We have a mission?"

The man turned to her, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "Yeah. It's his daughter."

Her lips curled into a wicked grin as she extended her razor-sharp claws. "Finally, I can have my revenge on Logan. Omega Red."

Omega Red's laughter echoed through the room. "Yeah, we can, Deathstrike."

Another voice interrupted them. "Mind if I join the fun?"

A figure stepped out of the shadows, his face obscured by a red-and-black mask.

Omega Red groaned. "Just don't slow us down, Wade."

Deadpool chuckled. "Oh, don't worry. I'll keep it entertaining."

At the Xavier Mansion, Logan—clad in his signature cowboy hat—entered Charles Xavier's office. Inside, Scott Summers, Gambit, and Xavier himself were waiting.

"Well?" Charles asked, his calm voice cutting through the silence.

"You were right," Logan said, crossing his arms. "There's an underground mutant fight club. But there was a kid there—powerful. And he's got this look in his eyes. Like he's been through hell."

Scott adjusted his red-tinted glasses. "Did you get a name?"

"Michael Kaiser," Logan replied.

Gambit leaned back, shuffling a deck of cards. "So, we recruiting this kid or what?"

Charles nodded. "Yes. He may need guidance."

In the throne room of the House of M, Mystique knelt before Magneto. The imposing figure stood from his throne, his presence as commanding as ever.

"There's an Omega-level mutant," Mystique said. "But the X-Men are already watching him. Do we pursue?"

Magneto's silver hair caught the faint light as he stepped forward. "Yes. Assemble Pyro, Sabretooth, and yourself. Bring him to me."

Mystique bowed and left without a word. Alone, Magneto's gaze hardened.

"Charles," he muttered to himself, "you fool."

Back in Queens, Laura sat on the couch, her fingers brushing over the fresh clothes Kaiser had given her. For the first time in years, she felt something strange—an ember of safety, fragile yet warm.

But she knew it couldn't last. They would come for her. They always did.

And this time, she wouldn't be running alone.