Days turned into weeks as Ethan focused on training Anna, determined to ensure she could defend herself if danger ever came her way. While Storm and Logan guided her in understanding the depth of her abilities, Ethan's primary goal remained to teach her self-defense, how to react, how to move, and, most importantly, how to survive. The training sessions took place daily in the gym and later expanded to the Danger Room, where practical combat scenarios awaited.
At first, Anna felt hesitant, unsure of herself, frightened by what her powers might do. But with Ethan's constant encouragement and Storm's firm yet patient teaching, her confidence began to grow. Ethan, meanwhile, had no complaints. Every day he watched Anna train in her gym clothes, tight leggings and a fitted top that emphasized her toned figure. He smirked to himself. Thank you, Rob, for this life. Truly, you're the best.
One day, Storm and Logan joined the training with a different approach. They wanted Anna to experience firsthand the true extent of her mutation.
"She needs to understand her limits," Storm said, folding her arms as she looked at Ethan. "You're teaching her how to fight, which is good, but she also needs to learn how her powers affect others."
Logan cracked his knuckles. "Only one way to do that."
Anna hesitated. "You mean…"
Logan nodded. "Yeah. You're gonna touch me, kid."
Ethan watched as Anna stepped back. "I don't know… what if I take too much?"
Logan smirked. "Then I'll just heal. Trust me, I've been through worse."
Storm placed a reassuring hand on Anna's shoulder. "The more you understand your powers, the less you'll fear them."
Anna lingered for a moment, then finally nodded. "Alright… let's do it."
The first time Anna touched Logan, she absorbed only his strength and senses for a minute before pulling away. The effect was immediate, her muscles felt stronger, and a rush of energy coursed through her unlike anything she had felt before. As she absorbed Logan's powers, they noticed a subtle change in her appearance: strands of hair at the front began to turn white, slowly spreading to the sides.
Anna pulled her hand away, breathing heavily, and looked at Ethan with worry in her eyes. "My hair… it's changing," she said. "What if it all turns white? What if I start aging faster?"
Ethan chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Don't worry. If you start aging, just absorb Logan's powers again, you'll stay young forever."
Anna and Storm laughed, while Logan merely glared at Ethan. "Real funny, kid," he muttered, though there was no real anger in his tone.
"This… this is incredible," Anna murmured, flexing her fingers.
"Not bad, huh?" Logan replied with a smirk.
Storm nodded approvingly. "Now, let's push it further."
Over the next few days, they repeated the process, increasing the contact time with each session. Anna learned that the longer she touched someone, the more she absorbed, not only their powers but also their memories, instincts, and even fragments of their personality.
Eventually, they decided to test just how long she could hold onto Logan's abilities.
"You sure about this?" Ethan asked, standing beside Logan.
Logan shrugged. "I'll be fine."
Anna took a deep breath and placed her hand on Logan's arm. Seconds passed, then minutes. Logan's expression gradually changed, fatigue creeping into his features. His usual unshakable stance wavered, and his breathing grew heavier. Another minute passed, and his knees bent slightly.
"Alright," he muttered through the pain. "That's enough."
Anna quickly released him, and Logan stumbled before catching himself. Storm was at his side instantly, helping him to sit down. Ethan and Anna, however, were riveted by something else. The front and sides of Anna's hair had turned completely white. She clenched her fists and with a sharp SNIKT, bone claws shot from her knuckles. Anna's eyes widened as she stared at her hands.
"No way…" she breathed.
Ethan smirked. "Now that's badass."
Moments later, Logan slipped into unconsciousness. Anna's worry was plain, but Ethan and Storm reassured her that he would recover in a few minutes or hours, depending on how much of his power she had absorbed. Storm carefully lifted Logan and carried him toward the resting room, casting Ethan and Anna a mildly reproachful glance.
"You're lucky he's so durable," she said, though there was a spark of amusement in her voice.
With Logan's abilities now flowing through her, Anna and Ethan made their way to the Danger Room to test her newfound skills. As Anna sparred with a Sentinel training model, her movements were fluid and sharp, a clear reflection of the combat instincts she had taken from Logan. She dismantled the Sentinel with relative ease, her confidence growing steadily with each strike.
Ethan watched with an approving smile, his mind drifting to his own journey. These last three months in this world had transformed him in ways he hadn't foreseen. He had discovered purpose, forged friendships, and even found love. He remembered his first talk with Rob, the entity who had sent him here. At the time, anger had burned through him, and he had cursed Rob for uprooting his life. But now, all he felt was gratitude. Rob could have destroyed him in an instant, sent him to nightmarish worlds, or worse, condemned him to a lab as an experiment. Instead, he had given Ethan a gift, power suited for survival.
"Thank you for giving me this life, Rob," he thought, a genuine smile touching his face. And sorry for cursing you back then.
Anna caught his expression and called out teasingly, "Hey, are you just going to stand there, or are you going to fight me?"
Ethan grinned and stepped forward. "Alright, let's see what you've got."
Their spar began meant as a test of her abilities, but for Ethan, also an excuse to tease her, something he found almost as entertaining as the fight itself.
Now wielding Logan's powers, Anna moved with remarkable speed. Her agility, reflexes, and strength had all surged. She lunged with her claws, slashing with measured ferocity. Ethan, though, barely seemed to try. He dodged each attack effortlessly, a sly smirk playing on his lips.
"Come on, Anna," he taunted, stepping back as her claws sliced through empty space. "You've got Logan's powers now, surely you can do better than that?"
Anna growled in frustration. "Stop dodging and fight me, you coward!"
Looks like Logan's personality rubbed off on her too, Ethan thought, amused.
He chuckled. "Oh? But I'm enjoying watching you try."
Anna narrowed her eyes and sprang forward again. This time, she feinted right, pivoted, and swung straight at his chest. Yet again, he evaded her strike. As he sidestepped, his hand brushed against her chest.
Anna froze mid-motion, her cheeks flaming. Ethan stepped back with an exaggerated look of innocence. "Oops."
Her embarrassment quickly boiled into anger. "You pervert!" she shouted, slashing at him in a furious blur.
Ethan laughed, dancing just out of reach. "Hey, I was only dodging! Not my fault you got in the way."
Anna glared, unconvinced, and pressed her attack. But Ethan stayed a step ahead until, just as she lunged again, SMACK.
Her eyes went wide. He had just spanked her… on the backside.
Anna froze for a moment, her face burning hotter than ever. Ethan grinned. "Nice reflexes. But I think you need a little more training."
Anna's hands trembled as she clenched her fists. "I'm going to kill you."
Ethan tilted his head, his smirk widening. "Oh? You sure about that?"
Anna lunged at him in blind fury, but this time, before she could react, Ethan grabbed her by the waist, spun her around, and pressed his lips against hers. It was quick, just a few seconds but when he pulled away, Anna went completely still, her breath caught in her throat.
Ethan stepped back with a smug look. "Gotcha."
Anna stared at him, her face aflame, heart pounding. Then realization hit. "YOU...!" She swung her claws at him again, but Ethan was already laughing, dodging easily as he moved away.
"Let's continue," he said with a wink. "Maybe you'll land a hit this time."
Anna stood there, still fuming, as he whistled like nothing had happened. She touched her lips, the warmth of the kiss lingering. That bastard.
Even so, she couldn't land a decent hit on him. The spar had been intense, Anna pushed herself hard, her strikes sharp and relentless, while Ethan matched her with effortless precision. Now the tension between them was palpable, more than just the lingering energy of the fight. Ethan's eyes traced the curve of her body, lingering on the way her damp sports top clung to her chest. She's incredible, he thought, his gaze flicking down to her hips, then back to her flushed face.
She caught him staring and smirked, wiping sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. "Like what you see?" she asked teasingly.
"Yeah," he replied without hesitation, stepping closer to close the gap between them.
Anna didn't back away. Instead, she tilted her head up, eyes locking with his as she closed the distance herself. Now they were inches apart, feeling each other's breath.
"You ready for this?" Ethan murmured.
Anna didn't answer with words. Instead, she grabbed the collar of his gym shirt and pulled him down to her level.
Ethan's hands slid up her sides, steady and sure, drawing her closer until her breath caught in her throat. Anna felt the warmth of his touch spread through her, sending a tremor down her spine. Their eyes met for a heartbeat before his lips found hers again, deeper this time, stealing the air from her lungs.
A low sound escaped her as she melted against him, the charged energy between them sparking like fire. He murmured something soft, a promise, a question and she nodded, trusting him.
Anna traced the line of his jaw, feeling the quiet strength there, and let herself lean into the moment. The room seemed to fade until there was nothing but the steady rhythm of their breathing and the closeness pulling them together.
Ethan brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, his gaze searching hers. "Are you sure?" he asked gently.
"Yes," she whispered, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest.
He smiled, warm and reassuring, and gathered her into his arms. The world around them blurred as they crossed the last bit of distance, their connection deepening with every heartbeat, a promise of something new beginning between them.