Chapter 22 – Blackbird Mayhem
The Blackbird hummed smoothly at first, slicing through cotton-white clouds. Logan gripped the controls, eyes narrowed, visor reflecting the horizon. Storm sat to his left, fingers drumming lightly on her knee, while Nightcrawler fidgeted with a strap.
"Feels… a little tight in here," Kurt muttered, glancing at Storm. "I suppose there's room, technically… but not comfortably."
Storm smirked. "Oh, you worry too much, Kurt. Just… survive the ride first."
Logan let out a low growl, smirking. "Alright, buckle up, kiddies. Captain Logan at the helm."
"Captain?" Storm raised an eyebrow. "Do you mean crash course instructor?"
"Funny," Logan grumbled, "but I was aiming for hero."
The engines roared higher, wind buffeting the fuselage. Logan pushed forward, twisting the controls slightly too aggressively. The Blackbird lurched violently.
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" Nightcrawler shouted, tail curling around the seat. "What did you just do, Logan?"
Logan's grin was crooked. "Just a little spin, darlin'. Adds thrill to the ride."
Storm clutched the seat. "Thrill? You almost turned us into a mountain snack!"
Logan flicked a hand, dismissive. "Details, darlin', mere details."
The Blackbird careened toward a looming mountain peak. Logan's eyes sharpened, instincts flaring. In a blink, he spun the aircraft in an impossible arc, the nose dipping, the wings flaring, and somehow the plane skidded around the peak. Storm and Nightcrawler were thrown lightly against the roof and sides, but neither seriously harmed.
Kurt coughed, tail flicking. "Ahem… that was… impressive? And terrifying?"
Storm groaned, brushing her hair back. "I'm going to need a stiff drink after this flight."
Logan exhaled, hands steady now. "Relax. Thrill over, we're alive. Mostly."
Kurt shook his head. "Mostly? Mostly? Oh, mighty pilot, you are… catastrophic."
Storm smirked, leaning back. "I'm filing a formal complaint with Professor Xavier when we land."
Logan let out a low, amused growl. "Good luck with that, darlin'. I'm the captain. Complaints get… ignored."
Nightcrawler laughed, voice high and shaky. "Ignored, yes. But fear? Immense fear, that we did feel!"
Storm shook her head, exhaling sharply. "I swear, if we survive the day, I'll pretend this never happened. Mostly."
Logan muttered under his breath, "Best crew a man could have, though."
The Blackbird leveled, engines roaring with power as the Californian landscape stretched below. The small town appeared in the distance, sunlight glinting off rooftops, streets bustling with ordinary life—oblivious to the drama that awaited.
"Finally," Storm murmured, rubbing her arms. "I thought we'd never get here alive."
Kurt smiled softly, tail curling in amusement. "We made it, mostly in one piece. Thanks to our fearless—if slightly unhinged—leader."
Logan smirked, fingers tapping the control. "Mostly in one piece, that's all I ask. Now… let's go find the troublemakers."
The Blackbird descended toward a remote spot outside the town. Logan landed the plane with precision that belied the chaos of the flight, engines humming a calm purr.
"Next stop, gang bastards' headquarters," Logan said, stepping out. "Kurt, keep your poofy tail on alert. Storm, don't blow the place down before I say so."
Storm grinned, brushing back her hair. "No promises."
Nightcrawler crouched low, a grin spreading. "Adventure awaits, eh? And possibly… scolding?"
Logan's eyes glinted. "Mostly scolding… with a side of pain, for those bastards."