The Danger Room hummed to life again, the air crackling with holographic energy. Aurora stood in the middle, her fists clenched, her pulse hammering like a drum. Today wasn't just another session—it was her first real test since Xavier explained the truth about her powers.
High above, Cyclops adjusted his visor, watching her from the control booth. "We'll keep it simple," he said through the intercom. "One-on-one. Focus, don't overwhelm yourself."
The floor shifted, and Logan stepped out from the opposite side, arms crossed, claws still sheathed. He smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"Kid, I don't go easy. Don't ask me to."
Aurora swallowed hard but nodded. "I wouldn't want you to."
The room sealed. The test began.
---
Logan came at her first, fast and low. Aurora's instinct screamed at her to dodge—but she forced herself to think. She pictured him: the way he moved, the raw feral rhythm of his fighting style.
Her body answered. Her stance shifted, knees bent, claws she didn't have flexing in her imagination. She met Logan's charge head-on, sidestepping with his own fluid precision, catching his arm, twisting—exactly as he would have.
Logan grunted, stumbling back, a grin flashing across his face. "Not bad, kid."
But the moment Aurora let her focus slip, another spark flared inside her. Storm's lightning crackled at her fingertips. Cyclops' disciplined posture tugged at her muscles. Jean's calm steadiness brushed her thoughts. Too many echoes. Too much at once.
Aurora gasped, clutching her head as power began to ripple uncontrolled through her body—her skin flickering with borrowed sparks and phantom claws.
"Aurora!" Miles shouted from the sidelines, rising from his chair.
But Xavier's voice entered her mind like cool water. Center yourself. Choose one. The mirror shows many faces, but you decide which reflection stays.
Aurora squeezed her eyes shut. Logan. Just Logan.
The storm of powers dimmed until only one remained. When she opened her eyes again, her stance was steady—grounded, feral, unyielding.
Logan lunged once more, claws flashing. This time she didn't falter. She matched his every movement, their strikes a mirrored dance of raw instinct and precision. When his claw arced toward her throat, she dropped low, sweeping his legs out from under him with perfect mimicry.
Logan hit the floor with a grunt, then laughed, actually laughed. "You're dangerous, kid. Dangerous and stubborn. I like that."
The simulation ended. The Danger Room powered down.
Aurora stood there, chest heaving, but a faint smile tugged at her lips. She hadn't lost herself. Not this time.
---
Later, as she walked out, Miles jogged up beside her.
"You see that?" he said, grinning wide. "You were Wolverine in there. Well, a less hairy version."
Aurora smirked despite herself. "It was one fight. One step. But… maybe Xavier's right. Maybe I can learn to hold it all together."
Miles nudged her shoulder. "Yeah. And maybe the next step is you teaching me how to fight like Logan without actually having claws. Deal?"
Aurora chuckled, the weight on her chest easing just a little. For the first time, the mirror didn't feel so terrifying. It felt like possibility.