Chapter 23

'Is she talking about Logan?'

Mike looked at Raven, furrowing his brow. "How do you know? Is it phantom?"

"He's one of yours? Wait!" Mike's frown deepened. "Don't tell me this is your territory?" 'Why else would Raven be here?'

Raven lifted her chin, her eyes tracing the contours of Mike's face in the dim light. Beneath his neatly cropped black hair, his blue eyes seemed less sharp than before, but the coldness within was still evident. His handsome face was covered with short stubble, making him look more intriguing than ever. Was this the Mike who had become a father?

Raven smiled faintly at his slightly furrowed brows. "You're still as perceptive as ever."

"The Hellfire Club is right here. There's nothing quite like it."

"Yes, this is our territory. Phantom is one of ours, and we're also looking for Stryker's island." Raven explained that Phantom had left Stryker's X-Team and joined the Hellfire Club shortly after arriving.

"For the captured mutants?"

When Mike mentioned this, Raven's expression turned icy. "Yes!"

Mike sighed. "You should find Remi Lebeau; he should agree to help."

"Remi Lebeau…" Raven shook her head. "He has issues with the club and refuses to cooperate. He runs away whenever he sees our people."

"Phantom?"

"Don't worry; Phantom won't be seen by him," Raven reassured him. "Phantom mentioned a new person who has similar goals as our. He went to find Remi about the island and asked me to follow him. I didn't expect it to be you."

Raven's smile widened.

Mike replied cautiously, "Don't smile at me like that; it's definitely not a good sign."

"Oh, I wouldn't dare!" Raven laughed, her joy evident. "But do give us the location once you find the island."

"This… Phantom can handle that."

"Hey, this is just a precaution! To me, you're the most reliable."

Mike was speechless. "Thanks for the compliment."

"You're welcome." Raven grinned like a cat that just caught a fish. "Now tell me, how have you been these past three years? How did you get involved with Stryker?"

"I'm doing well," Mike replied briefly, then recounted the events on the farm.

When Raven heard about Mike's house being destroyed, she laughed so hard that tears almost came out.

At that moment, Clark, who had been quietly observing the circus, turned to Raven and said "Pretty aunt, do you know my father?"

"Pretty aunt?" Raven smiled and pinched Clark's cheek. "Yes, I do."

Her eyes lit up. "Little guy, has your father found a mother for you?"

"No!" Clark shook his head.

Raven smirked.

Clark blinked innocently. "Do you want to be my mother?"

Mike's mouth twitched as he ruffled Clark's hair. "Just watch the show."

When Raven was about to respond, Mike interjected, "If you say another word, I won't help you."

Raven playfully pressed her fingers to her lips, sealing her mouth shut.

Suddenly, she pressed a communicator in her ear, her expression changing. "Phantom is dead."

Mike's eyes widened. "What happened?"

"He was killed in the alley behind the casino where Remy LeBeau works. His spine was broken."

"Where's Logan?"

"He left with Remy LeBeau," Raven replied, looking at Mike. "It's up to you now. Let us know when you find the island."

Mike frowned. "Are you going to the island too?"

Raven hesitated. "Yes."

She then smiled charmingly. "Why? Are you worried about me?"

"No!" Mike said flatly. "You need to look after the child for me."

"Absolutely not!"

"Then I won't go to the island. I have to take care of Clark."

Their eyes met, and Raven snorted in frustration.

"Let's go," Mike said, standing up. "Given Logan's impatience, we need to leave tonight."

He leaned down to Clark. "My dear son, Dad has something to take care of. I'll come back to see you soon, okay?"

"Okay!" Clark nodded obediently.

After leaving the circus and entrusting Clark to Raven, Mike took the tracker she gave him and returned to the boxing club.

In the dim light, Logan leaned against the wall, looking somewhat dishevelled as he smoked a cigar.

As he heard footsteps, Logan looked up. "Mike, where's Clark?"

"I left him with someone I trust. What's wrong? Are we in trouble?"

Logan nodded, his expression grave. "I ran into Victor. He killed the Phantom."

"Damn it!" Mike muttered, patting Logan on the shoulder. "Where's Remy LeBeau?"

"I know where he is."

"Then… shall we go?"

Logan crushed his cigarette with a scowl. "Let's go!"

The two drove off.

Half an hour later, Mike met Remy LeBeau, the gambit.

Remy, exuding a carefree charm, eyed Mike warily. "What brings you here?"

Logan looked at him and said "He's my friend. Stryker's men blew up his house."

Remy's demeanour suddenly shifted, and he flashed a sincere smile. "Welcome to the club then!"

Mike extended his hand. "Mike."

"Remy LeBeau. Just call me Remi."

Mike gestured to the small plane behind Remy. "Are we taking that?"

"Unless you want to swim!"

Remy chuckled, jumping aboard the plane. "Let's go; the journey's a bit long, and I want to gamble when we return."

Mike and Logan exchanged glances before boarding.

Across the endless sea, as a ray of golden sunlight pierced through the clouds, a small island emerged on the horizon.

"There's an abandoned nuclear power plant there. Everyone fears radiation, so no one approaches," Remy observed with a mocking glint in his eye. "But who would have thought a lab beneath it is imprisoning mutants and conducting cruel experiments?"

As the plane glided toward the shore, Remy added, "As agreed, I'm only responsible for getting you here and won't participate in your fight."

"That's enough," Mike replied calmly.

With a whistle, Remy smiled. "I kind of like you guys. Just don't die here."

In the early morning, golden sunlight filtered through the clouds, casting a shimmering glow over the sea behind Mike, resembling waves of golden wheat.

Mike shook himself from his thoughts.

"Mike, let's go!"

Logan called, glancing back to see Mike still standing there. He dashed toward the test facility.

Mike hurried after him, adjusting the tracker on his finger before pocketing it.

He had promised Raven to help, but their primary target was the captured mutants. It would be wise to activate the tracker only after they dealt with Stryker.

Raven had mentioned mutants who could traverse space, allowing them to arrive quickly.

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Thanks for reading guys, luv you all.

One help, do you all know any Zanpakuto that can extend and retract?

Hope you all enjoyed the chapter, if you saw any mistakes in the chapter, then let me know.

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