The Weather Witch

Emma and Logan charged out of the saloon to find themselves staring at an angry mob holding all kinds of makeshift weapons; facing them down was a woman with dark skin and white hair. Lightning crackled from her fingertips as she fearlessly stood between them and a young woman the mob had been chasing, and a determined look was written across her face. "Stay back. I do not wish to harm any of you."

"You're lyin'! We know all about you, ya damned weather witch!" shouted one of the mob. "And that girl's one o' you as well. She ain't welcome here neither!"

The famed 'weather witch'. Logan had heard the rumors before. A beautiful yet fearsome woman with dark skin and white hair who could control the weather, and used the ability to protect 'freaks' -- namely, people with extraordinary abilities and appearances that had seemingly appeared with increasing frequency in recent years, although they were still very much a small minority, one that was often unwelcome.

The weather witch calmly responded. "This woman is an innocent person, one that merely wishes to live her life peacefully, not unlike you. Neither of us have any intention of hurting anyone. Now, please. Let us pass."

The mob was hardly receptive to her words. "Bull! The second our backs're turned, you'll have our heads on pikes! We ain't gonna let that happen..."

As Logan and Emma watched the scene unfold in front of them, Logan's hands balled up into fists. "That mob's beyond reasoning. Best hit 'em now before they can hurt those two..."

"Ugh. **** is your answer to everything, isn't it?" Emma groaned. "Let me take care of these weak-minded idiots..."

"Yeah! The only way you freaks're gonna learn your place is if we teach you!" another man yelled. "We're...gonna...make...you..."

The man fell to the ground, ****. The rest of the mob soon followed, falling to the ground as their eyes glazed over. They were completely out, but also unharmed.

"They ain't gonna learn anything that way," Logan said to Emma, who was smirking at her handiwork. "The only thing jackasses like these learn from is a beating."

Emma scoffed. "Easy for you to say. You're not the one who has to clean up the mess."

The young woman and the weather witch turned to Logan & Emma. "I assume one of you was responsible for this," she told them. "If so, you have my thanks."

"Yes. Well, I can't have angry mobs committing violent acts outside my establishment. Bad for business, you see," Emma responded. "In any case, you're welcome."

"Whatever your reasons, you helped solve my problem without bloodshed, and it is appreciated. I am Ororo," the weather witch said gratefully.

"Emma Frost, owner and proprietor of the Hellfire Saloon. And this charming young man standing next to me is Logan."

Logan nodded and grunted in response.

"I see, a pleasure to meet you both," Ororo said. She turned to the girl. "Are you all right?"

"Y-yeah... I'm fine. A little shaken, but fine," the young woman answered. "Thanks for helping me."

Ororo nodded reassuringly. "And what is your name?"

"Kitty... Kitty Pryde," she said. "I live at the Xavier ranch. We've had problems with some of the townsfolk, but I never expected a mob that size to come after me..."

"I've seen worse, kid," Logan told Kitty. "People ain't fond of freaks in most places."

"You're from Xavier's ranch?" Ororo asked in interest. "I came to this town to speak with the man. I have heard he takes in gifted such as us and helps them use their abilities to better the world."

"Gifted? That another word for freaks?" Logan inquired. "Never heard that one before."

"Probably because you mostly associate with scum," Emma pointed out. "You'd be surprised what you might find if you poke your head out of the gutter every now and then."

"Maybe. But the gutter's where I'm most comfortable," Logan replied with a shrug.

Kitty looked at Ororo nervously. Obviously she, too, was gifted, and the woman had just faced down a bloodthirsty mob for her; it wasn't often she told a complete stranger the details of Xavier's community, but Ororo seemed as trustworthy as anyone around here. "Yeah. The ranch is more than just a giant plot of land. It's meant to be a safe haven for gifted, and there's a school there for people like me, young and old, to learn how to harness and control their abilities."

"So the rumors are true," Ororo noted. "Would you mind taking me there, Kitty? I would like to see it for myself, and speak with Xavier, if at all possible."

Kitty nodded tentatively. "I guess I could do that..."

"Allow me to join you," Emma offered. "I know Charles quite well, and I have business to discuss at the ranch myself."

"Well, I'll be on my way," Logan said, turning away from Emma, Ororo, and Kitty. "Good luck out there..."

"...You're not coming with us?" Kitty wondered.

Logan turned back and answered, "I'm a bounty hunter, kid. Whatever Xavier does, it ain't my business."

"Actually, I believe it is," Ororo responded. "You are gifted, are you not?"

"Maybe I am, Maybe I ain't. Either way, I'm not a good fit for a place like Xavier's," Logan answered.

Emma rolled her eyes. "You do realize it wouldn't kill you to diversify, don't you, Logan? Charles Xavier is a very wealthy man, and he's expressed interest in meeting you. It's likely he has a lucrative offer for you."

Logan paused for a moment. "Fine. But the pay better be good."