Training began at dawn—Lily with Storm, Bill with Wolverine. Claws clashed as Logan tested him, growling, "You've got the moves, but not the killer instinct.""Don't need it," Bill panted, dodging a swipe. "Just need to protect."Mid-session, the sky darkened. Sentinels—five of them—descended, their voices a chorus: "Mutant threats detected. Eliminate."Bill's memories screamed—Days of Future Past, Sentinels slaughtering mutants. "Lily!" he shouted, racing to her as lasers fired.Storm shielded Lily with wind, but a Sentinel grabbed Clara, lifting her skyward. Bill's fear spiked.
"Template: Wolverine. Regeneration enhanced."He leapt, claws sinking into the Sentinel's arm, climbing to free Clara. She clung to him as they fell, Spider-Man's webs cushioning their landing. "Bill!""Stay with Lily!" he yelled, switching to Hulk. He smashed one Sentinel, then another, debris raining. The X-Men fought—Cyclops blasting, Wolverine slashing—but the machines adapted, targeting Lily's fire.Desperation hit.
"New Template Unlocked: Iron Man. Technological interface and repulsors activated."Armor formed around Bill, red and gold, and he soared, repulsors blasting a Sentinel's head off. He landed beside Lily, HUD scanning threats. "You okay?""Yeah," she gasped, flames flaring. "Let's finish this."Together, they struck—her fire melting a Sentinel's core, his repulsors shattering another. The last fell, and Bill's armor retracted, leaving him breathless. Clara ran to them, hugging tight. "You're both insane.""And alive," Bill said, grinning.The system noted:
"Host emotional state: Triumphant. New template mastered: Iron Man."