Marvel: Pay to Win Gambling 23

Chapter 23: Shadowcat

The what was actually a who.

Standing beside a much taller man—with wings on his back and a thick rope wrapped around him like something out of a cartoon trap—was Katherine Pryde. Or as the world knew her: Kitty. Shadowcat.

Jean rubbed her temples as she approached, clearly suffering through the headache that always seemed to follow in Kitty’s wake.

“What—no, who is this, Kitty?” Jean asked, her expression unreadable.

Aside from Xavier—who had clearly already peeked inside her head—I was probably the only one here who knew who the man was.

[Name: Warren Worthington III]

[Age: 29]

[Nickname: Angel]

[Race: Mutant]

[Ability: Aves Physiology, Flight, Minor Healing, Enhanced Vision]

Even without the status screen, I recognized him. The screen just gave me his specs—age, powers, that sort of thing.

But while everyone’s attention was locked on the winged wonder, mine was focused on someone else entirely.

[Name: Katherine Anne Pryde]

[Age: 24]

[Nickname: Shadowcat]

[Race: Mutant]

[Ability: Intangibility]

Just one listed ability—but damn was it a good one. Intangibility was busted. Defensive, offensive, utility—it had it all. Phasing through solid matter and people? She could walk through a warzone untouched and gut someone from inside a wall.

“Katherine,” Xavier sighed, sitting near the second-floor railing, gazing down at the commotion below. “I’d appreciate an explanation.”

The girl—about the same height as Jean, with reddish-brown hair and hazel eyes—grinned up at the professor, pretending I didn’t exist.

“He tried to steal something from me, Professor,” she said, way too cheerfully. “So I caught him and tied him up.”

“That watch was my grandfather’s,” Angel growled, eyes glowing red with fury and humiliation. “You and those goons took it from the store before I could buy it back.”

“You were late. Your fault.” She stuck her tongue out at him, mockingly.

Yeah, she definitely didn’t buy the watch. She took it.

But honestly? I didn’t care. Not my drama. Some sentimental family heirloom? Boohoo. The only thing interesting here was the crowd forming around Kitty, all of them either sighing or shaking their heads.

“Where is everyone else?” Kitty asked, noticing that aside from Jean, Bobby, and Beast, the place was practically empty.

“Out patrolling,” Xavier replied, rolling his chair forward without waiting for help. I walked behind him. “There’s been a situation, and they’re looking into it.”

With Storm, I had to lie—told her the Sentinels were finished. But a project that massive didn’t end just because one factory blew up. There had to be backup. A powerful group. Maybe even the government. That’s why part of the team was out, tracking leads.

“But that’s not the question, Katherine,” Xavier pressed. “Why have you brought this man here?”

He squinted at Angel, inspecting him top to bottom. Whether he was using his powers or just assessing the guy’s mutant physiology, I couldn’t tell. But either way, he knew.

“He’s a mutant,” Kitty explained. “And I didn’t want him ending up with the Brotherhood. So I brought him here.”

That earned her a chorus of groans—some literal, some internal. Cue Jean, facepalming like a disappointed teacher.

“So you… kidnapped the guy?” Bobby asked, leaning against a pillar, looking completely lost.

“I just brought him,” Kitty shrugged. “He’s free to leave.”

Yeah, about that…

“How do I leave?” Angel growled. “You’ve got me tied up!”

It was honestly hilarious. Like watching a circus act where the beast tamer was somehow scarier than the beast.

In this case, Kitty was definitely the worse beast.

“Release the man, Katherine,” Xavier said, firm. And instantly, the room shifted. Beast tensed, claws ready. Bobby’s hand started frosting over. They weren’t taking chances—not with a pissed-off mutant in the room.

But truth? There wasn’t a single person here that Angel could beat.

And yes, that included Xavier in a wheelchair.

If it were just Kitty, Angel probably would’ve attacked her—some would say justifiably. But one look at Beast’s claws and Bobby’s ice-arm, and he thought better of it.

Smart move.

“Kitty,” Xavier said gently, turning his attention to her, “please stand back. I need to… speak with this gentleman.”

There was a bit of blame in Xavier’s tone—subtle, but aimed squarely at the girl. Kitty opened her mouth, probably to throw in some smart-ass comment, but Jean yoinked her by the arm and reeled her in.

Kitty glanced at me curiously, gave a nod, and was then comically dragged away like a misbehaving puppy.

God, I really hope she doesn’t take an interest in me. In any way. I don’t have the stamina or the mental fortitude to survive more than ten minutes with her.

“I apologize on Katherine’s behalf,” Xavier said, wheeling himself closer to the now-freed Angel. “But please, don’t worry. None of us intend to harm you.”

That would sound a hell of a lot more convincing if one of his own hadn’t just hogtied the guy like Wile E. Coyote. But then again, it was Xavier. The man could sell sand in a desert with that calm voice of his.

“Some talk, considering I was kidnapped,” Angel grumbled, and I couldn’t blame him. “And you expect me to trust you?”

In Xavier’s defense, Angel wouldn’t have lasted a second if we really wanted to hurt him. Hell, forget going all-out—just showing off a few powers would’ve been enough to floor him.

And honestly? I still don’t get the point of him. His powers feel… insignificant.

Feathers and minor healing? Congratulations, you’re a glorified pigeon.

“You’re free to leave if you want to,” Xavier said, still smiling that polished, practiced smile. “But before you do, I’d appreciate just ten minutes of your time. There are things you should hear.”

Angel scoffed. “And if I say no, you’ll tie me up again?”

“On the contrary,” Xavier said, shaking his head. “You’re under no obligation to stay.”

I decided to chime in. “I’d give the Professor those ten minutes if I were you. Might actually be worth it. You might even appreciate being brought here.”

He looked like he wanted to argue—but Beast’s looming figure and Bobby’s iced-up hands were clearly still on his mind. Angel was proud, sure, but he wasn’t stupid. Not completely.

“Even if I listen,” he muttered, “my answer won’t change.”

“Then listen,” Xavier replied calmly. “Jean, please bring our guest to my office. And perhaps… some tea? It might help him relax.”

Jean did not look thrilled at the idea of serving tea to Captain Attitude, but she gave a stiff nod. Professor’s orders were still orders.

Angel opened his mouth, probably to argue about having the conversation here, but one sideways scowl from Beast shut him right up.

Xavier gave me a nod—silent promise that our own conversation would continue later. Then Jean pushed him toward the escalator to the upper floor. Angel, not to be outdone, flew up instead. Show-off.

Can I fly too? Like using magnetism or manipulating gravitational forces?

Magneto pulls it off. Theoretically, I should be able to do it too.

“I don’t like that guy,” Bobby muttered as he walked up beside me, still glaring in the general direction of Xavier’s study. “Too proud—for someone who got taken down by Kitty.”

I mean… Kitty’s not exactly average. Even stronger mutants have a hard time dealing with her. Most attacks go straight through her. She’s like fighting a damn ghost.

“Yeah, but everyone’s useful if you look at them the right way,” I replied, even though Angel’s actual mutant utility was minimal.

As Warren Worthington III, though? That was a whole different ball game.

Heir to Worthington Industries. Filthy rich. The kind of rich that made you bulletproof in boardrooms, not battlefields. I’m surprised no one here realized who he was—maybe the company hasn’t peaked yet in this timeline.

Whatever the case, he’s a walking treasure chest.

“The Professor’ll handle him,” Beast said, eyes still fixed on the office above. “If he still doesn’t come around, we’ll let him go.”

Fair enough. Not worth the drama just for a wealthy bird-boy. We’ve got better ways to fund ourselves.

I’ve got better ways.

“And yet, he’s not even our biggest problem, is he?” Bobby asked, sighing.

I turned to him, confused. “What do you mean?”

“Kitty,” Beast answered grimly. He looked around—and sure enough—she was gone. “Of course… she vanished.”

Damn it. She was just here.

Bobby patted my shoulder like a man passing on bad news. “You’ve officially met the full team, Daniel. Trust me… you’re gonna be exhausted. Especially with her.”

I didn’t doubt it.

Something told me Kitty Pryde would be way more than I could handle.

And I didn’t just mean in the cute way.

…

…

—Katherine Anne Pryde ‘Shadowcat’—

Left hand tucked into the pocket of her jeans, right hand casually gripping a milk carton, Kitty wandered through the halls, eyeing the place like a curious cat scoping out unfamiliar territory.

It was too clean. Too quiet. The kind of silence that buzzed in your ears and made you want to scream just to hear something. She hated it. The stillness. The order. The complete lack of chaos.

With a swift kick, she booted open the door to Magik’s room. Silence. Of course. If Illyana had been home, that kick would’ve earned her an earful by now.

Illyana Rasputin: youngest of the crew, but hands down the scariest. Strict in a way that made military instructors look soft. And unlike her older brother, she didn’t do calm. She did cold.

Kitty phased through a few rooms and floors without a second thought—something her friends constantly complained about.

“You’re a threat to everyone’s privacy!” Jean had once shouted.

She didn’t care then. Still didn’t. If anything, Jean should’ve thanked her.

“If not for me phasing into Scott’s room, you’d never have found out he was screwing that blonde.”

She never understood what Jean saw in Scott anyway. The guy had the personality of dry toast. She’d told him that too. To his face.

That had definitely caused some tension between her and Mr. Boy Scout.

Tension she didn’t care about.

Only Scott did.

“Hey, Logan!” she shouted, kicking open the grumpy Canadian’s door. Empty. “Of course. If he was around, he’d be brooding in the hallway by now.”

No sign of Colossus. No Scott. No Illyana. No Logan.

Which could only mean one thing.

Her eyes lit up with mischievous glee.

“She’s not here either?”

A devilish grin spread across her face. She was the act-first-regret-later type. Always had been. Except when it came to Ororo.

Ororo Munroe terrified her.

The woman was like the older sister you actually listened to. The one whose disappointment hurt. Jean might yell, but Ororo? One glare from her could turn your soul into ice.

And that’s probably why Kitty respected her more than anyone else.

But if Ororo wasn’t home… and her room was unguarded...

‘Jackpot.’

Grinning ear to ear, Kitty phased through the door without hesitation.

“Now let’s see what secrets you’re hiding, Ororo—”

“Quite brave, aren’t you, Kitty?”

Kitty’s face went pale.

Ororo was lying on her bed, looking like royalty, hand raised lazily—but a small, very real bolt of lightning crackled at her fingertips.

“I remember clearly,” Ororo said coolly, “the last time you waltzed into my room uninvited. I warned you.”

Her voice was calm. Too calm.

“The next time… you’d be punished.”

“O-Ororo, I-I can expl—FUCK!”