"What do you mean, 'long time no see'? Why are you here, demon?"
Storm's voice cracked like thunder, her eyes glowing with tension as the air around her charged. Her fingers twitched, ready to call down lightning at a moment's notice.
That's right—Storm. It was her who arrived alongside another mutant in place of Cyclops, who no longer walked among them, thanks to Kurogai.
Storm's hostile reaction was expected. Years ago, the X-Mansion had been devastated by Kurogai. Among them all, Storm had clashed with him more than once, and she hadn't forgotten. Even though Kurogai had matured physically over the years, Storm recognized him immediately.
"I didn't think you'd miss me this much," Kurogai said with a faint smirk, completely unfazed by the hostility. "I'm touched."
Storm narrowed her eyes. "Don't flatter yourself. You're still stealing people's blood. Except now it's not with a little knife—you've upgraded to a scythe. You look more like the Grim Reaper than ever."
"I do what I must," Kurogai replied with a calm shrug.
After extracting enough blood from Sabretooth, Kurogai casually dismissed his weapon into thin air. Sabretooth, now regaining consciousness, groaned and suddenly bolted into the forest without a word.
Storm frowned. "You just let him go? We could've brought him back. The Professor might've been able to help him."
"What, you wanted me to kill the brute?" Kurogai asked, amused. "He's not worth the effort."
Of course, Kurogai didn't mention the hidden tracking spell he had placed inside Sabretooth. The mutant still had his uses.
Storm sighed in frustration. "Everything's gone off the rails since you showed up… Fine. Logan, girl, come with me. We're heading back to the mansion."
Despite her exasperation, Storm focused on the mission. Charles had sent her to find Logan and bring him back. Kurogai's presence complicated things, but she couldn't exactly stop him from following them.
Logan hesitated—understandable, considering how much he hated being dragged into anything. But when he heard "Professor X," his ears perked up. Kurogai had mentioned the Professor earlier. If this was connected, he figured it was worth going.
Rogue, meanwhile, had no reason to object. She'd been wandering for days and wasn't about to say no to shelter. The only tension came from Storm, who clearly didn't want Kurogai tagging along—but knew she couldn't stop him.
"Guess I forgot to introduce myself," said the male mutant who'd come with Storm.
No one responded.
Kurogai raised an eyebrow. "I know who you are. Bobby Drake. Or should I say... Iceman?"
With Cyclops gone, Xavier had chosen someone new to fill that role. Iceman had potential, and over time, he'd grown into his new position. But as far as Kurogai was concerned, Bobby had long since lost his value. He had already harvested his blood years ago.
Bobby gave Rogue a hopeful smile, trying to spark a conversation, but she barely acknowledged him. Her eyes kept drifting toward Kurogai—the only person who had ever touched her without fear.
In the original timeline, Rogue grew close to Iceman because he was the first boy to treat her like a normal person. But here, Kurogai had reached her first—and more deeply. Her loyalty, her curiosity, even her hope, were all centered around him now.
The group boarded the jet, an uneasy silence hanging over them. As the Blackbird soared through the skies toward New York, Storm tapped her communicator.
"Professor, we've secured the targets," she said professionally.
"Understood," came Professor X's calm voice. "Bring them home."
"However… there's someone else. Someone unexpected."
There was a pause. "Who?"
Before Storm could answer, Kurogai stepped beside her and plucked the communicator from her hand.
"Professor, it's me—Kurogai. Long time no see."
The other end went silent for a beat... then came a surge of intense psychic energy—so powerful, it physically shook the objects in Professor X's office.
But it didn't come from him.
Jean Grey had just entered the room to hand something to the Professor. The moment she heard Kurogai's voice, her psychic field exploded involuntarily.
A storm was brewing.
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