While Kurogai was inside the secret chamber dealing with Jean, Storm waited anxiously outside the reinforced doors of Institute X's most secure room. Her eyes flicked toward the sealed entryway again and again, her brow furrowed in frustration.
No matter how powerful she was, Storm couldn't see or sense anything inside once the room was sealed. If it weren't for her lingering faith in Kurogai's promise to stop Jean from misusing Cerebro, she might've already blown the damn door off its hinges with a lightning bolt.
After what felt like an eternity, a golden portal shimmered open. Kurogai emerged, calm and composed, as if he had just returned from a walk in the park.
Storm moved toward him immediately. "How's Jean?"
"She's exhausted. I've taken her to rest," Kurogai replied coolly. "And I know what's going on now. Jean pleaded your case, and I've decided to help—to stop Magneto."
Storm blinked in disbelief. "You… what?"
She couldn't wrap her head around it. A man like Kurogai, known for walking the line between menace and mystery, offering help? Sure, Jean had pleaded, but even then, it didn't seem like something he would do.
After all, Kurogai's actions had never aligned with what one would call 'heroic.' He was enigmatic at best and dangerous at worst—closer to a villain than anything else. The idea that he was now volunteering to help? It didn't sit right.
And truthfully, Storm wasn't wrong.
Kurogai had promised Jean, yes—but it wasn't just that. He also wanted Magneto's machine. Helping the X-Men let him kill two birds with one stone: ease Jean's mind and get his hands on powerful tech.
A smirk tugged at his lips as he saw Storm's confused expression. "Don't look at me like that. I do have a dream of being a hero, you know."
She groaned. "God, the more you talk, the less I trust you."
"Oh, before I forget," Kurogai added casually. "You already know about Magneto's machine—how it can forcibly mutate humans. But here's something you probably don't know: he plans to use it on world leaders. At the UN Summit. Right at the Statue of Liberty."
Storm's face went pale. "That machine isn't even stable! It already killed Senator Kelly… If Magneto uses it on all those leaders and they die—chaos would erupt globally!"
She wasted no time. In seconds, she was summoning Logan and Bobby, prepping the team. They had to move now.
The X-Jet roared to life and took off toward the Statue of Liberty.
---
Meanwhile, Magneto had already arrived at the monument. He stood at the pinnacle of the statue, the transformation device set up beside him, and Rogue restrained nearby. The mutant master of magnetism was patient, prepared, and completely confident.
He looked out over the river, sensing something—metal shifting.
"They're here," he muttered. "Get ready."
His fellow mutants nodded and spread out, each taking position for the coming battle.
Suddenly, near the base of the statue, a golden portal formed. Kurogai stepped out from the swirling light. He had not traveled with the X-Men. They were too slow for his liking, and he'd taken the time to personally see Jean settled before arriving in his own way.
"You actually came?" Storm's voice rang out as she and the others regrouped at the base.
"You doubted me?" Kurogai asked with a mischievous smirk. "I'm a hero now, remember?"
Logan scoffed. "You? A hero? You've gotta be kidding me."
Storm shook her head, pressing her fingers to her temple. "Can we skip this conversation and just stop Magneto?"
Without another word, Kurogai turned away. "You're too slow. I'll wait for you at the top."
He vanished into a portal again, bypassing all resistance.
At the crown of the statue, Magneto stood silently, waiting. The moment the portal opened behind him, he didn't flinch.
"Welcome," Magneto said, eyes narrowing at the newcomer. "You must be the infamous one with heterochromatic eyes. You're younger than I expected. Still… perhaps we can work together. Imagine what we could build."
"I'm not interested in working with you," Kurogai replied. "I came here to be a hero today."
Magneto stared blankly. Even for him, that statement felt absurd.
Rogue, tied nearby, gasped with relief. "Kurogai! Thank God! I knew you'd come."
There was no logic to it—just a feeling. But when she saw him, hope returned to her like a sudden breath of fresh air.
And in that moment, Kurogai's expression changed. He looked at Rogue for just a second longer than necessary.
This wasn't just about the machine anymore.
This was personal now.
---
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