Inside the abandoned building, a glowing space portal opened. Kurogai Alexander Blackwood stepped out, his dark cloak brushing against the dusty floor.
"Kurogai," Susan said quickly, hurrying toward him. "How is Johnny doing?"
"I left him in the snow," Kurogai replied evenly. "He'll have time to reflect on his behavior there."
His expression hardened as his gaze fixed on her. "Susan, do you remember what I told you before?"
She frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
"You worry too much," Kurogai said, his voice low and steady. "Chicks must eventually leave the nest. You cannot protect your brother for the rest of your life. It's time to let go. And Susan—" his tone deepened, "—you are mine. I want you to give me your whole heart, not divide it between me and everyone else. Not even your brother."
Susan blinked, startled. His words were firm, almost harsh, yet there was no cruelty in his eyes—only certainty. He wasn't asking, he was stating what he believed.
"I…" She hesitated, then realization struck her. Kurogai had told her something similar long ago, before she ever had powers. She had understood then, but hadn't truly changed her thinking. Now, faced with him again, she felt the weight of his expectation.
"I understand. This will be the last time," Susan said quietly. Guilt flickered in her eyes.
Then she straightened her shoulders, resolve hardening. "Kurogai, I promise you… from now on, I will only care for you. I swear it on my power." Her voice carried conviction as she looked into his eyes.
Kurogai's expression softened slightly. That vow was enough. "In that case, let's go."
He raised his hand, opening another portal. Together, the two stepped through and vanished.
Outside, agents and heroes had been waiting anxiously. The building finally grew silent, the sounds of combat gone.
Nick Fury's single eye narrowed. "The battle's over."
Before anyone could react, the massive ice structure outside began to crack. Atop it sat a calm figure—Kurogai's doppelgänger.
"It's done. My task is complete. I have no more reason to stay." The clone's voice echoed, then its body slowly unraveled, dissolving into smoke and vanishing.
"Wait!" Tony Stark stepped forward quickly. "Don't go just yet. You owe me, remember? That favor I bought with that special blade? I finally know what I want from you."
The clone gave him a glance, its form already fading. "Stark, I'll come to you after I finish my business."
Then it vanished completely.
Nick Fury wasted no time. "Move in. Now."
Agents rushed past the cracked ice, storming the building. The X-Men followed. But when they entered, all they found was devastation: the scorched remains of Victor von Doom still smoldering under blackened flames, Ben Grimm battered and unconscious, and nothing else.
The quiet that hung in the room promised trouble to come, but that was a problem for another day.
Meanwhile, Kurogai had already returned to his estate, where Rogue—known to him as Little Naughty—was waiting.
"Kurogai, this must be Miss Susan, right?" Rogue greeted warmly, her lips curving into a small smile. "Hello. I'm Rogue, though he likes to call me Little Naughty."
Susan blinked at the nickname but managed a polite smile. "Hello. I'm Susan."
Kurogai stood between them. "Rogue is one of the closest people by my side. She manages intelligence for me. Susan, I expect you'll already know the basics of her work. I'm placing you with her. You'll assist in handling the intelligence network. It's a vast system, and it's too much for one person."
Rogue's eyes brightened. "That's great. Honestly, things have been overwhelming lately. Having Susan's help will be a relief." She didn't question Kurogai's decision—she trusted his judgment.
"Good," Kurogai said with finality. "Rogue, take Susan and get her familiar with everything. She's new, and there's much to learn."
The two women nodded, already beginning to speak quietly as they moved together.
Kurogai, finally, allowed himself to relax. The Wakanda crisis had only just concluded, and before he could rest, he had been thrown into dealing with the Fantastic Four's affairs. Now, with Susan beside him and Rogue managing the intelligence division, he could take a rare moment to breathe.
_____
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