"Impossible. The Iron Man suit is still in development. And even when it's finished, there's no way I'd hand it over to you!"
Tony Stark's expression hardened. The idea alone was unacceptable. Creating the Iron Man suit had started as a way to ensure control, even against beings like Kurogai. And now this same being wanted a copy?
It was absurd.
Not only did Kurogai somehow know about his secret project, but the request itself struck directly at Stark's pride and fears.
"I get it," Kurogai said with a faint smile, sensing Stark's resistance. "But relax, Stark. The suit doesn't threaten me. I don't need it for power—I just think it looks cool."
He picked up a pencil from the nearby desk and twirled it between his fingers before channeling a small, silent mark of magic into it.
"If you change your mind," Kurogai said, holding the pencil out, "break this. I'll know."
Stark didn't reply. His mind was racing, but Kurogai simply smiled again.
"Take your time. You'll know where to find me."
With that, his body faded away, leaving Stark standing alone in the garage.
For a moment, Stark stared at the space where Kurogai had been, then sighed and muttered, "How the hell did he know?"
There were only a handful of people who even had access to the project—and none of them knew about his private prototype. The Iron Man suit design was still locked in his encrypted server, unfinished, experimental. The fact that Kurogai had so casually referenced it meant one of two things: either he had breached Stark's systems, or he knew things he shouldn't.
"Jarvis," Stark said, walking briskly back to his computer. "Run a full scan of all core systems. Make sure the Iron Man project is still secure. And move the design files to the deep vault."
"Yes, Mr. Stark," Jarvis responded. "Also, would you like me to dispose of the pencil?"
Stark looked at the pencil in his hand. For a second, he considered snapping it. But something told him not to act hastily.
"…No. Not yet."
He slipped it into his pocket instead.
---
Far beneath the surface of the Atlantic, above a hidden base cloaked beneath the ocean, Kurogai emerged from a spatial ripple and stepped lightly onto the metal platform.
Jean Grey met him at the entrance, her expression softening.
"You're back," she said quietly.
"I got the materials," Kurogai replied, taking her hand gently. "We can finish it."
"You mean... Cerebro?" she asked, eyes widening slightly.
Kurogai nodded. "Come on."
They walked together into the first cabin of the facility. With a silent gesture, Kurogai summoned the crates from his Kamui space. They appeared in a neat formation, hovering in the air before landing with quiet thuds.
Jean didn't hesitate. She extended her hand, her telekinetic aura swirling around the room as she began to assemble the complex components. Pieces of technology rose into the air, rotating and locking into place like a puzzle solving itself.
Minutes passed. Then a large metallic chamber took shape—a perfect recreation of Cerebro.
It gleamed in the soft blue lights of the base.
Kurogai watched her work with admiration. "The entryway is keyed to both of us now. No one else can access it."
Jean turned to him. "But I don't think I can even use Cerebro... I can't control it—not with the Phoenix Force inside me."
"I know," Kurogai said. "This is just preparation. You won't use it unless you absolutely have to."
Jean nodded, though uncertainty still clouded her face.
Kurogai placed a hand on her shoulder. "Which is why I'm going to help you. You need control over the Phoenix. Without it, you're holding back too much."
He remembered what had happened in the original timeline—Jean overwhelmed by her power, sacrificing herself to stop a catastrophe. That wasn't going to happen again. Not if he could help it.
Kurogai made a silent vow right there: he would strengthen Jean, guide her, help her master the Phoenix. She wouldn't have to burn alone this time.
His thoughts drifted briefly to Rogue. She too struggled with control. Another priority, another promise he would keep.
He needed to find solutions for both of them.
---
Elsewhere, inside S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters...
Agent Maria Hill walked into Director Nick Fury's office with a sealed folder in hand.
"Sir, we've got something," she said with a grim tone.
Fury looked up from his tablet. "Let's hear it."
Hill placed the file on his desk. "According to field intel, the Heterochromatic-Eyed One—Kurogai—met privately with Tony Stark. We believe he may be attempting to secure advanced weaponry."
Fury raised a brow. "From Stark?"
"Yes, sir. Our analysts suspect he might be trying to acquire tech for a larger plan. Possibly preparing for something."
Fury leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin.
Kurogai had always been a wildcard. Powerful, enigmatic, unpredictable. But this… this sounded like the start of something bigger.
"I want surveillance on Stark. Tap all communications. And pull up everything we have on Kurogai Blackwood. No more guesses. I want facts."
"Yes, Director."
Hill turned and left. Fury stood, staring out of his window at the sky.
"I hate it when the smart ones start moving."
---