In an industrial sector of Victor Von Doom's company, a sleek spacecraft rested on the launch pad. Standing in front of it were several figures—Victor himself, Susan Storm, her younger brother Johnny, and a broad-shouldered man who looked more soldier than scientist.
Days had passed since the chaos of Hulk's clash with Abomination, and though the public fascination with that battle was beginning to fade, Victor's plans had only grown sharper. He had prepared meticulously, assembling a team and even recruiting an old astronaut named Ben Grimm.
At first, Ben had no interest in taking part. But Victor, with his charisma and persistence, eventually convinced him. Now, with the crew gathered and preparations complete, all that remained was the mission itself.
Among them stood Kurogai Blackwood, the mysterious ally who had already proven his strength in battle. After tying up the loose ends from their previous encounter, Kurogai had turned his attention toward Susan—partly to coordinate with her on the mission, and partly to strengthen the bond between them.
Now everything was in place.
"Let's go," Kurogai said, his tone calm but decisive. "It's time to ascend."
Without hesitation, he stepped into the spacecraft. The others followed, their nerves showing in the tightness of their movements. Once seated and secured, the engines roared, the vessel trembled, and then they were rising, piercing the clouds before finally breaking through into the black expanse of space.
The group gazed out at the breathtaking sight, awe etched into their faces. All except Kurogai, who remained indifferent. He had seen the void of space before, and its majesty no longer stirred him.
The ship drifted into orbit and stabilized. Susan moved toward him, carrying folded uniforms in her arms. They were blue with white accents—the newly developed protective suits designed for this mission.
"These were created specifically for the storm," Susan explained, offering him a set. "They'll keep your body shielded and help regulate the pressure. You should wear one too."
She herself was already wearing the suit, its sleek design hugging her frame, enhancing her natural grace.
But Kurogai only shook his head lightly. "I don't need it. Keep it for yourself."
Susan hesitated. "Are you sure?"
"Positive," Kurogai replied. His voice carried quiet confidence. Deep within, he already knew the cosmic storm posed no threat to him. He possessed the strength of the immortal phoenix and the durability of his perfected body. Compared to those powers, the storm was nothing more than a gust of wind. Still, he wondered if it might hold some hidden value for him.
Susan sighed, her lips curving into a small, helpless smile. "Alright then. I won't press it. But you're impossible sometimes."
"How long until the storm arrives?" Kurogai asked.
"About half an hour," she answered honestly. "We're in position."
"Good," Kurogai said. "Have Ben begin setting up the collection equipment outside."
Outwardly, they were maintaining the guise of gathering data, just as the original mission had been designed. The truth of Kurogai's intentions was his own secret.
Susan nodded, understanding her role in the plan. She relayed the order, and soon Ben was visible beyond the ship's transparent viewing panels, encased in a bulky spacesuit, slowly making his way across the exterior to anchor the instruments.
Returning, Susan gave Kurogai a searching look. "I've asked Ben to handle it. But tell me honestly… what's your real purpose here? If this was just about collecting storm data, you wouldn't need to be onboard yourself. And you wouldn't have dragged us all along."
Kurogai smiled faintly, his eyes unreadable. "You'll understand soon enough. Some things can't be explained in advance—they have to be seen."
Before Susan could press him further, alarms blared through the spacecraft. Johnny rushed in, his expression tense.
"It's bad news! The cosmic storm—it's moving faster than predicted!" he shouted. "Ben's still outside!"
Susan's face paled. "What?!" She turned immediately, her instincts pulling her to act.
But Kurogai's calm voice cut through the chaos. "Bring him back inside. Quickly."
He had anticipated this. The storm, as in the original trajectory of events, was accelerating.
"Hurry, get Ben back in and close the hatch!" Susan ordered, snapping into action. Johnny darted back down the corridor to help, while Susan rushed to monitor the airlock procedures.
Everyone moved frantically, every second precious. Yet amid the noise and urgency, Kurogai stood quietly by the viewing window, his eyes fixed on the swirling maelstrom racing toward them.
And then, without further delay, it struck.
The cosmic storm descended upon the spacecraft like a living force, waves of searing radiation engulfing the hull and flooding through the systems. The ship shook violently as the storm's energy tore through it, and every living soul on board was caught in its merciless baptism.
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Damn, y'all are stingy with power stones
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