It wasn't difficult for Kurogai to help Susan Storm gain better control over her powers. Her abilities were tied deeply to her emotions, and once guided with the right touch of magic, balance came naturally to her. Using his mastery of illusion, Kurogai created controlled scenarios that allowed her to face the instability inside her mind. Step by step, he led Susan through these trials, steadying her control until her powers responded with precision rather than panic.
Once Susan's training had reached a stable rhythm, Kurogai knew it was time to step away. There were too many matters demanding his attention, and he couldn't remain by her side indefinitely.
The Hulk was still a priority. The fifth pupil ring within him demanded immense energy to evolve further, and the only way to feed it was through battle. The Hulk's endless rage and strength made him the perfect crucible. Each encounter pushed Kurogai closer to unlocking greater power, though it was a time-consuming process.
Then, there was Jean. Her abilities—and the mysterious resonance with the Phoenix Force—needed improvement. Kurogai had long planned to enhance the strength of her telekinesis and telepathy. He had devised a risky strategy: to let Jean's power merge with the Phoenix's essence while shielding her from its overwhelming influence. Only then could her abilities expand without consuming her.
But guiding Jean through that path required his constant presence. His work with the Fantastic Four had delayed this goal long enough. He needed to return to the experimental starship, where progress on their latest project was underway.
On top of that, Rogue still lacked mastery over her powers. She deserved a chance to live without fear of harming others with a single touch. For that, Kurogai needed to make time to return to the orphanage where she stayed.
And then there was the matter of resources. Wakanda's vibranium had become essential to his future plans. To form the organization he envisioned—one strong enough to face the trials he knew were coming—he would need to secure allies, resources, and power. The list was long, and time was short.
Before leaving Susan's apartment, Kurogai layered protective wards and early-warning enchantments across her home. Only once satisfied did he step into a portal and return to the experimental spacecraft.
Inside, he found Jean hunched over her work, exhaustion written across her face, though her eyes lit up when she saw him.
"Kurogai, you're just in time. I was about to come find you," she said, her voice tired but brimming with excitement.
"What's the progress?" he asked, already guessing what her enthusiasm meant.
"You guessed it," Jean replied, smiling despite her fatigue. "The data you retrieved from Stryker's experiments accelerated everything. Our project is nearly ready. If nothing goes wrong, we should have results within a month."
Kurogai's eyes lit up. This was the kind of news that made all the battles, all the sleepless nights, worthwhile. The machine they were building—the gene transformation engine—could open doors no one else dared imagine. It had the potential to rewrite ordinary humans into mutants, a reservoir of power he could draw from endlessly.
"That's incredible," he said with a rare, genuine laugh. "Better than anything I've heard in weeks."
But Jean raised her hand cautiously. "This is still theoretical. Science isn't absolute, Kurogai. There may be unforeseen side effects. I can't promise perfection."
Kurogai placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "I don't need perfection. I need progress. I trust you, Jean. If it doesn't work the first time, we'll refine it. We have the time."
She relaxed under his confidence, though her weariness was obvious. Kurogai urged her to rest, deliberately avoiding the subject of pushing her powers any further tonight. She had already given more than enough.
When Jean finally drifted into sleep, Kurogai left quietly, his mind already shifting to his next task.
The orphanage.
It had been too long since he'd visited. As soon as he stepped through the gates, Dean Mary greeted him warmly, her kind eyes lighting up at the sight of him. She had always been a figure of wisdom and grounding in his life, and he spoke with her respectfully before excusing himself.
"Kurogai, you're back!" a familiar voice shouted before he could take more than a few steps.
Skye launched herself at him like a little whirlwind, wrapping her arms around him with the stubborn strength of a bear cub. Kurogai couldn't help but laugh, steadying her with one arm. Beside her stood Rogue, smiling more reservedly but no less happy to see him.
"Long time no see, Skye. Rogue," Kurogai said, his voice softening.
"Brother Kurogai, I missed you so much!" Skye beamed, clinging tighter.
"Do you need me to help with anything this time?" she asked eagerly, her eyes shining with the same question she asked every visit.
This time, Kurogai smiled differently. "Yes. I'm building something new—an organization. And Skye… this time, I'll need you at my side."
Her eyes widened with excitement, the answer she had always longed for finally given.
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Should I use 'Rogue' name, instead of the title?
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Milestone,
100 Power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter