At the hidden underwater base, a golden aura shimmered faintly before vanishing into the steel corridors. Kurogai Blackwood stepped forward with Rogue at his side, her wide eyes filled with awe.
"Where are we?" Rogue asked softly, taking in the cold, advanced structure around them. It was her first time in this facility, and the scale of it unsettled her.
"One of my bases," Kurogai answered calmly. "Come, I want to show you something."
He didn't elaborate further. These places carried memories Rogue would rather avoid—painful memories tied to experiments and near-death experiences. Kurogai understood that, so he guided her forward in silence until they reached a sealed chamber.
The heavy doors slid open, revealing a prison lined with reinforced cells. Only three were occupied: Sabretooth, Mystique, and one of Stryker's former test subjects, a woman whose mutation mirrored Logan's feral abilities.
Rogue froze, her breath catching. "It's them… Magneto's people. They were the ones who came after me before." Recognition flickered in her eyes, followed quickly by unease.
"They're your targets this time," Kurogai said, his tone sharp but steady. "We'll start with Sabretooth. His regenerative power is something you need."
With a motion of his hand, the cell opened. Sabretooth lunged instantly, snarling with animalistic fury, but before he reached them, Kurogai's power seized his mind, halting him mid-strike.
"Don't be afraid," Kurogai said gently, turning to Rogue. His presence steadied her nerves, and though Sabretooth had once left scars of fear deep in her heart, she found courage in Kurogai's unshakable calm.
Swallowing hard, Rogue pulled off her gloves. She reached out, pressing her bare palm against Sabretooth's arm.
The effect was immediate. Kurogai's eyes narrowed, his gaze shifting into the unique vision of his powers. Beneath Sabretooth's skin, energy rippled like flowing life-force, converging into Rogue's hand. He could see her cells stirring, tiny whirlpools pulling at Sabretooth's vitality.
So that's the truth of it… Kurogai thought, watching carefully. Rogue wasn't simply stealing powers—she was consuming life itself, with the abilities carried along as byproducts.
Sabretooth's face paled as his strength drained rapidly. Just before his body collapsed beyond recovery, Kurogai raised a hand. "That's enough, Rogue. Stop and feel what you've gained."
Panting slightly, Rogue drew back, flexing her fingers. Her eyes widened. "It's… different. I feel stronger. It's like Logan's ability, but sharper."
Her nails extended, forming claw-like tips. Testing them, she dragged them lightly across her forearm. The skin split, blood beading for a brief moment before the wound sealed itself shut.
"You've taken his healing factor," Kurogai confirmed, studying her. "But it won't last unless we push further. The temporary effect you described before—that happens because you only absorb fragments. If you consume enough, you can make it permanent."
He guided her toward the next cell, where Stryker's former experiment stood restrained. "Her power was designed to mimic Sabretooth's. Use her as the next step."
As before, Kurogai immobilized the woman, and Rogue placed her palm against her skin. Energy surged again, stronger this time, until the prisoner weakened dangerously. Kurogai pulled Rogue back before it went too far.
Rogue's chest rose and fell quickly, her body trembling not from fear but from the overwhelming flood of energy. "It feels stronger. But… I don't know if it'll last."
"That's something we can test," Kurogai replied. His voice held a rare hint of anticipation. He focused, activating one of his more complex abilities. Time itself shifted around Rogue, accelerating her existence by several days in mere moments.
When the effect faded, she stared at her arm in disbelief. A shallow cut she had made earlier healed instantly before her eyes.
"It's still here," she whispered. "Even after days… it hasn't faded." Her shock turned into wonder, then into something more profound—hope.
Kurogai allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. His theory had been right. With enough absorption, Rogue could permanently retain the powers she consumed.
And with that, she was no longer just a frightened girl running from her curse. She was becoming something greater—his ally, his weapon, his right hand.