After Rogue's explanation, Kurogai quickly pieced together the situation. The cosmic storm that struck weeks ago had left its mark. Johnny Storm, Ben Grimm, and Victor Von Doom had all emerged with powers, but without Reed Richards to anchor them, there was no Fantastic Four—only fractured individuals spiraling down their own paths.
Johnny reveled in showing off, Ben brooded over his monstrous form, and Victor's ambition only festered darker. Conflict was inevitable, and when their tempers flared, battles broke out across New York, shaking the city.
"Interesting," Kurogai murmured. "But what about Susan Storm—the Invisible Woman? She hasn't appeared in any of this?"
Rogue frowned, tilting her head. "I don't remember her being mentioned in the reports. Though… there have been rumors. Johnny seems to have some unseen helper watching over him."
Her voice trailed off as she realized what she was suggesting. The intel had noted an invisible presence around Johnny, one that nobody had been able to confirm. Kurogai's expression sharpened.
"I see," he said. "Continue your work. I'll handle the rest."
He leaned down, brushing a light kiss against Rogue's forehead—an unspoken reassurance—and stepped through a portal.
The world bent, and when it snapped back, Kurogai stood inside an unfinished high-rise. The skeletal building loomed over the city, abandoned before completion. He hadn't chosen it at random—he had sensed the faint magical mark he had left on Susan Storm.
A voice called from the shadows, trembling with relief. "Kurogai? You're here? You're finally back?"
Susan appeared, clad in the specialized suit from their space mission—the only fabric that could shift seamlessly with her invisibility. Her breath was uneven, but her eyes lit up at the sight of him.
"It seems you've been busy while I was gone," Kurogai said softly. He pulled her into his arms for a brief embrace. She relaxed against him, warmth and worry mixing in her touch.
"Tell me everything," he continued. "I've heard fragments, but I want it from you."
Susan sighed, leaning slightly against his chest as she spoke. "It started with Johnny mocking Ben. Ben snapped, and the fight spiraled. Then Victor involved himself. They were all still struggling to control their powers, and when their egos collided… it became impossible to stop. I tried to intervene, but I couldn't make them listen. I couldn't reveal too much either—not with what you taught me."
Her voice softened. She had remembered his warning about staying low-key, about protecting what should remain unseen. That was why Rogue had never reported Susan—she had stayed hidden, her existence masked.
"They agreed to meet here to settle it," Susan finished quietly. "So I came ahead, hoping to stop them."
Kurogai chuckled, his crystalline eyes glinting. "Stop them? Let them fight. Sometimes only fire tempers steel. They'll learn more from clashing than from any lecture."
Susan bit her lip. "But Johnny—he's reckless. He's my brother. I can't just stand by."
Kurogai's voice softened. "Don't worry. None of them can kill the other. I'll be here. And if it goes too far, I'll step in."
Though reluctant, Susan nodded, trusting him. With a wave of her hand, she cloaked them both in invisibility, and together they watched from the shadows.
The ground trembled first. Ben Grimm arrived, his massive stone body cracking the pavement as he stomped into the building site. From another direction, Victor Von Doom appeared, his metallic skin glinting in the dim light, energy crackling faintly at his fingertips.
Then came the fire. Johnny Storm streaked from the sky like a comet, landing with a dramatic crash, one knee striking the ground in a perfect "hero landing." He grinned, flames dancing across his body.
"Alright, rock-head! Tin man! What are you waiting for?" Johnny called out, swagger dripping from his tone. "Time for the main event!"
Ben roared, charging forward. Victor's face darkened, and bolts of crackling energy erupted from his hands. Johnny flared brighter, unleashing waves of flame.
The three collided in an explosion of chaos, powers tearing through the construction site.
From the shadows, Kurogai's smile deepened. "Confident, reckless… that's Johnny."
Beside him, Susan sighed, covering her face with one hand. "He's impossible," she whispered, exasperated at her brother's antics.
Still, she didn't move to stop him. Not with Kurogai standing at her side, calm and steady, watching the storm unfold.
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