Inside the lab, Jean Grey stood frozen, staring at Kurogai. A surge of intense heat radiated from his body, and pale blue flames blazed around him, engulfing the entire laboratory in a terrifying yet mesmerizing light.
Oddly enough, the flames didn't harm Jean. Instead, they gently parted around her, almost as if they recognized her and meant no harm.
"What's happening? Why is his energy changing like this?" she muttered anxiously.
Jean's worry grew. Kurogai's power had triggered this transformation—and it was her Phoenix energy that had helped awaken it. The responsibility weighed on her.
"Jean, are you okay?" came Professor X's voice telepathically.
He had made it to the hallway outside the lab but was unable to enter due to the powerful flame barrier. His only option was to reach Jean through his psychic link.
"I'm fine, Professor, but Kurogai's condition is unstable," Jean replied, her mind locked with his.
"What happened? Why has it become this extreme?" Professor X asked. Even for a mutant ability awakening, this was far beyond what he expected.
"Kurogai hadn't manifested his abilities before, so he asked me to assist. I used a bit of Phoenix Force to stimulate a response."
While explaining, Jean kept a close eye on Kurogai. She hoped that with Professor X's experience, he could guide her through this.
As they communicated, the pale blue flames began to retract, slowly drawing back into Kurogai's body, like a rewinding video. Bit by bit, the lab's temperature dropped. Finally, the last trace of flame vanished inside him—and silence followed.
Then Jean gasped.
"What's wrong?" Professor X asked immediately, alarmed by the sudden cry. Storm was already rushing toward the door when Jean stopped her telekinetically.
"It's fine! Just… give me a second," Jean said, flustered.
Inside, her cheeks flushed bright red. Kurogai stood in front of her—completely naked. The intense flames had incinerated everything, including his clothing. She hadn't expected that.
Kurogai, however, seemed completely unfazed. He looked at her with a calm, almost amused expression.
"Not a bad body, huh?" he said with a smirk.
Though only twelve, Kurogai's physique reflected years of training. Despite his young age, his body was already well-toned—lean and strong, the product of relentless physical discipline.
Jean quickly turned away, flustered, grabbing a white lab coat and tossing it toward him. "Here, put this on. Quickly!"
Kurogai chuckled and slipped it on without complaint.
By the time Jean composed herself, Professor X and Storm had entered the lab.
"My young friend," Professor X began, studying him carefully. "How are you feeling? Any pain, discomfort?"
"I'm good. Actually, I feel... great," Kurogai replied with a calm smile. "No injuries, no strain. If anything, I've gained something."
Professor X gave him a curious look. "That flame—the pale blue one—was that your ability manifesting?"
"You could say that," Kurogai said vaguely.
The professor noticed the hesitation. Kurogai was being intentionally cryptic, and he understood that pushing further would lead nowhere. He sighed inwardly—Kurogai was still keeping secrets.
"Alright," he said gently. "Let Jean do a full checkup. If everything looks stable, we'll talk more later."
With that, Professor X and Storm exited the lab.
Jean turned back to Kurogai. "If anything feels off, promise you'll tell me. I'm technically a doctor, and I can help."
She still felt partially responsible. After all, it was her Phoenix power that had catalyzed Kurogai's transformation.
"I'm fine, really," Kurogai reassured her. "But I do have a question."
Jean looked at him, curious. "What is it?"
Kurogai smirked. "You've already seen everything. So... you planning to take responsibility? Don't worry, I won't mind an older woman going after a younger guy."
Jean's face turned scarlet.
Unbeknownst to her, there was an ancient bond between the Phoenix and the cosmic entity within Kurogai. They were both celestial birds—symbols of rebirth, life, and cosmic balance. In ancient times, these two forces were deeply intertwined.
Though the immortal bird that once lived in Kurogai had been erased by the Ultimate Eye, the bond between him and the Phoenix hadn't disappeared. It was still there, deep and instinctual. That's why Jean's Phoenix energy had responded so easily to him—recognized him—as one of its own.
It was more than coincidence. It was destiny.
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