Three identical pink Mercedes-Benz convertibles rolled up the causeway to Liberty Island, their polished bodies gleaming in the sunlight as though daring anyone to question them. The screech of tires on pavement turned every head, Brotherhood members frozen mid-task as the cars parked side by side in perfect formation. The doors swung open in synchronized precision as Kara, Rogue, and Mystique stepped out, dressed sharply, their confident strides carrying them toward Magneto with the air of women who owned the world. Kara casually adjusted the sleeves of her sleek jacket, Rogue smoothed a hand down her fitted jeans, and Mystique walked like a queen surveying her kingdom, calm and unbothered.
Magneto wiped his brow with the back of his trembling hand as they approached, his body stiff and pale beneath his helmet. His eyes narrowed suspiciously on Mystique as though she carried the weight of his entire financial ruin in her hands—because she did. "Did you get my sandwich and ibuprofen?" he asked gruffly, trying to keep his voice sharp, though it wavered from exhaustion.
Mystique tilted her head with faux innocence, her blue eyes cold beneath the sweetness of her smile. "Oh, I'm sorry, Erik… I must've forgotten. I was so busy enjoying our time out with Kara and Rogue."
Magneto clutched at his chest like the betrayal physically hit him, his pale face going even whiter as a cold sweat gathered at his temple. His fingers trembled against the metal railing beside him, his heartbeat thundering painfully in his ears as the weight of $2.5 billion in debt—and a pending war—crashed down on him. But ambition, that terrible anchor that wouldn't let him quit, pulled him upright. Gritting his teeth, he muttered, "Whatever… just… get back to work."
The Brotherhood members exchanged hushed glances, some murmuring about Magneto's growing frailty, but none daring to say anything louder than a whisper.
Above them, the roar of engines split the sky. The X-Men's jet and a sleek X-Wing swept in, circling Liberty Island like birds of prey. The engines screamed as they descended, wind from the turbines whipping through the air, kicking up dust and scraps of paper. Magneto turned his face up to the sky, hiding his weakness behind a hard glare as he watched Jean, Storm, Wolverine, Cyclops, Beast, and Charles Xavier inside, preparing to land.
Kara and Mystique positioned themselves near the mutant-conversion machine, standing casually as if none of this was new to them. Kara crossed her arms over her chest, her posture relaxed but radiating an energy that said she was ready for anything. Mystique's gaze roamed calmly over the Brotherhood, her expression neutral but sharp.
Rogue, meanwhile, sidled up to Magneto, eyes wide with false innocence, her voice soft like a dutiful apprentice. "Are you sure you don't want me to help, sir? I can take on some of your power… make it easier on you."
Magneto hesitated, eyeing her carefully, but finally gave a small nod, trying to regain control. "Fine… but only what's necessary."
Rogue gently laid her hand on his arm, and immediately a surge of magnetic energy surged into her, crackling around her fingers. Magneto tensed, teeth gritted as she began to draw from him, but at first, he held steady, focusing on keeping his balance.
Inside her mind, Rogue smiled coldly to herself. This machine's nothing to me. Magneto's just a convenient battery. And when I'm done, well… Kara and I are going to have a little fun turning all this into a show no one will forget.
As she kept absorbing, Magneto began to shake slightly. "That's enough," he said through clenched teeth. "You don't need to take any more."
Rogue looked up at him with perfect wide eyes. "Oh, but I don't know, sir… I don't think I can power this machine without just a little more."
Magneto's eyes darted nervously to the Brotherhood watching nearby. "No, Rogue. That's really enough. I—"
She gave his arm a little squeeze, her smile soft but her grip tightening. "I really think I need a little bit more… for the cause."
Magneto staggered, barely catching himself on the machine, his knees nearly buckling under the weight of her absorption. His powers flickered, a few metal fragments nearby losing their hold in the air and clattering to the ground. Whispered murmurs rose again among his Brotherhood.
Finally, Rogue let go, stepping back with a soft "thank you," as if she hadn't just drained him almost completely. Energy rippled off her in waves, and her eyes glittered with newfound strength.
Magneto, pale and sweating, leaned heavily against the machine, trying to hide his trembling hands.
But there was no time to rest. Grimacing, he forced himself to straighten and stagger to the control panel of the mutant-conversion machine. His hand gripped the lever, shaking, but with sheer will, he pulled it down.
The machine hummed to life, a deep, rising pitch filling the air as magnetic energy pulsed around it. Lights strobed along the frame, and a swirling magnetic field rose above it, crackling with raw power.
Magneto's voice, hoarse and strained, carried across the island. "The world leaders… they will be mutants… and they will understand our power."
Rogue stood by his side, her expression calm, though her eyes watched him closely, as if she were the one keeping him standing.
On the far side of the island, the X-Men's jet and X-Wing touched down in the clearing. The hatch opened, and Charles Xavier floated out in his hover-chair, his luxurious hair catching the wind—although the ends were now noticeably fraying, a visual sign of his growing stress. Jean and Storm stood at his sides, Wolverine, Cyclops, and Beast forming a protective line behind them.
Charles hovered forward slightly, adjusting his collar as he surveyed the scene—Magneto pale and swaying by the machine, Rogue standing too strong, too confident.
Kara stepped forward with Mystique, her arms folded as her sharp eyes swept over the approaching X-Men. She shifted her stance slightly, clearly ready for whatever was coming.
Rogue stood in front of Magneto, like a loyal protector, though her fingers flexed as if savoring the power now coursing through her veins.
Magneto, breathing heavily, lifted a trembling hand, trying to summon his powers—only for a faint spark to dance uselessly between his fingers.
Charles called out from across the field, his voice firm but calm. "Erik, you don't have to do this. Turn it off before it's too late."
Magneto's lips twitched in a grimace, but he forced a sneer onto his pale face. "It's already too late, Charles."
Jean's eyes narrowed, glancing between Magneto and the glowing machine. "That thing's almost at full power," she muttered to Storm.
Wolverine cracked his neck with a sharp twist, the sound echoing faintly. His claws slid out with a metallic snikt, and he gave a low growl. "So we're doin' this the hard way."
Cyclops adjusted his visor, a thin beam of energy flaring dangerously behind the lens. "We'll stop them. No matter what."
Kara glanced sideways at Mystique and Rogue, her expression unreadable but calm, like a storm ready to break.
Mystique stood tall and composed, her eyes locked on Charles as though daring him to try.
Energy crackled between both sides as they faced off, neither willing to make the first move.
The storm gathered above them, wind whipping around the Statue of Liberty, the sky darkening as though the very heavens knew what was coming.
Rouge always one the best innocently late walked up to the mutant conversion machine and laid her hands on the receiver as she began to innocently power it up beyond the levels that were necessary for this battle. The machine began to glow and hum ominously.
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