Rogue stood calmly with her hands on the mutant-conversion machine, magnetic energy coiling around her like a storm ready to break. The machine pulsed brighter and brighter, humming with charged power that made the air itself seem to shudder. Brotherhood members watched nervously from behind, and across the field, the X-Men stood locked in tense silence, ready for whatever was about to happen.
Charles floated slightly forward in his hover-chair, his hair glimmering in the wind like a beacon of calm amidst the chaos. His gaze was steady, though a faint edge of concern softened his features. "Erik," Charles said, his voice even and calm, "you don't have to do this. There's still time to turn back."
Magneto, pale and sweating, leaned heavily on a metal staff, the weight of Rogue's earlier drain making him visibly weaker. His lips twitched, but he held Charles' gaze, defiance flashing in his eyes. "No, Charles… I really do have to do this. Not just because I believe in it—but because of crippling financial pressure."
Silence fell over the field as even the Brotherhood and X-Men alike stared, wide-eyed. Charles blinked, taken aback, before offering a slow, solemn nod. "I… I understand." His gaze hardened, and he adjusted his collar. "Alright. There's nothing left to say. Let the final battle begin."
Magneto floated forward with effort, his body tilting awkwardly to one side as though barely able to keep himself upright. He muttered, frustrated, "I hate this." Behind him, the Brotherhood formed up, moving with careful discipline. Mystique stepped into place, her face calm but focused, while Kara trailed behind, hands shoved casually in her pockets, watching it all unfold like she was bored of the warm-up.
Across the clearing, the X-Men lined up. Jean, Storm, Wolverine, Cyclops, Beast, and Charles, all standing firm. Wolverine glared across the field at Kara, his eyes sharp with accusation. "Did you betray us, Kara?" he growled, his hands already twitching, claws itching to come out.
Kara tilted her head slightly, watching him with cool disinterest. "No, honey," she said smoothly, her tone soft but laced with amusement. "I'm just having a little fun."
With a snarl, Wolverine popped his claws with a sharp snikt. "Fun's over, sweetheart."
He lunged at her, claws gleaming as he swiped fast. Kara sighed, flying forward with a single flap of her cape-less jacket, and slapped Wolverine hard across the face. The sound echoed across the battlefield like a thunderclap.
The force of the blow sent Wolverine flying backward, his body hurtling through the air before crashing into the side of a nearby building with a deafening crack. The impact left a perfect Wolverine-shaped imprint in the wall, claws and all.
Two of Wolverine's front teeth popped free, falling to the ground with a soft plink-plink as the X-Men stared in stunned silence.
Kara dusted her hands and called out casually, "I gave you a five-finger discount… only took two teeth this time."
With Wolverine clearly unconscious and out cold, Kara stretched her arms lazily over her head and casually made her way up the hill, where Gwen and Natasha were seated under a giant picnic umbrella, lounging on a soft blanket.
Kara approached dramatically, wiping imaginary sweat from her brow. "Phew… exhausting."
Natasha poured lemonade smoothly, offering it to Kara without looking up. "Rough fight?"
Kara flopped onto the blanket with a sigh, accepting the glass. "Like you wouldn't believe."
Gwen handed her a plate of cookies, and together the three women casually watched the chaos below, as though it was no more than dinner entertainment.
Meanwhile, Rogue's fingers tightened on the machine, sending another sharp surge of energy pulsing through it. This machine? No threat to me, she thought coldly, her eyes narrowing slightly. Magneto thinks he's running the show, but really… I'm about to make this way more fun for Kara and the girls. Rouge could not wait to unleash a deadly surprise with the help of Wanda Maximoff.
With another casual flick of her fingers, she forced the machine even closer to full charge, its humming now rising to an almost deafening pitch.
On the field, Mystique was already leaping into action, landing a precise kick against Cyclops while Beast charged in to meet her. The Brotherhood members clashed with Storm and Jean, while Magneto, still wobbling, launched a shaky magnetic burst that Cyclops dodged easily.
Magneto's eyes darted to Charles, and a flash of rage overtook the weariness on his face. His gaze locked on Charles' long, flowing hair, and jealousy burned deep in his eyes.
"Still flaunting that hair, Charles," Magneto spat bitterly, his voice sharp as razors. "While I hide this chrome dome under my helmet."
With a furious burst of what little strength he had left, Magneto fired high-intensity metal razors straight at Charles' head, aiming to shave him bald right here on the battlefield.
Charles, unfazed, reached calmly to a hidden switch on his hover-chair and flipped it.
Instantly, the battle hair dryer roared to life, creating a forcefield of shimmering energy that rippled around his head like a golden halo. The razors slammed into the shield, bouncing harmlessly to the ground.
Charles coolly adjusted his collar and ran a hand through his now-protected hair. "I told you, Erik," he said smoothly. "I take my haircare seriously."
Magneto let out a frustrated growl as his plan failed spectacularly. His hands trembled as he tried to muster another wave of magnetic force, but it was weak and sputtering.
Charles' eyes glowed faintly as he unleashed a psychic wave, slamming into Magneto like a wall of invisible force. "You don't have to destroy everything just to prove a point, Erik," Charles said firmly, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Magneto bared his teeth. "I do," he hissed. "Because otherwise, I have nothing left. No money, no power… no hair."
The two clashed, psychic energy colliding with magnetism, sending shockwaves across the island.
Storm sent a crackling bolt of lightning into a Brotherhood fighter, Jean deflected metal shards flying from the machine, and Cyclops fired sharp beams to keep more enemies at bay.
Rogue's eyes gleamed as the machine pulsed stronger, nearing its final charge.
Up on the hill, Kara sipped her lemonade, watching as another explosion echoed through the field. Natasha refilled her glass, and Gwen passed over more snacks.
Charles and Magneto's battle raged on, the force of their powers rippling outward, shaking the ground. Charles' hair, protected by his battle dryer, waved dramatically but remained untouched by Magneto's desperate attempts.
As the machine glowed brighter and Rogue's hands tightened on the controls, the final surge of energy built to a crescendo, bathing Liberty Island in harsh, unnatural light.
Liberty Island trembled under the clash of mutants—heroes, villains, and something in between. And the best was yet to come for everyone.
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