17.

Heading to the X-mansion was quicker than Kai had expected it to be, prompting him to wonder whether he should invest in a jet of similar quality. 

After how the current incident had played out, for him Fisk was already a dead man walking. All the balance bullshit, he had spouted to Nathan was nothing more than just that, bullshit.

As far as chaos goes, he couldn't be happier if these gangs ripped each other to shreds.

In fact, all he wanted Fisk for, was to create a bigger distraction than Fisk ever could do alone before he gained more power. Spiderman, Daredevil, and the bunch weren't bigger threats in general but were the annoying kind that would linger around you with their sense of justice until they were satisfied.

Not to mention, if things had worked out the way he had intended, he could've drawn in more heroes to be distracted around Fisk. But it was already quite too late for it.

Now he had to involve himself in a completely different plan.

Nathan suddenly jerked up staring back at Kai, but seeing that Kai was rather busy in his own thoughts, he calmed himself back down as he continued polishing and cleaning the huge mask, Kai had cut to shape.

"Is he always like that?" Storm who was beside Cyclops piloting the jet asked, 

"I am not sure..." Cyclops said somberly, "From what I know, he used to be a regular kid until that... happened."

"You know, a part of me was glad that he had awakened some sort of power like us, although the Professor insists that he isn't a mutant, I was still glad..." Cyclops paused, his voice trailing off as he reflected on the past. "Seeing that he could walk again lifted a weight off my shoulders."

"But seeing him now, I can't help but feel responsible for what he's become."

Storm glanced at Cyclops, sympathy in her eyes. "Sometimes, we can't control the paths people take, even those we care about. We can only do our best to guide them."

Cyclops nodded, his gaze fixed on the controls as the jet approached the X-Mansion. "I just hope we can help him before it's too late."

The jet touched down smoothly on the mansion's grounds, and the ramp lowered with a soft hum. The team disembarked, Cyclops and Storm carefully carrying the unconscious Mystique and Sabertooth on a stretcher who were still in pieces. Soon a few more X-men came carrying the heavy Wolverine who was still unconscious as well.

Kai and Nathan followed, Kai's expression still unreadable, lost in his own thoughts.

With a deep breath, Kai put on the heavy helmet, although the helmet was still too big for him not to mention how hideous it looked, it was a requirement as Jaggarnaut's helmet had similar properties to Magneto's helmet making it an anti-telepathic device.

Professor X was someone he couldn't trust let alone underestimate, and he wanted to ensure his mind remained his own during their interactions.

As they entered the mansion, Professor Xavier awaited them in his wheelchair, his calm and reassuring presence a stark contrast to the chaos they had just left behind. His eyes met Kai's, and for a moment, it seemed as if the professor could see right through him.

"Kai, thank you for coming," Xavier greeted, his voice gentle but firm. "We have much to discuss."

Xavier analyzed his helmet for a second before changing his to his normal demeanor again, "I see you've gotten your hand on something handy."

"Save it," Kai raised an eyebrow, his usual defiant demeanor in place, "I believe we don't have much to discuss other than Rogue."

"And I'll do everything in our power to help her," Xavier replied, his tone unwavering. "But first, we need to understand what's happening. Please, come with me."

As Kai walked behind Xavier he couldn't help but remark, "I almost wanna laugh that you sent me the same brand of wheelchair back in the hospital but looking at it now it kind of pisses me off."

"It's a reliable fellow..." Xavier patted the armrest, "I believed it would be of some help but after hearing how you burned it the moment you received it, I realized I was wrong."

"Anger... I believe it's something that fuels you now, Kai," Xavier continued as they made their way to his office. "But it doesn't have to control you."

"Spare me the therapy session, Professor." Kai scoffed, his eyes hard. "I am sure you've looked into what I've done for the past few days, you've got a good spy around but that's to be expected for someone who runs a school full of mutants."

"And yet you've invited me into your home with all these children around, do you really believe you could change my mind with some wheelchair-to-leg talk? Like you couldn't do with your old friend?"

"You're talking about Erik, you better know him as Magneto..." Xavier shook his head, "Maybe, I should've but I know that his life and his punishment for his crimes is not for me to decide. The hate in his heart burns similar to yours, ostracized because of his powers, losing everything and everyone around him because of said powers... I believe you understand him more than even me. Hence, why with all your powers you still haven't made an attempt on his life."

"Is that how you convince yourself at night? That it wasn't in your hands? I believe you know it deep within you that if you'd just do what was needed you'd spare a lot of people a life of pain. But maybe you're just the same as him, just under the guise of being a wise fellow."

"You know, I believe if you stop manipulating someone for a second you might just start walking by yourself. But maybe that's one of your mutant abilities, gaslighting people into blindly trusting you." Kai snorted, "You're correct about one thing though, I understand Magneto better than ever, but my understanding has led to... well, you'll know sooner or later what it has 'led' to."

"Is destruction all you seek?"

"Maybe, maybe not... who knows," Kai replied with a shrug, his tone laced with a mixture of sarcasm and indifference. "But right now, my priority is Rogue. Let's stick to the task at hand, shall we?"

Xavier sighed, clearly wanting to delve deeper but recognizing the futility of pushing Kai any further. "Very well," he conceded. "Let's focus on Rogue."

As they made their way to Xavier's office, the halls of the X-Mansion buzzed with the energy of young mutants. Some were practicing their abilities in the training rooms, while others simply chatted and laughed, their youthful exuberance a stark contrast to the weighty concerns that occupied Kai's mind.

A group of students, led by Jubilee, raced past them, their excitement infectious. One of the younger mutants paused to stare at Kai, his eyes wide with curiosity and a hint of admiration.

Words travel fast, and they traveled faster within the mansion filled with teenagers, the people who had seen the condition Mystique and Sabertooth had arrived in, were either terrified of who could've caused it but some were filled with awe.