The Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters

Westchester, New York

He ignored the knocking.  His eyes rested lazily on the door before moving back to peer through the window.  The sun was shining and there was a steady blowing breeze, but Warren hardly noticed either.  None of it mattered anyway.

His life was over.

Warren’s father had spent years building Worthington Industries into a force to be reckoned with.  The Angel viewed his company with an intense adoration, knowing that he was at the head of something special.  Something that had been handed down to him with a confidence that Warren Worthington the Third would lead the company into the next millennium.

Now, that dream was fleeting.

Thanks to the influence of two individuals, Warren had revealed to the public that he was a mutant.  He couldn’t even recall the minutes that led up to the reveal in the lobby of Worthington Industries.  He had been speaking with Shaw and Frost and the woman had used her telepathy on him.  Everything had gone dark until the moment he exposed his wings to the cameras and the reporters.

And then the Angel had flown away.  The trip had been short yet exhausting.  Warren hadn’t stopped until he hit Westchester.  Only when the Xavier Institute came into sight did he let the seriousness of what happened hit him like a runaway train.  The tears had barely stopped when the knocking began.

Against his better judgment, Warren turned from the window.  “Who is it?  What do you want?”

“To talk, Warren.  Nothing more.”

It was Xavier, come to play saint once more.  Some small part of Warren blamed Xavier for all that had happened to him.  After all, it was Charles that had taken Warren in when his wings sprouted.  It was Charles that had convinced Warren that being a mutant was natural.  Convinced him that, eventually, humanity would come to see mutants as equals.  And, like a fool, Warren had believed him.  But mutants wouldn’t be accepted.  Not now, not ever.

And the stocks showed that.  Worthington Industries had taken a massive hit in the stock market and the announcement of Warren being a mutant was barely twenty-four hours old.  It was only going to get worse from here.

“Warren?”

He turned and blinked in surprise.  Warren figured he must have zoned out because the door to his room was open and Xavier was situated at his side.  The older man’s eyes betrayed none of what he was feeling.  If they had, Warren would know that his accusations of Xavier were being mirrored in Charles’ own mind.

“How are you, Warren?” Charles asked, grabbing his former student by the hand.  It was a strong grip but Warren easily slid free.  “I realize what happened to you was traumatic but you don’t need to be afraid of me.”

“I’m not afraid of you, professor.”

“Then what is it, son?”

“I’m sick of you, that’s what.”

Charles’ eyes widened and he looked like he was about to choke on something.  “I-I don’t know what to say to that, Warren.  Is there something in particular that you—”

“It’s your constant speeches, Charles,” Warren Worthington the Third replied.  He spun toward the professor.  “Every time I’m around you, you preach about your dream of co-existence between mutants and humans.  It’s a beautiful dream, Charles, it really is.  But that’s all it is.  A DREAM!  Humans are never going to trust us, much less accept us.”

“I understand that you’ve had a long day, Warren, but you can’t lose faith in what the X-Men stand for.”

“Not the X-Men!  It’s not what the X-Men believe in, Charles, it’s all you.  Ask Scott.  Ask Hank.  Ask Bobby.  Ask any of those new mutants that you brought here to replace us.  They are here because they want to make a difference.  None of them truly believe that your dream is going to become a reality.”

“I-”

“But what gets me more than that is telepathy.  That’s why I don’t want to be around you, Charles.  All you damn telepaths think you can do whatever you want.”

Charles shook his head.  “Please, Warren, you know that I would never use my powers on you against your will.”

“You, maybe, but tell that to Emma Frost.  She’s the reason that I walked into the lobby of my building and revealed myself.  It was done against my will.”

“I understand what it is like to be coerced against your will,” Charles responded.  He stared out the window, following Warren’s gaze.  He found Logan stalking off into the woods, most likely in search of a hunt.  Wolverine tended to disappear for days at a time without a word.  Charles shook away the thought.  “If you wanted to strengthen your security against mental intrusion, I know some psychic maneuvers that—”

“No!  No more telepathy!”

“I’m just trying to look out for you.”

“Of course, you are.  But then again, you still view me as the weakest member of the X-Men.  To you, I’m a student that needs support.  News flash, Xavier, I’ve built my own support system.  Her name is Candy Southern.  I was planning on asking her to marry me.”  The Angel shook his head of the thought.  “That’s shot.”

“But Candy knows you’re a mutant.”

“But now so does everybody else.  Candy is a bit eccentric.  She saw my secret as a unifying bond.  My public unveiling isn’t going to sit well with her.”

Charles looked ready to say something once more but stayed silent.  Warren was not in the right frame of mind to have this conversation.  The wound was still too raw.  Warren was lashing out at any and everything that he could.  Time heals all wounds or so they say.  Hopefully that would hold true in this instance as well.

“Life will go on, Warren,” Charles said before exiting.

Warren shook his head.  “Yeah, why don’t you unveil yourself,” he muttered under his breath, “and then we’ll talk about life going on.”  He took a deep breath and returned to his window gazing.

Outside, Charles Xavier couldn’t help but overhear Warren’s final thought.  He dropped his head sadly.  It was going to take much for Warren Worthington the Third to return to his former glory and, for an instance, Xavier wasn’t sure the man had the internal strength.

He guided himself back toward his office.  Halfway down the corridor, however, Xavier paused.

Charles felt something at the edge of his peripheral consciousness.  It was familiar.  Very familiar.

He cocked an eyebrow.  “Scott?”

Chandilar

The Shiar Throneworld

Even with a battle raging, the city was quiet.  Eerily quiet.  Most citizens were long ago tucked away in bed.  However, in the Capitol, there were still two that were watching the Moon rise high into the sky.  One was the most important woman in the Empire.  The other was her most trusted advisor.  Together, they stood on the balcony, looking out toward the industrial region where the battle was taking place.

“It’s so peaceful,” Lilandra Nermani observed.  “It makes me wonder if I’m doing the wrong thing.”

Araki laid a hand on her shoulder.  “What are you talking about?  You had to engage the Phoenix.  She already killed Gladiator and she won’t stop until our entire Empire is cleansed of life.”

“I know the Phoenix needs to be stopped.  That’s not the issue.”  Lilandra swept her arm out in the direction of the city.  “I’m wondering if it was foolhardy on my part not to evacuate Chandilar.  These people are in danger.  If they found out that the Phoenix had returned, there would be absolute panic in the streets.”

“It was a judgment call, mistress,” Araki responded.  “Wait and see how things play out before you crucify yourself.  As of right now, you can’t even tell there’s a battle going on.  Maybe it will stay that way.”

It was at that moment that the Phoenix Raptor filled the sky.

Lilandra turned to Araki, an irritated look on her face.  “You had to say something, didn’t you?”

The Imperial Guard could do nothing but watch.

The Raptor started out small, a simple aura of fire surrounding the body of Jean Grey.  As the Guardsmen observed and time progressed, it grew larger, becoming much more defined and ferocious.  And then the Phoenix Raptor continued to mature until it threatened to envelope the city.

“She’s going to destroy everything,” Manta said, taking flight.  “Chandilar won’t be able to survive the Phoenix!”

A hand on her shoulder made Manta stop her ascent.  “This is all for show,” Oracle explained.  “The Raptor is a physical manifestation of her psychic abilities.  Didn’t you notice that there’s no heat coming from the fire?  The Phoenix is trying to get underneath our skin and I for one will not allow her the pleasure.”

Manta peered around her and found the Guardsmen amassing on her location.  “What are we going to do, Oracle?”

She studied the faces of her comrades and found that, with Gladiator’s passing, they viewed her as the natural successor.  All Oracle could do was that which was seemingly expected of her.  She would lead the Imperial Guard against the Phoenix and they would be victorious.

Oracle gave a satisfied nod, more for her own benefit than that of the other Guardsmen.  “Okay, here’s what we’re going to do.”

YOU SAID THAT I COULDN’T DEFEAT THE IMPERIAL GUARD?  LOOK AT THEM, JEAN GREY, THEY RUN AWAY LIKE CHILDREN!

“You have no idea what your actions are going to cause.”

THEY STARTED THIS CONFLICT.

“But it looks like they’re going to finish it.  The Imperial Guardsmen are the last people in the universe that would run away from a battle.”

The Guardsmen struck as one.

Starbolt’s flames—

Smasher’s strength—

Manta’s plasma rays—

And so many more.

Though the Raptor was psychic energy materialized, it was as solid as a wall and any damage it took fed back directly into the Phoenix.  These were lessons that the Guardsmen learned after the Phoenix’s first attack on the universe.  Though, Jean Grey had apparently died, taking the Phoenix with her, Lilandra had made sure that every member of the Imperial Guard was up to date on the Phoenix’s powers and weaknesses.  At least, what few weaknesses existed.  Lilandra had explained saying it was better being safe than sorry.

On the ground, the Phoenix watched as the Guardsmen attacked.  Her face set into a grimace as she prepared to counterattack.  They would all pay for their insolence.

Phoenix!

It was the Oracle again.  Another attempt at a distraction.  The Phoenix would not allow it.  She spun and found Oracle at the mouth of the alleyway.

“You think you can defeat me, Oracle?  You already failed once.”

Over the sounds of battle, Oracle replied with a giant smile on her face.  “That little tiff on the Astral Plane was not me trying, Phoenix.  You may be a creation of the universe but I’ve spent years honing my telepathy and you haven’t yet reclaimed all of your power.  Luck is on my side.”

The Phoenix shrugged.  “We’ll see.”

The Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters

“I must say I’m surprised to see you back so soon, Mr. Summers,” Charles said when Scott stepped through the front door.  Xavier sat in the mansion’s foyer, his hands in his lap.  A giant smile was on his face as his eyes graced the presence of his first student.  “You seemed dead set on leaving the X-Men and Westchester behind.”

“This isn’t a social visit, professor,” Scott Summers replied, a bit more harshly than he had wished.  “I was well on my way to my grandparents’ place in Alaska when I heard something.”

Charles guided himself to Cyclops’ side.  He pushed the man lightly.  “We can talk more about this later, Scott.  You must be exhausted.  Drop your stuff off in your room and we’ll have a drink.”

“Professor, this cannot wait.”

“Scott, I—”

Scott shook his head, silencing the professor.  “Listen, sir.  What I heard…this might sound really crazy, but…”

“Just say it.”

“I think it was Jean.”

The eyes of Charles Xavier closed and he rubbed at them.  “Scott, I realize that her death is still fresh in your mind.  It could just be your psyche playing some sort of trick on you.”

The bags dropped from Scott’s hands.  “That’s what I thought at first too, but the more I think about it, the more I realize the truth.  Jean and I had a connection that surpassed all physical and mental manifestations.  It was what helped me break Mastermind’s control over her inside the Hellfire Club.  I would know Jean’s influence anywhere.”

“What are you saying, Scott?”

“This may sound crazy, Charles, but I think Jean may still be alive.”

The Phoenix looked around her surroundings and sighed.  “The Astral Plane?  I thought I already proved my point once.”

“There will be no games this time.”  A soft glow surrounded the body of Oracle.  It hardened into a set of standard issue Shiar military armor.  She snared and motioned the Phoenix forward.  “A battle to the finish?”

I WOULDN’T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY!!

The sheer ferocity of the outcry caught Oracle by surprise.  She took a step back and was unable to protect herself as the Phoenix flew into her, spearing her body to the ground.  Oracle managed to get her feet underneath the Phoenix’s body.  She pushed her off and sent her flying back a far enough distance that Oracle had time to return to her feet.

“Hand to hand combat?” Oracle asked.  “How…prepubescent.”  She studied the Phoenix for a moment and cocked her head to the side.  “How did….how did you hide that from me?”

“What are you talking about, vermin?”

“You’re not alone in that pretty little head of yours, Phoenix, are you?  It’s a tiny consciousness, but it’s there.”  She rubbed her head.  “If only I can…oh, hello, Ms. Grey, it’s nice to see you again.”

“Get out of my head!”

“You are holding that poor woman against her wishes, you cosmic monstrosity.  Can’t you see that?”

The Phoenix Raptor sparked to life, the luminosity causing Oracle to take another step back.  She motioned to the ground and it began to liquefy at her command.  Oracle watched as a wave of earth swept toward her and began circling up her legs.  She was powerless to fight against the containment for she knew that her powers were needed elsewhere.  Oracle had found it-

The weakness of the Phoenix rested in its human host.

The Earth rose around Oracle, covering her head to toe.  And just as quickly, it hardened into a cocoon.

“And you thought me weakened?  Look at yourself.”

A pain broke out through Phoenix’s head, causing her to cry out in pain.  The Guardsmen were tearing into her physical body while Oracle, whose astral form was still alive inside the cocoon, used her telepathy to rake across the Phoenix’s psyche.  And it was only getting worse.  She could feel the prison that was created for Jean Grey beginning to shatter underneath Oracle’s power.

“Jean Grey?”

“Oracle?”

“I thought I’d find you in here.”

“What are you doing here?”

“If I’m going to defeat the Phoenix, I need your help.”

“If I’m going to be any help to you, I need to get out of this prison.”

“Leave that to me.”

The prison deteriorated, crumbling into so much dirt.  When the dust finally settled, two stood where there was originally one.  Sweat glinted on the face of Oracle.  A smile crept to her lips as she turned to the side and found Jean Grey glaring at the psychic representation of the Phoenix.

“I’ve allowed your ruthless brutality to continue for too long, Phoenix,” Jean said.  With a thought, her clothing mutated into a myriad of sage and gold, altering to become a symbol of her past.  The gold facemask that appeared completed the ensemble from her past.  “Before you came along, this is who I was, monster!  I am Marvel Girl, not an instrument for you to manipulate to your self-righteous cause.  I’m going to denounce you.”

In response, the Phoenix laughed.  “You will do no such thing.”  She floated into the air, hovering over Jean and Oracle.  Her body began to glow orange and transform.  What started as a split image of Jean Grey quickly grew fiery and sprouted wings.  The Raptor grew in intensity and magnitude until it lit up the entire landscape.

Oracle and Jean looked at each other.  “Maybe we didn’t think this through,” the Guardsmen muttered.  “I don’t have a good feeling.”

“I’m not worried.”

“You’re not?”

“Why should I be?” Jean asked.  “Oracle, think about it.  We’ve spent our lives playing on the Astral Plane, learning how to manipulate it.  Yes, the Phoenix is powerful, but the telepathy at its disposal is my telepathy.  It doesn’t know the power that it possesses.  Fortunately, I do.”

The Phoenix roared, a sound that caused a sudden pressure in Oracle’s chest.  She looked up, the light of the Phoenix shining in her eyes.  “What are we going to do?”

“Just follow my lead.”

As Jean levitated through the open air of the Astral Plane, she hoped that her plan would not fail.  The Phoenix hadn’t lost complete control yet, but it was only a matter of time before the inevitable happened.  Stopping before the crowing beak of the Raptor, Jean placed her hands atop her temples and began the delicate work ahead of her.  She hoped that the Phoenix wouldn’t react before it knew what was happening.  The key was distraction.

“Phoenix, I know you can hear me.”

The first block was set in place.  It was actually rather simple.

“I can.”

“You made a mistake in faking my death.  You should have just let me die.”

A second block was established.

“We’ve been over this.”

“Yet you still don’t understand.  I’m not going to let you control me forever.  I’m simply bidding my time.”

A third block.

“I’m stronger than you are.”

“Maybe, but I’m more experienced.”

And a fourth.

That’s when the Phoenix began to notice.

“What are you doing?”  The Raptor screamed, but it was already too late.

Jean smiled like a Cheshire cat.  “When I was a little girl, Charles Xavier placed psychic blocks in my mind to protect me from my growing powers.  As I’m sure you’re away, I’m repeating the process on you.”

As the number of blocks grew, the luminosity of the Phoenix flame died away until the Raptor was the size of a parrot.

“How did you do this?”

“We,” Jean responded, motioning to the Phoenix’s rear.  “I was never alone.  Phoenix, you’ve caused enough destruction to warrant a death sentence.  Fortunately, I am neither strong enough to execute such an action nor that vindictive.  Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean I refuse to punish you.  You locked me in a cage.  I figure reciprocity is only fair.”

Jean looked to Oracle and winked.

“Fair is fair,” the Guardsmen said.

The cry of the Phoenix resonated through the Astral Plane as it was locked away in the deepest recesses of Jean’s very being.

When the telepaths refocused their attention to reality, they found the Phoenix Raptor was gone.  Jean Grey shook her head, knowing what was captured inside her.  For the first time in a long time, she was in control.  It was a wonderful feeling.

It was ironic that her first act as a free woman would lead to her incarceration once more.

The Imperial Guardsmen were landing all around her. They were staring holes through her form.  The Phoenix was contained, but that had been said before.  They would not leave without her and Jean refused to be responsible for anymore fighting.

Jean Grey put up her hands.  “I surrender.”

Next Issue:  Jean Grey is SENTENCED!  Plus, the Hellfire Club attacks!