Once Upon A Time…
There was a little girl. Like so many others now, she developed powers that set her apart from the rest of the world. She had to hide them at first, afraid that the world would turn against her. There was great precedent for such worries.
These powers that the girl possessed grew intense until the day that she could no longer control them. She lost her best friend in a car accident and had been inside her mind as she died. The experience had been awful and, even in her later years, the girl would swear she had never gotten over it. On that day, she was introduced to death.
Like a survivor, the girl got past her childhood, all the while losing control of her psychic abilities. The day she was introduced to a man named Charles Xavier, the girl knew that her life was going to change dramatically. Maybe not right away, but definitely dramatically. Xavier helped the girl get her powers under control before she hurt anyone. The girl was thankful and life continued.
She went to school at Xavier’s own academy where she met four other mutants like herself. Being the only girl, she immediately drew the attention of all four males. But there was only one that she found herself interested in. His name was Scott. As the X-Men grew and they put their lives on the line for the betterment of the world, the love between the girl and Scott blossomed into something great, something written about in the stars.
However, no story is without its low points. In this one, the girl died. She got herself mixed up with forces that she couldn’t control and in the end took her own life to prevent hurting those that she loved and respected. It seemed that the story of the girl had reached an end. But that had all been a façade.
The Phoenix, a great and powerful entity of creation, had faked the girl’s death, taking her away from her life, promising to show her things that no one knew existed. But the girl couldn’t do it. She had seen what the Phoenix had done with possession of her body and she wouldn’t let herself be used anymore. There was a battle and the Phoenix became imprisoned inside the girl’s mind.
The girl returned home to a place where everyone thought she was dead. She arrived in time to save her friends—the X-Men—from their enemies inside the Hellfire Club.
But now that the conflicts are behind her, the girl has to face the reality that was laid out in front of her. For the atrocities committed by the Phoenix, she has to die.
Jean Grey only came home to say goodbye.
This is her story.
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Marvel 2000 Proudly presents... "What if......the End of the Dark Phoenix Saga was a Façade?”Part Six: Rising and Falling with the AshesWritten by Matt Hrubey |
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| Now The Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters Westchester, New York “I still can’t believe that you’re alive.” Jean Grey turned from the setting sun, opting to face the man that she loved. “Really? Even with me sitting here?” “No, no, I mean I believe it,” was the response of Scott Summers, “but what I saw on the Moon…you vaporized yourself.” Running her hand across Scott’s jaw line, Jean shook her head. “That’s what the Phoenix wanted you to see. It saw that the best way to end the conflict on the Moon was to take me out of it and leave. The Phoenix didn’t want to give me up.” “Then how did you get away?” “I had some help,” Jean responded, motioning toward the Shiar cruiser hovering over the mansion, “but mainly, I learned how to harness my anger. And I had a lot of it.” Scott wrapped his arms around Jean. “I’m so glad that you’re back for good.” A shadow fell over Jean’s face. She felt the breath leave her lungs. She had to tell him the truth, but she couldn’t bring herself to it. He was going to be crushed. “How are the others?” Jean asked, looking to change the subject. “I haven’t had a chance to see anyone with Charles’ constant questions.” “They’re recovering,” Scott replied, “but I have a feeling there’s going to be some long lasting repercussions from everything that’s happened. Logan’s sticking around, though I think it’s more because the Shiar are here than any genuine time needed to recuperate. You know him. Peter and Kurt are back on their feet. Ororo has been walking around in a consistently bad mood. Maybe you should talk to her.” “I can try.” “But I’m worried about Warren the most.” Jean nodded. “Charles told me what happened. Terrible.” “After the Hellfire Club was taken away, Warren locked himself away again. Nobody has spoken to him since.” “His entire world has been turned upside down, Scott,” Jean replied. “I’m not surprised by his reaction.” “Neither am I but it’s not healthy to be so isolated.” The last of the sun’s rays disappeared over the horizon, leaving the lovers alone in the veil of darkness. Scott wrapped his arms around Jean’s shoulders, rubbing them before pulling her in close. A shiver ran through his body. “Why do I keep getting this feeling that something bad is going to happen?” Jean swallowed— This was it. Truth time. “Scott, there’s something that I have to tell you. It’s about why Lilandra is still here.” She shook her head. “It’s NOT to see Charles.” Charles shook his head violently. “There has to be another way.” “I’m sorry, Charles, my people have spoken.” The headmaster of the Xavier School gawked at the Empress of the Shiar Empire. He rubbed the bridge of his nose hoping this was all a cruel joke. Unfortunately, Lilandra wasn’t known for her humor. Lilandra rose from her chair in Xavier’s office and knelt down next to Charles’ wheelchair. “I don’t want this anymore than you do. But my hands are tied.” “There has to be another way,” Charles repeated. “Maybe we could sneak her away and pretend she escaped?” “And lose the respect of my people? I hardly think that a satisfactory alternative. My people don’t even know that the Phoenix has been taken off world. Only those by my side and the pilot of my cruiser are aware. I have to return to Chandilar with the Phoenix or I will lose all control and respect. That can’t be allowed.” “Jean,” Charles whispered, his hands forming fists. “What?” “Her name is Jean Grey, Lilandra. The Phoenix is a puppet master. I want you to be clear that the woman you are going to execute is an innocent in this scenario.” He slammed his fist against the armrest of his wheelchair. “You are making yourself sound heartless. How can you play spectator when one of my students is going to be killed? I thought that you cared for me.” Lilandra felt the tears coming on. “That’s not fair. I do care for you, but any relationship that we can have is second to my duties as empress. You know that. I regret that Jean must die, but I have to remain impartial. For the sake of my people.” “It’s an easy out, isn’t it?” Charles asked, turning away from the women that he loved. “Charles, please.” “Lilandra, after this ordeal is over, I never want to see you again. I wish that you would head back to your world and leave me alone on mine. This relationship is over.” Lilandra covered her mouth in shock. “You can’t mean that.” “I have never been more serious. I don’t trust you.” Seeing the bitterness of her lover, Lilandra wasn’t sure what to say to appease him. Perhaps, ending things now would be for the best. He loved Jean like a daughter and would never forget the fact that it was Lilandra that had destroyed her. Still, she had no words. When the explosion sounded from outside, filling the air with fire and shaking all of the windows inside the mansion, thoughts of what Lilandra could say fell to the back of her mind. She ran to the window, Charles moving to her side. “What is it?” he asked. “It’s my cruiser,” Lilandra responded. “It’s under attack.” “By who?” Lilandra gasped. “Oh no. Charles, you better look at this.” Charles looked out the window, seeing what was taking place on the mansion grounds. He shook his head. “I knew this was going to happen. It was just a matter of when.” And the explosions continued.
The young girl shied away from her touch. Ororo Munroe frowned, her eyes resting on the tense girl, Martinique Jason. Ororo forced a smile. “You don’t have to be afraid of me or anyone here, child. No one is going to hurt you.” “Tell that to Ms. Frost,” Martinique muttered under her breath. The attempt to disguise the comment failed, however, and Ororo’s mouth returned the familiar frown of the past couple of days. “Neither Emma Frost or Sebastian Shaw truly cared for you, Martinique. They wanted to use you and your power for their own personal gain.” “Liar!” “I wish it was so,” Ororo responded, “but from past experience I’ve learned that the Hellfire Club only cares about themselves and ways to gain possession of enormous amounts of power. They would have left you behind sooner or later, Martinique.” Tears poured down the face of Mastermind’s daughter. She wanted nothing more than to run away but with her father a vegetable and Emma Frost incarcerated, there was nowhere for her to go. “Xavier’s can offer you a home,” Ororo said as if she could read Martinique’s thoughts. “If you let it.” Martinique looked about to speak but couldn’t find the words. Ororo knelt in front of the girl. “Why don’t I show you around?” she suggested. “You can make your final decision later.” “Hello, Storm,” a new voice said. Ororo stood and turned to the rear. She couldn’t fight back the gasp. “Warren?” The Angel stood in front of the woman and child, his body adorned in one of the nicest suits that money could buy. He was clean shaven and all smiles. His hair was slicked back and he looked like one of those famous people on a magazine cover. “Yeah, it’s me.” Ororo was shocked. There was no other way to say it. Since being outed by the Hellfire Club, Warren had been moody and unresponsive. He had let his hygiene go bad and his attitude left something to be desired. Ororo still remembered seeing the blood lust in his eyes when the two of them had confronted Frost. But now here he was, better than new. “I don’t know what to say, Warren,” Ororo replied, her frown gone. “You had some of us worried for a while.” “Yeah, I had myself scared,” Warren replied. He ran his hand up the back of his head through his golden locks. “But then I realized that sitting around stewing was not going to accomplish anything. It was nice at first, giving me a chance to put my thoughts in order, but now its time to move to the next step.” Ororo cocked an eyebrow. “Which is?” “I’m taking back Worthington Industries, by force is necessary. I will fire every bigot in that company and run it myself if I have to. It’s going to be hard work but running a business usually is.”“I’m glad to hear it, Warren. I really am.” “Thanks, Storm,” he replied. Looking down at his watch, Warren’s eyes widened. “I got to go. The cab I called is probably already here.”The X-Men shared a brief hug. “Good luck,” Ororo replied.“I need don’t need it,” he responded with a wink. “I’ve got a goddess on my side.” Ororo was glad that Warren had gone or he would have seen her blush.“He’s cute.” Ororo jumped. She had forgotten all about Martinique. “That he is, child,” she said, “but he’s just the beginning of what Xavier’s has to offer.”That’s when they heard the explosions from outside. The sky had turned red. “Scott, stop this!” “I won’t let them take you away again,” Cyclops responded. His visor was gone, discarded on the ground at his feet. He was aimed at the Shiar cruiser and every bit of energy that he could muster was being thrown into his attack. A majority of Cyclops’ optic blast was bouncing off the shields of the cruiser but he still had hope some was going through. A smile came to his face as the first explosion broke out. “Scott, you have to stop this,” Jean cried. She stood at his back. “This decision is already set in stone. It’s out of Lilandra’s hands. I’ve accepted it. Why can’t you?” “I’ve almost lost you more times than I care to count, Jean. I’m not letting you go.” “Scott, if you don’t stop, I’m going to make you.” Cyclops shook his head. “Don’t.” The barrage of optical energy continued. Explosions rocked across the hull of the Shiar cruiser. “I’m sorry, Scott,” Jean whispered, fighting back tears. With a thought, the optic blast ceased. “Jean?” “I’m holding it back with my telekinesis,” Jean answered. “I’ve done it before. Do you remember?” Cyclops seemed to calm for a moment. “Of course, I do.” Then, he saw Lilandra approaching and the anger returned. He pushed but Jean’s telekinesis wouldn’t budge. “Scott, stop!” Xavier commanded. “You’re not helping matters.” “They’re going to kill Jean, Charles. Do you know that?” “Yes, Scott. I do.” The red glow of Cyclops’ eyes was like a mini sun. “And you were going to stand by and let it happen?” “There is no alternative,” Lilandra answered. “The Phoenix must pay for crimes against the cosmos.” “I have an alternative in mind,” Cyclops said. He turned his head to look at the man who had trained him in the use of his powers. “Help me, professor.” Jean’s eyes widened. “Don’t, Charles. People are going to get hurt.” Looking between the two X-Men and their mentor, Lilandra cocked her head to the side. They were sharing thoughts telepathically. This would not bode well for the Shiar. Charles glanced between Cyclops and Jean. “I’m sorry,” he stated but to whom it was meant for, only Xavier knew. A moment later, Jean cried out, holding her head as Charles fought against her power. By this time, the X-Men had gathered around them, watching the exchange. Wolverine moved forward as Jean cried out but Colossus held him back. “We must wait,” Rasputin said. “Now is not the time to get involved.” “Get off me, ruskie,” Wolverine shot back. “If Jean is in trouble, I’m going to—“ “Do nothing,” Storm interrupted. “This is not our battle. Not yet.” My X-Men, Xavier’s voice echoed through their heads. The Shiar are planning to execute Jean. Stop the Imperial Guard by whatever means necessary. The life of our friend and teammate is hanging in the balance. The X-Men stood in shock for a moment. They looked to each other, hoping that Xavier’s statement was a cruel joke. However, there was no denying the truth. “You were saying?” Wolverine asked, his claws extending. Storm didn’t respond. Her pupils vanished, giving her eyes the appearance of being clouded. The white matched her flowing locks. She looked up. Lightning flashed and thunder crashed— The sky began to darken. Cyclops replaced the visor on his face, all the while keeping his eyes tightly shut. When he opened them, he found Lilandra standing some feet away. She tried to speak. “Cyclops, I realize that—“ “Shut up! This is your fault!” The Empress was taken aback by the ferocity of Cyclops’ words. She outstretched her arms, hoping to calm him down some before he attacked her. “I’m sorry that this has happened. I fought for Jean, but my people want blood. She murdered the entire D’Bari civilization for Chandilar’s sake. There must be atonement.” “You can have your atonement when you get through me,” Cyclops responded before firing. The first optic blast struck the ground at Lilandra’s feet, causing her to fall over onto her backside. She scurried away, pushing herself with the strength of her arms and legs. But for each move, Cyclops took two toward her. He towered over, a grimace on his face. “You never should have brought your problems to Earth.” Cyclops recoiled when a wall of fire rose up between him and the distressed Empress. He blocked out the light from the fire, taking a step backward as the heat increased in magnitude. “Protect the Empress!” Starbolt exclaimed as the Imperial Guardsmen appeared from within the confines of the cruiser. In response to Starbolt’s order, the three present Guardsmen separated, each heading for a member of the X-Men. The Imperial Guard had long ago been trained in the tactic of divide and conquer. Even with depleted numbers, they still believed their odds of victory high. Starbolt floated between Lilandra and Cyclops. “Stand down,” he said. “You don’t want to do this.” “Of course, I do,” Cyclops replied, opening his visor. An optic blast as thin as paper sliced through the air, striking Starbolt in the shoulder. There was a sickening crack and Starbolt cried out, falling to his knees. He immediately began to favor his injured shoulder. The flames surrounding his body began to die down as Starbolt slowly lost consciousness. “Don’t do this, Cyclops,” Lilandra cried. She knelt in front of Starbolt’s body, blocking any further attacks. “Tell me Jean’s execution can be cancelled and this can all be over.” Lilandra’s head sagged. “I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do.” The sigh that exhaled from Cyclops’ mouth was full of emotion. He didn’t want to do any of this, but as he had said before, he wasn’t going to let Jean die. Not again. He replied, “I’m sorry too, Empress. I’m sorry too.” “Coming through!” Smasher cut through the air like a knife, headed for the X-Men standing together in a group. The first one that he reached was the fuzzy blue one, Nightcrawler, who teleported out of the way of his reach. The tactic hadn’t been completely unexpected. Smasher traveled through the cloud of smoke Nightcrawler left in his wake, choking briefly at the smell, all the while picking up speed. The metal man was coming up fast. The sound of their collision could have been heard for miles had anyone been listening. Colossus felt himself lifted from his feet and thrown back. He struck the ground, leaving an indentation in the soft earth. He shook his head clear and returned to his feet, seeing that Smasher had already moved on to his next target. Storm. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure,” Smasher said, his voice debonair. The response he received was a lightning bolt to the chest. Smasher gritted his teeth, the pain of the attack burning the skin on his chest. He looked down to his uniform and found a hole where the lightning bolt had struck. The world started to go black as he struggled to take to the air and distance himself from his enemies. He began to rise— But a metal hand wrapped around his ankle and pulled him back down. “No,” Smasher said, his voice barely audible as he fought the darkness. “Let me go.” Colossus threw his fist into Smasher’s chin, winning the battle for the darkness. Smasher collapsed to the earth, unconscious before he hit the ground. “You don’t think you were a little too harsh with that attack?” Storm asked. She landed at his side. Colossus cocked an eyebrow. “Do you think I was too harsh?” “Not at all,” she replied with a smile. “Especially under the circumstances.” “Stop this, professor. If you don’t, someone is going to die.” “If I don’t, you’re going to die, Jean.” The telepaths were facing each other, their lips unmoving. Sweat had broken out on both of their foreheads. Jean’s hair was slick as she fell to one knee. “Somebody has to pay for what was done to the d’Bari.” “That was the Phoenix, not you.” “Maybe, but the Phoenix is still inside of me. If I die, I may take it with me.” “Do you really think that?” the professor asked. “The Phoenix is a cosmic entity. If you die—that’s even assuming it lets you die—then it’s just going to move onto another host.” Jean began to cry. “But at least I’ll be rid of it.” Xavier was taken aback by the comment. “I can help you, Jean. You don’t need to die to exorcise yourself of the Phoenix.” “You have no idea, Charles. You have no idea how powerful the Phoenix is. It won’t let me go. I’d rather die than stay its slave for the rest of my days.” “I understand, Jean, but—” “Stand down, Charles.” “I won’t let you give up on yourself!” “Charles, the Phoenix is under control for now but it will break free and kill again. I can guarantee it. It killed Gladiator. It nearly killed Lilandra and other members of her Imperial Guard. Do you want that on your head?” “There has to be another way,” Charles responded. “There isn’t,” Jean replied. “I’m sorry, Charles, but if this is the way that you feel, then perhaps it’s time to force your hand.” He sensed what she was doing a moment before it happened. “Jean, no!” Deep down inside her psyche, the Phoenix was locked away in a cage. With a thought, Jean Grey destroyed that cage. Her psyche lit up with the flames of the vengeful. An animalistic snarl came from Wolverine as he swiped his claws forward. His target—the Guardsmen Oracle—dodged the attack and took to the air. “We didn’t come here to fight,” the telepath spoke. The remaining rays of the setting sun reflected off her albino skin and white mane. “Don’t continue this battle.” Wolverine didn’t hear the words. His blood was pounding in his ears. Adrenaline was coursing through his body, increasing his rage to the point that his rationality blacked out. Oracle saw this transformation take place. She read the outer most thoughts of Wolverine’s mind and was shocked only to find an intense bloodlust. Thought was gone. “Great Chandilar, this poor man.” She floated in the air, out of the reach of Wolverine. The last thing she wanted was to be caught by those claws, especially in their owner’s currently frame of mind. Lost in thought, Oracle didn’t notice when Wolverine ran off, headed for a nearby tree. He jumped into it, Oracle finally redirecting her attention. Wolverine launched himself out of the tree in the direction of the Guardsmen. A normal person would have panicked. But Oracle was far from normal. She was the head of the Imperial Guard. Oracle unleashed her power in one quick burst, paralyzing even Wolverine’s animal mind. He fell from the sky, landing hard. Oracle looked at her handiwork and shook her head. “This shouldn’t have happened.” There was an implosion of air and an incredible weight was added to the back of the Guardsmen. She nearly buckled but shifted her weight and saw a blue skinned devil crouched on her body. “Guten tag,” Nightcrawler said before teleporting away, taking Oracle with him. Several teleporations later, the last standing member of the Imperial Guard had been defeated. "Jean,
what have you done?" She had always known Scott Summers to be a rational man, but there was something in his posture that told her something bad was going to happen. Desperation was coming off of him in waves. Cyclops was going to hurt the Empress, possibly kill her in cold blood. That couldn’t be allowed or Earth would fall into an intergalactic war with the Shiar. Jean grabbed onto Cyclops with her telekinesis, wrapping a tendril of psionic energy around his waist. With a tug, the first X-Man went flying backward from Lilandra, landing some feet away. “What are you doing, Jean?” Cyclops asked as he climbed back to his feet. “I’m trying to help you.” Standing defiantly, hands on hips, Jean responded, “I never asked for your help, Scott. That was an assumption that you made when you realized that you couldn’t exert any control over my execution. You are not hurting Lilandra. Now stand down before I make you stand down.” A tear fell from beneath the visor of Summers. “Why are you giving up like this?” “This is not about giving up,” Jean responded, “but about justice for the atrocities that the Phoenix has been responsible for.” “You’re not the Phoenix.” “But I am the Phoenix, Scott. More and more every day. More and more every second.” She extended her hand to Lilandra who gladly took it and returned to an upright position. “Your actions speak of courage, Jean Grey. You are a warrior born and bred.” “Thank you, Empress, but I must ask you for a favor,” Jean said, her eyes locked with Scott’s. “I need you to forget the execution and kill me now.” The request floored both Cyclops and Lilandra. “Jean, you can’t be serious!” Cyclops exclaimed. He moved forward to grab Jean but an invisible shield separated the pair of lovers. Cyclops opened fire on the telekinetic shield, his screams filling the air. The woman possessed by the Phoenix ignored her lover and the energy splashing off her telekinesis. She grabbed Lilandra’s hands with her own. “I let the Phoenix go. It’s taking back over. Kill me now or no one will be left alive. It’ll be easier for everyone here.” Lilandra took a step back. “I…I don’t know about—” “Please,” Jean interrupted. “Please, Lilandra, do this for me now.” The Empress took a step back. She reached into her robe and withdrew an energy weapon that she kept on her person as a safety precaution. Lilandra glanced at the weapon for a moment as if it was surreal. She raised it up, aiming at Jean, a tear in her eye. “I’m sorry things had to end like this, Jean.” Jean ignored the comment. “Just do it.” Cyclops sat up and watched the exchange between Jean and Lilandra from a distance. He climbed to his feet, preparing to interject himself when he heard Xavier’s voice in his head once more. “Scott, she has to die.” “What are you talking about, professor?” “Jean has unleashed the Phoenix. We have to end this fight now before it starts. Otherwise, she will kill us all.” “No, I can’t do that. I can’t lose her again.” That’s when Lilandra pulled the energy blaster from her robes. “Oh no.” “Scott, stop.” “Stay out of this, professor!” Visor open, Cyclops blasted the weapon out of Lilandra’s hand. She recoiled at the attack, a pain shooting through her appendage. She backed up as Cyclops stalked toward her and Jean. If she could see his eyes, Lilandra imagined Scott Summers glaring at her. It was suddenly cold outside. Cyclops grabbed Jean by the shoulders. “What are you doing? Are you insane?” “Please, Scott,” she pleaded. “Don’t make this any harder than it needs to be.” “I’m not letting you do this.” “I HAVE TO DIE!” He could see it in her face. The Phoenix was there, taking back over. There was fire sweeping through her eyes and anger unusual for Jean Grey had contorted her face, shattering her natural beauty. They locked eyes for a moment and everything that they felt for each was shared in an instance. For just that moment, Jean Grey was there, tears in her eyes. She had given up all hope already. And then that moment was over. Cyclops tried to move but his body wouldn’t respond. “Jean?” “Gone. Forever.” And he was thrown backward through the air, his mind on fire. When he hit the ground, it all went dark. The Phoenix had returned. “My X-Men! Stop her!” The call went out and Ororo Munroe didn’t hesitate. The winds whipped around her body, carrying her upward. Beckoning her call, the sky tore open and rain poured down over the battlefield. All was silent for a solitary moment. Fighting had ceased and all eyes were on the Phoenix, a single light against the darkness. And then the thunder crashed and Storm attacked. “Goddess, aid me!” Storm cried out as the lightning poured forth. It struck the ground around the Phoenix, getting closer with each subsequent strike. They slammed down, bouncing off the telekinetic shield that the Phoenix had established around her form. “Always so dramatic,” the Phoenix muttered. She entered Storm’s mind, taking control. There was a lull as the lightning and thunder stopped. All eyes went skyward. Storm swayed back and forth. Her arms raised and the lightning came forth, striking her body. Those on the ground could hear Storm’s cries on the wind as it blew by. Her body lit up and she began to fall out of the sky. “Ororo!” Colossus exclaimed. He turned. “Kurt!” Nightcrawler nodded and teleported up. With a precision gained by practice, he appeared in the path of Storm’s fall. His arms wrapped around her lithe body and the vanished in a puff of smoke, only to appear on the ground. Kurt fell to his knees at Storm’s side, his hand cradling her head. Colossus joined them. “Ororo, can you hear me?” Her body was smoking but she was obviously breathing by the rise and fall of her chest. Storm groaned lightly and but said no words. Across the battlefield, the Phoenix laughed. She heard the distinct sound of metal grinding on metal. The Phoenix turned and saw Wolverine standing before her, claws extended. His berserker rage had calmed but he still couldn’t stand in one place for too long. The adrenaline was pumping through his veins and his claws yearned to dig into warm flesh. But as his eyes fell on the body of Jean Grey, his blood lust gave way to a completely different kind of lust. “You must be insane, darlin’,” Wolverine uttered as his eyes scanned the battlefield. “Hurting us isn’t helping your case.” “I am no longer the woman you knew,” the Phoenix responded, hands on hips. She gripped Logan’s wrists with her telekinesis and smiled. “Please don’t pretend that I am.” Wolverine struggled in an attempt to regain control of his appendages. The skin on his wrists began to chafe against the invisible force that held him in place. “Jeannie, what do you think—” “I am NOT Jean Grey!” Blood spurted as Wolverine stabbed himself in the chest with both sets of his claws. A primal cry came from Wolverine’s mouth as the blood poured down his chest to the ground, staining the grass red. When the telekinetic pressure diminished, Logan pulled his claws free and retracted them. The wounds began to heal almost immediately. “You all should have killed me when Jean Grey gave you the chance,” the Phoenix said as Wolverine struggled to rise to his feet. “Now, the entire world has to deal with the consequences of your selfish decision. The ENTIRE world… starting with all of you.” “You really need to stop talking.” The Phoenix turned at the blatant disrespect. “You think you’re going to have better luck now?” Cyclops shrugged his shoulders, a deep sorrow overtaking him. His body felt suddenly heavy and he could hardly move as the reality of what was taking place began to set in. “I’m going to do what I have to do. I love you, Jean, but the Phoenix is right. The decision to deny you death was a selfish one. Luckily, time isn’t up yet.” “You don’t think so?” “Oh, I know so. I would be dead if it were.” “That can be arranged.” STOP! The telepathic cry stopped everyone, the Phoenix included. The bald man in the wheelchair rolled roughly across the wet grass, the look of anger on his face enough to give pause to anyone that looked upon it. Xavier made eye contact with the Phoenix and shook his head. “You have done enough. Stand down, Phoenix.” “So you can trap me like Jean Grey did to me? I don’t think so. You’re telepathic tricks don’t scare me.” “It’s not me that you should be afraid of,” Xavier replied. His head dropped in defeat and a sigh escaped his lips. “I’m sorry.” The optic blast slammed into the side of the Phoenix, sending the body of Jean Grey sprawling to the ground. His visor smoking, Cyclops stood over the woman he loved. His teeth were gritted and his hands were fists. “You couldn’t just let us be happy, Phoenix. Since you appeared to Jean on the way back from Starcore, you have made our lives a living hell. It’s time for you to leave here.” It started as a small chuckle. Growing into an intense laughter, the Phoenix threw her head back, her entire body shaking. “That is unacceptable. Jean Grey is now mine to command.” The Phoenix brushed her forearm over her mouth and it came back red and slick. She stopped laughing. “What is—?” “It’s called blood, Phoenix,” Cyclops responded, “and it’s just the beginning of what you’re going to shed.” He fired again. The Phoenix put up a shield, sending the energy zigzagging away into the distance. Her eyes were on fire as she rose to her feet. “You shall die for what you have done. It’s ironic that you will die by the hand of your lover.” “She stopped being Jean when you came into the picture,” Cyclops responded. “I was just too blind to see it.” He fired again. And again. And again. Each time, the blast grew in magnitude. And each one the Phoenix sent spiraling away. Cyclops threw his hand into the air. “X-Men attack!” They came forth as one. A wave of power. Colossus and Wolverine, fully recovered now, launched physical attacks, striking the Phoenix wherever they could find open flesh. Nightcrawler was teleporting in and out, his arms and legs connecting with the places that his teammates weren’t attacking. Storm, barely able to stand by herself, was staring at the sky. The clouds lit up with lightning, waiting to be unleashed. And watching it all, Cyclops and Professor Xavier stood. “You realize this is going to come down to you, don’t you?” the professor asked. He turned at the neck, looking at the tears running down the face of Scott Summers. “I know,” Cyclops said. He nodded. “I keep having this irrational hope that I won’t have to do it. And then I see what Jean has become and I realize how wrong I truly am.” “Can you do this, Scott? Can you do what nobody else can bring themselves to do?” Cyclops didn’t respond. He watched the fight taking place, knowing that the X-Men had no chance against the power of the Phoenix. “Scott?” He turned. “Yeah?” “Can you kill the woman you love?” Cyclops returned to the fight. “I don’t know. But we’ll find out very soon.” As time went on, the attacks that the X-Men were throwing at the Phoenix became more than a simple annoyance. For some inexplicable reason, she felt her skin bruise under attacks that would have killed a normal person. And the attacks were only getting stronger. “Away!” she commanded and the three X-Men went flying in opposite directions. The Phoenix stood on shaky legs, a look of pure anger etch on her features. “You will all pay for—” But she never got a chance to finish her statement. The lightning attack fell from the sky as she spoke, cutting off any other words that she would have said. The Phoenix barely got a shield up to protect to herself. The next bolt drove the cosmic entity to its knee. The attack, though natural, was two pronged. The Phoenix could sense Storm’s own anger driving the attack, making it all the more potent. “Release my friend,” Storm ordered as she floated down on the wind currents. “You have worn out your welcome in this place.” The time for words was over. The Phoenix rose to her feet, unaided by her hands. She threw her arm out in Storm’s direction and the Wind Rider was blasted out of the sky. Ororo Munroe struck the ground and didn’t move. “Stop it, Phoenix.” She turned and saw Cyclops standing, a soft glow emanating from his visor. He was looking for his opportunity to attack and she knew it. “I see you’ve accepted the fate of Jean Grey.” “This has nothing to do with acceptance,” Cyclops said. “You are a threat to this world and I have to end you.” “Even if it means the death of your lover?” “If that’s what it takes,” Cyclops responded. His visor opened and his optic blast burst forth. It bounced off another shield that the Phoenix had erected but the effort was visibly demanding from the cosmic entity. Cyclops took a few steps forward, ripping his visor off in the process. His eyes exposed, the beam intensified and grew to the size of his own head. He prayed to God that this was enough because there was nothing else he could do. The Phoenix was damn near infallible but it was weakened from its battles with Xavier and the other X-Men. “You’re just delaying the inevitable.” But Cyclops said nothing. By now, he was only a few steps away from the Phoenix. The force per square inch of his optic blast could have destroyed the hull of a submarine. “This is for all the hell that you have wrought in your pitiful existence,” he said. The area turned red— The Phoenix gritted her teeth to keep from screaming. “This is for Jean,” Cyclops added, a single tear running down his cheek. “S…S-Scott…?” Cyclops looked back his beam and saw that the fire of the Phoenix was diminishing. “Jean?” he asked. “It’s me, sweetheart.” This is what he wanted. But he knew that it was only temporary. There was nothing he could do. “I’m so sorry, baby,” Cyclops said to the woman he loved. “There is no other way. You have to die.” Jean nodded. “I know. Do it now that I have some kind of control. The Phoenix is weak.” “I love you.” “And I love you more than life itself,” Jean replied, “and I’ll love you after life too.” With that profession, Jean dropped the shield that was protecting to her. And the battle was over. With eyes clasped shut Cyclops fell to the ground, his will to live all but gone. He couldn’t bear to look at the death that he had wrought. She was gone and he was alone. Tears poured down his cheeks. All around him, the members of the X-Men and the Imperial Guard watched, not one able to say a word. EPILOGUE
1 The boardroom of Worthington Industries was a flurry of activity as the meeting let out following a monotonous two hours of figures and suggestions of overall company improvements. The Board members were talking amongst themselves as they moved as one for the exit. Only, when they reached it, they found it blocked by a very familiar figure. “Warren?” Mr. Childs asked, stepping to the forefront of the group. “What are you doing here? No one has seen you since your…um…unveiling?” In response, a pair of stark white wings rose from behind his back, filling up the space of the hallway. The smile on Warren’s face was in contrast to the various looks of surprise and horror on the faces of those that ran the company he had inherited from his father. “Yes, it is unfortunate that that day had to take place,” Warren responded, pushing off the door and moving through the group of directors. They parted as he passed, allowing extra room for his wings. “Fortunately, I have moved past my woes about the very public presentation of my being a mutant and have returned to Worthington Industries focused on taking back control.” There was a shuffle of half-spoken, awkward comments. “I know what you’re all thinking,” Warren said as he sat down at the head of the conference table, “because I’ve thought them all myself. I’ve never been that into the actual leadership of my father’s company, but that is going to change today. Anything that I don’t know can be taught to me.” There was still no response. In fact, Mr. Childs seemed like he was going to be sick. “But that’s not what you’re concerned about is it?” Warren asked. Mr. Childs shook his head. “You’re a…mutant. That could be extremely bad for Worthington Industries. It already is. Stock has gone down dramatically.” “Then it can only go up from here, because I’m not going anywhere. People are going to have to start accepting the fact I have wings.” He looked around the Board members. “And I’m going to start with all of you. I give you this offer only once: if you have a problem working for a mutant, then you can leave with an extremely generous care package. I don’t want any bigoted assholes working for this company. Do you all understand me?” There were stares and looks to each other, but none of the Board of Directors spoke outright. “Anyone who wants to keep their job,” Warren replied, “have a seat. We have business to attend to.” EPILOGUE
2 “How is he doing, doctor?” “Pretty much the same as your last visit, professor. He just lies there. He won’t say anything. I’ve had to start feeding him intravenously.” The doctor opened the door so that Charles Xavier could pass into the room. Charles guided himself over to the bed where a grown man laid immobile on the off white sheets. Xavier placed his hand over that of his former student’s. “Do you think he’s going to be able to recover, doctor?” Xavier asked. “And I want your honest opinion.” “When his girlfriend died, everything that Scott Summers was inside crumbled. If he’s going to survive, it’s going to be by his own force of will. And right now, things aren’t looking too good.” Charles’ head dropped in defeat. “Can I have a few minutes alone with him, doctor?” The doctor nodded. “Go right ahead. Call the nurse if you need anything.” “Thank you,” Xavier replied and the doctor departed, leaving him alone with the man who had been his very first student at the institute. Charles looked into the face of Scott Summers. His eyes were open but nobody was home. He looked at the eyes of the man who had killed Jean Grey and saw nothing. “Can you hear me, Scott? I know you’re in there somewhere.” This wasn’t the first time that he had attempted a telepathic link. But, like each previous try, all he heard in response was a sobbing deep inside Scott’s psyche. The man was still grieving for the woman he had loved. “I’ll be here for you when you decide it’s time to come back, Scott,” Xavier explained, patting the hand that he was holding. And then Xavier left, a feeling gnawing at the pit of his stomach. A feeling that he had not accomplished anything with this visit. It was a familiar feeling. EPILOGUE
3 “You will learn many things during your time here, girls. You will learn to control your powers. And you will learn to understand the social relationships between mutants and humans. At times, it can be rather complex.” “I understand that one already,” the first girl said. “They hate us.” Charles Xavier looked to Martinique Jason and frowned. The poor girl had had such negative experiences as of late, starting with her father being turned into a vegetable. Taking into account that she had then learned that the people she thought cared for her were simply using her for her power, it was no wonder that she had become cynical. “Would you really use the word hate?” Martinique shrugged. “Why not? It’s accurate.” Turning to the other girl, Charles asked, “And what do you think, Kitty? Do you sure Ms. Jason’s viewpoint?” Katherine Pryde shook her head. “I think mutants are…misunderstood for lack of a better word. We intimidate the humans. It’s only natural that they react with fear.” Xavier smiled as he guided the two young women along. The sun was shining and the day was beautiful. His eyes scanned the mansion grounds, his gaze stopping for a moment on the spot where Jean Grey had died. It had been a tragic day with tragic consequences for many. Scott had been emotionally crushed. Logan had disappeared. The other X-Men had recovered but still didn’t seem quite the same. It was somber around the institute, which was one of the main reasons that Xavier had decided to reopen the place as a school. Kitty and Martinique were just the beginning of the next generation of X-Men that Charles planned on introducing to the institute. It was a move that would benefit the new mutants while at the same time transforming the mood from solemn to productive. It was a win-win situation. The trio stopped and Xavier faced the girls. “And with this last stop, we conclude the tour. Do you both feel confident with your decisions to enroll here?” Martinique shrugged her shoulders. “Whatever.” “I’ll all for it,” Kitty replied, “but I’m confused as to why you ended the tour here?” At Xavier’s rear stood the tombstones of the X-Men that had fallen in battle. In the middle of the gravesites stood a brand new monument. It had been planted weeks prior when the X-Men had still believed Jean dead on the Moon. It read:
Martinique and Kitty looked to each other. Finally, Martinique responded. “Professor, we know that. We watch television.” Xavier began to laugh. “Funny girl.” He rolled himself forward, heading for the cafeteria. “Let’s get something to eat. I’m famished.” As Kitty Pryde and Martinique Jason passed by, Charles looked back to the tombstone of Jean Grey. He held back the tears that were forming. He had shed many already. Next, he looked at the sun in the sky. Its rays filled him with a hope that he hadn’t felt in a long time. In the wake of tragedy, everything would work out. Things were not perfect, but the day was going to be a beautiful one. THE END
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