Dark Phoenix: The Fall of Eternity

Forever Yours

The snow fell heavily around Scott Summers, better known as Cyclops leader of the X-Men. As he stood in the quiet cemetery however he felt like nothing, alone and stranded in the universe. Jean was gone; she had once again saved the galaxies by destroying the Dark Phoenix, and herself. He had come here daily since her second death six months ago, still full of sorrow and at the same time completely empty. He heard soft footsteps behind him and turned slowly already knowing that it was Emma. She came quietly to him, her pale eyes serene and pure. She understood, though she had once fought the X-Men as White Queen years ago, they had forgiven her and accepted her as one of there own. She held Scott's arm and gently led him to the car that was waiting to take him back to the mansion. The telepath couldn't help but feel envious of the dead woman however, she still occupied most of Cyclops' heart. Though they were the new couple, Emma still felt Scott's distance from her. She had probed his mind in sleep even though it was forbidden, and had found dreams of Jean and the occasional thought of herself, encased in her diamond skin, untouchable. After what he had suffered with Jean, he wanted a woman who could only be unharmed. As the car pulled slowly away from Annandale-on-Hudson towards the private roads to Xavier's school the dashboard communicator beeped. At the same time Emma sensed something, faint but powerful still. Professor X's voice rang through the communicator and her mind-

Can you sense it? Something approaching Earth?

Yes, Professor

It is the Phoenix, you must not allow it to reach Jean's body

(We will need assistance

She spun the car around and it jolted Cyclops from his reverie.

"What's going on Emma?"

She was silent for a moment, knowing that what was coming would devastate Scott.

"Scott, it---it's---Scott Je---AAAAHHHHH!"

Her mind was suddenly filled with the deafening screech of a great bird of prey. The car skidded on the snowy road and screeched to a halt in the muddy ground of the graveyard.

"EMMA!"

Cyclops shook her body as it was slumped over the wheel, she arose slowly her arms shaking and her white gloves rumpled.

"Scott it's Phoenix, she escaped last time we fought her, she's back!"

Cyclops fell back, unable to bear the shock of the third return of the entity. He passed out cold. Torn between her love and her duty she shielded Cyclops psionically and stepped into the snow holding her bruised arm. The wind had picked up and snow blew everywhere, whipping her cape and hair around her face. She quickly turned herself to diamond and stood over the grave. She would hold off the Phoenix until the X Jet arrived. But as she stood staring at the sky, a bright light appeared above her and the falling snow turned to water. It had arrived.