Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Dragonball Z characters or anything in
that universe. I also do not own any of the Marvel Universe characters. I
do not profit in any way from this story.
The Prince and the Phoenix - Chapter 27
This couldn't be happening! She was a GOD! She was the Power Cosmic Incarnate! She was the living embodiment of the universe! And she was being vanquished. The force from the Saiyan impacted like nothing she'd ever felt before. It wouldn't have been nearly as bad if he had used his powers alone, but somehow the little monkey had channeled her own powers back at her. Literally, the weight of the universe was crushing her. But, somehow she'd managed to withstand it. She might be barely clinging to her immortal life, but she was still standing. Then, the bitch of her host self unleashed a never-ending battery of powerful emotions, effectively scrambling her thoughts as the Dark Phoenix desperately struggled to remain in control.
In fact, the power of human emotions was her only true weakness. It was the sole reason she allowed herself to take possession of the frail beings. As a god of the cold cosmos and more of a living force of power than an actual being, the Phoenix had no emotions of her own. Her sole duty was to safeguard the M'Krann crystal and ensure the survival of this universe, but it was a purpose and nothing more.
And so, when the mighty eternal Dragon, once her prey, now her hunter, closed his mighty spirit jaws around the neck of her flaming firebird form and literally began dragging her across the skies, beaten and dying, she could offer no resistance. The great crystal, the place of her birth, would inevitably become again the place of her death. Its ruby depths beckoned her to safety and comfort, a place where she could heal and leave this miserable world behind. Suddenly, she craved its sanctuary unlike ever before. As the giant Dragon slammed her essence into the stone's hard surface, the Phoenix resigned herself and left the body willing, sinking into the Nexus' welcoming embrace. After all, the Nexus was merely a portal, one she could travel in and out of as she pleased. The Phoenix would return, but first, she would rest.
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Vegeta did not appreciate Shenlong interfering in his fight, especially snatching his enemy from the fury of his attack. It marked a momentous occasion as his first major attack as a Super Saiyan, and he was greatly impressed with the power and the ease with which he could manipulate the Gallik Gun. Even as he unleashed the blast, he recognized that he was capable of so much more now. It meant he would have to train harder than ever. His mind swirled with new possibilities, with new offenses and defenses, the likes of which even Kakarrot couldn't imagine. Vegeta charged after the Dragon in hopes of regaining his victim, but the woman was now lying unconscious on the beach. He nudged her with his foot. "What the fuck," he said disappointedly. He shrugged and raised his hand to finish her off with a ki blast.
"Prince Vegeta, stop!" The Empress Lilandra hurried over to him on the beach, but it was the worried look in Bulma's eyes that made him pause. Lilandra came to rest near the fallen red-head. "She is no danger to us now. The Eternal Dragon has freed her from the monster."
Shenlong gazed on the scene below. Satisfied with his effort he called down, "Your wish has been granted. I shall depart now." He glowed brightly for a moment, then in a flash faded away. All seven of the Dragonballs shot off in different directions to scatter among Japan as they had done on countless other occasions.
Members of the crew of Lilandra's hovering spaceship were appearing now on the beach, tending to the wounded. As they did so, a Capsule Corporation jet landed nearby. "Yajirobe!" Bulma cried.
"Hey, Bulma!" The short stout Z-warrior gruffly greeted her. "Korrin sent some of his Senzu beans. Sorry, I got here so late." He shook his head at all the bodies and the massive amount of destruction around them. Handing over the bag of the healing lentils, he noticed Bulma explain them to the strange metallic woman standing next to her. The woman issued some commands, and a few of the people working on the beach began to distribute the beans to the fallen. Just then, he caught sight of the still glowing Vegeta watching him with his arms folded across his chest, and he jumped back startled.
"Whoah! Vegeta! You're, like, wicked powerful now!"
"Hmpf" was Vegeta's only reply, but he smirked at the compliment. "You know, Yajirobe, I never forgave you for cutting off my tail."
Yajirobe gulped and grinned in nervous anxiety. "Well, Bulma, it was nice seeing you. I just remembered I have to go back and help Korrin with some things. See you later!" He quickly made his way back to his jet and took off before he could upset the Saiyan prince any further.
Bulma caught Vegeta's amused twinkle in his eyes at he watched the little warrior make fast tracks back to Korrin's tower. Lilandra's Captain of the Guard, Gladiator, now healed and by his Empress' side once more, also regarded the Saiyan. "Saiyan, I believe we still have unfinished business." Vegeta just deepened his smirk.
"Oh, yeah?" The thought of another battle excited him.
Lilandra interrupted. "Easy now, Gladiator. We owe this Saiyan a great debt." She turned to face him.
"While I still consider you a threat to the peace that precariously exists in our galaxy, the Shi'ar people honor you for your service today." She inclined her head slightly towards him. "But know this, if you should use that newfound power of yours for evil in any way, nothing will spare you from the Shi'ar wrath, Prince Vegeta."
Vegeta didn't know whether to bristle or be pleased. "So, you think I'm a threat to the galaxy, huh? We Saiyans have ALWAYS been a threat. But, now I'm more than a threat. You saw what I did. Do you really think your little spaceship or your wimpy excuses for warriors could stop me now that I'm a true Super Saiyan?!" He particularly enjoyed the hesitant glare the woman gave him.
"Don't tempt me, Saiyan," Lilandra growled.
"Vegeta," Bulma said warningly, and to Lilandra's amazement the Saiyan backed down.
The newly restored Cyclops, Storm, and Wolverine made their way to Jean still unconscious on the beach. Cyclops kneeled down, gathered Jean up in his arms, and placed a Senzu bean in her mouth. In a few moments, she groaned and stirred.
"Scott..where am I?''
Scott hugged her closely with his face buried in her hair. Her clothes were normal now. No trace that she'd been possessed by the Phoenix now existed. Vegeta observed Wolverine turn away as if he couldn't stand the sight any longer. Storm also watched the display with sympathy for the tough, but ultimately rejected warrior.
"Scott, the Phoenix? Is she..?" Jean trailed off, fear and hope mixed in her frail voice.
"Yes, they managed to trap her in the M'Krann crystal."
Jean sagged in relief. She couldn't hold back the tears and collapsed against her lover. "I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry," she repeated over and over.
"Shhh, baby, it's over. It's not your fault." Scott smoothed her hair and rocked her. Vegeta felt a weird feeling in the bottom of stomach as he watched Bulma cry at the touching scene. For a moment, he thought he would vomit.
"Feh," he said and flew off to the top of a nearby dune.
Krillin walked up to Bulma and the gang and announced he was going to take off now. He'd had enough excitement for one day. "So where are you going now?" Bulma asked, wiping her eyes.
"Well, Master Roshi's island isn't that far from here. I might drop in on him." Krillin shrugged.
"Thanks for all your help, my friend." Wolverine warmly clasped the warrior monk's hand.
"Thank you from all of us," Storm leaned down and kissed his forehead.
Krillin blushed a violent shade of red and stuttered for a moment. "Oh, geez, you're welcome, guys, but I think that's the last time I entrust a Dragonball to you, Wolverine." They all laughed in agreement. After a few more goodbyes and a commendation from Lilandra, the powerful human senshi flew off.
Lilandra turned her attention to the enormous cannon on the beach where a number of her technical crew were eyeing it in amazement. "So, is this your invention, Bulma?"
Bulma snapped back from watching Krillin depart. "What? Oh that? Yeah, it's just a little special project I'd been working on."
"It's very impressive," Lilandra nodded as Bulma beamed at the compliment.
"You like it? I had a devil of a time encapsulating it."
"Encapsulating?"
"Yeah, you know. Fitting into one of my father's patented Capsule Corporation capsules."
"I'm afraid, little one, I don't understand."
"Here, let me show you." Bulma walked the short way over to where Cyclops and Wolverine had parked the Capsule Corporation jet. Amazingly, it and the Blackbird had survived. She demonstrated the encapsulating process with the small device that allowed such things to happen. Lilandra's jaw dropped in amazement.
"I had no idea you Earthlings possessed such technology!" Her jaw dropped even further when Bulma "magically" produced the jet again by breaking open the capsule on the ground. Some of her techs also watched astounded. The demonstration produced a furious question and answer session, which greatly pleased the blue-haired woman.
Storm turned to her companions. "Well, should we depart? I'm anxious to find out how Lilandra's telepaths are faring with Charles." Scott picked up Jean and turned to Logan who was looking up at the sand dunes.
"There's just one person I have to talk to first," the grizzled X-man responded.
The Prince and the Phoenix - Chapter 27
This couldn't be happening! She was a GOD! She was the Power Cosmic Incarnate! She was the living embodiment of the universe! And she was being vanquished. The force from the Saiyan impacted like nothing she'd ever felt before. It wouldn't have been nearly as bad if he had used his powers alone, but somehow the little monkey had channeled her own powers back at her. Literally, the weight of the universe was crushing her. But, somehow she'd managed to withstand it. She might be barely clinging to her immortal life, but she was still standing. Then, the bitch of her host self unleashed a never-ending battery of powerful emotions, effectively scrambling her thoughts as the Dark Phoenix desperately struggled to remain in control.
In fact, the power of human emotions was her only true weakness. It was the sole reason she allowed herself to take possession of the frail beings. As a god of the cold cosmos and more of a living force of power than an actual being, the Phoenix had no emotions of her own. Her sole duty was to safeguard the M'Krann crystal and ensure the survival of this universe, but it was a purpose and nothing more.
And so, when the mighty eternal Dragon, once her prey, now her hunter, closed his mighty spirit jaws around the neck of her flaming firebird form and literally began dragging her across the skies, beaten and dying, she could offer no resistance. The great crystal, the place of her birth, would inevitably become again the place of her death. Its ruby depths beckoned her to safety and comfort, a place where she could heal and leave this miserable world behind. Suddenly, she craved its sanctuary unlike ever before. As the giant Dragon slammed her essence into the stone's hard surface, the Phoenix resigned herself and left the body willing, sinking into the Nexus' welcoming embrace. After all, the Nexus was merely a portal, one she could travel in and out of as she pleased. The Phoenix would return, but first, she would rest.
################################################################
Vegeta did not appreciate Shenlong interfering in his fight, especially snatching his enemy from the fury of his attack. It marked a momentous occasion as his first major attack as a Super Saiyan, and he was greatly impressed with the power and the ease with which he could manipulate the Gallik Gun. Even as he unleashed the blast, he recognized that he was capable of so much more now. It meant he would have to train harder than ever. His mind swirled with new possibilities, with new offenses and defenses, the likes of which even Kakarrot couldn't imagine. Vegeta charged after the Dragon in hopes of regaining his victim, but the woman was now lying unconscious on the beach. He nudged her with his foot. "What the fuck," he said disappointedly. He shrugged and raised his hand to finish her off with a ki blast.
"Prince Vegeta, stop!" The Empress Lilandra hurried over to him on the beach, but it was the worried look in Bulma's eyes that made him pause. Lilandra came to rest near the fallen red-head. "She is no danger to us now. The Eternal Dragon has freed her from the monster."
Shenlong gazed on the scene below. Satisfied with his effort he called down, "Your wish has been granted. I shall depart now." He glowed brightly for a moment, then in a flash faded away. All seven of the Dragonballs shot off in different directions to scatter among Japan as they had done on countless other occasions.
Members of the crew of Lilandra's hovering spaceship were appearing now on the beach, tending to the wounded. As they did so, a Capsule Corporation jet landed nearby. "Yajirobe!" Bulma cried.
"Hey, Bulma!" The short stout Z-warrior gruffly greeted her. "Korrin sent some of his Senzu beans. Sorry, I got here so late." He shook his head at all the bodies and the massive amount of destruction around them. Handing over the bag of the healing lentils, he noticed Bulma explain them to the strange metallic woman standing next to her. The woman issued some commands, and a few of the people working on the beach began to distribute the beans to the fallen. Just then, he caught sight of the still glowing Vegeta watching him with his arms folded across his chest, and he jumped back startled.
"Whoah! Vegeta! You're, like, wicked powerful now!"
"Hmpf" was Vegeta's only reply, but he smirked at the compliment. "You know, Yajirobe, I never forgave you for cutting off my tail."
Yajirobe gulped and grinned in nervous anxiety. "Well, Bulma, it was nice seeing you. I just remembered I have to go back and help Korrin with some things. See you later!" He quickly made his way back to his jet and took off before he could upset the Saiyan prince any further.
Bulma caught Vegeta's amused twinkle in his eyes at he watched the little warrior make fast tracks back to Korrin's tower. Lilandra's Captain of the Guard, Gladiator, now healed and by his Empress' side once more, also regarded the Saiyan. "Saiyan, I believe we still have unfinished business." Vegeta just deepened his smirk.
"Oh, yeah?" The thought of another battle excited him.
Lilandra interrupted. "Easy now, Gladiator. We owe this Saiyan a great debt." She turned to face him.
"While I still consider you a threat to the peace that precariously exists in our galaxy, the Shi'ar people honor you for your service today." She inclined her head slightly towards him. "But know this, if you should use that newfound power of yours for evil in any way, nothing will spare you from the Shi'ar wrath, Prince Vegeta."
Vegeta didn't know whether to bristle or be pleased. "So, you think I'm a threat to the galaxy, huh? We Saiyans have ALWAYS been a threat. But, now I'm more than a threat. You saw what I did. Do you really think your little spaceship or your wimpy excuses for warriors could stop me now that I'm a true Super Saiyan?!" He particularly enjoyed the hesitant glare the woman gave him.
"Don't tempt me, Saiyan," Lilandra growled.
"Vegeta," Bulma said warningly, and to Lilandra's amazement the Saiyan backed down.
The newly restored Cyclops, Storm, and Wolverine made their way to Jean still unconscious on the beach. Cyclops kneeled down, gathered Jean up in his arms, and placed a Senzu bean in her mouth. In a few moments, she groaned and stirred.
"Scott..where am I?''
Scott hugged her closely with his face buried in her hair. Her clothes were normal now. No trace that she'd been possessed by the Phoenix now existed. Vegeta observed Wolverine turn away as if he couldn't stand the sight any longer. Storm also watched the display with sympathy for the tough, but ultimately rejected warrior.
"Scott, the Phoenix? Is she..?" Jean trailed off, fear and hope mixed in her frail voice.
"Yes, they managed to trap her in the M'Krann crystal."
Jean sagged in relief. She couldn't hold back the tears and collapsed against her lover. "I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry," she repeated over and over.
"Shhh, baby, it's over. It's not your fault." Scott smoothed her hair and rocked her. Vegeta felt a weird feeling in the bottom of stomach as he watched Bulma cry at the touching scene. For a moment, he thought he would vomit.
"Feh," he said and flew off to the top of a nearby dune.
Krillin walked up to Bulma and the gang and announced he was going to take off now. He'd had enough excitement for one day. "So where are you going now?" Bulma asked, wiping her eyes.
"Well, Master Roshi's island isn't that far from here. I might drop in on him." Krillin shrugged.
"Thanks for all your help, my friend." Wolverine warmly clasped the warrior monk's hand.
"Thank you from all of us," Storm leaned down and kissed his forehead.
Krillin blushed a violent shade of red and stuttered for a moment. "Oh, geez, you're welcome, guys, but I think that's the last time I entrust a Dragonball to you, Wolverine." They all laughed in agreement. After a few more goodbyes and a commendation from Lilandra, the powerful human senshi flew off.
Lilandra turned her attention to the enormous cannon on the beach where a number of her technical crew were eyeing it in amazement. "So, is this your invention, Bulma?"
Bulma snapped back from watching Krillin depart. "What? Oh that? Yeah, it's just a little special project I'd been working on."
"It's very impressive," Lilandra nodded as Bulma beamed at the compliment.
"You like it? I had a devil of a time encapsulating it."
"Encapsulating?"
"Yeah, you know. Fitting into one of my father's patented Capsule Corporation capsules."
"I'm afraid, little one, I don't understand."
"Here, let me show you." Bulma walked the short way over to where Cyclops and Wolverine had parked the Capsule Corporation jet. Amazingly, it and the Blackbird had survived. She demonstrated the encapsulating process with the small device that allowed such things to happen. Lilandra's jaw dropped in amazement.
"I had no idea you Earthlings possessed such technology!" Her jaw dropped even further when Bulma "magically" produced the jet again by breaking open the capsule on the ground. Some of her techs also watched astounded. The demonstration produced a furious question and answer session, which greatly pleased the blue-haired woman.
Storm turned to her companions. "Well, should we depart? I'm anxious to find out how Lilandra's telepaths are faring with Charles." Scott picked up Jean and turned to Logan who was looking up at the sand dunes.
"There's just one person I have to talk to first," the grizzled X-man responded.