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"Descent of the Phoenix" By: Wicked-Wytch (AKA the Laziest Piece of Crap in the World!)

Disclaimer: Hello, I am Logan clone the fifth- serial no. 67hb32- and I am here to do the disclaimer for Wicked. Apparently, she's off making another one of her clones. *shrugs* She wants you to know that *reads off list*: She does not own the Xmen in any way shape or form. She would like to say that "Gotta Knock a Little Harder," is a song by Mai Yamane. And... um... it seems that she wants to shoutout to her people (U kno who U r) and all her readers and reviewers (much luv to u all)... whatever the hell that means. *Walks out of the room muttering about how wierd his maker is*

R/R and Enjoy! (Questions? Comments? Ideas? Review!)

Note- We're almost at a halfway point! *grinz grinz* Woohoo! Btw, I am a bad, bad Wicked-Wytch for keeping all you readers in suspense. I greatly apologize for the break. Drama in the homefront, as well as some summer homework and such is keeping me busy. Plus, I've been reading extra in hopes of improving my writing skills. ^-^.

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Merci and John were walking, side by side, in silence. The teenaged girl kept shooting John sideways glances whenever he wasn't looking. She knew that this boy was involved with something strange, and her curiosity seemed to grow with each step. Who was Magneto? And just what the hell was he using John for? Brow furrowed, Merci sighed a little too loudly, causing John to turn in her direction.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"Hmmm?" *Damnit, he caught me* "Oh... sorry." She turned her gaze from him to the ground. Before she could think, the question was out of her mouth. "Who's Magneto?"

John gave her a placid stare before responding, "None of your damn business." Merci simply scoffed in response.

"Where are we going?" The girl asked after a few more moments of silence.

"*I'm* going home. I don't know where you're going." This statement left Merci dumbstruck. She stopped walking and looked at John, mouth open and a blank look in her eye.

"Bastard." She recovered quickly. "I'd be going home, too. Except that my place was burned down last night. So I guess I'm sticking with you... especially since you were the one who destroyed the place."

"You told me to throw the fireball!"

"Yeah! I did! But I didn't tell you to start an inferno, you idiot!"

"Dumb bitch," John was mumbling softly, quickening his pace in an attempt to lose her (which he figured was a futile attempt). His loathing for this girl was at an all time high and his hand was practically shaking with anger. He cursed her continually under his breath and bunched both fists. She was still following him (*How goddamn thick can a girl be?*) and he was considering whether or not to throw a fireball or two at her head. In his fist, tempting him greatly, was his lighter.

Merci ran a hand through her hair wildly and continued to follow the boy. In the back of her head, she was cursing him and imagining ways of torturing him (nice and slowly). His attitude had just strengthened her resolve to follow him all the way to his home. Just a few paces behind him, Merci threw a dirty look at the back of his head.

"Don't think I'm letting you off easy," she shouted angrily behind him.

~~~~~

*Found her,* Xavier thought with a small smile. With one final look at the metal walls, he slowly rolled out of Cerebro and headed for his office. Soon, he was sitting before Lita and Logan, a smile on his face.

"She's alright," Xavier said quickly, "She's with John."

"Pyro?" Logan asked, "What's she still doing with him?"

"I don't know, but she's with him by choice."

"Thank you so much," Lita said softly, "Do you know where to find her?"

"Yes," Xavier responded quickly, "I can give you the address to where they are heading, but they will not be there for at least a half an hour. They're on their way to John's apartment."

Lita shifted in her seat, she was all prepared to leave and find Merci. She turned once, to Logan, a small smile on her face. "Thank you," she said to him gently, "for all the help you've given me."

"Lita," Xavier interrupted softly, "I get the impression that you are ready to leave us for good."

"Well, you've helped me enough."

"You are welcome to stay here when you find Merci. The both of you will have a place here, if you wish." Lita hesitated at this, unsure to take the offer.

"Well..." she began.

"Stay!" Logan burst out suddenly. He held the woman's gaze for a few moments, a smile in his eyes.

"All right," she said finally. "I'll get Merci and bring her back here." She was on her feet in an instant, walking towards the door. "Thank you both." As she exited, "Bye."

"See you," Logan muttered as the door closed. He, too, was ready to leave.

"Logan, wait," Xavier called. "I..." The older man's voice faltered. His eyes seemed to storm and his thoughts were heavy. After a sigh, he turned his head. "Do me a favor, Logan. Tell Bobby and Rogue that they will have to have some punishment for going out late last night."

"'Kay," Logan spoke after a nervous second. He had been sure that he would have gotten some threat from Xavier for stealing the car, but it didn't come. *Strange,* Logan thought.

"And..." Xavier looked unhappy. "...Never mind."

"You ok?" Logan asked after staring at Xavier.

"I'll be fine," the older man said with an uncertain smile. Logan left the room quickly after and Charles was left to stare at the bare doors. He wondered, had he done the right thing by not telling Logan about Jean?

~~~~~

A/N: ----Very Very important!!!!! We have another time jump. The next parts take place and hour or two later---- ~~~~~

(Canada)

Finally, after hours of travel he had made it. Scott could see the lake, it was only a few steps away. The sun reflected on its surface and had it not been the spot where Jean had lost her life, Scott would have found it peaceful beautiful. The sound of waves lapping against the snowy ground gave the place an eerie sense of calm.

"Where are you?" Scott asked suddenly, taking a few shaky steps to the waterfront.

He closed his eyes for a long second, blocking out the red world. Trying to feel Jean, he held his hand out and called her name softly.

"Are you alive?" He asked gently, opening his eyes.

And then he heard it. It was a mental voice that was barely audible. Scott's heart leapt and for a moment; he believed it was Jean. And then he realized who it was.

::Scott::

Charles Xavier.

Scott crossed his arms over his chest and after a moment of stubborn silence, he snapped, ::What do you want?::

::I need you to go somewhere. It has something to do with Jean.::

Scott stood quietly, wondering whether or not he wanted to do what the old man wished. Should he just ignore Xavier completely, he wondered. For a moment, he considered this possibility, but then he thought about Jean. It was more important, he concluded, to find Jean than to hold a grudge. Finally pushing aside his anger and concentrating more on Jean, he responded with one simple word.

::Where?::

~~~~~

Emma stepped out of her small jet, a large, white fur coat hugging the slim slopes of her shoulders. Her breath came out in small, visible puffs in front of her. She rubbed her thin, pink hands together, unaccustomed to the cold. Compared to her hometown in Boston, this place was downright frigid. She found this just another reason to sneer.

The blond hurried down concrete path, her expensive heels clicking loudly. She looked extremely elegant and extremely rich as she strode to her ride, a small black helicopter that patiently awaited her. Within minutes, she was standing before the sleek, ebony door. A man opened it for her and she sat into a leather seat.

She didn't need to inform the man of where they were heading. He simply began to fly as soon as she entered and closed the door. Emma exhaled lightly and examined a finely manicured icy blue nail.

It was all coming to a climax, she knew. The Phoenix would soon be under the control of the Hellfire Club and then all of their plans would come to fruition.

Emma sighed softly, her eyes focusing on the snowy landscape. She could see the small cabin in the distance growing ever larger.

Soon, Emma thought, soon.

~~~~~

The Phoenix Entity existed like a faint heartbeat. It was there, though barely detectable. It didn't exactly have a brain, but it could think (and was rather smart). And as it watched through Jean Grey's eyes, it realized that something was wrong. It wasn't just the lies... there was something behind that. Jason seemed tense and nervous, even though his smile was warm and charming. He had been up to something from the start, but now it seemed he was waiting for something special.

Manipulation would never work on the Phoenix, though it could fool Jean. The being of fire could see through such things.

It was almost time, the Phoenix knew, for it to rise again. It had taken its time, letting Jean have her fun. But it was quickly growing impatient (and stronger with each moment). Soon, she'd be able to control Jean completely.

The door would be open very soon. And when it was opened, Jean Grey would fall into the fire, helpless. Pass the threshold and the Phoenix would be in power. All the Phoenix had to do was knock a little harder to break through that door.

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OOOoooo... I'm coming to perfect the evil cliffy. ^-^.

hehehe... I luv it when Merci and John fight, it's just funny. Sorry if this chapter was semi-crappy (Maybe it's me tonite, but I've seen me do better). I'll make 'em better. Promise! Next chapter- It's happening, people. The Phoenix is getting ready and as everyone seems to be nearing Jean Grey, you know that *something* big's bound to happen. Violence... manipulation... it all goes down soon!!!!!

Reviewers: Almost to 100 reviews!! WOOHOO (you have been warned about it... I'm not telling you what will happen)

*2hf-sama*- *rotflmao* bitter, are we? Let's see what you do in retaliation, I have EE to protect me and don't try to say that she cannot protect me cuz she can. *EE jumps up and says "YEAH!"* And remember, I'm only showing off b/c u did it before, back when I had like 10 reviews and u had 50. How the mighty have fallen!!! Muahahahahahahaah!

*Lyrit Liltrick*- lol... well... killing off the Iceman *pause to think about it... tempting* but it would leave Rogue really depressed... so no. (sry). X4... hmm... i'd think it'd be more about the government vs. the mutants (enter the sentinal ^_^)-- but the relationships would be a good mix too. But anyway as for the story, John will be around (prob til the end), no worries, I'm not making him disappear yet. And maybe if we're lucky, we'll see a lil bit more of gambit and colossus. *cross your fingers*.

*Eadha Ohn*- you sick little monkey! How dare you threaten the gnomes... u know, they come to life at night, so I'd best be wary of staying outdoors after nightfall if I were you. Also, I've called the cops, they're going to pick you up for gnome abuse. Maybe they can give you something for the insomnia. (Thanks for the review ^_^)

*tasha*- Thanks! hehe... well... scott is a bit slow if you ask me... sry. But thanks for the review- if you're a jean/scott fan you'll be happier later on! *hits self on head with jagged baseball bat- must not give away my secrets!*

*RogueCajun*- I understand that- about Emma. And Stop reading my mind, damn you *tries to find that bucket thing that Magneto wears on his head to block Charles from reading his mind* STAY AWAY!!!

*Drama-Nerd016*- *grinz* so... basically... my story's ok but it's my notes and such that are the realy keepers? I've SO gotta keep that in mind. ^-^. about Scott- we'll see about him. He's got a huge stick up his ass, I don't know how I'ma fix that up (or if I even will). And *reluctantly admitting* John is a typical Badboy. Course, that doesn't mean I luv him less. John= *hearts*. And thanks for the French offer! I'll keep it in mind.

*Imogen262*- Hate Jean... how'd you get that idea? ^_^ And if you ever want a free Scott to run away with, I can always make a clone for you. hehe... only five ez payments of $29.99. *Grin!*

Later people, ~the Wicked one