Child of Light and Darkness
~
Chapter Six
"Hey Kid, whatcha doin' down here? Shouldn't ya be in the kitchen wit' the rest o' the gang?" Logan said passing Scott in the hall fresh from a danger room session.
"Yeah...I uh, I'm not hungry."
"Yer not hungry? Its' that the best ya got?"
"It's Jean."
"What's Jean? If you see Red tell 'er that she's got a danger room session wit' 'Ro in 15 minutes."
"I can't she's with Hank."
"With Hank? What happened?"
"She passed out...I think, I'm not sure yet."
"Is she okay?"
"I dunno Logan...I don't know anything yet." Scott said worry evident in his voice.
"How'd it happen?"
"She just fainted in her room, so I took her down to Hank, he's running some tests on her as we speak."
"Alright kid, why don't ya go grab a soda, I'm gonna go check in wit' the good doc." Logan said he's voice softening.
"I should really be down there Logan."
Logan put his hand on Scott's shoulder. "I know, but ya seem a little tense, why don't ya grab a soda, n' relax. Ya know wit' Hank Jeannie's in the best o' hands."
"Okay, fine. But I'm just gonna grab a soda and Ill meet you down there."
Logan nodded than pushed a button on the hallway wall summoning up the elevator.
~x~x~x~x~x~x~
Professor Xavier rubbed his forehead in frustration as he listened to the voice at the other end of the line.
"Yes, Yes I understand that, but mutants should not be segregated. If you'd just give me a chance to prove to you that my students are just like any other young adult-"
Xavier waited patiently as the voice interrupted him.
"I really don't think this is a matter you need to take to the board committee, I'm sure if you'd just take the time to-"
"I understand completely, but this is not the way to handle the situation. Perhaps if I could speak to you face to face-"
"Alright I'll see you than, Thank you very much sir… goodbye."
Xavier calmly placed his phone upon the hook before removing his reading glasses and rubbing his eyes.
There was a light rapping at his door.
"Come in." Was Xavier's usual reply.
"Is this a bad time?" Ororo asked taking a step into his office.
"No, Not at all. I was just speaking to the head of another anti-mutant organization. There seems to be a lot of them these days."
"Ah yes wouldn't that be your fifth call this morning?"
Xavier gave out a weak smile. "I'm afraid Ororo," he sighed. "That there is nowhere left to go but forward, albeit the path isn't necessarily an easy one."
"I just hope our X-men will be able to bare the burden that will soon come upon them."
"Hmmm...Yes I've wondered that myself lately, but I have complete trust in my students here, I just hope that the world out there isn't as cruel to them as it tends to be. The threat of mutant segregation is slowly rising upon us, you know. You will be surprised how many homo sapiens are willing to participate in these threatened acts of cruelty. The simple truth is they fear us, they are scared of what we're capable of. They don't believe that their race has spawned such a hypocrisy. It will be the holocaust all over again."
"But what the holocaust didn't have was our X-men, they are good students Charles. They are even better human beings; they know what the world is like out there, yet they do not fear it. That is what makes them so unique. This is why I do not worry about their future outside of these walls, however I do worry about this threat that seems to have befallen amongst our very own ranks."
"Indeed, you did not come to talk about the human threat, but the mutant one. I know."
"Of course you do, I wouldn't expect any less from you Professor."
Xavier motioned for Ororo to take a seat.
"You can't keep this from her forever Charles." Ororo stated after sitting.
"I know, but for once I am at a loss for words. I don't know what to think myself Ororo, let alone tell Jean."
"Well we must tell her something."
"You would think being the most powerful telepath on the planet I would be able to think of something, but a threat this big...I would never have thought of a mutation to become so powerful...let alone from Jean. I don't quite completely understand it myself. But what I've seen from the premonitions into Jean's future...I cannot deny yet believe it."
"If Destiny has seen it, than it must be true to the future Professor."
"In a way yes, but we still don't know the vital information. What I have seen is all that I know. I don't know how it takes place or why. But I know it is Jean's mutation and cannot be prevented. I cannot say what is true or what is pure fabrication."
"There is only one way to find out....you must see for yourself. It is the only way."
"Of course, I know, but I haven't found the words to tell her, let alone approach her."
"Well what ever yer plannin' on doin' ya better do it now."
"Logan? What's wrong?" Ororo asked noticing the worried expression on his face.
"It's Jean..." Xavier said silently as if he knew all along. "Something's wrong..."
"What?"
"Her mind is all in a jumble, I don't know."
"Well what we do know is that Jeannie fainted n' that's 'bout all. Hank's workin' on it right now." Logan said irritably resting his arms on the doorframe.
"Was anyone with her when it happened?" Ororo asked standing up.
"Yeah, Slim, but he ain't talkin' much. I sent 'im up to get a soda. I don't know what it is, but I got a feelin' that whatever it is, it has ta do wit' our little conversation Chuck."
Xavier had his head bowed and his fingers crossed, his elbows rested on his armchairs. "I can't reach her mind, something's blocking my telepathic contact."
"Well ya better come down then, cuz I gotta feelin' that this ain't gonna end well."
~x~x~x~x~x~x~
"Hank, any changes?" Scott asked as he walked into Hanks Lab pausing only to throw his empty soda can into the wastebasket.
"Nothing yet. The Professor should be on his way down, along with Logan and Ororo."
As if on cue the trio appeared.
"Oh good Professor you're here. I'm beginning to worry, I can see nothing out of the ordinary wrong with Jean."
"Have you run tests?"
"All kinds, I even ran smallpox and tuberculosis just in case, I can see nothing medically wrong with her."
"Than perhaps it isn't medical."
"Excuse me?"
"Hank, would you mind if I try and see if I can telepathically contact her? I'm hoping being in closer range to Jean's mind will help."
"Sure you can but she's been out of it for a while I don't know if you'll be able to reach her."
"Well typically even when your comatose your mind is still working."
Xavier took a breath and tried again to telepathically contact her.
The others waited impatiently as Xavier struggled.
"Anything?" Scott asked as Xavier raised his head.
"No, I was able to become closer to Jean's mind than before but she was blocking me somehow. I saw a light...like fire...I could feel the heat of the leaping flames upon my mind..."
"How is she blocking you?" Hank asked typing on the computer checking out her stats.
"I don't know, but Jean...she doesn't possess the power needed to block out my telepathic range."
"Well Chuck she just might now." Logan said tartly in a matter-of-fact tone.
"What do you mean Logan?"
"Later kid."
"So what happened to her? Is it power related?"
"I don't know, it might be. I believe Jean had a power overload."
"Like before?"
"Oh no, not as serious. Unlike before it's not the rapid growth of her powers that caused this."
"Than what?"
"Her mutation. Jean's powers are growing yes, but this is part of her mutation."
"I don't understand."
"Jean has only been in the first stages of her mutation as a mutant, the time has come that Jean's mutation will grow into it's final stage of development."
"So her outburst was part of this 'final stage' of her mutation?"
"I believe that's exactly what it was. Jean's powers of telepathy and telekinesis are growing rapidly. If progressed to fast Jean's mind could go into overdrive and she will completely lose all sense of herself in her mind field of powers. So I believe to protect itself from itself her mind engaged in a series of psychic circuit breakers that cut her power back to a level she could handle. But it shouldn't have done this to her...in fact it would do quite the opposite it would protect her from power bursts like this."
"So what want wrong? I mean something had to go wrong right?"
"Absolutely kid." Logan murmured.
"Thanks Logan, you're not exactly making this easy." Scott murmured back.
"I don't know, perhaps Jean's mind didn't anticipate the outcome of such a bold move."
"You know what happened to her don't you? You know more than you're telling."
"Scott what I know for sure is what I've told you, but yes I do have some theories."
"So what than? I mean what are these 'theories'?"
"Scott calm down I'll tell you in a moment but first-"
"Professor she's coming to!" Hank shouted as he stood beside Jean's bed.
Jean groaned as she slowly opened her eyes to the bright light. She draped her arm over her face as she sat up.
"What happened? Where am I?"
"You're in Hanks lab." Scott said rushing over to her.
"What-Why?"
"It seems you're mutation is growing."
"How are you feeling Jean?" Xavier asked
"Like I have a hangover."
"Huh, good."
"My having a hangover is a good thing?" Jean asked as Ororo handed her a glass of water.
"Well it's a good thing for you."
"Well that's just good to know." Jean replied after taking a sip.
She forced a smile despite her obvious pain. Xavier smiled back but only shortly. He's smile faded as he became serious.
"Jean, I want you to remember back, to before you fainted, what were you feeling?"
Jean exhaled deeply and shut her eyes.
"It's very important I know, it will allow me to help you further."
Jean hesitated before complying.
"My powers had been acting up. I mean I was hearing random thoughts from everywhere, I didn't even have to concentrate or use my telepathy, the thoughts were just there. I blocked them out for a while, but they kept coming back. I kept having these nightmares everyday...the same one every night when I awoke I would find myself levitating over my bed and everything in my room also. And on a few occasions my telekinesis would interrupt the power flow of the electricity. I kept hearing this hushed voice in my head, talking to me, telling me to do things. I could see myself doing the things the voice said and when I opened my eyes it was done. I was going to talk to you Professor...well that is before I...got here."
Jean said motioning with her hands to the bed.
"But it's like I'm seeing more of everything...but it all melts together. It's not just sight or sound...it's all of my senses at once, sort of rippling through my surroundings." Jean paused before finishing. "You think I'm nuts don't you?"
"No, It's alright Jean I understand. Thank you. I would ah-like to perform a little experiment if I may."
"Sure Professor anything that will help."
"Hank could you hand me that suturing tray over there if you will?"
Hank picked up his tray full of surgical utensils and handed it to the Professor.
"Thank you Hank."
Xavier set the tray in front of Jean.
"Jean I don't understand how your powers can become powerful enough to act like they did."
"I don't know how or why, but it's like If I think it, it's possible. All I have to do is just think and picture that object in my head and whatever I do in my mind happens in the physical world. But my power has never been this way before. Take a look for yourself Professor I'm ready." Jean said relaxing as she telekinetically lifted the utensils off the tray.
Xavier studied her ability for a moment.
"Even so there are dozens of moving parts here. Your mind's ability to operate matter extends far beyond your physical body and deeply into your environment. But I think there could be more to it."
"More what?"
"Tell me something Jean, can you feel this?"
Xavier took a hold of one of the surgical knives and pointed the sharpened end towards Jean's body.
"Yes I didn't know I could do that. O my god...I can feel your pulse through the steel." Jean said a bit frightened of the realization. "How is that possible?"
"Jean...for you to have telekinetic sensitivity this extreme... is literally impossible. But somehow it does not shock me for you to be able to do what you did. I mean with what I have seen in Destiny's provisions-- What else are you feeling Jean?"
Jean closed her eyes slowly concentrating on her feelings.
"I don't know, how can I explain? It's--It's not words-it's more like colors on fire burning in every direction."
Jean's body began to glow a reminiscent orange as she talked, parts of her hair became that of small flames of fire.
"Professor...." Scott said worriedly as he noticed the change occur.
Xavier nodded his head in response to Scott, than continued
"I can feel it--I'm on the shores of what seems an ocean of psychic light. How this is possible in your consciousness I do not know-but I can feel the fire...the heat in your mind."
Slowly Jean's hair began to evolve into fire as her hair parted creating the impression of a bird's wings.
Xavier realized the change in the atmosphere around Jean, as well as the contrast of her hair, but as always remained calm.
"Jean, just relax and concentrate, let me see and hear what you do."
Slowly Xavier entered Jean's mind as she concentrated.
Once he had safely reached the remnants of Jean's mind Xavier surveyed his surroundings.
"Jean is this what you see?" Xavier asked.
What he noticed was a world destroyed. The sky was red and blackening, buildings had collapsed and skeleton corpses lay twisted on the ground. Xavier noticed some of his X-men's bodies laying twisted on the street puddles of blood running from them. Most of the buildings had collapsed but a several others still burnt with fire, fiery smoke filled the sky and the smell of burning flesh and death clung in the air.
"Jean?" Xavier asked again as he did not get a response.
"I am born and consumed in blood and flame and sacrifice. And I return always coming back."
"Jean...what is this place? Are these words from the future? What's happening?"
"It's not a place. It's how it feels to be the last hope.... And to know you'll win against all odds. It's the wing of the Phoenix touching your heart with flame..."
Their telepathic contact broke and Xavier rubbed his eyes
"Jean...my mind feels... blinded, dazzled are you alright? Jean?"
Jean brought her gaze up to meet his. As their contact broke so did the change that had occurred to Jean and her hair returned to it's normal state.
"Yeah, I think so...I don't know. I feel so strange...what-who was that? I felt another presence inside me...I could hear your voice but my own could not respond. But I heard someone talking... through me."
"What did you see Professor? Jean?" Ororo asked.
"It's worse than I thought."
"Professor what is? What's happening to me Professor? What did I see...who was that?"
"That was you Jean."
"What? Me? I don't understand. Scott?" Jean's voice quivered in slowly rising fear.
Scott shook his head. "What's going on Professor. You said you had some theories What are they?"
"Jean what you saw...Phoenix...is your ultimate potential as a Psi."
"What? Phoenix? But that's just mythological."
"The bird yeah...but apparently sometime in the future ya call yerself Phoenix, as a symbolic gesture."
"You know what this is about Logan?"
"Yes Logan does know Scott, as will you soon."
"How did you see my future? How do you know that that's me?"
"Jean yesterday morning I received a visit from Irene Adler..."
"Destiny?"
Xavier nodded.
"Irene had had a disturbing provision concerning your future. She came to talk to me about it. A few years back I also received a visit from her...she said that in 10 years your mutation would take a drastic turn....that you would become this... 'Phoenix'."
She said that it would occur on the eve of your nineteenth birthday. So of course on that exact day, she had received another vision having to do with you. Jean you know that you're an Omega class mutant."
"Yes I know, you explained it to me a while back. But I never thought it could become this serious."
"Jean your full potential as a mutant is not known, however we always knew that you could become very powerful in both your telepathic and telekinetic abilities."
"Yes but my limitations-"
"According to Destiny, when your powers are fully manifested there will be no limitations to your powers."
"But that's impossible...that isn't possible."
"But it is Jean. It is. I've seen the provision. It is very real. All this is very real."
"But what you're telling me Professor is that I will become some sort of god...that's not possible."
"Jean in the futures I have seen, you are exactly that…you're every thought becomes reality. You have the power to create, to change, to destroy, nothing is beyond you."
"Professor what you're telling me is…a joke. This can't be me…this can't be possible. You're telling me that I'm becoming a force of nature…you're telling me that I can do anything…and no one stands a chance against me…that's just preposterous… it can't be true." Jean nervously ranted.
"Jean what you said about being the only hope…about knowing that nothing stands against you…that was all true."
"I told you Professor that wasn't me."
"I believe it was you. Deep down you know what you're becoming."
"But that doesn't explain what I saw…that doesn't explain the burning buildings the destructed world that we saw-"
"I don't know how to explain that Jean…perhaps it's the future…I don't know."
Jean hesitated clearly losing against the more experienced Xavier.
"Okay, say it is true…if my powers have no limitations than how will I be able to control them…I mean I know I can given time…but now I'm still learning."
"Right before you were brought down here your mind engaged in a series of psychic circuit breakers that cut your power back to a level you can handle. As your mutation continues to manifest and you begin to learn to control your powers that's what your mind will do until finally you're able to control all your powers than the circuit breakers won't be needed."
Jean shook her head in utter disbelief but continued. "Okay…and my mind is safe like that?"
"I believe so…at least for the time being. It seems pretty harmless. However I will encourage you to try and suppress your growing powers as much as you can. Hopefully that will prevent another outburst. My only worry is that the power will come to soon for you, you are still young and learning. I'm afraid that if it comes to fast it could…destroy you."
"What?…Wait so you're telling me to use my will power? That's all I have to fight this? My will? And if that fails I die--is that it? Is that what you're telling me?"
"Jean calm down please. You can't fight this…it's part of your mutation."
"Part of my mutation or not I don't want it."
"Jean you can't fight it."
"I hate to interrupt Professor, but if Jean is going to become as powerful as you say she is than wouldn't other mutants--want her? I mean want to use her for… evil?"
"Perhaps Scott. Destiny did warn us of one mutant in particular…Apocalypse."
"Apoca-who?"
"Apocalypse he's an ancient mutant said to have lived five thousand years ago in Egypt. He was one of the first in the race of mutants." Hank clarified.
"Okay and you're saying this guy… 'Apocalypse' Is after Jean?"
"Well yes and no. Destiny warned us to be careful because Apocalypse knows what Jean will become and he might use that against us."
"How does he know?"
"He has an incredibly long life span enabling him to live through many futures." Hank once again cut in.
Jean rested her forehead in her hand.
"You okay Jean?"
"Yeah…I'm just surprised…shocked…scared…I don't understand. I learn I'm supposed to be some sort of god in the distant future, I have incredible powers that I have to use my will against if I want to live, and now I learn that I have dangerous mutants hunting after me…all in days work for the X-men huh?"
"Jean it's not like that-"
"Don't tell me what it's like Professor! You don't know what I'm feeling right now! Even with you telepathic ability you won't know! You can't. I just-I need some time to think…to be alone."
"I understand Jean…this is a lot to take in…I feared it would upset you…but I didn't know how else to tell you. What I told you is not even half of it…I don't know hardly anything about your future. I only hope it's better than what it seems."
Jean hung her head and rested it upon both her hands. "I'm just so tired…so confused. I don't even know where to begin. My thinking's all jumbled…I just need some time to rest and think…please Professor."
"Are you sure you're okay Jean, if you need to cry, or yell you can. I'm here." Scott said trying to make her feel better.
Jean shook her head and forced a small smile. "Thank you Scott, but I'll be fine."
"We will be around if you need us." Xavier said resting his hand on Jean's shoulder.
Jean mumbled a feeble 'thank you' before the four left her alone in the quietness of Hanks lab.
Jean sat in the quietness trying to sort through her thoughts. The Professor had been right, deep down, somehow…she had known what she was becoming.
Jean felt her anger rising at the notion that this was happening to her. She was angry it was happening to her, she was sad, confused, frustrated and very frightened.
As her anger rose Jean's eyes flashed a fiery red and her hair began to glow like fire again. Jean picked up the glass of water next to her bed and in an angry rage through it against the wall of the lab causing it to shatter unto the floor.
Jean stared at the glass pieces on the ground for a moment. Curiously she used her TK to lift the shatters up in the air, she concentrated and slowly pulled the molecules back together. She was amazed when the glass reformed without scratches, dents, or lines.
Jean was amazed at what she could do, but still frightened. Why did this have to happen to her? Why her? Why now? Why was this happening?!
She hurled the glass into the wall again watching as the shattered remnants fell to the ground.
She stared at the glass on the floor for a moment as her hair diminished, than in dire frustration and desperation, Jean finally broke down, fell to her knees…and cried.
~x~x~x~x~x~x~
Okay…um yeah I'm trying to delve deeper into this whole Phoenix thing. Um let's see…aliens, entities, and outer space were good…for the 70's and 80's. But now it's the 21st (?) centaury. (Did it change? I don't think so. Oh well) and nowadays I think that this Phoenix thing would be purely mutantagenic and therefore just evolutionary. So that's how I'm trying to write it…like the way I envision it.
Pleaze R&R!