Child of Light and Darkness
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Chapter Sixteen
"Hank and I have been looking over Jean's scans and neurologics, we have come to the conclusion that we don't think there is anything we can do for her."
Xavier stated. He sat at the end of the long study table, with Ororo, Logan, Hank, Scott and the other's that had accompanied them on the mission sat around the table.
"Professor, there's got to be something we can do! I mean she's our friend!" Scott pleaded.
"I understand Scott. But I'm afraid Jean Grey no longer exists. Now Jean has been overwhelmed and consumed by the force of her newfound power."
"Yeah but as long as Jean's alive we can't stop trying."
"Of course Scott…but we must also be honest with ourselves about the depth of the problem…Unless Jean can regain control of her mind and power I see no way to save our friend. I fear Jean doesn't have the strength of body or mind to endure such an action. We must use any means necessary to destroy Phoenix but at the same time we must protect Jean."
"How can we? Ah mean if Jean and Phoenix are one in the same then if we kill one than the other goes."
"Rogue you're making it sound like Jean has a personality disorder that's not how it is. Look, Phoenix is Jean, that's who she is…it's her mutation we can't stop it."
"Yes but Scott…we must stop her." Hank said taking off his glasses.
"How can we stop somethin' that can melt us in a nanosecond?" Logan asked gruffly.
"I don't know. Phoenix is dangerous, there's no saying what she can do. But whatever it is, it's a lot and we must prevent it."
"Remy t'inks dere's gotta be a way we can get through to her."
"I doubt that. As I said, Jean is no longer. Phoenix is all the remains."
"I disagree professor! I mean if there still wasn't a part of Jean left, than why didn't she kill us when she had the chance?"
"Because Scott, Jean's powers are being fueled from her emotions and right now all she cares about are the sensations running through her! The more she uses her power the more she 'burns up' or eliminates her emotions. It's safe to say that right now she feels nothing. The only hope we and the world has is if we can stop her. We must try."
"What you're suggesting is that we kill her! I can't do it!"
"Scott there is no other way!"
"But she's our friend!"
"At one time yes, she was! But not now. At one time maybe she would've let us help her, but she made a choice."
"No she didn't! We can still save her!"
"Scott she doesn't want to be saved!"
"You don't know that!"
"Scott I know that in Jean's state of mind there is no way she's going to listen to reasonable logic!"
"What are you saying?"
"What I'm saying is that if Jean, if any of us can have any hope of survival Jean will need to draw strength from you…through your unique psychic connection…that's the only thing I can think of that may save us."
"I don't think I can. I mean Jean is…well we've seen her…she could easily block me out…or wipe away our connection all together…she-she has the power."
"Scott…if you really want to save her…it's the only way. I can't tell you if it'll work…but if it doesn't…you'll have no choice but to do whatever you have to, to stop her."
"I won't kill her!"
"You may have no other choice!"
Scott and Xavier argued back and forth. The room began to feel very hostile, as the two men fought, both having a special relationship with Jean in one form or another.
There was an uncomfortable silence in the room as Xavier sighed and Scott firmed his jaw. The other's squirmed in their seats.
"There's one thing that don't see well with me, though." Logan said aloud, taking the pause between Scott and Xavier as a moment to speak up.
He continued not waiting for a response. "Why would she go after Mastermind? Why would she be so angry at him, ta want to kill him?"
"Well there are many possibilities Logan. But I would have to say that maybe a part of herself was angry at him for doing what he did to her." Xavier answered calmly.
"So why kill Mesmero?" Scott asked.
"She killed Mesmero?" Logan asked warily.
Scott nodded. "I was there. Sure looked that way."
"Bobby?" Logan asked raising an eyebrow in his direction.
"Yeah man, we saw her, we watched her. She want brutal on him."
"What would be her reason for that? I mean Mesmero had nothing to do with her transformation." Scott asked Xavier.
"Yeah, maybe not, but he was a part in it." Logan added.
"But that doesn't make any sense. I mean Jean was out for revenge. So why kill him."
Xavier sighed, preparing to answer.
"Well we must keep in mind that Jean may have meant to harm Mastermind, but she only proceeded to send him into a cationic like state. I think what Dark Phoenix represents in Jean is her ultimate potential for evil. Meaning, that Jean is usually very calm, collected, and she has yet to hold a grudge. But human emotions are three-dimensional, and because Jean displays such a positive image, being human she has to have negative and evil feelings. So what Dark Phoenix has managed to accomplish is to bring all Jean's feelings of hatred and cruelty to the surface. While burying the image of good that she's known to portray."
"So what you're saying is because Jean portrays her positive feelings and buries her negative, that Dark Phoenix has reversed that process."
"That's exactly what I'm saying Scott. Whereas Jean portrays her ultimate potential of good, Dark Phoenix has accomplished to portray all that is evil in Jean. And I'm sure if positions were reversed with anyone of us, the same would be the outcome."
"Well maybe if that's what's happening, maybe Jean felt angry towards Mesmero for using her to free Apocalypse. It's quite possible that somewhere deep inside her Jean buried her negative feelings towards him, her feelings of anger and betrayal, and maybe now Dark Phoenix has reversed that, and all Dark Phoenix feels from Jean are her negative emotions." Ororo suggested.
"That does make sense Chuck. Think 'bout it. Jean feels anger towards Mastermind for turnin' her, Mesmero for usin' her. And now she probably feels superior towards them."
Xavier glanced at Logan.
Scott caught his glance. "So wait…are you saying that the first thing Jean's doing, is getting revenge on all those that have hurt her in some way?"
"Well if you were in her position, always calm always collected, and than to feel all those emotions, wouldn't you want to lash out on those that have hurt you?" Ororo asked.
"Yeah but…if that's the case than there could be a number of people-"
"Actually Scott, there probably isn't." Xavier interrupted him.
He continued.
"I think Jean's only getting revenge on those who have harmed her through her powers. Dark Phoenix, being Jean's ultimate potential as a mutant with her powers, the ultimate way to get revenge is to use her newfound dominant powers against those who once used them to their advantage. To make them feel some sort of regret or guilt."
"Well then, Mesmero and Mastermind would be it." Scott paused. "Right?"
Logan shook his head. "I dunno. Somethin' just don't sit right. There's somethin' else."
Scott shrugged. "Well who else…who else could fit into that category?"
"Magneto." Rogue suggested. All eyes turned to her.
She shrugged a little taken by surprise. "Ah mean, think 'bout it. None of us were all to happy 'bout bein' exposed. That was Magneto's doing. If she's feelin' anything like what you're saying Profassah than, he'd fit into that category."
Xavier thought for a moment. "He very well could be. Since you say Jean took off in a hurry. Maybe she had some unfinished business."
"She did say that she has no more need for us. Maybe she was never after us at all. Maybe just them." Scott stated.
"Than it is absolutely crucial that we find her." Xavier said a hint of worry in his tone.
"Like, how are we supposed to find her?" Kitty asked in an attempt to lighten the feeling.
"We can't." Hank spoke up attempting to do the same. "Cerebro has no way to locate her. She's too far advanced for even the most recent cerebro update to be able to locate."
"Well if Cerebro can't locate her we'll have to search by foot." Ororo proclaimed crossing her arms.
" 'Ro's right. Scottie you know 'er…where would she go?"
Scott sighed and hung his head,. "I don't know. If she's not in a good thinking place I don't know where she'd go."
"Okay than, where would you go, if you wanted to create the most chaos?" Bobby asked thinking like he does.
"Could be anywhere, Liberty Island, Empire state building, Central Park…" Storm said her mind wandering.
"But you know, couldn't Jean like, disguise herself? I mean like, she can do that." Kitty asked.
"Yes she very well could, but even so, we should be able to recognize her."
"But even if you'd go to the place that you can create the most chaos, where would you go if you had the world's most powerful mutant bending on his knees?" Ororo asked.
"I think it's fear to say none of us can guess what's going through Jean's mind. But I say we should check those places first. And if Jean happens to do something I'm sure we can catch it on the local news."
Bobby suggested. The other's began to talk it out, but their voices faded as Scott lost himself in thought.
Thos very well could be places she'd go, but somehow he didn't think that they'd find her there. He knew Jean, probably better than anyone her. Where would she go? Yes she was being corrupted by the evil side of herself, but he didn't care what anyone said, she was still Jean.
"Her parents' house." He said aloud as the thought struck him.
"What?" Ororo asked.
"Her parents' house. I mean if Jean's trying to regain herself, than that's where she'd go, to her childhood."
Logan eyed him warily. "Are her folks' home?"
Scott shook his head. "No, they're out of town, to a family reunion or something…Jean was gonna go but…"
Scott's voice faded as he just shrugged. "It's probably a good thing she didn't." He mumbled with a weak smile.
"Very well then. The first thing we'll do is investigate Jean's house, see if she's there." Xavier commanded.
"What if she's not?"
"Well, we first must assume that maybe Magneto isn't with her. Our guess isn't far-fetched and could be a possibility, but it may also be wrong. So if she's not at her house, than it's safe to assume she has a plan for Erik."
"Professor…what-what if we can't stop her?" Kitty asked warily.
"We have no choice Kitty."
"Yeah but like…Apocalypse…he was…we were lucky. I mean we would all have died if Jean hadn't gone crazy and destroyed him herself. Like, If we couldn't stop Apocalypse than how can we stop the only person who stopped that powerful madman? I mean like, to stop him…Jean had to be much more powerful than like, Apocalypse himself."
"Well Kitty we certainly cannot let Jean go. We're lucky she hasn't done something drastic already. And like you said, she destroyed Apocalypse, the chance she won't do the same to Magneto are very slim."
Kitty nodded and the room was quiet all except for Hank who talked quietly in the back.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Hank recited quietly.
Xavier looked at him.
"Edmund Burke." Hank said naming the author.
Xavier nodded his head. "Of course. But that quote rings true. We can't just stand by and watch. Kitty was right…we were lucky that Jean was able to take Apocalypse down. But now we have to stop her. And the first thing I suggest the team do is check Jean's house."
Logan hopped up. "Right. We'll be ready in 5." He said as everyone began to file out.
"Logan." Xavier said prompting him to turn around.
"As much as we may disagree with him and his tactics, If Erik is with her, make sure no harm befalls him. If things get out of hand…use whatever means necessary to stop her." Xavier said his voice barely faltering.
Logan nodded.
Scott couldn't help but overhear Xavier's last command. He didn't know what he'd do if they'd have to take that kind of measure.
He sighed dismissing any further thoughts out of his mind. He couldn't worry about that now.
~x~x~x~x~x~x~
"So where exactly does Jean live?" Bobby asked as the Logan and Storm prepped the command center of the plane and the others buckled themselves in their seats.
"'bout 50 miles from 'ere." Logan huffed. He switched a button above him giving him full command over the joystick and thus the piloting.
Ororo sat back in her seat. "Annandale-On-Hudson, New York, is what they call it. Logan's right is about 50 miles from the Mansion."
"Wow, that's not very far by plane. Why doesn't Jean ever see her folks?"
Ororo shrugged, Logan didn't reply.
"She does, every once in a while. She keeps in e-mail contact mostly." Scott answered his eyes never glancing from the window.
Ororo glanced back at Scott. She had never heard so much pain in his voice.
Bobby must have noticed it to as he replied with a quick "Oh." And his eyes fell to the floor.
She supposed that this was hard for him. She knew, everyone knew, that Scott loved Jean. Even if Jean didn't know he did. The fact that they may have to fight Jean to the death must have been eating him up inside.
"Scott are you alright?"
"Yeah." He replied without even moving his glance from outside the window.
Ororo wanted to help him, to comfort him. But He couldn't give in, not yet. If he give full rein to his feelings, he'd…shatter. For Jean's sake, as much as everyone else's', he'd have to stay strong…in control.
"What the 'ell is this?" Logan muttered to himself as they began flying over central park.
"What is it Logan?" Ororo asked peering out the windshield.
The scene before them looked that of a scene would on judgment day. Buildings were burning, trees were toppled over, crowds of people were screaming and running, others kept their distance but accumulated into groups.
"Ah…oh…not good." Bobby quipped.
"Please tell me that's not Jean's doing." Scott asked.
The others all peered out their windows trying to get a glimpse of the ruckus.
"I had a bad feelin' 'bout this." Logan muttered to Ororo.
He slowed down as he neared their descent, just in time to hear police cruisers' sirens speeding up, and S.W.A.T. team vans pull up and men clothed in black swarm out of the vans armored with long black shields and steel helmets.
"Oh great, Calvary's here. We better approach this thing stealthily." Logan commanded as he circled the surrounding quietly to observe the scene.
"Jean, what have you done?" Scott asked himself as he surveyed the scene.
"We better hope nobody's hurt. The government will really butcher us fer that. Keep a look out fer Jeannie n' Mags." Logan commanded as he made a decision to begin to land the plane.
"Hey look at that." Bobby said as he stared out the window.
The others looked to where he was pointing.
"What is it?" Kitty asked.
"Looks like lightening." Scott observed.
" 'Ro?" Logan said raising an eyebrow.
"I'm afraid that's not my doing." Ororo shook her head.
"Than it has to be Jean." Scott said his hope rising.
The lightning bolts were as bright as the sun itself, striking the park. It was incredible…but impossible.
"The bolts are building in intensity. We should do something before it gets worse."
Storm nodded agreeing with Scott. "Land it here Logan."
Logan obliged and switched some buttons to the right of him and loosened his grip on the joystick.
"I can create a fog that will shield us until we can survey the surroundings."
"Unless Jeannie sees us and decides ta disperse the fog."
"That's a chance we'll have to take."
Logan landed the plane softly several feet behind the scene of chaos. He activated its shielding mechanism before he followed the others out of the plane and unto the crisp grass of the park.
~x~x~x~x~x~x~
Alright next Chap begins the X-men/Dark Phoenix fight. Oh yeah…Magneto too. Although I will tell u that Magneto won't do much fighting.
Anyway as I said earlier, I would explain.
I had her first kill Mesmero, because he used her waaaaay back in 'Mindbender' and I figured I would hate him for using me…and so should she.
I had her hurt Mastermind because of his manipulation to expand her mutation faster thus succeeding to provoke Dark Phoenix.
I had her hurt Apocalypse…well I figured, he thinks he's the all-powerful mutant she knows he won't win against her…so by underestimating her Apocalypse lost. Plus I think Apocy was getting a little to big for his britches with his whole…I'm a big bad powerful mutant…blah blah blah…he's kind've a smartass too, so I hada to something 'bout that quick…so I killed him. Yep I did.
Now she has Magneto cuz…well she really didn't like him exposing mutants way back in 'Day of Reckoning' Pt 1&2 so…
Anyway Feedback Pleaze!