It had been mouths as Dr. Victor Van Doom was still gathering his forces for an all-out assault, not only against earth, but the heroes as well. Deep in the vastness of space, the Latverian monarch searched the cosmos for the world eater in hopes of gaining the world eater's power with the help of Super-Skull, who was just in it for revenge purposes. He could taste Galactus defeat in his hands.
Other villains followed Doom as long as he kept her word about the agreements. Zero, the maverick hunter, still undercover as a Doombot had continued to observed Doom's movements and even recorded him in his memory bank. But Doom was no fool, he knew Galactus's power and no way was he going to charge in blind. Skull had informed him on the knowledge of the Ultimate Nullifier, the most powerful weapon to hold back Galactus.
"With that weapon, the world eater will fall, and you would finally get your revenge Skull." Doom faced Super-Skull. "I hope you remember your assignment."
"Just as long as you remember yours Doctor." He replied.
"Doom is a man of his word. You have no right to doubt me."
Suddenly Super-Skull asked. "And what if the heroes interfere with your plans?"
Doom set up his computer on robot version of Doom still on earth. "Fear not my friend, I already have something for those fools if they ever think about following me."
He wanted to do everything he can to make sure his plan was flawless. So he set up robot duplicate on earth. He had met up with a telepath, or telepaths of that matter. The mutant was Mastermind and the Stepford Cuckoos. "I trust everything is clear for this task."
Mastermind nodded his head. "Yes my good doctor, as long as you provide me with the technology. The Phoenix will be under my alliance with the Inner Circle. The Stepford Cuckoos and I will make sure of it."
Doom tightened in his fist. "Just remember your assignment Mastermind. I cannot have any interferes with my goals."
Mastermind nodded in reply. "Yes, it will be done. Come now Cuckoos. We have work to do."
Meanwhile Peter and Chun Li were together again. She laughed considerably at Peter encounter with Sakura as she read on the paper. Even after he told Chun Li what really happened, she still found it funny the way the Bugle said it. It made Spider-Man himself look like an irresponsible adult that can't be trusted around kids.
But it could have been worst, so Peter thought.
"I go away from one day, and here I find you entertaining kids. When did you become a mascot? Or do you have any further party reservations?"
"Well, it's not the first time I've had fans you know." Peter sipped his coffee. "And besides gotta keep myself entertained if you're not around."
"That's so sweet, corny, but sweet."
"Avengers Assemble to the war room at once. We have situation." Iron-Man called on intercom like a morning announcement.
Fortunately there members were limited, Thor stayed in Asgard. Hulk was in meditation. And Wasp helped Mrs. Marvel with SWORD, so Hawkeye, Captain America, and Luke Cage. They have just gotten a call from the X-men on a situation. According to reports, they were under attack by Doombots, Mastermind and the Cuckoos.
They have not suspected Doom may have been involved, but he hasn't been heard from in a while, nor was there any trace on his whereabouts. Hopefully, there would be clues once Mastermind had been defeated.
Most of the X-men handled the army of Doombots, while under the mental blast of the Selene and the Cuckoos. It had affected both Jean and Charles inside their minds mostly. It was like bug eating through their brains as they suffered from the psychic assault.
Cyclops, Rogue, Wolverine, and Gambit, were left to defend the gate from the upcoming Doombots. Selene and the Cuckoos used a large amount of energy to immobilize Charles Xavier mind powers.
Soon the pressure became too overwhelming for Jean. She wasn't sure how long she could contain it. It wanted to be free once again. Even if she covered her ears, she could not tone down the voices in her head. It drove her mad.
Soon after, the Avengers had arrived to assist the X-men. They had already taken out a group of Doombots at a time. As they fought their way through them, they began to ask what Doom's motives were for attacking the X-men.
One Doombot had seized his attack and created a smokescreen as cover to get away. This left the heroes totally dumbfounded by the course of actions that was committed. Spidey was the first the notice. "Hey guys, where's Jean?" Throughout their discovery, Jean Grey had been taken while the X-men were occupied with the Doombots.
Cyclops slammed his fist on the doors. "Jean is gone, damn it! How did we not see this coming?"
"I'm going to enjoy curving into metal face, when I find out what happened to Jean." Wolverine sharpened his claws.
There was no way to track Jean; Charles Xavier was down after receiving so much punishment from the mind assault. Disturbing voices was still echoing in his head as he slept. He could not even hear himself think. But thanks to Wolverine animalistic abilities, he had Jean and Mastermind's scent even if it was very faint, same with Iron-Man's scanners.
In that day, Darkness and Candles were surrounded the ritual room as the Cuckoos set Jean, while still keeping her contain with their telepathy. Again, the Phoenix fought to defend herself as well as her mind. Whether she wanted it or not the Phoenix was a part of her. Mastermind and the Cuckoos concentrated their powers of manipulation her mind.
In her mind, Mastermind was a handsome gentleman, and Jean was his beautiful queen. Together in Europe, they walked through the marble streets. It was just the two of them. No one was in sight. "I am with you my dear, and I will never leave your side. Now then release your barriers."
Jean leaned on his shoulder with passion, even if it wasn't real. "…Yes, it is quite peaceful here."
Most of her mind with on Mastermind's illusion, yet little was on Scott or the X-men. Their minds continued to mix together like ingredients to a drink. Mastermind continued to pressure her further, but he watched his step. He didn't want to pressure her too much or the consequence would be devastating.
"I won't let anything happen to you. All that matters is us. I need you. Now then, sit back and relax." Mastermind continued to convince Jean in his reality.
"Yes, you are correct. That is all that matters." Jean says, still under Mastermind's spell. But still had second thoughts, the thought of her friends were in the back of her mind.
The screech of Phoenix torn through her mind like a sirean. It fought endlessly to come. Now even Jean was reaching her limit on how long she could contain it. It ripped through her mind like never ending seizure. Mastermind and Cuckoos made their escape soon after as he placed device (given to him by Doom) through her brain in the last second.
The great evil was back.
"I am free once again? I am fire made flesh. I am power reemerged…I am the Dark… Phoenix!" Jean exclaimed in demonic tone as she was back in red phoenix form.
"Yes it worked. Now then, destroy the X-men; make sure nothing remains of them or their home. And silence anybody who gets in your way." Mastermind ordered.