"…United States government has declared the bombing, which cost an estimated two hundred and fifty people their lives a terrorist attack by mutant terrorist Erik Lenscherr, otherwise known as Magneto. Magneto made headlines last year after the Christmas Rally Massacre in which fifty-three people died. Many have been upset that the mutant terrorist was allowed to return to his old home despite the terror he caused. Just two weeks ago Magneto made news again by breaking the Human-Mutant treaty. President Kelly immediately reactivated the United States Sentinel Program…"
-

-
New Threat
-

The tunnel erupted into flames. The flames encircled the Morlocks, but did not burn them. Red, yellow, and orange swirled about them, creating a vortex with them in the middle. Then it stopped. All of the flames were sucked to one side of the room and formed a pillar, which slowly solidified into a person. They were wearing a red and yellow body suit, flowing with their curves. They were tall. Their long hair was on fire, floating gently in the air. What appeared to be a yellow-orange hood made of individual bird feathers had sloped down and covered their face., leaving only their nose and mouth visible. Unseen eyes blinked at them. Flames trickled up their arms.

There was complete silence for a moment in the sewer drain as the Morlocks took in their fearsome invader. Finally Calypso spoke boldly, taking a step forward and brandishing a rifle.

"Who are you?" she demanded.

"I am the Phoenix." The hellish voice replied back, it's soulless echo surrounding the Morlocks.
-

-
Shocking Turn
-

"What about the bomb?"

"It's M'kraan." The blonde woman said, her head in her hand.

"McRain?" Rogue asked.

"M'kraan." She corrected. "They were a dangerous alien race that invented life forms."

"Invented life forms?" Rogue snorted. "That's impossible."

"Well they did." The blonde replied. "One of the creatures they created was the Dark Phoenix Force."

"The what?" Rogue asked.

"The Dark Phoenix Force." The blonde repeated. "A cosmic entity that requires a host to exercise its power. It has the ability to turn anything, organic or inorganic, to cosmic dust, a substance less than the atom. It also has extreme telepathy and telekinesis powers."

Rogue glanced at Jean.

"I know you don't like me, Rogue," Jean said. "But I am not a cosmic entity. Besides, I don't turn people to dust."

"It appears in the image of a flaming Phoenix most often."

"Guess what was on the security cameras right before they fried?" Scott asked.

"Flame."

"Burnt the guards…to cosmic dust." She whispered. "After 30,000 years, the Phoenix is here on Earth and wreaking havoc. Why is it targeting Worthington Labs though?"
-

-
Avenger Assembles
-

The two charged at each other, Ms. Marvel swinging. The red-haired girl slid between her legs and placed a firm kick to the base of her spine. Ms. Marvel stumbled and caught her punch. The girl intertwined her leg with Ms. Marvel's and twisted, causing the blonde to fall down. She slammed her foot down at Ms. Marvel's stomach, but the Avenger rolled to the side and stood up, swinging again. The red-head dodged her punches, caught some, and ducked others.

The girl flipped backwards, grabbed a suspension cord, and launched herself at Marvel. Ms. Marvel caught the girl in mid-air and head-butted her. She stumbled back, clutching her head. That was not what she was expecting. She glanced up and nearly lost her head to a blow from the Avenger. The red-haired girl punched Ms. Marvel in the stomach over and over, making the blonde double over. Ms. Marvel may be invulnerable, but she could still feel the red head's powerful punches. She wrapped her arm around the Avenger's neck and flipped her over onto her back, the woman placing her boot at Ms. Marvel's throat.

"It's over!"

"Like hell." Marvel replied, grabbing her leg and throwing her to the ground.
-

-
X-Men: Standing Guard
Season 2 "Dark Secrets"
Episode Three "The Plot Thickens"
Saturday, October 4th
-

"Just talk to her, okay? She won't talk to anyone else."

Rogue nodded faintly, seeming to stare into the distance. Amara leapt, reaching for the orange soda, but before her hand had crossed half the distance, it was already at Rogue's lips. Rogue swallowed the entirety of the drink, let out a loud belch, and sighed contentedly.

"Ha ha!" she exclaimed triumphantly, throwing the bottle across the room and into the garbage can.