Chapter 179: Eyepatch Dude

"So, basically, Apocalypse wants the Phoenix Force inside me?" Remarked Jean lightly as she glanced at Pharaoh before looking at Professor X, who nodded in agreement.

"Yes, that is what we've discovered so far; we don't know what his motives are for wanting the Phoenix Force, but I'm pretty sure all of us agree that it isn't for something good, considering how he threatened to destroy the school." Stated Professor X with a frown as he looked at Jean, who was feeling slightly nervous

"Of course, we don't intend to do so, Jean; no matter what, you're one of our students, and this Apocalypse must get through all of us if he wishes to harm you." Stated Beast solemnly with a nod as he glanced at the nervous Jean, while Pharaoh, Wolverine, Colossus, Professor X, Scott, Bobby, Kitty, Rogue, and Gambit all nodded in agreement.

"I'll blast him into oblivion before he gets anywhere near you, Jean." Declared Scott with a dignified expression as he looked at Jean while Pharaoh's eyes emitted a soft reddish glow.

"Heh, I'll help with that." Said Tut with a faint smirk, his words causing Scott to intensely frown as he eyed him, though, in the end, he stayed silent.

"Yeah! I'll absorb his powers until his body is nothing but a husk!" Yelled Rogue eagerly as she looked at Jean, yet as Pireto's super-speed still powered her, no one was able to understand her, though it was fine since everyone was able to discern the gist of what she was saying.

"I appreciate it, but I already know you guys would do so; it's just a little nerve-wracking to know you've got someone after your life—especially someone who is probably really powerful." Remarked Jean with a grateful smile as she looked at everyone before sporting a wry smile when she glanced at the projection of Apocalypse.

"Welp, on the bright side, at least you're not alone; I just had three of my own kind try to kill me, so there's that. And knowing that fossil Wolverine, he's probably had it happen to him several times." Said Tut with a faint smile as he wrapped his arm around Jean's neck, forcefully bringing her head into a friendly embrace, causing Scott to sport a livid expression while Wolverine tossed a cigarette bud at him.

"Tsk, it's happened more times than I'd like to count." Muttered Wolverine in annoyance as he glanced at Tut, who had frozen the lit cigarette bud with a breath before it dropped onto the table.

"Thanks, I guess?" Said Jean softly with a faint blush as she looked up at Tut, who gave her a thumbs up, causing her to sigh inwardly.

"So anyways, what do we intend to do about Apocalypse, Professor?" Asked Colossus as he folded his arms, glancing at Pharaoh and Jean with a soft smile before looking at Professor X.

"I do not know; by no means is Apocalypse our problem to deal with, nor do I possibly wish to risk all of your lives. However, if he doesn't stop coming after us until he has Jean, then we should deal with him as quickly as possible and on our own terms." Declared Professor X with a slight frown as he looked at everyone; however, before anyone could say anything, the projection screen suddenly went black, causing everyone to frown, only for an older black man with an eyepatch to appear.

"You can only ignore my calls for so long, Charles." Stated Fury with a scowl as he looked at no one specifically, seemingly unable to see what was happening inside the briefing room.

"Haa, I'm not surprised to see you; however, I apologize for ignoring your earlier calls. I've been forced to deal with my own problems, which have been far more important than a simple talk with you, no offense, of course." Remarked Professor X with a sigh and a slight frown as he turned his wheelchair around and eyed Fury.

"Tsk, how did you get through my multi-layer encrypted firewall?" Asked Beast with a deep frown in annoyance as he eyed Fury, who faintly smirked.

"We have our own genius', McCoy. Now, Charles, care to tell me why one of your own went on a little rampage in Eygpt alongside Magneto? Actually, no, I've got something more important to ask: how come Magento's and Storm's mutant abilities seem to be far more powerful than our record's previous state? Last night, we noticed an irregular shift in the weather pattern across the entire globe, and I only know of one person who could possibly cause such a thing." Declared Fury lightly before his expression hardened while he glared at the camera, his questions causing Professor X to rub his head before sighing.

"Yo, what's up, nigga?" Said Tut as he waved his hand at Fury, his voice slightly startling him.

"Pharaoh? What are you doing there; don't tell me you've got something to do with all this?" Remarked Fury in surprise before his expression turned unsightly while Tut wryly smiled before shaking his head.

"No, but considering you've got entire files about my day-to-day life, you should know Jean's my best friend, and considering how the X-mansion was just attacked, I'd obviously come and see what's happening." Stated Tut lightly, his words causing Jean to frown slightly and Fury to nod before he squinted his eyes while Professor X sighed once more.

"Haa, friend, huh?" Muttered Jean softly with a slight frown as she stayed resting in Tut's embrace while he purposely pretended as if she didn't say anything.

"Attacked? Did I just hear that correctly? Attacked? Charles, you best believe you've got some explaining to do." Stated Fury with a scowl as he glared at the camera, only for the projection to suddenly turn off, prompting everyone to lance at Beast, who was holding the plug.

"Haa, thank you, Beast." Said Professor X with a faint smile while Beast nodded.

"You know you're going to have to call him back, Professor; whether we like it or not, this isn't something we can cover up. Same with when he discovered Jean was with us." Remarked Beast as he sat down, his words causing Professor X to nod with an exhausted expression.

"Yes, I know; it's always one thing after another. Anyways, let us continue this later; for now, everyone try to prepare yourselves; we're most likely going to have to deal with this Apocalypse." Declared Professor X with a slight frown as he glanced at Beast before looking at everyone, prompting them all to stand up and nod.

Unwrapping my arm around Jean, I stood up and stretched my body a little before following behind her as everyone except Professor X and Beast left the room; once we entered the hallway, everyone split into three different directions.

"How are you feeling, Jean?" Asked Rogue with a small smile as she turned around and walked backward while looking at Tut, Jean, and Scott.

"Eh, I'm mostly fine. I just feel a little useless; if we do intend to fight Apocalypse, I won't even be able to help. My presence alone would be risking everyone's life." Said Jean with a sigh as she hung her head down while walking between Tut and Scott, while the latter tried to cheer her up, the former beat him to it.

"What did the Professor say? Stop thinking like that, Jean; you must think positively about your powers, not negatively. This has got to do with your subconscious mind; at least, that's what I think the Professor was getting at." Remarked Tut with a slight frown as he karate-chopped Jean's head, causing her to hold her forehead while pouting.

"Haa, I know, but that's easier said than done. My only experience with my power was in Cerebo, which I destroyed and ended up nearly killing you. I can't just flip a switch and suddenly see my new powers like it's all rays of sunshine and rainbows. Also, why must you hit so hard, you brute?" Replied Jean with a sigh as she rubbed her head while looking at Tut in concern before frowning and glaring at him.

"Eh, to be fair, you didn't nearly kill me, Jean; I'm much tougher than you believe." Said Tut with a smirk as he flexed his muscles and hit his chest, while Rogue, Jean, and Scott just blankly looked at him.

"Haa, well, even if I didn't, I had thought so, and that's enough to influence my subconscious or whatever." Said Jean with a sigh as she shook her head, only for Tut to suddenly smirk.

"Heh, maybe I need to kiss you again; will that work?" Asked Tut with a teasing smirk as he leaned down and puckered his lips at Jean, who deeply bushed while both Scott and Rogue looked surprised.

"S-Shut up!" Yelled Jean in embarrassment as she raised her hand at Tut, blasting him down the hall with a powerful telekinetic burst.

"Eh, kiss? Is this true, Jean; did you and Tut really kiss?" Asked Rogue with a mischievous smile as she neared Jean and intently looked her in the eyes while Scott glared at Tut, floating at the end of the hall in wrath.

"Hehe, yeap. You saw the video of what happened with Jean in Cerebo; after I flew her into the air, I kissed her, and like from straight out of a movie, she was suddenly able to restrain the flames emitting from her body. You should've seen her, Rogue; towards the end of our kiss, she was passionate and refused to let me go." Remarked Tut with a chuckle as he speedily arrived beside Rogue and whispered into her just loud enough for everyone to hear, his words further enraging Scott while Jean's cheeks took on a crimson hue as dark as her red hair.