Chapter 95: Facing Storm, Rescuing the Phoenix

"I feel the sealing power of magic," Ethan Hayes remarked calmly, standing before the deserted Wiesel School for Gifted Youngsters. Many gifted teenagers had been taken home by their parents and given healing potions.

"The process of human autonomous evolution will not be interrupted. The birth of mutants will not cease because of their own abilities," he added softly.

A radiant light opened, and the Ancient One appeared, crossing the snow peaks to stand beside Ethan. She was dressed in yellow robes and spoke with a somber tone.

"The Phoenix Force chose us. It is our flame of hope. But the girl before us isn't strong enough to withstand it," she sighed.

"If you want to wear a crown, you must bear its weight," Ethan whispered.

"Are you ready?" the Ancient One asked.

"Sorcerer Supreme, you should know I won't inherit Kamar-Taj's magic or take on the title you envision for me," Ethan replied flatly.

"And why not?"

"Altitude sickness," he replied with a chuckle.

The Ancient One looked at him intently. "Living in New York would hardly affect your role as Sorcerer Supreme," she pointed out. "I can no longer see the future. You are the source of chaos and may also be the guardian of order."

Ethan shrugged. "I'm just myself. The successor you choose will surpass you one day, so what are you worried about?"

She was silent. Of course, I'm worried about you, she thought. Your strength impacts the whole world.

"I only want to know—where is your heart?" she asked.

"My heart is with me," Ethan replied indifferently.

"Clearly, I won't get an answer from you."

"Answers aren't important. People change. The successor you've chosen may not retain a pure heart."

"If he fails, please end him."

"As you wish," Ethan agreed.

The Ancient One tossed a Sling Ring to him. "A promised trade item."

Ethan took it with a smile. The Ancient One then used her own ring to open a portal back to Kamar-Taj. In her mind, the uncertainty lingered. Could her chosen successors handle the complexities of the future? She simply didn't know.

Ethan muttered, "Ren's eternal journey," and reflected on the people who protect the world, preserving it for those they love.

Just then, he felt restlessness in the air. A beautiful woman—dark-skinned, dressed in black, silver hair flowing—approached him. "Who are you, and why are you here at the Wiesel School?"

It was Storm. She'd sensed a powerful energy but couldn't find its source.

"So, Charles is dead?" Ethan asked with a slight smirk, as if the professor's death was good news to him.

Storm's eyes filled with silver lightning, and thunder crackled around her hands. But Ethan merely sighed. "I'm here out of curiosity about the mutants' fate. It's tragic."

Storm didn't respond, and Ethan continued. "Mutants have the potential to be humanity's guiding star, to challenge cosmic forces. But human fear has interrupted this evolution."

Storm lowered her guard. "The professor believed that if we could live normal lives—even as ordinary people—it would be good."

"I admire him as a person," Ethan responded. "But if all humans on Earth were mutants, not even ten Thanoses would dare to step on this planet."

Storm bristled. "Sir, I don't know who you are, but you have no right to criticize the professor."

"I never meant to criticize. The so-called healing potion only temporarily suppresses the X-gene," he replied coldly.

Ethan could feel the pain and pressure within Storm, her internal struggle as she grappled with her identity.

Suddenly, a lightning bolt struck his position. Ethan sidestepped it with ease.

"I have great tolerance for any woman," he said with a smile. Behind him, Jean Grey's coffin rose from the ground through psychokinesis.

"Put it down!" Storm shouted, unleashing another thunderous attack. But an ice wall appeared, blocking it.

"The Phoenix Force shouldn't be buried," Ethan murmured as he floated into the sky with Jean's coffin, vanishing from sight.

After a moment, Ethan opened the coffin and looked at Jean Grey lying inside. "The phoenix is reborn from the ashes; perhaps this is possible?"

He summoned the Great Flame Ring, forming a fireball that he compressed until it became a small, searing purple flame. He pressed it to her wound, letting the energy sink into her body. Purple and golden flames enveloped Jean as she levitated, her body absorbing the Phoenix Force.

Ethan found himself in a mysterious space, facing a fiery phoenix. Its destructive energy was palpable. The power of the fourth level, he thought, noting how its strength surpassed even atomic manipulation.

A woman appeared in the light—a confused Jean Grey. "Who are you?" she asked.

"Jean, do you want to leave this world?"

"May I?" she asked, bewildered.

Ethan extended his hand to her, sensing her turmoil. The power of Professor X's mental barriers had been broken, and her memory slowly returned.

Professor X's psychic projection appeared. "Ethan, her other personality is a danger to all humans—even you."

Ethan shrugged. "Your physical body is gone; a strong enough mental hit could keep you from staying in this form much longer."

"Indeed. I have no intention of fighting you, Ethan," Charles sighed. His projection vanished, leaving Ethan alone with Jean.

He reached out, taking her hand as they faced the chaotic storm together. Ignoring the lightning and thunder, he led her out of the mysterious realm.

Back in the real world, Ethan looked at the newly revived Jean, noting her powerful psychokinetic aura. He pressed down, forcing her abilities back into her body.

Jean opened her eyes slowly, confused and pained. She struggled with memories of her tragic past—of killing Cyclops and Professor X. She fell into Ethan's arms, overwhelmed.

"Why did you save me?"

"I didn't do it to save you," Ethan replied, watching her closely. "As host of the Phoenix Force, you are difficult to kill. If you truly want to die, I won't stop you. But remember—if you perish, the Phoenix Force will roam free, threatening Earth's destruction."

This, he knew, was the very reason he'd sought her out.

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