Chapter 48 : Jean Grey!

"Carl, is Jean really not dead?" Storm, seated inside the high-altitude supersonic flight fighter, wore a dazed expression, still reeling from the news that Jean might be alive.

Wolverine, occupying the co-pilot seat and dispatched to rescue Scott upon receiving the urgent call, shared Storm's confusion.

Carl, as a last resort, reiterated what he had conveyed to Professor X earlier.

Before Carl could finish, Storm voiced her lingering doubts, "Carl, how does Scott's ability aid in stabilizing Jean's mental state?"

A myriad of questions, where do they all stem from? Carl lamented inwardly.

Responding with a hint of peculiarity, Carl explained, "Mr. Ororo, haven't you perused the core information of the school? There's a section about you in the personal files compiled by the professor."

"Well... I haven't delved into it. Those academic pursuits and materials never piqued my interest," Storm calmly replied, unfazed.

Meeting Carl's gaze, Logan also shrugged, "Don't count on me either. I've little interest in such matters."

Storm hailed from an ordinary family background, with her mother being an immigrant Kenny, hence her limited education and lack of inclination towards learning.

As for Logan, being born over a century ago during World War I, he wasn't an avid reader and had little enthusiasm for scholarly pursuits.

"Alright."

Carl shook his head, continuing, "According to Professor Scott's records, his Optic blast ability is distinct from ordinary mutant powers, linking him to a source brimming with boundless laser energy."

"This energy is inherently pure."

"As for Miss Jean, there exists a formidable force within her. Its immense power has exerted a continual influence on her psyche and consciousness since childhood."

"Subsequently, the professor discovered that by absorbing Mr. Scott's laser energy, it effectively mitigates the impact of this force on Miss Jean."

"In essence, once that force is 'consumed,' it no longer burdens Miss Jean's spirit."

"I understand," Storm nodded contemplatively.

"No wonder you mentioned that if the force within Jean were to surge uncontrollably, I'd be compelled to act on instinct, risking Scott's safety."

One can easily envision the fate of a succulent roast chicken suddenly presented before a ravenous Beast, starved for three years. Indeed, the outcome for such a delectable treat requires little speculation.

Cough cough! Scott is by no means a roast chicken.

As Carl and the trio raced to the scene, Scott, worn out from a day and night's journey on his motorcycle, finally crossed the US-Canada border and drew near Lake Alkali.

Along the desolate forest road, Scott, his face weathered and beard unkempt, sped on his motorcycle at nearly 100 kilometers per hour.

The scenery flashed past him on either side.

After what felt like an eternity, a glimmer of light ahead signaled his emergence from the forest onto a desolate mountain path.

In the distance, a wide river stretched out.

Scott's expression shifted slightly as he recognized the river's terminus as the lake that had haunted his thoughts.

With the chill mountain breeze brushing against him, after several minutes, an expanse of water stretched before Scott, prompting him to halt his motorcycle involuntarily.

Gazing blankly at the vast lake, memories inundated Scott's mind.

After a prolonged moment, he sighed heavily, parking his motorcycle at the roadside, dropping his backpack, and trudging slowly toward the lake, a sense of melancholy enveloping him.

"Scott!"

Suddenly, a somewhat familiar voice echoed in Scott's mind, momentarily startling him.

Yet, Scott shook his head, attributing it to his longing for Jean, dismissing it as a hallucination.

But then, another call pierced his consciousness, causing him to pause once more.

"Scott!"

"Scott…"

With the relentless persistence of the calls, Scott grew agitated, clutching his throbbing head, and stumbled towards the water's edge.

"Scott."

"Scott…"

"Stop shouting."

Scott roared angrily, his eyes blazing red, unleashing a torrent of fiery lasers that swept across the water, generating a violent shockwave and forming a curtain of water.

Boom!

In that instant, the tranquil lake in the distance erupted into tumultuous waves, growing larger and larger, as if a formidable entity was stirring from its slumber.

The sudden upheaval left Scott stunned, the laser light in his eyes fading away.

At the heart of the lake, a colossal whirlpool emerged, spinning furiously and churning up monstrous waves.

Simultaneously, a potent and astonishing surge of power erupted from the depths of the vortex, instantly painting the world in different hues, while the ground quaked.

Boom!

In that moment, a formidable burst of energy erupted, its radiance illuminating the world, rendering onlookers incapable of opening their eyes.

Within the dazzling brilliance, deep within the vortex of the lake, a figure that Scott could never forget slowly ascended—it was the deceased Jean.

As Jean Grey emerged, a terrifying aura erupted, solidifying the air with its potent and dreadful pressure, causing the surrounding water ripples to freeze in silence.

Scott's eyes widened, disbelief etched on his face as he gazed at the figure, his lips quivering: "Jean!"

Suddenly, Scott felt a rush of excitement as he fixed his gaze on the levitating figure.

Yet, in contrast to Scott's excitement, the resurrected Jean wore a somewhat stiff expression, her eyes holding a coldness as if belonging to a different person.

Silently, Jean flew towards the lake, halting before Scott.

Sensing the tangible presence of the person before him, along with the mixture of emotions of what was lost and found, Scott couldn't help but tremble with excitement, his mind filled with countless words he wished to convey.

And just as Scott was on the verge of expressing his overwhelming emotions, unsure of how to articulate his feelings for the past three years, Jean softly uttered, "Scott."

Then, she kissed Scott.

Suddenly taking the initiative, Jean caught Scott off guard with her affection.

However, before he could fully embrace the long-lost tenderness, he felt an immense suction force.

Under that overwhelming suction, the laser energy contained within his body gushed out like a torrent, instantly causing a drastic change in his complexion.

How could this be, Jean, it's me, Scott.

As he looked at the face so close to his own, and felt his strength being devoured by the relentless suction, Scott's face was filled with disbelief.

He couldn't comprehend why Jean would attack him?

With Scott's energy being drained away, the aura emanating from Jean's body became even more terrifying and potent, influencing the surrounding natural laws.

The endless water vapor was drawn towards the unknown force, converging and submerging the entire valley.

Simultaneously, some gravel slowly floated up from the ground, as if losing its gravitational pull.

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