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The Erotic Phoenix Saga: Perspective	By : marvelmaster616 Category: X-men Comics > General Views: 7258 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own X-men or any other Marvel characters. They are the property of Marvel and Disney. I am making no money off of this. Please don’t sue.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
The Erotic Phoenix Saga: Affirmation
Chapter 5: Visions and Vengeance
Atop The Eiffel Tower
“Ohhh Scott! Like that! Do me…like that…atop the Eiffel Tower!” exclaimed a euphoric Jean Grey-Summers as she climaxed again.
Such an orgasmic proclamation would’ve been hilarious if it weren’t actually happening. Scott knew it was happening because he was sharing that moment. Jean really was bent over the rail of the vacant observation deck on the Eiffel Tower, completely naked and getting fucked in the ass from behind. He reveled in the feeling of his hard, throbbing member pumping into her tight depths. He was on the brink of orgasm too, but Jean once again got out ahead of him.
“Jean…mon amour,” Scott said, leaning over and whispering into her ear.
“Scott…your phony French accent is terrible,” she said with humored glee.
“I’ll make it up to you.”
“I know you will, dear husband.”
Scott laughed with her as Jean turned her head to the side so that they could share another loving kiss. His hands remained firmly on her hips, his rigid member still deep inside her ass and aching for another release. As their lips and tongues became entwined once more, he began pumping into her again, making his way towards another blissful peak.
How they ended up in Paris was somewhat of a blur – a beautiful, wondrous blur that involved tapping more of their shared cosmic power. It started with the unfortunate, but hilarious incident that unfolded in the Presidential Suite at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. He and Jean thought they could get away with sneaking into an unoccupied room, making love in the master bedroom, and sneaking out before the cleaning staff or some high rollers could find them. That ended up being a mistake, but one they turned into an opportunity.
They escaped the suite without incident via telekinetic flight, but left their clothes behind, rendering them naked as they flew over the skies over Las Vegas. It would’ve been easy to just fly back to their hotel, get a change of clothes, and celebrate their marriage in other intimate ways. Prior to their encounter with the Phoenix Force, Scott probably would’ve suggested that.
Now, armed with cosmic power and a newfound perspective on intimate connections, Scott formulated another plan with his wife. If they had the ability to fly around naked in the protective flames of the Phoenix Force, why not make use of it? Jean was so excited at the idea that she just said the first city that came to mind and they made that their destination. That was how they ended up in Paris. How they ended up making love atop the observation deck was where it started to get fuzzy.
‘The Phoenix has given us a chance to go where we haven’t gone…experience what we haven’t experienced…love in ways we haven’t loved. Come with me, Scott. Pursue this love with me!’
Those had been Jean’s exact words as they flew across the Atlantic Ocean at hypersonic speeds, the Phoenix Force letting out joyous cries every step of the way. Scott held her hand every step of the way, right up until they landed on the observation deck of the Eiffel Tower. Since it was the middle of the night in that part of the world, the deck was closed and they had it all to themselves. They took full advantage of the situation, as well as their nude status.
It started with Scott going down on Jean, lying her out on the floor so she could admire the Parisian sky while he ate her pussy out. Then, he got on top of her and made love to her until they both climaxed, making sure they were especially vocal when they proclaimed their love into the balmy night air.
After that, Jean took the initiative, standing him up against one of the guard rails and giving him a blowjob. Shortly after that, he bent her over and took her from behind, shoving his cock into her ass and letting her admire the Paris skyline as they celebrated their love with more elaborate sex acts.
“I’m…coming again, Jean!” Scott grunted.
“Yes, Scott! Come…come in my ass and enjoy the view!” said Jean playfully.
Scott thrust into her a few more times, shifting his grip to her swaying breasts for the final push. He leaned forward, resting his chin on her shoulder as he crossed that final threshold, achieving orgasm while gazing out over the dazzling skyline with his wife.
It was both pleasurable and awe-inspiring on multiple levels. Once again, his member throbbed within her depths as he released a fresh load of his manly fluids into her. Hot surges of pleasure followed. As he took in the feeling, Jean took his hands in hers, interlocking their fingers and gazing out over the city. He was still breathing heavily, their naked bodies still shuddering from their heated lovemaking, but the added spectacle before them made it truly special.
“Making love to my beautiful wife…here, in Paris, on top of the Eiffel Tower,” Scott said distantly. “Wow! It’s amazing, even when I say it out loud.”
“I know. It still hasn’t sunk in for me either,” said Jean.
“Which part? Us being married, in Paris, or making love with the aid of a cosmic force?”
“All of it,” she answered, “but I’m starting to grasp the deeper meaning…the importance of life, love, and connection.”
“It’s a hell of a meaning,” he said, “and a hell of a foundation for our marriage.”
“That’s for sure!”
They shared another kiss. Scott withdrew from her depths, but continued embracing his wife from behind, their fingers remaining entwined. Together, they just admired the night sky over Paris, the lingering halo of the Phoenix Force keeping their naked bodies warm.
There was still so much to process. What they’d done since their encounter with the Phoenix and what they were capable of doing with their newfound perspective remained unclear, but full of potential. Neither he nor Jean had contemplated what they would do after their honeymoon ended, but for once, Scott wasn’t ready to think that far ahead. He had a chance to celebrate the love he had with Jean Grey and he was going to enjoy it to the utmost.
“So…where do you want to make love next?” Jean said, breaking the silence of the crisp night air.
“Do I get to pick anywhere? Anywhere at all?” asked Scott, his mind still dazed with passion and ecstasy.
“Anywhere the Phoenix Force can take us,” she said, “which I guess is pretty much anywhere on this planet.”
Jean laughed while Scott contemplated his next move. For a moment, he was paralyzed by the opportunity before him.
He wasn’t used to so many choices. He wasn’t used to having so much control over everything. From his powers to his emotions to his overall direction in life, he rarely got to decide anything on his own terms, whether it was serious or for fun. With his beautiful wife in his arms and the power of the Phoenix Force guiding them, Scott Summers dared to let his imagination run wild.
“Let’s try Italy next,” he said, jumping at the first locale that came to mind. “Let’s get some fancy food and make love on top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa!”
“That sounds like the greatest plan you’ve ever had, Scott Summers,” said Jean, already beaming with excitement.
“This time, mind if I fly this cosmic force?”
“We share the power of the Phoenix Force and you are a skilled pilot, last I checked, so go for it!”
Flushed with great confidence and immense encouragement by his wife, Scott tapped the power of the Phoenix Force and ascended back into the night sky. Still holding his wife’s hand, he guided them towards the south and west. Their next romantic destination awaited, along with plenty more opportunities for passion.
‘Paris…Italy…anywhere in the world. Our passions are unburdened and unhindered. With the power of the Phoenix Force, we can fly anywhere in the world and be comfortably naked every step of the way. Let’s see just how far we can take it!’
Limbo – The Pit of Broken Souls
‘Listen very closely, Emma Frost. In order to escape, you must do exactly as I say. There are places in this stronghold that few know about…places I’d hoped to never venture. To return to your world, you’ll have to go there and unlock my last failsafe.’
Desperation tended to turn the most egregious liars into honest souls. Emma Frost knew that as well as anyone who’d spent more than a day in the Inner Circle. She just wasn’t used to being the desperate one. She sensed Belasco – a powerful sorcerer and co-creator of the Goblin Queen, apparently – wasn’t used to it either. That made him the key to her escape and her the key to his vengeance.
It was an uneasy, but unavoidable alliance that had to pan out. Emma had just experienced in a very direct, exceedingly lurid manner the agenda and tactics of Madelyne Pryor. That deranged woman had attacked her body, her spirit, and the very persona that she’d forged from years of struggle and strife. She’d been stripped naked, subdued, and gangbanged by her army of obedient, well-endowed minions. She came so close to breaking her…too close on too many levels.
However, Emma Frost did not break. At the last possible moment, she defied a woman who was holding all the cards and wielding all the power. In a place like Limbo, such defiance caused quite a bit of upheaval. It also made her a target for the Goblin Queen’s vast forces.
“After her! Don’t let her get away!” Madelyne shouted, her voice seeming to echo in every direction. “She is an affront…an insult to fate!”
“Come at me all you want, demon bitch,” Emma said under her breath. “I promise I’ll be more than just an insult.”
The White Queen – or former White Queen, as the rest of the Hellfire Club had been defeated – sprinted at full speed down the winding corridors of castle-like structure. It didn’t help that she was still naked, her clothes having been ripped off and shredded by Madelyne’s minions. Parts of her still ached from the gangbang at the hands of her goblin studs. Her skin still reeked of cum and sweat. She had to shut all that out to get to the lowermost floor of the structure.
At the same time, she could hear the ear-splitting screeches of Madelyne’s goblin minions echoing through every corridor. They’d been chasing her since she decked the Goblin Queen in the jaw and started running. They might have been terrifying, but they weren’t very smart. Emma was able to outmaneuver them, weaving through the winding halls, using Belasco’s guidance to get her to her destination.
‘You’re almost there, Emma,’ Belasco told her through a psychic connection. ‘The Pit of Broken Souls should be just up ahead.’
‘That sounds so inviting,’ Emma replied dryly. ‘Just how is it going to help me get out of here?’
‘There’s only so much I can explain. This place was a repository damaged or discarded soul energy. It is here where I gathered the bits and pieces necessary to make Madelyne’s soul.’
‘And you did a great fucking job. You’re trapped in some sort of magic coma and I’ve got goblin jizz in my hair.’
‘Believe me. I never meant for it to go so horribly wrong. My magic and Sinister’s science…I thought I could combine them both to create a unique being. Most broken souls end up as goblins. Most mutants end up imperfect. Those are Sinister’s words, not mine, by the way.’
‘I’m still insulted, but too pissed off to care’ quipped Emma.
‘You’ll need to stay that way, I’m afraid. Every breath Madelyne draws deepens a larger perversion between our realms. Everything about her – from her soul to her DNA to the purpose that drives her – it should not be. Neither I nor Sinister are in a position to stop her.’
‘Are you going to tell me that I – the White Queen of the Hellfire Club – am the last hope to defeat this crazy bitch?’
‘No, but you are in a position to hinder her efforts. Whether it’s out of duty or spite, someone must oppose her. Such chaos and madness cannot…must not persist.’
It still felt like Emma was just playing a role in someone else’s conflict. She resented being a pawn. She’d worked so hard to rise above the agendas of others. Even if it was only to impose her own, she became the White Queen because she sought her own path to prominence.
That path had changed and with every step she took, it felt like she could never go back. Madelyne defeated the Inner Circle. She nearly broke her body, mind, and spirit. She made it so Emma could never be the queen she once was and that only motivated her even more to fight back. However, doing so meant escaping Limbo and that required her to play a role for Belasco.
She continued following the sorcerer’s psychic guidance, making her way down several flights of stairs and passing through some narrow walkways. Eventually, she arrived at what appeared to be the entrance to a chamber. It was a large wooden door with rusty hinges, looking like it hadn’t been opened in years. It also had an ominous symbol carved into it, resembling a goblin surrounded by a fiery halo.
With the screeches of Madelyne’s goblins drawing closer, Emma tried to open it. At first, it didn’t budge and she instinctively began banging on it.
“Damn it! This damn thing better not be locked!” Emma shouted.
‘It isn’t. Place your hand on it and close your eyes.’
“If I weren’t running around naked, reeking of sweat and cum, I’d curse you out, Belasco!”
‘And I would deserve it.’
Groaning impatiently, Emma did as the sorcerer asked. Shutting out the cries of the approaching goblins wasn’t easy, but desperation kept her motivated. As the creatures drew closer, she felt a presence in her mind speak through her.
“By the ashes of S’ym, open!” Emma said in a voice that didn’t sound like her own.
Almost instantly, the symbol on the door glowed bright purple and the door opened itself. Emma clutched her head briefly, not at all appreciating Belasco’s exploitation of their psychic connection.
“Aagh! Don’t ever do that again!” she shouted. “Speaking through telepaths like that is uncomfortable!”
‘I’m sorry discomfort is necessary to save your fragile soul, Emma Frost. But I was the one who placed the barrier spell on this chamber. Only I could open it.’
“I’m still pissed at you!”
‘Wait a few seconds and let me know if you feel the same way.’
Her head pounding, still disoriented from the old man’s tricks, Emma turned to see a wave of snarling goblins charging down the corridor. However, before they could make it halfway, a purplish wall of light formed around the open door. When the creatures tried to attack it, they were stopped dead in their tracks. They tried clawing at it, but to no avail.
It finally gave Emma a chance to catch her breath. Looking back at the barrier, noticing that it was the only way in or out, she felt some measure of assurance. However, she still remained skeptical of her tenuous ally.
“Okay, I’m slightly less pissed,” Emma conceded while leaning on a nearby wall for support.
‘That’ll have to suffice. Now, head over to the pit. From there, your path home will forge itself…relatively speaking.’
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Emma tried to get more information from Belasco, but he’d gone silent. The psychic connection had disappeared. She didn’t know if he’d purposefully severed it or had just finally passed away. In a place like Limbo, he could’ve suffered any number of fates.
Emma refused to concern herself with someone like Belasco. He was, by his own admission, partly responsible for Madelyne Pryor’s creation. He seemed resigned to his fate. Emma was not yet ready to surrender hers.
“Guess I’m on my own…again,” she mused.
Determined and still very sore from her lurid ordeal, Emma left the goblin hordes to claw at the barrier while she approached the circular pit in the center of the chamber. There wasn’t much to it. The area looked like it had been some sort of arcane research area, complete with rotting tables full of empty containers and dusty books that had mostly decayed. The walls were covered with symbols and etchings, many of which were faded. It was lit only with a few lit torches, some of which looked ready to go out.
There were also signs that the chamber had been the site of some destructive events. Emma also noticed that a sizable chunk of the area had been charred black, possibly during the process that forged Madelyne’s devious soul, as Belasco mentioned. Having dealt with magic-wielders like Selene, she knew how volatile mystical forces could be. She also knew they were capable of immense feats, often at a high price.
Not worrying about that price, she stepped over the debris and stood at the edge of the pit. Looking down into it, she saw only an inky darkness. However, her presence seemed to trigger the volatile forces within. From the darkness, a yellowish light emerged and pool of energy formed before her.
“The Pit of Broken Souls has awakened,” hissed an inhuman voice. “A soul not of Limbo is present. Who dares agitate the order of realms?”
“My name is Emma Frost and I’ll agitate as much as I damn well please,” Emma replied, already annoyed with the pit’s attitude. “Whatever you are, know that I did not come here willingly. I was dragged here by some goblin-loving bitch and fucked like a cheap whore by her minions. You clearly don’t want me here and I want out. So get on with it!”
The light in the pit flickered. She couldn’t tell if there was a presence inside it. For all she knew, she was talking to the mystical equivalent of a voicemail. Looking behind her briefly, she saw Madelyne’s goblins still clawing at the barrier. It looked like it was holding, but she didn’t assume it could hold them indefinitely.
“You speak a harsh truth. The foundations of Limbo are already cracking under its weight,” the pit replied.
“I’m still waiting to hear why I should care,” said Emma.
“What you experienced was a perversion. That cannot be denied. However, to simply transport you without recourse would only deepen that perversion. To settle Limbo’s foundations, a price must be paid. Something must be left behind in order for you to move forward.”
“I don’t suppose seeing me naked would suffice. People pay good money for that.”
“The price cannot be so crude. In essence, there are two costs…one, you will know before you make it…the other, you will realize in due time.”
“Are you really trying to dissuade me? After what the Goblin Skank did to me?”
“No, Emma Frost. I am trying to warn you. Gaze into my power and see that which you must confront. As for the cost yet incurred…that is something you cannot know. Just understand that it will bring you pain…pain that will either destroy you or empower you.”
It was both ominous and vague. Emma had never been one to pay a price without knowing all the hidden costs. It was part of what made her a capable White Queen, as well as a savvy business-woman.
At the same time, she also understood that extraordinary circumstances warranted extraordinary risks. It was how she’d ascended the ranks of the Hellfire Club in the first place. It looked like she would have to take an even greater risk, just to survive.
“Whatever the cost…I’ll pay it,” Emma said intently, “as long as I make sure it costs Madelyne Pryor far more.”
The energy within the flickered again, intensifying to a point where the entire chamber was bathed in its power. Even the goblins attacking the barrier were taken aback by the display. Emma, however, remained undeterred.
“So you have said it…so it will be,” the voice in the pit said. “Gaze into the broken void of souls. Look upon the darkest taints of your soul. If you can stomach your greatest flaws…your gateway to freedom shall open.”
Emma only hesitated briefly before gazing into the blinding light. Turning back wasn’t an option. She knew, as well as any sentient pit, the sins she’d committed. She’d never let them hold her back before. She didn’t see how it could hold her back in such a desperate moment.
Through the blinding light, an image emerged. She still guarded her eyes for a moment, standing at the edge of the pit, ready to enter as soon as she saw her chance. However, as the scene came together she saw something she didn’t expect.
It started as a string of memories, consistent of the major events throughout her life. From her less-than-ideal childhood in a wealthy Massachusetts town to her mutant powers first manifesting to her ascension in the Hellfire Club, it all played out in vivid detail. It was one particular moment, though, that struck her…one that hit her hardened soul at its most vulnerable point and shattered what remained of the White Queen’s prestige.
“No!” she gasped. “Of all the memories…of all the terrible, deplorable things I’ve done…you had to show me that.”
In that moment, Emma Frost did something she hadn’t done in a very long time. She shed tears of sorrow. Hugging her shoulders, her naked body trembling in a state of overwhelming distress, she almost collapsed on the spot.
Then, she heard a familiar voice.
“Emma Frost!” yelled the Goblin Queen, who’d finally caught up with her attacking hordes.
Emma turned around to see Madelyne walk up to the glowing barrier. Her goblin minions eagerly stepped aside. She tried walking through, but the barrier kept her at bay. She still looked upset, her jaw bearing the mark Emma had left when she struck her.
Moments ago, Emma wouldn’t have hesitated to curse the deranged woman in the most profane way possible. Instead, she found resenting the Goblin Queen for a whole new reason.
“You’re officially my first mistake,” Madelyne said to her, “and I’d like to rectify it…brutally, if necessary.”
“Brutal, you say,” Emma said distantly. “You don’t know the meaning of the word.”
“I know you’ve been in touch with Belasco. He’s the only one who could’ve led you here,” she continued. “Open this barrier and maybe…just maybe…I’ll show some modicum of mercy.”
Emma just sneered at the deranged woman, looking frustrated as she stood behind the glowing barrier. Her goblin minions kept trying to claw at it. She doubted it would hold indefinitely, no matter what Belasco had told her. She had to make her choice and she had to make it now.
In front of her was her only way out. Behind her was a walking perversion in the most literal and figurative sense. The Inner Circle had once been a pillar of order and power. Madelyne Pryor just walked in and destroyed it all without a second thought. Ultimately, she ended up destroying much more than that. As Emma gazed into the glowing pit, watching the same scene play out again and again, she came to another painful realization.
“You almost broke me…almost, being a relative turn,” Emma said.
“Spoken like someone with a poor understanding of relativity,” Madelyne quipped.
“I built up a persona. I aspired to be the White Queen. I had every intention of regaining that title once I escaped. Now, seeing how little it ultimately got me…I cannot go back. I can’t…I won’t ever be that same person again. You took part of that from me. Now, I have to give away the rest.”
Emma took one last look at Madelyne, who remained annoyed and frustrated. She had a feeling that woman was only going to become more unhinged as she pursued her agenda. Having already made quick work of the Hellfire Club, there was no telling what other horrors she could unleash. For the former White Queen, it meant that escaping Limbo wasn’t the same as escaping the Goblin Queen.
“Your soul is as broken as shattered glass. Mine is just darkened by avarice and ego,” Emma said. “I see that now. If I were feeling less callous, I might even pity you.”
“Be very careful with your next words, Emma Frost. You may come to regret them,” Madelyne said in a menacing tone.
“Believe me, I have far greater regrets. Thanks to you, I’ll be leaving those behind. You’re still stuck with your purpose. I’ll choose a new one moving forward. Choice…that’s something you still struggle with, isn’t it?”
“Shut up!” Madelyne barked, banging angrily on the barrier.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” said Emma with a terse grin. “After everything you’ve done to me, expect my choices to frustrate you. You defeated the White Queen when you brought me here. Expect a very different, very motivated woman the next time we meet. Be sure of that!”
With that overt threat, Emma made her fateful choice and jumped into the swirling light of the Pit of Broken Souls. What happened next was a blur of swirling light and obscure perceptions. However, she could still hear Madelyne’s angry cries, along with those of her goblin minions, as she felt herself transported from Limbo. Even after everything she’d endured – the manipulation, the gangbang, and the utter destruction of identity – she found it very satisfying.
The Blue Area of the Moon – Lunar Surface
“Wow. What a beautiful sight,” said Scott in mix of awe and astonishment.
“Which one are you referring to? The Earth or my tits?” asked a humored Jean Grey.
“Both,” he said without hesitation, “and I’d like to keep appreciating that beauty.”
“After everything we’ve done? All the passion we’ve shared? And you still want to make love to me?”
“Put it another way. Many couples have made love all over the world. How many of them have made love on the moon?”
Scott Summers had always been bold in terms of pushing his limits and his abilities to complete a mission. Having access to a cosmic power in the Phoenix Force only made him bolder. His dedication towards loving her and expressing that love seemed to know no bounds in a very literal sense.
The idea of making love on the moon with the Earth setting in the background almost seemed like overkill. Had they not been so thorough in exploring their cosmic abilities, as well as their passions, Jean might have considered tempering her lover’s ambitions. However, beyond being hopelessly attracted to such boldness in a man, the promise of having sex on the moon just had too much appeal.
“You just can’t help but overachieve, can’t you?” Jean teased.
“Are you going to tell me that doesn’t turn you on?” Scott quipped.
“Shut up, kiss me, and let’s take one giant leap in the name of our love!”
With a beaming smile to go along with his glowing red eyes, Scott gladly obliged, kissing her passionately and taking her in his arms once more. Jean eagerly kissed back, wrapping her arms around his waist and letting their still-naked bodies press together as they stood upon the dusty surface of the moon. It felt like one of those romantic moments where the line between fantasy and reality disappeared.
The fact that they still had both the desire and ability to make love again was a testament to their cosmic-fueled passions. Before they’d arrived on the moon within the protective halo of the Phoenix Force, they ventured all over the world, taking in sights and making love at every opportunity.
‘Everywhere and anywhere…to the ends of the world and beyond…I love you.’
That loving sentiment carried them through many passionate moments in many exotic locations. Scott had laid her down and made love to her atop the Leaning Tower of Pisa, making use of the incline every step of the way.
Jean did the same, lying him on his back and riding his cock while atop the Great Pyramids at Giza. They ended up doing it on all three.
Together, they made their way across various landmarks in Europe, from the coast of Spain to heart of Moscow, Russia. Thanks to the Phoenix Force and some telepathic shielding, they easily found secluded areas in which to express their love.
They didn’t restrict themselves to countries, continents, or time zones, either. With each passionate moment, they sought another in a distant locale.
They flew over the African Savannah, sharing romantic and sensual moments in various clearings they found along the way.
They did it in the steamy jungles of the Amazon, the sounds of animals seeming to cheer them on.
They also did it atop the mountains of the Himalayas, on the summit of Mount Fuji in Japan, under the blazing sun of the Gobi Desert, in the marshlands of Southeast Asia, and along various beaches in remote pacific islands. They even did it on the snowy landscape of Antarctica, melting a good chunk of ice in the process. On the fiery wings of the Phoenix Force, no place was off limits and no limits could hinder their love. That included the moon.
“Take me,” Jean said to him. “On the moon…just you and me…no distractions.”
“In terms of capping off our honeymoon,” Scott said, “I don’t see how we’ll ever top this.”
“I’m sure you’ll keep trying, my love.
“Why? Because I’m such an overachiever?”
“No…because I know you love me just that much.”
He smiled lovingly back at her, caressing her face and drawing her into another kiss. A fresh halo of cosmic fire surrounded their naked bodies, once again reflecting the extent of their passion. While they had needed that cosmic power to fly into space and venture towards the moon, the Blue Area, as it was called, required no such protection.
Only the Fantastic Four had ever visited it, claiming it had once been a test site for an alien race. Jean remembered how Scott and the rest of the original X-men envied them for venturing into space. The idea that they had fulfilled that dream – and done it while naked and empowered by cosmic power, no less – made it even exciting.
‘I really do love you, Jean,’ Scott said through a psychic link as they kissed and embraced one another, ‘no matter where we go, how many times we make love, or how great it feels…I can never put into words how much I love you.’
‘With me, it’s the thoughts that count,’ she replied, ‘and yours, like you, are beautiful.’
That sentiment, which felt like it had been inspired by forces beyond the cosmos, intensified the passion between them. Jean could already sense the arousal building between them, both in the form of his stiffening manhood pressing against her leg and the moist heat growing between her thighs. She could sense it through their psychic link too, but there was little need for such subtleties at that point.
From that point, a round of heated foreplay followed. Jean pawed her lover’s chest while he fondled her breasts and butt, just as she’d come to love. They soon reached that special place where their bodies and minds acted in perfect harmony. No words or thoughts were necessary. They were ready to make love again.
Taking full advantage of the low gravity, Scott lifted her up in his arms and laid her down on her back on a clear patch of the dusty lunar surface. He even made sure they had a perfect view of the Earth, a fitting benefit from having a lover with such a tactical mind. He then got on top of her and Jean welcomed him into her loving embrace, spreading her legs and grasping onto his neck.
Their bodies aligned, the tip of his cock pressing against her wet crevice, they paused for a brief moment to take in the moment unfolding before them. After nearly losing each other, they had come so far and poised to venture even further.
“Jean…” he said distantly as he caressed her face.
“Scott…” was all she said back.
No other words were necessary. With another soft kiss, Scott entered her with a focused thrust and their flesh united once more. He was slow and careful, as if it were their first time again. Granted, it was their first time making love on the moon, but compared the many intimate acts they’d shared since embracing the Phoenix Force, it was quite basic.
In that moment, though, it was just what they needed. After traversing the world, exploring the breadth of their passions, and making love in so many ways, there was something refreshing about doing it in a simple missionary position. With her husband on top, thrust his cock into her and her under him, supplementing each movement with her legs and hips, it provided all the intimate bliss they needed.
“Ooh yes!” Jean moaned. “Like that! Make love to me…like that!”
“Mmm…so hot,” Scott said through labored grunts.
She let herself be extra vocal, knowing there was no one who could hear them on the moon. She soaked in every sensation, raking her fingers over her lover’s back and arms. Scott buried his face in her neck, nibbling on her ear as he felt up her hips and waist. With every movement, their bodies rocked. They even managed to kick up some dust, which seemed to bring energy to the desolate landscape.
With the glow of Earth in the background, it was a perfect scene for a pure expression of their love. Jean followed their basic, uncomplicated approach down the path of another orgasm. It came so easily, so much so that it was hard to imagine there had been a time when she and Scott were so reserved with their passions. That time hadn’t been that long ago. Now, their love and their sex life had evolved in profound ways.
“Scott…I’m close!” Jean gasped. “I’m so…so close!”
Her lover reacted by stepping up the pace, shifting his grip to her thighs and holding her legs apart at just the right angle so he could thrust in deep, hitting all those extra-sensitive areas in her womanly depths. When she crossed that final threshold, she grasped her lover’s shoulders and locked eyes with him as she achieved a climax worthy of a trip to the moon.
“Ohhh Scott!” she cried out.
She might have been a little too vocal, even for the moon. Scott didn’t seem to mind, though. She just smiled lovingly at her and watched her writhe in orgasmic bliss.
The physics of ecstasy worked just as well on the moon as they did on Earth. Her toes curled, her back arched, and her inner muscles contracted around his dick in a sweet release of bliss. It was as enjoyable as the many other orgasms she’d had with her husband since their wedding. Having it on the moon just made it more memorable.
“The first orgasm on the moon…wow!” Jean said in her euphoric daze.
“Quite a giant leap, isn’t it?” said Scott with a humored grin.
“You’ll see for yourself, soon enough!”
Jean didn’t linger too long in her orgasmic daze. Scott had once again valued the needs of others before his own, including the pleasure of his lover. Being the loving wife she aspired to be, Jean was determined to return the favor.
Still holding onto her lover’s shoulders, she flipped their naked bodies over so that she was on top while he laid flat on his back. Also, much like her tactically-minded husband, she made sure that he had a perfect view of her naked body and the Earth in the background. If she was going to make love to her husband, she was going to make it a spectacle.
“Wow! I like what I’m seeing so far,” Scott said to her.
“It gets better, my love,” Jean said playfully.
Now straddling his hips, his rigid dick still inside her throbbing folds, Jean began riding him with the same careful, but focused fervor that he’d utilized with her. Moist womanly folds slid effortlessly along hard masculine flesh. Every sensual motion carried meaning along with the pleasure. His loving gaze never diverted from hers, their hands finding one another as they shared an act of cosmic intimacy.
Together, they found just the right balance. After pushing themselves and the limits of their new cosmic perspective, a simple intimate helped complete the evolution of their love. They could soar together through, venturing to the farthest ends of the Earth to explore various acts of passion. They could just as easily celebrate that love together in a quiet, peaceful setting with just their hearts, bodies, and souls to guide them. Being able to complete that process on the moon just felt like a nice bonus.
“Life, love, and connection…fully realized and allowed to blossom.”
With the protective halo of cosmic flames surrounding their naked bodies and echoes of their new perspective reverberating through their spirits, Jean drew out her and Scott’s latest round of lovemaking to the utmost. They kept things gentle and loving, emphasizing the quality of every gesture of the quantity of the passion exerted. It made for a slower build towards ecstasy, but when it finally came, it carried with it a special kind of passion.
“Jean…I’m ready,” said Scott, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Me too, Scott,” said Jean with a loving smile.
Their fingers still entwined, Scott strengthened his grip on her as he held on for the final release. Jean kept the pace of their movements steady and thorough, working her tight folds along his length with extra care to evoke just the right kind of stimulation. She watched her husband’s expression contort in preparation for his release. She held his hands close to her chest, placing them on her breasts as she shared with him another intimate release.
“Jean!” Scott cried out as he came with her.
Even in the vacuum of space, the echoes of his voice carried unique meaning. There was something about hearing him cry out her name on the moon that resonated on a personal level. Jean wasn’t sure why, but it didn’t make the feeling any less satisfying.
Still holding her husband’s hands, she shared in the feeling as her lover writhed in orgasmic bliss. That feeling of his rigid cock throbbing inside her womanhood, coating her depths with his fluids, helped give her the push she needed to share another round of ecstasy with him. While wasn’t quite as vocal, she was certain they’d gotten their message across.
“I love you, Jean,” said Scott, short of breath within his impassioned daze.
“I love you too, Scott,” said Jean with a smile as glowing as any cosmic fire.
Smiling back at her, those glowing red eyes of his radiating with so much life and energy, they embraced each other once more and shared a tender kiss. Their intimate flesh parted, but their naked bodies remained entwined. Now lying together on the lunar surface, Jean resting her head on her husband’s chest while he kept his powerful arms around her, they shared a moment of tranquil peace together.
“We really did it. We just made love on the moon,” Scott said in a distant tone.
“Indeed, we did. How’s that for a honeymoon finale?” she said.
“You mean besides the best any newlyweds could ask for? What else is there to say?”
They smiled and shared a content laugh. For a time, they just soaked in the warmth of their naked bodies and admired the stars above. Neither one of them said a word. They were long past the point where they needed to remind or reaffirm the love they shared. Everything that had once held them back – their powers, their feelings, and their insecurities – was just a memory that they could leave behind.
She and Scott had left a lot of things behind since embracing the Phoenix Force. Being on the moon, seeing the Earth from afar in a way few others had, only added to that perspective. It reminded Jean that she and Scott still had a future to build together. It also reminded them that there was still a chaotic world awaiting them when they returned.
“It’s beautiful,” Scott said as he gazed at the Earth, “even after seeing it through ruby-quartz glasses, the whole planet at this distance…it’s beautiful.”
“That, it is,” said Jean, her head still resting on her lover’s chest. “It’s amazing to think that everything and everyone – every friend, enemy, and stranger – are all back there living their lives, not knowing how everything looks from afar.”
“I know. It’s so peaceful from a distance,” he went on, “but we know better than most how fragile that peace really is.”
“We did our part to protect it,” said Jean. “As X-men, we saved the world on more than one occasion.”
“More like several, but who’s counting?”
“I’m sure you’ve kept track in that tactical head of yours,” Jean teased.
“But we aren’t X-men anymore…not in a full capacity, anyways,” Scott said. “We’ve come a long way and grown so much, even before we fell in love. Being together like this, celebrating that love in so many amazing ways…I think it’s safe to say we have a firm grasp on how far we’ve come.”
“Yes, I’d definitely say so,” said Jean with a humored grin.
“That still begs the question, though. What about the future? What will we do with ourselves moving forward?”
That might have been the most pressing question that she and Scott faced. Their love and their connection was secure. Where they went from there was still uncertain. They’d built their lives with the X-men. For a time, Jean even built a life outside the X-men in college. Now, the idea of going back to either just didn’t seem right, given their new perspective.
They remained silent, still gazing up at the Earth and admiring its beauty. New perspectives had given them incredible insight on life, love, and connection. Applying it to a world constantly on the brink of destruction seemed next to impossible, even with a cosmic force. However, there was also a sense of urgency. The power and perspective granted by the Phoenix Force only meant they had a greater responsibility to use it for good.
“I still don’t know, Jean,” said Scott. “Professor Xavier was always the visionary. I was just the loyal soldier and student.”
“Oh come now, Scott. You were more than that,” said Jean.
“I know I tried to be. I embraced that vision and did my part as best I could. Now, with you and the Phoenix Force, I feel like we can do more.”
“We should do more,” added Jean. “That’s what Professor Xavier taught us. It was actually one of his first lessons.”
“But what does that entail?” Scott wondered. “The X-men protect a world full of hate and fear. We trust that they’ll keep protecting it without us. But just protecting something isn’t enough. How do you go about making it better?”
“Well, there’s an awful lot we can do with our power and perspective,” Jean reminded him.
“That’s for sure. What just need a vision of our own for using it. We can’t just get by with regular jobs while our friends fight to save the world. We have to make it worth saving!”
That was the part they were stuck on. Jean could sense Scott struggling with it. She struggled with it, as well. Neither she nor Scott had been dreamers on the same level as Charles Xavier. They’d never been in a position to chart their own dream. Now, they had an incredible opportunity with the Phoenix Force. They just had to figure out what they were going to do with it.
They laid in silence a little longer. Jean was tempted to just rest her eyes for a bit, if only to clear her mind and relax her body. Then, an idea came to her…one that didn’t need a cosmic perspective to appreciate.
“Jobs,” Jean found herself saying, “in a world we helped save…maybe that’s it.”
“What do you mean?” asked Scott.
With renewed energy, Jean rose up from the ground and grabbed her husband’s hand to help him up as too.
“Get up,” she told him. “I have an idea…one we can’t pursue naked, I’m afraid.”
“I’m all for new ideas, but our clothes are back in Vegas,” he pointed out.
“True, but there are alternatives,” Jean said curtly.
Tapping the power of the Phoenix Force, Jean waved her hand to summon its cosmic flames. In an uncanny display of power, the flames swirled around her naked body briefly. From them, some new attire materialized, consisting of a green and gold body suit with boots, a waist sash, gloves, and a distinct Phoenix emblem on her chest. It wasn’t quite the same as her old X-men uniform, but it had a similar style.
Scott was impressed, clearly approving of the look. Jean smiled back, the cosmic flames still swirling around her body.
“Now, you try,” she told him.
“I doubt I’ll look that good in a skin-tight outfit, but here goes,” he said.
With a similar gesture, Scott waved his hands to summon his own share of Phoenix flames. As with her, they swirled around his naked body briefly before forming a new set of attire. It was similar to hers, consisting of a red and black body suit with a Phoenix emblem on his chest. Unlike her, though, his included a helmet with a red visor similar to the one he wore on missions.
Jean cast him a look of approval, laughing somewhat as Scott admired his handiwork. Wielding the Phoenix was still new to both of them, but he they were learning fast. To use it responsibly and as part of a larger vision, they had to use it in ways beyond their cosmic sex life.
“Not bad,” Jean commented. “It’s more armor than I expected, but it suits you.”
“I’m a good at a lot of things, Jean. Fashion isn’t one of them,” he said with a bemused grin.
“It’ll have to do. Now follow me! To test this idea, we’ll need to find a random mutant in a very specific situation.”
“What kind of situation?” asked Scott.
“Trust me. You’ll know it when you see it!”
With growing excitement, Jean took off in a halo of cosmic flames. Scott quickly followed suit, flying by her side as they made their way back to Earth and all the conflict it contained. There were many ways with which to change the world, especially for two powerful mutants wielding a cosmic force. However, if her idea had merit, the smaller ways might ultimately be more effective.
Limbo
In every realm, torment was relative. What constituted suffering in one didn’t necessarily mean suffering in the other. A realm like Limbo was notorious for skewing the very concept of suffering. In a world dominated by broken souls, it took many forms that depended heavily on circumstances.
However, one concept that remained constant in every realm was that of failure. It didn’t matter what form suffering, ecstasy, or contentment took. Failure left every creature, from gods to insects, with a sense of loss and frustration. Madelyne Pryor had just learned that for herself.
“I should’ve damned your accursed soul even more, Belasco,” said a very frustrated, but still very determined Goblin Queen. “You just had to further complicate your failures. And then, like a goddamn coward, you found a way to escape my wrath.”
She wished Belasco could hear the anger in her voice. Unfortunately, she doubted the empty shell of a body he’d left behind could relay that message. She’d thought she put him in a coma so deep that he wouldn’t wake up until every realm had decayed into oblivion. The old sorcerer had managed to get around her wrath. It was a failure on her part and one she did not intend to repeat.
Still standing in the ruins of Belasco’s former stronghold, she watched what remained of his body disintegrate into dust. Madelyne didn’t doubt for a second that his spirit was still out there, but she sensed he couldn’t do much in his current state. He and Sinister had already failed at making her the mindless, obedient clone they wanted. Given her current abilities, rectifying that failure would be more trouble than it was worth.
That still left her with a purpose to fulfill and a lingering uncertainty on how to pursue it. She’d thought Emma Frost and the resources from the Hellfire Club would be the key. That had been another failure on her part. If she was to complete the goals that had been woven into her soul, she needed a new approach.
Fittingly enough, part of that approach might lie within the ashes of her failure. After the last of Belasco’s ashes disappeared, she turned her attention to her army of goblin hordes and the goblin studs that stood by them.
“You’ve proven capable at certain tasks,” she told them. “I’ll need you to be just as capable in the future as I formulate a new course of action. However, to complete my purpose on my terms, I’ll need more than just minions. I’ll need something more.”
As the Goblin Queen contemplated the possibilities, several of her goblin minions emerged from the structure behind her. Like the loyal creatures they were, they approached with their usual reverence. They also carried with them a small container that held the key to her next move.
“Is this all you could find?” Madelyne asked the undersized creatures.
They nodded and hissed. That was as clear an answer as they were capable of giving.
“I doubt I’ll be able to get more than four or five subjects out of it, but it’s a start,” she said as she casually took the container and held it up. “I still have access to Sinister’s technology. I imagine that Stepford Cuckoo Project he’d been working on with John Sublime will be adequate to make use of this material.”
As she gazed upon the contents of the container, a small glow emerged from within. In the desolate landscape of Limbo, such light might as well have been a shooting star that lit up the night sky. It represented one of the most precious resources for any realm and one she intended to exploit to the utmost.
“I doubt you realize the high price you paid for defying me, Emma Frost,” Madelyn continued. “You’ll know one day. I’ll make certain of that. I’ll also make sure you’re my only failure from here on out. To be what I need to be…I must succeed in aligning the desires of others with my own.”
Confident that Emma Frost would one day regret her choices, the Goblin Queen turned her attention to the other critical item that would aid her in her effort. It was a special drive that she’d taken from Sinister’s lab and kept close by since before attacking the Hellfire Club. Within the small handheld device was data on a few select individuals that Sinister had been monitoring. She didn’t doubt he had plans for them at some point. Now, their destiny would be entwined with hers.
“Thanks to my inept creator, I have everything and everyone I need,” the Goblin Queen said to herself. “They don’t know it yet, but they want to help me forge a new path. By the time I’m done with them, that is all they’ll want!”
Baltimore, Maryland
Every act of bigotry began as a byproduct of tragedy. Sometimes, the tragedy preceded the act. Other times, it led to one. In its worst form, bigotry incurred multiple tragedies while setting the stage for plenty more. Mutants knew that better than most. That included both former and current members of the X-men.
For a young mutant like Sally Blevins, bigotry and tragedy weren’t mutually exclusive. She was no X-man, nor did she aspire to be one. She was just one of the many mutants affected by the hatred and fear the X-men fought against. However, her unfolding tragedy was also a profound opportunity for Jean Grey Summers’ emerging vision for combating bigotry.
“She’s down there, Scott. I can sense her,” said Jean as she and Scott soared over downtown Baltimore in a halo of cosmic flame. “Sally Belevins – or Skids, as her former classmates call her – just turned 15 six weeks ago. That was shortly before her mutant powers manifested…and long before her stepfather started abusing her.”
“That’s terrible,” said Scott as he flew close by. “You picked up all of that by probing her mind?”
“I didn’t probe her mind. She is yelling out for help with her mind. She’s been living on the streets since her mother died by her stepfather’s hand. She’s just one of the many mutants suffering from hate and fear. The Phoenix is drawing us to her because her suffering can be alleviated, but not by inviting her to join the Xavier Institute or offering her a taste of cosmic power.”
“You believe there’s a better way for her?”
“Not better or worse,” Jean said, “just one that offers another path. It’s just a matter of giving her a chance that few others will.”
Jean could tell that Scott was curious, but skeptical. Being such a tactical person, by nature, taking a chance didn’t always sit well with him. She remained certain that he would see the merit of her idea through Sally Blevins.
Armed with both telepathy and the Phoenix Force, she and Scott descended from the heavy clouds that hung over Baltimore. It was a hot and muggy night. A nasty storm was brewing with thunder echoing in the distance. Those living on the streets were in for a rough night, but that didn’t have to be the case for Sally.
After emerging from the clouds, she and Scott tempered the fiery halo surrounding them. If they were to make a good impression on the young woman, they couldn’t arrive with a fiery cosmic bird surrounding them. One of the first lessons Charles Xavier taught them, as X-men, was to approach someone with compassion rather than power. As they flew over the downtown area, Jean sensed many minds navigating the crowded city. However, Sally’s mind found a way to stand out.
‘Need to find a bridge or something. Don’t think I can handle getting caught in the rain again. Damn it, why did that shelter have to kick me out? All I did was shield myself when some drunk threw a bottle at me. Seriously? One random force field is all it takes these days? It’s not fair!’
Her thoughts were full of growing desperation and simmering frustration. It was the kind of mentality that others like Magneto often exploited. Sally hadn’t gotten to that point yet. If Jean’s idea worked, then she never would.
“I sense where she’s going,” Jean said as they passed over a large building. “She’s heading towards the bridge near the river. There have been rumors about other run-away mutants residing in that area.”
“I don’t sense anyone there now,” said Scott. “Then again, you have more experience sensing minds than I do.”
“We should meet her there. Remember, we’re not looking to recruit her for something. We want to help her in a way that others haven’t.”
“And you believe this way will work?”
“There’s only one way to be sure.”
With both hope and confidence to guide her, she and Scott flew over several more blocks. Under the cover of darkness and haze, they didn’t draw much attention. That was critical. They couldn’t arrive as X-men or heroes. They had to approach Sally as a fellow mutant.
Finally, they landed in a clearing near a sewer outlet located just below an overpass. It was a dirty, litter-filled area covered in graffiti and rusty scrap metal. It should’ve been the last place for a desperate young mutant to run towards. As the first few rain drops started to fall, she only ran faster. They didn’t have to wait long before she arrived.
“Got to get there before it starts pouring!” Sally said as she hopped over an old fence.
“It’s okay, Sally Belevins,” Jean called out. “You don’t have to sleep in rain tonight.”
“Who’s there?” she gasped as she looked towards her and Scott’s direction. “What…who the hell are you? And what the hell are you wearing?”
The young woman was out of breath, anxious, and had little reason to trust a couple of total strangers, especially when they wore attire adorned with Phoenix emblems. It contrasted significantly with the dirty old clothes she had on. Her shirt looked like it hadn’t been washed in months and her skinny stature hinted that she hadn’t eaten a good meal in quite some time.
Jean and Scott kept their distance, at first. She didn’t approach them, lingering back near the rusty fence she’d just gotten over. She also took a defensive stance, her body suddenly taking on a glowing yellow force field, a clear sign that she had some experience using her mutant powers.
“If you’re looking to star something, I’m warning you!” she shouted. “I’m a mutant and I can defend myself. These force fields stopped my step-father’s fists so they can sure as hell stop you!”
“Please, Ms. Belevins,” said Scott in a diplomatic tone, “we’re not here to fight you.”
“How the hell do you know my name?” she asked.
“Because we’re mutants too,” said Jean. “Just as you can create force fields around your body, I can read minds.”
“So you just read my thoughts without asking?” she spat.
“I apologize, but you’ve been crying out for help with your mind. It’s not easy to ignore, especially when there’s something we can do to help.”
Sally remained skeptical, maintaining a defensive poise. Then, the rain started pouring a bit harder. That only seemed to further dampen her spirits. She was just a girl. She was in no condition to fight and Jean had no desire to let it get that bad.
In a show of both power and compassion, she gestured towards her with her hand. In doing so, she created a telekinetic bubble around Sally that diverted the rain. It was a simple display of her abilities, but it helped ease her concern. She didn’t look too impressed, but she seemed to appreciate not getting soaked by the rain.
“Okay, that’s just slightly better than an umbrella,” Sally said. “That still doesn’t mean I trust you.”
“We don’t need you to trust us. We just need you to listen,” said Jean as she approached the young woman. “My name is Jean Grey-Summers. This is my husband, Scott Summers.”
“I’d say it’s nice to meet you, but in my experience, people don’t approach homeless teenagers without an agenda.”
“I don’t blame you,” said Scott. “There are plenty of others like you out there…kids who are alone, lost, and abandoned.”
“And being a mutant often makes things worse,” said Jean. “People aren’t as inclined to help those they hate and fear.”
“Tell me something I don’t know,” Sally said bitterly. “Tell me anything that doesn’t remind me of why I ran away or why no one will help me.”
“I don’t doubt you’ve heard it all before. People claim to understand, but they don’t. They try to help, but not in the ways that matter. Not long ago, we might have done the same, but a lot has changed for us. I believe it can change for you too.”
“How? How can anything change for a homeless mutant girl with no money, no family, and three-day-old sandwich for dinner?”
There were already tears forming in her eyes. Even as Jean’s telekinesis protected her from the rain, Sally remained vulnerable. She could sense the anger and hopelessness within her, having nowhere to go and no path to follow. Her life was a tragedy, but it didn’t have to remain as such.
She and Scott briefly exchanged glances. He gave her a simple nod, trusting her to put her idea into action. With a mix of telepathy and the compassion she’d learned under the X-men, she approached the desperate young girl and offered a comforting gesture.
“It’s okay, Sally. What happened to you…what you’ve endured…it’s not your fault,” said Jean.
“Tell that to my dead mother,” she said bitterly, “or the racist asshole who kicked me out of the homeless shelter.”
“Those were tragic circumstances. You didn’t have any say in the matter. Things happened to you, whether it’s being a mutant or being a target for your step-father. You’ve never had an opportunity to choose your own path…to seek something better than fate has given you.”
“Is this where you pretend to offer me an opportunity?” she asked. “One that usually has a hidden cost?”
“We’re not pretending, Sally. We promise,” Scott assured her.
“He’s right,” said Jean. “What we’re doing is a result of many harsh lessons that we’ve had to learn. With hardship comes perspective and from that perspective, we’d like to put you in a position to make your own choices.”
Her hostility slightly waned. Her curiosity had been peaked. Sally finally let down her force field. She looked around at her surroundings for a brief moment. Then, she looked back at her and Scott. She had to know that her current path didn’t have much, in terms of opportunities. Whether by luck or fate, she had one emerging before her eyes.
“Okay, say I hear you guys out,” Sally said. “Knowing my life can’t possibly get more fucked, what sort of choices are we talking about here?”
Jean looked over at Scott, who was already smiling. They’d just completed the hardest part of her idea, convincing an embittered young mutant to give them a chance. If her idea had as much merit as she hoped, then the next part would be much easier.
“Follow me and my husband,” she said, extending her hand to the desperate young woman. “Come with us and we’ll show you!”
Several Hours Later
“We got one more batch of leaky containers over here!” yelled an urgent male voice. “You sure you’re okay, kid?”
“I’m fine. For the ninth time, my powers can protect me,” Sally said, rolling her eyes. “I can handle packages of scary-sounding chemicals.”
“Just making sure,” the middle-aged man replied. “Usually, we need at least 15 guys in hazmat suits to handle stuff like this. Trust me when I say Worthington Industries doesn’t take chemical leaks lightly. We’re not freakin’ Roxxon!”
“Tell you what. I’ll trust you if that check you wrote clears,” Sally replied.
“If it helps, I’ll throw in pancakes and milkshakes at the nearest 24-hour diner. For all the time and frustration you’re saving me, you’ve definitely earned it!”
Sally “Skids” Belevins finally cracked a smile when she heard that. The man, a senior manager of operations at one of Baltimore’s busiest ports, smiled back as he guided her through a sensitive, but necessary process for which her mutant powers proved invaluable. What had begun as an opportunity for her had since become something much more productive.
Earlier that evening, before Jean and Scott had arrived in Baltimore, a ship carrying hazardous chemicals arrived at the port just as the storm rolled in. Choppy seas and crowded sea lanes had resulted in several containers breaking under the strain, causing leaks that forced an immediate evacuation of the area. It shut down an area of the port that couldn’t stay shut down for long. That was where Jean saw both an opportunity and a way of cashing in an old favor from her old teammate, Warren Worthington III.
The deal was simple. She and Scott approached the beleaguered operations manager and introduced her to Skids. She briefly demonstrated her powers, showing that her miniature force fields could protect her from hazardous chemicals. Instead of waiting for a crew to arrive, she could help move the containers to a truck. In exchange, they would pay her a generous sum and give her a chance to get a stable job, complete with a better living situation.
The operations manager wasn’t too excited about the idea at first. He didn’t come off as an anti-mutant bigot, but he didn’t seem inclined to trust some homeless teenage mutant. A mix of desperation, as well as a personal call from Warren Worthington III that Jean had arranged, helped him come around. Already, Jean could see a new vision for her and Scott’s future taking shape.
“This is working almost too well,” Scott commented as they watched from afar.
“I know. You haven’t had to blast anything yet. It must be confusing,” Jean said with a tease.
“I don’t mind. In fact, I could get used to it,” he said with a bemused grin. “We helped that girl by doing more than just comforting her in her time of need. We gave her a chance to use her powers in a new way…one that help her build a new life.”
“A job that makes use of her skills combined a decent paycheck that can fund a new life,” Jean added. “You’re right. When you put it like that, it does make too much sense.”
“And it’s working,” said Scott as he watched Sally load the last faulty container into a sealed truck. “She’s even giving people who work here a reason to appreciate mutants. How often does that happen?”
“Not often enough,” Jean said, “but what if it happened more frequently?”
That wasn’t a question as much as it was a dare to dream bigger. Watching Sally finish the job, wipe the sweat from her brow, and get a grateful round of applause from a few anxious dock workers offered a glimpse of what was possible with a new perspective. As X-men, she and Scott had focused so much on just saving the world. The idea of building something greater had never crossed their minds.
It might have been another insight from the Phoenix Force, a cosmic being of both destruction and creation. It could’ve also just been common sense that no one had thought to exercise in a world filled with bigotry, fear, and mutant-hunting robots. Regardless of how much sense it made, the results were there for all to see.
“Done!” Sally called out after securing the truck. “The lock is engaged, like you said. The packages are ready to roll out.”
“That’s just plain uncanny,” the operations manager said. “Kid, do you have any idea how much time, money, and frustration you saved us? Thanks to you, I might actually get home in time to cook breakfast for my kids.”
“I’m suck at math so I’ll just use my imagination,” she said as she let down her force field.
“I’m not going to lie. I had doubts…serious doubts. But having a mutant like you on payroll, one who can come in and get into dangerous places like this…I don’t think you can put a dollar sign on that.”
“Maybe not, but it couldn’t hurt to try,” Sally said half-jokingly.
“Believe me, I’ll try,” the man said, “but I doubt Old Man Worthington will need much convincing. Billionaires like saving money last I checked. I doubt they care if mutants are involved.”
That sentiment seemed to resonate with Sally as much as the older man. After the truck was sealed and she returned to the safe zones located near the main gate, the man eagerly extended his hand in thanks. Sally still hesitated briefly, having had little reason to trust others to that point. She still shook it, though. Jean and Scott had given her both an opportunity and a new perspective on being a mutant. Now, she’d chosen to see where it led.
The rain was still pouring hard over the city, but their spirits had never been higher. What started as an idea had become very real. Jean cast a friendly smile towards Sally, who joyously waved back at them. She and Scott continued to marvel at what they’d just seen. Looking over towards Scott, she could already tell that the tactical part of his brain was working overtime.
“That man is right,” Scott commented. “Warren’s dad may be a tool, but he’s still a businessman. If one mutant can save him money or produce a little extra, he’s not going to care.”
“I doubt other billionaires feel differently,” Jean commented.
“As far as I’m concerned, this is a perfect proof-of-concept. We found a mutant in need, like we often did with the X-men. Then, we found a situation where they could use their powers in a way that’s productive for humans and mutants.”
“It also helps that Warren constantly complained at how his father pinched pennies on shipping costs. Finding one instance where it cost him wasn’t nearly as hard as I’d thought.”
“It might be the first time Warren’s complaining actually helped,” Scott went on. “He even mentioned he would personally get Sally a full-time job dealing with hazardous materials, complete with benefits and a new home.”
“And I didn’t even need to sweet-talk him like I used to,” Jean teased.
“There’s a lot to gain for both sides,” he said, his voice getting more serious. “Professor Xavier can fight for a world where mutants and humans co-exist, but to create a world where they can prosper…that’ll take something more.”
It sounded like he was formulating a battle plan for an important mission. That was usually when Scott Summers was at his finest. Jean had always admired that about him. It was even a turn-on in some cases. Even in the pouring rain, the energy and passion with which he approached new challenges showed.
As Sally rode off with her new friends and co-workers, Scott began pacing in a clearing near one of the empty containers. Jean sensed his mind racing faster than any cosmic force. When he finally stopped, he had an excited look on his face that boded well for the next phase of their lives.
“Scott, I can tell you’re about to burst at the seams,” Jean said. “Tell me what you’re thinking because this was just an idea. You’re the one who usually comes up with the plans.”
“This isn’t just a plan, Jean. It’s a vision,” he said. “Imagine something similar to the X-men, but focused less on saving the world and more on helping it work.”
“Sounds like you’ve already worked out all the details,” she said with a humored grin.
“It’s not just a place or a team or a random collection of mutants,” he went on. “It’s a mission for humans and mutants alike. We find mutants who need opportunities. We find people, places, and companies who have those opportunities. Their powers give them unique talents. Some can use them to save the world. Others can use them to earn a decent paycheck.”
“I want to say that sounds uncanny, but cosmic insight has already skewed those standards considerably.”
“We just need to give that mission a name and a vision that others can rally behind…something like the X-men, but with more than just peace in mind.”
Scott was on a roll, but he clearly wasn’t done. Jean swore she could see the glint in his eyes behind his ruby quartz visor. With growing anticipation, she watched him formulate a course of action as only a former leader of the X-men could.
Tapping some of the Phoenix Force’s powers for himself, which he was learning to master, he summoned a few balls of cosmic flame and directed them to the muddy ground. Using it and a bit of his optic blasts, he created a familiar symbol in the ground.
“Professor Xavier will keep saving the world with the X-men,” Scott said. “When it comes to creating something greater, that’s where we’ll do our part.”
“As what?” Jean asked as she gazed upon the symbol. “The unofficial job counselors for mutants?”
“Think bigger than that,” he said as he stood next to her. “Not the X-men…not a superhero team…an organization that makes connections to improve lives.”
“Life, love, and connection…in the form of a company,” said Jean as she connected the dots as well.
“Not just any company…X-Corp!”
When he said it out loud, it all fell into place. Scott even added extra emphasis to it by using his optic blasts to add more details to the symbol, making it look less like an emblem from their old uniforms and more like a logo in the mold of a company. It was akin to taking the perspective they’d gained from the Phoenix Force and turning it into a tangible plan.
It made so much sense. It felt so right. Looking down at the symbol and back at her husband, Jean felt a new kind of excitement. First, she and Scott had escaped the burdens of the past. Then, they began embracing the present as husband and wife. Now, they had a vision for the future that they could share with more than just each other.
“X-Corp,” Jean found herself saying, already embracing her husband, along with the name. “Connecting the perspective of the present with that of the past…I like it!”
“We’ll need a more detailed plan, a base of operations, and investors other than Warren,” Scott said, his mind still racing, even as he embraced her. “There’s so much we’ll have to do…so much we’ll be able to do.”
“We’ll find a way. We’ll succeed,” Jean said confidently. “It’ll be a better future for mutants, and, us. And we’ll build it together.”
“Together!” her love affirmed.
Brimming with hope and excitement, they shared a celebratory kiss under the pouring rain. Like Charles Xavier before them, they dared to dream. Thanks to their newfound perspective and the cosmic power that came with it, they were poised to build that dream. They’d come so close to losing one another. Now, their love and their future was more promising than ever.
‘Life, love, and connection…mending the wounds of a wounded past and charting a course for a better future. The flames of creation have never burned brighter. However, all fire requires fuel. Will ash from that fuel eventually subsume that flame? Only time will tell.’
Hellfire Club Manor – Two Years Later
“Ungh! I’m…I’m back,” groaned a weak, shivering Emma Frost.
It was like awaking from the longest nightmare, emerging from a dark, desolate domain like Limbo. The only difference was the nightmare had really happened. Emma Frost really had ventured into a world where dread, despair, and terror took tangible forms. Now, having escaped the grasp of the Goblin Queen and followed the guidance of Belasco, she’d returned to her world.
However, she was hardly the same White Queen she’d been before.
‘You almost broke me, Madelyne Pyror. You and the rest of Limbo…you came so close, but I didn’t let you. I took your worst and spat in your face. You left your mark, but I’m still alive…and still very pissed.’
It still took a moment to sink in. For a brief moment, she hugged her shoulders and caught her breath. She was still naked, parts of her body still reeling from the Goblin Queen’s lurid torment. Cold air blowing over her exposed skin sent shivers through her body. It was still a welcome change from where she’d come.
After jumping into the pit, it felt like she’d fallen off a cliff, plunging into a vast abyss of radiant energy. She saw and felt things that tore at her very soul. Even for someone who had clawed her way to the top of the Hellfire Club, it had been a strenuous journey. She still made it back in one piece, relatively speaking.
When she landed on a cold floor with a hard thud, the energy stopped and so did the visions. Upon opening her eyes, she found herself in semi-familiar territory.
“This…isn’t the Hellfire Manor I remember,” said Emma.
Still breathing heavily, she picked herself up and took in her surroundings. Near as she could tell, she was in the right place. She recognized some of the décor from Selene’s dungeon. However, there had been considerable changes since her trip the Limbo…too many to lend much comfort.
It appeared as though the whole area was being renovated. The walls and ceilings had been torn up in various places. Construction equipment and assorted debris littered the area. There were no signs of Selene’s various instruments of torture or Shaw’s obsession with Victorian architecture. All the distinct features of the Hellfire Club had been removed, leaving little more than the core structure.
It was a somewhat inglorious way for the once-powerful Inner Circle to fall, but Emma didn’t bother getting hung up on it. She was more curious about what had transpired. As she walked around the messy room, she quickly surmised the whole building was being torn down and rebuilt.
“How long was I gone?” she wondered. “Either Hellfire’s enemies knew some damn good contractors or something else is at work.”
Emma searched the messy structure for more clues, venturing through a torn down wall and into a hallway that had been stripped to the core structure. Upon reaching the nearest window, she gazed outside to see the familiar New York City skyline. She noticed it was late at night and a thunderstorm was raging outside.
“New York,” she said with a measure of relief. “I’ve never been so happy to see this overpriced, overrated city in my life.”
It was an upgrade, compared to Limbo. Compared to where she’d just come from, it might as well have been paradise. It set some of Emma’s concerns at ease.
Then, as she stood near the window, she noticed something crumbled up next to a stack of drywall. It looked to be a discarded newspaper. As soon as she saw the front page and the date, another piece of the infuriating puzzle fell into place.
“Two years!” Emma exclaimed as she picked up the paper. “I’ve been gone for two fucking years?”
Relief turned to frustration. While the time lapse explained the condition of the building, it also revealed that the Goblin Queen had found another way to screw her over. It was one thing to torment her with sex, pleasure, and gangbangs. Taking two years of her life away from her – and possibly much more, knowing that woman – only added to her resentment.
“That redheaded bitch just keeps finding new ways to screw me,” Emma fumed as she crumpled up the newspaper and threw it aside. “If she thinks throwing me two years into the future will do anything other than inconvenience me, she’s got another thing coming!”
The former White Queen was already running through the various logistics that awaited her. Other than getting a clean pair of clothes, she had to check in with her hedge fund and her assets to make sure nobody had taken them. She wasn’t too worried about that, though. Everyone in the Hellfire Club had contingency plans to protect their wealth in case they went missing. At worst, she would just have to pay some lawyers to tell the world that she’d been lost at sea for two years.
That was still the easy part. Even if she had all her wealth and power, Emma Frost had a new outlook on how to use it. The Hellfire Club was gone. Her aspirations as White Queen were no longer relevant. She had a new mission in life and a big part of that was getting her revenge on the Goblin Queen.
‘It would be so easy, regaining access to my money and using it to rebuild. I could probably start my own Inner Circle with me at the top, surrounded by pawns and servants who would do my bidding on a whim. Not long ago – definitely two fucking years ago – I would’ve jumped at that chance without a second thought. Now, things are different. Who I am, what I want, and what I intend to do…it’ll never be the same.’
Still gazing out over New York, the former White Queen continued to fume. She knew she wanted to get back at the Goblin Queen, but how to go about that remained. She barely knew anything about her, aside from what Belasco had revealed. If she was to get back at her, she had to learn more about her. She might also need allies.
As she pondered her next move, something else caught her eye. Not far from where the newspaper had been, she saw a stack of papers that looked like plans and brochures. Emma Knew a thing or two about real estate so she recognized an investment package when she saw it. However, what caught her eye wasn’t the symbol on the front page or the mission statement etched on the cover. It was the photo of a familiar-looking redhead, standing proudly next to a man in a suit with ruby-quartz glasses.
“Jean Grey-Summers and her husband Scott,” she read from the caption of the photo, “the founders and visionaries of X-Corp, the most successful non-profit in the world and a beacon of hope for human/mutant relations. I guess a lot can change in two years. She better be ready for more. Once she finds out about the Goblin Queen, she’ll either be my second worst enemy or my most important ally.”
The End
AN: This marks the end of the first book of The Erotic Phoenix Saga. What did you think? Are you up for a second? What would you like to see? Please tell me! Don’t forget to leave a comment or shoot me an email. I appreciate all the kind words and support this series has garnered thus far. I hope it continues. Until then, take care and best wishes!
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The Erotic Phoenix Saga: Perspective