The blazing beam of energy came from Scott Summers.
A high-energy optic blast erupted from his eyes, the crimson ray cutting through the air with terrifying force. The energy contained within the beam was incredibly dense, capable of immense destruction and piercing power. Among mutant abilities, Scott's attack was considered one of the most lethal.
The beam could punch straight through rows of armored tanks lined up side by side. If it struck an ordinary person directly, the result would be immediate vaporization.
But when the beam reached Ethan Cole—
He simply lifted one hand.
With a casual wave, the incoming energy was slapped aside like an annoying insect.
"Boom!"
The redirected beam slammed into a distant building across the street. A violent explosion tore open a massive hole in the structure, concrete and steel scattering into the air.
"What?!"
Scott stared in disbelief.
Even through the strange ruby visor covering his eyes, the shock on his face was obvious. This was the first time he had ever seen someone neutralize his optic blast so easily.
"Damn it! Who are you?" Scott shouted angrily.
Ethan glanced sideways at him with a faintly exasperated expression.
"I'm pretty famous," he said casually. "If you don't even recognize me, maybe you should stop talking."
He genuinely found the situation absurd. His name had already spread widely, yet these mutants still acted like they had never heard of him.
Were they blind?
"Jean! Come back right now!" Scott shouted urgently.
Jean's body trembled slightly.
Her eyes were still locked onto Ethan as if nothing else in the world existed. Ethan smiled at her calmly before speaking again.
"Looks like we have an interruption," he said lightly. "You should wait here for a moment."
As he finished speaking, Ethan suddenly stretched out his hand toward Scott.
A pale crimson glow burst into existence around him. The energy rolled outward violently, expanding like wildfire spreading across dry grass. Within seconds the blazing aura engulfed the entire rooftop.
Scott instantly felt an intense wave of heat pressing down on him.
Without hesitation, he fired another optic blast toward Ethan. This beam was even stronger than the previous one. The force of the energy carved a straight path through the crimson flames, pushing them aside and creating a temporary clearing.
Ethan remained completely unmoved.
He raised one finger.
Something strange happened.
The optic beam suddenly shattered in midair, breaking apart as if the energy itself had been dismantled.
Scott's body jerked violently.
An overwhelming force wrapped around him from all directions, binding him tightly in place. At the same time, a sharp burning sensation spread across his entire body.
Scott quickly realized something horrifying.
His suit was dissolving.
The fabric of his uniform began to disintegrate piece by piece, evaporating like snow under a blazing sun. Within moments his clothes vanished completely, exposing the skin beneath.
Then his skin started turning red.
The outer layer slowly evaporated away, revealing the bloody flesh underneath.
"AAAH!"
Scott screamed in agony.
Pain exploded throughout his entire body. It felt as if thousands of blades were slicing into him simultaneously, cutting from the outside and deep within. The unbearable torment made his muscles spasm violently.
"AAAH!"
He screamed again, his body stretched rigid by the invisible force holding him in place.
In just two or three seconds, his entire body had become a horrifying mass of blood and exposed muscle.
"No—!"
Jean suddenly snapped back to awareness.
Her eyes, which had been completely focused on Ethan only moments earlier, suddenly regained clarity. Brilliant red energy burst from her body instantly, surging outward like flames erupting from a volcano.
Her Phoenix power collided directly with Ethan's.
The two forces crashed together violently.
"That's better," Ethan said calmly.
A faint smile appeared on his face as he watched the scene unfold.
"No! Jean, stop!" Scott shouted hoarsely. "You can't use that power! It will consume you!"
Jean's body trembled violently.
Her lips shook as she stared at Ethan. Invisible waves of psychic pressure clashed around them, their mental forces colliding again and again.
The rooftop began to break apart under the pressure.
Cracks spread across the concrete. Chunks of rock burst apart like bullets and flew through the air. In some places the ground simply collapsed into dust. Elsewhere, flames erupted suddenly as the steel structures began melting from extreme heat.
"Jean," Ethan said calmly.
"You and I may have come from different origins, but the power within us is the same."
He slowly lifted his head.
"Now… I'll show you what the true power of the Phoenix looks like."
Ethan's body rose slowly into the air.
The crimson flames surrounding him surged upward and gathered behind his back. The blazing energy condensed rapidly, forming the shape of an enormous phoenix spreading its wings across the sky.
Jean and Scott both heard it.
A cry echoed through the air.
It was the piercing call of a phoenix.
The sound seemed to vibrate directly inside their souls.
Scott's body trembled violently.
By now his body was soaked in blood, and in several places bone had already become visible beneath the shredded flesh.
"No… don't…"
Jean watched Ethan's display in horror.
All her life she had feared the Phoenix power inside her. She had constantly struggled to suppress it, terrified of what it might turn her into.
Deep within her mind, another personality existed.
A darker self.
That personality had been created and nourished by the Phoenix Force.
Now, as Ethan displayed complete mastery over the power she feared most, the barrier imprisoning that darker personality began to crack.
Jean's thoughts became chaotic.
Her emotions spiraled out of control.
"Jean!" Scott shouted desperately. "Don't listen to him! That power is dangerous, but if you truly accept it with your heart—"
Ethan waved his hand casually.
Under Jean's horrified gaze, Scott's body disintegrated instantly.
He turned into gray ash.
The particles scattered into the air and vanished completely.
"No—!"
Jean screamed.
Clutching her head, she collapsed to her knees, wailing in agony.
.....
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