Phoenix Takes Flight

In Xavier's School's infirmary, the afternoon sunlight fell across Ororo Munroe's face.

She lay on the hospital bed, cold sweat beading on her forehead. Chu Hang had just teleported her back. Her body still hurt, but her eyes were clear again.

Scott stood beside the bed, frowning beneath his red visor.

"Did he really do it?" Scott asked in a low voice.

"Chu Hang removed Apocalypse's mental brand?"

Ororo nodded, her voice hoarse.

"He was far stronger than I imagined. The boost Apocalypse gave me was like paper before him. He only used one finger..."

She could not continue. Covering her face, her shoulders trembled slightly.

Everything she had done while under control—the ruins of the Polish town, the sea of fire in Mumbai's slums, all those people who had died in the storms she created.

Hank pushed open the door and entered, carrying a cup of hot water in his blue, furry hand.

He handed it to Ororo.

"Where is Apocalypse now? What about the other Horsemen?"

"The Cairo Pyramid." Ororo accepted the cup, her hand shaking.

"Psylocke, Angel, and Magneto Erik. They're all under control, just like I was. Apocalypse knows I've been freed. He definitely will—"

A thunderous boom echoed through the school, cutting off their conversation.

Scott's expression changed as he grabbed the tactical visor from the table.

"Damn it, they came that fast!"

Hank rushed to the window. In the distant sky, two black dots were closing in at supersonic speed, trailing purple and golden streaks of energy behind them.

"Evacuate the students!" Hank roared into the communicator.

"Everyone to the underground shelters, now!"

Panicked footsteps rang out in the corridor. Kitty led several children through the walls as she ran, while flames flickered from John's palms.

Ororo struggled to sit up, but Scott pressed