Shin sneered, casually dragging the massive lightning ball through the air, ready to unleash it.
"Wait!" Storm shouted, stopping him urgently. With the power of that giant lightning ball, larger than a stadium, if it hit, the destruction would be more terrifying than a nuclear bomb. Except for a few high-level mutants, there might be no survivors in Cairo.
Not only could Professor X be among those present, but many mutant allies had also gathered here. Even accounting solely for the ordinary slaves, the X-Men, known for their moral standards, would never permit such a massacre.
Even Magneto's Brotherhood, rarely in agreement with the X-Men, stood on the same side this time. After all, they also had mutants among their ranks. If that ball hit, the mutant community would suffer irreparable losses.
Aside from the brainless Sabretooth, both Magneto and Mystique, as well as the seemingly dim-witted Toad, were actually shrewd individuals. Regardless of the Brotherhood's reputation among ordinary humans, they had to maintain credibility within the mutant community.
The Brotherhood was already a chaotic mix of personalities. If they lost their image as defenders of mutant rights, they'd truly become terrorists.
Shin had only been briefly impulsive. He quickly regained his composure and, instead of throwing the lightning ball, casually pointed. Countless bolts of lightning exploded downward, crashing from the ball like a storm of divine punishment. Yet despite the intensity, the transparent shield below only rippled faintly, showing no signs of collapse.
The group frowned as they watched. Shin glanced at Apocalypse, who stood atop the pyramid maintaining the shield, and felt a deep sense of difficulty.
If Shin used Kamui, he could phase through the shield. But descending alone to face Apocalypse and his gathered mutants would be reckless.
Breaking the shield by brute force would require an immense amount of energy. Even the resulting shockwaves could kill most of the people in the pyramid.
"Leave it to me," said one of the Jean Greys, stepping forward. The other Jean mirrored her actions. Without waiting for a response, they both extended their hands, conjuring flame-like energy that twisted into a blazing phoenix. The twin phoenix shockwaves dove down and slammed directly into the shield.
Silently, the once-imposing barrier dissolved, melting like butter under a blowtorch. Apocalypse reeled from the backlash. His vision spun as the fiery red phoenix surged toward him.
His expression shifted. Apocalypse quickly launched two waves of oscillating energy but they were effortlessly absorbed by the phoenix.
Without hesitation, he teleported and vanished.
What was this, energy absorption? Apocalypse didn't fully understand the Phoenix Force, but he could tell that the energy Jean Grey released was of terrifyingly high quality. If he made contact, he'd be reduced to ash.
The phoenix shot across the top of the pyramid. The entire summit vaporized instantly. With a sharp cry, the phoenix scattered into a constellation of glowing sparks.
Apocalypse stood frozen, muttering in disbelief, "It's the Phoenix..."
The ancient mutant deserved his reputation as one of the oldest. He knew more secrets than most. Long ago, a prophet who once saved him had left behind a list of the world's strongest beings before dying. Jean Grey was on that list.
He had once used this knowledge to manipulate Professor X. Although Charles was a top-tier telepath, the sealed Phoenix Force inside Jean Grey had made him hesitate. That hesitation had allowed Apocalypse to capture him.
But... how long had it been since then? Jean Grey couldn't control the Phoenix Force even with the seal back then, yet now she wielded it freely?
Regardless, the facts were undeniable. Two Jean Greys were now flying through the air toward him.
Apocalypse was stunned... Jean Grey had somehow split into two entities!
Each of them only wielded half of the Phoenix Force, but that suited their current level. In fact, sharing the power enhanced their efficiency in battle. Even if Jean had access to more of the Phoenix Force, she wouldn't be able to control it yet.
In terms of abilities, Jean had only two techniques. One was releasing the Phoenix Force in a blazing, bird-shaped wave like the one that vaporized the pyramid's top. The other was disintegration, similar to the Dark Phoenix's destructive power in the movies.
But two moves were enough.
Even though Apocalypse had molecular manipulation and energy absorption abilities, powers that theoretically countered Jean, there was no comparing him to the sheer might of the Phoenix Force.
Physical attack? Energy wave? The Phoenix Force dissolved it all. Defense? Jean extended her hand, shaped a phoenix from it, and vaporized it.
Apocalypse threw every trick he had, seven or eight mutant abilities, but none worked. He was battered and fled in desperation. Mister Sinister, the White Queen, Arclight, and Psylocke, his so-called Four Horsemen, were forced to retreat.
It was a shame. Jean's attack and defense were overwhelming, but her speed lagged behind. Otherwise, Apocalypse and his Horsemen would have already been reduced to ashes.
"Damn it! You've forced my hand!" Apocalypse roared as he fled deeper into the pyramid.
Above, the mutants and Brotherhood members exchanged glances. It was starting to feel like they weren't even needed, Jean Grey could defeat Apocalypse alone.
Seeing him flee, Jean quickly pursued. She had to chase them because Professor X's status was still unknown.
Cyclops began ordering the reserve X-Men to clean up the battlefield.
Most of the outer mutants and civilians had been incapacitated by the lightning, making it a suitable task for the trainees.
Meanwhile, Magneto, sensing an opportunity, turned his attention to the remaining Horsemen.
"Emma," he called, "are you still following that relic? His ideas are outdated in modern society. Apocalypse is just another mutant, you don't really think he's a god, do you?"
Among the Four Horsemen, the White Queen Emma had some past connection with Magneto and had even been part of the Brotherhood before. The remaining two, Arclight and Psylocke, were not known for their critical thinking.
Magneto, ever the opportunist, decided to recruit them again.
After a moment, Emma stopped. Psylocke and Arclight exchanged uncertain glances, clearly conflicted.
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