InsaneJournal

WHO: Jean Grey & The Phoenix Force.
WHERE: Las Vegas, NV.
WHAT: A sacrifice.
WHEN: Mid-afternoon, Tuesday.
WARNINGS: Character Death.

Jean's body was on fire. Not the literal sense, not yet, but every atom was moving at a rate that was far, far beyond what was stable, every fission of psychic energy she was expelling to fight the Reaper was tearing her apart. She could not last.

But the Phoenix could.

I'm afraid, she admitted to herself, even as her body began to gave out, and the visible form of the Phoenix enveloped her with a fire almost as hot as the sun. The Reaper was damaged, badly damaged already, but then again, so was she.

I'm afraid to die.

'You always are,' the calming voice reminded her, that essence that had fused with her soul all those months ago. 'It's a natural fear, and I would expect nothing less of you. No one wants to die, you know.'

But I always do. Jean sounded petulant, even in her own thoughts. She didn't understand why she was chosen to carry this burden, didn't understand why on earth out of all the inhabitants, she was the one who had to be the living body of the Phoenix.

After all, they never live for long.

'You always do. And then you rise, Jean Grey. You are closer to what is needed here, it is true. But a true Phoenix must be reborn from the ashes. You fear there is no place to rest, no place to hold you. But there is.'

Even as reality began to melt away, as the heat became too much and the familiar sensation of simultaneously letting go and being let go began, Jean could see it.

The White Hot Room, waiting for her.

With her last vestiges of energy, she prepared a combustion that would end them both. Her final thought was broadcast to everyone as loudly as if she had shouted it, marking the last moment of Jean Grey, the Phoenix.

"I'm so sorry. I love you. Please wait for me."

She will rise.