“There is no immediate problem, but I have always felt that this matter should not end here,” Sebastian Shaw said thoughtfully, his analytical mind working through the implications. “If the person behind these disappearances truly has some purpose and is willing to take such a risk—operating under the danger of being discovered by both you and Charles—then they are not the type of person who simply gives up halfway through their plans.

Now that the incidents of mutant disappearances have decreased or even ceased entirely, there is only one logical possibility,” he continued, his fingers steepled together. “Either they have found other ways to do what they need to do to mutants openly, without requiring the kidnappings that would draw your attention. Or their goal has already been achieved, and they no longer need these activities that attract scrutiny to themselves.

Either way, I believe the person behind this matter is probably extremely dangerous to mutants.”

After listening to Sebastian’s analysis, Eric’s face grew noticeably more solemn. If things truly were as Sebastian suggested, then this matter absolutely needed to be guarded against with careful attention and consideration.

Eric nodded slowly, saying nothing more beyond that he understood and would remain cautious. Although he had seemingly retired to his pastoral life in Genosha, the Brotherhood of Mutants would reappear in this world whenever he deemed it necessary.

After conversing with Eric for a while longer, Sebastian turned and departed from Genosha, returning to his own concerns.

Time moved forward, carrying Sebastian back to Academy X where he resumed his meditations.

In London, England, Jean Grey walked the streets of the city, appearing to passersby as nothing more than an ordinary middle-aged man. Through the blessing and influence of the Phoenix Force within her, Jean could now affect the perceptions and senses of others on a large scale. She had become invisible in plain sight.

The previous battle with Sebastian had caused the Phoenix Force to enter a brief slumber, allowing it to recover its significantly depleted energy reserves. This temporary reprieve had also granted Jean the opportunity to regain some measure of her sanity, freeing her from the state of being an easily explosive and destructive force that she had become.

Jean walked directly into a restaurant, ordered food and drinks, and sat in a corner, consuming them with genuine hunger. Having regained some of her composure and self-awareness, she naturally began to realize that something was fundamentally wrong with her state. Having killed so many people through her actions and the Phoenix Force’s influence, Jean did not want to face and did not dare to confront the trouble and devastation she had caused. Like a frightened child fleeing from consequences, she cowardly avoided confronting her own mistakes and failures.

As Jean continued to devour her meal, a middle-aged gentleman in respectable and refined attire sat down across from her. He graciously handed her a napkin with a polite smile. Jean looked at him carefully, sensing he was not a mutant through her Phoenix-enhanced perceptions, so she was not particularly wary. However, his first words nearly sent the Phoenix Force within her into complete overdrive.

“Jean Grey, do you wish to escape the control of the Phoenix Force?”

Upon hearing this, Jean jerked her head upward, staring at him with sudden intensity. Golden cracks appeared across her face and neck, her visage once again radiating waves of fire and heat. With a single focused thought, she could tear him completely apart without even exerting herself.

You see, even without the blessing and power of the Phoenix Force, Jean Grey was an Omega-level mutant with unparalleled mental willpower and psychic strength. It would be easy for her to tear steel into pieces, let alone destroy a mere human. Although she could not understand why this other person had discovered her identity, Jean could sense very clearly that he was indeed not a mutant. This made him far more vulnerable to her power, yet somehow more intriguing.

The gentleman looked at Jean’s expression and chuckled softly to himself. Showing absolutely no nervousness or fear, he spoke again with calm confidence. “Jean, please allow me to call you that. I believe you should be able to maintain a certain degree of rationality and clear thinking now, should you not?

The Phoenix Force residing within your body is very dangerous, not only to others around you, but also to yourself in ways you may not fully comprehend. If you continue to allow the Phoenix Force to remain in your body indefinitely, then sooner or later you will be devoured and consumed by it. At that time, you will have no self remaining at all and can only become a puppet—a tool of the Phoenix Force with no will of your own.

If you do not wish to become a puppet controlled by the Phoenix Force, then please do not be so hostile toward me. I should be the only person in this world who can actually help you and help you break free from the Phoenix Force’s control.”

Looking at the other man, Jean was silent for a long time, considering his words carefully before slowly speaking. “Who are you? And more importantly, why should I trust you? I have learned not to trust easily.”

“My name is Nathaniel Essex. You can call me Nathaniel directly, or you may address me as Dr. Essex. I am a well-known and respected expert in genetic research and biological engineering,” he said, his tone remaining calm and measured. “As for why you should trust me… With all due respect, you do not have many people you can trust anymore, do you? That much is quite clear to me.

If you wish to break free from the control of the Phoenix Force, then I should be your only realistic possibility for escape and freedom.”

Jean’s golden cracks gradually faded as she considered his words. The illusory flames dancing in her eyes began to subside and dim. She looked at Essex more carefully, nodded slowly, and finally spoke. “I will go with you. However, if I discover you are deceiving me, I am afraid I will not be able to control the consequences at that time. You should understand this.”

What she said was not a threat, but rather a simple statement of fact and reality.

The Phoenix Force was derived from life itself and from emotion and will. If Jean experienced any major emotional fluctuation or shock, the Phoenix Force would inevitably run wild and uncontrolled. What she would do or might do at such a time was genuinely beyond her own control.

“Please rest assured, I will solve your problem,” Essex said with confidence. “You have my assurance on this matter.”

“May I ask how exactly you intend to solve it?” Jean asked, needing to understand his plan.

“I should have introduced this just now. I am an expert in genetic research and biological manipulation. I have conducted extensive research on mutants and have considerable experience in cloning and biological engineering. My plan is quite straightforward,” he explained methodically. “I will clone a substitute for you, and then I will use scientific means and genetic technology to transfer the power of the Phoenix Force to that clone.

You can rest assured that the clone is merely a carrier—a biological vessel—without self-will, consciousness, or true personhood, and will not become a real person with independent thought. Her body structure and biological condition will be similar enough to yours that the Phoenix Force will recognize her and accept her as your substitute and as its new host.

Since the substitute has no self-will and no emotions of its own to speak of, it can keep the Phoenix Force in an absolutely quiet and dormant state. The Force can sleep quietly and peacefully. As long as there is no external stimulation or disturbance, the Phoenix Force can be contained and kept quiet indefinitely.

This is my plan to help you achieve freedom. What do you think of this approach?”

If it were normal times and if Jean’s sanity were completely intact and undamaged, she would certainly reject this proposal outright. But now, under the pervasive influence of the Phoenix Force clouding her judgment, her will was not as strong as it normally was, and her thinking was not as complete and thorough. Since the plan sounded generally sound and reasonable, Jean felt it was feasible and achievable. Deep down in her heart, she desperately wanted to escape the Phoenix Force, and Essex’s plan seemed to offer exactly what she desired.

Taking a deep breath and calming herself with effort, Jean said to Essex, “Very well. I will do as you suggest. I will fully cooperate with you and do my very best to maintain the peace and stability of the Phoenix Force during this process.”

“Thank you very much for your cooperation,” Essex said, standing up and gesturing for her to leave. Jean immediately stood up and departed with Essex.

The two left the restaurant together and boarded a car parked outside. They drove to the basement parking lot of a building in London’s central business district and took the elevator directly down to the underground research institute. On the top floor of this hidden facility, a line of bold, sci-fi-inspired text announced its ownership clearly:

Essex Corporation!

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