PART 2:
NEW YORK CITY
7:42 PM EST | 2/13/13
"Armor's out! We're falling back!"
Cyclops blasts through telescopic tentacles and boundless ammunition as he orders the retreat. The objective was met - Jean had found Armor, Laura had taken her, and the only thing left was to survive. "Forge, cover fire!"
"You got it!" the engineer shouts back, plasma bullets watching as the X-Men slowly but surely pull from the melee. The august hall of the Hellfire Club grows thick with smoke and flame as its fine carpets and tapestries burn. Deathstroke, above the crowd, aims carefully through his sights, unclouded by the distractions all about. Jean Grey, the Phoenix, is in his sights.
Sebastian Shaw calmly approaches from behind, whispers in his ear. "We're done here. Take the shot."
Wilson responds, voice thick with satisfaction: "My pleasure."
The crack of a rifle. A cry from the smoke-clogged room. Her leg turns red with blood.
"JEAN!" cries Scott, firing bursts blindly as he charges to her aid. "Don't move, I'm coming!"
"I'm okay," she mutters, teeth clenched, "it's just... ugh... Scott..."
"Don't talk. You'll be fine. I'm getting you out of here... the Professor is nearby." He takes her in his arms.
"No, no, Scott, I'm fine. It's just..." She screams, clutches herself, writhes. "It's...
it's here."
Her eyes blaze, and in an instant, there is only flame.