Multiverse: Deathstroke

Chapter 309: Ch.308 Weakness of Dark Phoenix

Chapter 309: Ch.308 Weakness of Dark Phoenix

Just as expected, they hadn't been flying for more than a few minutes before the massive firebird suddenly materialized behind them, not far away.

The sea below began to boil as if brought to a rolling boil, and countless marine creatures were instantly cooked and floated to the surface, only to touch the falling sparks from the Phoenix and turn to black ash, sinking back down.

Though it seemed like they were burned, in reality, they were disintegrated into atomic states by the Phoenix Force.

A deep white line was left on the ocean's surface as the Phoenix relentlessly pursued them.

Su Ming felt the heat waves hitting them, and both Cable and Rogue showed signs of discomfort.

Su Ming had options. The simplest was to jump over to the Phoenix-possessed Jean Grey, like Wolverine, and claw a few holes in her chest.

As a host, the Phoenix would certainly quiet down after that.

But Su Ming would not escape unscathed, likely suffering severe injuries, with his armor and flesh disintegrating, leaving only the X-metal skeleton and his well-protected brain.

Plus, with Cable around, killing his stepmother right in front of him didn't seem like the best idea. That was more of a Wolverine move—too reckless.

The Phoenix Force, capable of burning through worlds and disintegrating anything, still had its limitations with beings that possessed immortality, like Deadpool in the future.

But Deadpool hadn't yet been cursed by Thanos to be truly unkillable. If Su Ming tossed his little cousin over now, he would just turn into a puff of smoke.

However, the Dark Phoenix was weaker than the White Phoenix. Although both were transformations caused by fragments of the Phoenix Force residing within Jean, the Dark Phoenix always had Jean Grey's resistance deep within.

That was the weak point of the Dark Phoenix.

Su Ming's current plan was to strengthen Jean Grey's resolve and help her fight back against the Phoenix from within.

"Cable, can you dance?" Su Ming grabbed the prone Cable on the cloak and asked him a completely random question.

"Wha... what?" Cable was utterly baffled. Why had the conversation shifted to dancing?

"Answer me, yes or no?" Su Ming didn't have time to explain; the Phoenix was closing in fast.

"No, I can't. Besides, I have no strength left," Cable responded quickly, his logic still sharp despite his confusion.

Su Ming nodded, bent down, and grabbed Cable's legs. "Rogue, hold onto his arms and follow my lead."

Rogue wiped the corners of her mouth, glanced back at the Phoenix. As an X-Man, she had vivid memories of the Phoenix Force.

Each time the Dark Phoenix lost control, it brought catastrophic consequences, forcing the entire X-Men team into action, often suffering heavy casualties. Even Professor X had been vaporized once.

"Su Ming, what's the plan?"

"Just follow my lead. A single fragment of the Phoenix Force is no big deal to me," Su Ming replied calmly, while rummaging through Deadpool's utility belt.

The merc was busy trying to stitch himself back together using a stapler he had pulled from who-knows-where, painstakingly reattaching his two halves.

Su Ming took his MP3 player.

He scrolled through the playlist, finding exactly what he expected: a collection of classic oldies that Star-Lord would love, plus some songs Deadpool had downloaded for his own antics.

Might as well use Star-Lord's favorites.

He pressed play, and the modified speaker system blared music as the group continued their desperate flight, with waves crashing beneath them due to the turbulent air currents.

And behind them, much larger than they were, loomed the blazing Phoenix.

The wind howled, but Su Ming was sure Jean Grey could hear the music and see what was happening.

"Rogue, lift his arms."

Rogue didn't know why, but she followed Su Ming's instructions, raising Cable's arms—though it took some effort.

Su Ming matched Rogue's movement, grabbing Cable's belt and bending his knees into a specific stance.

It couldn't be helped; while Su Ming had once done an awkward dance-off with the Batman Who Laughs, he had no natural talent for dancing, so he resorted to something he knew better from his previous life.

"Let's do some old-fashioned calisthenics."

Never mind whether the music fit or not—this exercise routine could go with anything.

"First, stretch."

Su Ming mentally recited the movements from memory, using the beat of the music to guide Cable through various ridiculous poses.

Cable, aside from looking incredibly embarrassed, seemed to manage. Su Ming held up, but before they were halfway through the first set, Rogue was already panting heavily.

Su Ming had her step aside, taking Cable's weight himself, letting the mutant rest his feet on his own. He grabbed Cable's hands, practically puppeteering him through the moves.

Now, Su Ming was betting on whether Jean Grey had motherly feelings toward Cable.

If she did, then awakening a woman's maternal instincts would be a powerful tool against the Dark Phoenix.

Moreover, the more absurd their dance, the better. Positive emotions, especially joyful memories, could help Jean resist the Phoenix.

The Joker next door often said, "Smiles are magical." Though he was a madman, sometimes he was right.

It would be better if those smiles weren't induced by "laughing gas," of course.

Right now, Su Ming's goal was to have Jean fight back against the Phoenix. This was the safest approach. As the host, the parasite would never resort to mutually assured destruction.

Sure enough, before Su Ming even got to the leg-kicking part, the Phoenix behind them began to flicker like a faulty lightbulb, struggling to maintain power.

Its flight speed slowed dramatically.

Jean was regaining control of her body, forcing the Phoenix persona into submission.

"We're almost there, hang in there, Cable! Jumping jacks now!"

Cable shut his eyes in agony, a tear sliding down his cheek. He had always presented himself as a tough warrior, but today, his image was utterly shattered.

Rogue, seeing everything that was happening, knew that as soon as she returned, the whole X-Men would find out. And if the X-Men knew, so would Professor X; if he knew, so would Magneto; then the Brotherhood, and eventually the Hellfire Club. In no time, all mutants would hear about it.

Cable, forced into a ridiculous dance while being pursued by the Phoenix... His reputation in the mutant world was doomed.

Meanwhile, Wade's eyes lit up as he watched his cousin's bizarre movements behind Cable, apparently learning some new "techniques."

The Phoenix finally couldn't maintain itself anymore. The flames dissipated in an instant, revealing Jean Grey, who burst into laughter and began plummeting toward the ocean.

"Godkiller, lasso."

Su Ming tossed the golden lasso, dragging Jean onto the cloak. She glanced at the exhausted, slumped Cable, then started laughing uncontrollably, hiccuping as she struggled to catch her breath, rolling around on the makeshift flying carpet with wheezing sounds.

This time, the Dark Phoenix was defeated because the host was laughing so hard that she struggled to breathe, forcing it to retreat into the depths of Jean's mind to preserve her life.