The Crossroads - InteriorClient: Jean Grey/PhoenixMarco's Panic Level: MAXIMUM
Marco Antonio Durán had faced many impossible things in recent weeks.
A god of lies. A demon king. The Dark Lord of Middle-earth. A fragmented cosmic entity.
But Jean Grey—or more specifically, the PHOENIX FORCE—was a completely different category.
Because while the others were dangerous, powerful, even apocalyptic...
The Phoenix Force was literally capable of erasing universes from existence.
And she was sitting across from him, smiling nervously.
"So," Jean said, her voice shifting between human and cosmic, "I know my entrance was dramatic. I'm sorry about that. The Phoenix Force has a sense of theatricality."
"No... no problem," Marco managed to say, his voice only trembling slightly. "I'm Marco Antonio Durán. Welcome to La Encrucijada."
Jean looked around the store with genuine fascination.
"This is incredible. True extradimensional space. Not a dimensional pocket—REAL SPACE outside of normal universal continuity." His eyes—which alternated between human brown and cosmic gold—fixed on Marco. "Whoever gave you this had access to Fundamental power. Capital F."
"Fundamental Power?"
"Forces that existed before universes. Before time. Before... everything." Jean touched her chest. "Like the Phoenix Force. We exist on a conceptual plane, not just a physical one."
[Marco, she's being completely honest. And that's terrifying because it means she really is as powerful as she seems.]
"I understand. So... you said you need help with a control problem."
Jean nodded, and for a moment she looked so young and scared that Marco almost forgot she could destroy planets.
"I've hosted the Phoenix Force before. Several times, actually. But this time is different. Usually, the Force chooses me temporarily—I borrow its power, use it, then return it. But three weeks ago..."
He paused, clearly uncomfortable.
"What happened?"
"I was fighting a Celestial. A cosmic being that judges planets. Normally, even with Phoenix Force, it would be a close fight. But this Celestial was damaged. Dying. And in its final act, it released ALL of its cosmic energy at once."
Jean raised her hand. Golden and red flames danced around her fingers—not real fire, but the CONCEPT of fire manifested.
"I absorbed it all. Celestial energy PLUS the full power of Phoenix Force. And now..." the flames intensified, "...I can't contain it. It's too much. Every day I grow more powerful. More unstable."
"How much time do you have?"
"Weeks. Maybe a month. Then the Phoenix Force will take complete control and..." his eyes glowed pure gold for a second, "...Dark Phoenix emerges. And when that happens, I consume. Planets. Stars. Galaxies. I can't stop it."
Marco felt his mouth go completely dry.
"That's... bad."
"Apocalyptic," Jean corrected. "That's why I came to you. I heard about a multiversal trader who helped Legion—a fragmented entity—reunify. If you can help with fragmentation, maybe you can help with... this." She pointed to herself. "Too much unification."
[Marco, this is way out of our league. Way out of our league. We're talking about fundamental cosmic power. We have no knowledge for this.]
"You're sure?"
[Let me look...]
There was a pause. A long pause.
[...I retract my statement. There are three options. All insanely expensive and dangerous. But they exist.]
Marco activated his interface, partially hiding it from Jean while he consulted.
╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗║ POWER OVERLOAD SOLUTIONS ║╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝
OPTION 1: Divide the Load
Method: Transfer 70% of the power to alternative containersOrigin: Dragon Ball Universe (power division technique)Requirement: 5 volunteer hosts willing to dieCost: 3,500,000 MCRisk: EXTREME for hosts
OPTION 2: Conceptual Cage
Method: Locking excessive power in a dimensional prisonOrigin: DC Universe (adapted Phantom Zone)Requirement: Permanent sacrifice of personal freedomCost: 2,800,000 MCRisk: Life imprisonment if you fail
OPTION 3: Phoenix Balancing Ritual
Method: Teaching perfect control through intensive mystical trainingOrigin: Marvel Universe (Techniques of the Ancient of K'un-Lun)Requirement: 6 months of total isolation + mystic masterCost: 1,200,000 MC + future services from JeanRisk: MEDIUM - requires extreme discipline
OPTION 4: Controlled Fragmentation (Special TARS)
Method: Divide Jean's consciousness into multiple versions, each with a fraction of the powerOrigin: Combination of multiversal techniquesRequirement: Unwavering willpower + 1 year of dimensional therapyCost: 900,000 MC + 15% for future services per decadeRisk: LOW - but requires long-term commitment
Marco studied the options, his trader's mind working at full speed.
Option 1 was unacceptable—it required sacrificing five people.
Option 2 was a prison in disguise.
Option 3 was expensive but viable.
Option 4 was... interesting.
"TARS, can you explain Option 4 in more detail?"
[It's similar to what we're doing with Legion, but in reverse. Instead of reuniting fragments, we're dividing them in a CONTROLLED way. Jean would become... let's say, five versions of herself. Jean Prime would retain 40% of the power. Four alternate Jeans would each have 15%. They would all share memories and consciousness but exist separately.]
"That sounds complicated."
[It is. But it's also the only way to maintain full power WITHOUT consuming universes. And the five Jeans could eventually reintegrate once they master individual control.]
"And why is it cheaper?"
[Because we use infrastructure we ALREADY established with Legion. Resource reuse. Cost efficiency.]
Marco turned towards Jean.
"I have four options. Three are terrible. One is expensive but viable."
"Which one is viable?"
Marco explained the Phoenix Balancing Ritual—six months of intensive mystical training to learn perfect control.
Jean considered.
"Six months is a long time. And it doesn't guarantee success. What happens if I fail the training?"
"So... I don't know. Dark Phoenix will probably emerge anyway."
"And what about the other options?"
Marco hesitated. Then he decided to be completely honest.
"One requires sacrificing five innocent people. Another locks you in a dimensional prison for eternity. And the third..."
He explained Controlled Fragmentation.
Jean's eyes widened.
"Divide myself into five versions?"
"Yes. They would all be YOU. Sharing memories, consciousness, core identity. But existing separately with fractions of total power."
"That's... weird. And strange. And..." Jean paused, "...and it makes sense."
"Oh really?"
"Think about it. The Phoenix Force is the power of life, death, and resurrection. Fragmentation and reunification are literally its nature. Dividing myself into five doesn't destroy me—it multiplies me. And each version would have more manageable power."
"Exactly."
Jean leaned back in her chair, processing.
"How much?"
"900,000 Multiversal Credits plus 15% of your future services for the next decade."
"I don't have 900,000 of anything."
"What do you have?"
Jean thought.
"I am one of the most powerful telepaths in the universe. I can manipulate matter at a molecular level. I have access to cosmic knowledge of the Phoenix Force. And..." she hesitated, "...I can resurrect the dead. Under specific conditions."
[Marco... those skills are worth a FORTUNE. Especially the resurrection.]
"Can you teach those skills?"
"Basic telepathy, yes. Molecular manipulation... maybe. Cosmic knowledge, definitely. Resurrection, no—only a Phoenix host can do that."
"Then let's do this: I offer you a Controlled Fragmentation package. In payment, you give me:"
Marco counted on his fingers:
"One: You teach basic telepathy to me and any student I designate. Two: Cosmic knowledge about the structure of universes—information I can sell to academic clients. Three: Three resurrections. Usable at MY discretion for clients willing to pay."
Jean whistled.
"That's... a lot. But fair considering you're basically saving me from destroying the universe." He extended his hand. "Deal."
Marco activated his Hatsu. The golden coins materialized.
"Wait. Before you accept, you need to understand something."
"That?"
"The fragmentation will take weeks to complete. During that time, you will be vulnerable. The five versions of you will need a year—minimum—to learn to coordinate perfectly. And during all that time, you will technically be my clients. Plural. Under my protection and guidance."
"And that means?"
"It means you have to trust me. Completely. Because if something goes wrong during the process, I need to have the authority to make quick decisions. Even decisions you might not like."
Jean studied him intensely. Marco could FEEL his telepathy brushing against the edges of his mind—non-invasive, just... evaluating.
"You're honest. Genuinely honest. You could be scamming me and you're not." Jean smiled. "Okay. I trust you, Marco Antonio Durán."
Their hands touched.
The coins exploded in golden and red light—Phoenix power mixing with Marco's Nen.
[CONTRACT ESTABLISHED WITH JEAN GREY/PHONEX FORCE][Debit: Telepathy Services + Cosmic Knowledge + 3 Resurrections][Credit: Controlled Fragmentation + 1 Year Therapy][Estimated Value: 900,000 MC][WARNING: Cosmic Power Client. Extreme monitoring required.]
"It's done," Marco said. "You are officially welcome to the La Encrucijada treatment program."
"Do I have a treatment partner?" Jean asked. "The fragmented entity—Legion?"
"Yes. He's here in Rivendell. In fact..." Marco stood up, "...you should meet him. You're facing opposite but related problems. He's reunifying. You're fragmenting. Perhaps you can help each other."
"I'd like that."
Marco led her out of The Crossroads. Outside, they found Elrond, Círdan, Legion, and half a dozen elven guards—all clearly tense and ready to fight.
"She's fine," Marco announced. "She's a client. Jean Grey. High danger level, but under control."
"For now?" added Elrond, looking at Jean with elven caution.
"For now," Jean confirmed. "But I'm working on it."
Legion approached, studying Jean with fascination.
"I can feel your power. It's... massive. Like an ocean contained in a glass."
"And I can feel your fragments fighting. Five personalities in constant war." Jean tilted her head. "We are complementary disasters."
"That's... a strangely poetic way of putting it." Legion extended his hand. "Legion. Or James, if you prefer."
"Jean. Or Phoenix. Depending on the day."
They shook hands.
Immediately, they both tensed. Their eyes glowed—blue for Legion, gold for Jean.
"They're... sharing," Celebrimbor murmured, consulting his device. "Information. Experiences. On a telepathic level."
"Is it dangerous?" Círdan asked.
"No. It's..." Marco activated his Merchant's Eye, sensing the exchange, "...it's therapeutic. They're understanding each other's problems. Sharing coping strategies."
After thirty seconds, they separated.
"That was helpful," Legion said. "Your telepathic meditation techniques could help me coordinate my personalities better."
"And your methods of mental compartmentalization could help me prepare for fragmentation," Jean replied. "We should work together."
"Agreed."
[Marco... you just created a therapy group for cosmic entities. That has to be a first in multiversal history.]
"My life is a series of awkward firsts," Marco muttered.
That Night - Elrond's HallEmergency Council Meeting v2.0
"So," said Elrond, massaging his temples, "to recap: We now have TWO apocalyptic clients living in Rivendell. One is a mutant god fragment. The other is a host of universe-consuming cosmic force."
"Basically, yes," Marco confirmed.
"And both of them will be here for next year. At least."
"Yeah."
"And what happens if they lose control simultaneously?"
"So..." Marco did some quick calculations, "...they probably destroy the entire solar system."
Absolute silence in the room.
Finally, Círdan laughed. A long, almost hysterical laugh.
"You know what, at this point, why not? We already have Sauron with Horcruxes. Boromir with a cursed sword. Why NOT add two cosmic bombs to the mix?"
"Círdan, are you alright?" asked Celebrimbor.
"No. I'm not. But I've decided to accept that our reality is now absurd." Círdan took a long sip of wine. "Marco, serious question: What's next? A Celestial? Galactus? A literal manifestation of Death?"
"I hope not."
"But you don't guarantee it."
"I can't. Clients appear according to need and opportunity. I don't control them."
Elrond sighed deeply.
"Then we need stricter protocols. Celebrimbor, build more sensors. I want constant monitoring of both clients. Círdan, reinforce defensive barriers around the valley—multiple layers. Glorfindel, train guards in combat against superhuman opponents."
"And me?" Marco asked.
"You... do your job. Treat your clients. Help them stabilize. Because if they fail..." Elrond looked at him seriously, "...no amount of elven warriors can stop what comes next."
"No pressure."
"All the pressure. But also..." Elrond placed his hand on Marco's shoulder, "...I trust you. You've accomplished impossible things. You saved Celebrimbor. You negotiated with Sauron. You handled Legion without disaster. You can do this too."
"What if I can't?"
"Then we all die together. But at least we tried." Elrond smiled faintly. "There's honor in that."
Marco's Room - Very Late
Marco was in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep.
Again.
"TARS, give me an honest analysis. What are the chances this will end in disaster?"
[Defining 'disaster' as 'massive destruction of life'... 34%.]
"And what is the probability of complete success?"
[Defining 'success' as 'both clients stabilized without incident'... 41%.]
"And the remaining 25%?"
[Mixed results. Perhaps one succeeds, the other fails. Perhaps both are partially successful. Perhaps something completely unexpected happens.]
"As usual."
[As usual.]
Marco closed his eyes.
"You know what the craziest thing about all this is?"
[That?]
"A month ago, I was dead. A taco vendor who died watching soccer. And now I'm trying to save the universe by handling cosmic entities."
[Do you regret it?]
Marco considered the question honestly.
"No. It's terrifying. Exhausting. Sometimes I wish I could go back to worrying only about selling tacos and Cruz Azul losing. But..." he smiled in the darkness, "...this matters. It really matters. I'm making a difference. Saving lives. Changing destinies."
[Even if you sometimes make things more complicated in the process.]
"Especially then. Because complicated means that people have CHOICES. Boromir has the choice to use Gurthang for good. Legion has the choice to reunite healthily. Jean has the choice to control power instead of being consumed by it."
[That's... surprisingly philosophical for 2 AM.]
"Extreme exhaustion makes me profound."
[Obviously. Now go to sleep. Tomorrow Jean begins the fragmentation process. You need to be alert.]
Is it painful?
[For her, probably. For you, you're just observing and monitoring. Although psychologically it will be intense.]
"Because?"
[Because you'll be watching a person literally split into five. All conscious. All individuals. All claiming to be the original Jean Grey. It's going to be... weird.]
"My life is officially stranger than any movie I've ever seen."
[Welcome to multiversal commerce. Where the impossible is an average Tuesday.]
Marco finally fell asleep, dreaming of five Jeans Grey arguing about who was the original, while Legion tried to mediate with his five personalities offering conflicting opinions.
It was an absurd dream.
But considering its current reality, it was probably prophetic.
[END OF CHAPTER 18]