Superior Reed Richards

"Director Fury is doing everything in his power to find those responsible for what happened," said Natasha.

Rogers was quite good at understanding people but not so adept at grasping the nuances of situations, and for that very reason, he asked Natasha:

"That means he already knows who's responsible for what happened, doesn't it?"

Natasha Romanoff merely gave a meaningful smile. Her confirmation wasn't necessary, as everyone knew that Fury was a professional, and such matters were precisely his specialty.

"Ha!" exclaimed Tony, expanding a screen across the entire room where Fury's face appeared.

From Fury's appearance, one could tell he wasn't particularly pleased with Tony's actions but was powerless to do anything about it.

"Long time no see, Dr. Richards," said Fury.

"Indeed, I'm very glad to see you're safe and sound. I take it you've had more on your plate since the Sentinels went out of control?"

Only the deaf couldn't hear the sarcasm in my tone.

"Dr. Richards, I didn't think you'd be interested in this matter," Fury replied.

"It's of interest to my friends. The X-Men wish to receive clear answers about what happened. Considering they have Omega-level mutants, I'd recommend you provide explanations as soon as possible."

The one-eyed director of S.H.I.E.L.D. drilled me with his gaze for a few seconds before saying:

"Since you're all gathered in one place, I think it will be convenient... The culprit has been found, and soon he will be punished to the full extent of the law."

Fury's statement calmed me, as it meant I had something to offer the X-Men, but...

"What about Stryker?"

Nicholas Joseph Fury, barely restraining his irritation—which I could feel even through the screen—said:

"And what does he have to do with this?"

The Avengers looked at me in confusion. Most of the team didn't understand who Stryker was. This misunderstanding was corrected by Tony, who brought up the information on Stryker that he had managed to obtain.

"Not only did the Sentinels attack Xavier's school, but also a squad under Stryker's command."

"Shit," muttered Fury.

And then it became clear to me that this information hadn't reached him.

—= Some time later =—

As a result of the conversation with Fury, the one-eyed director of S.H.I.E.L.D. would be searching for information about Stryker. At first glance, Fury heeded my words and would fulfill his part of the deal regarding providing information to the X-Men. If my one-eyed friend didn't keep his promise, I'd have to help the mutants find Stryker.

However, all this was currently a third-tier problem. The primary issue was the Phoenix, and after that, the problem of Sinister, who had set this chain of events in motion.

Leaving the tower, I immediately teleported to my island laboratory, where the ship I had designed for long-distance flights was located.

At the moment, my clones were working on it. One of them saw me and relayed some information.

"In that case, let's get to work..." I whispered.

—= Some time later =—

Thanks to having clones at my disposal, as well as Kronos, the work proceeded at an unhurried pace, during which I managed to finish everything I had planned.

I completed the work after nine months. The long-distance spacecraft, in my opinion, turned out extremely well. I hadn't spared any effort or resources on its armaments and defenses.

Making sure everything was functioning correctly, I deactivated the time bubble.

Now it was necessary to ask the team who would be willing to embark on a journey that, according to preliminary calculations, would take about nine months. The Phoenix's rate of departure from the planet was incredible. And it wasn't that Jean Grey was flying at an unbelievable speed, but that her powers were warping the fabric of space-time.

"Kronos, connect me with the team."

"Executing..." said the AI.

And soon, holograms of my team members' faces appeared before my eyes.

"What's up, Stretch?"

"Reed, is everything okay?"

"Brainiac, I hope this is something serious!"

"Reed, Betty and I were about to watch a show; I hope this is important?"

Before answering the barrage of questions, I leisurely took out the infographic showing the events that had occurred on Earth some time ago. It wasn't just a set of numbers and charts; before me lay a high-tech tablet connected to an orbital network of satellites designed specifically to monitor unusual energy phenomena.

These satellites, installed in various orbits around Earth, were not mere observers. They were capable of detecting psionic energy.

On the screen appeared a map of Earth covered with a network of lines and colored spots. Each line represented a flow of psionic energy, and the spots indicated places where the concentration of this energy had reached a critical level. The satellites not only recorded its level but also determined its origin, sources, and direction of movement.

Showing everyone the infographic, I began to speak:

"We have a very serious problem..."

—= Some time later =—

"Are you sure?" I asked my girlfriend with a slight smirk.

Sue had quickly agreed to accompany me on this journey that even Odysseus would envy.

"Oh? So you want to get rid of me, Reed?" Sue asked, her gaze suddenly so cold that I couldn't help but realize my mistake.

"No, of course not," I replied faster than I expected.

"I'm sure, Reed," Sue said with a slight smile.

To be honest, having Sue on this journey reassured me, as it meant someone close to me would be by my side.

"Who do you think from our group will agree to come?" Sue asked.

"I think Ben and Johnny will definitely agree, but Bruce and Betty will probably stay here. But we'll get a definite answer soon."

Ben and Alicia were the first to arrive, and judging by how excited Alicia was, it was safe to conclude that they both had decided to join us on this journey.

"Thanks for coming."

Ben merely smirked and said:

"Alicia would have eaten me alive if I'd missed out on a trip like this."

At that moment, Alicia was chatting with my girlfriend. By the way, it was worth mentioning that she had undergone basic enhancements necessary for her body to withstand the conditions that space held for us.

"I don't doubt it..."

At that moment, the room flashed with light. Johnny and Crystal arrived in grand fashion.

"See? I told you we weren't late!" Johnny exclaimed with a satisfied grin.

Crystal merely shook her head in response, but the smile on her face revealed the true emotions hidden within.

"I hope my presence won't inconvenience you," Crystal said.

Sue waved it off, declaring:

"Nonsense, without you this trip would be extremely boring!"

A couple of minutes later, the rest of us were surprised when Bruce and Betty arrived, laden with bags.

"Hope we're not late?" Betty asked with an awkward smile.

"No," I shook my head. "You're just in time."

I didn't expect Betty and Bruce to agree to embark on a space tour, especially since Bruce was still dealing with the Hulk issue, and Betty hadn't undergone the enhancements I had offered her. I was curious why she had turned down my proposal… Now it makes sense why… Bruce and his girlfriend were indeed lucky.

After everyone arrived, things progressed quickly, cheerfully, and merrily. Despite the impending journey being fraught with dangers… the pleasant company soothed my mind, which was beginning to envision incredibly grim potential futures.

"All engines are functioning," announced the ship's AI.

"Excellent," Ben declared with a smirk on his face.

Ben and Johnny expressed their desire to take the helm of the ship, at least initially. From what I gathered, it was about closing some childhood gestalt.

"Is everyone ready?" Johnny asked without turning around.

We were in the cockpit, as it offered the best view. Each of us had a seat that secured our bodies in place using innovative electromagnetic technology.

"Ready?" I asked Sue, who was seated to my right.

I posed the question because the look in her eyes, directed at the seats, was full of irritation.

"Don't you think a different color should have been used?"

I glanced around our surroundings. To my eye, all the colors looked organic and sleek for a long-distance spacecraft.

"I think everything is wonderful…"

My words calmed Sue, but I realized that changes were imminent.

"In that case, ready," the girl declared.

Johnny, who was watching what was happening behind him with interest, smiled and said, "Since everyone's ready, let's start the ascent."

"Ben, check the stabilizers," I said, nodding toward the massive control panels. "We need everything to go smoothly."

"That's for you to know, Reed," Ben muttered, his hands deftly sliding over the touchscreens, checking the readings. "I wouldn't let this junk fall apart."

I smirked, knowing I could trust Ben in any situation.

"Johnny, start the engines on first thrust," I addressed the youngest member of the team, who seemed in his element.

"At your command, Captain," he responded with a mischievous grin and began his work.

The sound of the engines igniting filled the cabin, and I felt the ship begin to vibrate, preparing for launch.

I glanced at the monitors once more to ensure everything was on track. The gravitational generators had stabilized, and the ship was ready for the jump into space.

"Switching to full power," I declared, and Ben nodded, moving the lever forward.

The ship accelerated sharply, and I felt gravity begin to wane. The sound of the engines intensified as we rapidly ascended, leaving Earth's atmosphere behind.

"We're ready for the hyperspace jump in five seconds," Johnny's voice sounded confident, and I felt all the muscles in my body tense in anticipation.

"Three... two... one..." Ben added, his hands confidently controlling the ship.

The world around us warped, like a painting transitioning into a blurred image. Space and time shifted, and we instantly found ourselves in the black void of space, where the light of stars seemed even brighter and closer.

At that moment, the entire bridge was filled with joyful exclamations.

—= At This Very Moment on Earth =—

 —= En Sabah Nur =—

The ancient, immortal mutant was not blind and clearly saw that something extraordinary was happening in the astral world.

"Phoenix… This is interesting," En Sabah Nur remarked, a satisfied smirk appearing on his face.

At that moment, his consciousness was already processing what his suit had received. Streams of data flowed through his mind so rapidly that Apocalypse, by this time, was well-versed in this world.

The ancient mutant froze for a moment as he saw someone familiar… Someone who had once fought alongside him in the arena. Someone who had conquered the Goddess of Time.

"And you're here… Reed Richards…"

Apocalypse's satisfied smirk widened. He realized that this era would become one of his favorites.

"I hope you haven't weakened since our last meeting."

En Sabah Nur's pyramid had lost its functionality by this moment, and for that reason, he destroyed it without any extraneous thoughts.

"But before that… We need to gather new Horsemen…" For a moment, the faces of his children and wife, trapped in an eternal battle in the demonic dimension, flashed through En Sabah Nur's consciousness.

—= Jean Grey =—

Everything was engulfed in fire. An all-consuming flame that brought and took lives. The spectacle was mesmerizing and yet terrifying… But the moment this mass of fire took the shape of a fiery bird… the fear Jean Grey felt evaporated as if it had never existed.

"I am PHOENIX!!!"

These words were spoken not so much in the girl's consciousness as in her soul. And these words meant something greater to her.

If someone else had been nearby in open space with Jean Grey, they would have witnessed a majestic and thus beautiful scene. The girl's body was covered in a cloak of fire. Her red hair, which already resembled tongues of flame, now embodied the very essence of the fire of life. Her eyes, which once gleamed emerald, were now milky white.

Perhaps because Jean Grey hadn't trained to master the Phoenix's power, or maybe because she couldn't withstand Sinister's attack, or perhaps because Phoenix was something all-encompassing, none of it mattered. What mattered was the present reality: Jean Grey had been consumed by the Phoenix. And now, this incredibly powerful entity moved in a direction known only to her.

—= Peter Quill =—

Peter Jason Quill, Star-Lord, the scourge of space, was currently occupied with a mission assigned to him by Yondu.

This mission had led Star-Lord to a planet inhabited by extremely ugly lizards. And if we talk about the atmosphere prevailing here… it's better not to think about it at all. Morag was already an extremely lousy place, and there's no need to worsen it with disheartening thoughts.

Peter knew exactly what to do in such moments. His hands quickly found the right song.

"And I miss you…" Peter repeated a verse from the song that was playing in his helmet at that moment.

To this song, Peter playfully entered the temple that opened before him. Numerous traps in the temple were activated for Peter as if they weren't traps at all.

Star-Lord's helmet had a built-in map of the area, where all the upcoming adventures were meticulously marked.

A satisfied smirk appeared on Peter's face. Turning up the volume of the song, Peter headed straight to the center of the temple, where his mission awaited.

Because Peter was inside the temple… he didn't get to see the gigantic fiery bird that flew by nearby.

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