Chapter 170– The Judgment of Stars
The X-Men stood frozen, blades and rifles of the Shi'ar soldiers glinting in the artificial starlight of the cruiser's docking bay. Alien voices barked orders they couldn't understand, but the intent was clear: resist, and die.
Storm's hand twitched near her temple, ready to summon lightning even in this cold steel chamber. Nightcrawler's tail flicked nervously, every nerve screaming for a teleport escape. Colossus subtly shifted, metal skin whispering into place beneath his clothes.
And then—
"Enough," a commanding voice echoed, firm but measured.
The guards parted, and Lilandra stepped forward. Regal, armored in white and gold, her eyes heavy with sorrow and iron at once.
"You will surrender Jean Grey," she declared. "For the crimes of the Phoenix. An entire solar system—five billion lives—extinguished in an instant."
The words landed like stones. The X-Men stared, disbelief clawing at them.
Cyclops' throat tightened. "That wasn't her. You don't understand, it was the Phoenix—"
"Do not play games with me, Earthman," Lilandra snapped. "The power lives within her flesh. Sealed, perhaps. But what happens when the seal breaks?"
Jean, trembling at the center of it all, whispered, "Five billion lives…? My God." Her knees nearly buckled.
Beast, unusually grim, adjusted his glasses. "It would appear the Shi'ar intelligence is… thorough."
Logan growled low, body tense. "I can smell it. She's blamin' Jeannie for somethin' that ain't her fault. Phoenix wasn't her."
Lilandra's gaze cut to Xavier. "You know the truth, Charles. You spent your short exile among us learning. You know our law."
Charles lifted his head, weary but resolute. "Yes. And I also know of the ancient rites of the Shi'ar. Trial by combat. A duel of champions, sanctioned by your code of honor."
Her eyes narrowed, almost in admiration. "As expected from you, Charles Xavier. Even among the stars, you play the game of kings." She hesitated, then nodded. "Very well. You will have your duel. A day to rest, and then—your champions against mine. Should you prevail… she lives. Should you fall… Jean Grey dies."
The guards lowered their weapons, but the air remained poisoned with tension. The X-Men were herded into quarters, the heavy silence following them deeper than the void outside the cruiser's windows.
---
That night, silence ruled the team's quarters like a tyrant.
Jean sat alone in her room, staring at her trembling hands. The metal walls pressed in on her like a coffin.
The door slid open. Logan stepped inside without asking.
"Place smells of guilt," he muttered, leaning against the frame. "Don't beat yourself up, Jeannie. I can smell it clear as day — Phoenix's emotions weren't yours. That slaughter… wasn't you."
Jean's eyes welled up, her voice sharp. "Don't, Logan. Don't try to wash it away. Five billion people… whether it was me or Phoenix, it was still my hands."
Logan moved closer, his rough hand brushing her cheek. "Then take it as a scar. A reminder to keep the reins tight from here on out. But don't carry it like a cross. You'll break under the weight."
Jean turned away, her voice low but cutting. "Didn't Scott already propose to me? Didn't I say yes? You know my heart, Logan. Why are you doing this?"
He smirked sadly, eyes softer than she'd ever seen. "'Cause I don't lie to myself. Or you. Love's messy, darlin'. Doesn't care about rings or vows. You already know where I stand. Always will."
For a long moment, silence. Just two hearts beating too fast in a sterile alien room.
Finally, Jean whispered, "Thank you… but don't make me weaker, Logan. Make me stronger. Remind me I'm still human."
He gave a half-grin, half-snarl. "Human? Jeannie, you're more alive than anyone I ever met. Don't forget it."
---
Morning came hard and cold. The team gathered, tense and silent. Cyclops stood before them, the weight of leadership pulling at his shoulders.
"I won't force any of you," he said quietly. "Jean's crimes… they're not ours. If anyone wants to sit this out, I'll understand."
Before he could finish, Colossus spoke, voice firm. "No. Jean is my friend. She is X-Men. I do not abandon family."
Storm's eyes flashed like lightning. "I swore to protect my friends, Scott. That vow has not wavered."
Nightcrawler folded his arms, tail flicking. "Ja, besides… who else is going to keep you out of trouble?"
Beast sighed dramatically, pushing up his glasses. "While my survival instincts protest, my loyalty overrides them. Count me in."
Angel smirked, stretching his wings. "You'd think I'd miss out on a cosmic duel? Please."
Thunderbird cracked his knuckles, teeth bared in a fierce grin. "About time we got a real fight."
Logan just snorted. "You really thought any of us were gonna walk away, Slim? Dumb question."
Cyclops lowered his head, voice catching. "Thank you. All of you." His gaze turned to Jean. "We'll fight. Together."
And as the Shi'ar teleportation beam took them, the world dissolved into light—
And then stone. Ruins. The Blue Area of the Moon stretched before them, alien and haunting, a battlefield waiting for blood.