When Scott finished speaking, Natasha Romanoff, Bucky, and Clint Barton exchanged uneasy glances.
This was not good news.
After a moment of silence, Natasha spoke calmly:"Maybe," she said, "I can talk to her."
Scott frowned and shook his head bitterly."She doesn't want to see anyone anymore."
Since the last incident, although they had managed to bring Jean back, her imbalance had only worsened. She now isolated herself completely—afraid that her darker half might harm the people she loved most.
Even Professor X was shut out.
She had locked herself away, sealed within a mental cage of her own making.
Natasha tilted her head, her lips curving slightly. "Maybe," she said softly, "you've been looking at this the wrong way. Sometimes, when you're too close to the problem, you stop seeing it clearly."
Scott, Storm, and Logan fell silent. They couldn't deny it.
"When do you want to see her?" Natasha asked.
Scott hesitated only a second. "…Now."
"Then let's go."
He was about to lead her to the Blackbird jet, but Natasha raised a hand. "No need. There's a simpler way. Just tell me—where is she?"
"Gallinari Island."
Natasha raised an eyebrow. "That's quite far."
Scott nodded. "Southern Hemisphere. Used to be one of our secret bases."
"I see."
Natasha stepped closer and placed one hand gently on Scott's shoulder. Her voice dropped to a near whisper."To find her exact location, I'll need to connect with your mind—telepathically. It'll serve as a beacon."
Scott blinked in surprise. "You've awakened mental abilities?"
Natasha smiled faintly. "Not for long—but yes."
In truth, this development was tied to the microcosms left behind by Yelena and Melina.
Though she hadn't undergone the rigorous training of the Saints, the two Gold-level microcosms had completely transformed her body—elevating her very life level.
At such a stage, certain powers manifested naturally—and psychic ability was one of them.
A convenient, subtle, and precise tool.
Scott didn't question further. Closing his eyes, he focused on Gallinari Island, its position and surroundings.
Bucky, watching the process, frowned. "Maybe I should go with you."
His tone carried clear concern.
The Dark Phoenix's power was infamous—a force of pure destruction. Even for someone like Natasha, facing it could be dangerous.
If anything happened to her… Yelena, the Gold Saint, would not take it lightly. And when a Saint was enraged, no one on Earth could stand in her way.
Natasha gave a small, confident smile."Don't worry. Even if we don't come to an agreement, she won't kill me. She's bound by her contract with the Gold Saints."
Her crimson hair glinted as she turned toward the light. "Besides," she added, "the little universe left by Yelena and Melina isn't for decoration."
Her confidence was absolute—the kind of quiet assurance that only came from standing under divine protection.
Bucky nodded, though uneasily. "Just… be careful."
Natasha gave him a nod in return.
Then—
Whoosh!
A brilliant golden vortex opened in the air, its spiraling light reflecting against her eyes. Without another word, Natasha stepped forward and vanished into the cosmic gateway.
In the next instant, the world changed.
When the golden light faded, she was standing on a cliff carpeted with green grass.
Below, waves crashed against black reefs, spraying silver mist into the air. The sound of the tide echoed endlessly.
At the cliff's edge sat a woman in a flowing red dress, her wine-colored hair dancing softly in the sea breeze. From behind, the scene was almost serene—beautiful, even.
But when Natasha turned to glance back, her eyes narrowed.
The forest behind her was barren—trees stripped bare, their life essence completely drained.
That was no coincidence.
Natasha sighed quietly and walked forward, her boots pressing lightly into the grass. She stopped beside Jean and lowered herself to the ground, sitting cross-legged only a few feet away.
The wind carried the scent of salt and silence.
Jean—or rather, the Dark Phoenix—didn't move. She gazed across the endless ocean, her expression unreadable. But Natasha saw the faint black lines creeping along her face, pulsing subtly like veins of corruption. The aura radiating from her was unmistakable.
Dark Phoenix was in control.
Natasha didn't speak. She simply lay back against the grass, letting the sea breeze wash over her.
Minutes passed. Maybe hours.
Finally, a low, melodic voice broke the silence—carried by the wind like the whisper of a storm.
"If you came here hoping to soothe my hatred with empty words…" the Dark Phoenix said coldly, "I advise you not to try. It will only make me angrier."
Natasha's lips curved lazily."No," she murmured. "I just want to know how long you intend to keep pretending."
That made the Phoenix pause. Slowly, she turned to face Natasha, her golden eyes gleaming with restrained fury.
Natasha could see it clearly—the hunger for destruction shimmering in her gaze.
"I can sense it," Dark Phoenix said softly. "That power inside you. It's like hers."
Natasha smiled faintly. "I suppose I'm lucky. I've had a tragic past… but I also met two people who became my family."
Dark Phoenix tilted her head. "Are you trying to provoke me?"
"No," Natasha replied calmly. "Just being honest."
The two women locked eyes. No sparks, no illusions—just an unspoken understanding between two beings shaped by pain.
Natasha knew lying would be pointless. This was not a mind you could trick.
Dark Phoenix studied her for a moment, then chuckled softly."You're interesting," she said. "Much more interesting than her."
By her, she meant Jean's original personality—the light half she despised.
"The so-called love and compassion she clings to…" Dark Phoenix sneered. "She wanted to drag me into destruction with her. But she never understood—we cannot die. Even if this body burns to ash, the Phoenix Force will bring us back again."
Natasha's eyes glimmered. "An enviable power," she said plainly. Then, leaning forward slightly, her tone sharpened: "So let's skip the nonsense, Dark Phoenix."
That directness caught the Phoenix off guard—and impressed her.
Most people groveled or cowered in fear.Natasha simply spoke.
It was refreshing.
Dark Phoenix smirked faintly. "Go on."
"You are a being born of destruction and desire," Natasha said evenly. "You obey your nature—you want to unmake the world. But you can't."
She paused, her gaze piercing. "Because the Gold Sequence Contract forbids it."
A long silence followed. The waves crashed harder against the rocks.
Then, Natasha Romanoff's voice lowered—steady, resolute.
"But I can give you a chance."
(End of Chapter)
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