The Phoenix and the Hawk

Justice League Watchtower

"That was her, wasn't it? The bearer of the Phoenix ****? It had to be..." Diana asked Shayera. Following the team's debriefing after the battle with Lex's Sentinel prototypes, Wonder Woman pulled Hawkgirl aside to discuss what she'd seen.

"I was only able to have a brief conversation with her," Shayera explained. "I still don't know if she's aware of our connection..."

"You'll have to find out what she knows," Diana mused. "Considering the legends surrounding the Phoenix ****, your connection could be more important than we realize..."

Shayera paused for a moment -- Diana had a very good point. This woman potentially held the power to save or destroy galaxies; their connection could very well determine the fate of their universe. "You're right. She may not know the extent of the power she wields. But the problem is... how do I approach her?"

The X-Mansion

Jean awoke with a jolt from her recurring dream that night, memories flooding her mind. The woman she'd shared that conversation with brief conversation with. Hawkwoman. That was the woman from her dreams, it had to be! But there were still so many questions swirling around in her mind; what was the nature of their connection? Aside from finding the Justice Leaguer to be absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous, she hadn't thought too much of their brief interaction... until now. Now, Jean felt the overwhelming need to see her again... to talk to her... to get to know her. Jean got up from her bed and headed straight for Charles Xavier's office. The professor was always the first one up and in the office, and Jean figured if anyone could help her make sense of whatever these dreams were before she took the next step, it would be Charles.

"Jean. How can I help you?" Charles asked as she stepped through the door.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you so early, Professor," Jean said sheepishly. "It's just... these dreams I've been having... they're getting more intense. More real. I just want to try and understand them..."

Charles smiled in reassurance. "Of course, dear. You don't need to apologize. I understand perfectly well how troubling it is when dreams start to take on a life of their own..."

Jean sat down opposite Xavier, still uneasy about what was happening to her. "There's more to it, Professor -- I want to talk what's been happening to me lately. I'm... scared, Charles. My new powers... they don't seem to have any limit, and that terrifies me..."

Xavier nodded in understanding. "I understand, and I must admit, I find your new abilities worrying myself. While I wish to be optimistic, and I do believe you are strong enough to control them, I worry about what may happen if you were to lose that control, even for a moment... so if there's anything I can do to help, do not hesitate to let me know."

"Thank you, Charles," Jean said appreciatively. "I think I may know what to do. I need to speak with a certain person about what I'm going through... the woman from my dreams, I believe her name is Shayera. The last time I saw her, I didn't say much to her... but I think I need to learn more about her... but before I do, I'd like you to check my mind. I want to be fully prepared."

"A wise decision, Jean. One I'd be happy to help with," Xavier said reassuringly.

Jean smiled in thanks as Xavier went to work on her mind, seeing the woman's face again and again in his mind's eye. Moreover, he sensed the powerful astral presence that had bonded with Jean, and he realized what it was. "The Phoenix ****... so you truly have bonded with it..."

"The Phoenix ****?" Jean asked, not knowing exactly what Charles was referring to.

"The Phoenix ****... a cosmic entity of unimaginable power. Shi'ar legends describe it as 'the spark that ignites creation and the flame that consumes it'... it must have found you on our recent excursion to Shi'ar space."

"So... how powerful is it, exactly?" Jean asked, her tone uneasy.

"According to legend, you are far from the only person to ever wield its power. It has created -- and destroyed -- countless galaxies. I don't know how much of the legend is true, but the Phoenix **** is definitely a **** to be reckoned with. I sense that you haven't fully bonded with it yet, however..." Charles explained. "In any event, I'm certain the woman in your dreams is linked to the Phoenix. How you're connected, though, I'm not sure yet."

Jean nodded in understanding. "I guess I'll find out when I talk to her again."