Chapter 138: Captain Universe Allen On the Spot

Chapter 138: Captain Universe Allen On the Spot

Slap!

In full view of everyone, Allen gave the Dark Phoenix a resounding smack across the face.

At the same moment, as his hand left the force field's boundary, it instantly disintegrated into ash.

Allen sneered, "Did you forget to eat? Can't you hit a little harder?"

What was going on?

He looked like he had a death wish. Shouldn't he have been begging for mercy instead?

Trying to make sense of a lunatic's mind was a fool's errand. Nothing followed any kind of logic.

"I'll grant your wish."

Flames of fury surged in the Dark Phoenix's eyes. The searing pain on her face only fueled the blaze in her heart.

Boom!

Dark fire erupted in a violent storm, swallowing the two of them in an instant.

There was no pause, no resistance—like the force field didn't even exist. The flames burned through it without slowing for even a second.

Apocalypse couldn't begin to understand why Allen had suddenly undergone such a radical change in behavior.

At the center of the black fire, only the Dark Phoenix remained. The surrounding mutants stared in fear, swallowing hard, terrified she might turn her wrath on them next.

Magneto gestured for a retreat.

But only Mystique and Nightcrawler among them had teleportation abilities—hardly enough to evacuate everyone in time.

Cry!

Suddenly, a sharp, clear cry echoed across the battlefield.

In the sky, a new sun seemed to appear, plummeting straight toward them.

For a moment, its golden radiance was too brilliant to face. The crowd instinctively shielded their eyes.

"The Phoenix!?"

Cyclops, wearing protective goggles, stared in shock. The blinding light resolved into the mythic form of a phoenix soaring down from above.

"At last... my destiny."

At that moment, the Dark Phoenix showed no emotion—neither joy nor sorrow—as she accepted the divine descent, as though it were the ending that was always meant to be.

The phoenix's cry grew louder. Golden light flooded the heavens and earth.

The celestial firebird dove straight toward her.

As the light faded, the crowd slowly regained their sight.

And fell utterly silent.

"I am the Phoenix."

The flames around her shifted to a radiant gold. The aura of annihilation intensified—like a god of destruction standing among mortals.

The power of the Phoenix fully merged with its host, finally revealing its true, complete form.

Yet, everyone's gaze was drawn not to her, but to a figure behind her.

Hmm?

The Dark Phoenix turned in confusion—and saw a stranger not far away.

His upper body shimmered like the starry night sky, while his lower half glowed like pure light.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"Captain Universe Allen, reporting for duty."

Striking a dramatic pose, Allen crossed his arms, preparing to unleash what looked like a photonic blast. With grave seriousness, he declared, "I've been watching you for a long time... Phoenixian from the M78 Nebula."

"Shouldn't you be dead? I killed you myself, didn't I?"

The Dark Phoenix frowned. It had just happened—she remembered it vividly. There hadn't even been ashes left behind.

"Can't I come back to life? What's the big deal?" Allen replied nonchalantly.

In truth, he had cast a major resurrection spell on himself in advance, which activated the moment he died.

He simply hadn't done the same for Apocalypse.

Allen tugged awkwardly at his spandex pants and muttered, "These tight suits are perverse. Always riding up. Superheroes must be into some weird stuff."

All the spandex-clad mutants around him gave him irritated looks.

What's your problem with tight suits?

We like the snug fit.

We like the wedgies.

"Aren't you going to explain what's going on?" the Dark Phoenix asked coldly.

She could sense a power in Allen's body no weaker than the Phoenix Force.

"It's simple."

Allen spread his hands with a smug grin. "I only pretended to join Apocalypse to keep him from messing things up. Then I tricked him into coming here so you'd take care of him for me. Don't I look like a good guy?"

No.

Not even a little.

"That's not what I meant," the Dark Phoenix said, rolling her eyes.

Who cared about Apocalypse? He was dead anyway.

She was far more concerned about the source of Allen's power.

"Oh... so you've been ogling my flawless figure."

Clutching his chest with both hands in mock modesty, Allen replied in a delicate voice, "I'm a righteous priest! My passive skill is the Embodiment of Light. The cosmic force picked me—it makes perfect sense."

As the Phoenix Force descended, the power of the universe followed—instinctively merging with Allen's newly resurrected body.

The cosmic force represented light, and Allen's priest skills were all rooted in light-element magic. Naturally, he became the top candidate.

"What are you getting at?"

The Dark Phoenix had stopped caring about the so-called cosmic force. What mattered now was whether he was friend or foe.

"You confessed so suddenly—I wasn't prepared. Give me three days to think it over."

Allen played coy, acting all bashful—until the last shred of her patience snapped.

"There can be only one god on Earth. You can die now."

As she spoke, the Phoenix Force erupted again, cloaking her in golden fire so intense it distorted the very air around her.

Boom!

In an instant, the two clashed.

Only... something wasn't quite right. This didn't look like a fight.

Slurp...

Allen dove in low, pressing his lips against hers, limbs wrapping around the Dark Phoenix like an octopus.

Uhh...

The lunatic was kissing her.

Not just kissing—deeply kissing. Passionately. Desperately.

The Dark Phoenix struggled, arms pushing to break free as the Phoenix Force flared—yet Allen clung on tight.

And in the crowd, Mystique's expression turned complicated as her fists clenched unconsciously.

Time ticked by.

Phoenix's struggles weakened, and eventually... stopped altogether.

What had been expected to be an earth-shattering battle—

Turned into a full-on French kiss.

"Cyclops, are you... crying?" Havok asked, noticing tears leaking from his brother's goggles.

"No, it's nothing... sand got in my eyes," Cyclops replied hastily, wiping away the tears.

Havok frowned. "Aren't those goggles sand-proof?"

Fifteen minutes passed.

Allen hadn't let up. The golden flames on Jean Grey's body slowly died out, until they were completely extinguished.

"I think I overdid it... I kissed her stupid."

Allen looked down at Jean Grey, who was limp in his arms, eyes rolling back and drool dripping from her lips like her brain had short-circuited.

Too long without oxygen. Probably lost consciousness.

Yep—Allen had siphoned the Phoenix Force out of her body by kissing.

Hiss...

Suddenly, his face contorted in agony. He clutched his stomach, gasping, and dropped Jean to the ground.

"It's coming—I can't hold it!"

The next moment, he shot into the sky like a meteor, punching through the atmosphere.

Outer Space

Allen floated, butt clenched, body spasming from cramps.

Pfft…

Boom!

A golden blaze erupted from him.

The Phoenix Force, expelled.

It reformed into the shape of a phoenix, glaring furiously at the now-relieved Allen.

Allen raised a fist and taunted, "What are you looking at, you dumb bird? Want a beating?"

The Phoenix screeched and fled into the depths of the cosmos.

With Allen descending back to Earth, the cosmic force transformed into a star and vanished into the void.

—

Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters

Thanks to everyone's combined efforts, the mutant school was rebuilt.

The students resumed their vibrant lives.

Charles Xavier, in a new body, continued as headmaster.

On the school grounds, Jean Grey finally got her hands on some traditional Eastern breakfast—but couldn't find Allen anywhere.

He was off flirting with Illyana on the steps.

Seeing the two chatting so intently, Jean's expression darkened as she clenched the soup dumpling in her hand.

Pop!

The broth squirted out, splashing on her face. Embarrassment instantly followed.

When Allen had absorbed the Phoenix Force, it had taken her dark personality with it—but her memories and emotions remained vivid.

Allen looked lovingly at Illyana and said, "Secret Secretary, there's something I've always wanted to do to you."

"Don't say it—I know what you mean."

Blushing, Illyana closed her eyes and tilted her chin.

Allen paused—then smirked. "You naughty girl."

He reached into his armpit and pulled out a black marker.

Illyana suddenly felt a tickling sensation on her thigh. Opening her eyes, she saw he had drawn neat gridlines over the hole in her fishnet stockings.

"Allen!!!"

Looking around and not spotting him, she could only scream in frustration.

Turns out, what he'd always wanted to do—

Was draw a net on her torn fishnets.

Only a madman would come up with that.

Having fulfilled his dream, Allen set off once more—

Back to Gotham, where he was needed.