Later that night the tent was quiet as they settled down for bed, Illyanna generating a small sphere of light to illuminate their temporary quarters. The blonde laid out the two sleeping bags that the Weird Happenings Organization had also leant them, zipping them together into a larger bed. "We're going to need a good night's sleep," Kitty noted, her gaze lingering as she watched Illyanna strip, revealing firm breasts and a flat belly. The brown haired woman removed her own clothes, for a moment wishing she had slightly larger breasts. 'Still, Illyanna seems to be happy with what I've got,' she thought happily. Illyanna smiled, eyes twinkling as she climbed into bed beside Kitty, "I know something that makes you sleep like a baby." "Hey," Kitty squeaked as a hand squeezed gently. "The others' tents aren't so far from us, you know," she reminded Illyanna a bit breathlessly. "Then we'll just have to see how quiet you can be," Illyanna purred wickedly. In a nearby tent Colonel Alysande Stuart had to fight back a chuckle at the various noises that she was hearing. The brown haired officer looked much less formal undressed and reading a book by battery-powered lamp, munching some crackers absentmindedly. 'Those two aren't quite what I was expecting from the sorcerer supreme,' Alysande mused, though in all honesty she was reasonably impressed with them so far. Both young ladies had shown considerable skill, and even though she had needed to suggest a solution to a problem, they used it without a sign of resentment. "Are you awake?" the quiet voice came from outside. Alysande blinked in surprise, for a moment considering hiding her snacks then stopped herself firmly. "Come in," she called, having a good guess who it was. The Phoenix pushed the flap of the tent aside, the redhead kneeling slightly as she came inside. The borrowed nightclothes were a bit snug, the shirt tight across her bust and pants hugging her hips. "Sorry to bother you," Jean said simply. Alysande smiled at the other woman curiously, "May I ask why you're visiting?" Jean gave her a wry smile, "It seems that Rachel snores, and since we're sharing a tent...." With a chuckle Alysande noted, "And it's not like you can stay with my brother." A particularly loud moan reminded them of the two young ladies nearby. "Or Kitty and Illyanna," Jean agreed with some amusement. "Were they that enthusiastic back in the states?" Alysande asked Jean curiously. Jean chuckled softly, "Well, yes." Alysande studied the redhead a moment then gestured beside her, "You're welcome to share my tent for the night, then." "Thanks," Jean flashed a smile, "I doubt I'll get much sleep otherwise." Rather uncomfortably Jean lay beside Alysande on the sleeping bag, giving the other woman a sheepish smile as she accidentally brushed her body with her breasts, "Sorry." Fighting back a blush Alysande gruffly said to Jean, "See you in the morning." She shut her lamp off and snuggled down, doing her best not to think about the woman who was now sleeping so close beside her. The morning found them standing out by the circle of standing stones, the mystic lightning dancing from stone to stone. Floating before them were the astral images of the allied sorcerers, each garbed as they usually were for casting magics. "All right," Kitty said to all of them seriously, "we're going to do this in two steps. The first thing we're going to do is erect the layered protective shields, and only then will we attempt to exorcise the anti-Phoenix." "Thank you for your help, everyone," Illyanna addressed the ghostly forms, "together we should be able to pull this off." The elderly sorceress Agatha Harkness began the enchantment, her years of experience providing an foundation for the spell. Dr. Anthony Druid and Albion brought the olde magics of Britain into the network, then Shaman called upon the elemental spirits of the Earth to help them. Finally the youngest stepped forward, Jennifer Kale and the Scarlet Witch bringing youthful power and vigor to the structure. Agatha Harkness frowned, her face wrinkled with age and experience. "It's done," she said, "but there's only so long a spell this complex can be maintained." "Incredible," Allistaire murmured, the young scientist eagerly monitoring the goings on. Technicians from WHO were scattered about at different equipment stations, each one recording valuable types of data. "We're up, love," Illyanna murmured. "Wish me luck," Kitty answered, stepping nearer to the circle as she brought her hands up to the amulet she wore. She concentrated and it gently irised open, a shining bolt of light sweeping down into the earth. Rachel braced herself, then the young redhead puffed a breath out in relief. The last time Kitty tried this something from below zapped her immediately, but now she seemed to be all right. "So far so good," she murmured. Illyanna ignited her Soulsword, the mystic blade burning brightly as she prepared herself to act. "What's down there?" she asked Kitty softly. "A corpse," Kitty sounded almost ill as she explained, "it looks like someone took the Phoenix fragment and stuffed in inside along with magical energies and tainted life force. It's almost like some corrupt perversion of a womb...." "So how do we handle this?" Alysande asked crisply, unconsciously hefting as rifle. It wouldn't do much good if the anti-Phoenix attacked but she felt better having it, anyway. "I think we're going to have to wreck your historic site," Illyanna said grimly. "Do what you have to," Allistaire said seriously, "WHO is given a pretty big latitude by the ministry, anyway." Alysande felt herself smile, "Besides, we can always blame it on rampaging Americans." "Fair enough," Kitty agreed with a laugh. She gestured towards the ground, her eyes narrowed the she bit out certain almost unpronounceable words. Things were silent for a moment, then there was a distant rumbling. The earth vibrated, gently at first, then stronger and stronger. Finally with a mighty heave the ground split apart above the stone circle even as it spat up a long, squarish object that was inscribed with the same sort of runic pattern as the ring of standing stones were. "It's awake..." Jennifer Kale cried out in alarm, the young blonde haired woman wincing as if she had been struck. The stone box shook, cracks appearing in it's surface then it simply exploded to reveal the figure within. The corpse was rotten, green, and the Phoenix flames that danced around it were sickly and tainted much the same. It shuddered, moving jerkily, almost as if it was confused, bewildered by it's surroundings. Kitty's amulet flared brightly, her words shaping those energies into a spell of containment. Shining rings held the anti-Phoenix captive, but even the power of a sorceress supreme couldn't hold it for long. Thankfully, it didn't have to. "Illyanna, NOW!" Kitty cried. On cue Illyanna leapt, sweeping her Soulsword across the form of the anti-Phoenix even as the circle of wizards focused their energies to shield them all. The disruptive powers of the Soulsword mixed with the twisted forces of the anti-Phoenix and combusted, a massive explosion blasting apart the archeological sight with immense power. When the blast cleared the corpse and the anti-phoenix were gone, only leaving one thing behind. Dancing in the air the tiny bird of fire flew, a baby Phoenix risen from the ashes, purified by their combined powers. It soared towards Jean and settled into her outreached hand, shining in the morning sun. "That's it?" Rachel blinked. "Very nearly," Jean looked down fondly at the Phoenix-child, "but I... don't know if I want to reabsorb her. It had struggled hard to live, it seems a waste to do that now." "I think I may have an idea," Illyanna sighed tiredly. As everyone looked at her she shrugged, "Rachel seems to be the Phoenix heir anyway, so why not give the baby to her?" "I'm not ready for...." Rachel stammered. "It shouldn't be too powerful just yet," Kitty noted thoughtfully as she continued, "it would grow in power over time." "And I can't think of a better guardian to it," Jean added warmly. Rachel hesitated, then finally a smile teased her lips. "If all of you are sure, I'll do it," she said. With that Jean released the baby-Phoenix and it soared to Rachel, hovering above her before seemingly disappearing within her. "I don't feel any different," Rachel blinked. "Give it time," Jean chuckled.
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