All the usual disclaimers and restrictions from my last stories are in effect.
"You do?!" asks Charles who is very much surprised, "Please enlighten us, then."
"When Dark Phoenix took over me at the memoial, I really did have no memory of what happened; but I wasn't just blacked out as everything took place. I went someplace, I don't know where, but I met this creature I now know is the Phoenix. But she wasn't brutal or cruel. She was kind and gentle with me ... and she explained things ..."
"What did she explain?" urges Charles.
"I ... I don't know. I remember she said I would learn what I need to when I am ready. But I know the Phoenix I met was not ... COULD not be the same one who attacked my friends."
"Jean demonstrated the benevolent powers of the Phoenix many times, yet it still eventually corrupted and used her to an evil end. We already explained it was only through Jean's final force of will that she was able to overcome it long enough to stop it," Charles replies.
"Janus?" I mutter silently.
"What did you say?" asks Charles.
"I don't know. The word 'janus' just popped into my mind."
"Interesting, very interesting," says Charles.
"I don't understand."
"Let me explain as this may help us understand not just what is happening but also, perhaps, the nature of the Phoenix," began Charles, "Janus was the Roman god characterized in statues as a pillar with two faces looking in opposite directions. Janus was the god of the past and present ... the opening and closing of doors. He was revered as the most powerful god, and our month of January is named after him as the Romans believed the start of the year was the most important and powerful to the gods. Janus was actually two gods joined as one ... Janus and Jana ... and represented the beginning and end of all things."
"Alpha and Omega."
"Yes, very much so, it seems," continues Charles, "And while the stories say Janus was overall benevolent, there are stories of one of its aspects that tells of it rending the earth and unleashing the power of a volcano to kill mortals who had wronged it ... as well as killing countless others who happened to live in the surrounding communities."
"So these stories about Janus may have been about the Phoenix?"
"Perhaps; it is hard to say as these tales are thousands of years old, and there is no way to verify what is based on fact and what is embelishment by a superstitious people."
"But what about the mythology of the firebird known as phoenix?" I ask.
"Who can say? Maybe as these legends progressed and were handed down over generations, the stories were combined and misconstrued. All I know is the stories of Janus ended around the time of its alleged attack with the volcano."
"I think I would remember a story of an attack by volcano!"
"But you do!" exclaims Charles, "Even those with little knowledge of history are familiar with what happened at Pompei!"
"Phoenix caused Pompei?!"
"It would seem to fit the rage it has shown. And after that, Janus seems to disappear ... as if it fled in guilt."
"But that makes no sense! If this creature was actually Janus, why does it refer to itself as Phoenix?"
"As I explained," Charles continues patiently, "I am only recounting the myths and trying to apply them to the situation at present. The Phoenix seems to think this fact is important though, as it implanted the thought in your mind."
"So the Phoenix isn't just the goddess of creation, she's ALSO a two- faced bitch?" I ask sarcastically.
As I say that, Charles sits forward and says, "As crudely as you put it, you may be right!"
"What that she is a bitch? Yeah, she tried to kill my friends ... I completely agree."
"No ... two-faced. Different sides of the same coin. We need to run some more tests," Charles says as he turns and wheels over to a nearby computer, "But I'm afraid we will need to take a necessary risk and lessen the effects of the neural inhibitor on you, Ryan."
"Are ya sure that's safe?" asks Moira.
Charles sits for a moment, his forehead creased with intense thought before answering, "No, but I'm not sure what choice we have. We can't do it here though. I will need access to Cerebro, so we must return to the mansion."
"What about Nick and Cindy? I won't leave them here!"
"Your friends should be recovered enough to travel with us. Plus, I am sure Nick will look forward to reuiniting with some of his friends from school and his other X-Men."
THAT threw me for a loop!
"Nick ... is ... is an X-Man?"
"Of course," Charles replies, "He has been keeping an eye on you since your first outburst of power during the tragedy at your graduation."
That's it for part 8! As always, feedback to ender2155@gmail.com
Oh, and the mythology and stories about Janus are very much true. That said, I did embelish a bit on the legends, so please no complaints from history buffs about my changing the story of Pompei!
Lastly, for X-Men purists, while I am taking some liberties with the Phoenix Force, I have no plans to change who she truly is. Phoenix is Phoenix and NOT Janus. No flaming please! :-)
-Adam