Location: The Multiversal Crosspoint – Realm Beyond Time
The battlefield was gone.
The cosmos around them had been obliterated—no stars, no planets, no space. Only a single floating isle of shattered stone hovered in the void, held together by lingering magic and raw will.
And on that isle stood two figures.
Harry Potter, armor cracked, the glow of Olympus and Asgard dimming, his blade flickering in his grasp.
The Dark Phoenix, her wings of fire spanning eternity, a crown of cosmic flame burning above her head. Her voice was galaxies. Her breath—supernova.
"You can't stop me," she said. "Not even with all the gods in your blood. I am the end."
Harry didn't answer. He didn't need to.
He stepped forward, Excaliburn reforged in his hands, the Hallows glowing on his chest. Behind him, the souls of the Founders, the gods, and even Merlin's spirit shimmered like ghosts.
"You don't understand," Harry said quietly. "I'm not here to win."
The Phoenix tilted her head.
"I'm here to save you."
And then he threw away his weapon.
The Memory Gambit
The Phoenix lunged—wings crashing forward to erase reality.
Harry opened his soul.
Not with power. Not with spells.
With truth.
He projected his memories into her essence:
A lonely cupboard beneath the stairs.
A wand choosing him.
A girl with red hair laughing in the snow.
Ron's hand pulling him from the lake.
Hermione's trembling hug before the final battle.
Sirius, falling.
Dumbledore's betrayal.
Building Jurassic Park.
Forgiving himself.
Choosing hope.
The Phoenix shrieked, stumbling mid-air. Her fire faltered.
For a second… a single second… Jean's real face broke through.
"Harry?" she whispered. "What… am I doing?"
He reached for her.
And just before the Phoenix could snuff him out completely—Jean Grey chose.
She tore the Phoenix out of herself.
Screamed.
And fell.
Harry caught her.
Aftermath – Avalon
They lay in the ruins of the isle, floating in golden light. Avalon, reborn, spread around them like a dream. The gods had withdrawn. The Multiverse was safe—for now.
Jean opened her eyes, weak but alive.
"Did we win?"
Harry smiled, exhausted.
"We survived. That's enough."
Thunder rumbled softly as Charles Xavier and the Avengers arrived via portal, stunned by the peace.
Behind them, the spirits of the Founders nodded.
"You did what none of us could," Rowena whispered. "You chose mercy over might."
And from the sky descended Death herself—her cloak silver, her face gentle.
"You've fulfilled your purpose, Guardian," she said to Harry. "But your journey is not yet over."
Harry stood, lifting Jean with him.
"I know. The multiverse is still broken. But now… I'm not alone."
Death smiled.
And vanished.