I assembled a team to protect the Scarlet Witch from the inevitable attack by Apocalypse. Gaia would have been a part of that group but she was still feeling a bit shell-shocked after Apocalypse told her that he was her brother.

Those who Apocalypse had already taken prisoner - Emma, Sabertooth, Quicksilver and Polaris all eagerly volunteered to be on the team. Jean Grey, who had been posing as a Horseman, also wanted to go. Several of the other X-Men had come to the front yard to investigate the sudden appearance of those who had managed to escape from the fearsome foe's clutches. Storm insisted that she lead the team. Not wanting to make a scene, I agreed. Besides, she was qualified to fly the X-Jet.

The team quickly scrambled into the plane and headed towards Manhattan. Using Cerebro to scan the city, I was able to locate Wanda at Macy's in mid-town. She was alone. The team was there in just a few minutes. Setting the X-Jet to hover, everyone jumped out of the plane. Jean levitated those who couldn't fly. Needless to say, Wanda was quite surprised to see all those mutants falling from the sky.

Almost the instant that even landed on the sidewalk, Oprah and Celine Dion, the two remaining Horsemen of Apocalypse, materialized into thin air. They were both dressed like Hellfire Club Queens.

"So you traitorous whore!" Oprah spat at Jean. "You think you can protect the Witch? She will be our Lord's!"

"I don't need any protection, you fat cow!" Wanda said as a hex bolt flew from her finger tips and slammed into Oprah's chest.

The sudden change in the probability field around her caused some bricks from high above to come loose and fall towards Oprah. The erst-while talkshow host waved her hand and the bricks bounced harmlessly off an invisible energy shield.

"Is that the best you have?" she taunted.

"Hardly," replied Wanda coolly.

She twisted her fingers around and spoke some arcane words. A blinding flash lit the sidewalk and Oprah found herself suddenly encased in cement, completely unable to move. Sabertooth moved towards her, claws out, ready to strike his helpless victim.

Just then the most horrible screech imaginable erupted from Celine's lips. Everyone on the street screamed in pain and dropped to their knees. Celine threw back her head and continued her terrible cacophony.

A tremendous burst of energy flew from Oprah's body, smashing her stone confinement. Laughing with an evil cackle, she waved her hands and energy globes formed around the helpless bodies of Wanda, Sabertooth, Quicksilver, Emma and Polaris.

Jean, exerting tremendous willpower, forced her mind to focus long enough to call upon the Phoenix power. An awesome fiery red bird formed around her, lifting her into the sky and protecting her from Celine's catterwalling. Jean looked down at Oprah with a maniacal glee.

"Let my friends go," she ordered.

Oprah looked up at Jean defiantly. Then a giant black flaming bird, every bit the equal in size and majesty to the Phoenix, formed around Oprah. She too raised into the sky. They stood there silently facing each other for several moments. Then the birds rushed towards each other and with a deafening explosion, collided.

When the smoke cleared, only Jean was left, the Phoenix entity momentarily gone.