Okay, here's my entry. Just an idea I thought of; something I personally would really have loved to have seen in X3.
I hope you guys like it, sorry that it ended up a bit longer than I expected.
INT. XAVIERS OFFICE DAY
Dark clouds loom over the Institute as thunder begins to roll. Storm stands by the window, looking out across the scenery when something catches her eye.
A picture on the Professors desk. A picture
of Jean Grey.
Storm moves to it, and takes it in her hands. She giggles at the memory of the kindred spirit, when Jean had just started out developing her powers
it seems like a lifetime ago. So different
so different to the sight of Jean now, now so corrupt and malice
now the Phoenix.
No , Storm thinks. Its not Jean. It cant be Jean. She would never do that. No matter what, Jean Grey could never hurt the ones she loved.
Then, something occurs to Storm. Something she hadnt thought of before. If only, she thinks. Perhaps it could work
she bites her lip with anticipation. Could she dare it? No-one has ever tried it before
but Jean would. If Jean were in her position, Jean would do it, Storm convinces herself. Ill do it
for Jean.
After one final glance at the photograph, she puts it down on the desk and leaves.
INT. SUBBASEMENT NOT LONG AFTER
The elevator doors open, and Storm enters the bright, crisp hall of the Institutes subbasement, outfitted with state of the art technology and the finest medical facilities money could buy.
The experiment lab
Danger Room
the infamous Blackbird
the Professors prized possessions. Storm has often wondered where her mentor had received the funding for such things. The Professor had always been so coy about the details. You cant really blame them, Storm thinks. After all, the mutant issue is a sensitive one; who would want to be publicised, showing sympathy for the mutant blight in these stressful times?
But if there was one possession that Charles Xavier held most dearly, it was Cerebro. One of a kind
its the only known machine with the capabilities of locating any living person on the planet. All with the power of the Professors mind.
Its said that only the worlds most powerful psychics could hope to master Cerebro. Even Xavier, arguably the most powerful telepath, took years to develop complete control over it
so what chance would a non-psychic like Storm stand?
None , she thinks to herself as she graces the long, cold halls of the basement. But that doesnt matter anymore
Her heels chip away at the stainless metal of the floor beneath, causing Storm to look over her shoulder every once and a while. But there really is no need. Most of the students have been told to keep to their dorms for the day, and Logan
well, hes never around when you need him, Storm mutters to herself.
Finally, she comes to a large, circular-shaped door, an X engraved into its centre. Storm checks over her shoulder one last time and places a hand onto the door.
Sparks fly from her palm like miniature fireworks, as she manipulates the doors wiring. It works; the doors slide silently across, as an automatic female voice chimes, Welcome, Professor.
She pauses for just a moment, wondering if this was such a good idea after all
but her mind flashes back to that image of Jean, of when she first welcomed Storm to the Institute, all those years ago
She remembers when Jean was elected as her roommate, and how they stayed up, night after night
swapping girly stories and braiding each others hair. That was the Jean that Storm knew so well. And that was the Jean she was determined to get back
So, heaving a sigh, Storm places one foot forward
and enters Cerebro.
INT. CEREBRO SAME TIME
Storm creeps towards the console, wary of everything around her. She has been here before, but only a few occasions
and only in emergencies. Well, she ponds it over. I guess its an emergency now
She kneels down in front of the controls, and as she puts on the helmet, Cerebro hums to life. She may not be a psychic, but the bond she and Jean once had
that might be enough, she hopes. Jean can read thoughts
if shes somehow still in there, I can contact her. Suddenly, it doesnt sound as convincing, but Storm isnt backing down now. Shes come all this way
Jean is relying on her.
The walls fall away with the Cerebro effect. The room fades to blackness, with hints of light. In seconds, Storm is kneeling inside a giant image of the Earth, rotating around her.
Dotted across the continents are sparkling red and white lights, like stars fallen from sky. The white lights far outweigh the red ones.
STORM: Come on, Jean... where are you?
She closes her eyes, straining focusing all her efforts on finding Jean. Suddenly, the white lights fade leaving only the red ones. Cerebro zooms in closer, revealing a lone blinking red light. Latitude and longitude points are displayed.
It works! Storm gasps in surprise when the soft image of Jean Grey fades into view. She doesnt seem to be moving; she is just staring off into space, like in some sort of trance. Tears almost swell in Storms eyes, seeing her friend again like this.
STORM (V.O.): Jean? Jean? Can you hear me?
Jean looks about, as if searching for Storm right there and then. Suddenly, she realises whats happening.
JEAN (V.O.): Storm, how did you--? Why?
STORM (V.O.): I had to, Jean. I had to find you.
JEAN (V.O.): Why? What do you want from me?
STORM (V.O.): I want you to come home, Jean. Please stop this- you dont belong with Magneto. Dont you understand that?
JEAN (V.O.): I dont know. Should I?
Storm senses something wrong. She starts to doubt if this was a good idea
what if she cant get through to her, Storm doubts. What if she just makes Jean worse
?
JEAN (V.O.): I can read your thoughts, remember, Storm? I dont need a machine like you. Im more powerful than that.
STORM (V.O.): Is that what this is about? Power?
JEAN (V.O.): Isnt it always?
STORM (V.O.): The Professor
is that why you killed him? Because of his power? You were jealous-?
Suddenly, Jean lets out a blood-curling shriek; something not natural to this world.
JEAN (V.O.): No! He had no power over me. I owned his power.
STORM (V.O.): But why? Dont you remember anything? He was your friend, your mentor, your father-
JEAN (V.O.): And he left me to die!
STORM (V.O.): No. Of course he didnt. He tried to save you; we all tried to save you. But you wouldnt let us.
JEAN (V.O.): So now its my fault?
STORM (V.O.): No, I didnt mean it like that.
JEAN (V.O.): Tell me, Storm. What did you hope to accomplish by contacting me? What was it you were looking for?
Storm takes a breath. She could still feel Jean, her presence
but it was buried beneath this hatred
this hurt. She could feel her friends spirit corrupted by this new entity; this
Phoenix.
STORM (V.O.): I was looking for hope, Jean. I know youre still in there, somehow. Come back to us, Jean.
JEAN (V.O.): Jean
Jean. You use that word as if you know me
as if Im somehow your friend.
STORM (V.O.): But you are-
JEAN (V.O.): You mean was.
STORM (V.O.): I want to help you!
JEAN (V.O.): Help me? Why does everybody keep saying that?
STORM (V.O.): Because we love you. Just like Scott did.
Jean reacts to the mention of her former husband; she seems hurt by this. Maybe theres still good in her, Storm pleads
JEAN (V.O.): No. I know what youre thinking, Ororo. And no- there isnt. Scotts gone
and now Im free.
STORM (V.O.): But-
JEAN (V.O.): Jean Grey no longer exists. She was a pathetic, snivelling excuse for a mutant. Her powers were wasted. She was only a puppet; a slave for your beloved mentor.
STORM (V.O.): A slave? And youre not Magnetos?
Jean scoffs.
JEAN (V.O.): Magneto has his uses. For now.
STORM (V.O.): What are you planning? What are you going to do?
JEAN (V.O.): What I have to. This world is full of the weak and the feeble
. Im here to eradicate them!
STORM (V.O.): What would Scott say about this? Dont you think you at least owe him something?
JEAN (V.O.): He was only holding her back. He knew the extent of her power
and it frightened him.
STORM (V.O.): Thats not true! He loved you-
JEAN (V.O.): Wrong. He loved the control he had over her. He could do anything he wanted; and she let him. What else was I met to do? He didnt deserve to live.
STORM (V.O.): I cant believe whats happened to you, Jean.
JEAN (V.O.): Havent you been listening? Im not Jean.
A sudden burst of energy eradicates from Jeans body, sending shivers down Storms back.
STORM (V.O.): Think about what youre doing. Who youre hurting
JEAN (V.O.): Your whining is becoming a nuisance.
STORM (V.O.): Then just come home! End this, now! Before its too late!
Jean laughs; a hypnotic, manic laugh.
JEAN (V.O.): Oh no! Things are only just beginning! Youre about to witness a new age, Ororo! The dawn of a new time
one where only the strong will survive.
STORM (V.O.): And what about the others? The ones that dont survive?
Jean smiles; a sinister, bone-chilling smile.
JEAN (V.O.): I dont know. Youll have to let me know how that goes.
With that, a surge of energy bursts from Jeans body, dazzling flames explode like fireworks, engulfing Cerebro. Storm shrieks in pain as the energy courses through the console, knocking her back several feet.
When she looks up, Jeans image has vanished. Her breaths come in long, heavy bursts. That certainly wasnt Jean anymore, she tells herself. It was something more powerful than shes witnessed before
As Storm regains her footing and limps towards Cerebros exit, the Phoenixs words finally sink in. The weak will not survive
shes right, Storm thinks. This Phoenix is planning a war
As Storm leaves, her face becomes a manipulation of stone. No tension, no fear
only absolute. As she exits Cerebro, bruised and beaten from the attack, she finally understands. If this Phoenix wants a war
shell get one.