X-Men: The Last Stand (a revised screenplay)

[Boba_Fett_123]

Okay, so I've been at this for a while now, and it's still not finished, but I'm far enough that I'd like to start sharing.

First things first: this is not a laundry list. I have not changed every single thing that anyone *****ed about and made it better. Many things survive from the original film, especially from the first half. Some things have been changed. You may like it, you may not, and I don't give a toss either way. I like to think that this is an intelligent expansion of what we got, and still a workable film. I've tried to provide more characters, more detail, more drama, more development, and more eye candy. Hope I've succeeded.

FADE IN:

EXT. ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON- DAY

A ROLLS ROYCE approaches the GREY household. It pulls up outside, and out step CHARLES XAVIER and ERIK LENSHERR, younger, more vibrant…and still closest of friends.

ERIK
We’re not going to meet every one of them in person, are we, Charles?

CHARLES
No, Erik. This one is special.

They step up to the door.

ERIK
Couldn’t we just make them say yes?

CHARLES
Of all people, I would expect you to understand my feelings about the misuse of power.

ERIK
Ah, yes. Power corrupts, and all that. When will you stop lecturing me?

CHARLES
When you start listening, perhaps?

They each chuckle. Charles knocks. ELAINE GREY answers the door.

ELAINE
Oh, hello. Please, come in.

INT. JOHN’S STUDY

JOHN and Elaine Grey sit across a table from Charles and Erik. Elaine has served tea.

ELAINE
The campus is wonderful, and Salem Center is only an hour away.

JOHN
The brochure is great, but I’m concerned about Jean. Her…illness.

ERIK
Illness?

Xavier gives Erik a cautioning look. Erik ignores it.

ELAINE
Now, John…

ERIK
You think your daughter is ill, Mr. Grey?

CHARLES
Erik, please…

JOHN
Call it what you want. It’s not normal. All we know for sure is that it’s getting worse. She’s been traumatized since Annie died…

ERIK
You’re afraid of her.

JOHN
I’m not afraid of my own daughter, Mr. Lensherr. I want to help her.

CHARLES
As do we. Perhaps we could speak to Jean alone?

John and Elaine exchange worried glances.

JOHN
All right.

He calls over his shoulder up the stairs.

JOHN
Jean? Could you come down here?

JEAN, a young teenage girl, comes down the stairs.

John and Elaine get up.

JOHN
We’ll leave you, then.

Jean takes her father’s seat. Xavier smiles.

CHARLES
Hello, Jean.

Jean smirks smugly.

CHARLES
(telepathically)
It’s very rude, you know, to read Mr. Lensherr’s thoughts, or my own, without our permission.

Jean shoots him an evil glare.

ERIK
Did you think you were the only one of your kind, girl?

JEAN
(telepathically)
What kind?

CHARLES
We are mutants, Jean. Like you.

JEAN
You heard my thoughts.

CHARLES
Just as you heard mine.

She looks to Erik.

JEAN (cont’d)
But you talk out loud. Your powers are different.

CHARLES
Yes, his are different from yours and from mine. But despite that, we remain, fundamentally, the same.

JEAN
Really? I doubt that.

Outside, all of the cars on the street begin to levitate. MR. LEE watches in awe as his hose begins to snake up, the water pouring up into the air, and MR. CLAREMONT chases after his lawnmower, which has taken on a life of its own.

Charles and Erik look through the window at the phenomenon.

ERIK
Oh, Charles, I like this one.

CHARLES
Jean, you have more power than you can imagine.

Jean shows no sign of strain, or even of listening to him.

CHARLES (cont’d)
The question is, will you control that power…

Jean suddenly loses control, and the cars come crashing down.

CHARLES (cont’d)
…or will you let it control you?

EXT. WORTHINGTON LABS

Ten years later, the building gleams in the San Francisco sun, glass windows reflecting light. The penthouse provides a home for the Worthington family.

INT. BATHROOM/ INT. HALLWAY (INTERCUT)

Young WARREN WORTHINGTON III stands before a mirror, sweating, concentrating hard on something. He winces in pain. Suddenly, a knock at the door.

VOICE
Warren?

WARREN WORTHINGTON JR. knocks on the door.

WORTHINGTON
Warren, are you okay?

Warren quickly stops, panicked.

WARREN
No! Don’t come in!

WORTHINGTON (V/O)
Warren…

Worthington becomes angry.

WORTHINGTON (cont’d)
…open this door!

Warren scurries to hide bloodied kitchen knives. Blood and feathers adorn the white sink in graphic imagery.

WARREN
One second!

Worthington bangs on the door.

WORTHINGTON
Warren, it’s been an hour, open this door now!

Tears stream down Warren’s face.

WARREN
Just a second!

Too late. Worthington forces the door open. He stops in his tracks, staring in horror at the blood and feathers on the floor.

WORTHINGTON
No…not you, too…

Warren sobs.

WARREN
I’m sorry, Dad…I’m sorry…I tried to make it go away…

In the mirror, bloodied stumps on Warren’s back mark where the wings begin to grow in.

OPENING CREDIT SEQUENCE.

EXT. MANHATTAN-NIGHT

The city is in ruins. Fires light the night sky: buildings, cars, nearly everything has been lit aflame.

COLOSSUS and ROGUE charge into frame, pursued by an unseen assailant.

ROGUE
This way!

They meet STORM.

ROGUE
Storm, they’re everywhere!

STORM
Stay together. Where’s Iceman and Shadowcat?

Elsewhere, ICEMAN freezes several missiles headed for SHADOWCAT. He smiles at her, oblivious to a third missile headed for him.

SHADOWCAT
Bobby!

Shadowcat dives forward, phasing herself and Iceman, allowing the missile to pass right through.

ICEMAN
Thanks.

SHADOWCAT
No problem.

Rogue looks on, eyes narrowing as Bobby and Kitty take far too long to part.

STORM
Watch it, lasers!

Storm dives out of the way. Rogue grabs on to Colossus, taking his powers so that they each metal up at the same time.

Rogue looks up as LOGAN arrives.

LOGAN
How much time?

ROGUE
Two minutes, tops.
Rogue reverts to normal.

LOGAN
How many?

ROGUE
Can’t tell. Maybe three.

LOGAN
The hell is she thinkin’?

ROGUE
Good to see you again, too.

LOGAN
Yeah, yeah…

He casually strolls over to the bunker where Storm crouches, watching approaching searchlights.

STORM
Logan!

As Logan reaches her, Bobby and Kitty arrive. Rogue and Colossus trail Logan.

STORM
All right, everybody in position. We move out together.

Before they can form up, a mortar explodes mere feet away. Everyone takes cover in the bunker. Storm and Logan lean against a wall.

STORM
Logan, what the hell are you doing here?

LOGAN
Enjoying the scenery. You?

STORM
This isn’t a game.

LOGAN
Whatever helps you sleep at night. Those things are lot closer now. You just gonna stand there?

Storm glares sternly at him.

STORM
You follow my lead, got it?

LOGAN
Yeah. Whatever.

Storm sighs, addresses everyone else.

STORM
We stay in formation, no matter what. Let’s go.

They exit the bunker. Three massive SENTINELS tower over them.

LOGAN
Well, this shouldn’t take long.

Logan turns to Colossus.

LOGAN
Tin man. How’s your throwin’ arm?

COLOSSUS
It’s decent.

STORM
Logan! We work as a team!

LOGAN
Throw me.

COLOSSUS
Da.

He spins Logan around once and throws him up to the Sentinel.

SNIKT! A Sentinel head plops to the ground, Logan riding it all the way. He leaps off and dusts his shoulders off.

LOGAN
You tell me how that works out.

STORM
Shadowcat, Iceman, take the left with Logan. Rogue, Colossus, you’re with me.

They split up. Kitty phases through the Sentinel’s leg, causing it to spark. Bobby creates an ice slide to slow the Sentinel’s fall, and Logan finishes it with his claws.

Rogue absorbs Storm’s powers and flies up to the Sentinel’s head with Storm. Together they electrocute it. Colossus stops it from falling and throws it out of harm’s way.

The X-Men regroup, and Manhattan fades away, becoming…

INT. DANGER ROOM

…a massive hologram chamber.

The X-Men exit.

LOGAN
Hey, Petey. Nice throw.

PETER
Thanks.

The new kids leave. Storm rounds on Logan.

STORM
What the hell was that?

LOGAN
Danger Room session.

STORM
You know what I mean. I’m trying to teach these kids something, Logan!

LOGAN
I think I taught ‘em something.

STORM
It was a defensive exercise!

LOGAN
Well, you know what they say—

STORM
No, I don’t know what they say, Logan. This is a school, you can’t just come and go as you please.

LOGAN
Hey, ‘ro—I’m jus the sub. You gotta problem, talk to Scott.

INT. SCOTT’S ROOM

SCOTT SUMMERS sits on the edge of the bed. He hasn’t shaved in days.

JEAN (V/O)
Scott!

INT. ALAKALI LAKE

JEAN GREY drowns, helplessly.

JEAN
Scott!!

INT. SCOTT’S ROOM

Scott jolts.

SCOTT
No!

He trembles, head in hands.

SCOTT
Jean…

EXT. MANSION

A slightly more youthful Scott sits on a bench with Jean, her hair short and flipped in the back.

JEAN
I wanna try something. Ever since Liberty Island, my telepathy’s been a lot stronger. And…I love you so much.

SCOTT
Jean, what is it?

JEAN
I wanna create a psychic rapport between us. A bond. The ultimate bond. Ultimate trust. A piece of me in you, a piece of you in me.

SCOTT
Jean, I—wow.

JEAN
I know, it’s a lot. It’s okay to say no.

Scott laughs lightly.

SCOTT
Why would I say no?

Jean smiles. She puts her hands up to his temples. They each glow orange for a bit. Jean smiles again.

JEAN
All done. Feel different?

SCOTT
Wow, I…I can’t believe it. It feels—

JEAN
Wonderful.

They kiss.

CUT TO:

INT. ALKALI LAKE

Jean drowns.

JEAN
Save me, Scott!


INT. SCOTT’S ROOM

Scott shakes his head, as though shaking the thoughts away. He gets up, grabs a bag, and leaves.

BOBBY (V/O)
Rogue, what’s wrong?

INT. HALLWAY

Bobby and Rogue exit an elevator.

ROGUE
What’s wrong is that I can’t touch my boyfriend without killin’ him, other than that I’m wonderful.

They pass several students in the now crowded halls, including WICKED and the STEPFORD CUCKOOS.

BOBBY
That’s not fair. I’ve never put any pressure on you, have I?

Rogue spins around to face him.

ROGUE
You’re a guy, Bobby. Your mind’s only on one thing.

Bobby sighs.

BOBBY
Whatever. We’ll talk later.

Elsewhere, Scott exits his room. Logan approaches him.

LOGAN
Hey, Scott!

Scott continues on his way.

LOGAN
What the hell happened to you? They’re looking for you downstairs, you didn’t show.

Scott turns.

SCOTT
What’s it to you?

LOGAN
How about I had to cover your ass, for starters?

SCOTT
Well it’s about time you did something around here. I didn’t ask you to help.

LOGAN
No, you didn’t—the professor did. I was just passing through, and lucky for you I was.
SCOTT
So pass through, Logan. It’s what you do best.

Silence.

LOGAN
Look, I know how—

SCOTT
Don’t.

LOGAN
When Jean—

SCOTT
I said don’t.

Logan sighs.

LOGAN
Maybe it’s time for us to move on.

Scott scoffs, then turns to leave. Midway down the hall, he calls over his shoulder.

SCOTT
Not everybody heals as fast as you, Logan.

INT. HENRY MCCOY’S OFFICE

Secretary of Mutant Affairs, HENRY MCCOY, hangs upside down reading a magazine. His assistant, ALICIA VARGAS, enters.

ALICIA
The White House called. They’ve bumped up the meeting. They need you there now.

Henry drops down, flipping over and landing neatly on his feet.

HENRY
Tell them I’ll be there shortly.

INT. SITUATION ROOM

Henry enters. The PRESIDENT is seated, BOLIVAR TRASK across the table. Several other OFFICIALS are present, as well. Henry shakes the president’s hand.

HENRY
Mr. President.

PRESIDENT
Hank, have a seat. Sorry for catching you short, but, things are moving quickly.

Trask begins speaking.

TRASK
Homeland Security was tracking Magneto. They’ve got hits in Lisbon, Geneva, Montreal. NavSat lost him crossing the border, but, we did get a consolation prize.

A screen flickers on. MYSTIQUE sits in an interrogation room, across an FBI AGENT.

TRASK
We picked her up breaking into the FDA, of all places. She was impersonating Senator Robert Kelly. Evidently, Kelly’s been dead for some time without our knowledge.

HENRY
Yes, she can do that.

TRASK
Not anymore, she can’t. We got her.

HENRY
You think you can hold her?

TRASK
We’ve got some new walls, Hank. We’ll be a step ahead, this time.

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM

The agent leans in toward Mystique.

AGENT
Raven.

Mystique looks away, bored.
AGENT
Raven, I’m talking to you.

MYSTIQUE
Raven is my slave name.

AGENT
Raven Darkhölme, that’s your real name. Or has he convinced you that you don’t have a family anymore?

MYSTIQUE
My family tried to kill me when I was twelve years old. We’ve lost touch.

AGENT
Where is he? Where’s Magneto?

Mystique smirks, and morphs into MAGNETO.

MYSTIQUE
In here, with us.

AGENT
Are you playing games with me?

She turns into the agent.

MYSTIQUE
Are you playing games with me?

AGENT
Raven, stop this!

Mystique smiles and leans in close.

MYSTIQUE
Do you really wanna know where he is?

She head butts the agent, then leaps over the table and lands behind him, choking him with her hand cuffs, all the while reverting to her normal state.

MYSTIQUE
Homo sapien.

Guards flood the room. Mystique puts up a valiant fight, but is eventually overwhelmed. The screen goes black.
INT. SITUATION ROOM

Trask smiles.

TRASK
One down, one to go.

HENRY
You know you’ve only provoked Magneto?

TRASK
Henry, be realistic. You see what we’re dealing with.

HENRY
All the more reason to be diplomatic.

PRESIDENT
On principle, I can’t negotiate with these people, Henry, you know that.

HENRY
With all respect sir, I thought that’s why you’d appointed me in the first place.

PRESIDENT
I’m sorry you were misled, then. That’s not why I called on you.

Trask slides a folder to Henry.

TRASK
This is.

Henry peruses the folder.
HENRY
My God. Is it viable?

TRASK
We believe it is, yes.

HENRY
Do you have any idea the level of impact this will have on the mutant community?

PRESIDENT
Yes, Henry, we do. That’s why we have need of your diplomacy right now.
INT. XAVIER’S OFFICE

Several students sit around Charles Xavier’s desk, Kitty Pryde right up in the front row.

CHARLES
Orwell wrote that power corrupts, and that absolute power, corrupts absolutely. This is lesson that every one of us must learn, and live. Why?

Several hands go up, Kitty’s included. Charles smiles.

CHARLES
Kitty, how about you?

KITTY
Because we’re mutants.

CHARLES
I’m disappointed, Kitty. I’d have thought you’d see the flaw in Orwell’s generalization.

Kitty raises an eyebrow.

KITTY
How d’you mean?

XAVIER
Well, unfortunately, students, there are no absolutes when it comes to the issue of ethics. For psychics like myself, it presents a particular dilemma. Our power is, by its very nature, an invasive one. When is it okay to use it, and when do we cross that invisible line?

KITTY
Well, Professor, if the line is invisible, then how do we know we’ve crossed it?

The class chuckles. Two TWINS look at each other, smirking in agreement. The Stepford Cuckoos, on the other hand, roll their eyes haughtily in unison.

ESME
Miss Frost certainly wouldn’t approve of this one.

SOPHIE
Absolutely not. She’s appalling, don’t you think Celeste?
CELESTE
Indeed.

Xavier smiles just a bit.

XAVIER
All right, class, that’s enough. Despite her cheek, Miss Pryde does have a point.

He turns on a monitor.

XAVIER
This case was forwarded to me by a colleague of mine, Dr. Moira MacTaggart.

Everyone begins to take notes. Kitty glances over at WEEZIE, whose power transcribes words with just the wave of her hand. Kitty makes a face, wishing she could do that. Instead, she pulls out her pen and writes MOIRA MACTAGGART on the heading of her paper.

On the screen, MOIRA stands next to a patient completely covered in bandages. She turns to face the screen.

MOIRA
The man you see here was born with no higher level brain functions. His organs and nervous system function normally, but he has no consciousness to speak of. This has been confirmed both by the most advanced medical scans available on Muir Island, and of course by your telepathic examination, Charles.

Moira smiles a bit. Xavier pauses the transmission.

XAVIER
What if, class, what if we could transfer the consciousness of one person, say, a father of four with terminal cancer, into the body of this man? How are we to decide what is in the range of ethical behavior, and what is best left…

Xavier trails off and looks out the window, where the sky is quickly turning black.

XAVIER (cont’d)
…to God. Excuse me, class, we’ll continue this tomorrow. Miss Pryde, I expect fervent debate.

KITTY
You got it.

EXT. VERANDA-DAY

Though it is ostensibly afternoon, the sky is dark. Ororo Munroe stands on the veranda, looking up to the sky, seemingly oblivious to it all. Xavier wheels out to join her.

XAVIER
The forecast was for sunny skies, Ororo.

Ororo turns.

ORORO
Huh? Oh…****.

She looks up to the sky and her eyes go white. The clouds part, the sky returning to normal.

ORORO
I’m sorry…sometimes I just lose track. More, since…

XAVIER
I know. Something’s bothering you, Ororo. Not just that.

Ororo shakes her head.

ORORO
Where I grew up, in Kenya, my powers were seen as a gift. But here, in the land of freedom, of tolerance, we hide our gifts. In shame. You don’t see a problem with that?

XAVIER
Why don’t we go inside?

INT. HALLWAY

Ororo and Charles walk through the hall, students all about them.

ORORO
Magneto’s gone, we have a mutant in the cabinet—why are we still hiding?

XAVIER
We’re not hiding, Ororo.

ORORO
Charles, we live behind stone walls, we keep our identities a secret—

XAVIER
Not by choice. I have to protect my students, you know that.

ORORO
Protect them from what? Why are we afraid?

XAVIER
Because we have to be. They will always hate us, no matter what we do.

ORORO
We can’t be students forever, Charles.

At this Xavier laughs.

XAVIER
Ororo, I haven’t thought of you as my student in years. In fact…I was hoping that you and Scott might one day take my place.

ORORO
Professor, that day is a long way off.

XAVIER
Perhaps not as long as we think. You of all people know how fast the weather can change.

Ororo narrows her eyes.

XAVIER
We have company.

 

[Boba_Fett_123]

INT. FOYER

Henry examines a painting on a wall, while MISS EMMA FROST sits, legs crossed, on a couch. Henry looks over as Ororo and Charles enter.

HENRY
Ororo! Charles!

He laughs heartily as Ororo comes over to hug him.

ORORO
Hank! I love what you’ve done with your hair!

HENRY
You too.

Ororo plays with her hair.

ORORO
Thanks.

CHARLES
It’s good to see you again, Henry.

HENRY
It’s good to be back, Charles. Plus, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Miss Frost here.

Emma stands.

EMMA
Hello, Professor Xavier.

CHARLES
Miss Frost, I’m glad you could come.

Logan stands at the door.

LOGAN
Who’s the furball?

HENRY
Hank McCoy, Secretary of Mutant Affairs.

LOGAN
Right. Secretary. Nice suit.

Emma narrows her eyes.

EMMA
The Wolverine, eh?

LOGAN
What’s it to you?

EMMA
I hear you’re quite the animal.

Ororo glares at Emma.

ORORO
I don’t think we’ve been introduced.

Emma extends a white-gloved hand.

EMMA
Emma Frost.

Ororo shakes her hand briefly.

XAVIER
Miss Frost is the headmistress of the Massachusetts Academy.

EMMA
My school’s pupils are a tad more…selective than yours here, but nevertheless, what with the increasing mutant population, Charles and I decided that perhaps a merger would be in order.

XAVIER
And how have your girls liked the school?

ORORO
“Your girls”…ah. The Cuckoos.

As if on cue, ESME, SOPHIE, CELESTE, PHOEBE, and MINDEE enter.

CUCKOOS
Hello, Miss Frost.

EMMA
Girls. Professor Xavier was just inquiring as to your stay.

HENRY
Actually, Charles, if it could wait, this isn’t a social call. I have news.

XAVIER
Erik?

HENRY
No, no, though we have made some progress on that front. Mystique was apprehended last week. But Magneto isn’t our problem. At least, not our most pressing one.

Everyone in the room focuses on Henry.

HENRY
A major pharmaceutical company has developed a way to…suppress the mutant X-Gene.

EMMA
Suppress?

HENRY
Permanently. They’re calling it a cure.

EMMA
Well, that’s absurd.

ORORO
It’s insane. You can’t cure being a mutant.

HENRY
Well, scientifically speaking—

ORORO
What is there to “cure”, Hank?

CUCKOOS
Miss Munroe?

EMMA
Girls, don’t interrupt.

XAVIER
No…they’re right.

Xavier’s eyes drift to the television.

XAVIER
They’re announcing it right now.

EXT. ALCATRAZ-DAY

Warren Worthington, Jr. stands at a podium. Seated to his left is Dr. KAVITA RAO.

WORTHINGTON
They’ve been called saints and sinners. They’ve committed atrocities, and been the victims of atrocities themselves. They’ve been labeled monsters, and not without reason. But these so-called monsters are people, just like us. And we want to help them. Dr. Rao.

Kavita stands and takes the podium.

KAVITA
Thank you, Mr. Worthington. Ladies and gentlemen, I and my team at Worthington Labs have made a breakthrough discovery. Like Mr. Worthington has told you, mutants are people. People like us. People with a disease. The mutant gene is nothing more than a corruption of healthy cellular activity.

INT. STUDENT LOUNGE

Rogue watches the television with other students.

KAVITA (onscreen)
Ladies and gentlemen…we have found hope.

Rogue’s gaze intensifies.

KAVITA (cont’d)
Finally, we have a cure.

Rogue takes a deep, relieved breath.

INT. FOYER

Emma sneers.

EMMA
A “disease”? Since when are we a disease?

ORORO
Hank, what the hell is this?

LOGAN
Bet our government boy knows all about it.

HENRY
I can assure you, the government had nothing to do with this. Worthington Industries is a private venture.

LOGAN
Yeah, I’ve heard that before.

HENRY
My boy, I’ve been fighting for mutant rights since before you had claws.

LOGAN
Don’t call me boy. And I’ve had these claws for a long time, bub—you ain’t been fightin’ that long.

ORORO
Who would want this cure, anyway? What kind of coward would give up their powers just to fit in?

HENRY
I understand your concerns, Ororo, for God’s sake, it’s why I’m here. But not all of us have such an easy time fitting in as you, you know. You don’t shed on the furniture.

Ororo closes her eyes.

ORORO
Oh…I’m sorry, Hank. It’s just—

EMMA
Believe me, we understand. Forget the personal crises—this is a veritable Pandora’s box. I’m not so worried about what the cure can do, as I am about what the government can do with it.

Rogue runs into the room.

ROGUE
Is it true? They can cure us?

Emma’s eyes narrow to slits.

EMMA
Ah. The poster girl for the other team. You, darling, must be Rogue. Esme was telling me about you.

The Cuckoos all adopt a smug look. Rogue sneers at them.

XAVIER
Yes, it appears to be true, Rogue.

ORORO
No, Professor. It’s not true. They can’t cure us because there’s nothing wrong.

HANK
I don’t think you’re qualified to make that statement, Ororo! There are plenty of mutants who--

ORORO
What do you want me to think, Hank? Our powers are part of who we are, for better or worse! It’s part of our identities!

ROGUE
You think I want this to be part of my identity?

Ororo turns to Rogue.

ROGUE
Sorry, Miss Munroe, but if that’s the case, you gotta think again. I don’t care what you say. Something’s wrong with me, and I wanna fix it. And it’s my choice.

Ororo looks back to Xavier as everyone stands off.

ORORO
I guess you were right about the weather.

 

[Boba_Fett_123]

INT. CHURCH-NIGHT

A gathering of mutants, at least a hundred in number. One rather pathetic looking one, JACK STOVER, who speaks with a Cockney accent, tries to silence the din.

STOVER
People, listen! This is about getting organized! We have to band together, show the Department of Mutant Affairs that we mean business!
PSYLOCKE, purple hair with a red tattoo over her left eye, shouts out from the crowd.

PSYLOCKE
They wanna exterminate us, Jack!

STOVER
The cure is voluntary, Bets. No one is talking about extermination!

VOICE
No one ever talks about it.

Suddenly, MAGNETO, dressed in a ratty black sweater and cape, stands, flanked by PYRO.

MAGNETO (cont’d)
They just do it.

Magneto strides to the front of the room, taking the stage as though he belongs there.

MAGNETO
By all means, go about your lives. Ignore all of the many signs around you. Then they’ll come for you, and the rest of us will be better off without you. And then you will realize, that while you sat here prattling on about committees and organizations and DMAs, the extermination had already begun.

Magneto stares intensely into the audience.

MAGNETO
Make no mistake, my brothers. The humans will draw first blood. When the air is still, and the night has fallen, there’s only one question you must answer. Who will you stand with—the humans?

Magneto sneers slightly.

MAGNETO
Or us? Because there is no third choice. Choose now. Choose wisely. This is the beginning of the end, and your choice will make all the difference.

He strides off as quickly and suddenly as he began. In no time at all, CALLISTO and her gang are on his and Pyro’s heels.

CALLISTO
You talk tough for a geezer in a cape.

Magneto turns to face her.

CALLISTO
You so proud of being a mutant, old man? Where’s your mark?

Magneto smiles faintly and pulls up his sleeve.

MAGNETO
My dear, I have already been marked once.

He shows her his serial number, from Auschwitz.

MAGNETO
Let me assure you, no needle will ever touch my skin again.

Callisto shrugs and turns to QUILL and Psylocke, the other members of the Omega gang.

PYRO
You punks know who you’re talking to?

Quill spikes up.

QUILL
Do you?

Pyro scoffs. Callisto gives a falsely sweet smile.

CALLISTO
Wanna know what I know? I know that you can control fire. Not make it.

Pyro’s eyes narrow. Callisto smirks and continues, addressing Magneto.

CALLISTO
And I know that you control metal. And that there’s a hundred sixty five mutants in this room, none better than Class Three. Except for the three of us.

Magneto responds, politely bored.

MAGNETO
So you have talents.

He begins to turn again, but he finds that Callisto once again blocks his way.

CALLISTO
That and more. I can tell you how many mutants are on this block. In this city.

Magneto becomes intrigued.

CALLISTO (cont’d)
This state.

MAGNETO
You sense other mutants and their powers?

He turns to Pyro.

MAGNETO
A living Cerebro, would you believe it?

Pyro chuckles. Magneto turns back to Callisto.

MAGNETO
Could you locate one for me?

EXT. HIGHWAY-DAY

Scott speeds down the highway on his motorcycle in the Canadian Rockies. Past the expansive woods lies Alkali Lake, still flooded from the X-Men’s previous outing there.

EXT. ALKALI LAKE- DAY

Scott approaches the lake.

In his mind’s eye, Jean pushes back the water bursting from the dam with her telekinesis, while simultaneously lifting the X-Jet, with the other X-Men aboard, out of harm’s way.

JEAN
It’s the only way.

Then, she is drowning again.

JEAN
SCOTT!

Reality comes back.

SCOTT
STOP IT!!

He tears off his glasses and releases his optic beam up into the sky. As he tilts his head back down, the beam grazes the lake’s surface. A recoil of energy strikes him and knocks him flat on his back.

Suddenly, the lake erupts in a fiery display. A faint shriek accompanies a firebird springing from a massive whirlpool. Scott stares straight ahead as a bright light blinds him. As the light fades, Jean stands before him. Her hair is longer, her uniform torn, but she is there, and very much alive.

SCOTT
Jean?

Jean smiles.

JEAN
Scott.

SCOTT
How?

She looks down at herself in disbelief.

JEAN
I don’t know.

Needing no more words, they kiss, passionately. Jean pulls away slightly, moving her hands up to his glasses.

JEAN
Take these off.

SCOTT
Jean, I can’t---

JEAN
I can stop it. I wanna see your eyes.

She starts to pull them off.

SCOTT
Jean, stop!

JEAN
I can control it.

She takes the glasses off. Scott’s eyes glow red momentarily, and then return to their natural brown.

SCOTT
How?

JEAN
Don’t ask.

The kissing resumes. She suddenly becomes more fierce. Scott’s eyes widen in surprise.

CUT TO:

INT. XAVIER’S STUDY

Xavier cries out in pain. Blood leaks from his nose.

INT. LOGAN’S ROOM

Logan’s eyes snap open. He leaps up from his meditative position and charges out into the hallway.

INT. HALLWAY

Logan runs through the hall. Ororo flies down from the top of the staircase and joins him.

ORORO
You caught it too?

Emma bursts out from her room, clutching at her head.

EMMA
What the hell is going on?

She starts to run with them.

INT. XAVIER’S OFFICE

All three burst in.

ORORO
Charles!

LOGAN
You okay?

Emma takes a seat.

EMMA
Something’s happened. Something big.

Xavier looks up at Logan and Ororo.

XAVIER
You have to get to Alkali Lake. Now!

EMMA
Go. I’ll stay with him.

Logan and Ororo turn without speaking.

EXT. ALKALI LAKE- DAY

The X-Jet lands. Logan and Ororo disembark, entering a heavy fog.

LOGAN
I can’t see anything.

ORORO
I can fix that.

Her eyes go white, and the fog dissipates. Logan looks incredulously at the multitude of floating rocks littering the air. Droplets of water fall upward from leaves.

LOGAN
This is weird.

ORORO
Let’s split up.
Logan walks toward the forest. He finds Scott’s GLASSES floating freely midway between the lake and the trees. He grabs at them, furrowing his brow. He sniffs and looks off into the forest.

ORORO (OS)
Logan!!

Logan throws one last glance back to the woods, then takes off running toward the lake. He joins Ororo, and his eyes widen.

ORORO
She’s alive.

He crouches down over a body. A woman.

LOGAN
Jean?

He takes the glasses from his pocket and hands them to Ororo.

LOGAN
I found these. We gotta get her back.

He picks up JEAN’S body and hands it to Ororo.

LOGAN
Go.

ORORO
What about you?

LOGAN
I gotta find Scott. He’s here somewhere.

ORORO
There’s a med-kit on the jet. I’ll wait for you.

Logan starts to argue, then thinks better for it.

LOGAN
Wait five minutes. Not any longer.



EXT. FOREST – DAY

Logan prowls through the trees and sniffs the air.

LOGAN
Scott?

EXT. ALKALI LAKE – DAY

Logan runs back to the jet, carrying Scott’s body. He calls out to Ororo mid-stride.

LOGAN
Get the jet started!

He leaps onto the access ramp just as it closes and Ororo begins lifting the jet from the ground.

INT. X-JET

Ororo pilots. Logan lays Scott’s body on a seat in the back, next to Jean’s.

ORORO
Is he--?

LOGAN
I dunno. We need to get him back.

ORORO
I’ll go as fast as I can.

INT. MEDICAL BAY

Jean lays on an operating table, Scott on another on the other side of the room. Ororo and Logan stand with Xavier. Emma examines Scott, then joins them.

EMMA
He’s comatose. But stable.

She pauses, then takes a deep breath.

EMMA
Jean Grey died.

She casts a sharp look at Xavier.
EMMA
Spill it.

Ororo spins toward Emma.

ORORO
Excuse me? Who gave you the right to speak to any of us that way?

EMMA
People don’t just come back from the dead, Ms. Munroe. Something’s up.

Logan looks from Scott to Jean to Xavier.

XAVIER
Jean was the only class five mutant I’ve ever known. Her potential was practically limitless. Her mutation was seated in her limbic system, her unconscious. She was, in short, dangerous.

Logan’s eyes narrow.

EMMA
But you were training her? While I was apprenticing under Madame LaFarge, you took her on as a pupil.

XAVIER
I tried…I created a series of psychic barriers to separate her powers from her conscious mind, until she could learn to integrate the two properly. And safely. But in doing so, she developed a split personality.

Emma’s eyes drift uncomfortably to meet Logan’s and Ororo’s.

LOGAN
What?

XAVIER
The conscious Jean, whose powers were always under control, and that dormant side. A personality that, in our sessions, came to call itself “the Phoenix”. A purely instinctual creature, all desire and joy…and rage.

Logan grows still.

EMMA
Excuse me.

She turns and leaves.

LOGAN
Jean knew about this?

XAVIER
It’s unclear how much she remembered. The more pressing issue is that I can’t be sure if the woman lying in front of us is Jean…or the Phoenix.

Logan takes a step closer.

LOGAN
She looks pretty peaceful to me, Chuck.

XAVIER
That’s because I’m keeping her that way.

Logan snarls.

LOGAN
What did you just say?

Xavier doesn’t even acknowledge Logan.

XAVIER
If I can reinstate the psychic blocks, perhaps I can cage the beast once again.

Logan grabs Charles by the collar. Ororo gasps.

ORORO
Logan!

Logan lets go. Charles glares up at him.

LOGAN
Y’know, sometimes, when you cage the beast…the beast gets angry.

XAVIER
Well forgive me, if I value the safety of the world over the feelings of the beast.

LOGAN
This is someone’s mind you’re talkin’ about, Charles! Jeannie’s mind!

XAVIER
I understand your past experience, Logan. I know why you would have an aversion to this.

Ororo speaks up.

ORORO
Jean is my best friend, Charles. And you’re like a father to me. But if you’ve done anything that will hurt her—

XAVIER
I assure you, all I have done is ensure that you will only ever know the woman you’ve come to love.

Logan shakes his head.

LOGAN
And here I was, thinking you were some kind of saint.

XAVIER
Logan, you have no idea what she’s capable of—

LOGAN
No, Professor. I had no idea what you were capable of.

Logan storms away.

ORORO
Logan!

She goes after him. Xavier returns his attention to Jean.

EXT. ALCATRAZ-DAY

A helicopter lands. Hank McCoy exits, as Kavita Rao moves forward to greet him.

KAVITA
Dr. McCoy. So glad you could make it.

HENRY
Thank you for having me, Dr. Rao.

KAVITA
Right this way.

She leads him inside.

INT. HALLWAY

Kavita leads Hank down a hall.

KAVITA
You know, Dr. McCoy, I wrote my thesis on your theory of genetic combination.

HENRY
I’m flattered.

They stop outside a room with a viewing window. Hank looks inside, sees LEECH playing video games. The room is pure white.

HENRY
I never had a subject quite like this. I heard the staff calling him by some nickname.

Kavita sighs.

KAVITA
I’ve tried to stop them. But from your experience, I’m sure you understand how these things take on a life of their own.

HENRY
That’s why I brought it up.

KAVITA
The staff have been firmly instructed never to call him Leech to his face, or where he can hear them.

HENRY
And you really think he’ll never know?

KAVITA
I can hope.

HENRY
There’s that word again. Hope.

Pause.

KAVITA
Why don’t we say hello?

Kavita opens the door.

INT. JIMMY’S ROOM

She pokes her head in.

KAVITA
Jimmy?

Jimmy looks over his shoulder.

JIMMY
Hey Veeda.

HENRY
He calls you Veeda.

Kavita chuckles.

KAVITA
Jimmy, this is Dr. Hank McCoy. He’s from the government.

JIMMY
Hi.

Henry steps a little closer and extends his hand to shake Jimmy’s. Slowly, it becomes a normal human hand. Henry looks at it, transfixed.

JIMMY
Sorry. I can’t—

HENRY
It’s quite alright, Jimmy.

Kavita smiles.
KAVITA
And there’s that word again. Hope.

She checks her watch.

KAVITA
I should be heading back to the city now. If we’re done here?

Henry comes out of a trance.

HENRY
Oh. Yes, all right.

Henry steps away. His hand reverts to its blue self.

HENRY
It was good to meet you, Jimmy.

JIMMY
You, too.

Henry follows Kavita out.

EXT. WORTHINGTON LABS

The building is tall, and its glass exterior shines in the sun.

INT. EXAM ROOM

Warren Jr. stands by the window, watching the cityscape. Kavita enters.

WORTHINGTON
Is Dr. McCoy going to be a problem?

KAVITA
I don’t think so. He seems…conflicted. His political views are at odds with his more…personal issues.

WORTHINGTON
Indeed.

A TECHNICIAN calls from the far side of the room.

TECHNICIAN
Mr. Worthington, sir. He’s arrived.

WORTHINGTON
Good. Bring him in.

Kavita touches Worthington’s arm, lightly.

KAVITA
Are you sure you want to start with him?

WORTHINGTON
I think it’s important, yes.

She goes off to prepare for the procedure, as two ORDERLIES bring in Warren III, as attractive as his youth had hinted.

KAVITA
Hello Warren.

Warren nods. Worthington clasps his shoulders.

WORTHINGTON
How are you, son? Did you sleep well?

WARREN
Yeah, I guess.

WORTHINGTON
I’m proud of you for doing this. You know that.

Warren nods again as he shrugs off his bulky overcoat, and then pulls his shirt over his head. A harness restrains his wings. The orderlies guide him to a restraining table, now in an upright position that will allow Warren to remain standing. Kavita approaches him, a needle and syringe in hand.

KAVITA
The transformation can be a little jarring.

Warren swallows.

WARREN
Dad, can we—can we talk about this for a sec?


WORTHINGTON
We talked about it, son. We agreed.

Warren squirms.

WORTHINGTON
It’ll all be over soon.

Kavita swabs his arm with alcohol.

WARREN
Wait, just wait a minute!

Kavita looks up, taken slightly aback.

WORTHINGTON
Warren, calm down! Relax, son.

WARREN
I—no…I can’t do this!

He struggles, breaking the harness and restraints holding him back. The orderlies fly away, and his wings extend to their full span. Kavita and Worthington step back. Warren pants and looks at his father.

WORTHINGTON
It’s a better life, Warren. It’s what we all want.

WARREN
No, Dad. It’s what you want.

Warren charges forward and toward the window.

WORTHINGTON
Warren! NO!

EXT. WORTHINGTON LABS-DAY

Warren crashes through the glass, falling at first, and then flying.

POV SHOT:

Warren flies over the crowd and away.

CUT TO:
EXT. GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

He flies past the bridge, and over Alcatraz.


INT. JIMMY’S ROOM

Jimmy watches as Angel flies away.

EXT. ROAD-DAY

A government convoy travels down the highway.

INT. SECURE TRUCK

A GUARD patrols the hall. Inside one of the cells is the President of the United States.

PRESIDENT
Let me out of here! God damn it, do you know who I am?

The guard rolls his eyes.

PRESIDENT
I’m the President of the United States! I demand that I be let out of here!

GUARD
Mr. President…shut up!

The president sneers. The guard begins walking away. Suddenly, a GIRL cries out.

GIRL
Please let me out of here!

The guard turns back.

GUARD
You don’t shut the hell up, I’m gonna spray you in the face, *****.

The girl smiles evilly.

GIRL
When I get out of here, I’m gonna kill you myself.

GUARD
Yeah. Whatever.



EXT. HIGHWAY-DAY

The convoy continues. Suddenly, Magneto, Callisto, and Pyro block its way. Magneto extends an open palm, then closes it, crushing one of the SUVs leading the convoy. He does the same for a second, sending the remains of both off to the side of the road. He then approaches the armored truck, extending his hand and gesturing grandly to his left. It skids to a halt, and the reinforced door flies off. Callisto catches it, tossing it aside with surprising strength.

Mystique stands, waiting, a guard crumpled on the floor by her side, as Magneto and Pyro board the truck.

MYSTIQUE
About time.

MAGNETO
I’ve been busy.

They both smile at each other.

MAGNETO
Did you find what you were looking for?

MYSTIQUE
The source of the cure is a mutant. A child, at a lab in Berkeley. Without him, they’re nothing.

Mystique walks past him and hands Pyro a clipboard.

MYSTIQUE
Why don’t you read off the guest list?

Pyro narrows his eyes briefly, then flips to the appropriate page as they approach a cell door.

PYRO
James Madrox.

MYSTIQUE
This one robbed seven banks.

Magneto opens the door magnetically, and Madrox steps out. And then six more step out.

MYSTIQUE
At the same time.

MAGNETO
Impressive. I could use a man of your talents.

MADROX
What I know, they know. What they learn, I learn.

MYSTIQUE
You’ve already sold him. Don’t try any harder.

She glances at her nails.

MYSTIQUE
If they’re hurt, does it affect you?

Madrox doesn’t say anything. Magneto smirks.

MAGNETO
The invitation stands.

Madrox shrugs.

MADROX
I’m in.

MAGNETO
Welcome to the Brotherhood.

Magneto continues, and the others follow him.

PYRO
This one’s Remy LeBeau. Ability to transform potential energy into kinetic energy. Another thief.

Magneto rips the door off.

REMY
Bonjour.

Mystique smirks.

REMY
You’re Magneto, right?

MAGNETO
Yes. We are building an army, Mr. LeBeau. Care to join?

Remy casually continues.

REMY
I don’t normally run with a group, monsieur.

He takes a second glance at Mystique.

REMY
But why not?

Pyro continues down the line.

PYRO
Last one. Cain Marko, solitary confinement. Oh, get this: “subject must remain confined at all times. If he builds any momentum, no object can stop him.”

MAGNETO
Fascinating.

Once again, he rips the door down.

MAGNETO
Hello, Cain. Care to visit Charles again?

CAIN
Lemme down off this thing!

Magneto rips the chains off, and Cain lands with a massive thud.

MAGNETO
I hear they’re calling you the Juggernaut now.

Pyro scoffs.

PYRO
Nice helmet.

CAIN
Keeps my face pretty, runt.

The guard by the entrance looks up and sees the congregation. He reaches to his waist and removes a gun, targeting Magneto’s back. Mystique turns, shouts, and dives, taking the bullet. Pyro turns on his heel and torches the guard, while Magneto and the others step back.

Mystique freezes, looking down at her chest. She removes a cure dart, and stares at it, for what feels like an eternity. She looks to Magneto.

MYSTIQUE
Erik…

She falls and begins convulsing as her scales vanish, her hair grows. Finally, she curls into a ball, covering her nakedness, shivering. Magneto looks down at her, shocked. No words are said between the two. Finally, Magneto turns.

MAGNETO
Let’s go.

PYRO
What?

MYSTIQUE
Erik!!

MAGNETO
My dear…you’re no longer one of us.

Magneto leaves the truck without a word. Mystique looks imploringly at Pyro, who hesitates before following Madrox, Marko, and LeBeau out.

 

[Boba_Fett_123]

INT. INFIRMARY

Logan stands at Jean’s side, as medical equipment monitors her status. A little over to the side, Scott is still comatose. Logan strokes Jean’s hair. Suddenly, she awakes, and seizes his wrist.

LOGAN
Jean.

She smiles faintly.

LOGAN
Welcome back.

JEAN
This is where we first met, you know. Except you were down here, and I was up there.

LOGAN
You okay?

JEAN
Better.

As she sits up, she telekinetically detaches everything from her body.

JEAN
Logan, you’re making me blush.

LOGAN
You’re reading my thoughts?

JEAN
I don’t have to.

She leans in closer.

JEAN
It’s okay.

She kisses him passionately, and Logan gives in at first. Suddenly, he stops and gently pushes Jean away.

LOGAN
No…this isn’t you…

JEAN
Of course it is…

She resumes, but he pushes her away again.

LOGAN
No. The professor said you might be…different…

Suddenly, her entire demeanor changes.

JEAN
He would know, wouldn’t he, the way he romps around our minds all the time? He can’t help himself, can he? Look at you, Logan! He tamed you!
Over Logan’s shoulder, she sees…

JEAN
Scott…

She reverts back.

JEAN
Oh my God…Logan, where am I?

LOGAN
You’re in the mansion…Jean, I need to know what happened with Scott.

JEAN
I…I don’t know, I just lost…I didn’t…Oh, God!

LOGAN
Jean, what happened?!

JEAN
I…no!!

She closes her eyes, and the entire room shakes. Glass shatters, equipment falls to the floor. Logan seizes Jean.

LOGAN
No! Jean, talk to me! It’s all right!

Jean murmurs, tears streaming from her eyes.

JEAN
I can’t, Logan, I can’t face it, can’t handle it, gonna explode…

LOGAN
No, Jean! We can fix it! We can make it like it was!

He shakes her.

LOGAN
Stay with me!
She looks up, begging.

JEAN
Please…kill me…

Logan’s eyes widen as she continues.

JEAN
Kill me, before I kill someone else!

LOGAN
Scott…

JEAN
He’s dead!

Logan flies away and into a wall, traces of fire trailing him. He slumps to the floor as Jean levitates from the table. She lands on the floor and walks toward the door. Without pausing, she rips the door from its hinges telekinetically and continues out of the mansion.

 

[Boba_Fett_123]

INT. OVAL OFFICE

Hank stands before the president solemnly. The president sighs.

PRESIDENT
Do you really think your resignation is going to help, Hank? It’s no way to influence policy.

HENRY
Policy is being made without me, the decision to turn this cure into a weapon was made without me!

Henry smooths his coat and calms down a bit.

HENRY
I’m sorry. I shouldn’t lose my temper.

PRESIDENT
Hank, what happened on that convoy was an isolated incident, those mutants were—are—a very real threat!

HENRY
Have you even begun to think what a slippery slope you’re on, David?

PRESIDENT
You think I haven’t, Hank? Of course I have. But I have to worry, when one man can move a city with his mind.

Pause.

PRESIDENT
We both know it’s only going to get worse.

HENRY
All the more reason for me to be where I belong.

Henry leaves the room.

INT. MAGNETO’S HIDEOUT

The hideout is in a cave dwelling, grey and metallic in look and texture. Magneto sits at a desk, examining the gun that cured Mystique.

PYRO
What now?

MAGNETO
Now, Pyro, we use this weapon as a lightning rod to turn countless more to our cause. We will build an army…

He trails off as Callisto, ARCLIGHT, and Psylocke arrive.

CALLISTO
I picked up something. Massive power readings…more powerful than anything I’ve ever felt.

Magneto turns, looking as though he’s just swallowed a truck.

CALLISTO (cont’d)
More powerful than you.

MAGNETO
Where?

INT. INFIRMARY

Storm, Charles, and Emma rush in, Storm’s eyes white and Emma in diamond form. Storm rushes to Wolverine, still on the floor and just coming to.

STORM
What happened?

CHARLES
Where’s Jean?

LOGAN
She woke up.

Charles glares at Logan.

CHARLES
What have you done?

LOGAN
I talked to her, Charles. She got away.

CHARLES
She’s not well, Logan, I warned you!

LOGAN
She needs help! Not to be controlled!

Logan turns to Scott.

LOGAN
She killed him.

Ororo gasps. Emma rushes to Scott’s bed, reverting to human form as she does.

LOGAN
She said he’s dead.

Emma looks up, confused.

EMMA
He’s still reading as comatose.

Xavier wheels over and places his hands at Scott’s temples.

CHARLES
Empty.

He looks to the others.

CHARLES
His mind is gone.

Charles jerks his head toward Logan.
CHARLES
She’s no longer here in the mansion. But I have an idea of where she might be.

EXT. ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON – DAY

Jean approaches her house. Colors of energy swirl around her as she telekinetically constructs herself a new outfit, deep red dress and overcoat.

She enters her old house.

INT. GREY HOUSE

She silently enters the kitchen. Elaine’s voice calls out from upstairs.

ELAINE
Who’s there?

JEAN
Would you believe, the wicked witch of the west?

ELAINE
Jean?

INT. ELAINE’S BEDROOM

Elaine calls out into the hallway.

ELAINE (cont’d)
Is that you?

INT. KITCHEN

Elaine is heard rushing down the stairs and then enters the kitchen.

ELAINE
Jean!

She hugs Jean.

ELAINE
I didn’t know you were planning on dropping in.

JEAN
I wasn’t.

Jean jerks her head toward the door.

JEAN
Them.

Elaine furrows her brow.

ELAINE
Jean, what’s wrong?

Jean knocks Elaine aside telekinetically with a casual gesture. As Jean enters the living room, Emma breaks down the kitchen door leading outside. She scoops up Elaine.

EMMA
Come with me, I’ll explain outside.

INT. LIVING ROOM

Jean takes a seat, in the same room where she met Xavier so many years ago, and simply sits. Things begin to float and act of their own accord.

EXT. GREY HOUSE – DAY

Emma returns with Elaine, who immediately recognizes Xavier.

ELAINE
You! What’s happening, what’s wrong?

XAVIER
I don’t have time to explain right now, Elaine. Jean is not well. I’m here to help.

VOICE
Oh really?

Magneto approaches, Quill, Arclight, Callisto, and Juggernaut in tow. Charles immediately notices Juggernaut.

XAVIER
Cain. Not you.

CAIN
That’s right, Charles.

Xavier sighs.

XAVIER
Don’t interfere, Erik. I’ve come to bring Jean home.

MAGNETO
Then it’s just like old times, isn’t it?

XAVIER
This is no joke, Erik, Jean needs help.

MAGNETO
You sound just like her parents, so many years ago.

At this, Erik smiles to Elaine. He then gestures to Charles.

MAGNETO
Shall we go together?

Xavier begins toward the house, and Erik follows. As he leaves, he tells Juggernaut:

MAGNETO
Let no one else inside.

Juggernaut smiles and looks toward Logan. Xavier contacts Emma telepathically.

XAVIER (TP)
Stay outside. I need to do this alone.

Emma gestures to Ororo and Logan to stand back.

INT. GREY HOUSE

Magneto and Xavier enter the house, which is darkly lit. Objects move and act of their own accord, random noises resulting all about. Unsettling, at best. Finally, they enter the living room.

 

[PhoenixRisen]

WOW!! Nice job!! I'm only about halfway through it, but you added some very nice touches--

Spoiler

Jean and Scott's telepathic rapport, Ororo's Kenya comment was great, mention of Annie, Manhattan/Sentinels in DR, more nuance to Prof's lecture about power

--showing that a lot of little things go a long way!! I also like the addition of

Spoiler

Emma and the Cuckoos

...you nailed them! Plus, your writing style is clean, sharp and professional...WELL DONE...can't wait to read it all!!

 

[Boba_Fett_123]

Thanks. I was trying to make changes to the film that weren't extreme. Adding

Spoiler

Emma

would take maybe an extra three minutes of running time with as much as I had her do, and it makes sense.

Spoiler

Three Sentinels

should be no problem: just look how many oliphants and trolls were in Return of the King! A little bit does go a long way, especially

Spoiler

with Scott. You'll find that even though his story is different in my version, it's not expanded all that much. It's just little lines, like the rapport, that make all the difference.

It's always a great compliment to hear that I've "nailed it". Thanks again.

 

[Halcohol]

This is EXCELLENT, BF123! While some of the lines are questionable, every movie script has 'em. All of the additions/alterations you've made are nearly spot on, including the expanded characterization of Storm and the infirmary scene with Xavier.

I can't wait to see what you're going to do with Cyclops Oh, but PLEASE give Colossus a personality. There's no use in giving him one-word lines.

 

[Boba_Fett_123]

Yeah, there are some clunkers in there, but sometimes you can't get around it. Colossus is surprisingly hard to get in to this film. I'm almost feeling Penn and Kinberg's pain here, but I do have an idea for him that I think might work out.

My original idea for Cyke was really outlandish, and I've since changed that.

Spoiler

Originally, Xavier was going to use his body after Jean kills him, instead of random coma dude on Muir Island

, but I've come up with something different instead.

 

[Boba_Fett_123]

This part is pretty much exactly as it was in the film, as it was pretty much the best scene in the film. After the funeral is where a lot of little things have been added, but bear with me through this.

INT. LIVING ROOM

They arrive to find Jean in waiting.
JEAN
I knew you’d come.

XAVIER
I’ve come to bring you home, Jean.

JEAN
I have no home.

XAVIER
You do, Jean. You have a home, and a family that loves you!

Magneto moves closer to Jean.

MAGNETO
Charles thinks that your power has become too great for you to control.

XAVIER
Erik, stay out of—

MAGNETO
I’m sorry, Charles, but your mind games aren’t going to work this time.

Jean’s eyes bore into Xavier.

JEAN
You want to control me.

XAVIER
No, Jean, I only—

MAGNETO
Yes, he does. He’s afraid of you!

XAVIER
Jean, I want to help you!

JEAN
Help me? What’s wrong with me?

MAGNETO
Absolutely nothing.

XAVIER
Erik, STOP IT!
MAGNETO
No, Charles, I won’t stop, not this time. You’ve always held her back!

Xavier turns to Jean.

XAVIER
It was for your own good, Jean, please—

She telekinetically smashes a lamp into the wall.

JEAN
Stay out of my head!

EXT. GREY HOUSE – DAY

The white gate slams shut. Logan pops his claws. Juggernaut takes a step forward.

LOGAN
I’m goin’ in there.

Ororo grabs his arm.

ORORO
No! The professor said he’d handle it.

INT. LIVING ROOM

All of the doors and windows slam shut.

XAVIER
Jean, look at me! I can help you!

JEAN
Get out!!

Xavier’s wheelchair skids backward about a foot.

MAGNETO
Perhaps you should listen to her, Charles?

XAVIER
Jean, please, trust me! You can’t go on like this, you need help!


JEAN
I’m fine.

XAVIER
Look what happened to Scott! You killed the man you love, because you can’t control your power!

Jean shrieks and snaps, shattering windows and sending Magneto flying into the kitchen.

EXT. GREY HOUSE – DAY

Logan moves forward.

LOGAN
That’s it.

Juggernaut puts on his helmet and begins running at Logan. He knocks him to the ground with one punch, not even losing stride. Storm takes to the sky. Juggernaut picks up Logan with one hand and throws him through the wall into the dining room.

INT. DINING ROOM

Logan lands on the table, smashing it.

EXT. GREY HOUSE – DAY

The skies darken as Storm spins like a tornado, knocking down both Quill and Arclight. She lands and comes face to face with Callisto, whom she strikes with lightning. Callisto flies through the door into the foyer.

INT. FOYER

Storm runs in, but Callisto confuses her by speeding several feet away. When Storm turns, Callisto speeds right next to her and punches her in the face.

INT. DINING ROOM

Juggernaut picks up Logan again and throws him into the ceiling. Logan falls through the ceiling of the next room.

INT. LIVING ROOM

Telekinetic wind surrounds Jean and Xavier.

XAVIER
Jean! Let me in!

She ignores him.

INT. KITCHEN

Magneto braces himself against a counter, as water is propelled everywhere via telekinesis.

INT. FOYER

Callisto and Storm continue fighting, as Callisto disorients Storm with her super speed.

INT. LIVING ROOM

Magneto looks on from the kitchen as Xavier slowly begins to levitate out of his chair.

EXT. GREY HOUSE – DAY

The entire house is ripped from its foundations.

INT. DINING ROOM

Logan flies into the ceiling. He sticks his claws into the ceiling in order to stay there.

INT. LIVING ROOM

Xavier’s body tenses up.

INT. KITCHEN

Magneto’s eyes widen as he realizes Jean is going too far.

MAGNETO
Jean!!

INT. DINING ROOM

Logan pulls himself toward the living room. He reaches the door and struggles to force it open.

INT. LIVING ROOM

Xavier is now completely suspend in the air, and his skin has become loose, flapping in the strong wind.

Suddenly, time stops, and it is only Jean and Xavier, everything else frozen. Xavier locks eyes with Jean, now surrounded in a fiery aura, her eyes the black of charcoal. Despite himself, Xavier smiles.

XAVIER
Don’t…let it…control you.

In an instant, he is gone, his body reduced to its constituent atoms.

The storm stops, and the house slams back to the ground, as does Logan. Jean collapses to the ground, and the flames dissipate.

INT. KITCHEN

Magneto gets up with considerable difficulty.

INT. LIVING ROOM

He bends down beside Jean and puts his arm around her.

MAGNETO
Come with me. This is not where you want to be right now.

She slowly gets up and goes with him.

Moments later, Ororo, Logan, and Emma rush in, to find an empty wheelchair.

LOGAN
No…

Logan falls to his knees, but does not cry. Ororo falls next to him, embracing him, crying. Emma stands in the back with Elaine, shocked silent.

INT. XAVIER’S STUDY

The next day. The study is empty, save for the wheelchair at its center.
EXT. GARDENS – DAY

Ororo stands at the front of the gathering. No monument stands for Xavier, save a small funeral pyre.

ORORO
We live in a age of darkness. A world full of hate and intolerance.

Moira McTaggert sits next to Henry McCoy. Down the line are Rogue, Bobby, Kitty and Peter. Logan stands off to the side, away from the crowd, and Rogue looks at him for a brief moment. Emma and the Cuckoos sit behind them, with many other friends and colleagues. Kitty sniffles, and Bobby brushes her hand, even as he holds Rogue’s.

ORORO
But in every age, there are those who fight against it. Charles Xavier was born into a world divided. He chose to make a difference. And though he will not live to see the fruit of his labor, his life will make all the difference.

Ororo makes eye contact with each X-Man.

ORORO
He was not alone. Scott Summers is also dead, perhaps in the worst sense of the word. His body is healthy, but his mind, his soul, are gone. He was a great leader. Without him, without Charles, we enter a dark time indeed. But we must stand together.

She fights tears.

ORORO
We must fulfill the dream. Wherever we go, we must carry on Charles’ vision…a vision of a world united. And then, he will always be with us.

Ororo steps down and places a single flower at the pyre. Logan walks away as the others follow suit.

 

[Boba_Fett_123]

And finally, something slightly different. I'm still not so sure how the Kitty/Peter stuff works, but I can only use what X1 and X2 gave me to work with anyway, so oh well. This would be a prime example of a scene for the fans that makes little sense to the general audience.

INT. KITTY’S ROOM

Night has fallen. Kitty sits on her bed crying. Someone knocks on the door.

KITTY
(stifled)
Come in.

Peter enters the room.

KITTY
Hey Pete.

PETER
Hey.

He sits down.

PETER
Is everything all right?

KITTY
Yeah.

She sniffles again.

PETER
Really?

Kitty laughs weakly.

KITTY
I just…Xavier came to my house. He convinced me to come here, and he was so cool, and…

She rests against him.

PETER
He came to me, too. I was living with my sister and my brother. Our parents died during the Cold War.

Kitty looks up.

KITTY
Oh. I…I didn’t know.

Peter smiles faintly.

PETER
It’s all right. I just wanted to tell you…it doesn’t always hurt.
He leans down.

PETER
Eventually, you know that they’re in a better place.

Slowly, awkwardly, they kiss. Kitty pulls away.

KITTY
Okay…I wasn’t expecting that…

She considers saying more, but decides against it and just kisses him again.

EXT. MANSION GROUNDS – NIGHT

Rogue sits on a bench, looking at the massive fountain before her. Bobby approaches from behind.

BOBBY
Hey.

Rogue turns.

ROGUE
Hey.

Bobby sits next to her.

ROGUE
I wonder why it’s not snowing yet.

She turns to Bobby.

ROGUE
Only thing I didn’t like about Mississippi. Hardly ever snowed.

BOBBY
Well, we can fix that, you know.

ROGUE
Oh really? An’ when did you get the power burst, Mr. Drake?

Bobby laughs.

BOBBY
Just watch.

He gets up and puts his hand on the fountain, covering it in ice.

BOBBY
Give me your feet.

ROGUE
(laughing)
What?

BOBBY
Come on, give me your feet!

She sits on the edge of the fountain, and Bobby makes ice skates for her. He does the same to himself, and they begin skating.

ROGUE
Bobby…wow.

They get as close as they dare.

ROGUE
Y’know, I’m…I’m sorry about the whole fight…thing. I wasn’t…I’m just a little stressed, y’know?

BOBBY
Don’t worry. I know…it’s hard.

ROGUE
Yeah.

They skate in silence. Afterward, they sit at the fountain’s edge.

ROGUE
This was nice, Bobby.

She kisses him on the cheek, as lightly as possible, and breathes out ice.

ROGUE
I’m glad I spent my last night here with you.

BOBBY
Your—your last night??

ROGUE
Yeah.

She gets up.

BOBBY
Rogue, wait!

Rogue she turns, and her expression speaks volumes of sadness.

ROGUE
Don’t, Bobby. This was so—don’t ruin it. Please.

She goes back inside, and Bobby stands alone in the grass as the ice in the fountain breaks.

 

[britrogue]

I think this is going really well. The introduction of the psychic rapport and Storm's background is great, and Rogue's involvement in the DR session was much better as well. Keep it up!

 

[Boba_Fett_123]

Okay, so there's something going on with Jean and Scott here, and I'm not sure if it comes across well enough or not. I don't wanna spell it out before everyone reads it, but just tell me if the scene makes sense or not.

EXT. FOREST ENCAMPMENT - DAY

Phoenix stands in a clearing, looking down over the scores of mutants Magneto has gathered. Magneto approaches from behind.

MAGNETO
Do you remember, when we first met?

Phoenix remains silent.

MAGNETO (cont’d)
When I looked at you back then, I saw the next stage in evolution. And all I could think was, Why would Charles want to turn this goddess…into a mortal?

Phoenix remains blank as Magneto produces the cure gun.

MAGNETO
This weapon…I can manipulate the metal in it. But you…you can do anything. Anything you could possibly think of.

The gun floats between them. Jean turns her head slightly toward Magneto. She completely disassembles it, leaving bare the four cure darts inside. She pushes the darts perilously close to Magneto, who panics and backs away.

MAGNETO
Jean. Stop!

She ignores him.

MAGNETO
Enough!!

Phoenix smirks, and the darts drop to the ground.

PHOENIX
You sound just like him. Scared. Like him.

MAGNETO
Charles wanted to hold you back. I want you to be what you are, what nature intended you to be. This cure…it’s meant for all of us. If we want freedom, we must fight. And that fight begins today.

Magneto smiles genially, then walks away. Pyro and Callisto join him.

CALLISTO
She shouldn’t be here with us. Her powers are unstable.

MAGNETO
Only in the wrong hands, my dear.

PYRO
She’s one of them.

Magneto turns to Pyro.

MAGNETO
You were one of them once, as well, Pyro.

PYRO
It’s not the same. I’ve stuck with you all this way, I’d have killed the professor myself if I got the chance.

At this Magneto becomes enraged and rounds on Pyro, summoning his lighter to him and tossing it away.

MAGNETO
Charles Xavier did more for mutants than you will ever know. My single greatest regret is that he had to die for our dream to live.

Magneto says nothing more and walks away, leaving Pyro bewildered.

INT. MANSION

Rogue exits her room, carrying a travel bag. Logan approaches her from behind.

LOGAN
Need a lift?

ROGUE
No, thanks.

Logan follows her to the door.

LOGAN
Where you going?

Rogue drops her bag and turns to him.

ROGUE
You don’t know what it’s like, Logan. Not bein’ able to touch anyone. A handshake, a hug…a kiss.

LOGAN
I hope you’re not doin’ this for some boy.

ROGUE
No…it’s not that. This is…this is for me.

She sighs.

ROGUE
And I know that you don’t approve, and that it’s a bad example, and—

Logan stops her.

LOGAN
Look, kid, I’m not your father. You wanna go, go.

Rogue smiles.

ROGUE
You always were my favorite teacher here.

LOGAN
I didn’t think I was here long enough to teach you anything.
He begins to turn away.

LOGAN
Be careful, Rogue.

Rogue turns, then turns back.

ROGUE
Marie.

Logan nods.

LOGAN
Marie.

He leaves, and Rogue continues out.

INT. SITTING ROOM

Bobby, Ororo, Logan, and Henry are sitting, talking.

HENRY
What do we do about this? Jean is clearly dangerous, and now she’s with Magneto.

LOGAN
I didn’t think it was that hard. We find her and we bring her home.

ORORO
Home? Logan, I loved her too, but…you have to understand, this isn’t Jean we’re dealing with anymore.

LOGAN
You’re wrong, ‘ro. Jean’s still in there somewhere, and I’m gonna go find her.

Logan moves to leave, and Ororo gets up and follows him.

ORORO
Logan! Listen to me!

LOGAN
We’re only wastin’ time here. Anyone wants to come with me, they can, but I’m doin’ this.

Logan leaves. Ororo glares after him, then turns back to everyone else.

ORORO
Okay. I…

She sits.

ORORO
I wish Charles were here.

From behind them, a knock. Ororo turns.

ORORO
Hello?

Warren Worthington III stands in the entry way, wings concealed under a black shirt.

WARREN
I’m sorry to interrupt. I…I was told this was a safe place for mutants.

Ororo stands.

ORORO
Yes, it is. What’s your name?

WARREN
Warren. Warren Worthington.

HENRY
Worthington? Then your father—

WARREN
Yeah.

He hangs his head, disgusted.

WARREN
Because of me.

Ororo touches his shoulder.

ORORO
Not because of you, Warren. It’s not your fault.

Ororo turns to Bobby.

ORORO
Bobby, show Warren to a room.

BOBBY
Sure.

INT. HALLWAY

Warren follows Bobby.

BOBBY
It’s hard at first. Not that it’s easy now, but…well, you get what I mean.

WARREN
Yeah.

They arrive at a room.

BOBBY
You can use this room. Sorry it’s kinda empty, but…

Bobby opens the door. Warren looks inside.

WARREN
It’s perfect.

Inside, he removes his shirt and expands his wings. Despite himself, Bobby gapes.

BOBBY
Wow.

Warren turns.

WARREN
Oh. Sorry.

BOBBY
Don’t be.

Bobby waves good bye and leaves, leaving Warren to himself.

INT. HALLWAY

Bobby stops at Rogue’s room and opens the door. It’s empty. He sits on the bed, depressed. Peter walks by.

PETER
Where’s Rogue?

BOBBY
She left.

PETER
Oh. You don’t think?

Bobby looks up.

BOBBY
No…she wouldn’t…

Bobby gets up.

PETER
They just opened a clinic a few towns over.

BOBBY
Oh no. She wouldn't.

Bobby passes Peter.

BOBBY
Tell Storm I had to go.

INT. LOGAN’S ROOM

Logan puts on his jacket. Ororo stands at the entryway.

ORORO
Logan.

LOGAN
I gotta do this, ‘ro.

ORORO
Logan, Jean’s gone. She’s not coming back.

Logan grips Ororo violently by the shoulders, probably more than he intends.

LOGAN
No!

ORORO
Logan, why can’t you let go?

Logan releases her and turns away.

ORORO
You still love her.

He turns to Ororo.

LOGAN
Don’t you?

ORORO
Of course I do, Logan, but we have to face facts. Jean made her choice, and now we have to make ours. But if you’re with us, you need to be with us.

Ororo leaves.

EXT. FOREST ENCAMPMENT – DAY

Jean stands serenely, looking out into the forest.

CUT TO:

EXT. ALKALI LAKE – DAY

Scott flies into the forest.

CUT TO:

EXT. MANSION – DAY

Jean sits with Scott, months ago.

JEAN
A piece of me in you, a piece of you in me.

CUT TO:

EXT. FOREST ENCAMPMENT – DAY

Suddenly, Jean’s expression changes.

JEAN
Scott…

Fire lights up in her eyes.

INT. INFIRMARY

Scott jolts, coughing, light flashing behind his glasses momentarily.

SCOTT
Jean!

He jumps out of the bed, yanking equipment behind him. He tears tubes and wires off his body desperately.

INT. CEREBRO

Emma tinkers with Cerebro. Suddenly, she tilts her head.

EMMA
Bugger.

INT. ORORO’S ATTIC

Ororo tends to her garden.

EMMA
(telepathically)
Ororo! I need you downstairs, Scott’s up!

ORORO
What? I’ll be right there, Emma!

INT. INFIRMARY

Ororo rushes in to find Emma sitting alone. Scott is missing.

EMMA
He was gone when I got here. I don’t know where he went.

Logan enters.

LOGAN
The bike’s gone.

Ororo looks over at him, rolling her eyes.

LOGAN
You think I don’t know where he went?

Ororo sighs.

ORORO
Bring him back, Logan.

LOGAN
Sure thing.

 

[Cosmic Mind]

I think it makes sense...... it depends of what is your idea of him doing this. but keep developing it, maybe it will turn out to be a smart move, I wasn't expecting that, so I am curious to see what happends next.....

 

[Boba_Fett_123]

Okay, as long as one person gets it. It's going somewhere, so don't forget it.

 

[DarknessOfDeath]

whoa...so Scott goes after...Jean while Logan goes after both of them. hehe. cool. Reminds me of... Han going after Leia...while Luke is going after both of them...lol

Good stuff, Boba Fett.

 

[Boba_Fett_123]

Haha...yeah, I guess it is something like that, huh? Anyway, here's some more:

EXT. HIGHWAY – DAY

Scott speeds down the highway on his motorcycle.

JEAN (V/O)
Scott!

Scott grits his teeth and continues on.

INT. INFIRMARY - FLASHBACK FROM X-MEN 1

Scott stands over Xavier’s body, so many months before.

SCOTT
You can still hear me, can’t you?

Scott swallows.

SCOTT (cont’d)
You’ve taught me everything in my life that was ever worth knowing. If anything happens…I’ll take care of them.

EXT. HIGHWAY – DAY

Scott accelerates.

EXT. MANHATTAN – DAY

A crowd has formed outside the newly set up “cure clinic”. Rogue gets off a bus and tries to make her way inside. Off to the side, Remy LeBeau spots her and follows her inside.

INT. CLINIC

Rogue stands in line. Remy approaches from behind.

REMY
Hey, chére.

Rogue turns to him.

ROGUE
Hi.

REMY
So what’s a pretty little thing like you looking to get cured for?

ROGUE
Excuse me.

Rogue tries to leave, but Remy blocks her way.

REMY
Oh, now, don’t be like that.

Rogue wrinkles her nose.

ROGUE
Please.

EXT. CLINIC – DAY

Bobby quickly moves through the crowd.

BOBBY
Rogue!

Suddenly, he bumps into Pyro.

PYRO
Well, look who’s here. Had enough? Getting the cure so you can run home to Mommy and Daddy and little Ronny?

BOBBY
Get outta my way, John.

PYRO
Oh, wait. I get it. Your girlfriend. Figured she wouldn’t be able to hack it. She’ pathetic.

Bobby snarls and ices up his fist. Pyro sneers and produces a fireball in his hand.
PYRO
Go ahead, “Iceman”. Make a move.

Instead, Bobby shoves past. Pyro chuckles and calls after him.

PYRO
Same old Bobby. Still afraid of a fight!

Still grinning, Pyro turns and lets loose on the building, igniting it. As he cackles, people scream and start to run away.

INT. CLINIC

Remy looks up.

REMY
The hell is that boy doin’?

He looks toward Rogue.

REMY
Come with me if you wanna live, chére.

He takes Rogue’s arm.

ROGUE
Careful!

Remy grins.

REMY
Don’t worry, I’m not gonna hurt you. Least, not now.

ROGUE
That’s not what I meant. It’s my power.

REMY
Don’ worry, I know all about your power, Rogue.

Rogue’s eyes widen.

ROGUE
How d’you—

REMY
No time right now. Explain later.

They run out of the building just as the roof collapses.

EXT. CLINIC – DAY

They join the dispersing crowd outside.

ROGUE
You’re with Magneto, aren’t you?

REMY
Only because it was most convenient at the time. Gambit don’t make allegiances.

Rogue rolls her eyes. Suddenly, she catches a glimpse of Bobby.

ROGUE
Bobby!

He turns and runs toward her.

BOBBY
Rogue!

He takes her hand.

BOBBY
John’s causing trouble.

He looks at Remy.

BOBBY
Who’s this?

REMY
Name’s Gambit.

Rogue looks to Remy.

ROGUE
Thanks for savin’ me.

REMY
My pleasure. I ‘spect we’ll see each other again soon, Rogue.

With that, Remy turns and leaves as Rogue and Bobby reunite.

 

[Cosmic Mind]

boba I wondering something, I love the idea of cyclops appearing, but now that I read this carefully, can you answer this:

- How all of the sudden Cyclops wakes up if his mind is empty????
- What exactly happens in the Cyclops-Xavier scene??? I don't get it, Xavier is demolecularized, and all of the sudden Cyclops speak to his body????


I don't wan't to said it sucks, on the contrary, I loves this twists, but I would love to get some enlightment about this before you get too far, try to fill those continuity holes, and then you can go on......

 

[DarknessOfDeath]

Its a flash back... I think.

 

[Cosmic Mind]

yes, it could be, but when does it happend?? it couldn't be after the house scene..........I need some clarification for all my doubts exposed...then we can go on....

 

[Boba_Fett_123]

The Cyke-Xavier scene is from the first film--I've edited it to make that clearer.

Cyclops' sudden resurrection is very closely related to the surrounding scenes of Jean and the bond they share. "A piece of me in you, a piece of you in me". I don't want to spoil it, but just keep that in mind.

 

[DarknessOfDeath]

The part when scott is sitting near the comatose body of xavier in x1 should have an indication that scene is a flash back cause clearly to me when I read it, he's on his bike and he hears Jean call his name and then he thinks back to the time when he watches over Xavier in the infirmary and no matter what happens to Jean and the others, he'll take care of them and especially the one woman that he loves ... so much...he'll do whatever it takes to bring Jean back with him.

 

[Boba_Fett_123]

Yeah, flashbacks are the biggest issue with writing in screenplay format, because there's really no set way to do them. I try to do it subtly in the prose, but that isn't always the best idea, and in retrospect, it wasn't a good idea here, either. Thank God for the edit button.

 

[Boba_Fett_123]

EDIT: Bah at DSU internet!!

 

[britrogue]

Ok, I'm getting it, and to be honest, loving it. It strengthens all the things they put together in the first film and never followed up on.