Hey look, It's Scott's POV! You might be wondering how but no worries! Time will answer all questions! Have fun all you happy people out there!

I don't own 'em

I was cold, my brain told me as much, my fingers were numb and I couldn't feel my toes, but my body didn't seem to protest at all, not the pain that usually comes with extreme cold, the 'knives stabbing you' type of feeling. Weakly I opened my eyes and found I was surrounded in, not the hospital room or hell I expected but a light pink...space, for lack of a better term. The light pink was of course my shades which led me to believe the 'space' was actually white. I was suspended in the air and in the distance was a blinding light that almost shown white through my pink world.

"Where, where am I?" My frail voice echoed all around me. "Am I...dead?"

"No, no, no my dear Scotty-boy! You are most certainly not dead!" A loud voice exploded around me making me cover my ears, oddly familiar but terrifying all at the same time. "Though, I suppose your body is very close to that and getter closer, but pay that no mind! We're here to have fun!"

"What...is going on? Who's there?" A hooded figure appeared in front of me.

"I am, let me see, who am I to you?" The figure threw back its hood revealing an image of Jean. "I am all you hold dear, all you dread, your fear, anguish, self-pity, your memories and most of all the love of your pathetic life." The doppelganger put a finger to her chin and regarded me thoughtfully. "Yes...I think that about sums it up." I was very confused.

"But, but, but..." Was about all I could manage.

"Since you are visibly indisposed at the moment, typical guy, I will take the initiative and answer your painfully obvious questions. But first," she whipped a hand out and ripped off my shades.

"What are you doing?" I shouted, shutting my eyes tightly. "Give those back!"

"Just open your eyes Scott, this place is only your mentality. Your optic beams won't work here because it's not really...real I guess is the word." I cracked an eye, seeing how white this place actually was, and nothing happened. "See I told you, but if you die here then you die out there." With a wave of her hand a large mirror materialized with me in the center of it. I looked like I had been to hell and back again, twice. But that's not what caught my attention. Everyone was around my bed, rings under their eyes, tears on their faces. They were all there, Rouge, Kitty, Kurt, Evan, Ororo, and many more. Only the Professor, Logan and Jean weren't there.

"Well," I stated nonchalantly. "I don't look too good, do I?" 'Jean' just smiled

"Don't try to fool with me Scott. I know you're upset that Jean isn't there. I'm your memory, remember?" She tapped her head and grabbed my chin. "And you have every right to be upset. She'd rather be with Duncan then her dying friend." I seethed on the inside. "Does that make you angry?" 'Jean' giggled. "Back to the questions. You're are probably wondering where you are." She waited for an affirmative nod. "Well, I'll tell you. You, Scott Summers, are inside your very conscious. This is where you decide if it is worth it if you live? Or, better if you die?" Unfortunately for you, if you choose to live you must pass, ho hum, certain tests, while if you choose to die it's just over and done with. However, should you choose to live and don't pass the tests, you die. Are you up to the challenge?" I narrowed my eyes.

"So this is all a game to you, isn't it?"

"Tut, tut Scotty, time is of the essence. Your life is slipping away like so much sand in an hourglass. You only have a matter of days before;" She drew a finger across her throat. "Maybe even less if I decide I don't like your attitude. So what will it be now? Live, or die?" I stared at the mirror, some people had left now while others were now talking to my body though I couldn't hear what they were saying, while still others were sobbing into other people's shoulders.

"What kind of tests?" I asked carefully.

"I haven't decided yet, but don't worry; they'll be fun!"

"For you maybe..." I murmured to myself ignoring her look of impudence. "If I die," I said slowly, "then it's all over? No more battles, torment, ridicule for being a mutant?" 'Jean' nodded. "But, what about Jean, and the others?" I continued. "I'm their leader." She nodded again.

"What will it be? Live or die?" I looked at the 'ground' enjoying color, even though it was only white.

"I want to live." I said finally.

"Is that your final answer?" I nodded once, setting my face into a mask of indifference, as the white around me disappeared and all that was left was pitch black and her mocking voice.

"Then let the games...begin."

And another chapter bites the dust, next up Jean's POV.

Will Scott pass the tests? Will Jean realize her love for our beloved Cyclops? Or will the plot take a sickening twist and confuse everybody?

Find out in the upcoming chapters!

How do you like it so far? Any ideas floating around out there? How 'bout any ideas for some tests? I have a few, but let's see what the people want. Battles? Mind games? Or maybe even a *gasp* test of love?

But first, some other questions:

Should I have Rogue kill our boy Pietro, or should Logan do it? Or should we let the cute slime live on to enjoy a few more years at Bayville before he meets his untimely death in an event in another fan fic of mine?

You, the reader, get this possible opportunity to decide the fate of some characters.

And, if you simply don't care and want to let me decide, then that's fine too. Have a great day!