Author's Note: So, Scott's determined. Good for him. I think I forgot to mention in the begining that I experimented a lot with pairings in this fic... I hope everything works out smoothly enough. I love reviews; thank you for the few on chapters one and two (:
Summary: My initial take on what X3: The Last Stand would be like. Centered around Scott, Logan,and Storm's grief for Jean...they quickly learn that Jean has grown far stronger than ever imagined.. Magneto is drawn to Jean's sudden growth in power, and is also alarmed by the human's decision to create the "cure"...
Rating: Between T-M. There is a fair amount of language, semi-frequent mildadult-type-themes, and violence.
Main Characters (most main to lesser): Scott Summers, Jean Grey/Phoenix, Logan (Wolverine), Ororo (Storm), Magneto, Xavier, Rogue, Bobby and more in later chapters
Pairings: major Scott/Jean, minor Logan/Ororo, moderate Logan/Jean, moderate Rogue/Bobby, and more in later chapters...
X-men is in no way owned by me...because otherwise I would have changed the way X3: The Last Stand was written. This fan fiction is also completely movie-verse.
Chapter 3 -- Searching
He jammed the keys into the ignition a little harder than necessary. Then he proceeded to nearly catch the edge of the garage door with the front of his shimmering blue car. His heart was pounding, demanding the breaths that he took in seldomly. Scott was so set on the fact that Jean, who Charles had referred to as "Phoenix," was at Alkali Lake. He knew she was there.
He also knew that it would be a nerve-wracking drive up to the lake, for it was at least an hour away with the jet, so god only knows how far it was through driving.
The radio blared through the speakers, causing a dull roar to emit through the thick car doors, yet Scott could hardly hear it. The songs that cried through the car's radio seemed like a string of dull words, much like a professor's continuing drawl of an uninteresting lesson. He couldn't bring himself to turn the annoying back-noise down, because he knew if he was to be left in silence that he would drive himself insane.
Scott drove for the next two hours in a mental state where he wasn't exactly alive, nor dead. He was just in shock, and the pain Jean had thrown at him hadn't hit him yet. He was waiting for this lurking pain, any pain at all, but it wasn't coming. He was numb, and he absolutely hated it.
"Jean…please…" he murmured, shifting his weight so that he pressed his back flat up against the cushioned car seat. He let out a long sigh as he did this, and then he stretched the fingers that curled around the steering wheel so desperately. It was at this point that he realized his knuckles were white, and that he was excruciatingly tense.
"Jean…" he paused, trying to find the exact words to express his confused self, "I don't know who, or what has got you thinking we're the enemy--that I'm the enemy. I love you, Jean. Please just remember that…" he finished, running his free hand through his hair as he finally began to take in the scenery around him.
Mountains. Everywhere, mountains. A few thick clumps of forest trees lined the roads, and then he realized he was nearing his destination. He sighed again, regaining his composure. With a few more minutes of silence, Scott got so far into the thickening woods that the car couldn't possibly press on without being scratched and banged up horribly. He made the executive decision that it would be best to save the car and continue on foot.
So as the man rose from the quieted car, he quickly surveyed the area, finding that he was alone within the forest. He looked down in temporary defeat, and then he slammed the door, causing the slam to echo against the various woods. A chill ran down his spin when he finally took in the fact that he was completely, and utterly alone. This would mean that if he were to be attacked or harmed, it would make his escape next to impossible. With a final sigh, Scott forced himself to advance down the narrowed path. He slipped his keys into his jacket pocket and then strode forward in a determined fashion.
Above, the tree branches swayed gently. Scott mentally blocked the movement, seeing as the wind had slightly picked up. Yet, he did not realize that there was indeed a body in the leafy canopies just above his head.
Phoenix drew in a slow, confident breath through lips that showed the faintest traces of a smirk. She arched an eyebrow in curiosity, and she wondered how long she could simply follow the oblivious man. He was clearly heading for the cliff overlooking the lake, yet he had no clue where his aimless steps were taking him. She cocked her head slightly as she let him get ahead by a few paces, and then she sprung from the thin branch below her feet, catapulting her to another limb a dozen or so feet in front of her. She gave a small gasp of distress as the branch gave way and cracked beneath her weight, and her fiery excitement froze instantly when Scott swiveled unexpectedly.
She gulped silently and her eyes grew wide as she grew stiff. He stared right into the patch of leaves she was so poorly hid behind. Surely the branch wouldn't hold much longer…
"What am I thinking…?" he muttered, facing forward again.
Phoenix sighed and she relaxed slightly, loosening her grip of her fingernails on the bark. She closed her eyes with a slow blink, and then she cautiously danced through the trees, making little to no suspicious noise.
Scott's blind strides had indeed lead him to a massive cliff that over looked the lake itself. He swallowed hard, fighting tears that threatened to spill out again. The lake was filled with the events of that tragic day, and Scott seemed to be locked under the dark aura the place gave off. He shuddered as the day's events replayed in his mind, taunting him, and then he turned away, touching his forehead lightly.
"Hard to face the truth, isn't it?" mused a perfectly celestial voice.
"You're not her," Scott snarled in sudden defence; hating the perfect, honey-sweet tone in her voice.
"You're jumping to conclusions," she retorted, arching an eyebrow.
"Shut up," he whispered. But he didn't give her a chance to argue again, for he whipped off his glasses in the mere blink of an eye. Red lasers sliced through the tense silence, but she was a step ahead.
She held a hand before her, and as if she'd formed an invisible shield around her, the lasers seemed to repel her to a certain extent. She then extended the hand closer to the neon light, and her own shield bent outwards, forcing the man's own weapon back on him.
"Jean…" he pleaded quietly before he dropped his defense. He replaced his glasses quickly, just before he was thrown a dozen feet backwards. And when he collided with the ground again, his shuddering figure fell limply to the ground. His lips formed soundless words as his eyes fluttered dangerously, and then they finally closed.
"Now that I've got you…" she whispered matter-of-factly; she strode over to him, her footfalls sharp and demanding. Phoenix then bent over and personally snatched his dark ruby glasses off of his face. "I'll just keep these for a while," she whispered in a mischievous manner as she eyed the unconscious figure below her. Her fingers traced the edges of the frames faultlessly, and then she looked deeply into the red glass. Something about the red was terribly familiar…
She snapped back to reality with a cold stab in her back. She had forgotten to breath and then sucked in a lungful of air with slight difficulty. She nearly flung the glasses from her fingers, for she had just recalled a portion of Jean's clouded memory. She clenched her jaw tightly, anger pouring into her like boiling water. Her blood heated and her eyes flared to a vibrant red as she stared into the glasses that now seemed so terribly sinister. They were out to get her, she almost began to think.
His eyes flashed open after a few seconds of being unconscious, and the first thing that really woke him up was the sound of his lasers tearing ruthlessly through the bases of several trees. She jumped of her skin as she swung around to face him. Her anger slightly cooled when she was overcome with the feeling of having the upper hand, seeing as the man was rather vulnerable without anything to shield his eyes.
"Are you done trying to prove yourself as the tough guy?" she murmured boorishly.
Scott merely tried to catch his shuddering breath.
"Who the hell are you?" she questioned, pressing a heel to his arm nearest her. "Or better yet, why the hell are you so determined to follow me?"
"I want to know where she is," Scott snarled.
She knelt beside him, and looked at him with slight pity. She parted her lips, but all that escaped was a light sigh. She then gathered her words and strung them together with a jeering voice, "I don't know why you're hanging so tightly to a lost love," she paused, "there is nothing left in this heart."
"Jean…I swore I'd protect you. I'd lied…and I swore to god that I wouldn't stop searching…I wouldn't give up until I found you," he insisted.
She dug the heel deeper into his jacket, pressure reaching his skin. "I don't know what was so special about you," she mused, cocking her head. She then smiled, a true, non-deceiving smile, "…but you are kind of cute." She then laughed mentally at her own words, seeing how foolish she was being. Phoenix rose to her full height and then took slow steps, forming a wide circle around the figure that lied on the ground beside her. "So…your headache better?" she taunted.
"Why do you give a damn?" he replied curtly.
"Don't you wonder why you had such a horrible pain coming in waves in your mind? Come on…I thought you were supposed to be a smart leader," she stressed the select words.
"You…?" he questioned, not angered, not accusingly.
"I saw you last night. I heard your damn thoughts," she spat. "You deserve it…" she faded, trying to find the words to fit the end, "I feel terrible for poor Jean…her own lover betrayed her…"
Scott couldn't say anything back to that. He'd known it was a mistake, and Ororo did as well, but god only knows what Jean would say to that if she'd found out what took place between the two.
"You're lucky, Scott. Lucky she's not alive to know that," Phoenix arched an eyebrow as she bored into his mind, viewing his recollection of the night. She sighed exasperatedly, disgustedly, and then released the glasses reluctantly, then guided them back to their rightful home, covering his deadly eyes.
He gave an inaudible gasp, for he found it hard to believe such a violent, heartless woman would even consider returning the glasses that she herself had stolen from him in the first place. He then pushed himself off the ground smoothly and rose to his feet. Scott looked down at himself self-consciously, and nervously brushed the leaves and flecks of dirt that clung to him.
After a few minutes of pointless silence, he cleared his throat. She looked up at him, arching an eyebrow as if to ask a question.
"So…you…you are Phoenix," he asked, fearing the answer that he so desperately fought against for so long.
She nodded, and Scott's heart dropped even further.
And the next few seconds were a blur to him, all he knew was that his anger had suddenly sky-rocketed and his blood was running, and he felt rather sick.
"Is there a problem with that, Cyclops?" she asked in a bittersweet voice.
"Yeah. You're supposed to be Jean, damn it," he barked, rubbing his forehead anxiously.
"Not everyone's perfect," she whispered, edging closer to him, "and no one can do, or be everything."
He sighed and threw his hands down. His fingers swiftly retrieved the keys out of his jacket, and then he strode down the path, hoping that she'd follow. And of course she did, out of sheer curiosity.
"Get in the damn car," he ordered, unlocking the sleek blue car.
She arched and eyebrow, toying with her options.
"Now, Phoenix," he barked, flinging the driver-side door open.
"Fine, captain," she replied sweetly, taking careful, slow steps to the passenger-side door. Her mind was reeling with what she'd go from here on out.
His mouth nearly dropped open. She'd listened to him. She'd actually listened to him, and was getting in the damn car. He chuckled slightly to himself but it came out as more of an outwards sigh, and then he thrust the keys into ignition, revving the car up. Scott threw a quick glance at the woman beside him, and closed his eyes shortly thereafter, feeling as if he was making a horrible mistake.
She had a hard-to-read smirk sewn on her face, but after a few seconds of observation, it was easy to see she was planning something vile.
The car ride was taken in silence. It was a brittle, tense silence at that.
He pulled into the drive and then edged his car into a free parking space in the garage. His heart felt numb, torn. Was this Jean, or was this Phoenix beside him? Either way, he felt as if he'd taken a bullet to the heart but it had yet to kill him.
Scott swallowed hard and looked down at the faintly jingling keys that were in the off position in the ignition. Time seemed to stop just to allow Phoenix to speak.
"I want to know," she whispered, turning to him, and allowing a hand to go astray, curling gently around his shoulder. "Why…?"
"Why, what?" he replied, his eyes darting to hers.
She sauntered closer to him, pulling one knee over the console between the driver and passenger seats. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she continued, "Why are you so special?" The distance between the two was now shortening.
"Jean…" It was instinctive of him after living with her for so many years.
"Why did she love you…?" Her breath caressed his lips. She blinked slowly and then her gaze climbed upwards to meet the shine of the lenses. She then brushed against his lips, curiosity taking hold. "But of course...I already know the true answer..." she whispered.
Scott shifted slightly, unsure of what his reaction should be. His ears had an annoying ring in them at this point, but he still heard the sound of clothing shifting. Phoenix pushed further against him, demanding more than just answers from him.
"Forget it," he hissed, breaking away from her enticing hold. He then snatched the keys out of the ignition and snaked out of the car, wishing her kiss would have killed him.
"Hey…" John whispered, trying to throw his voice.
Bobby looked over his shoulder hesitantly, the hair on his neck rising.
"Yeah…come here…"
"Bobby?" Rogue whispered in concern, her fingers falling lightly over his. She tried to search his eyes, but found nothing short of doubt and nervousness. "Bobby…are you alright?" she questioned again.
"Stay here for a sec, okay?" he replied, pulling away reluctantly. The dark, moonless, night swelled around the couple, who had taken this opportunity to relax for the one free night they'd had in a long while. Rogue nodded and then wrapped her arms loosely around her knees, which were pulled to her chest. She watched Bobby's figure as he faded into the blackness of the rest of the shadows, and then she rested her head upon her knees. Things had been downright unhealithly tense, and she needed to escape. Bobby had seen her distress and offered to take her out for the night. Things were just now starting to look up when Bobby decided to take off.
She let one hand slide down to the grassy hill beneath her. It was a nice reminder that she wasn't dreaming, and that this fantasy-like night was real. She sighed exasperatedly, her eyes fluttering closed as she thought of how wonderful it was to have Bobby at her side.
"Hey…" he murmured, sinking back beside her a moment.
"Hey…" she replied, knocking her knees together in a childish manner. She smiled as he leaned back onto his elbows beside her.
"Come here…" he whispered, motioning her closer with one finger. And as if she had read his mind, she curled beside him on the springy grass, resting one gloved hand on his neck. He curled one arm around her waist and then brushed her lips for a few seconds, being wary of her powers that threatened to take his life every time they touched.
While Rogue tangled with the man who seemed to be her lover, Pyro was getting into a violent fight with an old friend.
"I don't plan on losing anymore, Bobby," he sneered, throwing a punch at his chest, knocking the wind from him.
The two had been fighting for what seemed like hours, but in all honesty it had been mere minutes. And because Bobby had been thrown off by surprise, he was losing. Badly. He was already bruised in several spots, many of which were on his chest, and there were a few scorch marks across his arms from close encounters of Pyro's fire-bending abilities.
Finally Pyro got a hold of Bobby's forearm, and he managed to twist it back over his back. Bobby fell to his knees to avoid toppling over from his fleeting balance. He then coughed, "What the hell are you doing…John…" his voice fading.
"Something that should have been taken care of a long time ago," he replied, out of breath. He then retrieved the vial that Magneto had given to him, specifically for Bobby, and he splashed the liquid over his former friend's neck. Almost instantly Pyro felt Bobby grow lax under his grip, and then he smirked.
He knelt further over so he was able to speak into the man's ear: "I want you to guard Phoenix. Make sure that no one, and I mean no one, has access to her. But I want to you make sure that if Cyclops tries to get past you, that you make a big-ass scene when you kill him." He then threw Bobby to the ground, and watched at the now-loyal man rose stiffly. "Got it?" he finished.
Bobby nodded, and then took off for the mansion, diligently searching for Phoenix, who was being restrained at the mansion...
She looked down at her hands, which bled slightly from her clenching her fists so tightly. Her nails had pierced her delicate skin easily, which frightened her slightly. "I shouldn't be spilling blood over pointless anger…or at least not spilling my own blood," she breathed. She then looked up from the faintly crimson stained skin of her palms and her eyes traced the shadows of the pure, white walls. An eyebrow was arched in slight humiliation; she had been put into a make-shift asylum for the time being.
"Very cute, old man," she mused, her hand hardly skimming the surface of the walls. She then closed her eyes swiftly and stained her mental communications, only to return with a headache. "Even better," she spat, letting her hand fall to her side as she continued to walk the outline of the room. "Of course you'd put up a damn shield," she whispered, mocking her stupidity, "of course you would."
Outside the door, a young man, hardly even the age of 18, stood firmly planted against the tile flooring. A dim light hung above his head, playing with the hard shadows across his face. Bobby glared down the hallway with hard, icy blue eyes that were crystallized yet terribly clouded his free will.
A bang echoed hauntingly on the opposite end of the long hall, and then came the tornado of arguments.
"Shut up, damn it."
"I didn't even have to come…hell, I'll go back now--"
"Don't. I need you…incase she decides to lash out again."
"What…getting weak are we?"
"Shut the hell up, Logan."
Logan chuckled to himself as the two stormed down the sleek hall that magnified their bickering to a dull roar. He had been requested to join Cyclops as he made a trip to visit with Phoenix. Logan wasn't too excited, but he could tell that Scott really did need some one at this point in time. Reluctantly the brooding Logan had agreed to pay Phoenix a visit, but he was acting as more of a body guard for Scott, rather than a visitor.
They strode to Bobby, and then Scott cleared his throat before he stated, "I need to speak to her." He tossed his head slightly, motioning to the door behind Bobby's seemingly frozen figure.
Logan arched an eyebrow from behind and then joined in, "Hey, kid. Let us in."
Scott then turned back to Logan after receiving no response from Bobby, and then he sucked in a hiss-like breath.
"Damn, it's cold…" he commented, shuddering slightly.
"What-what are you talking about?" Logan questioned, looking rather perplexed.
Scott's eyes flashed to Bobby, and then his heart seemed to pound in his ears. He struggled to pull his feet away from the ground, for Bobby's silent ice attack was taking it's toll on Scott's limbs. He then managed to snap his feet out of the glistening binds of the ice that traced the floor, and he raised a hand to his visor. He didn't want to, but if it was necessary to attack, he wouldn't hesitate.
Scott then heard the short cry of metal behind him, and he knew Logan had picked up the hint that something wasn't quite right with Bobby.
"Take him…I'm going in to speak with her," Scott breathed, tilting his head over his shoulder, but still keeping an eye on the Iceman.
Bobby's eyes narrowed to the slightest degree, and then the next bit happened so fast that no one could have seen it, much less prevented it. All Scott knew was that he came back with a numb spot on his jaw, and then pain sank in seconds later.
Inside the confinement of the white walls, Phoenix had fallen back into the dark sanctuary of her memories. Or rather, Jean's memories. Images of Scott crossed her mind, and for a moment her eyes flickered brown.
Her vision cleared moments later and at the same time she forced herself into reality, fearing what she might find if she let herself wander in the memories of the past. And the crash off to her side startled her further, making her forget about her memories for a brief second.
Scott stood in the doorway, with Logan and Bobby throwing punches behind him. Scott then eased the door closed, yet left it cracked open, seeing as it locked when shut and it was impossible to open from the inside. He then stared down at her, and she up at him. Fear laced her thoughts, but she could tell he was just as anxious as she was scared.
"What do you want?" she breathed quickly, rising to her feet.
"Where is she?" he demanded.
"Who?" she barked back, her confidence swelling again.
"You know damn well who. Jean!" he replied.
"She's dead, I already told you that," she replied snidely.
"I know she's there," he snapped back at her, shaking his head slightly.
She threw her fists down and her eyes flashed red for a brief second before she cried accusingly, "Is this the only reason you came? To piss me off!"
"Oh you can go jump in a damn lake," he spat.
"Funny," she smirked with an air of sarcasm.
"I thought it was."
"You've changed," she breathed.
"As have you."
They fell silent at this. Regret was easily spelled across Scott's face, and Phoenix showed the faintest traces of innocence. Their silence magnified the sounds of struggle between Bobby and Logan. Their silence also permitted Phoenix to fall back into her mind; she found it hard to deny the memories when Scott was around...
Seconds later she screamed as she flew back to reality. Phoenix staggered backwards, and she braced herself against the wall as she breathed, "No..."
Scott edged forward, and shook his head. "What?" he growled, confused at her actions.
"You..." she breathed, feeling faint. "She's drawing power through you..."
Scott began to object, but he suddenly silenced his anger as he questioned quietly, "...wait…'drawing?'"