We see pockets of water and plant life, at once familiar and otherworldly.
Though also noxious and blighted -it's clear, despite the alien quality of this ecosystem, that it isn't as it should be.
Then we watch as it gradually starts on fire. Instead of everything burning, we see the vegetation and water anew, -renewed, as the fire is swept -as though pulled- away.
The species of this planet look up towards a bright light in the sky, a light which appears closer than a sun. Their faces represent a mix of emotions; gratitude, relief, humility, apology.
Then we hear the echo of a strong, compassionate voice:
"Remember. What's in the past can also be in the future. It's in your hands, now."
The sky turns suddenly dusky as the near light moves away. . . .
. . . .and we come to join it as it soars throughout the cosmos, from one galaxy to another, seeking out a familiar planet; the third from its sun.
[Caption Box (/Voiceover - Charles Xavier)
"As mutants, from the instant we discover who we truly are, impossible realities become the way of our lives. . ]
We move in on a scene on the grounds of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Ororo Munroe A.K.A. Storm, is teaching an environmental class.
Utilizing her weather powers, Storm demonstrates two possible outcomes on a micro-scale: draining the moister from the air and earth to reduce a patch of grass to drought-like conditions, while with another she increases the agreeability of its immediate environment, eliciting rich growth.
A young First Nations girls can be seen clearly holding the information in her head, rather, her hands, as images of a healthy, wild patch of nature, and a desolate plot appear above her palms.
Her classmates observe the two scenes until Professor Munroe begins commenting.
We can't hear what's said, but the girl's projected imaginings disappear as soon as she comes to attention.
Far off on another part of the grounds, Marie A.K.A. Rogue and Bobby Drake A.K.A. Iceman are conditioning themselves with some basic training; running track. Like before, we don't have full sound on the scene, but some good natured teasing seems to be going on -Rogue, the mutant who can't safely touch another living person, pretends she's about to remove one glove and grab Iceman in a playful threat that he better run faster.
He does her one better, making an ice track in his lane that he now slides swiftly down.
In Professor Charles Xavier's office, Logan A.K.A. Wolverine, in a new X-Men uniform, and Kurt Wagner A.K.A. Nightcrawler in one of his own, seem to be finalizing details with Professor X on an impending mission. Each is wearing a pack.
Wolverine extends his adamantium claws from between his knuckles, breaking in his new gloves. Nightcrawler sets a three-fingered hand on his shoulder and the next moment,
*BAMFS* himself and Wolverine away.
And so too do we leave, to see glimpses of existences beyond this singular place-
Through the skylight of a New York apartment, a man with red lensed sunglasses sitting on a couch, talking with a red-haired woman. The moment possibly intimate; certainly amicable. -we travel on, a star visible in the day-sky across these scenes, though largely missed by the subjects:
Mutants,
Non-Mutants,
their interactions; such as they typically are.
[Caption (V/O) CONT'D
. .Perhaps that is how we can go on in a world which feels, so often, incompatible with us. .]
Finally we circle back to look down on the man we saw before, now treading towards a headstone. .
. .We see both by their shadows as, with the soft sound of crunching grass, he comes to stand in front of it.
The shadow of his arm rises.
We hear a gentle kissing sound before seeing his hand come to lay on top of the stone.
". . .not a day will go by. . ."
We follow this man, Scott Summers A.K.A. Cyclops, as he returns to the school,
walking past a dedication to Jean Grey.
Later, in what had been their room, Scott stands, ready for bed, in front of the open wardrobe. On one side we can see his clothes. What's on the other side isn't visible to us.
He holds a book in his hands, where we see a more private dedication; an inscription in the front cover: To my dear Jean. I hope the words in this book will do in place of what I can't express. Love Scott.
Scott gives the book of poetry pensive regard,
before placing it in, or returning it to, the unrevealed side of the wardrobe.
The close of a day. .
[Caption (V/O) CONT'D
". .As we understand that what we know to be reality, is only what we know now."]
. .brings us back out to the cosmos, where a fantastic release of power takes place.
A celestial body descends on the Grounds like a meteor, yet there's no impact. Instead, as it comes to land at a certain spot, the fiery tail drifts back towards space, like a cape let go in the wind -or a bird taking flight.
From the perspective of an individual, we're now reentering the X Mansion.
We walk through the presently unoccupied halls, passing the dedication once again, we know exactly where we're going, and come to stand outside a familiar door.
A female hand is placed on the knob. .
. .and once inside, gently rouses Scott.
He looks at her as if she's a dream. "You're on my mind a lot today, dear--!"
Having reached out, he comes suddenly to full alertness; sitting up. "-Jean?!"
His hand -both hands, move about her in gentle confirmation: this is no lucid dream.
"How?"
"It's, complicated to put into words. . ."
Though she manages to find some: "I left things unfinished."
Jean meets his "eyes".
". . but everything we went through. . .Why it had to happen. . -"
"We won't have to worry about that."
Scott's brows knit together. He's disturbed.
A figurative step back to explain: "You released me- . .released my power, from a place it couldn't be." Getting up from the bed, Jean moves towards the window.
Scott watches her until she continues: "I reclaimed that place. . ." Jean brushes her hand over her arm . . turning, after another moment, to definitively conclude: "But nothing else is reversed."
"You're powerless?" he rises out of bed, taking a step closer.
"Not exactly. I still carry an active X-Gene. But my power is no where near the point it was, or could ever come to again." A statement or a vow?
Both stand staring, as if reading each other. Jean steps closer. "I wanted you to be the first to kn- the first I let know that I'm back. . .
I know this is a lot."
They don't come to close the distance between them completely; assessing this new circumstance. . . .
[Caption Box (/Voiceover - Jean Grey)
"Across these past two years, I've experienced new life. Reconciliation of other beings; it is possible. No matter how far I'd gone, I never stopped wanting this for my family. .]
Cont'd into our next scene, where we see Jean is now speaking not only to Cyclops, but to the rest of the X-Men presently on-site -Colossus, Kitty, Iceman, Rogue, Storm, and Professor X. All gathered in a Staff Room:
". .When I realized how I could return, it felt like ego not to. Like I would only be part of the problem if I stayed away. That being said I know what everyone went through because of me. . .I considered keeping away from this place. . .though I can't do what I intend to from behind the scenes, and I didn't want to add confusion to everything else once you found out I was back."
Storm: "You count as well, Jean. We no sooner can expect you to stay away from what is still your home."
Jean smiles like that means so much. "Thank you, Ororo," the smile fades. "Even still, as much as I'd like to do what I came to alongside all of you again, if it's too much for anyone," his eyes linger just a noticeable amount longer on Scott, "I'll make a fresh start of my second chance."
Xavier: ". . .Well I don't think I need to be psychic to know the consensus of the room."
He smiles deeply. "Welcome back, Jean Grey."
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