Phoenix Rising
It was a crisp cold night in the cemetery and the stars were dancing in the sky. The moon was shining down on one of the headstones as if it was waiting for something to happen. Had they forgotten about her? Her lifeless corpse buried in the earth where it would reside until it was time for her to rise again. She saved the world one or twice…it was beautiful. Now, what would become of Jean Grey? She was killed in the X-men’s last encounter with Magneto and was held in her lovers arms until it was time for them to take over. She gave so much to the world but it didn’t give her anything back in return. Now was the time for Jean Grey to leave them and she didn’t understand why at the start but it all made sense didn’t it? Her decaying body glowed and lit the lonely coffin. Her rotted flesh was renewed and she was breathing again! Disorientated the Phoenix clawed her way out of the coffin, her knuckles were bleeding but she couldn’t feel anything… then the smell of death surrounded her again. She was dying ! The dirt restricting her breathing and was bringing her back where she belonged. Suddenly she was surrounded by a huge firebird and it guarded her from the insect infiltrated earth. She was being pulled from her dark dungeon and soon she was back… back in the world. The firebird dissipated into the air and Jean was left alone again. Her lungs were filled with sweet air and she could finally think again. “Scott,” she muttered.
She looked back at her grave, an echo of her former self. She was home… but why didn’t it feel like home? Wait… the mansion, it was gone, but that would mean that they were dead! No, she refused to believe it. It wasn’t their time yet. She ran towards the ruins of the mansion surprised by her own energy. She couldn’t see any bodies and she couldn’t pick up any thoughts… her eyes were filled with tears. She knew they were alive but where… Then she remembered, Cerebra! If her calculations were correct then the subasement should still be under all the debris. She cleared her thoughts and used her telekinesis to clear a path to the subasement. She saw a faint light underneath her and climbed her way down. Oh God… it was awful. So many memories were flooding through her head. Sinister, the Marauders and a baby… what was this? How could he? She travelled down the underground tunnels, every step revealed more memories. The place was filled with psychic residue everywhere. Moments later, she discovered Cerebra… it was still intact!
“He has to be somewhere,” she said. Placing the helmet on her head she started to see lights flashing in her mind. There was more! What happened to them? Suddenly she felt him. How could she forget what he felt like…San Francisco. It was so far away but nothing would stop her now! After all she faced death didn’t she?
Jean looked back at the mansion before it was time for her departure to San Francisco. She suddenly realised she was still in the clothes that she was buried in. She waved her hand in the air and her green Phoenix costume replaced her tattered dress. She took a deep breath and levitated herself into the air…flying, she missed it. It was a time where she felt completely free and at one with nature. Then before she realised it she was flying above the sleepy little town that was Salem Center. Hours passed and Jean was getting tired of looking at her reflection in the murky waters that surrounded her in every direction. She looked like herself but she felt so empty inside…she was missing something. In the dead night Jean saw lights flickering in the distance. It was San Francisco. Jean laughed, she could feel her friends thoughts. Scott and Emma and… Emma. Scott loved her now but he still loved… No, she had to be happy for him, it was her idea after all and she’d have to live with it for the rest of her life. Graymalkin Industries was right in front of her but Jean didn’t want to go in but she had to and all these negative feelings were… This was her new home and she knew these people like her own family…even better maybe. It was time…time for her to return to the fold.
Jean approached the front door with caution and opened it gently. It was embedded with darkness inside. Everyone was asleep. Suddenly she saw a woman standing in front of her…or a girl.
“W-Who are you?” asked the girl.
Jean couldn’t see the girls face in the darkness and instead of talking she chose to scan her mind via her telepathic powers.
“You’re in my mind, aren’t you?” shouted the girl. “Ms. Frost!”
Upstairs Emma Frost awoke from her sleep and rushed downstairs to the aid of the mysterious girl.
“Pixie!” she said “What is the matter girl!”
Emma stopped and looked at Jean. She froze. It was her. Why now? Why did she have to come back.
“Jean…” she muttered. “Why, why now?!”
Jean opened her mouth but before she could say anything Scott was standing on the staircase.
“Jean!” he exclaimed.
“Scott…” she mumbled.
Emma’s skin turned into a liquidated diamond. In her diamond form she was protected from her emotions and all the hurt that was about to follow.
Scott hugged Jean but she pulled away from him very quickly.
“No, Scott…” said Jean. “Don’t make this any harder than it already is…”
“Jean – I…” stuttered Scott.
“Oh your’re welcome to her Scott!” shouted Emma. “I don’t need you to hold me back anymore!”
Scott glanced at Emma. He was torn between the two women. He always loved Jean but now his loyalties were with Emma.
“Emma, you’re the woman I love.” he said.
“Really?” barked Emma. “And how long will that last? Until the next bloody redhead catches your eyes?”
“Emma…Scott loves you, he wouldn’t leave you.” said Jean.
“Yes, until you manipulate his mind Grey!” said Emma.
There was such anger in her voice. She meant every word. You can’t fool a telepath.
“Emma! Jean would never do that!” said Scott.
“Ha, quick to her defense aren’t we Scott dear!” laughed Emma. “God knows, she has the power, and she’s abused it before!”
“Wake up, Emma!” said Jean abruptly. “He’s with you now! He loves you!”
Emma snickered at Jean.
“Every time I look at him all I can feel is his love for you!” said Emma. “I’ve tried to ignore it but so help me I can’t! Scott only has room for one woman in his heart and that will always be you, Grey!”
Scott looked at Jean.
“Emma. I will always love Jean. I married her and we raised a child in the future but why can’t you understand that you are the one that I love now!” said Scott. “Look into my mind and into my heart.”
Emma placed her hands on Scott’s head. Jean looked at them. Her head said that Scott deserves to be with Emma but her heart said otherwise.
Emma looked into Scott’s eyes.
“Y – You do love me…” sobbed Emma.
“I will always love you, Emma” said Scott.
“I told you, Emma. Scott loves you now.” said Jean. “But I do realise that I can’t stay here at the moment. I have to adjust to things. Work a few things out in my head.”
Scott turned to Jean.
“Jean, no matter what happens you are always welcome here.” said Scott. “You will always be a part of this family and you will always be in my heart.”
“Thank you, Scott” said Jean quietly.
Scott hugged Jean. They both knew that they couldn’t be together but they did know that they would always be friends.
“Goodbye, Emma, and take care of Scott. He’s a good man. I hope that you can find the love that we once shared all those years ago.” Jean whispered to Emma.
“I will, Jean. Goodbye…” replied Emma.
Jean Grey was surrounded by the warmth of the Phoenix and was enveloped by the huge firebird. She flew off into the sky. Jean felt upset but in her heart she felt that she did the right thing by bringing Scott and Emma together again. She would one day return to her family but in the meantime she wanted to find a new life. One that could make her happy.
by Conor McKenna
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“No, she had to be happy for him, it was her idea after all and she’d have to live with it for the rest of her life.” I love it.
This is a perfect setup for a Jean ongoing series. With Jean standing on top of the highest building looking over the city. I died once trying to save the world. Guess I’m getting a second chance to be the last “hope” of the world, as she starts rising and glowing into the air. And this time I’ll do it right, as she flies off.
PS love the picture as well