Previous Post in this Series: #0,1x01,1x02, 1x03, 1x04, 1x05, 1x06, 1x07, 1x08, 1x09
Previously on X-Men:
Emma Frost and Roberto da Costa, have decided to rebuild the Xavier school after most of the OG X-Men disappeared under mysterious circumstances years ago. Kitty Pryde, Bobby, Drake, and Jubilee decide to join the school as they aren't entirely trusting of Emma's intentions. Later recruits to the team include Dani Moonstar, Sam Guthrie, and Jean-Paul Beaubier. The human Stevie Hunter works along side them as a teacher.
Scott is currently dating Madelyne Pryor, a pilot who looks strangely like Jean.
Flashback Xavier Institute
Card: Five Years Earlier
A Plot:
A "younger" Kitty Pryde is looking down at her phone a news reel about the disappearance of the X-Men plays.
Newscaster: Now the only remaining team members are Cyclops, Jubilee, Iceman, Shadowcat, and Storm. Who will led the X-Men?
Kitty glances up from her phone as a couple of movers carry out furniture and toss it into the back of a moving van. Next to Kitty is a suitcase and a stuffed backpack.
Storm exits the building and turns to see Kitty, she takes a seat next to her.
Storm: Why so glum, kitten?
Kitty sighs: This whole mess, I guess. It just sucks!
Kitty: Hank, Jean, Logan, and the Professor are all gone! Illyana and Piotr went back to Russia. Gambit and Rogue are adventuring down south. And no one knows where Scott is.
Storm: What about Bobby and Jubilee aren't they still here?
Kitty *shakes her head*: Foster care picked up Jubilee last night and Bobby left this morning.
Storm: Shame. I wish I could've said goodbye. I've been so busy, packing up the mansion, dealing with Charles's affairs.
Kitty: Do you really think they're dead, Ororo?
Storm: I don't know, Kitty. I just don't know.
Kitty: I don't want to leave. I keep expecting to find Logan passed out on the couch. Or Jean and Scott in the kitchen. Or to turn my head and spot the professor scolding me. I don't want to leave.
Storm tells Kitty that she must. Reminding her of college that's just on the horizon in addition to her own future.
Kitty: Where are you going to go? Back to Kenya?
Storm: Where ever the win takes me.
Storm raises her hand and it gets somewhat windier. She stops as it starts to mess up Kitty's hair.
Kitty: I'm going to miss you.
Storm: I'll miss you as well Kitten.
Storm: How about I stay with you until your mother arrives?
Kitty: That be nice.
Storm: Remember, I'll always be ready to help whenever you need me.
*Roll Opening Title Sequence*
B Plot:
The X-Students are playing outside as Emma and Roberto walk the grounds.
Emma: You know when we first started this venture, I assumed you would also be taking some responsibility in running the school.
Roberto: I'm sorry, Emma. But you do understand that there's only so many times I can show my face. I'm already facing criticism back home for all the help I'm offering American mutants. If I were to publicly come out...
Emma: You'd never be able to show your face in Brazil again. You've mentioned it.
A soccer ball hits Roberto in the head, he winces. Jubilee and a group of kids run up to him.
Jubilee: Sorry, Roberto!
Roberto: It's fine.
He does a fancy kick with the soccer ball and kicks it into a net. The kids clap.
As they kids go to continue their game, Jubilee turns to Roberto.
Jubilee: That's some real fancy footwork.
Roberto: Oh that's nothing.
Jubilee: You play?
Roberto: When I was a kid I used to play football all the time. My dad still has this huge trophy case on display at our summer house in Peru.
Jubilee: You want to join us?
Roberto glances at the kids. Excitement fills his eyes, but it's quickly over taken by something else.
Roberto *shakes his head*: No, it's been a while since I last played. I'm liable to break an ankle or something.
Jubilee notices somethings wrong but doesn't push it. Instead she rushes off to join the kids.
Roberto watches them playing sadness fills his eyes as Emma directs him away.
A Plot:
Inside the gym at Xavier's, Kitty and Stevie are teaching the students ballet.
Quentin: Remind me why we're learning this again?
Kitty: You said you didn't want to do soccer and Xavier's mandates all students do an athletic activity.
Quentin grumbles and Stevie shakes her head.
Stevie: C'mon, Quire this is supposed to be fun.
Quentin: Why is she teaching here again?
Paige: Quentin be nice.
Quentin: This is a mutant school, Stevie's a human. It's a fair question.
Kitty *warning voice*: Quentin you don't question your teachers credentials or call them by their first name.
Stevie: It's fine, Kitty. I told them they can call me Stevie. I find it builds a more solid teacher-student relationship.
Stevie: Also Quentin, I've campaigned for mutant rights longer than you've been alive.
Quentin: Just saying.
Kitty claps her hands and tells the students that they're dismissed. She and Stevie stay behind to clean up.
Kitty: So, you've really been campaigning for mutant rights for that long?
Stevie explains that since college she volunteered for several mutant aid societies. Mostly in the medical field as there was huge prejudice against mutant patients.
Kitty: And this was all while you were a professional dancer.
Stevie: I wanted to be a professional dancer, but during my senior year of college I got in a car accident. The door crushed my knee. The doctors said I was lucky to be walking, but I felt miserable. My leg couldn't support me for long periods of time and I had to give up on my dream.
Kitty: Stevie that's terrible. I'm so sorry.
Stevie: It's not the end of the world. It all worked out for the best didn't it?
Kitty: I suppose you're right. The kids love having you here. With the exception of Quentin.
Stevie: I try not to take it personally the kid hates everyone.
Emma *via telepathy*: Kitty Pryde would you please come to the Headmistress's office?
Kitty groans.
Stevie glances at her: Emma?
Kitty: Yeah.
Kitty enters Emma's office.
Kitty: What happened to the intercom?
Emma: Nothing. I'm not going to interupt everyone's classes just to call you, Katherine. *clears her throat* There's someone here to see you.
From behind a bookcase a figure exits , it's Storm.
Storm: Hello, Kitten.
And she's wearing this fabulous get up.
Kitty: Ororo!
Kitty rushes up to Storm and wraps her in a hug.
Kitty: I've missed you so much.
Storm: I've missed you.
The two start chatting excitedly, but Emma interrupts stating that although this is very sweet, she has work to do and would like them to leave her office.
Kitty and Ororo step outside and Kitty asks Storm where she's been.
Kitty: You've must have been all over the world?
Storm: Actually, kitten I haven't been that far at all and I need your help.
B Plot:
The X-Men and X-Students are eating dinner, minus Kitty and Ororo.
Roberto is eating with Dani and Sam. They're laughing and joking acting like good frinds.
Jubilee: Hey there?
Dani: What you got there?
Sam: I thought practice ended hours ago.
Jubilee: I was just planning out a new strategy for the team and I'm struggling. I was wondering if perhaps someone could help me?
Jubilee gives Roberto a pointed look.
Roberto: Perhaps you should ask David. That kids knows everything.
Jubilee: C'mon, Roberto, I've seen you it's just one game after all.
Roberto: It's not going to happen.
Jubilee tosses him the ball, Roberto catches it.
Jubilee: Please.
Roberto: No.
Jubilee: C'mon.
This goes on as they toss the ball back and forth, eventually Roberto gets fed up.
Roberto: Just drop it!
His powers activate and the ball becomes a burnt husk in his hands.
A Plot:
Storm leads Kitty though the city. Kitty asks Storm where they're going, or where she's been.
Eventually they come across a man whole and Storm drops down it. Kitty begrudgingly follows.
As they make there way through Kitty demands to know what's going on.
Storm explains that after the X-Men disbanded she ended up among the Morlocks. Fighting their leader Callisto for dominance and becoming their leader.
Storm: Callisto didn't take very kindly to it and currently-
Callisto: Ahh!
Kitty and Storm enter another sector of the sewers Callisto is lying down as a group of Morlocks try to comfort her. She yells at Storm and Kitty when they enter.
Storm: She's in a lot of pain and not even our healer can help her.
Kitty asks when Callisto started feeling this way and Callisto refuses to answer. Storm explains that she won't tell anyone.
Kitty: Shouldn't we take her to a hospital.
The Morlocks recoil at that suggestion. Storm explains that the Morlocks don't really trust humans.
Kitty, Storm, and a few of the Morlocks debate solutions, when Kitty decides.
Kitty: Look, we need to save Callisto and I think there's only one person who can help us.
B Plot:
Roberto is getting into his car (something highly expensive), and Jubilee corners him.
Roberto: I'm not in the mood Jubilee.
Jubilee: I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pressured you. If you don't want to play soccer that's fine.
Roberto: It's not that I don't want to play. I love football. It's one of my greatest passion's, the game's just been spoiled for me over the years.
Flashback:
Roberto tells Jubilee about how he was the star player of his team back in high school. He won awards and his father was proud of him.
One day after defeating a rival team, Roberto went to collect his things from the locker room.
He was then cornered by rival teammates (these guys are noticeable white) and attacked.
Then his mutant powers activated, setting the fire ablaze.
Outside Roberto's father is clutching him, as the bullies are wheeled out onto stretchers. Roberto glances at the fire then at his hands.
End Flashback
Roberto: I quit the team the next day. I just couldn't do it anymore. Not after that.
Jubilee: I'm so sorry, Roberto.
Roberto steps out of his car: I never told anyone about that you know. Not even my father. Now that I say it aloud I realize something.
Roberto: Exits the car and heads over to the field. He picks up a soccer ball that's been left sitting outside.
Roberto: I'm not going to let those jerks ruin it for me.
He kicks the ball towards Jubilee. She smiles and they kick the ball around. Soon the other X-Men join them. Roberto scores the winning shot. He cheers as around him the X-Men celebrate.
A Plot:
Stevie enters, carrying a first aid kit and medicine.
Stevie: Sorry this took so long, Kitty. My contacts at the Mutant Aid Foundation took a moment to get to.
Callisto refuses to be helped by a: Filthy human.
Stevie: I'm not going to force you to accept my help Callisto, but I'm going to strongly advise against you turning it down. I understand that humans haven't been the kindest to you, but I want to help. Can you please let me try?
Callisto gives in and Stevie finds an infectious wound in her side. Healer claims that he easily could've cured that. Stevie claims that things like depression make it harder to heal even with help. They quickly deduce that Callisto's depression is caused by Storm's leadership of the Morlocks.
Storm agrees to step down if it'll help Callisto. With Healer's help he and Stevie manage to cure Callisto.
Callisto begrudgingly thanks Stevie and curses Storm while passing out.
As the group leaves Storm thanks Stevie. She and Kitty have a moment alone.
Kitty: So are you going to rejoin the X-Men?
Storm says no. Feeling that there's no longer a place for her on the team.
Kitty: But I need you.
Storm: Kitten, you don't need me. You've managed to help solve the problem better than I have over these past few days. You're an adult now and I couldn't be prouder.
Kitty: Thanks. Promise you'll keep in touch.
Storm: Of course.
Then she flies off.
End Scene:
Alaska
Scott (dressed in a tux) is in his and Maddie's room alone. He pulls something out of his pocket.
It's a picture of Jean. He frowns.
Scott: I'm always going to miss you, Jeanie.
He places the picture into his sock drawer and pulls out a small ring box from it's contents.
Scott: But it's time for me to move on, create a new life.
Scott heads out into the kitchen. Maddie is cooking.
Scott: I thought we were going out to night.
Maddie: Maddie? Scott really?
Scott: Huh?
Maddie turns around, but it's not Madeylne Pryor who faces Scott rather it's:
Jean Grey
Jean: Don't you recognize me?
A burst of light comes out of her hand and Scott falls backwards.
I'm sorry Callisto just putting everyone she grabs in outrageous clothes is everything to me like look at Charles 😭😂😂😂😂 she's so funny and the team making fun it's everything to me
I wanted to try my hand at making Bliss from the Morlocks. She appears in the storyline initially in Uncanny X-Men Vol 1 Issue 261 - 263, where the Morlock Masque morphs Bliss' face and body into a replica of Jean Grey's. Bliss' power is a tiny head attached to their tongue, which can also ooze venom.
I learned a lot with this prototype, including that I chose the wrong paint! I'm shipping this out to a friend, then trying again. I'll document that attempt as well!
Truly, I learned so much, including how thick to make the clay tongue, how large to make the hole in the back of the head, while also carefully carving guide for eyeholes and the mouth area. And let's not forget the paint! Next time, matte only!
I'm never getting over the Christmas episode from the old xmen cartoon because of one specific scene of Storm and Jubilee dragging Logan with them to Christmas shop and of course this introverted motherfucker would rather be literally anywhere else than a crowded mall during the holidays.
Anyways, the best bit of this episode is when the shopping if finally done and Storm points to the doors telling Logan he's free to flee. And the fucker quite literally flees, blessed to be away from this horrible place...
But then! He's dragged onto an ice rink with Jubilee for some family fun and he is so thankful for the soon-after ambulance crash that starts the actual plot of the episode but alas! He is then persuaded to help the Morlocks who crashed said ambulance, and be subjected to more crowded spaces with people he doesn't want to be around or even help but damn, he helps anyway because he just can't say no to Jubilee and her sad puppy eyes and in the end he saves Leech's life and eats Christmas dinner with the Morlocks and his Christmas wish is probably to never ever ever go Christmas shopping again.
did the x-men ever offer the morlocks space to live on charles' property? cuz i feel like they haven't and that has me feeling some type of way.
also, how come they never reached out to the other genosha survivors? like i get that they almost immediately had a lot on their plate. plus showing that risked overwhelming the audience with Too Much Story. but i hope that comes up eventually.
also also, i would love to see humans band together in support of mutants. like. they can't all be mutant hating/fearing dickheads. plus the existence of a group like that would help charles and co not sound completely disconnected from reality when they talk about holding out hope for humanity.
like imagine a counter protest to the mutant haters. friends of mutants vs friends of humanity. or humans reaching out to the x-men to let them know that they don't share their government's bigotry.
there's this us vs them core to the x-men stories (at least the ones i've seen) that makes for epic drama. but i feel like seeing more than a handful of humans be nice to mutants could be interesting to explore.
(disclaimer: i've never read any of the comics or novels. so i'm purely going off of the live action movies, animated series, and x-men 97.)
