Chapter Text
19-year-old Jean Grey looked in the mirror for probably the 400th time since she got dressed to ensure she looked her best. The ruby red satin which hugged her hips before flowing freely around her legs, the golden flames embroidered on the gown which shone, the high collar which drew attention to her soft face and brilliant green eyes, and the juliet sleeves all lended themselves to the most favorable presentation of the future Red Queen when she was to meet her fiancée for the first time as adults. A polite knock on the door forced her to stop stalling and leave her room.
Ororo “Storm” Munroe (18) was waiting by her door with Scott “Cyclops” Summers (20) a respectful distance down the hall. The sight of her long time friends made Jean smile despite the nervous pit in her stomach. Ororo and Scott both fell into step alongside Jean as she walked past them down the hall towards the ballroom. Jean stopped just around the corner from the main stairs down, hands shaking. Scott gave her a reassuring smile while Ororo placed a steadying hand on her arm. After taking a moment to breathe, she moved around the corner and began to descend the steps gracefully.
All eyes were on the Crown Princess of the kingdom of Westchester as she reached the ballroom floor and joined her siblings to the side. Her step-siblings immediately added her into their discussion. Wanda (22) and Nina (13) praised her gown while Lorna (8) and Peitro (22) playfully teased her about meeting her fiancée. After a few minutes of casual discussion, Jean heard her father Charles’s voice inside her head calling her over to the other side of the ballroom. Jean then wove her way through the crowd to her fathers.
“Jean, you look marvelous,” her vati, Erik, smiled. “Wouldn’t you agree, Your Majesty?”
Yes, I would indeed, a familiar voice like a mountain stream in the early spring floated gently into her mind.
Jean froze, completely stunned by the young woman standing in front of her. Her face and eyes were sharp and clear. She was fair with nearly platinum blonde hair and blue eyes which glowed as she spoke in her head. A smile bracing like an autumn breeze rested on her face as the Whie Queen regarded her. She was wearing a brilliant white suit and heels which gave her an aura of authority. The pristine white pants highlighted her long legs which, when combined with the heels, allowed her to look any man in the eyes. The long white cape gave her an undeniably commanding look. Seeing her as an adult reminded Jean of when they first met.
. . .
Jean (3) wriggled out of her father’s arms so she could stand on her own. She bounced on her feet in excitement for a few moments before a worrying thought hit her. Turning to her parents, she clasped her hands together.
“What if she doesn’t like me?” she asked quietly.
“She’d be silly not to, little one,” her vati said softly.
“Even if she doesn’t like you right now, she’ll have time to warm up to you,” her father added reasonably.
Jean smiled and hugged her father and then her vati. Then she raced back to the window to watch for the arrival of the Frost family. Luckily for her, she didn’t have to wait very long for them to pull up to the palace. As a guard opened the door of the vehicle, Jean leaned forward to press her face against the window as she tried to see the princess.
“Jean,” her father laughed, “first impressions, remember?”
Jean scrambled back from the window and stood between her parents, smoothing out her red day dress with gold accents as the doors began to open. Holding her breath, Jean forced herself to stay still and be patient. Her patience paid off as, soon, a cold and imposing man entered with a nervous young girl behind him. Jean immediately wanted to run to the other girl and comfort her, but the man’s mind was loud and judgemental so she stayed where she was and waited for her parents to speak.
“King Winston,” Charles said with a welcoming smile, “It is a pleasure to see you again. This is my daughter, Crown Princess Jean.”
As the scary man’s attention shifted to her, Jean dropped into a careful curtsy like she had been practicing all week. She heard the edges of a mental conversation between the man and the girl but she tried her best not to eavesdrop. When she stood back up, King Winston motioned for the girl to step forward and she did.
“This is my daughter, Princess Emma,” he said with no warmth in his voice whatsoever.
Jean was taken aback by how pretty the other girl was. Being a year or two older than her, Jean had expected her to be taller than her but she hadn’t expected her to be so pretty. The other girl had brilliant blonde hair which rested around her shoulders in elegant waves and she had clever blue eyes. Her face was pale and sharp and she was a few inches taller than Jean. She was wearing a day dress that was a very pale blue with small white diamonds.
Without even being able to read Emma’s mind, Erik recognized the girl’s discomfort and shot a questioning look at Charles.
“King Winston, you must be tired after such a long journey,” Charles said, “Why don’t the three of us grown-ups head over to the lounge while we let these two become acquainted?”
Without a word, King Winston looked at Emma who flinched almost unnoticeably before he nodded to Charles and the three adults left the room. Charles sent a wave of reassurance towards Jean before leaving.
Jean gave Emma her brightest smile as she dipped into another quick curtsy, “It’s nice to meet you, Your Highness.”
Emma smiled hesitantly and dropped into a deep curtsy, “It’s nice to meet you, too, Your Highness.”
“Your dad is scary,” Jean whispered.
Emma sighed, “Yes, he is.”
“You’re not scary,” Jean said, taking a step closer to her. “You seem nice and you’re really pretty!”
Emma smiled a genuine smile and laughed--a clear bright sound which warmed Jean’s heart--then asked, “Aren’t you a darling?”
. . .
“Did I startle you, darling?” the White Queen asked when Jean still hadn’t responded.
She was so struck by her that she found herself unable to answer.
Noticing Jean’s plight, her father spoke up, “Perhaps Jean could show you the gardens, Your Majesty?”
“Yes, I could do that, if you like,” Jean managed to say, extending her hand to the 21 year-old queen.
With a smile that made Jean’s knees weak, the White Queen took her hand in her gloved one and followed her lead out the side of the ballroom. They moved silently through the crowd which parted to let them through and they ignored the various hushed conversations which were obviously about the two of them. After passing Jean’s step-siblings, the pair finally reached the intricately carved double doors which would lead them to the expansive gardens where they used to play as children. They paused just outside the doors for a moment to take in the familiar sight.
The three tiers of the gardens were in the English style and, because of this, the flora ran wild. Each tier of the gardens had small brick walls around the edges and each wall had various climbing plants covering them sporadically. In the corners of the first tier there were koi ponds symbolizing tranquility and peace. The second tier contained miniature bamboo groves in each corner to symbolize strength and growth. Finally, in the corners of the third tier, there were delicate white roses symbolizing eternal loyalty which were a gift from Jean’s father to her vati.
. . .
Jean (4) watched the sparkling koi swim around their pool, face scrunched up in concentration. Emma (6) lay next to her at the edge of the fish pond, basking in the sun with her eyes closed. The older girl spread her arms wide as she sighed before rolling over and looking at Jean.
“Are you still trying that?” she asked, rolling her eyes.
“Em, I’m focusing!” Jean protested.
Emma gently poked Jean in the cheek, “Maybe fish are too dumb, Jeanie. I don’t think they can understand you.”
Jean playfully swatted her hand away and couldn’t help smiling, “Father said that powerful telepaths could talk with some animals! These are the only animals I could find!”
“Why don’t we go to the top level?” Emma suggested, “Maybe we can see some birds. I’ve heard birds can be pretty smart.”
Jean beamed at her, “Em, you’re so smart!”
She scrambled to her feet and pulled Emma into a quick hug before taking her by the hand and pulling her up the mossy steps to the third tier of the gardens. After taking a moment to catch their breath, the two climbed on top of the chairs to sit on the top of the fence together. The two diligently watched for birds for what felt like hours until they finally spotted a few searching the lawns for bugs to eat. Jean spent the next while trying desperately to psychically connect with them until Emma convinced her to take a break. Together, they sat and just enjoyed the view.
“What do you think?” Jean asked, turning to face her friend.
“Truly breathtaking,” Emma smiled softly.
. . .
“Your Majesty-” Jean began when the other woman held up a hand, stopping her immediately.
“Please, darling,” she said amicably, “call me Emma. We’re hardly strangers, after all.”
Jean smiled brightly, “Emma, would you like to see the view from the third tier? It is still truly breathtaking.”
Emma nodded and Jean led her carefully up the mossy steps to the gazebo at the top of the third tier. As the gazebo was raised slightly, Wanda and Pietro often said that it was on the fourth tier, but Jean and the others argued that a few inches was not enough to make a fourth tier. Either way, the view was indeed spectacular as it captured the sprawling lawns and even the woods on the edge of the property. In the evening, the sunset was the best in all of Westchester --in Jean’s opinion, at least-- but it still held quite the view in the early afternoon.
The two women sat quietly in the gazebo, enjoying the view, before Jean asked the question she asked each time they sat there together, “What do you think?”
Emma looked out at the view but gave a new answer, “This view is nice, but I’ve seen one better.”
“Oh? Where?” Jean asked, genuinely surprised by this break of routine.
Without taking her eyes off the lawns, Emma said, “Quite near here, actually. In fact, it was just earlier today.”
“What did it look like?” Jean leaned forward eagerly.
“All red and gold,” Emma turned to face her again, “with the most beautiful green eyes and a very intelligent mind.”
Jean flushed a deep red, but before she could respond, an explosion rocked the ground and knocked them off their feet. As soon as they started to fall, she reached out with her mind and used her powers to slow their fall. Emma jumped gracefully to her feet almost immediately after they hit the ground.
“Jean!” Emma’s skin shifted as she knelt by the fallen princess and suddenly it looked like her skin was made of diamond. “Jean, are you alright?”
As she got shakily to her feet, Jean’s eyes widened in horror, “I’m fine, but that came from the palace! I have to find my family!”
Emma took her by the hand and they ran off towards the palace together. They were stopped before they reached the doors.
“Your Majesty. Your Highness. We cannot allow you to run into danger,” Ororo said firmly as she and Scott blocked their path.
Emma drew herself up to her full height and glared at the two guards, “As Queen of the kingdom of Boston, I command you to step aside lest you start an international conflict!”
Ororo and Scott looked at each other for a moment before Scott looked imploringly at Jean. When Jean’s gaze remained fiery, Scott sighed.
“At least allow us to lead the way,” Scott compromised.
Emma looked to Jean, who nodded, and the four of them rushed into the palace. The state of the ballroom nearly stopped Jean in her tracks. Half of the far wall was completely gone with rubble covering over a quarter of the entire floor. Some guests had been knocked out and were lying crumpled on the floor while others had fled to the second floor. The heirloom chandeliers which had been in the family for four generations were shattered on the floor. Blood pooled around many of the fallen guests and some blood spread even to the second level. Standing triumphantly in the hole that used to be the far wall was a tall bald man with deeply tanned skin wearing complex blue armor. Behind him were four beings in unique sets of armor on horseback, and further back there were ranks upon ranks of troops in more simplistic blue armor.
“I,” the man in front declared with a proud smile on his face, “am Emperor En Sabah Nur of Genesis. This kingdom is now mine and you are all my subjects!”
“Like hell we are!” Pietro shouted from the second floor as he pulled his goggles over his eyes.
“We will never bow to you, tyrant!” Wanda cried as her hands and eyes began to glow red.
Jean watched in horror as the twins sprung into action. Wanda threw chunks of rubble at the emperor while Pietro started to run. None of the rubble hit the emperor as one of the four beings behind him blocked each one without any difficulty or seemingly any pain. Pietro managed to actually reach the emperor, but the other man grabbed him by the throat and slammed him against the floor. His head connected with a sickening crack before he was lifted up and slammed down again with a second horrific crack. Wanda let out a battle cry and launched herself from the second floor, crimson energy surrounding her. Their parents called out for her to stop, but she was too far to stop now. Another of the four beings flew into the air and crashed into her, sending her flying into the back wall which she hit with a cry of pain before falling towards the ground. Luckily for her, this time their vati was able to slow her fall by controlling the metal of her belt, bracelets, and the metal lining in the soles of her shoes.
This action drew En Sabah Nur’s attention to the kings who were stationed on the second floor in front of the two remaining children. Nina and Lorna hid behind their parents, trying desperately to stay calm before their powers got out of control. While he was distracted, Ororo and Scott snuck across the room and out the front door where they then began to attack the ranks of troops from the side. Ororo called down storms of lightning to strike down the invading forces while Scott blasted rows of troops with his optic blasts. The four beings on horseback dismounted and raced over to try and stop them, and a voice entered Jean’s head.
Jean, Your Majesty, if the three of us hit him with psychic energy bursts like we have practiced, we might be able to do some damage! Her father’s warm voice sounded in her mind.
Jean and Emma looked at each other and began their assault. The three telepaths each placed their fingers against their temples, closed their eyes, and sent out powerful concentrated blasts of psychic energy at En Sabah Nur. He staggered for a moment before putting up a shield of psionic energy. Suddenly none of their strikes were landing. Jean opened her eyes for a moment and saw the destruction as well as her battered siblings lying broken on the floor and something inside her snapped. With a scream of rage, an immensely powerful burst of energy like a bird made of flames radiated off of her as she sent the energy at the emperor. As the fiery energy hit the shield, it disintegrated before their eyes.
“Who was that?” En Sabah Nur looked around with genuine curiosity in his face until his eyes landed on Jean. “Ah,” he said as his eyes lit up, “you.” He turned to the four beings who had just knocked out both Ororo and Scott, “Horsemen! The telepath in the red dress!”
Emma shifted to her diamond form and planted herself firmly in front of Jean, “You will not lay a hand on her!”
“I will do as I please!” En Sabah Nur declared as two of the horsemen split from the group and picked their way through the rubble and the guests --some of whom were beginning to wake up-- until they reached the two women.
“Stand aside,” the tall, thin woman said coldly, “before I let War here have more fun.”
Emma opened her mouth to speak, but Jean placed a hand on her shoulder, “No, Em, no one else needs to get hurt today.”
Before Emma could argue, Jean stepped in front of her and walked over to the two Horsemen. With a cruel smile, the woman took Jean by the arm and led her over the rubble and guests to En Sabah Nur’s side. Once she was at his side, he reached out and traced his fingers along her jaw with a small smile on his face.
“And who are you, my dear phoenix?” he asked.
“Crown Princess Jean Grey of Westchester, Your Imperial Majesty,” Jean said calmly as she clasped her hands together to stop them from shaking.
“Won’t you make a pretty pet, Princess?” He purred, stroking her hair for a moment.
Jean felt her family and Emma tense significantly. Every metal object began shaking gradually more violently. She did her best to mentally reassure them before the powerful other man noticed. Reluctantly, the rattling of metal calmed. Even so, Jean slowly removed her earrings and placed them on the floor where they immediately flew to the second floor into her vati’s hand.
En Sabah Nur raised an amused eyebrow at the action before leaning in and asking in a low voice with a sick smile, “Does someone object to your leaving, my dear phoenix? I can deal with them, if you’d like.”
Jean forced herself to stand her ground as she shook her head and lied, “No one you need to worry about, Your Imperial Majesty.”
En Sabah Nur searched her eyes for any hint that she was lying, but Jean kept her expression guarded. After a few moments, he nodded in satisfaction and turned to his Horsemen. He waved his hand in a circle before turning on his heel and walking back out of the palace, the ranks of remaining troops mimicking the action. The Horsemen formed up around Jean so she had nowhere to run and then they led her out as well. Once outside, the four Horsemen remounted. En Sabah Nur also mounted his own bone white horse before reaching a hand down towards Jean. With one last longing look back at the damaged palace, Jean took his hand and climbed up to sit behind him on the eerie stallion as they then rode off towards Genesis.
Jean, the Emperor, the Horsemen, and half of the troops--the other half remained in Westchester--rode for days. They stopped in towns which began to get smaller and smaller until they were stopping in farming villages with less than ten houses each. Once they passed the small farming villages, the towns slowly grew larger and more grand until they reached the gates to the inner city of the Imperial Capital of Genesis. By the time they reached the gates, Jean had been unable to contact Emma or her father in over three days' time. Before then, she was reaching out to them each night to reassure them that she was still alive. She nearly cried when she couldn’t reach them anymore, but she refused to show any weakness around her captors.
. . .
Emma (7) and Jean (5) had been playing with Jean’s miniature tea set in her room when something changed with Emma. She fell silent and stared intently at her cup of pretend tea like the secrets of the universe could be found there. Jean tried to reach out to her mind but still didn’t have the strength to do so. Instead, she stood up and crossed to Emma and sat back down. She looked her in the eyes the best she could with Emma still fixated on her cup.
“Em?” she asked gently, “What’s wrong?”
Without looking up, Emma shook her head, “Please don’t ask…”
Jean wrapped her arms around her friend and rested her head against the older girl’s shoulder, “Then I’ll just sit here with you.”
Emma leaned her head against Jean’s gently and the two young girls sat quietly for a few minutes before Jean realised that Emma was crying. Even as the tears were trickling down her face, the blonde made no sound. Jean did her best to project comforting thoughts in hopes that Emma would catch them, but she said nothing out loud. After a bit, Emma fiercely wiped the tears from her eyes and used her napkin to dry her face.
“I can’t let my father see me cry,” she whispered sadly to the younger girl who still sat with her arms around the older girl. “It would be a sign of weakness.”
“You can always cry with me,” Jean whispered back.
Emma smiled weakly at her, “I know, Jeanie.”
. . .