and still, I stand

The year is 1983, the world has narrowly avoided the extiction of mutantkind after Raven Darkholme was stopped from killing Bollivar Trask and the creation of the Mutant-Hunting robots; The Sentinels, was prevented. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean every threat to mutants has been eliminated. The government still perceives them as a threat, and many extremist groups will do anything possible to eliminate them.

How will mutantkind respond to the ever-growing threats to their fragile peace?

“ even morsels of affection are like feasts to a starved soul.  ”

“  you ever feel like…you’re a box of matches everyone keeps passing around to keep themselves warm?  and some days you just wanna set fire to a forest just to watch something else burn for once.  ”

“  seems like when my life was created by—  shit if i know.  the universe or god.  whoever was building it had the blueprint upside down.  something’s just wrong.  ”

“  the world feels too big for me to be noticed,  yet too small to hide.  ”

“  it hurts.  when you want to live.  when you start caring about having a future again.  it makes all the things you’d numbed yourself too ache again.  it can be just as suffocating to want to stay on this earth as it is to want to escape it.  ”

“  only clinging to positive emotions,  pushing all the bad shit down,  that’s not balance.  it’s not any healthier than the people who hold on to their bitterness and anger.  ”

“  truth is i don’t care— i should but.  i don’t care if becoming one of the monsters is what it to takes to protect myself.  i’d rather be something that makes people afraid than be the one terrified anymore.  ”

“  i think the real monsters in the world,  the real villains,  are the ones who create them.  ”

“  no one blames a beat dog for learning how to bite the hands that strike it.  yet when humans learn how to bear their teeth we avert our gaze,  criticize how they learn to survive.  ”

“  i’m starting to think finding your place in the world is about making it.  carving out a piece and making it yours.  ”

“  i’m not afraid to love.  loving is the easy part.  it’s the after that always scares me.  the idea of being left with all that love and nowhere to put it.  ”  

“  i feel hungry.  like in my soul.  but i don’t know what i’m starving for.  how am i supposed to know what i need when i’ve never had it?  it’s just hollow.  ” 

“  it took me a while to realize happiness wasn’t this long,  consistent thing.  it’s just learning to live in the small moments.  appreciating the joys you find,  tucking them away for later so when it’s dark again you remember what the light felt like.  ”

“  i think it’s okay to be lonely sometimes.  i think that’s when you learn the most about who and what you are.  and who you want to be.  ”

“  i knew something had to change when nightmares no longer scared me.  they almost felt safer than what was there when i was awake.  ”

“  i’ve never really learned to identify one emotion from another.  i never got that?  how some people just know what they’re feeling.  it’s all just one mess inside me.  i just feel.  i don’t think about it.  i just feel things—so strongly it’s like it takes over my entire body and soul.  ”  

“  to really know yourself…i think that will always be more important than whether not anyone else knows you.  ‘cause there’s always going to be pieces of yourself you keep from the world.  and only you can understand them.  ”

you are still the best.

is one an invader or noble crusader?

i swear, someday, there'll be a celebration throughout oz that's all to do with me.

this weird quirk i've tried to suppress or hide is a talent that could help me meet the wizard.

it's time for her bubble to pop.

how do you stand it? i don't think i could.

lost your heart? well, we'll see about that.

so you lied to them?

the truth is not a thing of fact or reason, the truth is just what everyone agrees on.

how i hate to go and leave you lonely.

this is more than just a service to the wizard.

they'll never bring us down.

i will be loathing you my whole life long.

i hear she has an extra eye that always remains awake.

now that we're friends, i've decided to make you my new project.

i don't even know what trick i ought to try.

can he read the grimmerie?

that's the girl he chose.

you won't mind my leaving here tonight.

wishing only wounds the heart.

i would do anything for you.

show them exactly what's the score.

every way that you look in this city there's something exquisite you'll want to visit.

let's go down to the ozdust ballroom.

somehow i've fallen under your spell.

who can say if i've been changed for the better?

our children learn what we miss when we misbehave.

it's just a place that's familiar and "home" is just what we call it.

something bad is happening in oz.

kill the witch!

oh, you really don't have to do that.

that's alright, it's only just one night.

i've got to go appeal to her, express the way i feel to her.

what does it mean?

nothing grows for the wicked, they reap only what they've sown.

i know! that's what makes me so nice.

there's a strange exhilaration in such total detestation.

finally a day that's totally wicked-witch-free.

when i stop the wizard, all oz will applaud.

because i knew you, i have been changed for good.

life's more painless for the brainless.

no one lays a lily on their grave.

getting your dreams, it's strange, but it seems a little, well, complicated.

he could be that boy, but i'm not that girl.

don't we all know there's no place like home?

you will be popular.

maybe i'm brainless, maybe i'm wise.

i happen to be free tonight, after all.

so for once, i'm glad i'm heartless.

we animals are now being blamed for everything that goes wrong.

where will she strike next?

save us from the wicked.

it just shows, when you're wicked you're left only on your own.

shouldn't a girl who's so good inside have a matching exterior?

no good deed goes unpunished.

we share your loathing.

life is fraughtless when you're thoughtless.

i hear some rebel animals are giving her food and shelter.

make me feel that again!

i hope you're happy now that you're choosing this.

we can dance till it's light.

i want to go back to the way we were at school.

she died alone.

save him, please, just save him.

many years i have waited for a gift like yours to appear.

every so often we long to steal to the land of what-might-have-been.

why couldn't you have stayed calm for once, instead of flying off the handle?

i really hope you get it and you don't live to regret it.

they called me "wonderful".

i am a sentimental man who always longed to be a father.

would it be alright by you if i de-greenify you?

we couldn't be happier.

do you think the wizard is dumb? or, like munchkins, so small-minded?

what? but you know i can't read this..

look at her! she's wicked!

all helpful urges should be circumvented.

that's what they want you to do.

all that's required to live in a dream is endlessly closing your eyes.

that makes me so happy.

i don't know what you mean.

i guess we know there's blame to share.

i did know her.

it's clear we deserve each other.

have another drink of green elixir, and we'll have ourselves a little mixer.

surely now i'll matter less to you.

why does wickedness happen?

just look at me, not with your eyes, with theirs.

how can it be?

you're perfect.

what is this feeling, so sudden and new?

think how you will grieve for all you leave behind.

a man's called a traitor, or liberator.

the trouble with schools is they always try to teach the wrong lesson.

i hope you're happy, my friend.

have i actually understood?

we couldn't be happier, right, dear?

you can have all you ever wanted.

happy is what happens when all your dreams come true.

maybe, at last, i'll know why.

i see who you truly are, a girl on whom i can rely.

you can still be with the wizard.

wickedness must be punished!

they want you to become less callow, less shallow.

i hope you think you're clever.

what good is this chanting?

don't make me laugh.

well, i don't know if i believe that's true.

you'll never guess what just happened to me.

can't i make you understand you're having delusions of grandeur?

i'll be right there, waiting all night.

the witch of the west is dead!

there's been some confusion for, you see, my roommate is..

i need help believing you're with me tonight.

i can't just stand there grinning, pretending to go along with all this.

i hope you're happy in the end.

i mean, it goes with everything you own.

don't be offended by my frank analysis.

i know about popular.

you would do that for me?

when someone needs a makeover, i simply have to take over.

you'll be popular, just not quite as popular as me.

so here, out of the goodness of my heart.

others are good, but you're the goodliest.

know that you're here in my heart while i'm out of your sight.

i hope you're happy how you've hurt your cause forever.

so if you care to find me, look to the western sky.

are people born wicked? or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?

are you coming?

it's time to trust my instincts.

isn't it nice to know that good will conquer evil?

how does it feel being engaged?

that perfectly adorable munchkin boy just asked me out!

perhaps you're right.

there's that beautiful girl with the beautiful life.

i don't want it, i can't want it anymore.

oh, what a celebration we'll have today!

one more disaster i can add to my generous supply..

i want to feel that again.

i'm about to have a fun night.

my pulse is rushing.

there are wonders like i've never seen.

wicked is defeated by the good.

my head is reeling.

once you're with the wizard, no one thinks you're strange.

i'll teach you the proper ploys when you talk to boys.

if i can just make them believe in the truth.

i've got one more night left here in town.

maybe he is here to fulfill the prophecy.

like every family, they had their secrets.

nobody in all of oz, no wizard that there is or was is ever gonna bring me down.

it's not about aptitude, it's the way you're viewed.

we'll meet there later tonight.

come out, come out, she's gone!

why do i love this place that's never loved me?

together, we're unlimited.

it's only land, made of dirt and rock and loam.

welcome to shiz!

i've never really had a family.

no act of charity goes unresented.

however they try to destroy him, let him never die.

who in the world is she now?

don't remember that rush of joy.

i couldn't feel humbler.

we just want to tell you, we're all on your side.

you know what? let's dance!

i know i'm who i am today because i knew you.

i've just had a vision, almost like a prophecy.

isn't he wonderful?

once i'm with the wizard, my whole life will change.

trust me, it's fun!

i see that, once again, the responsibility to corrupt my fellow students falls to me.

there's been some confusion over rooming here at shiz.

there's no fight we cannot win.

you know black is this year's pink.

now whatever way our stories end, i know you have re-written mine by being my friend.

with this perfect finale, the cheers and the ballyhoo, who wouldn't be happier?

we were just talking about you, how you should join us tonight at the ozdust.

you did this? to make her happy?

though, of course, that's not important to me.

but from the moment the witch was born, she was, well, different..

i love helping others!

ah, my heart! it feels like it's, like it's shrinking!

i do believe i have been changed for the better.

that doesn't soften the ache we feel when reality sets back in.

i'm about to have the happiest night of my life.

goodness knows the wicked die alone.

come be how you want to and see how bright we shine.

i've striven to ensure that all of oz knows the story of your braverism.

i couldn't be happier, though it is, i admit, the tiniest bit unlike i anticipated.

when you can slough it off as i do, nothing matters, but knowing nothing matters.

i know exactly what they need!

i'll stand there with the wizard feeling the things i've never felt.

so much of me is made of what i learned from you.

one thing led to another, as it so often does.

oh, what a pair we'll be!

my face is flushing.

if we just keep fighting for it, we will win back and restore it.

let's start, 'cause you've got an awfully long way to go..

i'll be back for good someday.

you'll be with me like a handprint on my heart.

i hope you're happy.

i've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason.

there's one way we'll know if it's true..

why should a land have so much meaning when dark times befall it?

i'll want nothing else 'til i die.

a rich man's a thief, or philanthropist.

i'm the one you want!

for the first time, i feel wicked.

we're engaged?

come with me, think of what we could do together.

we're gonna make you popular.

well, that's what i do best, makin' people happy.

i predict the wizard might make you his magic grand vizier.

maybe i could invite her..

oz is more than just a place.

when you feel you can't fight anymore just tell yourself there's no place like home.

though i'd never show it, i'd be so happy i could melt!

my heart's desire is for you to help the animals.

the baby is coming!

where are you? already dead or bleeding?

don't dream too far.

it's just life, so keep dancing through.

sure, i meant well.. well, look at what well-meant did.

they think he's wonderful.

heaven knows i'm not that girl.

if animals are losing the ability to speak, leaving oz, then someone's got to tell the wizard.

don't you dare say another word against her.

and just to clear the air i ask forgiveness for the things i've done you blame me for.

i hope you're proud how you would grovel in submission to feed your own ambition.

i've got something to confess.

i have a personal score to settle with the witch.

you deserve each other.

look what we've got, a fairy-tale plot, our very own happy ending.

i'll wake up my body and make up for lost time.

goodness knows the wicked's lives are lonely.

he couldn't look handsomer.

he's so thoughtful that way.

i think everyone deserves the chance to fly.

she hasn't done anything wrong!

but of course, i'll rise above it.

did that really just happen?

i'll hope you'll save a dance for me tonight.

it's really, uh, sharp, don't you think?

you know, we could be like a family.

it couldn't have been easy..

i'll show you what shoes to wear, how to fix your hair.

when you feel it's not worth fighting for, compel yourself.

i promise no good deed will i attempt to do again.

finally, something good.

my wildest dreamings could not foresee lying beside you with you wanting me.

none of it seems to matter anymore.

i know it sounds truly crazy.

nothing all that bad.

i hear her soul is so unclean pure water can melt her.

i'll be heartless killing her!

we're just two friends, two good friends, two best friends.

just you and i defying gravity.

i only wish there were something i could do for her to repay her.

there's no future for us as a pair.

why think too hard when it's so soothing?

i'll write at once to the wizard, tell him of you in advance.

if she'd let him fight his own battles when he was young he wouldn't be a coward today!

we will not live forever. that, i can foresee.

the wizard will see you now!

i had a feeling you were gonna say that.

tell them what she did to you.

i will be wonderful.

for today, we'll wander and enjoy.

it felt like he loved me then.

why invite stress in?

if that's love, it comes at much too high a cost.

that's it, i'm leaving oz while i can still speak the word "goodbye".

there's no place like home.

he's, um, he's gone to fetch me a refreshment..

where i come from, we got a whole lot of people who believe all sorts of things that aren't true.

i don't even know what i'm reading.

something has changed within me.

that's when they'll finally bid the wizard goodbye.

well, you have to learn.

just say you're sorry.

it couldn't happen here, in oz.

let's just say i loathe it all.

i'm through accepting limits 'cause someone says they're so.

i think we've found the place where we belong.

i'm wicked through and through.

i hear that she can shed her skin as easily as a snake.

it well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime.

it's time to try defying gravity.

don't worry, i'm determined to succeed.

no, leave her alone!

though i do admit, it came on fast.

that's why we have a wizard.

was i really seeking good, or just seeking attention?

i'll be here holding you as long as you're mine

don't lose sight of who you are.

those who don't try never look foolish.

though they beat him, let him feel no pain.

together we'll be the greatest team there's ever been.

good news! the witch, she's dead!

there are bridges you cross you didn't know you crossed until you've crossed.

i'll make every last moment last as long as you're mine.

let us be grateful.

all of oz is ever on alert.

i'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game.

is that all good deeds are when looked at with an ice-cold eye?

the good man scorns the wicked.

blind as you try to be, eventually, it's hard to unsee what you've seen.

the truth has a way of seeping on in beneath the surface and sheen.

see that tragically beautiful girl?

facts and logic won't unchoke 'em.

we are led to those who help us most to grow.

have another drink, my dark-eyed beauty.

let us be glad.

don't tell me you have nothing to wear.

now, at last, there's joy throughout the land.

no one mourns the wicked!

let's face it, right? who isn't less fortunate than i?

my road of good intentions led where such roads always lead.

i'm limited.

you can do all i couldn't do.

you've got me seeing through different eyes.

a girl needs something to kill all that time.

there’s something dangerous about the boredom of teenage girls.

love is a kind of killing. don’t you know that? 

it was something. don’t say it wasn’t.

people will always try to scare you into things. scare you away from things. scare you into not wanting things you can’t help wanting. 

this is my body, and i can make it do things. i can make it spin, flip, fly. 

you don’t look like anybody at all. 

we’re all wanting things we don’t understand. things we can’t even name.

pretend you’re me.

does anyone ever answer that question with a no?

i know what that’s like. the way you can be saved without ever knowing you were in trouble.

i let them see i’m not anything, least of all what i am.

when you have nothing inside you, you feel everything more, and feel you can control all of it.

did you ever look out in that dark and fucked-up world out there and think, how do i let my daughter out into that? and how do i stop her?

bad things happen and then they’re over, but where do they go? 

the things you want, you never get them. and if you do, they’re not what you thought they’d be. but you’d still do anything to keep them. because you’d wanted them for so long.

but the thing is, you’re always that girl. she never goes away. she’s inside you all the time. that girl is forever.

so many things you never think you’ll do until you do them.

it doesn’t matter whose dream it is, just that it’s a dream.

you have to decide who you are, little girl. once you know that, everyone else will too.

there wasn’t much to know. now there’s less.

it’s just nature. put animals in a small, closed space, and the one with the sharpest nails, the pointiest teeth wins.

it’s best never to let them see your teeth.

when you get away with something it’s yours only, forever. heavy and irremediable.

Actress Kaitlyn Dever

IG: KaitlynDever