Anomaly

By CorvidaeCorvusCorax

Epilogue: The Aftermath

3 Months Later…

Dear Lucy,

Someone once asked me why I was so interested in saving people. We are higher beings and shouldn't have to help humans, he said. We live in a world of hatred and fear and no one will ever help us when we need it. The fear blinds us and dictates our every action…

* * * *

"Professor, did you see this?" A young student, Artie, asked, not turning away from the television screen.

Students were already clamoring over it, debating loudly on whether or not it was true, "Turn it up, I can't hear it!" One irritated student shouted.

"It seems as though the efforts to stop the Mutant Crisis have been halted by the President of the United States, who now insists that we try to make peace with mutants," A news anchorman said, "There have been several uprisings since this public statement, mostly by the religious organization Friends of Humanity…"

"We did it," Storm muttered to Xavier.

He didn't reply, however. This organization, the 'Friends of Humanity,' would need to be watched very carefully. After what happened with Stryker, he didn't want anyone else trying to harm his students and friends.

* * * *

Just as thousands before us, we must hide from the world because we fear that they will not accept us, and that we will be judged because of our differences. Seems silly, doesn't it, Luce? So we spend our lives worrying that someone is out to get us, and we hide behind people like Xavier, who want nothing more than for us to learn how to compromise and live among humans, and want to protect us from them.

* * * *

Logan stood at the front of the school, wondering if maybe it was once again time to leave. Though where would he go, knowing now that the mysteries of his past couldn't be solved after Alkali Lake was destroyed… The nightmares still found their way back to him and threatened to push him away from the others once more.

Maybe a drive would clear his mind...

Kurt Wagner heard the roar of an engine and saw Logan disappear from the road. Seems like he wasn't the only one who couldn't sleep. He absently wondered if he wasn't the only one with nightmares, too.

* * * *

Or sometimes we hide behind people like Barnabas, who twist the truth and use people like us as weapons. I know that as a precognitive, you will naturally second guess your every move. Heck, even I do it sometimes. I don't want to live like that, Lucy, and I don't want you to live like that either. They can't all be bad...right?

* * * *

Lucy sat outside alone, drawing in her notebook. This wasn't a vision...It was a memory. She smiled, she had never drawn a memory before, it was kind of nice. Victoria was still "sleeping," and Lucy realized slowly that without Victoria, life was different, but she would survive once everything was back to normal.

A droplet landed on the paper soundlessly, smudging a line as it rolled down the page. Was it a tear? She wiped her sleeve on her face, but was happy to know that she wasn't crying like some little kid. Then where did it come from? She looked up at the sky. It went from blue to gray to black very quickly, and rain began falling heavily.

She shoved her belongings into her bag and knew that Storm wasn't having a very good day either. No one was. They had all lost something, and without Dr. Grey, life was too different to recover from.

* * * *

But you've taught me something amazing, Lucy, with your childlike innocence and aura of hope. Your mother may have isolated us and forced this friendship, but I realize now that it was something we both needed: I needed a true friend worth fighting for, and you needed a trust worthy mentor. And you've taught me that sometimes all it takes is a friendly gesture to show that this world doesn't need second guessing, and that compassion and understanding can change people. You can change people, Lucy.

* * * *

"So, after all that, you're leaving me alone with these people?" Toad joked lightly to Victoria as she and Lucy passed. She had packed her things and was on her way out the door, but she made a point to say goodbye to everyone. He stood by the staircase in the foyer, and he would never admit in a million years that he was hoping she would say goodbye to him, too.

She turned to him. There was a scar on her forehead that was a reminder of her act of heroism, and his. There was an awkward pause. Her only mission was to turn him to the side of good and prevent Barnabas from destroying the world, and now that it was over, did he really expect her to continue the friendship?

No, he realized, her work was done—she hugged him without warning, embracing him tightly. He would've guessed wrong, he smiled to himself and returned the gesture. He held on to her as long as he could before she loosened her grip and whispered something to him, "I have some business to attend to," She tilted her head back, motioning towards Lucy, "but I'll come back for you...I promise."

She kissed him on the cheek, then turned back to the younger girl, picked up her bags, and led Lucy by the hand, "Come on, Luce, it's time to go home."

* * * *

I have had an amazing year with you, and it will be quite a story to tell at my graduation party. And even though I'm not going to be a student next year, I'm certain you've already heard that your mother has other plans for me. I will keep my promises to both you and Mr. Toynbee: I will come back for both of you.

* * * *

Victoria and Lucy were once again on the train home, but Victoria knew that her work was far from over. She looked down at the letter, hoping to send it to Lucy once the new school year started, and long after Victoria's Plan would be set in motion. The future was looking bright: Toad would wait for her return, Charlotte offered the two a home near Winifred Augusta's, and she would be allowed to train some of the new students next year. Life would be perfect.

She saw that Lucy had fallen asleep against her, the notebook splayed out on her lap. She saw a drawing that made her smile and tear up a little (not that she would admit it). A family portrait of some kind, Lucy standing in the middle, Toad smiling and Victoria holding something in her arms. She couldn't make out what it was, but she could guess. Indeed, life would be perfect.

* * * *

People will never know what really happened that night, and you may have seen that Barnabas has been reported as 'missing' already. Maybe it's for the best. This is a new beginning for us, the possibilities are endless, and until I return next year—I wish you luck next semester, you'll need it.

Much love and appreciation, signed 'Victoria Ward.'

THE END

A/N: Yep, this is the end of the whole mess. Thanks for reading!