Hi folks. I know it has been like forever since I updated this story. I must confess this chapter was extremely difficult to write for me. I have been busy with work and was stymied for quite some time where I wanted this story to go. My muse has returned and my interest in this story piqued again. I will try to be better. It is fun to write again.

Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel Comics, the X-Men, or Carol Danvers. They all belong to Marvel. Carmen Rodriguez is the original creation of Heartsyhawk. She has graciously loaned her to me for this story.

And Now:

THE UNTOLD STORY OF CAROL DANVERS

CHAPTER 14

Graduation Day

Carol slowly made her way back to the area where she had left Carmen. By the time she reached the speedster and Jean Gray, she was crying her eyes out. Her tears streaked down her face destroying what had been left of her makeup from before.

Jean was the first to see her. The young psychic came up to the older girl and asked her, "Carol, what has happened?"

Carol sobbed. "My family is...GONE!" She screamed in agony.

Neither Carmen nor Jean knew what to do. They did not realize what Carol meant. After a few moments of continuous sobbing, Carol started to calm down. As she started to get a hold on her emotions, Jean Grey suddenly got a clear mental picture of what was happening in Carol's mind. The young mutant telepath gasped out loud when she realized what had happened to Carol's family. "Oh, no! That is so terrible."

Carol was still crying when her new friend, Carmen came up to her and gave her a hug. "You will be all right, Carol." Jean Grey had quietly explained to Carmen what had happened to Carol's family. The young speedster kept holding her new friend. Slowly, Carol was able to get control of her emotions. When she had done so, Jean took that as her cue to leave Carol and Carmen alone. They continued walking and talking together until finally, the two girls finally entered the mansion and made their way to Carol's room. Carol looked over at her packed bags. With a sigh she sat down at her desk. It seemed that she would not be leaving the institute for a while. Quickly, she began to write a speech for the evening's graduation. She also knew that even though it was probably too late to get into college for the fall semester, she would have to talk to Professor Xavier after the ceremony.

Carol's speech took about fifteen minutes to write. She had decided to make the theme of her speech "Appreciate what you have and make the most of your opportunities." While she was writing, Carmen sat on her bed watching her. She marveled at the girl's resolve to work on this speech after receiving the devastating news earlier in the day. After a little while, Carol decided to take a break from her speech. Suddenly she began sobbing, once again. Carmen came over to her and wrapped her arms around the crying young woman. "It's going to be okay, Carol. You can get through this."

After a few moments, Carol was able to pull herself together and finish her speech. When she was done, Carol asked her new friend if she would like to hear the speech. After Carmen had agreed to hear it, she took a deep breath and began:

"Three years ago, I came to this institute because I believed, as did many others, that I am a mutant. However, despite many tests, no mutant x-gene has been found. Still, I have been blessed with many incredible abilities. My abilities include the ability to fly, super speed, invulnerability to physical harm, and super vision. Why I have these abilities remains a mystery to me. I can only imagine that the secret of my abilities will be revealed to me in the future. While I have been here, I have been provided with a wonderful opportunity to work with and learn alongside several other gifted individuals. Although each of you has tried to work with me, I often failed to appreciate the friendship you offered. That was my mistake. Today, I learned a valuable lesson. Take advantage of your opportunities and appreciate what you have. Until today, I did not realize that friends are very important, almost as important as family. My family was ripped from me this afternoon. There was a terrible tragedy. My family was on the way here for this commencement ceremony. According to Professor Xavier, their car exploded and their bodies were incinerated. Prior to hearing this news, I had met a young woman while I was walking along the grounds. This girl has spent the better part of this afternoon with me, helping me to cope with my loss. That is a friend to me. After hearing the news, Ororo Monroe and Mr. Logan were a big comfort to me. I want you both to know how I appreciate what you did for me. I also realize that, though I have been a good student, I have neglected the opportunities to apply for college. If it is not too late, I will try to get into a college soon. I also found out today that I had been selected to be Valedictorian. Another mistake on my part as I just did not pay attention to such things as class rank, I have been too busy feeling sorry for myself and not doing what is important.

As you, my fellow graduates, go out into the world, remember this: Appreciate your friends and family for they can be gone in an instant. Always take the time to make new friends because "A ring is round, and has no end, that's how long you will need to have friends", be helpful to those in distress, and make the most of your opportunities because you never know where they will lead. Congratulations, my fellow graduates."

When Carol had finished, she looked at Carmen. The young woman was rendered speechless. After a few moments, Carmen got her voice back. "Wow. I can't believe that you were able to write that after the events of the day. That is incredible. And thank you for calling me your friend. I, too, do not have many people that I can call a friend.

Suddenly, Carol 'heard' Professor Xavier's voice in her head, requesting her presence. "Carmen, the professor wants to see me. Will you come with me? I am sure he would like to meet you as well."

"Okay. We will go together, friend," Carmen replied.

When they had reached the professor's office, Carol knocked on the door.

"Come in, Carol," the professor replied.

Carol and Carmen entered the office. "Professor, you wanted to see me, sir?"

"Yes, Carol. I wanted to see how you were coming along with your speech. The ceremony is in less than an hour and I was wondering if you needed any help."

"It is done, Professor," Carol replied as she handed the written copy of her speech to him. "Would you like to read it?"

Professor Xavier quickly read the speech. Like Carmen, before, he was impressed. "That is a wonderful speech, Carol. I am impressed that you were able to say those things after the events of the day. I like how you have taken responsibility for your own mistakes and have the courage to admit them. It takes a strong person to do what you have done today."

Carol looked at her friend. "Professor Xavier, I would like you to meet my new friend, Carmen Rodriguez. She is the one who has been with me all day."

Professor Xavier wheeled around to meet the new girl. "I am pleased to meet you, Carmen," he said as he extended his hand. "By chance are you a mutant, Carmen?"

"Charmed to meet you, Professor Xavier. I have heard a lot about you and your school here. Yes, I am a mutant. I have the power of Super Speed and am also an empath. I can feel people's emotions as they experience them," Carmen replied.

"I see," said the professor, kindly. "I am glad that you and Carol are friends. She needs more friends."

"We all do, professor," Carmen replied softly. "I am glad I was able to help her today."

"Well done, ladies. Now you must excuse me as I have a graduation ceremony to finish setting up."

The two girls then left the professor and made their way into the kitchen. There they found some of the younger mutants and Ororo Monroe getting ready to have dinner.

"Is there anything we can do to help, Ororo?" Carol asked, excitedly.

Ororo looked at Carol. "No, we have it under control. Oh and congratulations on being named Valedictorian. That means you go first in giving your speech, you know."

"Thank you, Ororo. I had no idea until Professor Xavier told me this afternoon. As for going first, that will not bother me as I have already done it. I will say it will be short and sweet. Congratulations to you as well. I believe we were only separated by 0.000001 of a point. I do not have any idea where that difference came from. I never paid attention to those details before now. I never thought I would finish ahead of you. I didn't even know I was in the running."

The young weather witch suddenly blushed. She had not known the difference had been so close either. The truth of the matter was that she had missed two questions on the last exam but had gotten the bonus question right, while Carol had only missed one question on the final exam but had not had time to attempt the bonus question when time had been called. The result was two scores practically identical except for 1 millionth of a point, the difference between two high school careers. Ororo looked at Carol. "Will you be staying at the institute, Carol? After graduation, I mean?"

Carol was about to answer her when they both "heard" Professor Xavier calling them. As they made their way to the Professor's office, Carmen excused herself and made her way outside where she noticed the chairs were set up for the commencement ceremony. She noticed many people had already taken their seats, so she sat down in the back row. She sat near the end so that her new friend would notice her as the graduates marched by.

Carol and Ororo both entered the Professor Xavier's office together. Professor Xavier looked at his two pupils. "It is time ladies. I need you two to lead the graduate procession. Carol, you will report to the right wing of the courtyard, while Ororo you will go to the left side. When the music starts, both of you will lead your fellow classmates into the courtyard and to your waiting seats. And congratulations to both of you."

"Thank you, sir." They both said at once as they turned to leave. On the way to the right wing of the courtyard, Carol remembered to put on her mortarboard. She had nearly forgotten. "How embarrassing that would be," she thought.

Professor Xavier watched as the graduating class took up their positions, One could feel the excitement flowing through the group of youngsters as they prepared to take the first step into their futures. A sense of sadness could also be felt in the air on the part of the faculty and staff as well.

The students were ready and the guests took their seats. Suddenly, the strains of Pomp and Circumstance filled the air. Slowly, the two groups began marching towards the center aisle. As they turned towards the waiting stage area, Carol noticed her new friend, Carmen sitting in the last row. She was grinning and waving excitedly at Carol. Carol blushed, grateful her friend was there for her.

Once the graduates were seated, the ceremony began. Professor Xavier wheeled himself to the podium. "On behalf of the faculty and Staff, here at Xavier's Institute for Gifted Youngsters, I bid all of you, students, friends and family and, of course, the graduating class a fond welcome." The professor then gave a short speech outlining the accomplishments of the graduates. Finally, the time came for the speeches of the valedictorian and salutatorian. Professor Xavier took a deep breath and began. "Today, we are going to honor the accomplishments of all the graduates. Two young women have excelled beyond those of their classmates. In fact, they only found out today how close their scholastic careers have been. Our Valedictorian is Carol Danvers and our Salutatorian is Ororo Monroe. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, Carol Danvers."

As Carol made her way to the podium, she noticed an ominous black cloud approaching the institute. 'I hope we can finish before that cloud gets here', she thought. Then she began her speech. As she spoke, she noticed the cloud getting nearer. It seemed as if that cloud was determined to rain on the graduation ceremony. After a few moments, she came to her closing. "My fellow graduates, I give you now your Salutatorian, and my friend, Ororo Monroe. Thank you."

When she had returned to her seat, Carol turned around and saw the cloud about to come over head. With a sigh, and looking skyward, she took a deep breath. When she exhaled, there was a gale force wind, which seemed to push the storm cloud away from the institute, just as Ororo began giving her speech. 'That's better,' she thought, not realizing what she had just done.

Well that is the end of this chapter. It has been a long time coming and I hope that anyone who reads this will review.