Disclaimer: I do not own anything belonging to X-Men or Marvel.
Chapter 37: Legend
The giant robot crashed through the city. It fired a beam from its chest at a building and it disappeared.The X-Teens looked on, thinking of their next plan of attack. Iron Man flew down. "What's happening," he asked.
"Magneto," Morph said.
The robot looked down at the group. Magneto looked at Iron Man, and the robot fired a beam from its chest.
"Look out," Morph shouted. He pushed Iron Man, and the beam hit him, and he disappeared.
"Oh dear," Magneto said.
Bobby looked around at the funeral. "I can't believe he didn't show up," he said. "Kevin saved his life."
"Don't be mad at him," Rogue said. "Let him grieve in his own way."
Evan, David, and Skinner were standing in front of the empty coffin that symbolized Kevin. "I still can't believe it," Evan said. "After what happened to the Professor, I really understood how much we were really in danger. I guess I just never thought it would happen to any of us."
"Alas, that's the real world," Skinner said. "Good blokes die, while the most evil of men live. How's that for justice, eh?"
You know, it's not really all bad," David said. The other two glared at him. "I'm sure that's how Kevin would have wanted it; saving the life of a friend."
"Some friend," Evan said. "See how grateful he is? Remember when he stood up and gave a touching speech about how great Kevin was? Remember when he told us all how sorry he was for what happened? Remember when he offered to pay for the funeral instead of making us pull what little money the school has left into this little memorial service? No! Because he didn't. Like I said, some lousy friend."
Tears rolled down Kitty's eyes as she clutched Peter's hand. "I can't believe he's dead Pete," she said, sobbing. "I loved him, you know. Like a brother, I mean. He treated me like a kid sometimes, but other times he trusted me because he knew how strong I was. That's what I'll miss most of all, I think. He knew how strong we all were."
"And yet, he always doubted it in himself," Peter said.
"Never will there ever be a man more humble, and therefore more heroic, than Kevin Sidney," McCoy said, walking up to them. "Charles was planning on leaving the school to Kevin someday, did you know that?"
They both shook their heads. "Charles saw how great of a leader Kevin was, and he was able to see Kevin overseeing this entire school. How it would break his heart to know what has happened."
Rogue stared behind her, at the figure standing on the small hill. "What is it," Bobby asked.
"I'm not sure," Rogue answered. The figure started to walk toward them. "I think it's…"
Tony Stark's body moved closer towards them. Once he was in close enough range, Bobby said, "Thanks for showing up. How dare you come here, after the funeral. You're not welcome here, so why don't you leave."
"Before you get too riled up Bobby, let me explain," Tony said. "I decided not to come because he's not dead. He's alive, I know it."
"Don't even," Bobby said. "Don't make this any worse."
"He's alive somewhere and I'm going to find out where." He turned and walked to a limo. The chauffeur opened the door and Tony got in.
"Do you think he's right," Bobby asked.
"God I hope so," Rogue said.
"This is incredible," Pyro said. "First Xavier, now Morph! They're going to be lost."
Magneto sent him flying across the room. "That beam was meant for Iron Man," Magneto said. "I am not proud of what I did."
"Then maybe you can fix it," Iron Man said. He hit Magneto in the chest with a beam from his hand. He flew over to Magneto and picked him up by the neck. "Where is he?"
"I'm not sure," Magneto said. Iron Man squeezed harder. "No, I mean I have no idea where the beam sent him."
"How do we get him back?"
"We can't. Your only hope is that Morph can manage to find his way back."
Morph woke up and shook his head. What happened? He sat up and looked around. He was sitting in the sand, and a few cars and a building surrounded him. Other than a house in the distance, there was nothing but sand around him.
He trudged through the sand and made his way to the house. He wrapped his fingers around the knocker and hit it against the door. A man opened the door, and Morph's heart stopped. It was Anthony Morrison.
"Hello," Morrison said. "How may I help you—Wait a minute, I know you."
"What's going on here Morrison," Morph asked sharply. "What did you do?"
"Why don't you come in?" He waved Morph in. Morph looked at him, then hesitantly walked through the door, and Morrison closed it behind him.
"Forgive me, I haven't had visitors in a long time." He led Morph into a large dining hall with a long table in the center, with two chairs at both ends. "I was just sitting down to dinner, would you like to join me?"
Morph pulled up a chair and sat down. Once Morrison sat down to eat, Morph asked, "Where are we?"
"We're still on Earth, but I think you're more concerned about when, not where. This is my present, but it's your future. The year 5000 to be exact. Whatever it was that transported you here must have transported you to the future."
"But what happened? Where are all the people?"
"I believe that is, unfortunately, my fault. About 950 years ago, I created a device that would poison the air all around the world. I never meant to use it, I was just holding the world at gunpoint. But after they paid up, in the process of shutting the machine off, I inadvertently started it. So, I remain the last man alive."
"You son of a bitch," Morph said, climbing over the table. Morrison stood up and raised his hand.
"Please, I've had almost a thousand years to think about what I've done. It's been punishment enough. Besides, I may be able to help you."
"What do you mean?" Morph climbed down from the table and stood next to Morrison.
"About thirty years ago I created a machine to take me back in time, to try and undo what I did. Unfortunately, an alien race, known as the Brood, arrived around the same time, and stole it from me. If you're willing to help, I might be able to take you back."
"Alright, I'm willing to help you, as long as you keep your promise."
"Absolutely. Provided one thing."
"What's that," Morph asked suspiciously.
"When you go back, I want you to promise to kill me the very first chance you get. Make sure you cut off my head. Removing the head is the only way to kill a regenerator. Can you promise me this?"
"Yeah, I promise."
"Good, then I'll get my ship and we'll fly to the hive."
Morrison flew Morph in a large, silver, futuristic looking space ship. "Here we are," Morrison said, looking out the window.
Morph looked out, and a large hole lay in the middle of the ground. "Wait a minute," Morph said. "I wonder if this Brood is what Dr. McCoy and the others found in Nevada."
"No, that's impossible," Morrison said. "The Brood just arrived thirty years ago."
"Well then what else came to Earth from space?"
"Let's see, early 2000s, that must have been—oh my."
"What?"
"I'll tell you about it later," he looked at his watch. "The Brood are only hibernating for another half hour. This is our best window of opportunity." He got up from his seat and made his way to the back of the ship. "Come on, we'll repel down and attach a cable to the device, then I'll pull it up with the ship's winch."
"What if Kevin can't find his way back," Iron Man said, letting go of Magneto.
"Then, sadly, he will forever be trapped in wherever he is," Magneto answered.
"How could you develop something without knowledge of how it exactly works?"
"We don't all have the time to be as precise as you, Mr. Stark…Yes, I was there when the X-Teens removed your helmet. Fortunately for you, I have respect for you and the X-Teens, and I have decided to hold off any form of retaliation for destroying my machine for the time being.
"As much as you may not like to hear it, I don't hate the X-Teens. I hate what they believe, and what they fight for, but I respect what they can do, and where they come from. Someday, I hope that they will come to their senses, but after today, I think it will be a while. If you're finished, Mr. Stark, you're excused."
Iron Man stared at him. "Alright Magneto," he said. "But let me promise you this. If Kevin doesn't come back, I will kill you."
Magneto smiled slightly. "And I shall be waiting. Good day, Mr. Stark."
Morph and Morrison exited the ship, a cable attached to each of their waists, and Morrison held a large cable in his hand. He approached the hole and stepped over it backwards, planting his feet in the ground. "We'll have to be careful. If we wake them up, we'll have a large problem on our hands."
Morph nodded, and followed Morrison down. He looked around, and strange, green creatures clung to the walls. They were insect-like, but the size of a small horse. Their bodies rose and fell slowly in their slumber.
"There it is," Morrison whispered. He pointed down to a bright green light. "The Brood are attracted to bright lights."
They repelled further down, and after a few minutes, they reached a small ledge where the machine sat. It was a large, purple box, with a big green, brightly shining crystal on top.
Morrison tied the spare cable around the machine, then nodded to Morph. "Alright, I'll repel back up, and pull it and you back up with the winch." He started to climb back up the wall.
"Wait, how do I know you'll pull me back up?"
Morrison smiled. "You'll have to take my word as a gentleman. And besides, I need this device. Trust me, I'll pull you up in a few minutes."
Morph smiled a little, then watched Morrison get smaller and smaller as he climbed up the wall.
A strange sound started behind Morph. It was a faint cluttering on the dirt. There was a bizarre sound, like a wet, mechanical roar. The walls around him began to move. No, it wasn't the wall. "Damnit Morrison," Morph said looking up. "If you left me…"
Something crawled up the ledge. It stared at him with large, bug-like eyes. The Brood snapped its long pinchers at Morph. Morph kicked at it, and it fell of the ledge. Morrison's machine lifted of the ground, and Morph jumped on.
Another Brood jumped onto the machine, and Morph swung his fist at it. It connected with the creature's head, and he kicked it hard, knocking it off the machine. Another roar sounded, and one of the Brood flew at him. He threw his foot out, and the Brood flew into his boot, knocking it away.
The machine rose out of the hole, and Morrison pulled it into the ship. The hatch on the floor began to close, and a Brood flew into the ship. It jumped on Morph's back. He clawed at it, and it snapped at his fingers. Morrison fired a laser gun, and the creature crumpled to the ground.
"Thanks," Morph said, looking at the Brood.
"Come on, let's get back before they get organized and follow after us."
Morrison situated the machine in a large, empty room. "Are you ready for this," he asked.
"Yeah I think so," Morph answered. "Thanks again for helping me."
"Thank you for helping me. If everything goes right, I will finally get what I deserve." He put on a pair of goggles. "Now, stand here," pointing to an X on the floor. "Good luck." He smiled and pulled a switch on the machine.
A green beam fired from the crystal and hit Morph in the chest. He disappeared instantly, leaving nothing but a puff of smoke.
Morrison took off his goggles and looked at the spot where Morph used to be. He sighed and looked out the window. "Finally," he said, taking in a large breath. "Peace."
Peter held Kitty in his arms as she cried, and the other X-Teens sat around the living area. The other guys were silent, and Rogue held back her tears. "I think we should get some kind of memorial," Rogue said. "Like the one we got for Professor Xavier."
"I think that's a splendid idea," McCoy said. "Kevin would have appreciated it."
"Just a little plaque would be fine," Kevin said, standing in the doorway. Everyone's faces lit up as they rushed to him.
"What happened to you," Bobby said, giving him a hug.
"We thought you were done for," Evan said. "How did you manage to get out of that?"
"It's a long story," Kevin said.
"I knew he wasn't dead," Tony walked in behind Kevin. "But it's good to have you back." He shook Kevin's hand and smiled.
"I'm glad you're okay," Rogue said, hugging him.
"Kevin," McCoy began. "You must tell us what happened to you."
"Absolutely," Kevin said. "So after that beam hit me, I was transported to this beach…."