Author's Notes:
Nothing Gold Can Stay.
Part 4: Never Tell Me the Odds
The next day began tentatively, with the members of Generation X tiptoeing about the Academy. They were all itching to know what was happening and -why- Blink had returned if, for so long, she had chosen not to. However, they didn't wish to push her, and she knew that.
Or she thought she knew that, she reminded herself as she rounded the corner into the living room and was suddenly faced with not one but five large, expectant smiles. Well, four smiles and a tightly wound scarf. She chuckled dryly, shaking her head and moving to a seat next to Chamber, who tried to look like he wasn't interested in the conversation about to commence.
"So...," Paige was ever the articulate one, but never seemed to get past that one word. Jubilee saved her, taking it from there.
"I think we should discuss this now so we don't all get driven crazy." Penance, whom had latched herself firmly to Jubilee since yesterday, nodded vigorously, leaning forward on her couch cushion.
Clarice nodded, glancing around at the unusual group of friends. "I think its best if I tell you now....I can't explain everything. There are things you shouldn't know yet because it could change your actions in the future."
When Angelo opened his mouth to protest, she shook her head, "Do not ask it of me..I cannot. Almost from the instant I arrived at the future I learned that things were not as our mentors had planned."
Jubilee's expression darkened slightly, remembering another tale of their future gone wrong. They had managed to avert Bishop's fate...could they handle this one? "How So, Clarice?"
The purple-skinned woman thought for a moment on how to begin... "X-Force is divided...they're gone, aren't they?"
At Chamber's nod, Clarice continued, "The loss of X-Force did not effect many events at first...a great deal of time passed, with the X-Men defending the people against any threat that arose. Life was not so different." She smiled, the emotion passing,
"But to one who uses time as his advantage, these years held great significance. Stryke and his band of mutants...the "Mutant Liberation Front"...had fought and been defeated before. The mutants were young, untrained and unhopeful against seasoned fighters like the X-Men.
She glanced around again, suddenly apprehensive, "However, Generation-X had disbanded with the groups graduation. From what I heard you all went your seperate ways, in teams that never lasted."
A glance was cast to the Dark headed Asian, "..All except Jubilee, that is, who returned to fight with Wolverine after graduating from College."
She sighed, pausing to gather herself, "...Time changes all things, and as the years continued, the X-Men began to show their age."
Jubilee stirred, but wisely remained silent.
Clarice just smiled softly, "..Xavier grew old and passed away, peacefully...in his sleep. It was like his dream died just as softly...grew tired and just..faded away."
She blinked tightly, clearing her throat, "There was no younger team to take the X-Men's place...circumstances I cannot get into, really. And as the X-Men aged, so did the Mutant Liberation Front. The young mutants became trained warriors under Stryfe's command, they were strong..but not invincible..."
For a long moment, silence reigned. Chamber could not help but lay a palm on Blink's shoulder, the soft trembling of the woman awakening a familiar ache within him, of loss and sorrow.
"They almost won....almost had them..." She looked up at them all, moisture glistening in her eyes, "...But the X-Men were just...too tired..even Cyclops..." Her voice grew unsteadily quiet. "..even he died.."
Silent horror permeated the room, holding each team member immobile in its grip. So many of them... -all- of them had somehow just assumed that the X-Men would always be there... that Cyclops would always be the hero he was now, Jean always the powerful compassionate woman they loved so dearly....
"Wolvie?" Jubilee's small voice trembled, her eyes shining with denial that Logan... -Logan-..could ever fall. When Blink offered her a shaky smile, she closed her eyes, teardrops beading on her lashes.
"Wolverine is the one who found me...who told me this story. He nearly died, but his healing factor saved him..as it always does." She looked down, unwilling to see the expression upon the firecracker's face as her voice grew softer... "...Now he is just a ravaged old man with one arm...scars on his skin...scars in his eyes..."
Jubilee issued a high whimper, her large pupils glistening reflectively, and Penance's arms wrapped around her tightly, consoling the girl wordlessly.
Clarice could only continue.. "He...He told me to come back and to prepare you all..."
Her slender fingers wiped at her eyes, looking around at the mute faces, "You see, The X-Men cannot live forever...so you all must take your place..."
"...as the New X-Force."
***And so, this is where it ends. At least for now....If it stinks, then I won't bother to add on to it. But If i recieve reviews that simply BEG for me to continue......well....we'll see *Evil Grin* Muwahaha!! ***
Nothing Gold Can Stay.
Part 4: Never Tell Me the Odds
The next day began tentatively, with the members of Generation X tiptoeing about the Academy. They were all itching to know what was happening and -why- Blink had returned if, for so long, she had chosen not to. However, they didn't wish to push her, and she knew that.
Or she thought she knew that, she reminded herself as she rounded the corner into the living room and was suddenly faced with not one but five large, expectant smiles. Well, four smiles and a tightly wound scarf. She chuckled dryly, shaking her head and moving to a seat next to Chamber, who tried to look like he wasn't interested in the conversation about to commence.
"So...," Paige was ever the articulate one, but never seemed to get past that one word. Jubilee saved her, taking it from there.
"I think we should discuss this now so we don't all get driven crazy." Penance, whom had latched herself firmly to Jubilee since yesterday, nodded vigorously, leaning forward on her couch cushion.
Clarice nodded, glancing around at the unusual group of friends. "I think its best if I tell you now....I can't explain everything. There are things you shouldn't know yet because it could change your actions in the future."
When Angelo opened his mouth to protest, she shook her head, "Do not ask it of me..I cannot. Almost from the instant I arrived at the future I learned that things were not as our mentors had planned."
Jubilee's expression darkened slightly, remembering another tale of their future gone wrong. They had managed to avert Bishop's fate...could they handle this one? "How So, Clarice?"
The purple-skinned woman thought for a moment on how to begin... "X-Force is divided...they're gone, aren't they?"
At Chamber's nod, Clarice continued, "The loss of X-Force did not effect many events at first...a great deal of time passed, with the X-Men defending the people against any threat that arose. Life was not so different." She smiled, the emotion passing,
"But to one who uses time as his advantage, these years held great significance. Stryke and his band of mutants...the "Mutant Liberation Front"...had fought and been defeated before. The mutants were young, untrained and unhopeful against seasoned fighters like the X-Men.
She glanced around again, suddenly apprehensive, "However, Generation-X had disbanded with the groups graduation. From what I heard you all went your seperate ways, in teams that never lasted."
A glance was cast to the Dark headed Asian, "..All except Jubilee, that is, who returned to fight with Wolverine after graduating from College."
She sighed, pausing to gather herself, "...Time changes all things, and as the years continued, the X-Men began to show their age."
Jubilee stirred, but wisely remained silent.
Clarice just smiled softly, "..Xavier grew old and passed away, peacefully...in his sleep. It was like his dream died just as softly...grew tired and just..faded away."
She blinked tightly, clearing her throat, "There was no younger team to take the X-Men's place...circumstances I cannot get into, really. And as the X-Men aged, so did the Mutant Liberation Front. The young mutants became trained warriors under Stryfe's command, they were strong..but not invincible..."
For a long moment, silence reigned. Chamber could not help but lay a palm on Blink's shoulder, the soft trembling of the woman awakening a familiar ache within him, of loss and sorrow.
"They almost won....almost had them..." She looked up at them all, moisture glistening in her eyes, "...But the X-Men were just...too tired..even Cyclops..." Her voice grew unsteadily quiet. "..even he died.."
Silent horror permeated the room, holding each team member immobile in its grip. So many of them... -all- of them had somehow just assumed that the X-Men would always be there... that Cyclops would always be the hero he was now, Jean always the powerful compassionate woman they loved so dearly....
"Wolvie?" Jubilee's small voice trembled, her eyes shining with denial that Logan... -Logan-..could ever fall. When Blink offered her a shaky smile, she closed her eyes, teardrops beading on her lashes.
"Wolverine is the one who found me...who told me this story. He nearly died, but his healing factor saved him..as it always does." She looked down, unwilling to see the expression upon the firecracker's face as her voice grew softer... "...Now he is just a ravaged old man with one arm...scars on his skin...scars in his eyes..."
Jubilee issued a high whimper, her large pupils glistening reflectively, and Penance's arms wrapped around her tightly, consoling the girl wordlessly.
Clarice could only continue.. "He...He told me to come back and to prepare you all..."
Her slender fingers wiped at her eyes, looking around at the mute faces, "You see, The X-Men cannot live forever...so you all must take your place..."
"...as the New X-Force."
***And so, this is where it ends. At least for now....If it stinks, then I won't bother to add on to it. But If i recieve reviews that simply BEG for me to continue......well....we'll see *Evil Grin* Muwahaha!! ***