Disclaimer- I don't own X-Men: Evolution. I will not make money off of this story.
A/N: This is the epilogue to my story. I was contemplating making an alternative ending if anyone was interested in which Ava was not killed.
EPILOGUE
"It's hard to be different - especially in a world that persecutes you for being different"
Ava Jensen
The day was warm which gave it an ironic feeling. The mood was sad and it didn't look as if it was going to get any better. Everyone was dressed in deep black clothes as they made their way towards the cemetery. Scott was standing tall but his pale features belied his emotions. Jean was next to him and was crying freely.
"He had his trial here in America so he has received the death penalty" they heard the Professor explain.
The day was becoming increasingly warm and as they reached the cemetery and the light filtered through the trees in an almost playful way. They approached a small headstone that was surrounded by bright flowers.
Ava Jensen
b. 6th November 1986
d. 6th October 2003
Be forever free of nightmares
Soft music was being played in the background but no one really heard any words. Mr. McCoy and Kurt both got up to read selected passages from the Bible and a few books. The X-Men and the Brotherhood stood apart but mourned together. Even though they had not known the girl long they knew that no one deserved this fate.
Professor Xavier looked at his students; all were silent, most were crying but there were some that looked plain angry. He guessed that they were angry at people who could treat other people like this, just because they were different.
"She did not deserve to die" a voice said beside him.
"Eric? What are you doing here?" Charles asked, surprised.
"She did not deserve to die. I didn't like her and I guess the feeling was mutual but if I hadn't found her she would still be alive."
"Actually, Eric, I think she would have died soon even if she had been left on her own. She was right to say that she had little control. You saw the marks on her face?"
Charles saw Eric nod then continued.
"Her mutation was almost impossible to control that's why you chose her. You didn't realise that it had been killing her as well."
"How do you know that?"
"Hank saw it first but then it became obvious."
Charles watched as Eric moved away with his head held low.
"Sir, there is something that Ava didn't know. In fact Magneto didn't know either" someone behind him said.
Turning his chair Charles found himself face to face with Adam Jensen. His eyes were red from crying and his mother was standing next to him.
"Yes, Adam?"
"Ava wasn't the only one born with the X-gene. I didn't know she had it or else we could have helped each other" he tried to explain.
"You mean that you also have the X-gene?"
He watched as Adam nodded.
"What is your mutation?"
"I can communicate with those who are dead or dying. Ava says thank you and that she is sorry for all the trouble she has caused."
Charles watched as they walked towards Ben who had not left the headstone.
"She was happy to die wasn't she, Professor" he heard Rogue say as she approached him.
Charles looked up at the girl who had similar problems to Ava and he thought about lying to her but thought better of that.
"I believe she was. She didn't like seeing what everyone was afraid of, Rogue. She could not fully control it and she did not want to hurt people. So in the end she thought that it was better if she died."
"I don't understand and I don't think that I will ever understand" Rogue admitted.
"That's okay, Rogue. I don't think any of us can fully understand what it was like for her. She was put into a bad situation and she saw no safe way out."
"Could she have been helped?"
"We will never know" he answered honestly.
~*~
The sun faded quickly as night drew near. Ben was still sitting next to the gravesite and he did not feel like moving any time soon. Xavier had told him that he could fly him back to New Zealand when he was ready to go but Ben didn't know if he could ever be ready.
He talked to the grave as if it was Ava, telling her everything that he should have told her but had never gotten round to. He didn't want to say that he had regrets but he knew that he was lying to himself and to Ava.
"I'm sorry, Ava. If I had never been your friend this would never have happened."
"That's not true, you know."
Startled Ben turned to see Adam standing there. The recent revelation that Adam was also a mutant had shocked Ben but it was only shock.
"Is she here?"
"Yes and no."
"Is she happy?" Ben choked out the question.
"Happier than she has been in a long time, Ben" Adam told him, crying as well.
"I'm so sorry, Adam."
"Don't apologise. We all have our secrets and sometimes we really do need them. It's the only way that we can be honest with ourselves. Plus Ava thanks you so much for being her friend."
"Are you going to stay here?" Ben asked as he looked away from his friend.
"I've got a place to stay if that's what you mean. The Professor has offered to help me plus me and mum want to be here when dad...well you know."
"Yeah" Ben replied softly.
"I'm going back. Please don't stay out here for too long."
Ben watched as Adam walked out of the cemetery before turning back to the grave. He picked up a small bunch of flowers and rearranged them to his liking.
"See you, Ava. Thank you so much" he said in parting.
The End
A/N- Well I hope you liked it. If you want me to make an alternate ending just drop in a review and I will be happy to write it. I don't really like making my characters die but it sort of fitted in when I was writing it.