A/N: Okay everybody this is it. The conclusion of Lord of the Mutants thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read it and send me your comments. I hope that you like how it concludes. Now I've had a couple requests for a sequel. I am considering it but I want to be sure that there's a demand. If you want me to write another Lord of the Mutants be sure to tell me and also give me suggestions I'm always open to hearing different ideas. Thanks again for your support and be sure to tell me what you think of this story and chapter. Namaarie.
Mia: Okay I want to know how you did it? I've been planning from almost the start of this story to have Gimli and Betsy hook up and here I was thinking that it would be a surprise. Thanks for reviewing. As far as Jubilee's age is concerned, I have no clue how old she is right now, but I don't think that it would fit very well in this story especially this late but thanks for the idea. I don't know if I'll continue the story or not it all depends on how many people want me to. Thanks for all your support
Lilly Blackstar: Hey thanks for the review. I hope you enjoyed the story.
LDS_sunshine girl: Thanks for all the reviews it really helped me finish it. I wish I coulda put in the fight between Cable, Gandalf, and Magneto but I felt that I had enough fighting and needed to move on, but rest assured that Gandalf did hit Magneto with his staff. As far as telling where the Fellowship goes…you're just going to have to read and find out.
Blah: Thanks for the review.
Lucky: I take that as a major complement that you want to see Trek Z part 2 but shouldn't this review been in the Trek Z section? J/K Well I am currently working on different story ideas for Trek Z 2 but it will probably be at least a month before I get it out. I have finals coming up in and it's going to be kind of hard to balance them out, but be sure to send me your suggestions. My current story line involves the Borg trying to assimilate the z-fighters. Tell me what you think.
Lulu Belle: Thanks for the review. I'm really glad that you liked the story. I hope that my including other characters in the story didn't confuse you too much. Namaarie
Nienna of Sorrow: Wow it's finally finished. Thanks for all your support clear from the beginning. Wow I'm glad you hung in there. I'm glad you appreciated how Xavier overcame the lure of the Ring. You've been great and trust me if you ever write a fic I will be one of the first to review your story. Thanks for the support.
Chapter 13
This is the End
"They should be here any minute." Cyclops said turning to the young hobbits behind him waiting excitedly for news about a certain rescued wizard.
"How is he?" Pippin asked worrying about the confrontation he knew must have taken place with Magneto.
"Cable isn't one for vivid details," Cyclops replied "All he said is that it will be a very long time before Magneto tries to even get out of bed."
Standing on the front steps they overlooked the battered grounds. Less than half a day had passed since the chaotic battle at X-mansion and its occupants were just barely coming to terms with it all. The lawn was trampled and littered with bodies, swords, and shields. Much of the mansion had been practically obliterated and would take many weeks to repair. Many of the X-men were in the infirmary including Beast their primary doctor. Moria MacTargget had come from Muir Island to help aid them. Jean had awoken a few hours after the battle with only a head ache to show, Storm's arrow wound had been tended to, as had Wolverines substantial battle wounds. Most of them had to be treated for minor electrical shock. None of the had escaped the battle without some sort of wound. Professor X, Cyclops feared, was the most damaged of all of them. Even though he had been instrumental in defeating Magneto the mutant leader still carried a heavy burden knowing that he had been the source of most of their difficulties over the past while.
Cyclops turned to see Aragorn, Boromir and Legolas open the door and come behind the hobbits. Gimli followed only a little slower being hampered by a hysterically angry doctor.
"For the love of all that's holy man!" She yelled at the stubborn dwarf "Ye've just been through hell an' back the least ye can do is rest!"
"I'm rested enough!" Gimli countered furiously "I'll not miss Gandalf's return for some minor scratches and burns!"
"Fine!" she said throwing her hands in the air exasperated storming off. "But if ye get hurt don't come back ta'me fer help!"
"Women!" Gimli sighed receiving a chuckle from his comrades. They sat for a few minutes waiting naturally Gimli was the first to grow tired. "Well" he growled "When will he get here?"
"You would do well to learn patience, master dwarf" Legolas chided
"You should learn to keep your mouth shut when a dwarf is involved" Gimli responded. Frodo chuckled and looked back to his companions. Great appreciation swelled inside him as he remembered everything they had done for him. There suddenly was a bright light and a loud noise, Frodo spun around to see two figures appear as the light faded.
"Gandalf!" Frodo cheered running straight to the wizard followed closely by the other hobbits. The wizard laughed heartily as he embraced the halflings. Legolas and Gimli joined in their laughter while Boromir and Aragorn gazed smiling at the reunion. Cyclops put his hand on the Rangers shoulder smiling approvingly, then turned and left the fellowship to their reunion. Gandalf then approached the man that had appeared with him.
"I am in your debt," the wizard said shaking his hand
"Don't mention it" Cable responded smiling "To tell ya the truth I've been looking for an excuse to go after Magneto for a while. We'll have to do it again sometime."
"I terribly hope not" Gandalf replied "I do not enjoy watching grown men cry. Not even men like Magneto."
Cable laughed and took his leave Gandalf looked around the grounds of the mansion and then to Aragorn "My, you have been busy" he jested. "Tell me everything."
Aragorn was about to suggest that they go inside but he was interrupted by Pippin "Gandalf," the Hobbit said "I'm sorry for breaking the circle, and for getting you captured by Magneto."
"You are a fool." Gandalf said gruffly as Pippin lowered his head accepting his chastisement "But nonetheless you're a brave fool and from what Cable told me you've already paid your dues and I thank you for that"
Pippin's head came up in sudden happiness. Gandalf looked around to his companions "I'm willing to wager that we will be telling each other of our adventures here for quite sometime."
"Let us go in and begin as quickly as possible then," Aragorn smiled turning toward the mansion with the now complete and renewed Fellowship of the Ring.
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"This is the greatest thing that I have ever tasted in my life!" Pippin beamed as he took another enormous bite out of his pizza.
"I thought you'd like it!" Jubilee smiled widely. They sat in the kitchen of the Mansion surrounded by ten boxes of Pizza which had been delivered which had almost been completely devoured by the four hobbits.
"Pippin likes any food that doesn't move" Merry jested looking to his cousin who merely nodded his head knowing that arguing would be pointless. Frodo laughed and looked to Sam who was nibbling on a pepperoni. Frodo wanted to burn this time in his memory he had not felt this happy since he had seen Bilbo. Upon thinking of his Uncle, Frodo's thoughts turned to the Ring and his task which still remained before him. Yet another memory came to him as he remembered the last time he had gazed on the Shire. The hobbit felt a sudden pang of homesickness and wondered if he would ever see his beloved home again.
"Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked bringing the other hobbit out of his thoughts "When do you think that we'll go back to Middle-earth? Don't you think that we've been here long enough It's already been a week since Gandalf came back" Both Merry and Pippin began to cough and choke on their food upon hearing this.
"I don't know Sam," Frodo said quietly "Gandalf said that he would need sometime to rest before he would do the spell again, also he wants to be sure we are well supplied before we return and I don't think that we'll leave until he can figure out away to bring Gollum back with us. He can't stay locked up here forever" there was a deep silence as they all considered what they would be going back to.
"Well I hope it's not for a long time" Jubilee finally said trying to lighten the mood. "After all I'm getting used to not being the shortest one in the house."
"Hey!" Merry said "So what if we're short! At least we don't have strange faces or hair like you guys do."
"Okay," Jubilee said "I guess that you're not that bad" the young mutant reached her hand out to grab the last slice of pizza but it was met by the hands of both Merry and Pippin also going for it. All three pulled their hands away. "We've been through this before" Jubilee said looking to Merry "You take it."
"No, I couldn't" Merry responded "Pippin can have it."
"No, I've had too much already," Pippin said "Let Jubilee have it."
Jubilee rolled her eyes "Seriously Merry you have it!"
"I don't want it!" Merry hissed "Someone else can have it
"Okay," Pippin said suddenly grabbing the slice taking a huge bit of it. Merry and Jubilee looked at each other not believing that Pippin had just taken advantage of the situation and eaten the slice that they both wanted.
"Way a go Pippin" Merry growled folding his arms angrily.
"Yeah," Jubilee grumbled "Way ta take a hint"
"What?" Pippin asked innocently confused. The mood instantly changed as both Frodo and Sam erupted in laughter at the trio, who in turn gradually began to laugh. Their merry making was cut short however by Nightcrawler, who ran frantically into the room.
"Jubilee!" he said "You've got to come up to the infirmary! It's Logan! His wounds have reopened we think he's been poisoned again!"
Jubilee was up instantly and followed by the hobbits who ran heatedly trying to keep up pace with the worried teenaged mutant.
"Wolvie!" she said as she barreled into the room Beast was working feverously over Wolverine's body as Jean and Legolas stood by him ready to help with telepathy or elvish magic when needed.
"I'm loosing him!" Beast yelled Jean launched herself into a telepathic probe, trying to keep the other mutant from slipping away. Jubilee and the hobbits tried to close in around him but Beast shooed them away.
"Jubilation," he said "I know you care for Logan but if I am going to save him I need you to stay back!"
"How did this happen!" Jubilee bawled Legolas approached her calmly
"We have two ideas" He said "One is that during the battle when the Witch King stabbed him the blade must have been poisoned as well."
"And what's the other idea?!" Merry said before Legolas could answer Jean shrieked and came out of the mind probe.
"He's gone!" she cried. The machines all suddenly flat lined Jubilee screamed and to her mentor.
"NO!" she sobbed "he can't be!" She buried her face into his chest "Why did this happen?"
"What was the other idea?" Merry asked to dumbfounded to know what else to say.
"That this is all just one big joke!" Wolverines voice suddenly came Jubilee fell back on her rear as the other mutant suddenly got up and started laughing. Merry's face went white as he realized what had happened. Everyone in the room was laughing except for him and Jubilee. A door opened and Boromir, Gimli, Aragorn, and many of the X-men stepped out and laughing even harder having watched the whole ordeal through a security camera. Pippin, Frodo, and Sam surrounded Merry and began to pat him on the back good-naturedly.
"But I thought…" Jubilee began still in shock.
"This is payback for the fireworks." Boromir laughed
"And for the Danger room!" Gimli added as he began to laugh again wiping away tears. Merry and Jubilee looked at each other in unbelief. Jubilee's face had gone bright red, Finally Merry laughed to in spite of himself.
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Gandalf chuckled as Xavier turned the screen off having viewed the well planned payback joke. "I must say" Gandalf said "They do deserve it."
Xavier smiled. The more he got to know the wizard the more he liked him. Gandalf had been there nearly a week and had proved to be such a unifying force to the two groups in the Mansion. Much like Xavier had been before he had found the Ring. Xavier turned his gaze to the mansion grounds which had been cleared. The bodies of the orcs had been teleported into space, and there was a steady tapping of hammers as workers labored to repair the damaged mansion. Xavier had mentally made them believe that it was just any school as to preserve the identity of his X-men. The mutant leader reflected on the events that looked to finally be over. Still he felt incredibly guilty for it all and couldn't excuse his actions. Xavier turned to Gandalf who now sat quietly observing him.
"A long time friend once told me that men are weak" the wizard finally said surmising what Xavier was thinking.
"Whoever said that was right." Xavier responded sadly "My actions only prove that idea"
"Yes," Gandalf agreed "he was right. Men are weak, they desire power and quite often hurt many people in the process of gaining it, but my friend was also wrong. Though men are weak they are also strong, they have a strength that even the elves do not possess."
"What do you mean?" Xavier said his eyes narrowing "Look at this mansion. It was once a beautiful place and now has been almost destroyed thanks to my actions! How is it that we have strength!"
"Your mansion is a perfect example," Gandalf said "the strength of men lies in it's ability to change the world around them in such a short amount of time most men do not live to be even a hundred yet in short time they have, many make such a difference for good and ill. It took only a very short time for this mansion to be damaged and though it will take a bit longer to repair in the whole scheme of things it will only be a relatively short time before it is made whole. The strength of men is that they can change even when they have acted wrongly they can recognize their actions and speedily correct them."
"But the things that I did" Xavier tried to say but was cut short.
"It doesn't matter what you have done my friend." Gandalf counseled "All that matters is that you do not repeat the same mistakes, then you will prove that men are weak. Just roll up your sleeves and go to work on repairing the damage you will see that it will only take a short time before things are as they were and you may concentrate on changing the world around you, continuing to help those who as I have heard your students say 'hate and fear you'. Truly Xavier you are a remarkable man and you have the ability to accomplish anything you set your mind to, even change yourself."
Xavier looked to the old wizard astonished at his wisdom. His ears again filled with the ringing of hammers. A smile crept on his face thinking of the change they represented.
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Another week had passed and finally Gandalf informed them that it was time for them to leave. With their packs filled they met in front of the doors of the Mansion. Legolas looked to Rogue and then to Gambit who had come with the rest of the X-men to see them off. The elf quietly approached the cajun.
"It appears I did not use wise judgment when first began to be involved in your affairs" he said "I did not realize that you two were so close." the elf stuck out his hand "I apologize,"
Gambit slowly took the hand "Dat be al'right" he said smiling "I know how tempting da chere can be."
"Rogue," Legolas said as he descended the steps to rejoin the Fellowship looking to the southern mutant "It would have never worked between us."
"That's okay," she said winking "Be sure to call me the next time your in town Sugah!"
"Where's is Gimli?" Boromir asked looking around for the dwarf who had not yet arrived. Gandalf, was to busy going over the spell to respond, the hobbits stood around uncomfortably knowing they would soon be leaving there new found friends. Jubilee was fighting a losing battle to not cry as she was the one who had grown the closest to them during the whole ordeal. Aragorn approached Cyclops and Jean who stood together smiling.
"I thank you for all that you have done." the Ranger said bowing slightly "Were it not for you I do not believe that any of us would be alive to see this day."
"The same to you," Cyclops responded offering a firm handshake to him. "You are truly an inspiration to those around you."
"Almost kingly" Jean added Aragorn was taken a back at her statement, but then nodded acceptingly
"I do not know what will happen to me or our Fellowship." he said "But I will not forget you. May the light of Illuvatar ever shine upon you." Aragorn bowed again then approached Xavier who was seated in his wheelchair next to Cyclops. "I may have judged you to harshly" he admitted "You have proven yourself much stronger than I had thought, I apologize."
"Don't," Xavier responded "Your instincts were right and I am glad you were there to protect Frodo."
With that Aragorn stood with the Fellowship also. Merry looked to Pippin whose face was alight with a smug smile. "What are you smiling about?" Merry said.
"Oh nothing," Pippin responded "Just look in my backpack." Merry opened Pippins pack to see if filled to brimming with fireworks. "That's not all," Pippin laughed "Underneath those are something's called chemicals that Beast showed me. They'll put Gandalf's fireworks to shame!" Pippin looked up to Beast who was smiling widely, then to the wizard who was talking to Cable.
"Don't let Gandalf know," Merry said quietly.
"Oh no." Pippin smiled slyly
"Are you sure that you won't reconsider my offer?" Cable said to the wizard. "I can come with you from what you told me it sounds like you need as much help as you can get."
"No," Gandalf responded "This is a fight that we must win. I dare not drag you into our affairs. The consequences could be very costly."
"Whatever you say," Cable responded "Just remember my offer stands"
"I will remember that," Gandalf replied then suddenly looked to the rest of the Fellowship "It is time to leave," he said.
"We can't" Boromir said "Gimli is not here."
"Well where is that…" Gandalf began but was interrupted by Gimli himself as the dwarf through the mansion door open and came running down the stairs putting his helmet on. Boromir looked the dwarf over. His beard was a complete mess and he had lipstick on his face.
"Wha…Wher…" Boromir tried, Gimli suddenly laughed deeply and motioned to the door. Boromir looked to see Psylocke standing at the door, hair disheveled face flushed red.
"No….!" Boromir turned to Gimli as the dwarf began to laugh again.
"Never underestimate the charms of a dwarf." Gimli said pulling out his pipe and began to puff.
"Fine," Gandalf sighed impatiently "we are ready to go." Xavier approached the wizard.
"Do you know where you will appear?" The mutant asked
"I only know that we will appear somewhere near where we left. In the Mines of Moria. I do not wish to reappear there but that is how the spell works. But we will be safe enough"
"I wish you the best then my friend," Xavier said "Thank you. I'll take care of Gollum" with that Xavier looked toward the mansion and the creature immerged.
"Such nice peoples" Gollum said happily looking to the x-men. "Such nice hobbitses" he said as he approached Frodo and Sam. "Hi we are good Smeagol, we likes to play with nice dollses." Frodo looked worriedly to Professor Xavier.
"Don't worry I am making him believe that he is a five year old girl." Xavier said.
"Then lets start. Gandalf said "Everybody join hands." the Fellowship did as he commanded except for Merry and Pippin who were still looking to Jubilee.
"You better go," she said tears beginning to stream down her face.
"Jubilee…I…you…" Merry tried his eyes beginning to water up as well, finally he just grabbed Jubilee and hugged her long and hard, she ended the hug by giving him a kiss on the forehead. Then she turned and buried herself in Wolverines arms
"It's okay to cry girl," he said "It's always hard to see loved ones go. No matter how many times you do it."
"The bonds of friendship that we're formed here will not be broken by either time or space." Gandalf said "Now let us go." Merry and Pippin joined the circle. Gandalf began to speak the spell. Frodo looked back to the X-men who now stood together in one group surrounding Professor Xavier. White light surrounded them and surpassed the sun. When it cleared there was merely darkness. Gandalf's staff began to glow. They saw orcs scattering in every direction. There was a sudden thud as they looked back and saw an reddish glow come from behind them.
"There's no time to get our bearings" Gandalf yelled "Run! To the Bridge of Khazad Dum!" the Fellowship began to run furiously, Gollum who had snapped out of Xavier's mind control the instant they reappeared in Middle-Earth ran another direction terrified. Frodo's heart raced as he feared what was behind them, but his thoughts instantly went back to where he had just left. His mutant friends had helped him through so much, he realized that he would overcome any odds just as the X-men would.