Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men. Period.
Ali groaned and lifted herself up off the ground. The fight simulator was set at the highest, and she and the other X-Men were working themselves harder than ever. She watched Rogue roll out of the way of a metal orb and staggered forward. She had been hit dead center in the back by one of the orbs. Why she kept moving, she didn't know. She just continued to move forward, hoping that the pain in her back would begin to fade.
Suddenly, she spotted a large laser gun aiming towards Jean, who had her back to the machine. Ali thrust her arm out, feeling the familiar tingling sensation of the volts of electricity rushing through her body. The neon-blue energy jumped from her hand, rushing towards the gun and short-circuiting it. Sparks flew from the machine before it finally stopped moving and shut down.
Ali breathed a sigh of relief. Suddenly, Kurt appeared at her side and grabbed her arm as they ported away. The recognizable stench of brimstone filled her nostrils as they reappeared five feet away. There was now a small crater where Ali had previously been standing.
"Thanks, Kurt," she said.
Kurt nodded. "No problem," he replied. He hurried away, leaving Ali to alone to work.
Ten minutes later, the professor ended the session, allowing the students fifteen minutes before they had to go to school.
Rogue and Ali changed out of their uniforms and went back down to the kitchen. Rain pounded on the windows outside and lightning crackled. Rogue groaned. "Ya picked a fahne time to get Scott mad at ya," she growled.
Ali rolled her eyes. "I did nothing," she defended. "It was all Mr. All-Too-Protective. He's acting like he's my older brother."
"That's because he thinks he is."
"Well, he isn't," Ali replied. "He needs to remember that."
Rogue groaned and gave up talking to Ali about Scott. Ali refused to forgive Scott, and Scott refused to apologize to turning Ali in. This was going to be one wet day.
Ali and Rogue pulled on their coats and started outside. Rogue and Ali both had a feeling that they wouldn't be getting a ride to school as early as they wanted to go.
They arrived at Bayville High cold and slightly wet, but otherwise, fine. They went directly to their lockers and packed up their things.
"Watch where ya're going!" Rogue grumbled as she was suddenly shoved forward.
The jock who had shoved her ignored her and made his way over to a very tall redhead.
Jean.
"That must be Duncan Matthews," Ali said as she offered a hand to Rogue.
Rogue nodded, glaring at the athlete all the while. "C'mon, let's get to class," she grumbled. The two walked to their homeroom class with Kurt, who all of a sudden appeared in the hallway.
The rest of the day seemed to last forever. Coach Ryan wasn't at school, so practice was cancelled. The weather had cleared up by the end of the day, and Ali and Rogue had no problem walking home.
There were no training sessions back at the institute after school. Logan, of course, wanted them to work harder, but he didn't press them.
Ali sighed and sat down on her bed. "I wish we didn't have to do homework," she groaned.
Rogue looked up at her through her long lashes. "Everyone wishes that, Al. But we still gotta do it."
Ali nodded. "I know," she said with a sigh. The two worked in silence for a half hour before Kitty suddenly ran into the room.
"Ali, the professor says that he needs to see you, now!" she announced breathlessly.
"Alright," Ali replied slowly. She climbed off her bed and walked down the halls to Professor Xavier's study. He sat behind his desk talking on the phone.
"Are you sure?" he asked. There was a small pause before he sighed and said, "Alright then. Thank you." He hung up the phone and looked at Ali. "Ah, Ali. You might want to sit down," he suggested.
Ali nodded and sat down in one of the maroon leather chairs. "What did you want to see me about?" she asked.
The professor reached into his desk and pulled out a small wooden box, placing it in front of him on the desk. "This was given to a friend of mine before your parents died. They intended for you to have it."
Ali felt a wave of numbness wash over her. Her parents had wanted to give her one last thing? What was it?
The professor pushed the box towards Ali. "You may open it whenever you want, wherever you want. Remember to thoroughly look through the box," he added.
Ali nodded and gingerly lifted up the box. It was gorgeous, made of maple wood. She fingered the little star and moon handle for a moment, a feeling of familiarity sweeping into her mind. Where had she seen this box before?
"You may leave if you want," said the professor, breaking her out of her thoughts. She nodded and walked up to her room, carrying the box carefully in her hands.
Ali came back to her room to find Rogue sitting on her bed listening to music and reading another book. She looked up to see Ali come back and promptly shut her book. "What did the professor want?" Rogue asked.
Ali sat down beside Rogue on her bed. "He wanted to give me this," she said in amazement. "It's from my parents. They intended to give it to me."
Rogue's eyes widened. "Then open it!" she cried.
Ali hesitated. "I'm not sure if I want to," she replied.
"What?" Rogue barked.
"I mean, yeah, I want to know what's in it, but I'm kind of afraid of it, too," Ali explained. "I don't know what's going to be in there. I'm afraid that I won't know what it means, and that I'll just end up forgetting my parents because of it. I'm afraid I won't be as close to them."
Rogue nodded. "You'll never know unless ya open it," she pointed out.
Ali sighed and nodded, knowing that the other girl was right. She shakily reached out and slowly grasped the handle. She took a deep breath and pulled it off.
Lying on top of a mass of tissue paper was an envelope, simply labeled "Ali," in slanted writing. She pulled out a page long letter from inside and began to read:
Dearest Ali,
If you are reading this, then your father and I are probably dead. I am truly sorry, my sweet child. Your father and I dearly wish that we could have been with you while you were growing up.
Inside this package, you will find a necklace. Your father and I chose this necklace especially for you in mind. Inside is a picture of us. We hope that you will cherish this as we have cherished you.
Please, forgive us for leaving you so soon in life. We wanted to teach you so many things. We pray that you will find it in your heart to forgive us. We love you very much, and watch over you every day.
With eternal love,
Mom and Dad
Ali's hands were shaking. She carefully lifted the tissue paper out of the box and unwrapped it. Lying inside was a beautiful silver locket. The light bounced off the polished silver, adding even more shine to the already gleaming object. Her fingers started to open the heart, but she was shaking so much that she couldn't.
Rogue didn't offer to open it for Ali. It was something that Ali had to do on her own, and Rogue knew that. But that didn't stop her from wanting to know what Ali's parents looked like.
Ali finally took a deep breath, steadying her nervous hands and opening the glowing charm.
Inside was a picture of her parents. Her mother looked tall, with bright red hair and blue eyes. Her smile was warm, telling how much she loved her life and the people in it. She was leaning on the shoulder of a tall, muscular, blond man.
Her father.
His greens eyes sparkled with energy and life. He was grinning broadly. For some reason, Ali could tell that he had almost always been laughing.
Tears welled up in her eyes. These were her parents, whom she had almost no memories of. All she could really remember was her mother singing to her and her father playing "Helicopter". Those few memories that she had, she cherished deeply. And she could tell that she would cherish this locket as much as she cherished the times she had shared with her parents.
***
well, what do ya think? I hope you like it. Reviews usually help me think of what to write about, but I only got like 1 review on the last chapter (thank you so much, damein455) so yeah. I don't know where this came from. I guess I just wanted a serious chapter. If the last one was serious, sorry. I depend on friends to get funniness. Or I can just get hyper…that usually works…
anyway, thanks again to damien455!!!!
Remember, if this chapter sucks, it's YOUR fault. You didn't review.
~Jojo~