Disclaimer: I seriously wish that I owned X-Men Evolution. Maybe I can pay off Marvel with my $87.
A/N: I really enjoyed writing this story. I'm sad to say that this is the last chapter, but I can't wait to start the sequel. Thank you all for reading this and giving me the criticism that I need and the support that was welcomed. You guys are the best!
The Institute was alive as music blasted from the stereo in the rec room. A temporary dance floor had been set up, where most of the younger students were bustin' some moves. Bobby deemed the floor not as fun as it could be, though, and added a little "spice" of his own: ice, and lots of it. As soon as he coated the wooden floor, he slid out to the center, break-dancing to the best of his ability, which left much to be desired. This time, Logan didn't stop the teenager. Bobby could get away with something for once. Besides, it was a night to celebrate, and Logan planned on doing just that. Maybe, tonight, he would ask Storm out on another date.
Rogue sat on the couch, watching the students and adults with a small smile. She didn't want to dance, but couldn't deny that it would be fun to. She could still remember the dance with that boy from back in Mississippi. It had been so much fun. But the chances of skin-to-skin contact were too great, and so she forbid herself from dancing.
Behind her, she could hear someone sit on the back of the couch. "What's a fine belle like you doin' sittin' on a couch and not on de dance floor?" asked the Cajun voice.
Rogue frowned. "Ah don't feel lahke dancing," she replied curtly.
"C'mon, chere. Just one dance wit' Remy, and den you can ignore him all you want," Remy pleaded.
Rogue sighed and weighed the options in her head. Dance with Remy and be left alone, or not dance with him and be bugged all night. She went with the former, and was soon spotted on the dance floor with an ecstatic Cajun.
Jean and Scott were leaning against a wall, talking with a few of the other students. Every so often, Storm, who was talking with them, would pitch her two cents into the conversation and end up accidentally steering the group completely off the former topic. No one seemed to mind this, though. Randomness was completely welcome, especially after the previous events that day.
John and Ali were competing on the Xbox on Need For Speed: Underground. They were completely oblivious to the noise around them. They just needed to kick back and relax, the same as everyone else. After what seemed like hours, the two gave up the game console to other people and went outside with Kurt and Kitty.
Kurt sighed and leaned against the stone railing, looking out at Bayville from across the lake. "I wonder what it's like to be normal," he said suddenly with a wistful look on his face. Everyone in the group took pity on him then. They knew how much he desired to fit it without needing an image inducer. It must have been hard for Kurt to go to school every day and be careful about touching people. If you thought about it, his situation was similar to Rogue's. If anyone felt his fuzzy skin through his image inducer, they would instantly know that he was different.
Kitty shook her head. "It must be pretty boring," she commented, looking out at the same lights as Kurt. "I mean, they aren't gifted like us. They can't do anything that we can."
Kurt sighed. "I know," he said. "But what I mean is what's it like not to have powers or look different from everybody else. What's it like to fit in?"
Ali shrugged and leaned against the stone railing. "For a while, it feels good," she replied. "You know that you fit in. But when you get your powers, it's pretty much like being on a whole other planet."
John nodded his agreement and wrapped his arms around Ali from behind. "You get used to it after a while and accept that you're different," he added. "Then you realize that you were actually being pulled into the stereotype that everyone wanted to fit: carefree, popular, wearing exactly what's in, talking only about "cool" things, and kind of hiding who you really are. I guess that's changed since people have found out about us, though."
Ali nodded. "They don't want us to fit in. They want us to be different, and we just have to accept it. If we don't, we'll be fighting a losing battle," she explained.
Kurt nodded, understanding the answer fully. He sighed. "Vell zen, I zink zat I'm glad to be different," he said. "It's good to know zat zere's no one else like me."
Kitty smiled and hugged the blue elf. "I'm glad you're different, otherwise, you wouldn't be the Kurt that we all know and love," she said.
Kurt knew that if he died then, he would die happy knowing that everyone at the Institute loved him. Nothing else seemed to matter anymore. His friends at the Institute accepted him, and that was all he needed. No, they weren't his friends: they were his family.
Kitty pulled away from him then and smiled. "I'm going back inside," she said. "It's too cold out here."
Kurt nodded his agreement and disappeared into the Institute with Kitty. The breeze that had been present before picked up slightly, sending goose bumps up Ali's arms. She shivered slightly and leaned backwards into John, allowing him to support her. Ali sighed and looked out at the lake as it reflected the sunset perfectly. Everything around the Institute was peaceful. Only the wind stirred the branches of the trees. The sky above was a pink that was slowly fading to blue. The moon was just visible, along with only a star or two.
John sighed contentedly. "Ali?"
"Yes?"
"I'm glad that it's all over."
"You mean the whole parents fight?"
John nodded. "Yeah. That and the fact that Magneto's not coming after Remy and I for leaving him. It just seems that everything's falling into place and becoming perfect for once," he explained.
Ali smiled and turned around to face him. "Things won't be perfect, John," she replied.
John grinned. "But they'll come as close as they can," he retorted.
Ali grinned and nodded. "They'll come as close as they can," she repeated, agreeing wholeheartedly with that statement.
John sighed and hugged Ali. To him, it seemed like things were already almost perfect. He had a great life at the Institute, a girlfriend, an awesome group of friends, and a promising future.
What more could a person ask for?
THE END
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IT'S THE END!! Once again, thank you all for the reviews! You've put up with my late updates (not ENTIRELY my fault…just most of it…) and everything else! You guys rock! Please read my next story Forbidden Kitty and the sequel, which remains nameless (at the moment). Constructive Criticism is always welcome, as it will help me become a better writer. Thank you all for everything!
~Jojo~