Disclaimer: Don't own them. I promise and I also don't own or have any copyright to Robert Frost's poem "Fire and Ice". I am just borrowing it.
Author's Note: Hey again. Well, this is the final chapter except for the epilogue that comes after this. It's been some ride and I want to thank all those who have reviewed from the bottom of my heart. You guys have stuck with me 'til the end and I really appreciate it. This story has been a great thing to write and I'm glad you all like it so much. Once again I'm going to encourage you all to go and read "Timeless" by Sweet-destiny3 and "Sinister Secrets" by Slickboy444. They are both completed stories and are really worth the read. As for this chapter and the epilogue, I'm pretty sure I tied up all the loose ends so I hope you really enjoy. Don't forget to review and tell me what you guys think. You know how much I love getting those! Now enough babbling and on with the story. Please Read, REVIEW and most importantly, ENJOY!
Slickboy444: Well, I have to say that I have enjoyed each one of your reviews, my friend! Speechless, wow! I didn't know that I could actually make anyone speechless! Yes, Mr. Gehenna was Abaddon the entire time… although I think you'll like what I do with him in this chapter! It's always the nice guy, I tell ya! I'm glad that it's captured you're imagination. As for how they'll get out… well, you'll just have to read on to find out that one. I just have to say that it was a pleasure writing this story and ecstatic that you actually liked it. There are a lot of surprises in this chapter, and I especially hope that you enjoy how I conclude it. Thanks again for your gracious reviews and hope to also read more of your work soon! I hope you really enjoy this chapter and the epilogue! Thanks again!
Diaz F: Yes, it was good old Mr. Gehenna! I knew that you would think that he would help the X-men and who knows, you might be right… you'll just have to read on! No, Mr. Flemmings is not exactly the good guy, I mean he still hates mutants, but he's not a madman. Yes poor Scott. He's one of my faves and I get a kick out of torturing him. Don't really know why, but I still love him, don't worry! Yes, this is the last chapter and there's an epilogue too. As for another Jott story, I just started writing one, but I don't know when I'm gonna post it. It's a one shot and will be done soon! Thanks for always reviewing and forgetting about the axe -- lol!! I hope you enjoy the last two chappys and thanks again for the reviews!
Sentoris: Thanks for reading the entire story and finally reviewing! It means a lot. I'm glad you think the story is amazing and you'll see soon enough what's gonna happen. Hope you enjoy the last of the story!
Mark C: Yeah I know. Who would've thought it? I'm glad no one figured it out before and it came as a shock. I'm glad you thought that the characteristics fit the X-men perfectly. It took me a while to think of them and I especially got stuck on Evan's. Yeah Scott did have to suffer the most because he's the key and you'll find out just how much in this chapter. As to how they'll get out… read and find out! Thanks for your reviews and I hope you really enjoy this chapter and the epilogue!
Wen: Thank you so much for your reviews. You reviewed even when your windows was down, and I totally appreciate that. Thanks for reading and for the gracious comments. I hope you like the ending to this story!
Sweet-destiny3: Well, I got this chapter and the epilogue pretty quick if I do say so myself. I'm glad you really liked this story. It means a lot. Hope you like the last of the story and tell me what you think! Enjoy and thanks!
FIRE AND ICE
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
By Robert Frost
…………………………
Sacrifice
By: pinkchick
……………………….
Chapter 11
Darkness shrouded every bit of his vision. It misted across and he wasn't able to see anything at all. Nothing. There was no end to where he was. He just knew that he had to somehow fight his way out of here. There was no escaping Abaddon, and he knew that. Although, that didn't stop him from trying to reach his ultimate goal. This creature had brought hurt to too many people for so long and it was going to end here and now. Even if it was the last thing that he had to do. His reasons became more clear to him as the dark mist became less groggy and he could finally see a mist of something. He kept walking but it didn't appear to be getting him anywhere. It was as if he was walking to nowhere. There was so much he had to do and there was so little time. In his mind he knew that this situation was more urgent than anything that he had ever faced in his life. He would finally have to stand up to this monumental creature whether he liked it or not. Destruction was upon them all and he wasn't about to let it happen because of his stupidity. He could've stopped it before, and he knew that, but now was his chance. He could see the darkness in front of him. It seemed to be never ending, but he had to keep going. Abaddon would be destroyed, he made that a promise that he would keep. The mist was finally clearing and at the end of the tunnel there was always a light. That was exactly where he was heading.
…………………………
Everything was going exactly according to plan. Abaddon had to smile at that. Now it would only be a matter of short time before everything would be his. All his. Abaddon lifted his hand once again but something stopped him from doing it. A deep surge went through like a stab through the chest. Abaddon reeled backwards and grabbed at his head for a moment. Something was trying to break through him. This time, Abaddon had no intention of letting it through. He clutched his head as everything around him started spinning. Abaddon's black gloved hands tightened around his temples as he let out a groan of pain.
"No," Abaddon half shouted. "I won't let you do it. The power will be mine. You are too weak to try to stop me."
You will never get that power, the voice spoke from deep within Abaddon's consciousness. Not as long as I'm here to try to stop you.
Abaddon looked up and released his hands from his temples, breathing deeply. He shoved the thing fighting to get out back to the far recesses of his mind and looked straight ahead at his work. No, he couldn't let himself lose his control. Not now. Not when he was so close to winning and gaining everything that he had wanted for so long. A slow smirk plastered itself back onto his face as he recoiled and remembered what he had to do. The ceremony had started and this… this was war. With a twist of his hand the blazes of fire strengthened and continued shooting up around the teenagers that were strapped in a tight circle.
Every one of them started coughing immediately as Abaddon had caused the fire to burn even more. It was becoming unbearable and none of them could find any hope to get out of this predicament. They were all still bleeding and it didn't help that a large optic beam was trying to shoot its way through the hell hole. Jean looked up immediately to hear Scott's scream and closed her eyes. "Scott!" she shouted. She wished she could help him, but that was impossible if she couldn't use her powers. She was strapped and she wasn't going to get loose anytime soon. If only she could do something. Anything. Anything to stop her from feeling so helpless and useless. Anything to help Scott and to get them the hell out of here. That word struck her immediately. Hell. Jean looked around her and realized that they were already there and they weren't going to get out of it as easily as they would've liked to.
"Jean, help me!" Scott yelled, panic and fear in his voice. "I--I can't stop it! I--I can't close my eyes!"
Jean held back a choked sob and closed her eyes. She opened them back up and looked up at Scott. "Just hold on!"
Hold on? Scott couldn't just hold on. The energy and strength in his body was fading with every drop of blood and it didn't help any that he couldn't even close his eyes. It just continued surging through without his consent at all. Nothing he would be able to do could stop it. He was powerless. He wished he could see what was happening, but he knew that that was impossible. Maybe if he tried, he could try to envision Jean. Scott concentrated but nothing came. His mind wouldn't calm down. It was too busy reeling with the what ifs and the fact that he couldn't do anything about the outcomes that came out of any of them. All of the circumstances came with someone either dying or getting killed and Scott shuddered to think about any of those things right now.
When his mind stopped, all he could feel was the pain that was aching within him. His whole body ached as his breathing started to become erratic. Something was happening and he could feel it. His sweat started to increase as it matted his entire face and body. The heat intensified and he suddenly heard laughter come from somewhere beneath him. He heard calamity beneath him as his optic beams surged backwards and rammed back into his chest. He cried out in pain. He was usually immune to his own power. What was going on? Scott immediately closed his eyes as soon as he felt the control return to him abruptly afterwards. With his eyes finally clenched tightly shut he could now relax, albeit only a little bit. The fire licked at his skin and he immediately knew that it was rising. Screeches of evil bellowed in his ears as he fought to try and regain his senses. He needed to figure out what was really happening. Scott let the pain overtake his body as the blood from his chest continued to spill its way downward, falling into the abyss of the unknown.
Scott had been right. There was calamity going on beneath him. All of the students turned their heads to the side as a powerful beam of light shot out of the hell hole and it opened. More flames burst in and around them as Abaddon laughed like a madman behind them. Everything was going as it should. The X-men knew it was the end, but it was far from over. They all looked down when they heard something unusual. All of a sudden the ground beneath them burst open to reveal creatures. Each one different. All of their eyes widened as they recognized the creatures as being the same ones from their nightmares. They all screamed in terror and horror as the visions of their nightmares came back in full swing.
Evan stared at the ground beneath his feet as a bunch of scorpions popped out of the ground like they were spring flowers. He screamed with all he had and began to struggle to get his feet safely above the ground. It was no use. Perspiration spilled about his face quickly and Evan bit his lip in fear and sheer panic. What was he going to do? The scorpions looked up at him and started to make their way up his body. They scratched and bit into his skin as if they didn't care at all for his feelings. The truth was that they didn't. They could have cared less. They were just hell ridden creatures that wanted something to torture and right now, Evan was their main course. The scorpions made their way up and down his body, especially his chest. It was unnerving really and all Evan could do was scream at the top of his lungs as the creatures continued their journey along his upper body. They poked and prodded him until he didn't think he could take much more of this. "GET THEM OFF!" he shouted. "Please, just get them off of me! GET THEM AWAY!" The scorpions continued at him, making noises and stabbing at his skin. Evan closed his eyes for a mere second and truly prayed that whatever was going to happen didn't as he finally surrendered to the scorpions will.
Rogue widened her eyes as soon as she noticed what was happening. It was truly unbelievable to her. This entire situation had been unbelievable actually, but this was much worse. She slowly watched as the snake made its way out of the small hole that it had dug in order to break free. She gulped back and swallowed hard then closed her eyes and wished that she were somewhere else. Of all things to torture her was a snake. Rogue thought of her power and then shuddered at the fact that one of the first things she would be able to touch… and it had to be a snake. If the situation wasn't so serious she would have really laughed. Unfortunately, the fact was that the situation was tremendously serious and there was nothing she could do about it at all.
Rogue felt the evil snake slither its way up towards her stomach, brushing against her visible skin. She shuddered at the new presence on her skin and fought the urge to scream. This wasn't another human where she could knock unconscious because of the contact. This was definitely something different and as she thought about it, looking down every now and then at the snake, she closed her eyes. The snake made its way up so it and Rogue were now face to face. Rogue opened her eyes and as soon as her eyes met the evil red ones of the snake, she couldn't take it anymore. She felt her skin beneath her start to itch and tingle. The snake made its way around her neck and seemed to start choking her. Rogue felt the fire's heat, the smoke and the snake and she suddenly had trouble breathing. She couldn't even think clearly. So, Rogue did the first thing that she could think to do in a situation like this. She screamed. She screamed at the top of her lungs. There was only one problem though…… No one could hear her.
Kurt bit on his lip in an attempt to hold back his pain and the utter bad feeling of the situation. The rats were everywhere. They were making their way up and down his body. They were biting at him and tugging at his blue fur and at his skin. Kurt struggled against them but the more he tried to break free, the stronger the wave of rats flooded over him. It seemed to be never ending as they came in groups. They bit at him, their tails slashing and sliding their way across his disheveled form. Kurt screamed in pain, but it was drowned out by the fire and the other protests of pain from his friends. Kurt felt his anger well up. He continued struggling. Anything to keep the ugly creatures away from him. All of a sudden a rather large rat came up to his chest and looked down at it. Then, it let its sinister eyes meet that of Kurt's soft golden ones and with more evil than Kurt had ever seen in his life, it bit down into his chest -- hard. Kurt screamed at the top of his lungs as blood trickled down from his chest and stained at his soft blue fur. "Please, just LEAVE ME ALONE!" Kurt shouted at them but they continued to come at him for all they were worth. "Vhy? Vhy are you doing zis?" Kurt asked softly. He didn't get a reply. Kurt just slumped his head forward and let the rats do as they wished. Maybe when he died, the pain would stop.
Kitty feared for her life. Everything was going wrong, it was going so wrong. This wasn't supposed to be happening. She was supposed to be in her room at the mansion sleeping peacefully. She wasn't supposed to be here, tied up and trying to fight to break free. As for right now, that wasn't the case. Kitty looked down with horrified eyes as these strange and mysterious black beetle bugs crawled all over her. She bit at her lip as hard as she could to keep herself from screaming. She knew now for sure that this couldn't be happening. Kitty hated bugs. She hated them with a passion. She thought that they were the ugliest and slimiest things that ever walked the earth. And now… well now they were crawling all over her like there was no tomorrow. Maybe there wasn't, but it wasn't a just cause for these bugs to roam all over her upper body like they were being attracted to some kind of dinner. The bugs made eerie noises that sounded more like an incessant whining to Kitty's ears. There was an annoyingly evil laugh coming from somewhere to the side. Kitty wished she could break free or at least be able to phase through these evil bugs. When the bugs finally made their way up her arms and bit at her skin is when her body shuddered completely. She let out a piercing scream that bounced off the walls of the cavern and rounded the blazes of flames, but was never ever heard.
Everything was clouding Jean's vision as she inhaled another round of smoke. Her eyes became glossy because of the cloudy mist that now covered pretty much everything in her line of vision. Now she knew how it felt for Scott to not be able to see what's going on. It unnerved her to no end. The maniacal laughter never stopped as she continued fighting off the creatures that were now making their way upon her. She struggled and struggled only to have the laughter increase at her attempts to break free. This horrid man knew that there was no escape. He knew that for sure, there was no mistaking it. Abaddon had it all planned out and there was no trying to get out of it. Jean, however, still fought on. The mice on her skin seemed to be increasing. They were fanning their way upwards and all the while their claws scratching and poking at her. The sight and the feeling were both very horrendous. She didn't want to sneak a glance up at Scott for fear of what she would see. He was slowly falling away from her. Jean immediately closed her eyes and let the pain of the scratches make their way into her. She could feel it. It began to become very numb to her, but she had no clue why. Jean bit back another cry of pain. As the mice continued moving their way up and tormenting her, Jean realized that it was useless to try and stall the inevitable. She let herself be engulfed with the pain, never once looking up. Maybe, it was better that way.
…………………………
"I've found them," Professor Xavier announced to the three concerned adults behind him. They had all been worried sick since the professor's last announcement telling them that all of the students were gone. They had waited impatiently for more answers and it was finally a relief to know that they finally have a lead. It had taken the professor a long time to track them down. Unfortunately, Abaddon hadn't done a very good job at hiding their signatures and that's how the professor had found them.
"Good," Logan said, sheathing his claws, his eyes a look of vengeance. "Let's go."
…………………………
The fire continued to set the entire cavern into blazes of smoke. The X-men choked on it as they inhaled the smoke filled room. Creatures from below struggled to fight their way up towards the earth. The fire of hell burned and beckoned them all to join it in the eternal life beyond what was. The X-men all fought even harder against losing all of their lives to something so evil. It wasn't going to get them. They would win this battle, even if it was the last thing they had to do. All of a sudden a blast of orange and yellow burst upwards through the hell hole. Creatures continued upwards in an attempt to escape the dark recesses beneath to only come and spread their evil ways upon the rest of the earth. After that, the entire earth would be shrouded in complete and utter darkness. They all couldn't let that happen. They all felt as if it was their duty to stop them, but the only problem was that they didn't know how they were going to.
Screams and cries of pure agony filled the cavern. It was exactly what Abaddon wanted. He yearned for that sound. He had waited for it his entire life and now, finally after all these years, it was becoming a reality. At last. A small smile crept onto his face as he rubbed his black gloved hands together in accomplishment. The pits of the fiery hell beneath would finally be his. Now, for the grand finale. The spell.
"STOP THIS!" Jean shouted at Abaddon as he stepped up to the hell hole carrying a rather large leather bound book.
"Stop what, my dear?" Abaddon asked, knowing full well what she meant.
"This," Jean answered. "Can't you see what you're doing? You're going to destroy the earth!"
"My dear, that is not my intention," Abaddon explained. "My intention is to simply rule on high with all the power that you could think of. Everyone will answer to me then. I will then be the most powerful being on the earth." With that statement, the ground rumbled and the creatures that were attempting to find their way out bellowed in response. "And earth… will be hell."
Jean opened her mouth up to speak, but no sound came out. She couldn't believe what he had just said. She was utterly speechless. He had gone to all of this trouble because he wanted to bring hell on earth and rule. That was his ultimate goal? Jean immediately shuddered at the thought. What she would give to get out of this nightmare. Abaddon laughed at her and her speechlessness. He had finally won. She felt a sudden wave of defeat wash over her.
"I win," Abaddon stated, turning to look Jean dead in the eyes. "And don't worry. It'll all be over… soon enough." With that said, Abaddon slowly made his way over to the other side of the circle and stepped between Rogue and Kurt. They were both struggling against the creatures that were crawling up their bodies. Abaddon threw his head back and laughed. This was too good to be true. Everything was working out better than he had hoped. With a twist of his hand, Kurt's hands became unlocked and he was slowly levitated into the air.
"Vhat--vhat are you doing?" Kurt asked. He was now levitating over a very sight that he hadn't wanted to see at all. Over the hell hole he hovered and Kurt was looking dead into the eyes of the creatures that were trying to escape and unleash their wrath upon the earth. Kurt screamed out in terror and struggled to break free of the invisible hold that was holding him up. He turned his head back around to look into the beady and evil eyes of Abaddon. Kurt's eyes widened at the cynical face of a madman.
"I'm finishing what I have started, thanks to you," Abaddon smiled evilly, letting Kurt take in the hideous features of his face for the last time. "Now: In order for the evil of power to live, I sacrifice this purest soul and do give." A blaze of a fiery shower sprung up from the hell hole as he said those words and Kurt widened his eyes in horror. It burned at his skin and filled his already clogged lungs.
"NOOOOOOO!" Kurt bellowed as his body was flung over the fiery pits of hell. He closed his eyes and covered his face and waited for the inevitable to happen. It felt like an eternity but it never came. Kurt opened his eyes and uncovered his face to only be met face to face with the ground. The ground? What was he doing hovering above the ground? Kurt silently thanked God for not sparing his life. But, Kurt had an unanswered question. Why hadn't Abaddon thrown him in when he had his chance?
Abaddon grabbed at his temples in pain and terror as he struggled to keep his weaker personality in check. This couldn't be happening. He had been so close. He still was close and he wasn't going to just let that do-gooder do this to him. Abaddon wasn't going to stand by and let all his dreams of power die on him just because he couldn't control what was deep inside of him. "NO! I won't let you do this to me!"
The X-men watched in horror and in question as Abaddon seemed to battle something that was within him that only he could see and hear. What in the world was going on? Only a second ago, Abaddon was ready to end all this and now it was on hold. They all didn't know what was happening but they couldn't help but be curious about the situation. They all just continued watching as Abaddon battled what seemed to be himself.
Abaddon stopped rampaging within himself and looked up for a brief moment. Everyone looked at him slowly. All of a sudden, the kind face of Mr. Gehenna shown through Abaddon's evil one. He looked at each and every one of them as he tried to find control over his evil personality. "Go. Go, get out of here. Now! Go." Was the final thing they all heard him say before Abaddon fought his way back and all hints of their former teacher disappeared.
"Mr. Gehenna!" Evan screamed at the sudden reappearance and disappearance of his former science teacher. He couldn't even believe his eyes right now. Mr. Gehenna had two personalities. Unfortunately for all of them, Abaddon was obviously the stronger of the two.
"You won't win, you weakling," Abaddon shouted. "I'm am the powerful one and after this, you'll no longer exist." He looked at all of the students before he smirked when his eyes fell on Kurt. "Now, where was I?"
Kurt gulped back and began to back up without plunging into the fire behind him. He back up into the board he had been shackled to and looked around, trying to look for some way out, but there wasn't any. He tried to teleport, but his powers were still not working. All of a sudden, Abaddon stopped walking towards him and stopped just a few feet away. "No! I told you. You can't do this!" Abaddon clutched at his head again and backed away in pain as he once again fought with what was inside of him. It seemed like a never ending battle as Abaddon kept on snaking his way backwards. He was only a mere step from the edge when he clutched his head even harder and yelled out in a distressed pain and anguish. "The power will be MINE!" He took one final step backwards as he continued clutching his head for dear life. Without intention, he plunged into the depths of the fiery hell hole screaming like a madman until his screams were only a silent echo across the cavern.
Before anyone could say anything, there was a sudden rumbling sound. Even though Abaddon was finally gone, the recesses of hell were still very open and they had no idea how they were going to get out with the fire and smoke filling up the entire room. Loud crashes could be heard and the rumbling continued as if something had been disturbed from its slumber. The fire continued to roar around them and all they could do was stare wide eyed at what they had just seen and worry about what was going to happen. Mr. Flemmings, who was standing off to the side, snapped out of his hold from which Abaddon had placed upon him. He looked around and opened his mouth in a wide scream, ran out like a mad animal. All the X-men could do was stare back at him as he miraculously made his way -- alive or dead, they didn't know -- through the fire.
"Like, whatta we do now?" Kitty asked, her voice quivering uncontrollably. She couldn't have hope yet because the worst wasn't over yet.
All of a sudden, the locks that held them shackled to the board broke free and they all fell from the boards and onto the ground. Jean held her wrists and looked up just in time to see Scott fall. Jean widened her eyes as she immediately, on instinct, reached out her hand. Of all the times she needed her power, it was now. He couldn't fall into the hell hole. She wouldn't let him. Jean concentrated and just when Scott was a couple of feet from the hell hole, he stopped falling and hovered over it. Jean smiled as a sense of relief washed over her. She held Scott in place and then with much concentration moved him towards her and gently lay him on the ground beside her. All the fire and everything around her didn't matter anymore. There was only him now. She knelt down next to him and examined him. He was by far the worst out of all of them. His chest was meshed with new and dried blood. The blood didn't stop and his entire body was clammy. Jean closed her eyes and took his hand in hers. He suddenly moved and moaned softly.
"I'm here, Scott," Jean soothed slowly.
"Jean?" Scott asked, making sure it was her. The fire's blazes were rising up even higher around them as Scott coughed out blood.
"Shh, don't talk, Scott," Jean said, truly hoping that it would be. Scott didn't look too good at this point. He was still bleeding and coughing out blood and it wouldn't stop. Jean shut her eyes for a second and tried to stay calm. "It's over. You're gonna be ok."
"No, Jean, it is over… for me," Scott said. He wasn't stupid. He knew what was happening to him. He could feel it inside himself. It was only a matter of time. The fire continued to rise even higher behind them. It was useless for them to even try to find their way out of there.
"Scott, don't you say that, do you understand me?" Jean pressed on, a sob catching in her throat. How could he even think that? Although Jean didn't want to believe him, she could feel their link being extinguished very slowly. "You're gonna be ok and we're gonna get out of here alive and safe, ok." There was no response for a moment and Jean panicked, but then Scott weakly squeezed her hand. She breathed deeply and then coughed some because of the smoke. She could feel the presence of the rest of her friends behind them. Jean turned around abruptly and gave them all a sad smile. She then turned back to Scott. He couldn't keep his eyes shut any longer. He had to see. He had to see Jean's face for one last time. The face of an angel. He fluttered his eyelids open slowly. "Scott, don't."
Scott's eyelids opened slowly, but nothing happened. No optic beams shot out of his eyes and nothing was destroyed. They all gasped and then breathed a sigh of relief as they inched closer to Scott. Why hadn't anything happened? They were surprised to find that the mysterious color of Scott Summers' eyes were blue. A beautiful crystal blue. Jean couldn't take it anymore and happy tears rolled down her cheeks. All her life that's all she'd ever wanted to see were Scott's eyes. And now that she continued looking at them, she wished it were under better circumstances. Another bloody cough emitted it's way from Scott's mouth. Scott looked up slowly to look at Jean's face. She was staring into his eyes as if they were the most amazing thing in the world. He didn't think they were amazing compared to her soft emerald ones. Now he could finally see her the way he's always wanted to see her. Without the red. Without the restriction of his glasses and without having to worry about whether he'll hurt her or not. For that, he was glad. It only made her all the more beautiful. He wished he could tell her that, but instead he used up the remainder of his strength to send it over their dying link.
"I--I told… you that they… w-were b-blue," Scott stuttered as another round of blood made its way into his mouth.
"They're beautiful, Scott," Jean stated, squeezing his hand ever tighter. She slowly traced her fingers anround his eyes softly. He closed his eyes slowly then as his breathing became slower. He mustered a smile up at her before saying, "I-I l-love… y-you, Jean," Scott said. "I a-always h-have… always w-will." Then with the last remaining strength he could gather up, he squeezed her hand and took his final breath.
Jean felt his hand go limp in hers and that was when she lost it completely. Even their link was gone. The soft piece of her mind that played like background music was now gone from her. She was truly alone as the other part of her had departed. "Scott? NO! You can't leave me, Scott. Come back, please. I need you with me. Don't you leave me here! Please, don't go," Jean sobbed uncontrollably now. Kitty and Rogue behind her were trying to comfort her, but it was no use. At their words, she broke down even harder and like a piece of fragile glass, she broke.
Everyone just stared. They couldn't believe it. Scott, their leader and friend, was dead. Gone. Just like that. All because of a merciless man who wanted the power of evil and hatred to rule over the world. It was just too much to take in at the moment. Nobody wanted to admit the truth. It was over. It was all over. They didn't even have time to think it through as the cave made another rumbling sound and rocks started to fall. The entire cavern shook with might, angry that the ceremony was cut short. The fires licked their way around them in a hungry attempt. The walls started to shake and crumble around them. The earth shook beneath their feet and they knew that the cavern wouldn't hold in for long. They all looked around. All they knew was that they had to get out of there, now.
"C'mon, Jean," Kitty urged, looking at Scott's now lifeless body. She closed her eyes. Now wasn't the time. "We have to, like, get outta here."
"No! I'm not leaving him here," Jean shot back. "You all go. Get yourselves out."
"No, ve're not leaving vithout you," Kurt said, grabbing her arm. He was in shock about Scott. His best friend had died right in front of his eyes… but right now, he couldn't dwell on that. Scott would have wanted them to get out before they sat there feeling sorry for themselves. "Scott wouldn't have vanted you to stay behind. You know zat."
Jean looked at Kurt and understood what he meant by that. Scott had loved her too much to just let her wither away and die. He wouldn't have allowed her to just have given up her life. She had to keep fighting. Jean turned back to Scott, her tears still trailing down her cheek. She traced her fingers upon his eyes one last time. "I love you too, Scott. Always have… always will." She kissed his lips softly as a final tear made its way down her cheek and slid off to make contact with Scott's bloodied chest. Jean buried her head in his shoulder for a moment and then the unthinkable happened.
Both Scott and Jean's bodies began to shine with this immense bright light. Everybody stood back and watched as it happened. Their mouths were agape in awe and fascination, not even caring that everything was starting to crumble behind them and that the fire was rising. Their eyes were transfixed on what was happening in front of them. The light seemed to capture the entire cavern as it enwrapped the two lover's bodies in a binding light. Jean looked at her hands. "What's happening?"
As she asked that question, Scott's body rose up into the air. The light twirled around him and broke out into rays surrounding the both of them. As they looked on in awe, something happened. Scott's gashes miraculously disappeared. The rest of their scratches and the scars on their foreheads disappeared also. The light swept across the cavern and with one swish of its invisible hand, the hell hole closed up and the fire vanished without a single trace. The cavern was it once had been before all of the chaos rained down upon it.
Scott's body slowly descended to the ground and the light around he and Jean disappeared, leaving only warmth and the strength of their bond. Scott amazingly sat up and rubbed his head. He had felt himself falling but then something had caught him and brought him back to the see the true light. He felt his face and realized that his glasses weren't on his face. He clenched his eyes tightly shut. Before he knew it, two warm hands threw themselves around his neck. He practically flew backwards but still encircled his own hands around the person. He breathed her hair in deeply. He was alive. He didn't know how, but he was and he was grateful to that. Even if he did have to see Jean through rose colored glasses, it was the seeing her part that he liked.
"I thought I had lost you forever," Jean whispered into his ear as she clung to him even more tightly. She never wanted to let him go. Not now. Not ever.
"You'll never lose me, Jean," Scott whispered back, sinking his head into her soft red hair. He breathed her in deeply. "I'll always be with you. No matter what." He held her more tightly and wished he could open his eyes to see her face. They both stood up and looked around. The others were staring wide eyed too. Their leader had just died before their very eyes and suddenly he's up and walking. They really wondered if this was all a dream but they didn't want to dwell on that right now. They just wanted to get out of here.
"What just happened?" Rogue asked. They all shrugged and looked around them. They all felt their foreheads and looked at their skin. It was remarkable. It was all gone. Every single scratch and bruise was gone. The light had miraculously saved them. But, all of a sudden the earth beneath shook like an earthquake and the walls started crumbling around them. The ground made crumbling noises and rumbled with intensity as the light was now summoning the destruction of all that was evil. They all swayed to the sides as they struggled to retain their balance.
Scott got up and with the help of Jean, they both started walking away as the cavern shook once again with anger. Rocks came down like rain on a stormy day, but the rest of the team just stared at them. Scott sensed that they weren't following and he turned his head to the side. "What're you all waiting for? C'mon, let's get the hell out of here." They all cringed at that word, but immediately followed suit as the cavern came crumbling down behind them.
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"Are you sure this is the place?" Logan asked, looking around and stepping out of the X-jet. He had to look away when he saw the crumbled structure before him. It was over. They were all gone now. They had gotten there too late. He was heading back inside the jet when he suddenly sniffed something familiar. Logan immediately turned back around and his eyes widened in disbelief.
"What is it, my friend?" Hank asked, following Logan's stare to the crumpled cavern just beyond. "Oh my stars and garters. I don't believe it."
That definitely drew in some attention and Ororo followed suit with their gazes transfixed at the entrance. Her eyes also widened at what she saw. Six figures suddenly emerged from the heart of the now collapsed cavern and were making their way towards them. They couldn't believe their eyes. Maybe the students hadn't needed their help after all. Logan smiled for the first time since everything had started. It was something beyond amazing.
"Goddess," Ororo breathed. There they were in all their glory. They had made it out safely and for that Ororo had to smile. The nightmare was finally over and they all couldn't be any more happier for that.
"Chuck, start the engines," Logan called into the cockpit. "We're going home."
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