Attention: Generation X and their villians, as well as any other mutant mentioned in this story, is property of Marvel Comics. The character Richard Cale is named after family relations. Any other reference to anything copywrighted is a chance happening.

Destiny

Fight To Finish

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I. Apocalypse
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Apocalypse had continued his shooting spree. It was starting to bother him that his advesary had dodged every shot. He watched as each time, Richard Cale jumped to the side. What bothered him even more was that boy was getting too close to him. He knew if the boy got too close, he'd gain his powers. Apocalypse decided he had to distract Cale. He looked at his advesary and said, "I must admit, Richard, that you are a credit to your family. However, you failed. By now, your wife is no longer the woman she used to be."

He watched as Cale started to close in on him and say, "You're lying."

The boy had spirit, a spirit he needed to crush. He smiled and said, "Am I, Cale? You're wife will be lucky if you survive, but I doubt you'd want to see her in the state she will be in. She'd be better off being a meal for Marius St. Croix. Maybe he'd take pity on her and kill her right away."

He watched as Cale was just stunned. He watched as the boy suddenly stopped moving, and almost fell to his knees. That was the sign that the boy was starting to give up. He watched as the boy just said, "It can't be true."

He quickly backhanded Cale, and sent him flying into a far wall. Apocalypse just said, "You know it's inevitable, Cale. I won't be destoried, and after you fall, your family will be no more. You will have failed your family, and the world. You weren't totally ready for this. You kept denying your background, and now, you will pay the price that destiny has set for you." He raised his arm again, charging the gun it was for a deadly blast. "You have failed, and I have won."

He was about to fire, when a blast sent him flying. It came out of nowhere, but the source made him realize that he had lost the mental grip he had put on Soundwave. As he got up, he heard Soundwave say, "You aren't going to win. My friend is capable of defeating you. His wife is fine, and so are his friends. Your allies are gone. It's just you versus us." He watched as Soundwave went over to Rich's side. He then realized the tide of the battle had changed.

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II. Rich
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Rich looked at his friend. He was a bit surprised at this turn of events, but he was thankful. Rich got up, and looked at Davis and said, "Got the sign you were looking for?" He saw Davis nod, and Rich then said, "We'll talk about it after we take care of Apocolypse." Rich had already taking on Davis' ability.

Davis then said, "I'll kick the music up a notch so you can hear it." Soon a new sound filled the room. It was a song by Davis' favorite group. Before Apocalypse could even attack, the two of them fired blast after blast at him. Davis just said, "This is for all the manipulating you did to me, 'Big Blue'."

Rich heard Apocalypse roar in pain, and then hear him say, "Take this, you traitor."

Rich knew what was coming and said, "Dive, Davis." They split apart just as the blast came where they were standing. Rich realized there was only one shot. He needed to get near Apocalypse. He saw Apocalypse was more focused on Davis, and Rich was going to make sure Davis didn't die at the monster's hand. Rich quickly got close to Apocalypse, and using the strength he gained with Apocalypse's power, he uppercutted the madman.

When Apocalypse hit the ground, Rich started to advance, with his sword in hand. The fire that came from his sword burned as if was fueled by the sun. He heard shallow breathing coming from Apocalypse. As he neared, he heard Apocalypse say, "Very bold, Cale, but foolish."

Rich saw Apocalypse raise his arm, but Rich swung his sword to leave a huge cut across the arm. As Apocalypse yelled in pain, Rich realized that he was going to win this battle, that he would survive long after it. He watched Apocalypse and said, "It's over. You aren't going to win this time. This time, the Cale's will survive."

He watches as Apocalypse pushed a button on the arm he just cut and said, "It does appear that way, but this war is far from over." Soon he saw Apocolypse fade from sight. The maniac fled.

He then heard Davis say, "We won. He's gone, right Rich?"

Rich just nodded and said, "He's gone, for now. But he'll be back. Now Davis, what was this sign you got that made you become good again." Rich was still looking at where Apocalypse had disappeared from.

Davis came over to him and said, "I couldn't let him take away your dream of a family. Besides, you always wanted to be a father."

Rich felt a wave of surprise come over him as he turned to Davis and said, "You mean to say that they found out Yvette is.."

He saw Davis nod and say, "Yep. It's why the formula didn't work on Yvette. And don't worry, I found a good place for Dark Beast's formula. It even helped with Claudette."

Rich looked at Davis and said, "Are you saying you injected Claudette with this formula, with whatever it does?" He saw Davis nod, and then he asked, "It isn't lethal, is it?" He saw Davis shake his head and Rich just laughed.

He then heard Davis say, "Hey Rich, lets get out of here. Maybe you can pull some strings to get my sentence reduced."

Rich nodded and said, "Ok, but let's get to everyone before we do that." As they walked, he said, "I still can't believe it. I'm going to be a father." That was the best news he received all day.

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III. Jubilee
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Jubilee was almost stunned as all the robots and security measures shut down at once. In fact, she wasn't even sure if it was a good thing. She had seen both Q.T. and Claudette run off, and Soundwave attack Claudette, but this was weird. She looked around as everyone else seemed shocked, and said, "Ok, what just happened?"

She heard Sean say. "It looks like Apocalypse might have left, which means he either won, or he lost." She was hoping it was the former.

She heard a gasp from Paige as her teammate said, "I don't know about that, but I think we have something to celebrate." She looked where Paige was pointing and saw two figures coming down the hall. She knew who both were, but there was still surprised at the sight of the two of them.

She then heard Angelo say, "Is that who I think it is with Penance?"

Jubilee just said, "If it is the same person I think it is, you are right. I think it's M."

She then heard Yvette say, "It is M. Claudette had the two of them separated. I think M is a bit drained. What happened to Claudette and her crew?"

Jubilee didn't know if she could answer that. She knew that Soundwave did something to her, but she didn't know what. She then heard Emma say, "The only person who knows what caused Claudette to back out is Soundwave."

Jubilee then heard laughter from down the hall, but she knew it was a good thing when Yvette smiled. She looked down the hall and saw Rich and Soundwave walking down the hall, laughing. As the two continued towards them, she heard Rich say, "Davis, I'm glad you showed up when you did. I think Apocalypse was more surprised than I was." It was then she knew had an idea of what happened. Soundwave has switched sides.

She then heard Soundwave say, "I think the look of anger on Claudette was priceless when I gave her that injection. Plus, I don't think she'll be a problem for a long time." She now knew a bit more about what had happened to Claudette.

She was surprised to hear Monet say, "If I understood correctly, Claudette won't have her powers for a while. At least you stopped her, and Dark Beast, and for that I thank you." Jubilee almost forgot about all of Monet's hightened abilities."

She watched as Sean stepped forward and said, "Soundwave, I want to thank ye for ye help. Your actions have shown us you intend to change sides. And Skitz, I'm glad to see ye are alright."

Jubilee looked at Soundwave and said, "I'd thank you too, but I think some of us deserve an apology." She was serious about that. After his first attack, Jubilee was almost scarred.

She was almost surprised when Soundwave said, "I know, and I apologize. However, I plan to go back to prison. Rich will call, and maybe he'll be able to shorten my sentence. I have been manipulated all this time, and I've just now realized it."

She then noticed that Rich had walked over to Yvette and gave her a huge hug. The two were happier than normal. Jubilee looked at the two and said, "Alright, what are you two hiding?"

She was the two smile at all of them as Rich said, "Davis told me the good news, but Yvette should tell all of you."

Jubilee was puzzled by that, especially when Monet nodded in agreement. She then heard her say, "Yes, Yvette, you tell them the good news."

She looked at Yvette who almost blushed, but finally said "I just found out during this whole ordeal. I'm pregnant. I'm going to be a mother." Jubilee almost yelped in joy, and could see a look of happy surprise on everyone's faces. There was more reason to celebrate then there had been before. Now all they had to do was get home.

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IV. Darrett
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Darrett stood nervously at the door to Rich's office. This was it. This was the moment that judgement would be passed on their escapde in Japan. He knew Rich hadn't forgotten, but with all that happened, he was hoping Rich might have put it off a bit longer. He knocked lightly on the door and waited until a voice inside said, "Come in."

Darrett openned the door, and was surprised to see Yvette was in the office as well. She was sitting in one of the chairs, and looking over some papers. Rich was standing at the desk. Darrett just looked at the two of them and finally said, "You wanted to see me."

He watched as Rich turned to face him and motioned him forward. "Yes Darrett, come in and sit down." He did so, and then Rich said, "As you know, we heard about what you want to do. We want you to know that you have our approval." He was almost shocked when he heard that, but before he could question it, Rich just said, "We'll even help set up the wedding and everything."

Now he was flabergasted. He looked at Rich and said, "Why? I thought Clarice and I were being punished. I was afraid you were going to kick us out of school."

He watched as Rich took his hand and said, "Darrett. I'm not about to do something that heartless. Besides, in a month, you and Clarice will be man and wife, and starting a new life."

He was puzzled by what Rich said, and asked, "Why in a month? Why not later?"

Rich just said, "Darrett, in a month, Yvette and I are heading to England, and we won't be coming back. I'm taking a job there as royal advisor, and we are not going alone. I'm offering you and Clarice a job as bodyguards. Now, what do you say?"

Darrett was glad that Rich and Yvette would fund his marriage, and offer a job. The only thing he wondered about was the school. He looked at Rich and Yvette and said, "What about the school? I mean, you do teach here."

He watched as Yvette looked at him and said, "Rich spoke to Emma before we called you here. When Rich and I leave, Emma is going to close the school. She's going to announce it later in the main hall. Now, do you want us to help with the wedding?" He could see how eager she was to help, and then remembered, they didn't have the joy of a wedding ceremony. Their marriage was done legal, real quick.

He just smiled and said, "Ok. That would be nice. However, the real problem is..."

Before he could continue what he was about to say, he heard Rich say, "I know. You'll have to tell them before too long. However, that can wait until closer to the big day. Right now, I want you to go to the main hall." He nodded and left he office. He was going to spring the big new right there in the hall. It was going to be a day to remember.

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V. Emma
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Emma waited for everyone patiently in the main hall. As she stood there, she heard Sean say, "How do ye think they are going to take the news. Part of it is good, but the rest might come down hard on them."

Emma nodded. She knew it would hit most of them hard, but it would hit Monet hardest. After so long, Monet was now back at the school, and part of the news would panic her. Emma just said, "I think Richard has something planned, since she doesn't have a home to go to anymore."

She heard Sean say, "I hope so. He and Yvette have been making phone calls since they got back. I think they are trying to help everyone by getting some things set up."

Emma watched as some of the students entered the room. She quietly said, "I hope they do get things set up. This is going to shake things up." She saw Sean nod as the last of the students finally came in. Emma noticed that everyone was there. She then said, "Listen up everyone, we have some big news to announce. Rich, Yvette, can you come over here and join Sean and myself."

She saw Rich and Yvette nod and head over to their side. When they finally got there, she heard Sean say, "First of all, we have big news from Xavier. Congratulations Paige and Jono. You two will be joining the X-Men." Emma was glad when she saw everyone congratulating the two.

When everyone calmed down, she looked at Rich, who just said, "Yvette and I will be leaving here in a month." She watched as a shocked look come over everyone's face. It was hard news to accept.

She then heard Yvette say, "Rich has accepted a job in England, and since we are going to have our first child, we want to be settled in before that happens. Rich is already doing things to handle things when we leave."

Emma then said, "Which includes jobs in the various branches of his company. You can decide what you want to do, but he's provided for all of you since when he leaves, the school will close."

Emma heard Monet gasp as she said, "What will happen to me? I have no home to go to now."

Emma just said, "Don't worry. I think Rich has something planned for you." She watched as Rich nodded, and she then said, "Is that all the news?"

She watched as Darrett got up to say, "No. I have something to announce." She wondered what the boy had planned. She didn't know what Rich had said to him before, but it was linked to Clarice as he approached her. She was surprised when he got down on one knee and said, "Clarice Ferguson, will you marry me?" Emma watched in shock as the girl nodded.

Now, Emma knew part of why Rich spoke to Darrett first. She want to object when Rich just said to her, "They are all they have. Their families don't exist here, and they need each other. Besides, they will be going to England with me and Yvette. We are already planning the wedding to be before we leave."

Emma smiled at that. Rich was providing for them, like they were an extension of the family. She held back a tear and said, "Alright everyone. We have things to plan." She watched as they all gathered for a moment. She looked at them like a mother who watched her children all grow up. It was a joyous sight.

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VI. Grimore
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Grimore watched as Yvette and Rich entered the room. He looked at them and said "Congratulations." He knew all about their good news. He then said, "You have alot to celebrate. You are the first to survive the battle, but then you had good reason."

He watched as Rich smiled and said, "In deed, plus we heard on the news about a strange crime. Apparently Claudette is trying to cope with her new problem." He saw the two laugh about that. He knew it meant Claudette would be less of a problem for the meantime, but it did not rule out the other of the St. Croix children.

He then said, "Has Gabe called you back?" He watched as they nodded. That was good news. It meant Gabe would take care of Monet. He then said, "What are you going to do about the business?"

He watched as Yvette said, "Rich is going to ask Godiva to take over the company. She's more business minded."

Grimore nodded and said, "Very wise. Richard, I know you are ready to head to England, but I know before you head there, another trial looms on the horizon. You've settled things with Apocalypse and Soundwave, but more is on the way. You will be facing a foe soon that, depending on the outcome, will dictate alot of things." He saw a worried look cross the faces of his masters. He then said, "Don't worry. That is some time off. I know you can handle it. As for now, start getting things ready." He then leapt down and left them to wonder. Grimore knew they would handle it. He knew because they were strong.