Disclaimer: I do not own X-Men or the associated works. Do we have to go over this every time?
Summary: See previous chapters.
Storm: Nothing to Cure.
I was in the Professor's office with him, getting ready to intervene between Logan and Hank when they announced the Cure on the news.
The very idea both scared and horrified me.
The Cure may seem like a good idea to some, but I think that it is the worst thing that could have happened to Mutant kind, tying or even beating the Mutant Registration Act.
All right, I admit that I am probably biased in the matter, as I can still hear the beat of tribal drums carried on the hot winds back home in Kenya, where I was worshipped as a goddess because of my powers.
I know that not everyone has such a wonderful gift, or as Hank pointed out, can blend in so easily, but to me the Cure seems like cutting off a limb or something.
That is why I scowled when Rogue ran in, asking if the rumors about the cure where true.
I suppose that I can see where she is coming from, her powers of Absorption not allowing her skin to skin contact, possibly for the rest of her life, but another part of me is screaming that she should not even consider the idea, that it was so very wrong!
I look at the others in the office. The professor is unreadable as usual. Hank looks like he is trying to decide what to say and Logan is wearing the rare look of understanding that only Rogue seems to bring out. He is willing to wait before forming judgment. It is one of the things that I like about him.
Now, if he could only extend the same patience and understanding to the rest of us…
I turn my attention back to Rogue, who looks so hopeful, as though the weight of the world rest on my answer. I feel a tug at my heart at her crestfallen expression when I tell her that no, they can't cure us.
Because there is nothing to cure.
Not long after this, Logan and I are sent to Alkali Lake, to investigate some kind of surge that we all felt, powerful enough to send Logan and me running to the Professor's office.
I cannot resist showing off slightly when Logan comments on the thick fog. He actually smiles at me for it.
Then we find Jean.
Logan. Is. An. Idiot.
Don't get me wrong, I love the man, but if the Professor says something, there is usually a reason for it. Therefore, why was Logan stupid enough to wake Jean up and let her escape less than five minutes after the Professor said not to?
Now not only do we have an absolutely trashed Med Bay, we're stuck tracking down Jean and hoping that Magneto doesn't get there first.
And of course things just couldn't be that simple.
Magneto beat us to the Grey's house and the Professor insisted on going in alone, leaving Logan and me outside with a few of Magneto's lackeys. Now I have to restrain Logan and resist the urge to electrocute that bitch of a speed-mutant, Callisto, who keeps smirking at me from the other side of the fence.
Calm. Remain calm. Do not fry Callisto to the other side of the continent.
Oh, Fuck that. Something is going on inside and Logan and I are going in.
It has been two days since the showdown at the Grey house, and this is the first time that I have managed to go over an hour without bursting into tears.
The Professor is dead, and I have been chosen as his successor. Now I stand in the gardens, accompanied by many of the students, giving the eulogy for the Professor.
I am barely able to understand what I am even saying. I say that it is the destiny of great men never to live to see their dreams fulfilled, but all I can think of is my mind repeating 'he is dead' over and over and over.
I look up to see Logan standing on a nearby balcony. He acknowledges me with a sad look, and then turns away.
Rogue stands, coming forward to place a single rose at the base of the marker, and I turn away, no longer able to hide my tears.
I find Logan in his room, shoving things into a backpack.
I don't need to ask where he is going, because I already know.
He is going after Jean, to try to bring her back to us. Because he loves her.
I do not try to make him stay; knowing that it will be a waste of both time and breath, but point out that he will eventually have to make a choice. "If you're going to be with us, then be with us!"
He acknowledges me, and then walks out. Am I the only one who has a bad feeling about this?
Sometimes, I hate being right.
Jean is with Magneto, they are building an army, ready to march on Alcatraz Island and the source of the cure, and six X-Men are all that stand in their way.
Iceman. Beast. Shadowcat. Colossus. Wolverine. And me, Storm.
I join the others as Wolverine finishes an impromptu pep-talk with the younger three. They turn to board the jet, and Logan looks at me. "They're ready, Storm."
High Praise from Logan. I return his look and nod, managing to hide the tremor in my voice. "I know. But are you ready? To do what you have to, when the time comes?"
We sit down in the jet and strap ourselves in. I close my eyes and breathe deeply, trying to dispel my fears. The first time I am leading a mission on my own, and it has to be one with small chance of success and the fate of the world in the balance.
It's all good, we can do this. It's going to be… Oh Goddess, we're going to die!
It is unbecoming, I suppose, but I can't help feeling a small amount of smug satisfaction at Magneto's look of annoyance when we make our appearance. Logan and I both try not to laugh when Kitty accidentally phases herself and Bobby through the ground when they jump from the jet. The resulting 'Don't ever do that again!' is a slight amusement in a dire situation.
Then I have no time to think as Magneto's mutants attack again.
The battle is a vicious one, and a part of me screams at fighting and killing my own kind, even as another part weeps at the necessity of it. I ruthlessly shove them aside and concentrate on the fight.
Callisto attacks me, both of us looking to end this once and for all. Her super-speed aids her, but I finally manage to throw her onto a piece of wire fencing and hit it with a lightning bolt.
Kitty has disappeared from the battle, running to stop the Juggernaut from reaching the child inside the lab. I wish her luck.
Magneto is throwing cars as Pyro lights them on fire. We take cover to come up with a plan. My eyes fall on a clip of Cure Darts. Can we really bring ourselves to deliberately use it on our own kind? Wolverine looks at me. "We work as a team."
Yes. We can because we must. "Best Defense is a good Offence."
He gives me that roguish half-smirk of his. Control, Storm! You can swoon after the fight! "Hey, Tin-man," an annoyed look from Colossus, "How's your throwing arm?"
Beast sneaks up behind Magneto as Colossus throws Wolverine at him and plunges the Cure into him. Something tears inside of me as I see his dawning expression of horrified realization. "I'm…"
Logan nods, "One of them."
Magneto's expression changes to one of resolute acceptance, the look of one who knows he is lost, but is determined not to let it be for nothing. I mentally wince as he turns to Jean, who has been watching dispassionately. "This is what they want, for all of us."
Oh boy. I hope Logan can talk her out of this. He looks like he was getting through to her, when the Army shows up shooting. There goes that idea, Jean is pissed.
Sheets of water start to rise out of the surrounding bay. Power surges from Jean, literally atomizing everything around her.
I hurry to help Hank try to evacuate the others. I catch Logan's eyes for a split second. He is ready. I send a swift prayer to the Bright Lady, hoping that Logan will not die with her, and run to the jet.
Life returns to the semi-normal, back at the Institute.
The Professor's marker has been joined by two others, Jean Grey and Scott Summers. I visit them daily, as does Kitty. We stand in front of the graves, just watching, and remembering.
Bobby and Rogue are going stronger than ever, and I am frequently catching Logan giving the poor boy death glares to stop him from getting too close to Rogue. Somehow I doubt that it is Bobby's health he is concerned about. I wonder if Rogue will ever call him on the 'over-protective father' attitude, but oh well.
Logan seems to be more at peace, as though he has finally found a place in the world. He still mourns Jean, but seems to be recovering. Good. He is still protective of Rogue, and I find myself gleefully anticipating the fireworks if she does call him on it, or if Rogue and Bobby get really Serious. I am sure they will put Jubilee's finest to shame.
Most of the students have returned, along with several new ones. Classes start again in a few weeks, which means I will have to start interviewing new instructors. When I see Charles in the afterlife, I am going to give him such an earful about not warning me about all the paperwork involved in running this place. Successor, my ass!
Yes, life is good.
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