Storm walked out onto the balcony behind the study. There had been no sign of the Shadow King since the attack, and that concerned her.

XXXX

Hawk was walking along the corridor texting Pebbleshine, when she ran into Phoebe. "Freak," Phoebe muttered.

Hawk stopped and turned toward her. She was about to make a retort when she saw Storm out on the balcony. Revenge is mine, she thought. "Hey, Phoebe, could you get Storm for me?"

"Why?"

"Because you're closer to the study-"

"By a few feet."

"And I need to get Isis, who's just around the corner."

Phoebe growled, but went out anyway. The next thing she saw, Phoebe was struck by a lightning bolt... or almost struck by a lightning bolt. She was definitely singed though. Hawk covered her mouth as she started to laugh. The look on Phoebe's face was priceless. "Bird-brain!" Phoebe cried.

"Ooops, guess I forgot to warn you about that," Hawk said, giggling.

Rogue, Kitty, Ali, and Jubilee were nearby and came over to see what all the fuss was about. They couldn't hide their laughter. "Guess you finally got what was comin' to ya," Rogue said.

"Hawk," a voice said, icy clam behind her. The girls turned to see Storm in the doorway to the study. Rogue, Ali, Kitty, and Jubilee walked away.

Uh-oh, Hawk thought. Now, I'm in trouble.

XXXX

A certain onlooker was up in the loft area, and saw everything. She started laughing at her sister's face. Then Ms. Munroe came in. Celeste thought about what had just happened, then decided to intervene. She still had to make up for helping her sisters tease Hawk. "Ms. Munroe?"

XXXX

Hawk and Storm looked up, and saw Celeste on her way down the stairs. "Yes, Celeste?" Storm said.

"Hawk didn't do it consciously. I was mind-controlling her. I wanted to get back at Phoebe for forcing me help with Hawk's taunting."

Storm looked at Hawk, who shrugged. "Hey, if she was mind-controlling me, I wouldn't remember. I wouldn't even remember. Heck, I wouldn't even know."

Storm looked at them suspiciously, but let it go. "Alright then," Storm said, turning to Celeste. "I'll need to see you in my office later, Celeste."

"Yes, ma'am."

With that, Storm left them. After she left, Hawk turned to Celeste. "What'd'you do that for?"

"Because I didn't want you to get into trouble for something Phoebe deserved."

"Well, thanks. I owe you big time."

"You bet you do. Besides, it was nice to see Phoebe get a dose of her own medicine."

"Can't argue you with that there."

XXXX

Storm went back out onto the balcony. She didn't believe Celeste's story for a second, but she didn't have any evidence to say otherwise. She'd deal with that later, though. What she wanted to do now was figure out what she was going to do now. What if the Shadow King were to attack again, possessing one of the students, holding them hostage? She didn't think she could bear it.

She sensed someone behind her, but she didn't need to turn around to see who it was. "What's wrong, 'Ro?" Logan asked.

"Do you have a habit of trying to sneak up on me? Or have you been hanging out with Hawk too often?"

"Both."

Storm smiled slightly, as did he. Then he was back to being serious. "Seriously, Storm, what's wrong?"

Storm sighed. "Do you think he'll ever give up?"

"Who?"

"Farouk. Shadow King."

"He's not here now."

"Logan, I'm serious. What if he possess one of the kids? I don't think I could live with myself knowing I've put them in danger."

"Hey, now," Logan said, softly, but firmly. "Don't talk like that."

"I'm scared, Logan."

Logan pulled her close, and she buried her face into his chest. Logan in turn, stroked her long white hair, soothingly.

"'Ro, whatever happens, I'll help you through it. I won't leave you."

"Promise?"

"Promise. I ain't leavin' anytime soon."

Somehow, Storm knew there was more to his words than he was letting on. After awhile, she turned around, and watched the sunset, with him just behind her.

A/N: Okay, if anyone can give me any advice on how to make this ending better, that would be much appreciated.