FINALLY the last chapter! There will be an epilogue chapter and then that's a wrap on this fic!

Thanks again to xmenfan33!

Chapter 12: …End

~12~

Warren wasn't fairing too well. He had killed a few Bayville Militia by now but they were all close calls. This current fight he was in gave him a pit in his stomach. He had a terrible feeling that this was the end but he wasn't going down without giving all he could to defeat the Militia.

The Militia was about his size, helmet and armor covered his body and Warren could only see his eyes which seemed to glow with a burning need to see Warren dead. The look gave Warren the creeps as he dodged another attack intended to end him. That was a mistake. The Militia struck him in the back of the head with his sword hilt. Blackness consumed his vision and he fell to the ground. He was too stunned to turn to defend himself. He felt his heart beat at a steady pace and all his body would do was wait for the Militia to stop the beating.

As he listened to his heart beat he heard a struggle behind him. Somehow he had managed to roll onto his back and looked at the fight in front of him.

"Mystery woman?" Warren asked, his vision was foggy but he seemed to know it was her. Dazed he looked up at his dream woman who saved him from his death. His vision remained unfocused and he rubbed the back of his head. He could feel blood on his hand and he tried to stand a little wobbly.

She had just pulled her sword from the Bayville Militia in time to catch him before he fell. "Woah there solider. Don't rush into things," she said helping him steady himself.

Warren grinned at her. The blow to his head made him a little goofier around her then usual but he didn't care how he looked. "You are a wonder, wondrous woman. You saved me!" he exclaimed, tone a little too silly in the midst of a battle.

At first she gave him a frown. Unable to contain herself from this man she shook her head and laughed. "Alright sunshine, let's set you down while I finish this battle for you," she said. As she was about to sit him down to give him time to compose himself something behind them caught her eye. Eyes wide she pushed him down just as a spear was about to strike him. Instead the weapon struck her in chest. The momentum of the spear knocked her backwards and she landed on her back with a grunt.

Seeing this brought some clarity to Warren and rage took over him he was able to focus on one thing. With an inner strength he never felt before he stood and turned to charge the Militia. One powerful swing of his sword knocked the man over and Warren pushed the sword through the Militia's chest so hard the sword was buried in the ground below.

His focus returned to normal, he turned and raced to the side of the woman he had been following like a love struck puppy since Syracuse. "No…no…no, come on. No, you can't," Warren said next to her.

"Don't tell me what to do… I'll kick your ass," she threatened as her breathing became more labored.

"Any other time I'd be turned on by that," he said. She laughed and looked at him. Warren looked down at the weapon, not sure what he should do. Maybe pull it out? He reached to take hold of the weapon but she grabbed his hand. Warren looked up at her questionably and she shook her head. "It is fine," she said. He felt his heart ache at those words and he tried to find some comforting words but nothing came to mind.

"It's Elizabeth Braddock, Mr. Worthington but everyone calls me Betsy," she said, her voice fading.

"Betsy, I never would have guessed," he replied as his eyes welled up with tears. His voice started to crack but he worked to control it.

She closed her eyes and focused on these last few moments in life she knew she had left. "Just promise me one thing. Promise you will become the man you have worked towards since we met," she said. Opening her eyes they connected with his.

Warren's voice caught in his throat again but he held it down, composing himself. "I promise."

She nodded and reached her hand up to caress his cheek. "I will see you in your dreams. We Seers have powers beyond this life," Betsy said.

Hope filled him as he thought of death not separating them. He took hold of her hand and kissed it. "So long as you are at peace, Betsy," he said softly.

It was silent for a moment and Warren feared she had passed but she offered one more piece of assurance. "In your dreams, you might get lucky," Betsy teased.

Warren chuckled then pulled her close in a loving embrace. He could feel her life fading and he held onto her tighter, hoping that would prevent her from leaving this world but it didn't. Tears spilled down his cheeks when she finally did. "Goodbye Betsy, my love," he whispered.

The battle continued on around him. Normally he would not care but what Betsy had stirred inside him could not be undone. He gently laid her body down on the ground then pulled the spear out from her chest. He frowned at the weapon then eyed his surroundings. A new strength filled him and he sought his first Bayville casualty. He'd be damned if had Betsy died for nothing.

~12~

Ororo felt her powers crackle with anticipation as she approached Raven. For years this rival had festered and for only moments since their friendship ended they had moments of face-offs like this. The last time Ororo had been banished to the Bay of Alexandria. She would not allow something like that to happen again.

Fortunately for her, at this time, Raven had drained a bit of her powers while performing the ritual to banish Katherine. It didn't give Ororo the advantage but it would help.

Ororo cast a spell projected an energy blast at Raven who easily deflected it. Overpowering her would not work. She would try a different approach. Aiming her wand at Raven, a stream of ice tried to slow Raven down. The ice only succeeded in leaving a frosty coating on Raven's skin. She frowned at the damage to her person and raised both hands. In response the fire on all of the candles grew into shapes of the four horsemen behind her. The fiery figures began to approach Ororo when two took to the air as the other two raced towards Ororo.

Using her powers again Ororo encased the grounded pair in ice. The lack of oxygen and its' elemental counterpart dissolved the two. Ororo then created an ice shield in front of her just as the two airborne horsemen came crashing down on her. The two dove into the shield and slowly began to fade but not before a fiery arm expanded out to Ororo burning her left arm. She cried out from the burning sensation as her arm now had third degree burns. Forcing her powers to create more ice the horsemen were finally extinguished.

Ororo waved her hand and the ice shield vanished. Raven only grinned and before Ororo knew it she felt a kinetic power take hold of her and lift her off the ground. Looking at Raven whose right arm was outstretched and moving as Ororo was unable to move her arms. Her wand stationed at her side.

Raven pulled her arm in and Ororo, fifteen feet in the air, was being reeled in towards Raven. She could see the confident smile on Raven's face grow bigger and bigger the closer she got.

When she was in front of Raven she felt her body stop in midair. Despite all she tried no part of her body would cooperate.

"My dear friend," Raven began, her face drew into a sad look. "Such a shame to end as foes," Raven finished and her right fist closed. Ororo felt a clamp closing down on her windpipes and she struggled for breath. But Ororo would not give up.

"Such a shame…you lost…everything….to me. Your reputation…Pietro, now Rogue," Ororo mocked struggling with every word. She hope to distract Raven for a moment so she might be able to loosen Raven's hold enough to fight back.

Raven hollered and in her rage, as Ororo had hoped, her powers loosened. Ororo took the opportunity immediately and her eyes turned white. A flash flickered and a bolt of lightning came crashing down from the ceiling into Raven. The impact caused both to go flying in opposite directions.

Slowly they began to collect themselves from the impact and stood, each catching their breath.

Ororo could see Raven's face was covered in soot from being singed and Ororo was certain her face looked the same. "You bitch!" Raven exclaimed as she rushed Ororo. Ororo was able to stand and collect most of the impact of the tackle but Raven still toppled Ororo onto her back. They wrestled for a while each landing vicious strikes then the roles would reverse. As Raven's turn came she slammed the back of Ororo's head into the ground. Dazed Ororo was slow to respond allowing Raven the opportunity for control on top of her.

As Raven delivered one and two punches, Ororo could only block and offer a weak effort of strikes in return. The world began to dim around her, Ororo was barely aware as Raven was pulled off of her.

She slowly opened her eyes and focused on her surroundings. Rolling onto her stomach she moved herself into a position to figure out what was happening in front of her.

It came to quite a surprise to see a blurry Scott in a blurry struggle with Raven. "Scott," she called out but it came out as a whisper. And then she lost consciousness.

~11~

In the midst of the battle Emma was beyond tired but kept fighting with every ounce of strength she had left within her. She would not go down, not be defeated by these monsters. Being a Seer but never being able to practice it she could sense things but could not elaborate. The one thing she knew was this was not her end.

Pulling her sword from a Bayville Militia's chest she turned looking for her next opponent. Her eyes locked with a Bayville Militia whom had just killed a Westchester Militia. She curled her lips and she approached. Swinging her sword of the excess blood spilled off her sword onto the ground. They squared off. He was an older man with dark eyes and a thick frame. She recognized him. "Maverick," she announced.

He smirked at her. "Sorry I won't have the pleasure of your name," he replied then took the first swing. She blocked it, pushing his sword away she dodged and pivoted. This opened his back side and she went for the fatal blow.

Before she could connect he tripped her with his foot. She landed roughly on the ground. Movement above her caught her eye and she watched as the sword was about to come hurling down on her. Closing her eyes she waited for the end to come. It never did. Instead she heard another sword clash, then a man cry out. When she opened her eyes Maverick was dead in front of her.

She looked behind her to see a man about her age with brown hair and blue eyes. Despite herself she found him quite attractive. He reached his hand down to help her up. Taking it she stood, eyeing him the whole way up. His eyes being full of concern made her attracted to him all the more. "Are you alright?" he asked.

As a response she pulled him into a lustful kiss. When they parted his eyes were still closed and lips still puckered. She smiled coyly at him as he opened his eyes. "What is your name, my gallant savior?" she asked. His eyes shot open and he stuttered to gather a response. "Bob…Bobby, I mean Robert. Robert Drake," he said, suddenly finding it important his name sound more impressive.

Emma grinned at his response. 'And a boyish charm,' she thought. "Well Robert Drake, I'm Emma Frost. If you survive this war come and find me," she said with a wink. Then strolled ahead, picked up Maverick's sword and left.

Bobby stood there a moment and collected himself. Looking around he saw the fight dying down as Westchester was clearly winning. Giddily Bobby found another opponent to fight. He was invigorated with a sudden urge to win this war right at this moment so he could find Emma and see what kind of reward she would offer him when he found her after the war.

~12~

Above him he saw the sky flash brightly. A flash of lightning struck the castle and another flash followed with a crackle. A chill ran down his spine and his blood ran cold. 'Rogue,' he thought. Somehow he felt something bad had happened to her. Remy fought his way through the inner gate and towards the castle. No one stood in his way for long, determined as he was.

Reaching the castle he raced to find the spell chamber. He needed to make sure Rogue was okay. 'She be okay,' he thought trying to comfort himself. The waiver in his confidence of that thought quickened his pace.

…..

Scott had rounded the corner in the hallway, remembering Rogue's instructions and sure enough he now stood in front of the spell chamber doors. He made his way closer to the closed doors, stepping over the body of what he presumed was a Bayville Militia. Behind the doors he heard a fight, so he continued ahead.

"You Bitch!" he heard call from the other side of the door then another scuffle. He took a risk and opened the door, slipping inside. He scooted over to his right and found what little refuge the bare room presented. Mainly he just leaned against the wall behind a row of lit candles.

He saw Raven tackle Ororo to the ground and wanted to go save Ororo but he needed to find Katherine. He saw the child still here on the ritual table. He was about to go and save her but when Raven began an assault on Ororo's face his instincts took over and he turned his attention to save Ororo.

He wrestled with Raven onto the ground and instantly knew this was a bad idea but he still tried. Before he could advance on any type of assault on Raven she put some sort of spell on him that seemed to electrocute his insides. His body convulsed for a time then ended seconds later. As he worked to get his body under control he steadied his breathing. Slowing he looked up and saw that Raven discarded him like he was no threat as she began the ritual again.

Fear started to consume him so much so he wasn't sure if he could make an attempt to stop her but maybe if he had something to give him a hint of advantage. He needed Ororo's wand. Scott turned to find the wand next to Ororo's unconscious form.

Wand in hand he crept up as Raven was occupied with the ritual. He heard Raven count to the final ritual stage and he had to act. It was now or never. Quickly he aimed the wand at Raven, "Raven! I won't let you harm that child!" he demanded. As determined as he was saying those words he couldn't stop the fear that took hold of him.

Raven slowly looked up from the child. She was drained from the ritual and the fight between her and Ororo but that didn't mean she was weak.

"Dweller," Raven spat circling him and he kept pace with her. "You think you can defeat me? The most powerful Sorcerer in the lands!?"

Perhaps after training with Charles Xavier and Ororo Munroe he might be a great Sorcerer one but now with Raven having invoked the evil Sorcerer En Sabah Nur added with her years of experience he was no match.

He forced an energy blast, Raven deflected that. This time a more powerful blast formed from both of his hands and he took aim and fired at Raven. Again she blocked his attack as if she was simply swatting a fly.

Scott felt the wand give him strength and he focused on his internal energy. He had to stop her. Drawing from his energy and combining it with Ororo's wand a huge beam of red energy engulfed Raven. Scott kept projecting the energy, he had to stop her he continued to tell himself. More and more the energy came harder from his core. He had never felt anything like this before. Not even when he stopped the Horsemen. He was beginning to feel the power take its' toll on him but he continued to force the energy. Searching deep within he felt another wind of energy give him strength and he hollered as he projected the energy. Slowly he began to weaken and he dropped to his knees but still propelled the red glow.

Raven seemed to be tiring of this game and with a flick of her wrist stopped the stream of energy Scott had thrown her way. A second flick of the wrist knocked the wand from Scott's hand. Even out of breath he felt the blood drain from his face, fear paralyzing him. Raven saw his reaction and grinned.

"Is that the extent of your powers?" she asked approaching him. Scott stood up but was unable to move any further and could not think of anything to do. She opened her right fist and drew it towards Scott. Scott felt his body shoot up to the ceiling. Using her powers she had turned him so his back slammed against the ceiling. He offered an 'oof' sound from the impact. For a time she held him there, basking in her glory. She now stood beneath him.

He watched her as she looked up at him. "Now you will watch me banish this child to another world," she informed him, her tone was beyond confident. She dropped her hand and Scott was falling to the ground. He braced himself for the fall but he was abruptly stopped inches before impact. The jolt rushed through his body. Before he could recover she slammed him onto the ground. It amazed him with how close he was to the ground the impact still hurt, really bad.

Blood flowed from his split lip and cut on his right cheek. The rest of his body felt bruised and battered. He may have also sprained his left wrist, he wasn't sure. While he lay there Raven said nothing and he thought she had returned to continue the ritual. He needed to do something. This couldn't be the end.

'If only I had the wand,' he thought. Then suddenly he had an idea. 'The wand!' he remembered.

Looking behind him he began to crawl desperately towards the wand. He didn't hear her approach but just as he reached it another hand took hold of the wand. Slowly he looked up at Raven and she smiled down at him, mocking him while she held onto the wand. "Is this what you are looking for, Dweller?" she asked.

"Ororo's wand. She said it would help me," he said, his words sounding like a child giving an excuse to a parent. He would use his nativity to his advantage. Raven chuckled then walked towards Ororo who began to stir.

"This wand gives me the power to banish this child. How symbolic to use Ororo's wand to destroy any hope you Westchester bastards have at peace. Bayville will sweep across all of the realms and kill all those that do not bow to us. And it all starts with this," Raven taunted almost shoving the wand in Ororo's face.

Despite having just regained consciousness she knew what Scott what up to and so she played along. "Raven, listen to reason, you can't kill everyone in kroYweN over those that have wronged you. Look at your daughter," she began pointing at Rogue who still lay unmoving. "What you have done to her. Will you kill hundreds, thousands more like her?" Ororo said.

"I will kill all those that dare oppose me!" Raven hollered. Her voice echoed through the room and Ororo fell silent.

"Please, do not harm the child!" Scott pleaded as he eyed the wand as if it was the only thing that could save Katherine. Raven laughed at him and how pathetic he sounded.

"This truly is sad if this is the last stand, the last fight goodness will have over me. I expected something more," Raven said, growing tired of the taunting and waiting this to be over. She looked at Scott then over at Ororo, "But all things," she began and turned towards Katherine. Holding the wand above the child, "must come to an end," she finished. A spell began to cast and Raven chanted the final words of the ritual. "I call upon your powers to banish this child to another world." The wand began to glow and Raven finished the spell. "Where her powers will no longer threaten me," she said. A bright glow shot from the wand.

Raven, expecting the child to disappear watched in horror as the light circled around Katherine, in a sort of protecting glow. "What is this treachery?" she demanded, as the light began to grow bigger.

"If the wand is used against the child the magic will recoil the power against the originator," Scott said, slowly he stood. Raven gave him a deadly glare and raised her hand to cast a spell upon him when the light around Katherine finally shot back at Raven.

"You!" she hollered but before she could say anything else or cast any magic the glow brightened, now blinding. Scott covered his eyes. The whole room was covered in the blinding light and in mere seconds it was over.

When he removed his hand from his eyes Raven was gone, the wand now on the ground where Raven had just stood. Katherine was still on the ritual table, giggling for the first time. Despite being all wet seconds ago from the rain down pouring on her she now looked warm and dry. Like the magic had restored health to her. Above the ritual table he could see the rainy sky was now bright and clear.

The room was silent, so much so the only sounds that were heard was the sound of the clashing of swords that was slowly fading outside as the fight between Bayville and Westchester began to die down.

'We won,' Scott thought.

~12~

'Brother,' he heard call out to him. Stopping in his tracks he reached out in his mind to his sister, already knowing she was there not in body, but in spirit.

'Wanda, how are you contacting me?'

'The protector of the realms last wish,' she answered simply.

'Last wish?' he asked suddenly realizing with happiness that Raven was finally defeated but a deep sadness that his sister would now leave this world as the spell foretold.

'You know the limit to the spell,' she scolded. Suddenly Pietro felt a power draw him from his body and bring him to a dark forest. He was surrounded by trees and darkness but did not feel in any danger.

"Wanda?" he called out, his voice echoing throughout. To answer him a light began to glow in front of him. He shielded his eyes with his hand until he adjusted to it.

His sister now stood before him. Aged from the young girl he knew, to a woman the same age as him. A smile was upon her face. "Pietro, it's been too long," she said.

Pietro approached her at lightning speed and embraced her in a crushing hug. Wanda returned it squeezing just as hard. "How long do we have?" he asked, not letting go.

"A few minutes," she answered, pulling away from the hug. "We've lost so much of our lives together but know that I have always felt connected to you," Wanda said, holding her twin's hand while she spoke.

Pietro nodded, he felt the same way. A twin's connection was a special bond. "And I you. It seems every time I have something wonderful in my life I somehow lose you. Wanda, I have met my daughter, Rogue, your niece," he said getting excited to tell her the news.

Wanda knew Rogue was Pietro's daughter from the reports she received from her Envoys. She also knew Raven had kept Rogue from her brother. Wanda had always wondered how this would pan out once the two met, if ever. She smiled, "I am glad. The destiny's we have followed have not been kind to our family. Promise me you will finally marry Ororo and see to it your daughter spends more time with her father than we ever got," Wanda said.

"I will and I will tell her stories of us, of you. You will live on not only in deeds to the realm but memories with her and I," he promised.

Her light started to fade and she looked at Pietro; a comforting, loving look. Pietro's eyes began to tear up, he knew this was goodbye. "Raise the child of the prophecy. Make sure evil never stands a chance to rule this world again."

Pietro nodded, "I promise you."

The light dimed even more and she looked on bravely. "Goodbye brother," she said as she faded, her voice echoed through the darkness.

"Goodbye sister," Pietro called out. When he didn't hear the echo he grew concerned she was finally gone. "Wanda?" he called out the same time he felt the power return him to his body back in Bayville. His voice still called out to his sister. Then clarity returned him to his current state. His men surrounded him, seeing their King return from where they did not know.

Hank looked at him then asked, "are you alright?"

Pietro looked around catching his bearings. He closed his eyes and took a breath, focusing. Raven was dead, they had just defeated the Bayville army and saved the child of prophecy. Ororo was back and he finally had his daughter in his life. Yes, things were great, except for what this greatness had cost. But Pietro knew of heartache and loss. The destruction of Westchester, the loss of those that gave their lives for this cause; Logan, Betsy and Wanda, their deaths had allowed good to finally end the reign of evil. Such a sacrifice offered hope to all in the realms, something that had been lost for so many years.

Pietro opened his eyes and looked at Hank. "Yes," he said. His hand slapped Hank on the shoulder and he looked at the rest of his men. "Everything is finally alright."

~12~

Kurt led the attack, hollering at the Bayville Militia. They might be small but they still acted like they were normal size.

Suddenly they stopped. Feeling strange, like magic was enthralling them suddenly the world didn't seem so small. Kurt looked at Toad who looked human in appearance and size. From the look on his face Toad was doing the same thing. Realizing what had happened they knew Raven was defeated, the Scarlet Witch was at peace. With Bayville just about defeated this was their final chance to get to fight Bayville as normal people would. They smiled at each other.

"We are here!'' Kurt hollered, sword in hand.

Next to him Toad had an axe and was ready to go as well. "To the rescue!" Toad added.

Looking at each other they both called out "Charge!" and raced after nearby Bayville who were surprised to see the enthusiastic Militia suddenly chasing after them. They retreated.

~12~

Remy raced up the stairs and found his way to the spell chamber. He opened the door, sword in hand and shield up, he entered. Not hearing anything he peaked around his shield and saw no movement. His eyes searched the room and quickly found Rogue lying on the ground.

His heart stopped and he ran over knelling next to her. Her face was pale and she looked lifeless. Soot covered some of her face and he wasn't sure how she was injured. He could not find any visible wounds but she smelt charred.

"Rogue, chere," he said. He needed to know that she was okay but at the same time didn't want to know in case she was dead. Getting a grip on his emotions by making himself numb he pressed his fingers to her neck and waited. Life seemed to stop and as he waited for a pulse the world suddenly seemed to be pulled from beneath him.

When he had feared for the worst was when he finally felt a pulse. He breathed a long sigh of relief and finally looked around the room to see what happened to the others. Ororo was across the room and on the ground in pain. A look of surprise etched on her face, to what, Remy did not know. In Ororo's line of vision was Scott who stood staring in front of him, surprised as well.

"Wha' de hell happened," Remy demanded to his awe stricken allies. Ororo looked over at him, for the first time realizing they were not the only ones in the chamber anymore.

"Remy," she said trying to get up, but it caused her pain. Remy checked on Rogue one last time, seeing her chest rise and fall, very slowly but steadily, he approached Ororo checking her over. The woman looked like she had been in a fight for sure.

She reached out and took his hand in hers. "Raven has been banished by her own powers. Scott tricked her and saved us all," she said and looked from Remy over to Scott. Her smile grew bigger at the man who saved this world from evil.

"An' wha' of Rogue?" Remy insisted, not caring about anything else at this point.

Ororo looked past Remy at the unconscious girl. "Raven, I am not sure if she is alive. We haven't had a chance to check," Ororo said, remembering that horrible moment that felt like a lifetime ago.

"She breathing, petite," Remy said. Ororo exhaled in relief of the news.

"That is good. If she survived that she will live," Ororo replied as she looked at Rogue's prone form, "she is a very strong woman to have survived that." Ororo smiled at the girl out of admiration.

"Does she need anything?" he asked.

Nodding, "yes, help me over and we will see." Remy helped Ororo stand, with her arm around his neck she put a lot of weight on Remy since she was unable to move otherwise. Slowly they made their way next to Rogue and Remy helped Ororo down next to Rogue.

Placing her hands on either side of the girl's face Ororo closed her eyes. After a few seconds she gave Remy an update on her condition. "No permanent damage. Her body just went into overload after the electric shock." Ororo's hands started to glow. After a moment the glow faded and Ororo watched Rogue for a reaction to the spell.

At first nothing happened and her breathing was still sallow, then her body twitched slightly. Remy looked at Ororo who remained calm and continued to watch the girl. Remy looked back at Rogue. This time she twitched more violently then shot up into a sitting position. She inhaled deeply as if she had just been under water for a long time and returned to the surface.

Rogue's eyes frantically searched her surroundings. Seeing Remy and Ororo around her she calmed herself and began taking steadier breaths. "How'd we do?" she asked, her voice raspier than usual.

"Won de whole damn war while you were catching up on your beauty sleep, chere," Remy replied.

Rogue couldn't help but laugh, the outburst causing her to cough. "How you feeling?" Remy asked.

Putting her hand on her chest from the soreness that lingered, no pain thanks to Ororo, she answered, "like some bitch hit me with lightning."

Remy chuckled. "Happy you alive, chere. Had me worried dere."

He looked down at her and she looked up at him and Ororo watched the two seeing as how she couldn't move herself from being a third wheel. Ororo knew that look. It was the same look she shared with Pietro. "Remy, help me over to Scott," she asked unable to give the pair some privacy without help.

Rogue and Remy broke the eye contact and he was able to focus on what had been asked of him. As he reached down to help her up Scott had approached behind them, the baby Katherine in his arms. "No need," he said.

Remy turned and patted the man on the shoulder. "Remy heard wha' you did, didn't take you for de tricky kind though. Glad you figured it out, mon ami," Remy said, winking at Scott.

Scott, a little embarrassed, replied, "Well I knew I was no match with her using magic. I figured perhaps the most powerful Sorcerer could defeat, the most powerful Sorcerer." All of them laughed at that.

Rogue slowly stood and Remy put her arm his shoulder to support her. Scott helped Remy get Ororo to stand and Remy had Ororo on the other side of him. Her arm around his shoulders as well. Remy chuckled. Both Rogue and Ororo knew why but Scott didn't catch on as he asked, "what's so funny?"

Remy nodded at both women then looked at Scott. "Remy jus' go' done fighin' and now he go' himself two belle femme, couldn' be happier," Remy replied, a big grin on his face. He received slaps from both Rogue and Ororo which caused Scott to laugh aloud.

"Help us outside, I am eager to see for myself the defeat of the Bayville army," Ororo said.

"Mon plaisir, fille," he said (my pleasure, girl) and started walking out of the spell chamber. Scott watched them go. If he had the cradle backpack he would be able to help Remy support one of the women but he had a feeling Remy was just fine on his own.

Shaking his head he followed them out of the spell chamber.

~12~

What was left of the Westchester army had all gathered inside the castle walls. The lot of them looked exhausted and some were badly injured but they were alive.

Those recruited had been so vast in numbers, now didn't seem like much of an army at all. Pietro was saddened as so many had lost their lives that if given a chance at training as a Militia might have been spared this day. Death was such a cruel thing.

He continued to look on from where he stood at these brave men and women. For the first time in his life he saw the diversity of the realms and titles not as separate but as one. Here they had fought as one against a common enemy and had been victorious.

Behind him he heard footsteps and turned to see Remy approach while helping both Rogue and Ororo walk. Pietro raced over to help, taking hold of Ororo, seeing as how Remy did not budge when Pietro tried to help with Rogue.

Pietro looked at Ororo and then back at the Militia. They still watched him and waited for words, for guidance.

"Now that Bayville has been defeated you are free to return to your realms and your families. But before you do know I invite all of you to join us in celebration in Westchester." Pietro offered, solemnly. A speech worthy of a king seemed expected but he couldn't find the words that would uplift these people. They needed something more than words.

Besides the numbers that were lost, his personal guard Jamie had been the traitor he had suspected since they left from Westchester. He saw the man strike down Logan. The scene was devastating to Pietro but he felt satisfaction when the young Militia he came to know as Piotr avenged Logan.

He had also lost another of his great Captain's with Betsy. She was still young and yet had accomplished so much already. Even his sister whom had long been dead physically, had finally been given the peace she so deserved for protecting the realms for so many years. Death had taken many today but in return had given so much.

Pietro looked amongst the army of men and women. All had come from different realms to join one cause. How could the realms go back to their segregated realms? He would need to figure that out. He looked to his left and saw the only woman he had ever loved and to his right, his daughter. Perhaps he would take some family time before he began any treaties amongst the realms. But first he had promised these people a celebration.

He turned and looked at Ororo. She looked exhausted and had bruises and scratches all over her face but he still found her more beautiful than any other woman in the lands. "Ororo," he said, gaining her attention. She turned and looked at him.

He knelled and she continued to watch him, unsure of his intentions. "Will you marry me, finally?" he asked. Ororo's faced instantly began to glow and she nodded pulling him into a passionate kiss. The crowd cheered, grateful for something positive coming out of the day's events.

Ororo, despite having just been in the most draining fight of her life, laughed. Finally, after so many years they would be married. "I said yes the first time. It's about time you asked again," she said. He laughed. Taking her in his arms they embraced in another kiss which caused a louder cheer behind them.

Nearby Remy wiggled his eyebrows at Rogue who rolled her eyes. Unfortunately she didn't have the energy to give him a satisfying bruise but an opportunity would come up she knew. Remy saw the glint in her eye and flinched inwardly, knowing he was in trouble.

As the crowd cheered Scott looked throughout the army for his brother. He had found him amongst a few other Militia who all looked haggard. Then something or rather a pair of someone's caught his eye. Next to Alex were two Militia who looked oddly, familiar.

His eyes nearly bugled out of his head when he realized who they were. It was Kurt and Toad but they were normal, humans. He didn't understand how that could be. As he started towards them he remembered the story of the Envoys and the Scarlet Witch. The spell would be lifted once Raven was defeated. IT was then he realized with sadness that the Scarlet Witch had passed from this world as well.

Kurt and Toad saw him approaching and without hesitation raced towards Scott.

"Hey you! We heard, we heard you defeated Raven!" Toad exclaimed, hopping up and down in front of Scott.

Scott stopped and frowned at them. "Well I," he began but was cut off by Kurt.

"Nien! You outsmarted ze Sorcerer, just admit it. Vand or no vand!" Kurt insisted, already knowing Scott would use the wand as an excuse.

Scott sighed. This time they did have a point. "I'll give you that," he begrudgingly said.

Both Toad and Kurt laughed victoriously. "Zat wasn't so hard, was it?" Kurt asked as they both settled down. Scott smiled at them. He was thankful for their playfulness during this dark time. He now realized they had distracted him at times from the war that brought them all here.

The pair looked like they were packed up and ready to go someplace. "Where are you guys going?" Scott asked.

"Wherever the wind may take us," Toad said, gesturing to the air around him.

"Don' you mean carry us?" Kurt corrected.

Toad frowned at him. Scott expected the two to start fighting but it was as if growing from their Envoy size had literally grown them up as well. Toad was content with a frustrated toned response. "Man this journey is going to be the death of me!" he complained.

The idea seemed exciting and fun but surely the novelty of it would wear off as soon as they ventured out of Bayville. Scott had a feeling he would see them again, sooner than he expected.

Scott began to think of his own plans once they left Bayville. He had a dire urge to head straight to Niagara to see his wife and children whom his desire to see grew more and more with each passing day. But Scott felt he needed to stay and support the union of Pietro and Ororo, after all they had been through. He wouldn't miss this for the world.

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