Disclaimer:
"Most of you have been at Sky High since your freshman year. Some of you have joined this class as sophomores, juniors, and some just this past year. All of you stand here as graduates, going onto college or into careers of the Super and Civilian worlds. Most of you have helped save each other, some of you have helped save the world, a few of you have suffered dire consequences trying, one has not survived.
"You might not think you can make it through tomorrow, or the next day, or twenty years down the road. But right now, this moment, this is the hardest choice you will ever make. Right now is the moment that you decide to be a hero. Right now is the moment that every single one of you will carry for the rest of your lives. Take this moment. Consider what you know, what you've seen, what you've heard. Think about everything you've learned the past four years, and make your decision to be a hero.
"On behalf Super Society of the United States of America, I would like to congratulate Sky High's graduating class of two thousand and nine." Evelyn stepped back from the podium as the class erupted into cheers and shouts, throwing their caps into the sky, parents, family and friends snapping photos of anyone and everyone, regardless of if they actually knew the student.
Warren was the first to disrobe, black pants and royal blue shirt beneath his black graduation gown. The rest of his friends followed suit, all wearing black, white and gray, not a single one in color.
The left the ceremony together and stood in the gym one last time.
"So this is it." Layla wrapped her arm in Will's as he stuffed his hands into his pockets sheepishly.
"Yep." Trent nodded his head slowly.
The silence was deafening between them.
"When do you leave for Xaviers?" Zach looked to Dara, who stood off to the side, black hair in a long braid, twisting the end of it.
"A few days." She shrugged a little.
"I don't want us to separate." Layla broke the uncomfortable silence after minutes had passed. Will looked at her sadly, telling her it was time.
Lash shook his head quickly. "I agree with Layla, we should stay together, all of us." Magenta looked at the floor and glanced at Zach who stood with Ethan a little ways away.
Taylor opened her mouth to speak when Speed interrupted her. "Thank you guys." Everyone looked at him, including Taylor. "I don't know what would have happened to me this year, or next without any of you." He squeezed Taylor's hand as she nodded her agreement.
"Me, too. I love all of you so much." A tear slid down her cheek.
"It wasn't us." All eyes shot to Warren; the angry boy who had become a loyal man. He hadn't spoken since a few days prior when they lost her. "It wasn't us." He looked at Speed and Taylor. "It was Ivy." Everyone looked elsewhere slowly. No one looked at each other, no one said a word. "Principal Powers said we're stronger together than we are apart. It's true now more than ever." He folded his arms across his chest matter of factly and Layla and Lash stood by him instantly.
"Well, you were stuck with me anyway." Will joined them, Ethan and Zach nodding and walking over as well.
Taylor and Speed glanced at each other and joined the growing group. "What the hell." Magenta took a few steps to close the gap, and Trent followed quickly behind.
"I'll have to cancel my flight. I somehow don't think it's refundable." A few chuckles and a ruffle to his blue hair and a smile crept onto his face.
"Dara. Come with us. Finish at Sky High and come with us." Warren looked at the girl who stood alone now. She took her eyes off the floor, and they saw tears running down her face. She looked at the entire group before her. Magenta, Taylor, Lash, Layla, Will, Zach, Ethan, Warren, Speed, Trent. Without a word she ran towards them, and they all wrapped their arms around her and each other.
The gym doors swung open, the Sky High gang emerging with grace, powers surrounding them. Speed running out first leading the way, all eyes turning to see them. Layla rode the wind, green vines surrounding her, Will by her side, Warren's entire body aflame in red and orange, Dara's gray cyclones circling around them, Taylor's hands covered in soft blue ice, Lash's striped arms extended outward, Trent's blue electricity crackling around his hands, Ethan's hand half-melted, the orange liquid swirling around himself magically, Magenta calling one of the Absolutes her body memorized, half changed into a zebra, black, white and magenta striped.
Every single eye watched them as they stood on the Sky High campus one last time. Evelyn, Boomer and Jamie all proud to know they had found their path together, Xavier and his X-Men standing tall in memory of Ivy. Gambit and Rogue hand in hand without any gloves, went to the group. Gambit extended his hand to Warren, who retracted the flames of his own hand and shook Gambit's graciously, nodding their heads to each other, Layla and Rogue sharing a hug in the sky. The two X-Men returned to their own family, and the Sky High gang flared all their powers into the sky, all the colors blending pigment creating a pure, white light.
The explanation isn't in the chapter, but here's my reasoning: Yes, happy endings are wonderful, they make you feel good that your hero or heroin bested their challenge and grew from the experience, but no one ever stops to think about the other people involved. What about the sidekicks? It's just as important for them to grow and succeed as it is for the hero. I didn't want the end of my story to be about Ivy being great and praised by everyone, I wanted it to be about the journey everyone else made. We already love Ivy, I justt wanted the others to find themselves the same way she had.
So there it is. I really hope you all enjoyed the story, if you need to delete the last 2 chapters from memory, I understand and won't take it personal. =) Thanks for all your support, guys, it means a lot.