Chapter 16 (Finale):
It was half an hour before the UN Summit would begin. All of the officials were getting ready for the debates and opinions on mutant rights. Senator Robert Kelly was dressed up and ready to go. He was ready to give his word on denouncing mutants. As he is walking down the hall in Trump Tower, he hears someone calling for him.
"Robert Kelly." Murdock's voice called out. Kelly turns around, thrown off by him just now showing up.
"M-Mr. President? Uh, h-how was your trip to New York?" Kelly stuttered and sweated a little. Two FBI agents approach Kelly from behind.
"Is this him, Mr. President?" An agent asked.
"Arrest him." Murdock ordered. Within a second, the agents handcuff Robert Kelly and put his hands behind his back.
"Whoa, wait. What the hell is going on here? Mr. President? There has to be some kind of mistake. I didn't do anything upsetting."
"Oh really?" The President asked.
The agents take Kelly's phone and play messages that were recorded. They all hear his voice as well as Mystique's.
"Yes?" Kelly answered.
"We have President Murdock in our custody." Mystique's voice is heard.
"Good. Don't forget our end of the deal. That you'll take care of everyone else in the line of succession. As long as there is no killing, then that's fine by me. Then I'll be the one to run for office and succeed where they fail to do."
"You are a goddamn traitor, sir." Murdock said in disgust. "Someone who hates mutants, yet teams up with the bad kind to get rid of me and everyone else so you could take charge. Sounds pretty hypocritical."
"I was doing us a favor. I was going to call the shots and put an end to everyone's misery because you're too weak to do so yourself. I was going to be the one to end a war. Me and Erik Lensharr knew you couldn't take a stand." Kelly protested.
"You two nearly started a war." The president corrected. "And if you tried to finish it, you would have failedd miserably."
"I would've had everything under control if you stepped aside. I had a plan to finish Magento myself and put a permanent end to his reign." Kelly fired back.
"And now he and his goons are arrested. Erik Lensharr, also known as Magneto, is in a special place made just for him. And who saved my ass? Mutants. And who did Magneto kidnap? A mutant child against his own will. I've seen it." The President corrected him. "And as for you, Robert Kelly. I'll make sure that you don't run for Senator ever again for the rest of your life. Charges are arranging for kidnapping me, attempted kidnapping of others and abuse of power. Robert Kelly. You're fired. Now get out of my sight."
"People will still support me! You can't see it! I'll still have support!" Kelly shouted as he was escorted out of the building.
As now former Senator Robert Kelly is being dragged away by authorities, the president is ready to make his own speech. He smiles as he heads outside.
At the X-Mansion, everyone is rested well enough for the weekend. The X-Men in particular. Zach is rested and feels much better. His friends are very happy to see him again, alive and well. And they can't wait to hear his story. But there are a couple of things Zach has to do first.
Zach knocks on a door across from him. "Can I come in?"
"Sure thing!" Rogue said out loud. Zach comes in and sees Rogue. She is wearing her leather jacket, black pants, a green shirt and a yellow scarf and brown gloves. "Y-you look nice." Zach is trying not to blush.
"Stop, you're flattering me." Rogue smiled. "Whatcha need?"
"I, um, wanted to see how you're doing? How do you feel about all of this?" Zach steps in the room.
"Y'know? Ah think I'm gonna like it here? It'll be fun to meet ya new friends. I just hope they'll like me." Rogue asked.
"I think they will. Because you did the right thing." Zach nodded.
"And you know what, sugah? You were right about me. Told me that I could do great things. And we both did. And you learned to trust me and these X-Men. And ah think I should do the same for you. Help each other. And maybe we can live in the same world as humans one day." Rogue smiles as she steps closer.
"Well of course. Because I care about everyone. That includes you. I knew you would do something good. I could see in those…. Beautiful eyes of yours." Zach blushes more. Rogue smiles and gives Zach a surprise hug. Zach is once again surprised before he smiles and hugs her back. They pull away and look at each other and smile.
"You better get your butt moving. You don't wanna be late for your meeting. And don't keep me waiting, kay, Zach?" Rogue asked and he nodded. "Good. See you when you're done, sugar."
Rogue leans in and kisses Zach on the cheek for a few seconds. Zach's cheeks are turning more red by the second. She pulls away and smiles and winks at him before she walks out of the room. She sees an image of Zach smiling and having a good time with his uncle Edward working on cars. Zach touches his cheek from where Rogue kissed him. It took a few seconds for him to regain his thoughts before he heads downstairs.
Zach exits the elevator and steps into the first sub level. Turns left and then another left and enters a room with all the teachers. Charles and Storm smile upon seeing him.
They go through their counselor with the young autistic mutant. They guide him with questions, asking how he originally reacted with autism and how he felt about his first week of school. But they chose not to ask him anything regarding the mall attack and on Genosha Island. Or regarding being controlled by Emma Frost, as they did not want to overwhelm him and make him feel uncomfortable.
Each teacher asked him his opinion on his classes and he said he likes them. He likes auto mechanics and English the most. But has the most trouble with math. And does need a little help with one of Charles' classes.
"It pleases me to see you have made some progress with your autism. And from it looks like, like Jean said, you have taken our advice to heart. Not only that, the way you stood up to Magneto, but you have proven to Rogue that there is another path. What did you see in her?"
"I saw goodness in her, she was lost and confused like I was when I came here. And she and I felt the same kind of pain, thinking we accidentally killed our relatives. And we still have some that love us. And her voice. Her lovely voice. She sounded honest and very nice. I felt bad for her and I wanted to help her. Just like you guys are helping me now and last night. And….. I care about her so much. Like I do with Kitty, Bobby and everyone else. Even Logan." Zach answered.
"And how do you feel about your powers so far? I understand that you've been a lot last night. But I want you to understand that we're not trying to overwhelm you." Storm asked.
"I'm… still getting used to my powers. I enjoy having these. And I want to use them the right way. Not what Magento wanted. I….. I know I'm still too young to decide on what to do. Too young to be an X-Man. But I know I still have a lot to learn. I have years to decide on what to do. But…. This is my home. And I'm glad to be part of it." Zach admitted. He stands up and walks up to Storm and gives her a hug. She happily returns the hug. The others are happy that Zach is opening up more. "Thank you, for saving me twice. I'm glad you guys saved me."
"Of course, honey. That's what we do. We help those in need. You included. Don't forget that. And I'm glad we saved you too." Storm smiles and caresses his cheek. Zach smiles at her.
"And if it is alright with you, dear lad. We wish to continue studying you. And see much your mutation will evolve and how further your autism will go." Charles asked.
"Yes, please. I'd like that very much." Zach nodded.
"Splendid. Our next counselor meeting will be held next Saturday same time." Charles tells him. "Please hope you have a great day."
Zach nods and makes his way out the door, but Jean calls out to him.
"Zachery?" Jean called. "You've done amazing. Don't forget that. And you'll have a future regardless of what choice you make."
"Thanks. And you know what? I'm… I'm proud. To be a one of a kind autistic mutant." Zach smiles and leaves. As he is pushed the elevator button, he sees Logan coming out. And he's carrying a duffle bag.
"Logan? Are you leaving us?" Zach sadly asked.
"Yeah. The professor wants to show me something. Hopefully deets on where I could find my lost memories. How you holding up, short stuff?" Logan asked.
"Never better." Zach smiled. "I don't want you to go, but I get what you need to do."
Logan smirks and takes off his dog tags to give them to Zach. "Hold onto those for me, will you? I'll be back. Besides, I'm beginning to like these geeks. Even though Summers can be a jerk sometimes."
"Thanks. And thank you, Logan. For everything. I hope you find what you're looking for." Zach wishes him good luck.
"I hope so too, Zach. Don't let go of what you have. You got friends. You got the professor. Storm, Jean, Scott. And you got that new girl Rogue. Don't go looking for trouble now, you get me?" Logan looked at him.
"Yes, sir." Zach smiled before fist bumping him. Zach heads into the elevator to go upstairs to be with his friends as well as Rogue. Logan walks into the room with the teachers.
"Logan. You're late." Charles joked.
"Well, I stopped to say goodbye to the kid. It's not like you'd give me detention." Logan joked back.
"We have some good news for you, Logan." Beast smiled. "We analyzed the dog tags you took from Sabretooth. And we managed to trace the original source. Based on its design and matching numbers, we have traced them down to where they came from: Alberta, Canada. It appears to be empty. It might not be much. But hopefully you'll find some answers." Beast said.
"Well hopefully there'll be an explanation and I hope Sabretooth doesn't get there first. Considering what I heard on the news, he's the only one on the loose." Wolverine said.
"But Magneto and the others are put away. So he won't trouble us again. But I fear this may not be the last time we will see him." Charles sighed. "But regardless, good luck, Logan. May you have happy, safe travels."
"Thanks." Logan nodded as he slowly makes his leave.
"Logan?" Jean calls for him. "Good luck. And do be careful."
"Yeah. You too, Jean." Logan said. He looks at Scott, who just gives him the silent treatment. Storm and Piotr give him a friendly smile while Beast gives him a nod. "Take care of yourself, furball."
Hank just shrugs and chuckles lightly. "You too, Logan. Bring back a souvenir."
Logan walks out of the room and back in the main lobby. He looks around and sees kids having fun watching tv, playing board games or video games. And across in the kitchen he sees Zach and Rogue sharing their story with Bobby, Jubilee and the others.
"So you helped fight Magneto? And take his powers? Wow. That is amazing right there. You'd make a good kickass fighter someday." Magik praises Rogue.
"Well, ah try my best, Magik girl." Rogue smiled. "But this guy right here actually punched him across the face to save Logan the clawed man."
"That hurt my hand a little, but it was worth it." Zach gestured to his hand.
"Well serves that guy right for kidnapping you. I hope he gets what he deserves." Kitty said to her friend before turning to Rogue. "Also, welcome to the group, Rogue."
Kitty high fives Rogue and the four ladies smile.
"We should have a girls night out one day. I've never had one before." Rogue suggested.
"Well, you're in luck, because we're doing makeup plans tonight. ASAP. We're gonna see True Grit. But this time at a different theater now that those guys are in jail." Jubilee replied.
"Yeah. It's gonna be a good time." Bobby said.
"Oh, I look forward to that, Iceman. I look forward to that." Rogue said. She turns to Zach and touches his hand. "Ain't that right, Zach?"
"You bet." Zach nodded. He turns to see Logan looking at the seven kids hanging together.
Logan gives Zach a final adios gesture before he walks out the door. Logan enters the garage and wonders which car to take. Only a few of them seemed interesting to him. But he sees Scott's motorcycle. He smirks as he chooses that as his ride. He happily rides off as he makes his way to his destination. To Alberta, Canada. To find the answers to his long past. To find out who he truly was before he was none other than Wolverine.
Scott comes into the garage with Jean to take her on a ride with his bike…. Only to see that it's missing.
"God damn it, Logan!" Scott swore in anger. Jean secretly laughs at his sudden misfortune.
Somewhere, in a plastic prison cell, held specifically for Magneto, where he will be staying for the rest of his life. He is in his cell playing a classic game of chess with Charles while conversing with him.
"Just like when we were younger, Charles?" Erik asked. "You focus on keeping your pawns in as much as possible. When you could be settling for stronger ones on your side."
"Coming from the person who tends to sacrifice pawns when you should be saving them. We have done this before, old friend." Charles replied.
"Your own children are seen as pawns. But not by me. Some of them are talented. You may have erased my memories of what I used to know, but I am aware of the boy's abilities. You best watch him and your children. The law may not have been passed. The president may yet become successful. Because does it wake you up in the middle of the night, fearing that someday, that someone will come for your school and your students?" Erik asked.
"I feel a great swell of pity for the poor, unfortunate soul who dares to come to my school looking for trouble." Charles answered. Despite being a pacifist, he is willing to fight those who would dare harm innocent children.
"Why do you come here? After all I have done?" Erik asked.
"Why ask when you should know the answer. I still look for hope. Just as the president is. And his persuasion is getting through to people." Charles smiles with confidence.
"True. But that does not mean a war will not come. One will come, and I intend to fight it by any means. If I need to spill some blood, then so be it." Magneto warned Charles.
"And we shall be there to stop you, old friend. Always." Charles said.
He takes Erik's king chess piece and has won the game. A security guard comes in to escort Charles out in his plastic wheelchair. Erik remains silent as his old friend leaves. Once he has left, Erik knocks over his own king's chess piece, but remains calm and confident. That one day, someone, human or not, will threaten all mutants.
In Washington D.C, the line of succession was watching the president give his speech on mutant rights and calling for peace on tv. He has announced that Robert Kelly has been fired from his job for arranging for the president's kidnapping with the most wanted fugitive Magento now locked up in prison.
"Everyone. It gives me great pleasure to announce that with Kelly's absence, I can renounce the Mutant Rights Registration Act, effective immediately." The President announced.
Many people attending are snapping photos of the president and shouting in anger at this change.
"Now I know what you are thinking. But think about how Americans and Africans fought each other because of how different we all are. And we have settled for peace in respect of previous leaders who had a dream. Prior then, there were riots. Which led to the deaths of many people. And those people had families. And while I was kidnapped by a mutant. Most wanted fugitive Erik Lensherr. However, I have been rescued by mutants. They were willing to protect those who resent them, even risking their own lives. And they rescued a mutant child from the fugitive. And I have met him. I met them all. They did not mean any harm and showed respect despite our differences."
The audience all turn to each other and whisper to each other. Mutants saving humans. It was not unheard of. But a mutant child being kidnapped by an evil mutant. That was unheard of. And the president believing in them has many people smiling and nodding at the president.
"Now. I promised to not use their names out of respect for their privacy. But I owe them my thanks and I am willing to cooperate with these X-Men again. And I know it will take a long time to expand society and accept mutants for who they are. We must know the good ones from the bad. I'm willing to take chances. Are you willing to do the same?"
Most of the attendees at the UN Summit stand up and applaud for the president's speech. Even Rogue's parents clap for him. And soon, many civilians are also applauding for the president, but dozens have not changed their opinions and are still protesting.
Even the line of succession has been applauding for the president's decision. Henry Gyrich silently walks away without anyone noticing. Once he was alone, his eyes suddenly turned yellow for a brief moment.
What does Mystique plan on doing now?
Somewhere, in a dark, unknown place, Sabretooth wakes up to a bright light shining down on him from the ceiling and roars as he gets up from the table. He snarls and gets out his claws. He finds himself surrounded by a bunch of men, armed with rifles and machine guns.
"Who wants to scream first? Any takers? Come on. Who wants the honor of dying first in their brave, worthless stand?" Sabretooth challenged them. He licks his teeth, ready to strike and kill.
"Hold your fire, men. Stand down." A man's voice said. He approaches the animal mutant, remaining in the shadows. "Sabretooth. It's been so long. Too long. Or shall I call you Victor Creed?"
Sabretooth calms down and stands up on his feet. He tilts his head out of curiosity as he tries to recognize the man. "Who are you?"
"Don't you remember me, my friend? I have been looking for you for ages. You and the Wolverine." The man steps forward into the light. He is wearing a scientist jacket, a pair of glasses and has grey, facial hair. "My name is Doctor Abraham Cornelius. And I think we may have some things in common."
A man and a woman both step up. They look like they're in the mid to late 50s. The man has long hair and no facial hair and it's turning grey. The woman is wearing glasses and and has brownish white hair.
Upon hearing Wolverine, Sabretooth smirks. He approaches the man slowly, growling under his breath. "Tell me what you know."
Doctor Cornelius smiles and nods. The two take a walk around in his mysterious base. Who is this man? How does he know Sabretooth and Wolverine?
The End
Note: I hope you all enjoyed my first Marvel story and first X-Men story. I may make plans on making more of these someday in the future. If I do, of course, we will see everyone again, particularlyZach and maybe build something with Rogue. For now, I shall be taking the time off for the rest of this year to spend time with my family. The next story is another series that I have not done before. I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.