Passing the Torch

By Todd Fan

Disclaimer: "End, begin, all the same. Big change. Sometimes good. Sometimes bad"

&&&

This entire last chapter originally had the lyrics of Eva Cassidy's 'Fields of Gold' laced through it. When banned this, it had to be changed (Yes, I had this chapter semi-written about a year ago). The original version can be read on the Chronicler website (shameless plug)

&&&

Wow. The last chapter. Yes, there will be a new series, and (to shamelessly plug twice in a few lines) you can see some of bios for the new characters, and learn where everyone is by the time the New Chronicles come around by looking on the Chronicler. Without further ado, enjoy!

&&&

Chapter 32 – Closing moments.

&&&

One month. One months had passed by since the final remnants of the Legacy Virus were purged. When all the terror finally stopped…allowing the mutants of the world to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives and start to heal. Today, they had all gathered in the grounds of the Xavier Institute, a section of which had been devoted to a memorial garden for those lost, and a graveyard for those with nowhere else to be buried. Today, they had gathered to say goodbye.

Charles Xavier frowned softly, looking at the quiet, expecting faces. He was renowned for his speeches, something he was quietly proud of. But he'd have given anything for him not to make this speech, for the events which led to it to have never have happened. But, alas, one couldn't turn back the clock.

"We are all gathered here today to say goodbye", he addressed the group, "to say goodbye to spouses, parents, children, family and friends….all loved ones. Most of us have lost someone of importance to us in the last few months. Someone we care about. Someone we love"

He sighed.

"It seems like everything we have gone through has plunged us into eternal darkness, but, eventually, we have to hope for the light at the end of the tunnel", he said, "Though this tragedy has left us broken and battered, we will carry on, it is our only option. To survive"

He pulled the tarpaulin off, revealing a statue of a phoenix in flight.

"This statue signifies not only the loss of one of our number", he said, "but the hope that, like the Phoenix, all we have lost will live on eternally within our hearts"

He glanced over the faces of the crowd.

"Many things I saw through Apocalypses vision have come true", said Xavier, "we have faced many challenges, and no doubt, will have more to come".

He looked over at Magneto.

"But some that were our once our enemies became our friends", he said, then glanced over the Phoenix memorial, "…and the dearest of friends became the most terrifying of enemies"

He smiled weakly at the gathered mutants.

"I have, indeed, seen my X-Men grow and change", he said, then arched a brow at the Brotherhood, "and have seen that some people never change"

He sighed.

"The nimrod sentinel I saw did, indeed, attack", he said, "but through it all, the X-Men…and all of you, faced what awaited you, you were there. And yes, I am still as proud of you now, as I was all those years ago" (1)

He frowned, looking away.

"That said….I have an announcement to make", he said, "I have decided to resign my position as your leader"

A few shocked murmurs arose from the crowd.

"I have seen much, these past few months", he said, "And yet have been powerless to stop it. You have all dealt with these issues alone. You have grown. You no longer need a teacher, you can look after yourselves"

He smiled softly.

"It is time for me to move on", he said, "Try a different path in life….for those that wish to stay, my home is open to you, I will pass the Institute on to whomever wishes to take it, I only ask that whoever does keep our goals in sight, and hope for the day we can all live in a world where tragedies like this no longer have to occur. Thank you"

&&&&&&

Morph watched quietly from the outskirts of the main group as Xavier finished speaking, and left the podium, the crowd talking quietly amongst themselves. He frowned softly, he'd never been involved with these people….he wasn't even sure why he was here. Maybe, like everyone else, he needed the closure. He tensed slightly as a figure paused by him.

"Victor"

The two had both been marauders… pawns for that demented scientist, Sinister. Both used by him, both forced to hurt the person they both cared about.

"Didn't think you'd show", replied Sabertooth.

"Right back at'cha, Kitty-Cat", Morph chuckled weakly, as always, covering his pain with humour, "aren't you scared of the big bad Wolverine"

"No", he growled, then frowned, "he's leavin' me alone. He knows I'm dealin' with my own thing right now"

"Aren't we all?", murmured Morph, "no sign of Sinister?"

"Gone", sad Sabertooth, "back inta the shadows with his cronies, where he belongs"

A low growl sounded in his throat.

"If he knows what's good fer him, he'll stay there"

"I just wish I could have got Mordred out of there", he frowned, "without Sinister there, messing him up…he might grow up right"

"Who's Mordred?", asked Sabertooth with a frown.

"…..Pray you'll never find out"

&&&&&

Elsewhere in the crowd, Xavier wheeled over to where Sam was standing with his family. The younger man looked tired and haggard…Xavier couldn't blame him, of everyone, he'd lost so much, a brother, a sister..a daughter. No doubt the knowledge that he would be seeing the loss of much more, of surviving all of them, weighed heavily on his heart. This tragedy was a grim reminder of his immortality. Sam smiled weakly as his old mentor stopped by the family.

"You serious about leavin', Professor?", he asked.

Xavier nodded.

"My time's done here", he said.

"Where will you go?", he frowned softly.

"I don't know yet", shrugged Xavier, "perhaps to Genosha, perhaps Erik had the right idea in giving us a larger sanctuary"

"We'll miss you", said Rahne, "we all will"

Xavier chuckled.

"I'm not dying, you know, I'll still be around", he said, then tapped his head, "and I'm always very easy to reach"

He smiled at Sam

"Before I leave, I did want to assign you as the Field Leader of the X-Men", he said, "….if you want the job?"

Sam blinked at his mentor for a few moments, dumbfounded.

"Me?", he asked, "Take Scott's place? But a'h….a'h don't know if a'h can do…"

"You said the same thing about leading the New Mutants", said Xavier, "And you did well there. You're a born leader, Sam, you care about others, look out for them, putting your team before yourself"

Sam shrugged, ever the modest one.

"A'hm honoured", he said, "….a'hll do the best a'h can"

"I know you will", smiled Xavier, then sighed, wheeling away.

"This is really what you want?", asked Magneto, falling into step next to him.

Xavier sighed, nodding.

"I'm getting too old for this game, Erik", he said, "I have devoted most of my life to these people…..but I realised months ago that they don't need me anymore"

"I think you'll find they do", said Magneto, then sighed, "I know you too well, though, Charles. Once you set your mind to an idea, it's nigh impossible to get you to change it"

"And yet, you still put up with me", smirked Xavier, the sighed, "I'm going to say goodbye to my students"

"You're goin' with him, huh?", asked Logan stopping by Magneto, watching Xavier wheel off to another small group of mutants.

Magneto shrugged.

"Someone has to make sure he doesn't get himself killed", he said, "Charles may be powerful, but he is far too trusting for his own good"

Logan nodded.

"Yeah", he said, "Keep an eye on him, would ya, Erik?"

"He's my best friend", said Magneto, "I'm hardly going to let him get himself into trouble"

He glanced over at the Canadian.

"Who'll take over the mansion?"

"I think it should stay in the family", said Logan, glancing over at Legion, "he's a lot like his dad, 'aint he?"

"Yes, I suppose he is", said Magneto, then looked over to where his own family were gathered.

"Don't worry, Magsie, I'll make sure your kids an' grandkids stay outta trouble", he said.

"Thank you", said Magneto, starting off after Xavier, before pausing, "I think you'll need this, Logan"

He took something out of his pocket, hovering it over to the feral mutant. Logan blinked plucking it out of the air. It was a compass, an old army one. A smirk crossed Logan's face.

"Fer luck, huh?", he said, "heh, just when I thought I got ya figured out, ya throw another surprise at me, dontcha, Squirt?" (2)

"It's a speciality of mine", said Magneto.

"Look after him", said Logan, nodding over to where Charles was wheeling into the mansion.

"Don't worry, I intend to", replied Magneto, walking after his friend.

&&&&

A shadowed figure watched the proceedings, huddled on a tree. He looked down at the graves, they would be avenged. Oh yes, yes they would. He ducked further into the shadows, vanishing from view as Kurt walked past, heading for Dani. The Cheyenne mutant looked up, offering him a smile.

"Hey", she said, "there you are, where have you been hiding?"

"On ze phone to Rogue", said Kurt, "she's made it to the Rasputin farm"

Dani frowned.

"And she wanted to do it all on her own?"

"I asked her if she vanted me vith her, but she said it vas something between her and Piotr", shrugged Kurt.

"I guess", said Dani, then smiled, "Have you seen Mr. McCoy?"

"No….vhy?", blinked Kurt.

"You missed him making a mad dash to his lab while that Cecilia woman chased after him", she giggled, "I'm sure she'll catch him eventually"

"She's lighter on her feet", chuckled Kurt, then coughed, "umm…..speaking of vhich.."

"What?", asked Dani, blinking as Kurt turned an interesting shade of indigo.

"Vell….ummm", he coughed shyly, "maybe ve could…umm…go for a coffee sometime?"

Dani chuckled softly, walking over, brushing s hand through his hair.

"Took your time", she teased, "thought you'd never ask"

&&&&&

"Awwww, Uncle Kurt finally asked Aunt Dani out", commented Imara, from where she was standing with the remaining new mutants, hand in hand with Toby.

"I told him if he didn't, I'd Nair all his fur off", said Deadpool proudly.

"You're an idiot", commented JP.

"Don't start fighting you two", said Celeste with a frown, where she was leaning against Skylar, "not today"

"Sorry", said JP quietly, then frowned, "….I'm sorry about your grandfather and father"

Celeste shrugged her wings.

"Almost all of us have lost someone we care about", she replied, looking at Imara, "how's your dad?"

"Hiding in his lab", said Imara, "he'll be okay….I hope"

"I'm sure he will", smiled Toby, giving her hand a squeeze.

"By the way, I think your dad's being molested by that Cecilia lady", said Skylar, "last I saw, she had him cornered"

"I know, I told her where to find him", said Toby, then shrugged, "he likes her, he just won't admit it"

"Poor Mr. McCoy", said Sooraya, shaking her head, then frowned, "with the Professor leaving….where will we go?"

"We have our whole lives ahead of us", said JP, "we'll just have to take what life throws at us and hope for the best"

"Did I suddenly fall into an episode of Dawson's Creek or something?", asked Deadpool, his mask crinkling as he grimaced.

"Fine", said JP, crossing his arms, "I just won't bother next time"

&&&&&&

Siberia, Russia. Rogue looked over at the colony which was her husbands home. He'd always said this was where he wanted his final resting place to be…and she had been determined his wish be carried out. She sighed holding the urn close for a moment, scrunching up her eyes as fresh tears began to appear. (3)

"I love you", she whispered softly.

Without another word, she opened the urn, letting his ashes catch in the wind, spreading across the land. She took in a shuddery breath, then sighed, wishing her news could have been given to the living man…she just hoped he'd hear her. She smiled sadly, putting a hand to her stomach.

"You're going to be a father"

&&&&

Back in America, Kitty sighed softly, watching her friends gather, giving words of comfort. She had come off easy. She hadn't lost any family to this tragedy….not even a scare. It made her feel guilty.

"Don't beat yourself up", said Lance with a soft smile, "it's not your fault"

"I know", said Kitty with a shrug, "but we've been so lucky….and they haven't"

"The ones that alive have their lives", pointed out Lance, "that's lucky"

"Fishbowl has a point", piped up Lockheed, from where he was sitting on Lance's shoulder.

"….I liked it better when you didn't talk", grumbled Lance.

"Too late, can't go back now", smirked Lockheed, "yer stuck with me. Forever and ever and ever and…"

"Stop. Talking"

Sage chuckled at the pair, then looked at Kitty.

"Think of it this way, you have a lot of responsibility ahead of you now", she said, "you get to be the new face for mutants everywhere"

Lance smirked.

"Think you're up to it, Mayor Pryde?", he paused, "….okay, I admit, it does sound better than Mayor Alvers, but could you at least be Mrs Mayor Pryde?"

"We'll work on it, Honey", said Kitty, patting Lance's arm.

&&&&&

Todd sighed, the wind blowing through his hair as he stood over her gave, trying to fight back the tears..he didn't know how he could have any left in there...he'd been crying for days. He let out a shuddery breath, putting down the single rose by her marker, one of many in this graveyard. At least she'd been put next to Leo. He looked over at his daughters grave...she'd barely been given the chance to live. He placed his second rose on this gave.

"What am I gonna do without ya, Sid?", he whispered softly, a tear dripping down his cheek, "how's Tina gonna grow up without her momma?. I had to do that...I don't want her to do that too".

He closed his eyes, not getting a reply...he knew he wouldn't. He lifted his head, watching as the other mourners mingled. So many dead...he was no different to the rest of them. He knew they all felt as he did, crushed, hurt, devastated...angry. But...there was nothing they could do. No one, not even the great Charles Xavier could bring them back from the dead. All the survivors of this tragedy could do now was mourn their losses...and move on. As much as that thought cut him like a knife...Todd knew that he, too, would have to move on. It was what Sidney would have wanted. She'd have hated to be mourned forever. Besides...he still had his daughter. She had part of her mother in her, and Todd swore to himself he would always keep her safe.. keep that last remaining vestige of his soul-mate alive. He pulled his coat closer around him from the biting wind as he blew the grave a kiss, starting out towards the crowd.

"Goodbye, Sidney", he whispered into the wind.

END.

&&&&

(1) – Yeah, the ending of Evo, but seen in past tense, instead of future, nifty, huh?

(2) – See, I promised I'd refer back to Archaic Echoes.

(3) – In the comics, Kitty spread Piotr's ashes, it's changed to Rogue for obvious reasons here.

So...that's it, guys, The final Sidney Chronicle is all done. (Sniff) It's been a collection of tales that have spanned years. I thank all those readers who have stuck through them, from start to finish. This chapter is dedicated to you all. I hope you enjoyed reading these stories as much as I have enjoyed writing them, which is a heck of a lot. So, for the Sidney Chronicles, I say thank you, and goodnight. Todd Fan.