Chapter 11:

"Going dark..."

This wasn't the first time she had opened and accessed the unlimited power of the Dark Dimension, and it certainly wouldn't be the last.

"You will never win," Charles managed to choke out, still battling Apocalypse telepathically.

"Oh, and why is that?"

"Because you're alone - and I am not!"

The walls darkened, like shadows were crawling across them, turning them dark and Nina emerged from those shadows, her eyes black pools now and dark energy swirling all around her, engulfing her and everything around them. "You cannot control me, my powers - but I, I can control you-"

Now Nina, Erik, Scott, Charles, and even Ororo let loose their powers on Apocalypse. And not only that, but Jean was there too, although she was struggling more with letting go of her powers.

"Let go," Charles urged her. "Unleash your power, no fear... Let go, Jean! Jean, let go!"

A fiery blast erupted, engulfing Apocalypse. Jean's blast severed the connection between he and Charles's minds.

"Truths have been revealed," Apocalypse choked out. "All is revealed..."

One last blast from Jean succeeded in destroying him - they had won.

Nina collapsed to the ground, exhausted and drained. Erik offered her a hand up. "Thank you."

"Charles - Charles!" Moira was doing CPR on the unconscious professor. "We've lost him!"

"No!" Nina raced over and dropped to his side.

"He's not gone," said Jean. "I can still feel his presence."

It took a moment, but, sure enough, to everyone's great relief, Charles began to stir awake.

"Oh thank God!"

"Charles? Charles, do you know where you are?" Moira asked him.

"Moira, I'm sorry, I never should have taken these from you-"

"What are you talking about-"

He reached up and gently touched the side of her head. Moira's eyes filled with tears as the memories returned. "Charles-"

"Hello Moira, old friend."

"AH!" Suddenly, Kurt awoke, startling them all. "Vhat did I miss?"

Charles glanced around. "Is that everyone?"

"Yes."

"No," Nina cried. "It's not. Erik, Hank, will you help me?"

She led the way to where Archangel still lay unconscious beneath the rubble of the jet crash. She could still sense his life force, but it was fading. Erik used his powers to move the rubble from on top of the young man and Hank carried him to the group.

"There," Nina said. "Now we have everyone."

Charles nodded. "Good. Now let's go home."


Old friends and goodbyes - it seemed to always go this way for them, end this way.

This was how it had begun, and how it would end.

Nina had been the first mutant Charles and Erik had come across together in their efforts to help others like themselves. It all seemed so long ago, so far away, them all working together to better the world. But really, that was what they were still doing, or at least striving to do.

With a joined effort from Nina, Jean, and Erik, the school was reassembled from the rubble, looking as good as new.

"How's our patient doing?" Charles asked.

"It'll be a long recovery, but he's healing," Nina informed. "His name's Warren, I learned. He would have died had we not helped him."

They were joined by Erik.

"The world's already begun rebuilding its arsenals," Charles sighed.

"It's human nature, Charles," Erik told him.

"I still have hope."

Erik chuckled. "Oh yes. Hope."

"I was right about Raven. I was even right about you."

"Maybe. And what about the rest of the world? Doesn't it ever wake you up in the middle of the night, the feeling that, one day, they'll come for you and your children?"

"It does indeed. But I feel a great swell of pity for the poor soul that comes to my school looking for trouble. You're sure we can't convince you to stay?"

"You're psychic, Charles. You can convince me to do anything."

"Well, you know where to find us. Goodbye, old friend."

"Good luck - Professor."

"I'll walk you out," Nina offered.

"And what about you?" Erik asked her as they walked. "I recall you once saying you didn't tend to stay in one place for too long."

"Until I came here." She smiled. "It's home. In fact, I have a class to teach. It must be strange, walking these halls again after so long."

He glanced around and nodded. "It is."

"And we really cannot persuade you to stay?"

"I'm afraid not. Not this time, not right now."

"Very well, but you know you're always welcome."

"Thank you, Nina."

She hesitated before continuing. "They would be proud, your wife and daughter." A small smile formed on his lips at her words. "It's good to have you back, Erik."

They hugged and then she watched him leave.

When she reached the training room, she found everyone all suited up. Raven and Hank were giving instructions to the new students: Peter, Jean, Scott, Kurt, and Ororo. She floated over to join them in a wave of purple energy.

"Forget everything you think you know," Raven was saying. "None of that matters. You're not kids anymore. You're X-Men.

"Welcome to the team," Nina told them. "Welcome to the family. Now, let's do this!"

And so we reach the end! Like I said before, I love this movie and I had lots of fun writing this and am glad I decided to do so! :)

Please check out my Nina and Cable stories, sequels to this one, if you're interested!

As always, thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed this story overall! :)