A FLASH of teleport light at the crater’s edge. Professor Xavier appeared, took in the carnage all around. The exposed pits, the fallen buildings, the scorched and scarred walls.
Could all this have been avoided?
He would never know.
Maneuvering his hoverchair across the surface, he mind-scanned each fallen figure as he passed. The Imperial Guard members were injured, but they would recover. His X-Men were already beginning to awaken.
Scott Summers was seated in a corner of the weapons alcove, his back to a stone wall. He held Jean’s head in his arms, stroking her hair. Xavier hovered up beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
My first students, Xavier said, keeping his mental voice soft. And my best.
Scott didn’t look up.
One by one, the X-Men joined them. Nightcrawler, his demonic eyes wide with horror. Logan, with his light tread and rough growl. Storm, wafting like a somber angel on the thin air. Colossus, his flesh-and-blood features twisted into a mask of anguish.
“She could have lived as a god.” Xavier gestured down at Jean’s body. Her expression, in death, seemed peaceful. Her eyes stared upward, as if seeing beyond this plane of existence. “But it was more important that she die as a human.”
“There’s…” Scott faltered. “There’s so much I don’t understand.” He reached down and, with a gentle touch, slid her eyes closed.
“I just know I love her.”