Location: Universe 1081

Washington DC

12 years from last update.

"What a turn out," Domino, a. k. a., Neena commented.

"Yeah, who'd have thought so many people would want to see the opening of the First National Center for Mutant Protection?" Forge said.

"I wish the Professor could be here to see this," Rogue said. "Just 5 more years, and he could have been."

"I'm sure he'll like visiting it either way," Domino said. "The whole team here?"

"Ah, you know, they're always busy," Rogue said. "But there, Warren's up on that roof. Looks like Jean's there too." She pointed.

They shielded their eyes and looked up.

"Well, you know, I never thought I'd say this, but Wanda and Raven should be really proud of themselves," Forge said. "I know Kurt couldn't have made this happen without them."

"Yeah, 15 years ago, when they first started being allies, bet you'd never thought this would happen," Domino said.

"I didn't think a lot of things would happen." Forge put an arm around her shoulders.

Domino smiled slightly.

"Yeah, a lot sure changed since those days," Rogue said. "I almost can't believe how bad it was back then. Now where's...? Ah, there they are, Scott and Emma."

"Standing in the front, holding hands, of course," Domino said. "Those two never look any less into each other than the last time you saw them. It's annoying, isn't it?"

"There's Storm," Forge said. "I think that's everyone who was coming. And just in time too."

Wanda stepped up, nodding at Lorna, who was in the front of the crowd with Bobby.

Taking the large shears, she made the announcement that The Center was now open, and then she cut the ribbon.

Mutants headed for the doors.

"Warren's for sure watching to make sure no one blows anything up," Forge noted.

"Well, good, someone has to," Domino said.

"We could try to be a little less cynical, today," Rogue said.

"I showed up in a dress. That's as un-cynical as I get," Domino said.

They walked towards the doors.

Forge suddenly stopped and looked at some of the mutants who were walking up the steps.

"Neena...do they look kind of familiar to you?" he asked.

"A lot of mutants look familiar to me." Domino turned to regard them. "Which...? Oh...huh," she knit her brows.

"Hey, guys." Cristy came up behind them. "Why're you stopping?"

"Just a second." Domino walked away.

Forge followed, then the other girls did also.

"Why do we have to be here?" one young mutant was asking peevishly.

"Because, I told you, for you this is going to change things," their mom said. "You should be grateful.... Look, there's X-men members here, even."

"Oh, really? Cool." The boy turned to look at them.

Domino's eyes widened. "Roach?" she said.

His mom looked at her funny. "Telepath?" she guessed.

"Uh...not exactly," Domino said.

The girl looked at her. Their mom stared at them. "What? Do you know my code name too, or just my brother's?"

"Is it Spray?" Forge asked.

She frowned at him. "I hate that name. I want to change it. Why won't people let that go...? Who told you? Are some of those bullies around?"

"I thought those names were just a little vulgar," their mom said. "But their father let it slide, so.... How do you know my kids?"

"I...we..." Domino said strangely. "I guess...we don't, really. Just heard about them."

"From who?" Roach asked.

"Oh...around," Forge said vaguely. "X-men know a lot of mutants."

"Well, I'd thank you to call them by their real names anyway," their mom said. "I don't approve that code name thing in public. My kids will have the same chances as other kids, I'm hoping, thanks to this. It's Tony and Darci, thanks."

"Oh, they have real names," Forge said oddly. "Of course they do."

"Yeah." Domino took his arm meaningfully. "Of course they do."

She looked back. "Is that you, Bolts?"

The girl behind them looked up, "Oh, yeah," she said. "You know me too, huh? I'm fine with the name, really. No one hardly calls me Cassie."

"You guys all from the same school?" Forge said.

"Yeah, there's only one mutant school in D.C. So, we kind of have to be," Roach said. 

"Someday they'll go to college though," his mom said. "I'm not going to rest until that happens."

"Yeah, sure, Mom," Roach said.

"You have no idea how lucky you are," Domino told him. "How lucky we all are. There are people who'd have killed to be as close as this is to a free country for mutants. Don't take it for granted, kid."

"Uh...right," Roach, or Tony, said.

"I want to see the inside. Come on." Their mom grabbed them.

Bolts, or Cassie, followed.

"Like a blast from the past," Forge said. "If the future was the past."

"I think the future is the past," Domino mused. "Because it's not happening... This proves it. We made a difference."

"Wow," Rogue said.

"I have no idea what you guys are talking about," Cristy said. "How did you know those kids?"

"Oh, once upon a time," Rogue said. "It's a long story. And you wouldn't believe half of it."

"Uh huh...knowing you guys, I probably would," Cristy said. "But whatever. I guess I'll find out when I need to. Let's go inside."

"Yeah, let's go," Domino said.

Forge nodded.

As they went, he looked up at the sky. It was clear and not discolored.

"I think the future does look bright," he remarked.

[The end of the epilogues.

So, yes, this is the official end of all of this book.

Read my author's notes if you want a little more about how I conceived the characters' journeys and message, as well as my thanks to my helpers, but aside from that, I will see you in the next book, fahm.]