Chapter 25

No POV

Far from the safety of the war below, being held on the lands where New Genosha once grew and bled, Anti-Mutants and the world clash. Master Mold, the creator of the Sentinels, now anew, sends more of the murderous machines to fight against mutant kind. Looking down at the world, Estelle slips through the glass, creating an atmosphere around her.

"I won't let you destroy us."

Descending to the earth, she feels its malaise in the far corners of the mountains. Seeing him stand, walking through the rough terrain she holds out her hand. He works quickly, releasing the sentinel from his sides, all fresh and new.

Breaking them bit by bit, missiles shoot from his body. She dodges them, causing them to land, exploding the space around every ridge and old rock. Neither are affected by the heat and distraction. She glares at Mastermold, sending waves of her abilities he begins to break only for him to rebound in a matter of seconds.

Nanotechnology.

He's evolved since the last time, although it didn't phase her.

Working to break his foundation the nano-technology quickly grows and multiplies. With a plan in mind, she flies to him with great speed. Creating an opening she slips inside Master Mold's body, causing him to boast, "Good, allow us to consume you mutant!"

Rays of light surround Estelle, stunting her abilities, swallowing the fear creeping into the bottom of her heart she smiles. Remembering the sweet cries of her daughter, the way her brown skin shone under the glowing lights.

"I'll see you soon."

Bound by the nanotechnology, she smiles, feeling the connection to her abilities trickle deep within her. So small and fragile, unraveling the layers of herself. As Master Mold makes his way to the city, Emma searches for Estelle's signature only to find nothing. Sadness creeps in her heart, "No..."

She looks at Destiny, but shock rings in her eyes. Never did she think this would happen, that this would be. Looking at Emma they begin to lose hope. 

How will they tell the people? 

How will they tell Logan?

Despite their worry, Logan cradles his sleeping daughter. His gaze is soft and warm as he soaks in the baby's features. Voice gruff and gently he whispers, "Mama is going to be back soon, so rest well."

Master Mold stops, taking the skies to break the foundation of New Genosha. To tear the one thing that led to all of this, to end the era of Mutant for good.

Breaking through earth's atmosphere he stops, "WHAT!?"

Slowly every nanotechnology falls apart, as begins to rust and malfunction. Confused, he hears Estelle's voice in the back of his mind.

"Did you think you would make it far? Did you think you would live?"

Slipping from beneath his chest, she looks down at his broken body as it slowly turns into dust. His final words ring in the sanctuary of space, "Legacy never dies."

Turning into particles of metal and rust. She frowns, as his words serve as a reminder that even in death, he won't truly day. She knows a day will come when Master Mold will return anew. Stronger, seeking the end of all once more. But right now, she has done her part. 

Returning to Earth she stands before the anti-mutants and sentinels on the battlefield. Heros behind her halt at the sight of her armor shining under the red sky. 

"Enough."

Holding out her hand the sentinels fade away, turning into dust in their wake. The Anti-Mutants shocked, don't stay frozen for long as they begin to shoot, but it doesn't do much.

Lyric's voice booms, soft yet strong, "I give you a gift, and you use it for this? You kill, hurt, and destroy your own. I never ask for perfection, so I shall ask this instead. Are you ready to face your punishment?"

Moira stands at the forefront, holding out her hand. But before she could use her powers Estelle flicked her wrist, her powers potent as she squeezed Moira's brain. The woman buckles, falling to her knees.

Estelle's voice is low, "Not so powerful without this. Once a friend, now a foe. Truly a shame."

Shrinking it, she screams out before falling brain dead. Her people stand back, fear in their eyes. Estelle looks at them, a chilling calm filling her gaze, "I didn't want to become this. I'm so sorry."

Making her final decision she alters a part of them, their brain, fragments shrunken while others grow changing them.

"Now go. Hurt another, and you will be hunted and killed."

Confused they run off, finding somewhere to find in the corners of the world. 

Scott walks over to her, "What did you do?"

She speaks honestly, "Altered their brains, changed them fundamentally. They will be less hostile, more calm." He seems taken aback by her statement, "It's over. The war is over."

The crowd cheers, as the sun peaks through the destruction. The fallen are collected, injured healed by Estelle's touch. As her hand hovers over the once-bloody leg, her vision grows blurry. She falls back, her last thoughts flashing of Logan and their daughter.

At that moment, as Scoot and Ororo rush to the unconscious woman's side, Lilith awakens from her sleep. Wailing in need of her mother, and no amount of cradling from Logan could calm the baby. 

Three months pass of Estelle's deep slumber. It's begun to take a toll on Logan and Lilith, the infant would cry, yearning for Estelle's touch while Logan would do what he could to calm her. Some nights, he would lay the crying baby on Estelle's body, finding that it was the only thing to keep Lilith at bay. 

Healers from around the globe came to aid her, but none could succeed.

Until one night.

The stars dance outside the bedroom window that covers the entire wall. Lilith cries, long and loud, pulling Logan from his slumber. He groans softly before slipping out of bed. Rooms away the weak woman walks through the empty halls following the sound of her crying baby. Opening the bedroom door, she walks over to the crib. Picking up the baby, she rocks her gently, "My Sweet Night, I'm sorry I couldn't answer your cries."

Lilith slowly calms down, drinking from her mother's breast.

"There, feel better?"

Smiling down at the little girl, tears fill Estelle's eyes, "I've missed you so much."

Logan shoots up, looking over at the crib his eyes water at the sight of Estelle awake and well, humming softly to their daughter.

"Estelle..."

The woman looks at him, smiling at him she walks over.

"I'm sorry for being gone so long."

He holds her cheek, "You keep saying sorry when you don't need to."

A familiar memory rings in her head and she answers accordingly, "Old habits die hard."

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she burps the baby. Lilith coos after releasing a small burp. Holding her, the baby slowly drifts back to sleep leaning against the familiar warmth. Logan leans against the bed frame with his wife, laying his head against her shoulder before squeezing her hand.

The pair enjoy the peace, as the sun slowly creeps from the edge of the planet.