The Right Thing

[ECKS]

(There it stands. A large stone carved with the likeness of the X-Men's fallen leader and founder, Professor Charles Xavier. ECKS remembers everything he learned from the man they called Professor X, everything about being a leader and doing what's right. He watched him for years. And now, in a way, with his own school and his own students, ECKS is quite a lot like the Professor. Having to make tough decisions to achieve a greater good. One such decision was made when he decided to leave both Nightcat and Sonima to whatever fate awaits them with the Sandstormers. Knowing that even though saving his students was the more important issue, he is unsure of whether the cost of saving them was worth losing someone else. So here he stands, at the memorial of the man who tried to make this a better world. So many questions, so few answers.)

ECKS: "It's me again, Professor. I know I wasn't always your favorite, probably put you through hell sometimes, but I wanted you to know that I haven't lost the dream. I haven't given up hope. I know what it must have been like for you, always havin' to make a choice. I made a choice myself. I chose to leave behind a friend for the sake of savin' the others. And even though I know I made the right choice, I wish there'd been another way. I did the right thing... didn't I Chuck?"

(Over his shoulder Ana looks on, trying to decide whether or not to go talk to him. She walks toward him, hoping to find something, anything at all, to say to comfort him before she gets close enough to talk with him.)

[Starr]

(As she gets closer to him she opens up and just says the first thing on her mind.)

Ana: "Of course you did the right thing. Your students are safe and back at home. Sometimes it not easy to make a decision like that, to basically trade one person that means so much to you for someone else who also means a lot to you. I'd just like to think that if I were put in your position I'd be able to find the strength to make the right choice, too."

. . .

[ECKS]

(ECKS turns to her and looks her in the eye, but rather than answering he replies by lifting his arm and placing it over her shoulder. She responds by coming closer to his side and wrapping her arms around his waist. The two of them stand there together and pay their respects to the man whose cause they've chosen to dedicate their lives.)