Bedtime for Sapna

Author's note: Marvel had Sapna become a ghost after Illyana killed her, turns out Sapna's soul was then inside of Illyana's soul sword (which I found to be rather odd plot device as it meant… well nothing plot wise other then a cop-out on trying to avoid Illyana angst at having to kill Sapna). Sapna was last seen at the end of the X-Men vs. Inhumans event, since then absolutely nothing. Now the whole purpose of Sapna was for Illyana to care for somebody, and then have to kill that somebody for the greater good and having to deal with the emotional consequences of killing yet another person she loved (which I think would have resulted in a great deal of Inhuman hatred and a large Inhuman body count, but if you consider what has happened to the Inhumans since X-Men vs. Inhumans you might almost conclude they'd been cursed… gee I wonder who might possible have done that).

But I digress, I found the whole Sapna sub-plot to be both obvious and unnecessary as the consequences of that killing led… nowhere. I mean, imagine if Storm had to deal with having to kill Kitty (I guess she would have become Dark Kitty or something) for the greater good? They'd be an entire mini series written around it at the very least.

Sigh…. The only real outcome I can see is reinforcing Illyana's belief that caring for people is a good receipt for getting them killed. And… as expected… Marvel never cleaned up the whole Sapna mess… so… I felt I need to create this final chapter; which takes its inspiration from the last chapter of the first Sandman graphic novel.

This story, in part, explains why Illyana was so disconnected in the Dead Souls mini series as she was dealing with the issue of Sapna and Kitty's failed wedding. And also why she has been shown to be very grump and violent in the current comics. Very understandable for anybody who was had to bury somebody they love.

The obscure statement from Illyana is answered in the story Pride, Prejudice, Illyana and Zombies (at the time of this writing I have not yet published the ending of that story but I am working on it). Oh, and Mort is French for… well… you'll see.

Part 3: Goodbyes…

Illyana and the ghost of Sapna were seated at an outdoor table for four at the New Orleans Café that Scott's X-Men had liked to get takeout breakfast from back when they had been using an old Weapon-X facility. But now Sapna had human form, in fact her original human form and not the part demon form she had died in. It was a late morning sunny day and they found themselves to be the only customers as the lunch clientele had yet to start arriving.

Sapna had just gotten done with her French toast with maple syrup and was now luxuriating on eating some freshly fried beignets sprinkled with powered sugar (French version of the doughnut, vastly superior to any and all contenders) while having a delicious cup of hot coco with fresh whipped cream.

Sapna spoke, with her mouth full of course. "I wish it could be like this forever! These are so good!"

Illyana likewise had hot chocolate and was eating a few of the beignets. "The enchantment that embodies a ghost into a physical form only lasts for one hour and can be done but once."

"Why?"

"Rules… Sapna… always rules…"

"Well… I think the rules stink."

Illyana looked somewhat distracted about something. "I agree… the rules stink."

"What's next? The hour is almost up."

"I know… we're waiting for somebody."

"Who? A friend?"

"No. Um… She's more of… call her an almost relative."

Sapna scrunched up her face in confusion. "That makes no sense."

"I know." Commiserated Illyana. "It just is."

"I hope she hurries up." Was Sapna's impatient reply.

"I… don't." Was Illyana's statement as she used a napkin to wipe a rather large quantity of chocolate from Sapna's face.

"Why?"

"Just like you, I want this moment to last forever."

Sapna offered a beignet. "Here Illyana, you eat the last one."

"Thank you Sapna, but no… you eat it."

And she did, with the delight of a happy child. But all things end…

A slim youngish woman approached. Her skin was pale white, as if she'd never seen the sun, with long hair that was black as night. She was clothed in a sleeveless black top and black casual jeans and black shoes. She was wearing a golden Egyptian Ankh (think of a cross but the top is a loop) on a long chain.

As she got to the table the waiter brought a third cup of coco and quickly departed. The newcomer sat, took a sip of the coco, smiled at the taste and greeted the two. "Illyana… Sapna."

"Dea… Mort." Replied Illyana.

Sapna was suspicious of the Goth newcomer. "How do you know my name?"

"I know everybody's name silly." Was Mort's reply.

Sapna's eyes got big as she realized who Mort was. How is that possible you ask? It's simple, we all know who she is when it's our time. "I… I don't want to go."

"I know sweetie, but it's time."

Sapna looked at Illyana, then back to Mort. "Can… can I say goodbye?"

A nod from Mort as Illyana stood and held out her arms, arms that Sapna rushed into as they fiercely hugged.

"I love you Illyana." Was Sapna's tearful goodbye. "Thank you for everything, for… for… being there, showing me all the full stuff and… and… for being you."

Sniffles from Sapna. "I don't' want to leave."

"I know Sapna… daughter not of my flesh." Murmured back Illyana as she kissed the top of Sapna's head. "I love you right back."

Then… Sapna held out a hand, Mort rose and gently grasped it in her own.

There was the sound of mighty wings and Sapna was gone, leaving Illyana embracing nothing for a few moments before she lowered her arms as she turned to face Mort with an expression on suppressed rage.

"Was this just another of the Endlessness's games? Desire having her fun again?"

Death, and yes Mort means Death, sat back down and took another sip of her coco. "No, that was just the one time. Destruction was needed and he had abandoned his role and his family. You were his stand-in in for destruction of the Elder Gods. All of this was just… life. None of the Endless had anything to do with this."

Illyana sat back down and just stared at the horizon. Death finished her coco before asking a question. "I don't usually linger but… do you want to talk about it? She got what everybody gets, she got a lifetime."

"Your words… are not helpful." Was Illyana's reply, then she put her arms on the table and put her head down, hiding form the world and perhaps… to cry.

If she cried, it was the soft silent kind of crying. For a time she hid her head.

Silent.

Uncomforted.

Alone.

Eventually she raised her head to survey the world once again. Death had long since departed as Death always has business to attend to. The sky had darkened, and a light drizzle was starting to fall.

Her expression was not kind as she heard a part of a song playing on the radio from a car waiting at a light. It was In the End by Linkin Park.

…

tried so hard

And got so far

But in the end

It doesn't even matter

I had to fall

To lose it all

But in the end

It doesn't even matter

…

Alone in so many ways.

Like always.