"Scott is going to blow like a volcano when he finds out Storm freed
Gambit." Bobby said, trying to keep pace with Bishop. "What is she
thinking? Doesn't she know he could turn on her like he did with Jean and
the others?"
"Ororo is a wise woman." Bishop replied. "She knows what she's doing."
"Well that is one of us who thinks she does." Bobby couldn't understand
Storm's reasoning, nor the lack of concern from Bishop. "Why don't you tell
the others that Gambit's loose? You know Storm isn't going to do it."
"We are on full alert and here you are making enough noise to wake the
dead." Bishop growled intensely. "Drake, if you make another sound, I am
going to knock you into next week."
"What a grouch!" Bobby snorted in disgust. Nobody had a sense of humor
anymore. He looked up at Bishop and asked sarcastically. "Have you and
Logan been eating out of the same bowl?"
"You can ask Wolverine that question later."
A twig snapped.
Bishop stopped, turned, and placed his finger to his lips.
The two men stood in silence, listening for any sound that would tell
them if intruders were on the property.
Arclight walked around the corner of the building and stood with hands on
hips glaring at the two X-Men.
Bishop raised his weapon. "Don't move, Marauder. You're out numbered."
Arclight laughed mockingly. "Don't you think you should look behind you
before you make that assumption?"
"We're not falling for that old trick, Arclight." Bobby declared.
Turning to Bishop, he warned the bigger man. "Keep your eyes on her,
Bishop. If her hands touch the ground, she'll start an earthquake."
"I'll blow them off before she does." Bishop vowed, aiming the plasma
rifle at the woman. "You move, you die!"
"Oh I just love a forceful man." She grinned back at the X-Man and
started snapping her fingers. "Kinda reminds me of---"
"Me!" Scalphunter jumped out of a tree, and fired two gas pellets from a
gun that had a silencer at Bishop's feet, engulfing the X-Man in a cloud of
smoke. Within seconds, the ex-future cop was on the ground unconscious.
Bobby turned into his ice form, using his mutant power to encase the
Marauder leader in a block of ice. He quickly scanned for Arclight, trying
to engage her before she could call for reinforcements. He knew he should
call for help but time was of the essence.
He turned left and then right but he couldn't detect the female
Marauder. Taking a step back, he started to move again to the left but a
soft hand grabbed him around the neck and threw him at the brick wall. He
tried to raise his hands in an effort to soften the impact but the last
thing he felt was intense pain before darkness over took him.
"Easy Philippa, we need him alive." Blockbuster reminded Arclight of
Essex's warning, while he checked on Bishop's condition. "This one is still
alive. What about him?"
Sliding one of her knives out of her uniform, Arclight grabbed Drake by
his hair. Stooping down, she took the tip of the knife and placed it below
Bobby's left ear.
"What's one less X-Man? They seem to multiply every few months." She
chuckled. "I say we knock these two off and get another one to take their
place. Who would know the difference? Essex isn't here."
"Think again." Sinister materialized before their eyes, with Creed and
Harpoon following behind. "Insubordination comes with a price, Philippa. I
always collect what is owed me. Are you willing to risk that?"
"No." Arclight retracted the knife and placed it back on her uniform.
Standing back to her feet, she moved away from Drake's body.
Sinister waved his hand over the ice block, melting it and freeing the
Marauder leader.
Sinister motioned towards the two unconscious X-Men. "Scrambler, you and
Riptide gather these two. I have need of them. Scalphunter, come with
me." As the named Marauders obeyed his orders, the scientist turned to the
others.
"Arclight, Harpoon, Blockbuster and Creed, engage Storm and subdue her."
He added. "The four of you should be enough to handle the weather witch and
any other obstacles that might intervene with the success of your mission.
Once the regal one is captured, bring her to me. Remember I want her
unharmed. Now go!"
Blockbuster waited until Sinister, Scalphunter, Scrambler, and Riptide
had gone before he huffed in annoyance. "How are we supposed to capture
Storm without hurting her?"
Creed answered with a heinous laugh. "We kill her before she feels
pain."
Harpoon pulled out three collars and showed them to the others. "The
boss said to use these if we need them."
Arclight rolled her eyes. "Why am I always surrounded by idiots?"
____________
Inside
Cyclops yelled out a warning. "Move it people. We're under attack.
Security's been breached."
"The cameras have been deactivated." Warren rushed into the room to
inform everyone. Seeing only Scott, he asked in a frantic voice. "Where is
everyone?"
"Jean and the professor went upstairs to check on Gambit. They believe
he's the target." Psylocke answered from the top of the stairs. "I just
sent out a mental summons to Rogue and Wolverine but they're not answering.
It could be because they're in the danger room. Bobby and Bishop are
outside. I can't get a reading on either of them."
"Where's Storm?" Scott glanced at the two, needing to know the location
of his co-leader.
"Haven't seen her," Warren said. "The last time I did, she was angry and
took off."
"Scott," Jean rushed downstairs with the Genoshan collar in her hand. In
an agitated voice, she revealed. "Remy's gone. I've tried scanning for him
but I'm getting interference from close by."
"Sinister!" Charles announced before the front door exploded off its
hinges.
"You have no idea how correct you are, Charles." Essex walked inside as
if he owned the mansion with the Marauders fast behind him. They carried
Bishop and Bobby's unconscious bodies and dropped them carelessly in the
middle of the floor.
Looking up at the landing on the second floor, Sinister glared at
Xavier. "You have something that belongs to me." He waved his hand in
Bishop and Bobby's direction. "Either return what is rightfully mine, or
these two will pay the price for your thievery."
"You're going to have to come through me and the rest of the X-Men to get
what you want." Scott said. He glanced out of the corner of his visor and
saw Psylocke standing by Xavier's side. With Jean on the other side, he
knew the professor and the two telepaths were prepared.
Warren moved beside Scott and whispered. "Kinda short handed isn't he?"
Cyclops hadn't noticed but now that Warren had mentioned it, he realized
several of the Marauders were not in the mansion. "What's the matter,
Sinister, can't keep good help these days?"
Sinister almost smiled, looking pleased at Cyclops' comment. "Observant
as always, my child, but it's foolishly misguided." The scientist quickly
explained the whereabouts of the missing Marauders. "As you are well aware,
a beautiful member of your team is missing. Arclight believes Storm would
be happier if she joined her friends."
At the mention of Storm's name, a feeling of ominous dread overwhelmed
Scott. He quickly shook it off; believing if he didn't the scientist would
pick upon his thoughts.
"I'm giving you fair warning, Sinister," Cyclops said, using the most
authoritative voice he could muster. "You're not getting your hands on any
of the X-Men, and that includes Remy as well."
"Your brother is no X-Man, Scott. I know it, he knows it and you,
yourself know it." Sinister turned, fixing an accusing gaze at Angel. "In
fact, many of your friends would like nothing better than for me to reclaim
what is mine. Isn't that right, Worthington?"
"This is just like you to manipulate the facts for your own gain. I have
nothing against Remy and you know it." Angel glared back at the scientist.
"I only have contempt for you and your easy-bake oven creations."
"Do I detect a little seed of vengefulness in you, Worthington?"
Sinister sighed deeply as if growing tired of the conversation. The
scientist turned to Scalphunter. "Enough of the idle chit-chat. Send
someone outside to see if Arclight needs assistance. "
______________
The Danger Room
"That was pretty lousy, girl." Wolverine stood over a dazed Rogue,
angered over her performance in the latest danger room scene. "If I woulda
been th' FOH or th' Marauders, ya woulda been dead."
"Ah just let ya win, Sugah, that's all. Ah just didn't wanna make ya
feel bad when Ah kick yer butt up and down this here program." Rogue slowly
stood up and wiped a hand across her brow. Her green eyes sparkled with
absolute confidence before she took to the air. "Would ya like ta try it
again? An' this time, Logan, Ah won't take it easy on ya."
"Yeah right," Wolverine snorted and then looked up at her. "Why ya so
happy this mornin'?"
"Why Logan, what ever do ya mean?" Rogue floated at the top of the
ceiling, and slapped a hand across her chest, pretending to be insulted. "Ah'm
always in a good mood."
"Yeah an' Beast needs Rogaine." Logan replied with a huff. "Yer through
playing around an' ready fer some real action?"
"Yes, sir!" Rogue half saluted him mockingly. "What ever ya say, Sir.
Would ya care if Ah raise mah hand an' go ta the bathroom, Sir!"
"Knock off th' clowning, girl. Ya been hanging around Drake an' Gumbo
too long." Wolverine said. He stopped and turned around, sniffing at the
air. "Somethin's not right, Rogue."
Rogue dropped down beside him. "Now that ya mentioned it, Scott hasn't
called a danger room session an' it's too dang quiet." Rogue touched her
com badge. "Rogue here. Hey Scott! Where is everyone?"
Both waited several seconds before Rogue tried again. She turned to
Wolverine. "Trouble. We better get up there an' see if they need us."
______________
The Roof
Storm stared out over the mansion grounds, listening to the sounds of
nature all around her. The sun was setting, and a light cool breeze was
blowing, putting an end to an almost perfect mid-spring day.
She would have considered the beautiful sunset a masterpiece but
something was in the air and it felt strange. She couldn't quite
figure out what it was, but something was definitely wrong.
She turned her attention to the man sitting next to her, wondering if he
was picking up the same eerie feelings. If Remy did, he wouldn't admit it.
His mood had grown darker since she refused to allow him to leave the
mansion grounds.
Next to her, Gambit silently played solitaire with the deck of cards she
had recently given him.
Looking at the card he held in his hand, she pointed to one of the rows
of cards that were placed on the surface. "That card goes there."
"I know dat!" He snapped before slamming the card down in the exact
place she had mentioned.
Once again silence fell between them. For several minutes, the only
sounds heard were the birds chirping.
"Well there is something that I would like to know." Ororo broke the
silence. She looked at him, knowing her next words could shatter their
friendship forever, but she also wanted to know the truth. "Why did you not
tell me about the massacre, Remy?"
His eyes shut instantly and the card he was holding fell from his hand.
She reached out and gently squeezed his chin. "Please Remy, only you can
answer my question." She waited, watching as he shook his head negatively.
She again pleaded. "Please, my friend. I must know."
Gambit swallowed, and then turned to face her. "How could I tell de best
friend I ever had dat I was responsible for de darkest moment in dere life?
I couldn't hurt you like dat, Stormy."
"What hurt was finding out the way I did. You were not here to give me
your side, instead I was left with tales of what happened in Antarctica."
She continued. "Remy if you would have just told us, especially me, I might
have been horrified but after the initial shock wore off I would have
believed and understood that you did not know Sinister's hidden agenda."
"De X-Men never trusted me. All dey needed was an excuse to kick me
outta here. I wasn't gonna give dem dat reason." He touched her face; the
loving gesture was sincere causing her to smile. "But Padnet, dey would have
aIso criticized you for sponsoring me. Blaming you for taintin' de X-Men's
good name an' I couldn't bear de thought of hurtin' you more dan what I had
already did."
"The X-Men all have shady pasts, none are angels, including myself. The
X-Men were wrong in judging you so harshly, Remy, and you were wrong in
keeping your part in the Morlock massacre a secret from us." She took his
hand into hers and brought it to her lips, kissing it tenderly. "Can you
not forget the past and forgive the X-Men? Nothing more you could do would
make me happier."
"I didn't know 'bout de massacre, but de X-Men--" he pulled his hand
away, and went back to playing cards.
"Betrayal hurts." Ororo replied, and then hesitated before adding.
"Just as Sinister will do to you-again."
His head turned in her direction so fast that she thought he might have
pulled a muscle. He stood up; the cards in his hand were gripped so tightly
that they were bent. "It couldn't hurt anymore dan de X-Men's betrayal. At
least Essex didn't leave me to die."
"Really?" She got to her feet, taunting him with an accusation. "I
suppose Creed attacking you in the tunnels was Sinister's way of saying
Thanks for a job well done?"
He blinked twice, shocked at her implication. As hard as he was trying
to deny mentally the accusation, she could tell it was having an emotional
effect on him. Hearing the familiar sound of his mutant power charging an
object, she looked down and saw the cards aglow.
"Remy!" She screamed, pointing down at the glowing cards.
He looked down and gasped, unaware of what had happened. He threw them
down, grabbed her by the arm, and yelled a warning. "Run!"
With her usual calm composure, she waved her hand and summoned a
whirlwind. The windstorm lifted the cards into the air where they exploded
harmlessly in the evening sky.
The danger passed, she turned her attention back to her friend. Normally
Gambit had control over his powers, but this time she feared for his
safety. "Come." She held her hand out to him. "I'm taking you to see
McCoy."
"Non!" He answered, too quickly for her taste. He was hiding something
from her and she knew it. Gambit continued to deny what just happened as an
accident. He tried to give an excuse that they both knew was absurd.
"I lost control because of de collar, Stormy, nothing's wrong. Trust
me." Remy said, trying to tell the lie without eye contact. He could never
lie to her and she knew it but it didn't stop him from continuing with this
one. "Wearin' dat thing tampered wit' my powers an' now dey are on
overload. Dey will settle down in a bit."
"You are so stubborn!" Storm declared angrily, refusing to give him any
slack. This charade had gone on long enough and she was tired of it. "You
know I speak the truth and yet you ignore the danger."
He smiled back at her with that famous sarcastic grin of his.
Thunder clashed across the skies. "That's it!" Storm declared as she
floated off the top of the roof to glare down at Gambit. "If I can not
bring you to your senses, then this will." Before Gambit could move, he was
pulled off the roof.
Remy tried in vain to grab something to keep himself from completely
flying off the roof. His fingers touched the gutter underneath the roof,
but another powerful gust of wind pushed it out of his reach. He yelled
frantically. "Stormy, put me down."
It was almost comical watching her friend spin around in the air like an
item of clothing tossing in a washing machine. Storm placed her hand in
front of her mouth to stifle a laugh.
"As you wish." She waved her hand and the winds died, dropping the angry
Cajun into the swimming pool.
Storm floated over the pool and waited for Remy to surface. She dropped
down by the edge of the pool and offered her hand as she playfully teased
him. "Have you calmed down or must I dunk you again?"
Remy swam over to where she was standing and raised his hand for her to
grab to help him out of the water. "'kay, you win."
"I always do." She proclaimed and took his hand. Just as she was about
to pull his hand, he yanked harder pulling her into the water.
She surfaced, hearing his loud laughter. "Now you de one who's all wet,
non."
Storm shook the water out of her hair. "It is so good to see you
laughing again, Remy. Perhaps your hatred for us is behind you?"
"Non, never hated you Stormy," Gambit confessed. "But de others, mebbe
I'll let Sinister deal wit' dem."
"Remy!" Storm chastised him by throwing water at him. "Don't even joke
about turning the X-Men over to Sinister."
"Who's jokin'?" Remy asked. After receiving a threatening glare, he
quickly added. "Stormy, you don' know Essex like I do."
"No Remy," Storm knew where this conversation was headed. "Sinister
knows your one true weakness, and he will always exploit it as long as he
knows he can."
"You're jus' like de rest of de X-Men, Stormy." Remy swam over to the
edge of the pool and climbed out. Looking back at her, he said. "You're
too much brain washed by Xavier."
"Remember one thing, my brother. We all have our faults, including
Charles. If anyone claims to be perfect, then they are a fool." She took
his hand and allowed him to pull her out of the pool. She then summoned a
warm breeze to dry them both. "The X-Men are not perfect. And I do include
you in this group. Remy, we need you. The X-Men need you."
"Mebbe de X-Men need me, but I don' need dem."
"Remy." Storm sighed deeply, stroking her fingers through his hair.
"You are making this difficult for me. If I cannot convince you that you
belong here then I must take matters into my own hands."
"Do what you gotta do, Stormy." Gambit stated and then turned away.
She started to grab his shoulder but something startled him, causing him
to stand still. They were not alone and whoever the intruder was, it wasn't
an X-Man. She turned to face the unknown threat.
"Did ya miss me?" Victor Creed grinned maniacally at the duo.
Blockbuster and Harpoon stood behind Sabretooth, both holding their
weapons at arm's length and pointed directly at them.
Arclight casually strolled over to the two, playfully patting Remy across
the face. "You two looked like you were having fun. Care to tell us what
you and the weather witch were talking about, LeBeau?"
"Why? Jealous?" Remy taunted with a chuckle. "Wonder if Gray Crow
knows 'bout dat vice of yours?"
Laughter erupted from the Marauders. Arclight turned in their direction,
silencing her comrades with a piercing stare. She glared back at Gambit.
"You might be Sinister's little pet but I still don't trust you. You better
hope I'm wrong."
Gambit's eyes flashed in amusement. "I didn't know you cared."
"Yer pushin' your luck, Cajun." Creed snarled.
"And you are pushing your luck, Sabretooth." Storm secretly pressed her
com badge, sending an urgent message to the X-Men for immediate assistance.
She tried to keep her voice calm as to not alert Creed and the Marauders of
her game plan. "The X-Men will be here shortly. Leave now, while you can."
"I see that you're still meddling in the affairs of others, Storm. I bet
those underground mutant rejects don't think you're so high and mighty now,
do they?" Arclight looked her up and down as if inspecting a piece of
merchandise. Sontag stepped back shaking her head; her purple hair flying
loosely in the air. "Goddess! Don't make me laugh."
"If you think you can insult me, Arclight, you are mistaken." Storm
calmly replied. "It is you and your friends who are the mutant rejects, not
the Morlocks."
"Whoa!" Blockbuster glanced at Arclight and asked. "Are you going to
let her get away with that?"
"Shut up, Baer!" The female Marauder shouted and in an infuriated rage
used a booted foot to kick Storm in the stomach.
Gasping in pain, Storm dropped down to her knees trying to catch her
breath. She caught a glimpse of Remy angrily moving to confront Arclight,
but Creed grabbed him from behind.
"Keep yer nose outta it, boy. I want to see some blood." Creed
snarled. His yellow eyes glared down at her, taunting her with insults.
"That th' best you can do, X-woman? Xavier didn't train ya too well did
he?"
Storm gave him a confident look, stood back up and then raised her hands
in a defensive stance and challenged her adversary. "Shall we try this
again, Arclight? I'm quite sure this time your cheap shots will not help
you."
Both women squared off. Ororo's full attention settled upon the female
Marauder unaware of the approaching danger from behind her. She heard
Remy's frantic scream, "Stormy, behind you."
She turned to investigate, but Arclight's unrelenting attack didn't give
her the opportunity or a chance to fight back as Harpoon snapped a collar
around her neck.
The collar hummed to life, draining Ororo of her mutant power. She tried
to pull at the collar but her hands were pulled harshly around her back and
a pair of handcuffs snapped around her wrists.
"Let her go!" Remy shouted at the Marauders, his struggles were useless
against Creed's brutal strength. "Sinister doen' need Storm to get revenge
on Xavier."
"She's an X-Man! That's reason enough." Arclight grabbed a hand full of
Storm's hair and roughly yanked it back, laughing as Ororo gasped in pain.
Blockbuster pointed an accusing finger at Gambit, "You better get your
priorities straight, LeBeau, because if you're even thinking about turning
on us again, I'll make sure not even Mr. Sinister will be able to recognize
your body when I get finished with you."
"I'm impressed, Baer. You said more dan four words without forgettin'
what you were sayin'." Remy laughed, ridiculing the large Marauder.
"Sinister must have used an extra dose of miracle grow de last time he
cloned you a brain."
Arclight released her hold on Storm and snapped an order at Harpoon.
"Collar LeBeau, and if he opens his big mouth one more time, gag him."
Due to Creed's hold on him, Remy offered little resistance as the collar
was placed around his neck and activated. Harpoon pulled out a long red
dirty rag and snapped it in the air.
Remy opened his mouth, but before a word was spoken, Creed shoved him
down to the ground and pounced on him.
With little effort, Sabretooth quickly grabbed both of Gambit's wrists
together in one large massive hand and yanked them over the younger mutant's
head, rendering the captive defenseless.
"Oh th' dreams I've had 'bout this moment." Creed inched his face closer
to Gambit's, using the claws on his free hand to caress the side of Remy's
face. "Think I'll make myself a Cajun shish-ke-bab."
"You must be slippin' in your old age, Creed, if you think you're scarin'
me."
Remy shifted his body, trying to get out from under Sabretooth's weight
but Creed simply sat down on the Cajun's legs, instantly stopping the
motion.
"I wanna hear ya scream, ya lil' punk, an' I'm gonna enjoy myself while
ya do it." Creed laughed maniacally as he raised his hand in the air. "Gonna
carve ya up real good an' watch th' look on Essex's face when I toss yer
body down at his feet."
Arclight snapped her fingers, signaling Harpoon into action. He pointed
his weapon at Creed and threw the harpoon. It struck Sabretooth in the
back, causing the large mutant to howl in pain.
Sabretooth slowly climbed to his feet, turned and glared at the
Marauders. Reaching behind his back, Creed pulled out the bloody harpoon,
glanced at it, and then tossed it down at the feet of the Marauder who threw
it.
"Good thing I gotta healin' factor, boy, or I would think yer trying ta
kill me."
"Harpoon's following orders, Creed. Harming LeBeau means death to the
rest of us." Arclight reached for one of her knives and pulled it out,
showing the angered Creed that she was more than willing to take him down.
"Now get away from him or give me the pleasure of mixing your blood in with
the dirt on the ground."
Creed glared back at her before moving away from his intended victim.
"There'll be another time, Arclight."
"Just name the place, Creed." Arclight grinned slightly.