Okay so this is a new and improved version of my other story 'It Never Ends.' There's bound to be some changes here and there from the first version! So don't skip out on some chapters because you'll miss out on the differences! I'm writing some-what from scratch but I'll be using some parts from the old version too.
SET IN THE AGE OF APOCALYPSE! WILL EXPLAIN THINGS AS THE STORY DEVELOPS!
Enjoy!
-UltimateGammy91
Disclaimer: I don't own the X-Men, they are Marvel property
-x-
Whatever Happens
Prologue - Fateful Encounters
The wind whistled gently through the cracks and corners of the battered and beaten buildings and skyscrapers. It was depressing to admit that this was once called the city on of London. What used to be the base of an empire was now the base of a deserted wasteland. The wind seeped through cracks and holes of the crumbling buildings and blew about what was left of the roughened and broken terrain. Above head in the distance, a once tall and magnificent clock tower now stood a half tower. Broken and cut down to size like a common oak tree, Big Ben no longer rang in mirth or ticked away the times. There wasn't even a clock face left to tick. The dead city stood still and silent save for the consistent howl of the wind. That is, until a cloaked, tall figure stepped into sight. The lone figure let out a sigh of sympathy for the city of London as memories of a different time and what now seemed like a totally different place played across his mind.
"How times have changed…"
The figure heaved a deep sight as he turned his gaze away from the building ruins, his burgundy red cloak ruffling noisily in his stride. He walked deeper into the heart of London. He clung to the shadows of the remaining building skeletons as he made his way down the narrow roads by the riverside. He felt loose gravel and rubble grinded noisily under his shoes as he walked, echoing across the narrow space between the beaten pavement and the broken walls around him. Upon turning a bend however, he felt a change in the air. Something, or more, someone was close by and gaining closeness by the second. The figure loitered on the spot and kept his ears to the air as he waited. It was not a foe following his trail but not an ally either.
"It will be decided by the end of this day."
There was promise in that thought as the figure kept a still stance. He spoke so that his voice would echo across to the new figure.
"You exceed your skill as a thief Master Lebeau. I think you can come out of hiding now, you see that I am alone."
From the shadows of a near by alcove in the opposing wall, a man of skill and discretion, that not too many could master, came out from hiding. He was cloaked in a black trench coat, a hood over his head that hid away his face. A gold and jewel clad knife that had been clasped between the fingers of his right hand was lowered from a defensive stance as he made his way stealthily towards the other figure. By the time he stood a mere three feet from the other man, the jewelled knife was sheathed and lost in the many pockets of the black coat. It was the mark of a man driven by paranoia as well as skill with defence. However, after the Master Thief had descended from the shadows, he was followed shortly by a second figure. Cloaked in a similar trench coat and hood, the figure stood beside the elder thief. The lone figure studied the smaller person. He was barely a man but not a child; a boy, no older than twelve or thirteen.
"Je suis désolé Monsieur Magnus. (I am sorry) Mais (but) in such times as dis, y' can not be to careful."
Magnus nodded in understanding. Lord or Spirit knew that he knew the burden carried by such words in these times. The M shape cut-out of his helmet front encased the distant look that spread across the aging features of Eric Lencherr. It also instilled the common name given to him by his kind; Magneto. After another moment or two, Magneto shifted his gaze to the smaller figure who, though half his face was hidden in shadow, looked towards him. Magneto offered a kind smile as he spoke.
"I take it this is your son Jean-Luc?"
Jean-Luc nodded.
"Not the boy you spoke of I presume?'
"Non, not him. Mon plus jeune fils (my younger son) be too young t' deal wit' such transitions. De streets o' ol' London be no place for une petite garcon." (a small boy)
Magneto nodded with a look of genuine agreement and understanding. He too was a father thus Jean-Luc's protectiveness of his own offspring was only too easy to understand. He gave another deep sigh as he replied gravely.
"Yes, it is no place. But then this world is no place for a child to grow up in either is it my friend?"
Jean-Luc gave a cold half-chortle and nod with a similar manner.
"How is dat petite fille (daughter) o' yours Magnus? She be a petite une (little one) too, non?"
"I would not let her accompany me in such times regardless of her young age."
Jean-Luc nodded in understanding.
"A wise choice mon ami. Now, shall we get back t' business Magnus?"
"It appears we have no choice."
Both fathers nodded in agreement. Though this peace treaty was harsh on both sides, the casualties without one were by far more terrible. Both sides had suffered losses. Too much blood had been spilt. Too much anger and aggression had been carried out when their men and women alike could've made better use of themselves by working together. With this peace treaty the guilds could unify and put their resources and power into providing peace and prosperity between their people. Though it wouldn't put the Reign of Apocalypse to an end, it would give them some peace of mind to know they were not alone.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Meanwhile some half a mile away…
The landscape was chaos to the extreme. Broken slabs of concrete scattered everywhere in sight. Fallen trees either burned to crisps or broken in pieces were laid like landmarks across the grounds of what used to be a grand park. The once beautiful patch of paradise was now a figment of a memory that became a nightmare and a land mark of the reign of Apocalypse. The very sight of the place brought tears to the eyes of the small child that stood in the midst of the lifeless grounds. Her emerald green eyes grew glossy with every new horror that appeared in her path, sending trails of tears down her ivory white cheeks. The little girl wasn't even old enough to understand what war was but here she stood in the middle of the aftermath of one that had begun years before her life had even begun. Sobbing slightly, she slowly made her way around the ruins and fallen trees until finally she came upon something. Something that ceased her tears, well at least for the moment. Not too far away from her stood a ruin, a statue of an angel. The lady angel had lost one of her wings that now lay shattered across the ground while her figure was cracked and broken. Nevertheless, she still stood. The little girl looked up at the angel with hope kindled in her eyes. All was not lost.
The girl approached the angel and with a cautious pace, she reached out to touch it. The white stone was cold against her skin but somehow, whether by the girl's imagination or some other force, prevailed to have a feel of warmth and comfort. It was more than she had expected when she stepped into this soulless park.
With no more tears to shed, the little girl wiped her eyes and sat down at the feet of the angel. The angel's feet stood atop of a slab of limestone, giving her more seating as she tucked her legs and rested her chin on her knees. She wrapped her arms around her knees as she tilted her head, causing the pair of matching white streaks to sheath her heart-shaped face like a curtain. The wind lightly tussled her auburn and white curls as she tried to get comfortable and shifted in her seat. As she did so however, a small yelp escaped her lips and she flinched away from the slight pinch of pain that cut through her left index finger. She raised her hand to find a small cut on the tip of her index. She frowned confusedly.
"What in the world…?"
When she looked down she was surprised to find it was merely a thorn from a rose bush that had pricked her finger. Beside the statue a rose bush had run wild and spread across the left side of the Angel statue. The small wound on her finger was immediately forgotten as she stepped down from the seat. She reached out to a fully bloomed white rose and cupped it in her delicate hands. Only a few fully bloomed and fresh roses were left. A small smile graced her lips as she gently plucked it from the bush which was quickly followed by the rest.
"Maybe Mama will lahke these…."
She always knew her mother liked roses. Satisfied with herself and her prize, she stood up and decided to head back to the base but then she stopped in her steps.
Her eyes flickered anxiously as her heart skipped a beat. A chill of fear caught her off guard by the sound of rustling bushes from behind. She turned slowly on the spot. With wide eyes but her mouth pursed in determination, she bit back her fear. She was usually quite a brave little thing and was convinced that nothing could frighten her. Not even the monsters that hid in her closet that her brother Pietro often spoke about to frighten her could spike fear in her. Not now, not ever. Cautiously, Marie edged closer to the bushes. She carefully clutched her roses to her front as she slowly stepped forward. She readied herself to confront whatever it was that was lurking in the bushes. Finally, biting down on her lower lip, she began to reach out inch by inch and with a quick breath before the plunge she grasped a handful of branches and pulled them back only to find…
Nothing?
Confused at first, Marie raised her gloved hands to her hips in a thoughtful way as she frowned into the bushes. She had been certain she'd heard something but as J.M. Barrie said, whatever troubled a grown up, would never trouble a child and that was quite the case. Dismissing the suspicious thought, she made to walk away. She barely made one step when suddenly she was knocked off her feet and landed hard on her backside on the rough ground. Something or someone had collided with her, hard. When the shock of the fall was shaken off, Marie brought her head up to look up at the figure that had nocked her down only to find that she was staring into the eyes of ….
A demon?
Her eyes widened but before she could say anything or decide to run while she could, she noticed that the demon eyes belonged to no demon but a boy; who was staring at her. The boy looked down on her with the same sort of star-struck expression that mirrored on her own. He was very young, not too much older than herself with a scrawny, gangly figure. She mused daftly to herself that the mess of auburn hair on his head made her think of a mop-top. After a moment or two of staring, she realised that he was standing before her. Blushing, she also realised he had said something and was holding out his hand to her. She eyes the hand curiously, almost suspiciously, until his voice brought her out of the trance again.
"M' won' bite chérie. Jus' lemme help y' up."
Her gaze fell back on his eyes once more. They were mysterious and captivating unlike any pair of eyes Marie had ever seen. She rather liked them actually.
She gave the unique-eyed boy a last stare before she let her gloved hand rest in his. He pulled her to her feet once more with one strong tug of his lanky arm. When they were both on their feet, Marie noticed that the boy was a good head taller than her and was dressed in an over-sized tan trench coat that covered the pair of jeans and a T-shirt he wore. He looked positively silly, she figured with a small smile of amusement. A moment later, a giggle erupted from the six-year-old, causing a puzzled frown to spread across the boy's face. Finally, he spoke again with an incredulous tone.
"Why y' laughin' chére?"
Marie stopped abruptly as her ivory cheeks turned a faint shade of pink. Shyness overcame her as she spoke.
"Ain't that coat a lil' too big for ya?"
The boy looked down at his coat then returned his gaze back to her. A grin spread across his face as he replied smugly.
"Oui, mais mon Pére says dat I'll grow in t' it soon enough."
"Are ya French or somethin'?"
He shook his head and continued to grin.
"Non, I be a Cajun."
"Ya mean ya from N' Orleans?"
"Oui."
Marie smiled and was about to begin a parade of questions about the place when her gaze caught something on the ground. Suddenly it hit her that she'd dropped her roses and not to mention sat on them when the boy had knocked her over.
"Oh no…"
The boy's grin turned to a look of concern at the sudden change of expression across the little girl's face. He had never seen such a smile before and didn't want to see it go so soon. She ignored him as she walked two paces and knelt before a pile of ruined white roses.
"What is it chérie?"
With a saddened expression Marie reached out a trembling hand and picked up the pitiful remains of the white roses. She held them up for the boy to see as she replied sadly.
"Mah roses are ruined."
Tears brimmed in her big green eyes but she fought hard and bit them back. She'd cried in front of a boy once and it had ended in a lot of teasing and taunting. She'd given the boy who'd called her a baby a good punch in the jaw that had sent him home crying to his mother. Despite her winning hand, she refused to cry in front of this boy. The boy on the other hand, saw her tears and felt his gut give a horrible twist of guilt. He'd seen her before, seen the tears in her emerald eyes as she'd walked around the park. But then he had seen the joy in her eyes when she'd found the roses earlier. Biting down on his lower lip, he rested his hands comfortingly on her small shoulders. She shifted away her gaze from him despite his attempts to catch it.
"Shhh don' cry cherie. Y' jus' wait here an' Remy be back in a minute d'accord?"
Marie nodded as she wiped away an escaped tear from her cheek. As the boy disappeared, she discarded the ruined roses and sat back down on the angel's feet. She was beginning to wonder where the boy had gone when not five minutes later she was startled slightly when a dozen red roses were placed in front of her nose.
A gasp of amazement escaped her before she turned around to see the same boy standing behind her. He held onto the leg of the angel to hold him steady as he held out the small bouquet to her. He brandished a smug grin at her as she took the roses with a starry-look in her eyes.
"Dey not white mon chére mais dey were de only one's Remy could find."
Marie smiled back at him as she held a rose under her nose and took in the aroma. When she pulled back, she smiled and replied shyly.
"That's fahne. Ah lahke red roses better any how. Thank ya."
The boy grinned. Suddenly, a moment later, he made an agile step and stood before her once again. He held out a hand for her to take once more but this time for her to shake as he replied.
"Dat's okay mon chére. Though now 'mebe we should introduce ourselves non?"
Marie smiled as she took his hand shook it gently.
"Mah name's Marie."
The boy smiled and acting like the gentleman his father swore he would be, he raised her smaller hand to his lips and kissed it making Marie giggle and blush as he replied.
"Je m'appelle Remy. An' if y' don' mind Remy askin', why y' wearin' gloves cherie?"
Marie shrugged innocently as she replied.
"Ah dunno really. Mah parents make meh wear 'em all the tahme. Never really tol' meh why…"
She frowned slightly but it was only for a moment. Remy nodded in reply but there was a hint of curiosity that sparked in his demonic eyes. He let the subject go as he sat himself down beside her, his back against the angel's calves as he spoke once more.
"So what y' doin' round here? Dis ain't a place f' a petite fille like y'self, y' know." (small girl)
It was Marie's turn to shrug as she replied with a gentle but altogether sly smile.
"It ain't no place f' a petit garcon either." (Small boy)
Remy chuckled and replied with another grin on his face.
"Touché mon chére."
"Why do ya call meh that when ya know mah name?"
"Dunno. Habit?"
"Y' mean y' call a lot o' girls that?"
Remy grinned and replied.
"Non, jus' y'."
"So…ah'm dear?"
"Oh very."
Marie blushed crimson but smiled nonetheless. Remy was quite the charmer for his young age and for some reason, she found him easy to trust. After a moment of thought, Marie finally spoke up. The blush on her cheeks had faded as she found herself lost in his gaze once more. She asked innocently enough, not throwing a hint of caution to the wind as she spoke.
"Why are ya eyes lahke that?"
Remy paled at her words. Quick as a flash, he pulled a pair of sun glasses out of his trench coat pocket and covered his eyes with them as he spoke nervously.
"Je suis désolé mon chérie. M' know dey're frightenin'-"
"No! No- no they ain't scary, why ya hide 'em?"
Remy nearly gapped at her when she reached out and rested her gentle hand on his shoulder. No one had ever asked him not to hide his eyes away. They'd made other children cry and adults draw back in fear or disgust. He'd been called Le diable blanc since the day he was born and here out of all people stood a small girl only a few years younger than himself, telling him not to hide them from her while others damned him for owning such demonic eyes. He raised a curious brow at her.
"Y'- Y' not scared by dem?"
Marie laughed lightly as she replied with a small smile.
"Scared? Meh? Nawh, ah lahke ya eyes. They're beautiful."
Remy couldn't help but grin like an idiot as she smiled up at him. No one had ever said that either.
"Merci mon chére. Dat's tres sweet o' y'."
She blushed again as she replied.
"So will ya take them shades off?"
Remy was reluctant at first but one look into those pools of green she called eyes was enough to convince him otherwise. He pulled off his shades for her. He couldn't express how pleased he was to find a smile graced Marie's lips as she replied.
"Ya' look better without 'em."
"Y' be de only one who's said dat."
He chuckled sheepishly. Marie gave a confused look.
"Why's that?"
Remy ran a hand through his hair as he replied. Shame glazed over his eyes as he spoke.
"Well,… Not too many people like my eyes. Dey call moi Le diable blanc back home b'cause dey t'ink m' a white devil. Dese eyes are cursed."
Marie gave Remy a sympathetic look as he turned his gaze away from her. No one should have to be treated like that, not a boy as sweet as Remy. She hadn't known him long, about half an hour at the least but she knew him enough to know that he was a highly misunderstood boy. Gently, she reached out and rested a hand on his cheek as she spoke.
"Ya shouldn't hate ya eyes Remy. People don't know what they're thinkin' f' callin' ya that."
He turned slowly to meet her gaze. He lingered there for a moment or two with a blank look across his face. Finally, after about a half a minute, he gave a crooked half-smile and replied gently.
"Y' got a big heart chérie. Merci. Not everyone in dis world got one like yours. Y' special."
Marie blushed but smiled shyly. She tucked back a loose strand of white behind her left ear as she shifted her gaze to her feet and replied.
"Ah'm nothin' special."
He chuckled softly before he answered with a bright exuberance to his voice.
"Oui y' are! Y' trés special!" (very)
She pushed him lightly in the shoulder and refused to meet his gaze as she replied.
"No ah'm not!"
"Why d' y' t'ink y' have such unique hair den?"
He fingered one of the streaks that framed her face. At his actions, Marie pushed him away, causing him to lose his balance and tumble to the floor with a thud as she yelled in distress.
"B'cause ah'm mutant alright!"
Remy's eyes widened for a moment as he remained on the ground with a dumbfounded look. A moment later, as Marie stared anxiously back at him, a smile crossed his lips as he exclaimed with a click of his fingers.
"Remy knew y' were chérie!"
Marie's expression changed in a moment, from happy content to nervous and almost fearful after his words. She knew, even at her age, that mutants were feared and hated by the world. And though she didn't admit it, she was afraid of the world that hated her kind. She was a mutant but her powers hadn't manifested just yet. From the unique bangs of white that framed her face she knew that she wasn't normal. She would never be normal. Nervously, she got off the statue and took a step back and as she replied.
"Ah- Ah'm not yet, ah mean, ah-ah am but ah don't have any powers yet-"
"Woah dere chére!"
He replied with raised hands in reassurance as he tried to keep her calm and near by.
"Don't y' worry none. Remy's a mutant too! Remy's eyes, dey're what make him mutant but Remy don't have any powers either. Not yet."
It took a second for Marie's jaw dropped in amazement before she replied with a hopeful smile.
"Really?"
Remy nodded, nothing but honesty in his eyes as he replied.
"Sure am chérie."
Rogue practically beamed she was smiling so brightly.
"Ya know Swamp Rat, ah think ah lahke ya."
Remy chuckled at that name and raised a bemused brow as he replied.
"Swamp Rat?"
"Ya a N' Orleans boy raght?"
"Oui an' y' be a River Rat from Mississippi non?"
Marie giggled slightly with a roll of her eyes at the charming Cajun. It would be no surprise to her if he grew up to be a charmer. The two fell into a comfortable silence with smiles upon their faces but the moment of amity came to an end when an alarming siren began to blare and echo off the crumbling city buildings and into their ears. Both children covered their ears at the horrible noise. Marie turned to Remy with panicked alarm as she yelled over the noise.
"What's goin' on Remy? What is that sound?!"
Remy replied in a slightly stronger yell as he kept his ears covered.
"Remy don't know chére!"
Frantically, Remy looked around the park grounds. His heart was pounding with anxiety but he kept a brave face for Marie who was frightened as she clutched his arm and stayed close to his side. After skimming over the grounds with his gaze, he took Marie's smaller hand in his and looked back down at her and called out over the alarm.
"Come wit' moi Marie! We gotta get out o' here!"
They took off with Remy leading Marie out of the park at a quick speed.
They were only just outside of the park grounds when suddenly a louder noise overpowered the alarm and a large shadow passed over them making both children stop in their tracks. Like two mice caught in the shadow of a housecat, Marie edged closer to Remy and kept a tight hold on his hand. She followed when he pulled them towards a nearby bush and took cover under its branches. Both children looked up in time to watch as the shadow that fell over the grounds connected to a figure, or more a metal robot figure that towered over them from metres away. The robot was in the shape of a man with a coal-black metal frame and glowing yellow eyes that scanned over the terrain. Its rocket powered metal legs kept it in flight as it flew by like a circling hawk.
"Wha- what do ya think that thing is?"
Marie asked Remy nervously with her eyes glued to the monster of metal as it flew above them. Remy frowned at the robot mistrustingly. His Père had told him about these monsters; the sentinel. He knew he had to get them out of there before the real trouble came.
"R-Remy?"
Remy turned his gaze away from the sentinel and back to Marie. She was trembling with fright but she seemed to be holding it back best she could. Taking a last glance at the sentinel he whispered in a rushed voice.
"Marie we gotta get outa here-"
"What are those things Remy?"
Remy hushed her as another sentinel flew over them. When it was a good twenty metres away from them, he took Marie's hand and tugged her to her feet as he whispered.
"Okay come on, follow Remy..."
They stealthily made their way away from the sentinels. Remy knew the way back to the Thieves guild base but he was sure it would be too dangerous to try to get there without stopping to take cover and rest. Now usually a boy of his age would be wetting their pants over this kind of danger, but then Remy was unlike a lot of boys. He was his own little master. They found cover in the broken shell of a small car that had been flipped over onto hits head. Remy let her slip through the broken windshield before sliding in after. They lay side by side on their bellies. Both were out of breath and shaking from head to foot when Marie spoke.
"Where- Wh- where are w-we goin'?"
Remy kept his eyes on the sentinels as he replied.
"Remy knows a safe place mais it be too far. We jus' gotta find somewhere close t' hide, dem sentinels up dere, dey ain't no good news."
"Sentinels?"
She asked confusedly.
"Oui. Dey be ol' Apocalypse's-"
"Apocalypse?!"
Remy instantly put a hand over her mouth to silence her. It was in that moment the alarm stopped. Remy raised an index finger to his lips to tell her to keep quiet as his eyes immediately switched to the skies. He let Marie go after a moment or two. Marie set her eyes to the skies but they kept falling back on Remy. The fear and the unnerving silence that captivated her seemed less with him at her side. She didn't know what was happening but she knew the silence wasn't good. A few fearsome moments of uncertainty and silence passed until Rogue finally spoke, gulping down her nervousness before she spoke.
"Ah- ah think they're gone-"
All of a sudden a thunderous sound that made the ground under their feet move beneath them made Marie yelp in surprise as the ground grumbled violently underneath them. Remy told Marie to follow him, however, they were but only a few feet away from their last spot when suddenly a sentinel's giant metal foot came down from above. It would've squashed them flat if Remy hadn't had the quickness to pull them away at the last second. They landed some five feet away from where the giant's foot had landed. Remy shielded her with his body lying over hers as they looked up only to find a pair of glowing, artificial yellow eyes looking down on them like flashlights. They were caught in the light like escaped convicts. Marie felt herself freeze on the spot from where she lay. They sat their staring at the godly giant for a full minute before its great orb-like eyes turned brighter and turned a vivid red. They began to charge with energy, sending a buzzing noise ripping through the air. Remy and Marie didn't have to be smart kids to realize that they wouldn't be able to run when those identical eyes fired upon them. The charging sound began to pierce their ears making both children clutch each other close as they scrunched their faces and closed their eyes waiting for the worst to happen. A numbing silence surrounded them as Marie let the few white roses she still had fall freely from her hands as she held onto Remy for almost dear life. He did much the same as they waited for the end.
But it never came.
Not a moment later the two felt a pair of strong hands grab them and they were pulled into the hold of a tall, strong figure who whisked them away a second before a great blazing light blasted the ground. The force of the blast sent the two children and their saviour flying about six feet ahead as the ground exploded in a mass of rubble, flame and thick clouds of smoke. Marie opened her eyes only too see that a fog of smoke had engulfed them. She stood on her hands and knees beside Remy and the man who saved them. The man, Jean-Luc Lebeau, look up from his crumpled position did he suddenly jump to his feat and grab both Marie and Remy and told them to run for it as the Sentinel made to give chase. However, not a moment later, the sentinel stopped in mid-action.
A metal-against-metal crunching noise began to cut through the air. Its metal joints began to scrape against each other as it began to pull and strain furiously in the air. A moment later a cloaked and helmeted figure descended from the sky of smoke until he was level with the sentinel's head. His strong arms rose before him like a conductor would an orchestra. An azure-blue glow erupted from his hands, keeping a powerful hold on the giant of metal. Jean-Luc, Remy and Marie stopped some distance away from the sentinel to watch. It was then that Marie realised who was holding back the metal monster. A single whisper came from her lips as she stared at the skies.
"Daddy…"
Remy's ears caught Marie's whisper in an instant. His brow furrowed in bemusement but before he could ask anything there was a thunderous crunching sound and the sentinel's body began to crank and bend as Magneto began to break the tower of metal down piece by piece. It began to surge with electricity before a great explosion erupted from the sentinel's torso. The machine fell to the ground in pieces and flames of smoke with a deafening crash that rippled through the ground. The three figures waited a moment or two for the smoke to clear. Moments later, Magneto stepped out from the smoke and back onto the solid ground. Marie ran to her father's out stretched arms not a minute later. Marie couldn't help the bright smile from forming on her face as she hugged her father tightly. It was when she pulled back and Eric stood up again with her small hand in his that the reunited father and daughter turned to look back at Remy and his father. Jean-Luc smiled gratefully at Magneto, a protective arm around his son's shoulder as he spoke. A sigh of relief was present in his voice as well as gratitude.
"Dat was a close one Lencherr mais merci."
Eric nodded back with a polite and equally grateful smile as he replied.
"It is I who must thank you Jean-Luc. You saved my daughter."
Marie smiled at Remy who returned it with a knowing grin. The danger was gone for now. The two children were transfixed to one another when their fathers words broke them out of the trance.
"Well Jean-Luc, I best think we should both be on our ways. This place isn't safe for long."
Jean-Luc agreed, causing both children's faces to pull disappointment expressions. Neither knew if they would ever see the other again. The two shared sad glances, mouthing each other a goodbye before their fathers made their last words and proceeding to lead them away in separate directions.
Marie walked alongside her father with heavy shoulders and tears threatening to fall as she dragged her feet along the ground. She replayed the last two hours she'd spent with the cute Cajun boy.
"Wish ah got t' know him more…"
As Remy's father led the way, Remy lagged behind with his head down and his hands in his pockets. He let a sigh escape him but before he could make another step, his demonic eyes fell on something that stood in his path. His eyes brightened as a grin crossed his face. He bent down and took the item into his hand before turning around and making a run after Marie as he called back to his father to wait a moment. Marie had followed her father no more than few ten or so steps when she heard the distant call of an all too familiar voice.
"Marie, wait!"
A smile bloomed across her face as she pulled out of her father's hold and spun around and made a run towards the voice. When the two found each other, Remy smiled down on her as he tried to catch his breath.
"Remy t'ink y' dropped somethin'."
Grinning at her confused look, Remy raised his hand to reveal a single, unspoiled red rose, fully bloomed and at point of perfection. Marie felt herself staring at it for a moment of eternity before she reached out and took it gently. Tears turned her eyes starry as she looked up at him and replied gently.
"Thank ya swamp rat."
Remy grinned like an idiot but his expression changed to a more serious mood as he spoke once more as he took her hand in his one last time.
"Remy promise y' Marie. Next time Remy sees y' he'll bring y' fresh roses, d'accord?"
Marie blushed as she smiled up at him. A moment later she threw her arms around him in a tight hug.
"Jus' as long as ya promise t' see meh again."
Remy smiled down at her as he returned the hug and replied.
"I promise."
They pulled away and continued to smile and stare as they took began to walk away from each other. Remy turned his back, not wanting to watch her leave, but was stopped one last time by her voice. He turned to watch as she ran towards him once more. When she stopped in front of him, she raised her hands to the back of her neck. He stared at her confusedly for a moment but his questioning look was answered when she took his hand and placed a small object inside. He turned his gaze to his hand to find an oval shaped emerald set in a gold base and chain in his hand. He looked up at her with an uncertain look as he struggled to say something. She beat him to it with a smile.
"That's t' make sure ya do come fahnde meh. Give it back when ya do okay?"
He nodded mutely as she blushed pink. She said goodbye one last time before turning around and running back to her father. Remy stood still with the emerald pendant in hand. At his father's call, he broke from his thoughts and returned to his father's side. Though neither was within sight when they did so, both took their last backward glimpses before they stepped out of each others lives forever.
Or so they thought.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
THERE! That was MUCH better! I hope you think so too!
REVIEW!
-Gams