Pale red light washed across the land as the first rays of sunlight broke through the clouds that covered the sky. In the distance a large plume of dust filled the sky. The sounds of a gasoline engine soon filled the air as the origins of the dust cloud soon became apparent. A lone man riding on a rusted motorcycle soon broke the crest of a small hill. A thick cloth mask covered most of his face and large circular goggles covered his eyes. He sped along the barren earth that was once known as New York. His destination was a ruined mansion on the outskirts of a broken city. The long overcoat that he wore bellowed out behind him as he cranked the gear shift into a higher gear, causing the bike to lurch and then speed up faster.
It didn't take long for him to reach the end of his journey, the bike he rode slowly coming to a stop in the loose earth as he pulled up to the front of the mansion. He sat there for a long moment, looking up at rotted and decaying building. The building had definitely seen better days and the fact that it still stood amazed him. Finally, using the foot he'd planted on the ground to steady himself on his bike, he stood up and swung his leg over the bike to dismount it all together. He took a moment to comb his hand, clad in a fingerless glove, through his dusty brown hair, clearing his face of bangs that covered most of his face. He brushed his hands lightly over his long overcoat, clearing the dust from the tattered garment before finally removing the goggles he wore over his eyes, sliding then down over his face to reveal bright glowing crimson eyes. He allowed the goggles to rest gently against his neck as he looked around. He rubbed his unshaven cheek and looked around again. It had been a long time since this place had any life about it. He could still hear the ghost like voices of those he used to know. He could hear them talking to him, hear them laughing, hear them simply enjoying life. Now that was all gone. He took a few steps away from the thing that had brought him back here, dust rising up with each step he took. He made his way slowly over to the front door, which hung on its last hinges by a screw. His eyes studied the wood, saw the small golden plaque that read "Xavier's Institute" on it. A small smile spread across his lips as he reached up, gently brushing his hand across the small golden surface, nor tarnished with many years of neglect. The last screw finally gave out and the door fell, casting dust in all directions as it did so. A small frown passed over his lips before he shook his head softly and then stepped over the fallen door inside.
His eyes glanced about the large open foyer that stood before him. The long double staircase leading up to the second floor and had long since fallen. He wanted to look around, to see if anything still remained of a life he had lost long ago. He didn't have time though. He had a purpose for visiting this place and that had yet to be fulfill. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a long thin cigarette and placed it into his lips. He could hear his old friend's voice now, calling to him, tell him that he needed to quit the habit or it would kill him. A sad smile spread across his lips as he held up the tip of his finger and caused a small pop of energy to light the smoke. He took in a small breath and then let the smoke slowly role out from the corner of his mouth as he stood there. The echoes of days long past filled his ears once more. The sounds of all those he knew filling his mind as he looked around. He could almost see them now, walking around the mansion without a care in the world. He shook his head softly, causing his hair to spill across his face once more. He could fill the tears fill up in his eyes, but he fought the urge to simply cry. The time for tears had long since past, he hated being here.. but it had to be done. He took in another breath and then put the cigarette out in his hand, placing what was left back into his pocket. He took one last look around the decayed foyer and then continued on through the house.
What he had come for was in the back yard. Just a small patch of earth, no bigger then small park. Within the confines of a rusted iron fence stood several gravestones. There was one in particular though that had his interest. He slowly opened the iron gate of the fence, letting it swing slowly open as he stepped inside what he considered one of the last sacred places on earth for him. His eyes wandered over the nearest gravestone. His eyes reading the words, "Here lies Ororo Munroe. May her soul rest in peace," before he reached out, brushing his fingers along the top of gravestone. He passed another and then another, all of them belonging to friends who had long since passed on. Finally though, he came to the one he sought. He slowly dropped to one knee letting his fingers brush away the dust and dirt that had collected on the surface. Some of the words had long since faded, but he could still make out the ones that mattered. Here lies Anna Marie LeBeau, beloved wife of...
"It's been a while, non, cheri? Remy want to start off sayin' dat he sorry fer not comin' ta see ya sooner. He been busy and all tryin' ta find de way back to ya," Remy spoke softly as he leaned forward, resting one hand gently on top of the grave, his crimson eyes welling up with tears as he spoke. "Ah.. miss ya, cheri, and Ah promise, one day Ah'm gonna rest in ya arms again..." His voice threatened to break as he leaned forward to rest his head softly on the headstone, his tears falling from his eyes and rolling down his cheeks as he took in a shuttering breath. "Remy jus' got one last t'ing ta do thou'h before dat happens." He leaned back onto his legs and slowly moved a hand to the best pocket of his coat. His hand slowly slipping inside as he removed a small red rose from the chest pocket. His fingers grasped the stem lightly as he looked down at the flower, fresh tears coming to his eyes once more as he leaned forward, pressing his lips to the marble surface. He slowly placed the rose at the foot of the grave stone and slowly began to stand up. Taking one last look he lowered his head. "Je t'aime de tout mon cœur." With that he turned, his long overcoat swirling about him as he left the grave site of all of his friends and loved ones.
It wasn't long till Remy appeared again at the broken entrance to the once beautiful home. He adjusted his coat after drying his eyes once more with the sleeve of his coat. His crimson eyes slowly rose to gaze at a young man leaning on the seat of his bike. The young man had his arms crossed lightly over his chest and his bright blue eyes were cast down at the ground just beyond where his feet were. His long, raven black hair gently swayed in the breeze. His eyes slowly turned up to look at Remy as he began to stroll over toward him. Remy rose a brow as he looked at the young man for a moment before coming to a stop to look at him in the eyes.
"Wha' ya doin' here, homme?"
"I came to make sure you didn't die trying to pay your last respects to your wife."
"Ah appreciate it, mon ami... but honestly Ah wouldn' care if Ah died now or not."
Jonice looked at him a moment, his blue eyes studying the worn and weary man for a moment before he simply nodded and then moved off the bike so that Remy could get on. He ran his hands through his long hair before pulling it back into a loose ponytail. His blue eyes shifted to the morning sky overhead. He could already feel the heat from the sun bleeding through the thick clouds overhead. He shrugged as Remy mounted his bike. The rusted bike whining a little as Remy's weight fell on the old bike. Jonice looked down at the rusted metal transport and shook his head. He looked back up to Remy once more before crossing his arms lightly over his chest.
"I'll see you there then... Try not to pass on before we finish this okay?"
"Ya need ta worry 'bout ya self. Ah'll be dere.."
Jonice nodded before he slipped into the air. Dust rising up around where he was once standing. Remy watched as the boy's figure disappear into the horizon. Having been left alone he settled over the bars of his bike for a moment as he reached into his pocket once more. His red crimson eyes studying the object in between his fingers before he placed it to his lips before lighting it once more. He took a long drag off the smoke before he leaned back into his seat. He sighed softly, regretting that he didn't have any more of them. After he finished the last of his cigarettes, he flicked the butt away and then started his bike. The wheels spinning out as he headed off in the direction that the boy had gone before.