A dark figure ran out silently from the copse of trees surrounding the Xavier Academy, flitting in between trees and disappearing into shadows.
A moment later, a rustle of leaves heralded the break-in, and the figure vaulted over the intricate wrought-iron gates, landing lightly with a swish of his dark cloak. The metal rod in his hand contracted, decreasing in size until it fit neatly back onto itself and was contained in the palm of one hand.
"Easy as ever." He smirked to himself and took off at a run towards the main doors.
He was leery of the alarm systems, keeping an eye out for the obstacles and traps that Charles had laid for any intruders. Of course, he thought to himself smugly, they wouldn't be of much use against him.
His last leap landed him on the brick wall, and his legs scrambled for purchase until they found the first floor's window ledge. A hand delved into a side pocket, and came back out holding a flaming card. Two deft fingers flipped it towards the window above with uncanny precision, so it hit the glass above with a muffled boom. The glass fractured, then dropped onto the glass below with a soft tinkle.
He jumped and caught the edge of the window with his fingertips, then swung easily onto his feet and entered the room, tumbling in through the open window.
"Ah, what a lovely night, ma Cherie."
Rogue startled awake in her bed, then lunged out at the intruder. His eyes glowed red against the black, and he caught her frantic swipe on the rod.
"Gambit?"
Her voice came out sounding all wrong, and Rogue hurried to clear the lump of emotion in her throat.
"What are you doin' here?"
She whipped a glove off her hand, holding it out menacingly in front of her. Gambit raised his hands in a placating gesture, and slowly backed towards the window.
"I did not come here for a fight, cherie. But if you want it that way, then so be it."
Rogue didn't relax from her rigid posture. She stared coldly at Gambit's absurdly handsome and cocky face, willing herself not to reply.
"Anna-marie, it is time you must decide for yourself. Mon Dieu, it is time you see that the others have merely been using you."
Rogue sucked in a sharp breath, her hands curling into claws at her sides.
"Ah asked you what you were doin' here, Gambit. How do you know about mah name? Ah want answers, and ah want them now."
She took another step forward, then staggered back, surprised, as Gambit enveloped her in a hug. She struggled inside his arms, then gave a faint shriek of terror as he jumped out the window.
"Not so fast, kid."
Wolverine appeared from the shadows, shadowing Gambit silently. The rage and jealousy in his eyes flared. Gambit threw Wolverine a smirk across his left shoulder, then turned and ran, grasping Rogue's hand tightly.
"Just where d'ya think, you're goin', bub?"
Wolverine launched himself through the air, landing exactly where Gambit had been just a moment ago. He held up a fist to Gambit's face, and with a sharp ring of metal, extended his claws.
"You're not goin' anywhere without me."
"Ah, I'm afraid we are. Time to say au revoir, Wolf Boy."
Gambit reached inside his pocket, shuffled is cards briefly, then flicked two burning Aces at Wolverine. He watched them flutter through the air briefly, then turned and ran. The explosion rang in her ears as Rogue watched Wolverine dive to one side, her feelings for the two men warring within her.
"Stop it! Both of you!"
As expected, both of them ignored Rogue and started taunting each other, like the egoistical males they were.
"Well, well. Not one for pleasantries, are we, monsieur?"
"You picked the wrong fight, bub." growled Wolverine.
Snarling in fury, he launched himself at Gambit, just as aforementioned mutant sent three more cards spinning towards Wolverine's face. Logan slashed through them swiftly while they were in midair, then threw himself at Gambit, knocking them both into a wall. The sharp ring of metal on metal jarred Rogue to her bones as Gambit and Logan traded blows. Suddenly, there was a huge explosion, and Wolverine was sent flying backwards. He landed on a patch of burning grass, then righted himself and ran as it exploded.
"Did I now, Logan? Or is it you who has picked the wrong fight?"
Gambit grinned wickedly, then threw ten cards out like he was dealing them to the players. They all hit Wolverine, exploding in a magnificent inferno that enveloped his struggling figure. When the smoke cleared, Logan lay face down on the floor, breathing heavily, as Gambit gave a triumphant smile.
"I was never one for coup de graces," he said conversationally, "but I do like to go out with a bang."
With that, he held up the queen of hearts, and flipped it into the nearest ring of trees. As it hit, the leaves all exploded, setting the whole ring alight briefly. Broken twigs rained down on Wolverine, glowing like shooting stars, before flickering out.
Gambit reached for Rogue's frozen hand, and his eyes glinted.
"Shall we, ma belle?"