"I don't know if You can hear me," Kurt whispered from the darkness of his cage, "or if You're even there. I don't know if You would listen to a mutants's prayer…"
Shouts and drunken laughter rang from above, accompanying the thuds and grunts of the fighting ring. Soon, his time would come.
He cupped his cross between his misshapen hands. "Yes, I know I'm just an outcast, I shouldn't speak to you. Still, I see your face and wonder: were you once an outcast too?"
A great thud shook the very building, followed by the roar of the crowd. Soon.
"God help the outcasts, hungry from birth. Show them the mercy they don't find on earth…"
Then came the sound of footsteps clattering down the stairs. Gruff voices slurred with alcohol reached his ears.
"Please help my people, we look to You still. God help the outcasts, or nobody will."
The echoes of others' prayers rang in his mind.
I ask for wealth…
Large figures appeared within Kurt's line of sight between the slats of the bars.
I ask for fame…
A key rattled in the rusty lock.
I ask for glory to shine on my name…
The door was thrown open, and rough hands grabbed him.
I ask for love I can possess…
He was bundled into a cage that was far too small, crushing almost.
I ask for God and his angels to bless me!
"I ask for nothing," Kurt whispered as the cage was borne along roughly. "I can get by. But I know so many less lucky than I. Please help my people, the poor and downtrod. I thought we all were children of God."
The cage came to an abrupt and jarring stop.
"Meine Damen und Herren," came the announcer's voice, "die erstaunliche, die fantastische Nightcrawler!"
"God help the outcasts, children of God…"
At that moment, the cage was thrown open and he was tossed into the ring to face the Angel.
/
Later, in a moment of peace in his newfound home, Kurt would reflect upon this event and come to the conclusion that he had indeed been heard.
/
I love Kurt and I loved this idea when it came to me. For those who don't know, Kurt's prayer comes from the song God Help the Outcasts from Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame. If you've never seen it I would highly recommend it.