This chapter almost made it to rated M, but I changed the one scene cause it got a little too graphic, even for me. Sabertooth is just not one of those people you want to hug.
Special thanks to: drumgirl1923, tfobmv18, Mint, Gidgetgirl, TriGemini, ChamberlinofMusic, coup fatal, cherish15, Laceylou76, Mr Crossover, Angelic Ami, eagle219406, AshmandaLC, Blitz182, and PhoenixCrystal. Thank you guys so much for taking the time to review the last chapter, and everyone that added this story to Favorites list (now over 100) and Story Alert (over 220)!
Rogue's eyes narrowed at the note Logan had left on the kitchen table. It was just like him to leave without warning. She wanted to tell him the things she had discovered the day before, but knew they would have to wait until later.
She tapped her fingers against the table after hearing the water shut off from the bathroom. She glanced down at the note and saw that it was written in a hurry. Did Logan hear something and want to check it out for himself? She wished he would have at least woken her up so she knew where he was going. It was more dangerous for him than her being in town and could screw a few things up if he ran into his past self. Then again, Logan is Logan; he was going to do what he wanted whether told yes or no.
The bathroom door swung open and Gambit emerged with his hair still damp. He glanced down at her and she looked at him. When their eyes met they both looked away. Both remembered the night before and even though neither knew of each other's dream it felt awkward looking at one another.
Silence ticked away for several seconds before Remy got up the courage to break it. "So what y' doin' today? Looks like de old man ditched y'." He commented as he went to the closet and pulled out a dark brown jacket and slipped it on.
"Ah don't know, Logan usually decides the schedule." Rogue replied and watched as he closed the door and turned around to pull the collar of his jacket down.
"I'm goin' to de casino now, if y' want y' can come and after I can start teachin' y' some fightin'." He suggested planning on going even if Rogue declined.
Rogue thought about it for a moment. It wasn't like her to leave without informing Logan where she was going. She still needed to talk to him. Of course he left without telling her where he ran off to and only left a note saying he would be back. He didn't specify she needed to stay in the apartment and wait for him. Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to go out and maybe discover something new about the town.
"Alright, let me just leave a note for Logan." She replied and got up from her chair to turn to the piece of paper over that Logan had used and scribbled a note down. She dropped the pen on the table and joined Remy who opened the door for her.
The two didn't say much as they exited the apartment and walked towards the casino. "Why ya goin' there?" She asked him as they got closer. She didn't think there would be anyone there at the time, but she also didn't think there was anything important inside the house they went into the day before.
"Just need to find out somethin', den we'll grab somethin' to eat and start practicin'." He replied as they finally reached their destination.
They entered the casino and Rogue looked around noting that everything looked the same with the exception of fewer people. "I'll be right back." She heard Remy say from beside her. She turned to see him walk over to the bar and began speaking the bartender. She shrugged her shoulders before walking around some of the slot machine that were unoccupied with the exception of one that was being used by a little old lady. She turned back and looked towards the bar and saw he was still talking to the bar tender that made occasional glances back at her.
"Well well, been a while LeBeau." The bartender smirked as he set the glass he was cleaning down and leaned his elbows on the counter as Remy took a seat on one of the many stools. "Can I getcha anything? I supposed your finally legal age to drink, though it never stopped you before." He chuckled.
"Non, I good, besides who drinks dis early in de mornin'?" Remy smirked and noticed an old man drinking down at the other end. He didn't comment. "So, dey still holdin' de competition dis year?" He asked and leaned his arm against the counter.
The bartender simply smiled and nodded. Every year a poker tournament was held in the casino and it was known for years no one beat Remy LeBeau. Most didn't know at the time he had been underage, but the fake ID always took care of it and no one questioned him. It surprised everyone when LeBeau disappeared and other people were able to claim his spot as victor.
"Of course, but you're a little late. The last spot was filled yesterday by a man named Kim Sung. If you want his position you might be able to play against him for it, though he won't play unless there is something in it for him." The bartender stated and smiled as a couple walked into the casino.
"What kind of things he interested in?" Remy questioned. If the other wanted money, he knew of a few places he could hit to get cash. Whatever it was, he would get it so he could reclaim his title once more.
"What does every man want? Women. The guy is a complete sleaze. Whenever he comes in here, he flashes his money around to get women near him, slaps the waitresses on the ass. If it's perverted, he has done it. So unless you know a woman who is willing to be risked, I don't think you have a chance." The bartender told him before he backed away from the counter and returned to cleaning glasses.
Remy tapped his fingers on the wooden counter debating in his mind of what to do. As soon as the other man had said that one name entered his mind: Rogue. Though, he didn't think she would go along with it, but who said she had to know the whole truth.
"I might know someone." Remy said in a quieter tone, catching the bartender's interest. "De girl I came in with." The bartender looked over at Rogue who was standing by the slot machines and then turned her head to look back at him.
"She's a pretty one. I'm sure Kim will go for her. Maybe have her show off a little more skin, some more makeup and she'll be a knock out." He grinned causing Remy to scowl. He didn't know what it was, but when he spoke of Rogue like that, a sense of jealous washed over him and he grabbed the bartender by the collar and pulled him close.
"He ain't gonna be getting' her cause I'm gonna win and if I hear y' talk about her like dat I'll shove one of de cards up y'r ass, oui?" Remy said in a low warning tone, causing the bartender to hold up his hands in front of him.
"I didn't mean anything by it, Remy. I know you'll win." The bartender said as the younger man let him go and he backed up a little. "Just be careful, Sung didn't just get in the competition because he signed his name on a paper." He warned.
"Do y' know anyone better den me, mon ami?" Remy's famous smirk appeared on his face. "Y' know when he gonna be comin' back?"
"He usually stops in around one or two to show off and will stay until four." The bartender replied while taking another quick glance at Rogue who was walking over to the bar.
"Are ya done yet?" She asked from behind him, wondering why the two stopped talking as soon as she showed up. She noticed the bartender went back to his cleaning and did not make any further eye contact with either of them.
"Oui, we are done here. Merci for de information, mon ami. I see y' later." Remy said to the bartender, who only gave a wave of his hand. He did not turn back to look at either one until he saw their backs to him and walking towards the exit.
Three Mile Island - Prison Cells
Scott woke up on the cold floor with a pounding headache. He shivered and curled his legs and arms closer to himself as he looked out through the bars and saw Emma sitting against the wall of her cell. She looked at him, but he could not make eye contact with her.
The night before he hardly had gotten any sleep thinking about the tests that were conducted on him. He remembered his mother telling him when he was five years old that there was goodness in everyone and if you show kindness they will show it back. He always believed everything she had said until this moment. These people did not care about how much pain was inflicted on another being, they only wanted their results. He didn't understand how they could stand there and watch as other mutants and himself screamed in pain.
A loud clicking sound of the main door distracted him from his thoughts as he slowly sat up, but did not move from his spot. He could hear Pietro in the cell next to him kicking the bars. "Oh fuck." He heard the white haired boy mutter and it sounded like he backed away into his cell. Scott looked at the wall briefly before looking over to Emma's cell and saw she had backed away in her cell as well and for the first time since he had met her, looked frightened.
"What is this, no one is happy to see me?" He heard a familiar voice laugh that echoed throughout the room. It was the same voice that he had heard before he was captured.
"You were told you couldn't be in this area!" One brave mutant prisoner shouted two cells down from Pietro. Scott bit his bottom lip before he stood up and slowly walked to the bars and peered through to see Sabertooth's face turned away from him and looking at the mutant who dared to speak up.
"Speak up; I don't think I heard you?" Sabertooth chuckled as he stepped closer to the cell and disappearing from Scott's view. He looked back at Emma who was mouthing for him to go farther into his cell, but couldn't understand the words.
"The last time you were here, you got yelled at by your master. He said you weren't allowed in here with us. Now why don't you be a good dog and do what he says!" The mutant snarled even when Sabertooth was right in front of him.
A shiver ran down Scott's spine as Sabertooth let out a howl of a laugh. He heard jingle of keys and heard Toad mutter "Shit" under his breath.
"Stryker said that some of ya were gettin' mouthy and wanted ya all ta learn yer place again. So out of the kindness of his heart he said I could pick any of you that I wanted." Sabertooth stated and Scott could almost picture the mutant that had spoken up turn pale. "Now who should I make as an example, hm? All the others have been good little lab rats and have been quiet. They just don't seem like they would be fun. Now you on the other hand." An evil grin spread across his face, fangs bearing. "Look like you'll give a good chase."
Scott heard a click of the door swing open. He moved to see if he could get a better view, but still couldn't make out Sabertooth or the mutant who he had chosen as his victim.
"This is how it is gonna work, I'll give you to the count of five to decide what you want to do in the last moments of your life. You can hit me and I won't strike back while counting, you can run but the doors are locked in here, or maybe you can pray that you'll die fast cause I have no intentions of lettin' that happen." Sabertooth explained to the mutant. Scott gulped and saw Toad through the bars who looked terrified.
"FIVE"
A loud crack rang through the building as the mutant had apparently hit Sabertooth. Toad was shaking his head. Everyone knew that the bigger mutant had a healing factor and could be cut a million times and still heal. It was useless effort and only wasted time.
"FOUR"
"Oh god." Scott heard the mutant yell and saw him run past his cell and to the other side and tried banging on the doors in hopes that a guard would take pity on him. "Please help me!" He screamed.
"THREE"
Scott felt himself take a step back unconsciously from the bars as the mutant began scouring around the prison area on what to do. He knew he was trapped. There was no way out and no one was going to take pity on him. He didn't know what to do and looked helpless as his eyes looked at all the prisoners, including Scott.
"TWO"
Emma had her face buried in her knees with her arms covering her head to block out the sound. It was not the first time that Sabertooth had gotten lose in the prison area and toyed with them. He was merciless and she knew he would rip the mutant apart in front of all of them. He had done it once before, and fortunately for her, it was not in her view.
"One." It was not yelled like the other numbers and was almost said sorrowfully before a chuckle followed it.
"No please." The mutant backed away, but was still in Scott's view. He saw Sabertooth emerge from the blind spot he had earlier. The feral mutant's fingers had grown claws that he was flexing and his teeth were bared. He was slowly approaching his prey almost like how a cat sneaks up on a mouse. Slow at first before it pounces.
A low growl escaped Sabertooth's throat before he lashed out forward and grabbed the mutant by the throat and was out of the view for Scott.
Screams were heard from every angle of the prison area and probably outside of it. Scott felt the coldness of the cement as his back touched the wall and allowed himself to fall to the ground in a small thud as a loud cracking sound was heard.
Another scream of agony rang out in helplessness as blood splattered on the floor in front of him. He could swear he heard the tearing of skin and it became too much. He did as Emma did and covered his ears and squeezed his eyes shut. It helped, but only made the screaming softer. He could make out another snap and a louder scream and a laugh.
He knew he was shaking, but didn't care. If he had any doubt he had found hell, this just confirmed it. Another loud scream broke out before it finally died. He silently heard the main door open and several footsteps echoing. He opened his eyes to see four guards walking past his cell. One made a snide remark about the mutant on the ground.
Sabertooth walked by causing Scott's eyes to widen when he saw blood dripping off his fingers and blood splattered on his dark coat. What struck Scott the most was the insane smile across his face. It almost looked like he was satisfied for the time being, but promised more to come.
He felt bile rise in his throat as the dead mutant was dragged by his arms like he was a bag of garbage. Blood smeared the ground wherever the mutant touched and left a large dark red line. He heard a guard joking of having to clean up the mess the mutant had left while the other proclaimed they should leave it because it was just going to get dirty again.
He looked across to Emma's cell and saw she had her back to him. He swallowed as he made out the mutant to her right was crying after having seen the other mutant's death happen in front of her cage. He shook his head not understand how they were all still as sane as could be after been here for a month or longer. He knew if he didn't get out of here soon he might lose his own sanity.
New Orleans
Perhaps he should have told Rogue where he was going. Logan shook his head as he wandered down the street, she was not a little girl that needed a babysitter. Although in some ways she was babysitting the Cajun and he only hoped that she would be able to handle herself. It would be ashamed to travel to the past and have to kill someone that was supposed to help him later, but if he dares touch her he'd live to regret it.
People chatted in the streets and he ignored them. None of their conversations were of any importance to him. He was hoping to have the same luck Rogue did when she went to the casino. Perhaps checking out the newspaper would give a good hint on what was going on.
He stopped for a moment, ignoring the people around him. Two blocks ago he had sensed that someone was following him, but there was no one around. He had picked up the scent of perfume in the air and knew it had to be a woman. The same scent was still following him, but keeping herself undetected. With a low growl he slipped off the streets and went into the alley to find a deserted warehouse.
On top of the roof, his stalker grinned as she saw him enter the warehouse. Long red nails ran through blond strands of hair as she jumped onto the warehouse and kicked a window in. She knew exactly what she was doing and had a many times before. She wanted him to hear it and hopefully put him more at unease. In the end it didn't matter, no one entered her territory unwelcomed and lived.
Logan tilted his head to the side as sunlight broke through the dark warehouse and he watched a figure jump through and land a few feet from him. He heard the crunching sound of glass that she had fallen onto and was now standing in. He was unable to see her face, but was able to make out where she was.
"Did you make a wrong turn or are you lost?" He heard a honey sweet voice say in front him. He stood his ground as the woman came into the light. She was a blond woman dressed in a revealing tight red outfit. She wore a red skirt that went down to mid-thigh and knee high red boots. Her top consisted of straps that hung off her shoulders and met in the middle to cover her bust and showed off her well toned stomach.
"None of your business, lady. Why don'tcha go find your pimp, I'm sure he's worried." Logan told her and began to turn around when he heard her chuckle slightly.
"That is very cute. I am going to warn you right now, get out of my town." She spoke slowly with the last few words. He stopped to stare at her as a smug smile graced her face. "I know whenever a mutant arrives here and like you, I give them a warning, unless it is Okayed by me. No offense, but I don't really like you; I might have if you didn't insult me. Now I will give you an hour to leave or I will kill you." She warned him.
Logan snorted at the woman. It was going to have to take a lot more than her petty threats to frighten him. He unsheathed his claws to try to intimidate her slightly, just so she knew what she would be getting into. He didn't partially want to fight a woman, but if she got in his way, he would have no choice. "Well sucks to be you, darlin'. I ain't leavin' for a few days. If ya got a problem with it, too damn bad." He responded and saw her eyes narrow and could have sworn her eyes flashed yellow.
"Well if you want to play it that way, I have no problem with it. It's been a while since I've been able to have a little fun, I hope you don't disappoint." She chuckled as her hands began to glow gold.
Logan took a step back when the empty boxes that were around him began to levitate off the ground and circle around him. He still didn't show any fear, but partially knew what he was dealing with. With a huge force, the boxes were thrown at him, but he kept his arm over his face and let them hit him. They didn't cause any damage to him and he figured it was mostly for show.
"So, ya got telekinesis, big deal. I've seen someone who had the same power and it didn't stop me." Logan muttered to the woman as he remembered Jean. He didn't know the extent of this woman's powers, but there was no way that she could have been in league with Jean and even if she was, he would be able to stop her as long as his healing factor didn't falter.
"You are interesting. Most mutants wet themselves when they see it." She slowly walked forward with one foot ahead of the other. "You might be fun after all."
Logan took a step forward when her eyes glowed gold and he felt himself being lifted into the air and thrown in a wall and slid down. He growled and slashed at the boxes he landed on and got up with a mad look in his eyes. He was done allowing her to have her fun.
He charged forward with his right claw held in front of him and slashed at the woman, but she moved to the side and caught his other arm as he slashed at her. By looking at her, she did not look strong at all. Her arms were as petite as the rest of her body. He brought his right arm back again and was able to slash her in the side causing her to release his arm.
"I told ya lady, if ya mess with me any longer ya gonna get hurt." Logan snarled at her as she grabbed her side. He retracted his claws and began thinking of helping her. Once again they had interfered with the past and he should have never run into this woman. He didn't need to hear from Chuck on how they had messed up by ruining another person's life.
"You think your little claws actually harmed me? They tickled, boy." She removed her hand to reveal the wound was complete gone with not even a trace of a scar.
The first thing that had entered Logan's mind was 'oh shit'; the second was of what she said. Boy? He was far from it. "I'm a little old to be called boy and I guess I'll have ta keep hackin' ya away until ya get it through yer head ta leave me the hell alone." Logan growled and then narrowed his eyes as she laughed.
"You are a mere boy compare to me. Unless you are another External, which I know you are not because I know all of them." The woman stared at him as she stopped laughing and her eyes began to create sparks of gold. Logan tried to draw his claws out once more, but nothing happened. He also found pressure being placed on his body causing him to fall to one knee. "I suppose when you enter Hell people will be asking who killed you. It is highly embarrassing to say you were killed by a woman. Tell them Candra killed you and they shall take pity on you."
Present
Charles Xavier was going through different files on the internet searching for the mutant name 'Gambit'. He had spent the night before searching with Cerebro to see if he was able to locate the mutant, but found nothing. He assumed he needed to search harder and maybe even in farther location.
In the meantime he was searching through records and discovered that his real name was Remy LeBeau, but the news he found was disturbing to say the least. He clicked out of the window and went to the next article to only tell him what he had already read.
Xavier clicked out of the window once more and turned away from the computer. He rested one hand on his temple as he tried to decide on what to do. He didn't know if he should tell Logan what he found on the fact they were not supposed to disturb the past, even though they already did just that. He closed his eyes and could still see the article that he had found online.
Seven years ago in Cairo, Illinois, a car bombing had been reported. When the police arrived the car was in flames and took several minutes for the firemen to put it out. There was hardly anything left of the car and the remains of the body found inside were beyond recognition. The body had to be identified by dental records and was found to be Remy LeBeau.
The article went on to describe about LeBeau's life and then talked of the one suspect. Belladonna Boudreaux was accused of murder and put on trial. The case went on for two months, but without evidence, Bella walked out free and the case was forgotten.
This is what Xavier feared that Logan would somehow change the boy's future by giving hint to what was to happen. He trusted Logan and knew the man had a good insight on what not to do, but might feel some guilt after Remy had helped him and then leaving the younger mutant to die. It was harsh, but it had to happen. It was dangerous enough sending Logan and Rogue to the past to recover what caused him to lose his memories and they already affected it.
End of Chapter 12
Q/A: How is Professor Xavier alive if this takes place after the X3 movie and he was killed in it? I'm surprised it wasn't asked sooner, but I am using the way ending of X3 at the end when Moria is talking to Xavier. They had a clone body for him, unfortunately, it was crippled also.
FYI: I was trying to think of a name for the card player Gambit had to go against and I am just terrible at making up names (just not creative enough), so I decided to chose someone who already exists. Kim II Sung aka Scrambler, mostly known for being a Marauder. However, he is not one in this story, he's just a card player (though I am using his personality in here).
