Disclaimer: Again, I gotta say I'm surprised at the support I've gotten up to this point, in a good way of course. You guys are awesome, all of you and especially Miss Danax. Don't go thinking this to be favoritism. Anyway, X-Men is still the rightful property of Marvel Comics.

Chapter XIV
Secrets & Regrets

Stars littered the night skies and swirling sands roamed the landscape of Egypt. From the skies though, as if it was to be the second coming Jesus Christ, a singular spherical object descended. It came to rest at the base of the Sphinx, the silent protector of the Great Pyramids. The sphere dissipated as quickly as it appeared, and Apocalypse moved without walking toward the resting forelimbs of the Sphinx. Essex followed suit, as did Archangel, but Vertigo fell to her knees. Her breathing was shallow, as if she'd made a brief trip around Earth's moon. Vertigo looked up at the gigantic statue and then looked toward Apocalypse. He brought them all here for some reason, though Vertigo was in no hurry to ask. The last thing she needed was to end up like Multiple Man. Apocalypse neither wondered nor cared for Vertigo's fear of him, instead coming to a stop directly center of the Sphinx forelimbs while remaining levitated. He put his hands together as if in prayer, and then spread his arms wide apart and a cloud of sand burst into the air. As the sand cleared, Essex noticed not to his surprise a flight of steps descending into an entrance beneath the Sphinx. Apocalypse levitated down the steps, still without setting foot onto them, and Essex prepared to follow before Vertigo stopped him.

"Why'd he bring us here?" she asked.

"You'd best not concern yourself with the details, Vertigo," Essex assured his minion, though she was unconvinced. "For now, just wait here."

Essex said no more afterwards and followed Apocalypse into the entrance. Vertigo became more apprehensive, not just by Apocalypse, but because she was forced to wait beside Archangel. Archangel shot a piercing glance at Vertigo, and Vertigo was left wondering what she did to deserve anything that's happened as of late.

The entrance led into a pitch black corridor, not unlike the one Essex traveled in his search for Apocalypse's tomb. Apocalypse's godlike ethereal light illuminated the corridor, allowing Essex to examine the millions upon millions of hieroglyphics lining the walls. Many looked almost alien and there was some vague reference to Rama-Tut. Essex found himself questioning whether that was ever the Pharaoh's true identity. Then Essex came to a sudden halt after Apocalypse stopped short of a massive stone wall. Not a wall, but a door. Apocalypse outstretched one arm, and the door was forced open and led into an antechamber similar to the one in which Apocalypse rested. In fact, this chamber was near identical, save for a miniature pyramid resting at the center. Essex followed Apocalypse into the chamber and made quick note of three statues standing around the pyramid. There were also the remains of a fourth statue, possibly reduced to rubble after years of erosion. Essex examined the statues, knowing immediately what he was witnessing.

"The Horsemen…" he whispered, marveling at the intricately detail statues.

Ignoring Essex's examinations of the statue, Apocalypse floated up to the inert pyramid. He waved one hand through the air, and the pyramid was lit with more of the alien-like glyphs. Then the pyramid somehow opened and was revealed to be hallow, save for a lone chair of an unknown metal and an equally unknown, yet radically advanced technology. Obviously, as Essex thought, there was more to both Rama-Tut and Apocalypse than even he knew. The finding of Apocalypse by Baal three millennia ago was more than simple coincidence. But then Essex heard Apocalypse's voice in his mind, with a dark and commanding tone than made Essex shiver.

"I understand, my lord," Essex said, all while struggling to keep calm. "I will leave you to prepare."

What'd I do to deserve this? Vertigo thought about Archangel. He simply wouldn't stop glaring at her. "What?" Vertigo snapped, to which Archangel said nothing. Then Essex reemerged from the entrance and Vertigo quickly snapped, "It about time; I had to stand here and put with flyboy's staring. What's going on down there?"

Essex simply waltzed passed Vertigo without glancing at her and stated, "That's need-to-know information, Vertigo. You've no need to concern yourself with it," Essex then turned to Archangel. "In the meantime, Archangel, I have an assignment for you. There's someone I'd like you to retrieve for me."

Rogue felt guilty due to her recent actions, or inactions, as of late. The day she'd absorbed Carol Danvers mutant powers, she held on for far longer than she needed. As a result, the transfer, as Rogue learned, was permanent. Danvers' powers were Rogue's now, but it also left Danvers' comatose in the institute's lower levels. Then there was the rest of the team. Logan had told Rogue about the encounter with Apocalypse, and Kitty in particular really let Rogue have it. So yes, Rogue indeed felt very guilty. Maybe, she believed, she might find some solace with Remy. Rogue found the Cajun to be a very interesting individual. Charming even, if a little arrogant. Rogue stopped at the door to Remy's room and knocked a couple of times.

"Remy, it's Rogue," Rogue waited for an answer but none came. "C'mon, swap rat, say somethin'!"

Rogue opened the door but as it turned out, Remy was no where in sight. Rogue quickly entered, trying to find any indication of why Remy wasn't present. There was no such indication that Remy had even been in the room at all. Rogue left the room as quickly as she had entered and looked around the hall. Maybe Remy was moving around the institute. Rogue was about to give up when she noticed two students coming toward her, male and female respectively. Both appeared to be fiddling with their powers, the boy generating a small electric charge and the girl creating a glowing sphere. Rogue knew them by name as Ray and Tabitha.

Rogue approached the pair and asked, "Hey, you two seen Remy anywhere?"

The students looked at each and then Tabitha stated, "Whose Remy? He another student?"

"He's a tall guy, brown hair, wears a dark brown coat," Rogue pointed out. "You seen 'em?"

"You know, I think I saw somebody wearing a coat." Ray stated.

Finally! Rogue thought. "Where is he?"

Ray shrugged and said, "I think he took off!"

Rogue nodded and headed for the front lobby. Remy had to have gone out the front door by now, and Rogue was quickly out the same door. Rogue reached the front entrance steps but still saw no sign of Remy. He must've been gone for a while, but couldn't have gone too far. Rogue knew she wouldn't find Remy by just standing around and she took to the sky. Guilty pleasure much, she thought. As Rogue took off however, Logan caught sight of her leaving. Naturally, instinct took over and Logan followed on foot. Meanwhile, Rogue flew across the sky above the institute grounds and over the front gate. Still no sighting of that Cajun, which made Rogue think that he'd left relatively early. It also made her nervous. But then Rogue caught view of someone on the road below and knew right away that it was Remy. Was he leaving the school? Rogue soared down toward Remy, who didn't seem aware of Rogue's approach.

"Remy," Rogue called out, gaining Remy's attention.

Remy turned and watched in interest as Rogue landed in front of him. "Cherie?! What're you doin' out here?"

"I was gonna ask ya' the same thing," Rogue said. "Where're ya' goin'?"

Remy choked as he tried to speak, and Rogue sensed that something was wrong. Remy eventually said, "Look, I'm sorry, but I gotta leave."

Rogue shook her head slightly in confusion and asked, "What'd you mean? Why do ya' gotta leave?"

"It be a little complicated, okay," Remy said, appearing to be growing nervous. "I just… I just can't stay here."

"Look, if it's about Logan…" Rogue started.

"It's not that," Remy continued, further confusing Rogue. "All I can say is that I don't belong at that house."

"Remy, you ain't makin' any sense!" Rogue said, confusion and hurt evident in her voice.

Remy suddenly snapped, "I ain't who you think I am, Rogue! I'm sorry, but this is better for both of us." Remy turned away but Rogue stopped him.

"I don't want ya' to leave," she admitted. "Don't you get it? I'm at peace when you're around. You make me happy."

Remy turned and faced Rogue, touching her chin with a gloved hand. "Believe me; I wish I didn't have to go, but this is what's best for both of us. You take care of Logan for me, petite."

Remy turned to leave but again, Rogue stopped him. "Please, Remy!"

Obviously, Rogue clearly liked Remy more than she'd let on. The same seemed to go for Remy, evident by his slowly moving his face closer to Rogue's. Rogue should've attempted to stop him, knowing what would happen if they made skin contact. But she didn't care! She wanted Remy. Needed him. Longed for him. She closed her eyes and waited for the contact. Remy inched his face closer and closer but then spotted a winged figure fast approaching. He swiftly pushed Rogue out of the way, and then was tackled hard by Archangel. Remy was thrown hard to the ground with a thud, and Archangel soared right overhead. Rogue picked herself up just in time to witness Archangel prepare to make another flyby. Remy rose to one knee and pulled out a set of playing cards.

Archangel set himself up for the next attack, shouting, "For the glory of the Lord Apocalypse!"

On instinct, Remy turned sharply to Rogue and shouted, "Rogue, run!"

"Remy, look out!" Rogue shouted back.

Remy turned right in time to see Archangel flying in closer. Wasting no time, Remy charged his cards and hurled them as hard and fast as possible. Archangel weaved in and out and even performed barrel rolls. The cards exploded all around him, only barely throwing him off course and he kept coming. Remy kept throwing explosive cards and Archangel retaliated with a series of adamantium feathers. Every projectile collided in midair, and Remy pulled out his staff to defend himself. Archangel swiftly flew right ever Remy, who took a wild swing at the former X-Man. The end result saw Archangel literally slice right through the staff, leaving Remy shocked. Archangel again flew right for Remy and this time, knocked him hard to the ground. With Remy down, Archangel stood over him but then Rogue flew right into him. Archangel was thrown into a tree, while Rogue stood over Remy. Archangel was far from finished and slashed the same tree with his wings. Rogue caught the tree as it was coming down and almost effortlessly threw back at Archangel. Archangel was all ready back in the air by the time the fallen tree reached him.

Rogue took to the air to confront Archangel. "Warren, you gotta stop this. This ain't you!"

"You're in no position to challenge me, Rogue," Archangel shouted. "Leave now!"

"You know me, Warren," Rogue continued, desperately trying to reach Warren if at all possible. "I'm your friend, and the same goes for everyone in the institute."

"I have no friends," Archangel proclaimed. "I serve only the Lord Apocalypse."

"Guess I ain't gonna get through to ya!" Rogue reluctantly murmured.

Archangel quickly spread his wings and charged at Rogue, attempting to slash her. Rogue quickly ducked down, took hold of Archangel's leg and threw him straight down. But Archangel brought Rogue down with him and threw her, even harder, right into the ground. The impact left a small creator, with Rogue down right in the middle. Remy rushed to Rogue's side and attempted to revive her.

"C'mon Rogue, don't go on me now!" he pleaded.

Archangel landed across from Remy and then Nathaniel Essex showed up next to him. "Aw, how sweet," Essex mocked, glaring specifically at Remy. "Hello Gambit! It's been some time since we last spoke."

"What do ya' want with us?" demanded a steadily recovering Rogue.

"I've simply come for Gambit, my dear," Essex said. "He and I have quite a bit to discuss."

Rogue blinked her eyes in confusion and looked at Remy. "Remy, what's he talkin' about?"

Before Remy could answer, Essex quickly exclaimed, "You didn't tell your little girlfriend of our arrangement? You disappoint me, Gambit!"

Arrangement? Rogue thought and glared at Remy. "Remy!?"

Before Remy could speak, Logan lunged out of nowhere and landed right in front of them. "You two okay," Rogue simply nodded and Logan turned toward Essex, unsheathing his claws. "You ain't welcome in my house, Essex!"

"As intrigued as I am, animal, I'm not interested in you," Essex pointed out. "Gambit and I had an arrangement when I sent him to your house."

Logan was now just as confused as Rogue and turned sharply at Remy. "You know this guy?"

"Of course he does," Essex exclaimed. "I ordered him to infiltrate this institute, after all."

Rogue didn't want to hear or believe one word that came from Essex's mouth and bolted right toward him. Essex braced himself for the impact as Rogue grabbed and threw him right to the ground. Logan attempted to intervene before Archangel took him down. Rogue pinned Essex down and simply wailed on him relentlessly without forethought. She threw punch after punch right into Essex's pale face, unleashing a rage that would've put Logan to shame. Rogue kept throwing punches until she couldn't anymore, and Essex simply smiled wickedly at her.

"Is that all you've got?" he mocked.

Rogue grabbed Essex by his dark blur coat and snarled, "You're lying about Remy. You don't know him."

"Really," Essex said before effortlessly kicking Rogue off of him, and Rogue went slamming into the ground. Essex picked himself up, dusted himself off and stated, "Maybe it's you, my dear, who doesn't know him."

Logan, who was busy with Archangel, noticed Rogue in trouble and attempted to help. But Archangel took advantage and slashed Logan right across his back. Logan would heal soon enough, but Archangel wasn't going to allow him the chance and prepared to finish him off. Then Remy intervened with a barrage of exploding cards. Archangel eventually backed off and returned to Essex's side, and Essex was smiling that same demented smile. Rogue and Logan quickly regroup, but Remy did not follow suit.

"Obviously, this was a lost cause, so Archangel and I will be on our way," he mocked. "In the meantime, I believe you'll have plenty of explaining to do, Gambit."

Rogue quickly stepped up and snapped, "Ya' ain't leavin'!"

Archangel quickly shot off more feathers but Logan blocked them. Then the attack stopped as quickly as it started. Logan dropped his guard and realized Essex and Archangel were already gone. He retracted his claws and turned over to Rogue. Rogue looked at Logan and then turned sharply toward Remy. Remy turned away from Rogue, who slowly walked toward him. Remy didn't bother to look Rogue in the eye.

"Remy," she whispered to the Cajun. "I've gotta know! Is what that maniac about you… Is it true?"

Remy was stuck in a rut, not knowing what he could possibly. But he had to swallow his pride. "I'm sorry, Rogue! It all be true!"

Rogue took a step back but didn't take her eyes off of Remy. She also shook her head in disbelief. Remy knew he pretty much blew it, evident by Logan staring figurative daggers into the Cajun. Rogue turned away from Remy, covering her mouth with both hands. Then she sharply turned right back and laid Remy out with one swift punch to the face. Remy went down like a pile of bricks, and Logan was shocked at the sight of Rogue punching out the Cajun. Rogue clearly put everything she had behind that one punch, as she soon after broke into tears and flew back to the mansion. Remy was starting to come to but all he saw was a seething Logan.

Slowly extending one set of claws, Logan snarled, "Bub, we've gotta talk!"

Author's note: Ah ha, the plot thickens, and it appears the our favorite Cajun has some explaining to do. And, what could Apocalypse have planned? Best that ya'll stayed tuned for the next chapter, and don't forget to review. See ya!