24
"What was that?" Logan demanded to know.
Gambit and Logan had paused for half a second, both glancing at each other as they heard Rogue's scream followed by the X-Men's screams. Both scrambled up the rest of the building and towards the glass roof where they peeked in.
Gambit felt mortified as he saw what Joseph had done.
"That bastard!" Logan snapped.
Gambit was still in shock. He couldn't believe it. He was so close, but too late to stop Rogue from getting hurt. He felt like the world was collapsing in on him as he wondered if she was even still alive. He saw her head fall down and her breathing unevenly. He had to get to her. He had to save her no matter what. He'd rather die than feel this feeling he was currently feeling right this second.
Xxxxx
Sinister had recovered from his shock the quickest. He actually found the development interesting and an advantage for him. After a moment had passed, he began to make his way towards Joseph calmly and casually with his hands behind his back.
"Well done Joseph," Sinister said.
He watched Joseph carefully. He was hunched over, his jaw fallen open and he seemed to be in shock. When he spoke, Joseph had turned his head to face him and take Sinister in, but it was a delayed reaction. The look Sinister saw in Joseph's eyes, guilt, made him become a little more uneasy about the situation.
Sinister stopped near Joseph. He watched as Joseph's head fell down to at the ground, a broken man.
"You never were the same when you returned from the X-Men," Sinister said, sparing a look at Rogue who hung her head too, whimpering in pain. Sinister had an idea. "I have been defending your loyalty to me since your return, however, I have had doubts myself," Sinister said, returning to look back at Joseph. "I need you to prove your loyalty to me Joseph," he said.
It took him a second, but Joseph finally glanced up slightly at Sinister. Everything seemed to be going in slow motion for Joseph. He felt so defeated. So devastated. So confused. Sinister only seemed to get closer to him as he said:
"I want you to kill the thing you love most in this world Joseph." He said.
Again, there was a pause before Joseph reacted. At hearing Sinister's voice the first time, it was like he was reacting physically without needing to think. Sinister had really bent him to his will over the time they'd known each other. Whenever Sinister spoke, whenever he was present, Joseph would stand and make himself of use however his master and creator saw fit. He straightened his back and looked Sinister full in the eyes as he heard his command. But… something within him felt mortified. He couldn't possibly mean…?
"My… abilities?" Joseph said, knowing that wasn't it, but finding he really didn't want to face the truth.
Sinister frowned, "Don't play dumb with me. Kill the girl and earn back my trust."
Joseph turned his head to glance at Rogue. There was a good stream of blood coming down now. He could see from her chest movements that she seemed to still be conscious, but for how much longer he didn't know. The sight of her, hurt, was a burning image in his mind, sending him into an anguish mess of conflicted emotions. One part of him that felt almost robotic felt like he shouldn't be feeling this and should just follow the orders his master has given him like always. The other half seemed to be doing whatever it could to protect Rogue and save her from doing just what his body and half mind told him to do.
"But… you need her alive. You want to experiment with her skin." Joseph tried to argue.
"My machines are ready and I can operate on a corpse if it is recently deceased. Now stop stalling and kill her." Sinister said, his face dark with warning.
At Sinister's command, Joseph felt like he could no longer control his body. He began to step into Rogue's cell, finding it easy to enter since he'd already moved some of the cell bars. A few of the remaining bars of Rogue's cell came apart and flew into the air, following besides Joseph and creating a weapon.
He stopped in front of Rogue's body. He watched Rogue try to lift her head up to meet him, but it looked as if her own head weighed a tone. He felt the breath in his body turn icy cold and pierce him as he saw her face full of tears and pain. This all just seemed surreal to Joseph. He had imagined crushing both Gambit and Rogue in his mind. Seeing Rogue hurt and begging for his forgiveness just like this. But… rather than satisfy him like it had in his mind, it only seemed to hurt and cause him agony. Especially when Rogue tried to say his name. Especially when she looked at him with those large green eyes so full of pain and hurt. This was the woman he loved. The woman he hated.
"J-Joseph-" Rogue tried saying, "don't."
"You broke my heart," Joseph muttered out as he watched Rogue, never dropping eye contact with her. He could kill her. Kill her like he'd imagined. Then, find and kill that rat Gambit for doing this to them only after torturing him first.
"I-I'm sorry," Rogue mutter, a tear falling from her eye, "I n-neva-ah wanted ta h-hurt you," she managed to get out.
Joseph found himself raising his arm and readying the metal spikes that were in the air. He almost didn't notice he was doing it. It was like Sinister was controlling him somehow.
"I-" Joseph said, struggling to think of what he wanted his last words to be to Rogue were. He'd pictured this so many times in his head, but now he had forgotten it all. Forgotten all he wanted to say. "I-" he said, clutching his raised fist as he saw Rogue finally starting to drop her head, unable to keep in up any longer. "I… can't do this!" Joseph snapped, rage filling him.
As it did, he twisted his body and shot the metal poles through the air at Sinister. Sinister, however, managed to shot beams out of his eyes to block the immediate poles that were heading straight for him. As Joseph gained control over his body through his love and need to protect Rogue, Sinister deflected the attack
An explosion went off just above their heads, shaking the room slightly.
Logan and Gambit dropped down out of the smoke that had gathered from the bomb and landed in the middle of the room. Gambit and Logan made a dash for the computer which Sinister saw out of the corner of his eye.
"No!" he screamed, turning his back slightly to Joseph.
The explosion only distracted Joseph momentarily as he realised that the X-Men were here to help Rogue escape. That pushed him on as his rage over this man, Sinister, controlling him and twisting his mind and body to hurt the woman he loved flooded through him. Joseph began to fly forwards at Sinister, pulling metal bars from the cages as he did, morphing them in mid air as he did, ready to attack Sinister.
As Joseph got closer to Sinister, however, he was prevented from hitting him as a loud noise hit him and sent him flying to the ground clutching his ears.
The Nasty Boys had arrived and had catch up to Wolverine and Gambit. The two were so close to the computer now. So close to destroying it. Logan had his claws out and Gambit had his bo staff out. But both fell to their knees as they felt vertigo overtake them.
Sinister began to approach the two, smirking as he recognised who had returned.
"Well, if it isn't Remy LeBeau," he chuckled, glancing down at Gambit holding his head in pain. Vertigo was besides him as Ruckus and some of his other men handled Joseph, "I see you've returned for some more treatments." Sinsiter said.
"Sinister, when I get out of here!" Scott yelled, losing it behind his cage.
"Desole, but dis time, I ain't stickin' around," Gambit said, finding the will somewhere within him to move into a crouching position while Vertigo and Sinister neared and pounced at the computer with his bo staff held out.
Sinister went to grasp him as he realised what Gambit was doing, but he was too late. Gambit had pierced the computer with his bo staff. He pressed a button on his bo staff that sent out an electrical charge which went through the computer, making it spark and then explode.
Gambit, Logan, Sinister and Vertigo were all sent flying back at the explosion. As they were, the other X-Men in the cages felt a tingling sensation as their powers returned and their heads became free from the small headaches they had.
Scott, picking up quickly what had happened, opened his eyes and shot at the Nasty Boys who were near Rogue's cell while also taking out his own cell door. Kurt managed to teleport out of his cell, grabbing Vertigo as he reappeared and teleported with her once again so that he could drop her outside of the castle where she began to fall down into the sea below. Storm had reached out to feel electricity and struck her cage open. She aimed a lightning bolt at the Nasty Boys that had gathered around Rogue's cell too, making them spilt up and run to avoid the hit. The other X-Men had managed to somehow break free of their cages as well and went after the Nasty Boys that had scattered.
"Looks like it's you and me bub in a fair fight," Logan said to Sinister as he pounced at him.
Sinister managed to use his laser eyes to hit Logan away, but then he felt himself hit from behind by one of Scott's beams. He managed to withstand the hit by Scott who was then tackled by the large bald man known as George.
Gambit had come too, seeing the chaos unfold. He saw the X-Men now winning in an even fight and was convinced that they definitely had a chance of escaping. And, when he thought of they, he thought of himself and Rogue. He went to search for her, seeing her still pinned against the wall where Joseph had left her, hardly moving. He was up on his feet and running towards her before he could even register it in his mind.
Ruckus had stopped his attack on Joseph when the fight between the Nasty Boys and the X-Men kicked off. He'd glanced around in disbelieve and then found himself fending off attacks from Jean Grey who was using the metal bars Joseph had dropped to attack him.
Joseph, coming back to himself was just in time to see Sinister get hit by one of Scott's beams, but then escape it. He was running for the emergency exit. Rage filled Joseph. Sinister wasn't going to get away with this. For twisting his mind and soul against Rogue. For encouraging those thoughts of how satisfying it would be to see Rogue in as much pain as she had caused him.
Gambit and Joseph met on their way past each other. Joseph going after the man who'd planned this whole thing and Gambit going after the girl.
Gambit glanced behind him momentarily to see Joseph holding and attacking Sinister with more metal spikes. Sinister was defending himself well to the point where it almost looked even. But Gambit didn't care about either of them at this moment in time.
He reached Rogue and hesitated as he reached out to touch her.
"Rogue, cher," he gasped glancing at the poles that were stuck in her arms and leg. He had no idea how he was going to get her out without hurting her more, or worse, killing her.
At hearing his voice, Rogue glanced up.
"Remy…" she gasped weakly, almost believing she was somehow between heaven and reality. But then, there was still that pain she was feeling which made this every real and the way Gambit's eyes oozed with sadness as he glanced down into her eyes.
"You… came back." Rogue said.
Rogue's words stung him. Gambit reached up and cupped her head that seemed to be really heavy for her to keep up so that she could keep seeing him. Seeing that he was there and he wasn't going to leave her again.
"Oui cherie. I'm here. I'm gonna get you outta here. Ne t'inquiete pas (Don't you worry)" he said.
It scared him when her eye lids drooped down and she let out a long breath. For Rogue, she felt relief. She was scared but somehow, knowing he was here, that Gambit was here, she felt less scared. But then, a part of her did become scared as she realised why she was scared. She became scared for him.
"Why…are you here?" Rogue managed to ask.
"For you, now hush! I'm gonna get you outta here Rogue-cherie. I'm gonna-"
"For…me?" Rogue questioned, feeling shock overtake her fear for his safety. Had Gambit really just admitted that? That he'd come back just for her? Was she reading it wrong?
But then, the way he turned his attention from the pole in her arm to meet her eyes. The burning passion that made a breathe catch in her throat seemed to confirm her train of thought.
"Yes, for you," Gambit said, using one of his gloved fingers to brush away one of the tears she didn't know had fallen from her face. Rogue was beyond touched by this. It felt like a confession. A confession greater than the one Joseph had confessed to her probably because a part of her she didn't know she was wishing to hear something like that from him. It was like he was admitting he cared for her. She knew he had said that before, but here he was, risking his life for hers. Telling her he was here for her. This was something much more than just him saying he cared enough about her to try and avoid hurting her when it came to a mission. This was an unnecessarily risk he was taking with seemingly nothing to get out of it in return which she knew he didn't really do. There was always something to gain. Always. But here he was. He'd come back for her.
"Rogue!" Kitty said, getting Gambit's attention as she ran up besides him. Gambit got an idea straight away.
"Help moi get her down now!" he demanded.
Kitty reached forwards and touched Rogue. Rogue cried out in pain as she felt Kitty phase her through the metal poles. Rogue was sure she was going to collapse from the burning red hot pain she was feeling in her arms and leg, but then, he was there. Gambit wrapped Rogue up in his arms and held her as close to his body as he could while being as gentle as he could.
"She needs help, fast!" Kitty said, watching Rogue in Gambit's arms.
Both Gambit and Kitty watched Rogue's eyes roll to the back of her head as she almost passed out at being removed from the poles.
"Oui, Wolvie-" Gambit said, the idea coming to him in an instant.
Kitty and Gambit both turned around just in time to see Sinister being thrown into a pillar by Joseph. The pillar began to shake and break as Sinister collided with it. It wasn't the only pillar that seemed to be coming a part. The whole room was in distress.
At some point, Storm had come to back up Jean who was being attacked by Ruckus and was struggling to break free of him. Ruckus' voice had unhinged some of the supports as well. Storm had attacked Ruckus with lighting, some of which had hit the walls as well.
Even Scott and the muscle heads had done some damage to the foundations holding the roof avoid their heads.
Storm realised what was happening at the same time Gambit and Kitty did.
"Jean, get Magneto! This place is about to collapse." Storm said, coming to Jean's side as finishing off Ruckus.
The two ladies began to work on freeing Magneto from his restrains which didn't take long with Jean's powers.
"X-Men, let's go!" Scott shouted out, realising what was happening too,
Gambit and Kitty began to move out of Rogue's cell. Gambit was still eyeing the room for Logan though.
"Wolvie," Gambit called out, seeing Logan about to attack Sinister. Logan stopped to glance at the Cajun, seeing Rogue laying limp in his arms. "We need you over here!" Gambit screamed out.
Kitty shoved Gambit to the ground just in time to dodge the piece of roof that was about to fall on him and Rogue. Gambit cried out as he kept Rogue as close to his body as he could. He felt worry slash across his chest as he heard Rogue cry out in pain at the landing.
"Like, we gotta go now!" Kitty demanded, getting to her feet first before helping Gambit up to his with Rogue still in his arms.
Joseph, after hearing Gambit call out to Logan, had turned his attention towards the Cajun thief as well. He watched as the three barely missed the rubble that almost crushed them. His heart raced as he saw Rogue's face twisted up in pain. He realised then what was happening. That Rogue was in great danger with the castle collapsing in on them and he had to do whatever he could to save the woman he loved.
Joseph went flying towards the X-Men as all of them ran towards the exit they had come in through. Although it pained him to see Rogue handing on as best as she could to Gambit and leaning into his chest, he still couldn't control his actions as he did whatever it took to keep Rogue safe.
Knowing the roof was going to cave at any moment, Joseph pulled the remaining metal poles from all the cages and began to build a net of some sorts above the X-Men just as the ceiling began to fully give way.
Rogue opened her eyes which were watery from all the pain she was feeling in her body. She looked over Gambit's shoulder, seeing that Jean and Storm were flying Magneto out while Scott, Beast, Logan, Kitty and Gambit with her in his arms were all running nearer to the exit.
She saw the Nasty Boys beginning to get up and making a run for an exit on the other side of the room near where Sinister was by his broken computer. Rogue saw Joseph, his arms outstretched upwards as he held a metal net up that was catching most of the larger pieces of rubble. Rogue kept her eyes on him in awe. He had hurt her badly, she knew, but she couldn't help but feel relieved that Joseph had turned on Sinister and thought for her. For them. That he was trying to help them escape and keep them all alive.
Then, her relief and soothed feelings were dashed. She watched as Joseph was struck by one of Sinister's lasers. The ones in his eyes. Joseph's screams were the only thing Rogue could hear. She couldn't even hear her own scream nor her call out his name as she watched him fall to the ground and the rubble follow after him.
She felt strong arms crush her closer to a body as Gambit made it with her out of the room just as the whole thing collapsed.
Rogue felt an explosion behind her. Scott had taken out the wall that they had been running towards. Rogue felt herself fall in Gambit's arms as he jumped out of the castle with her still held tight in his arms. At that moment, she didn't care what was happening to them. She'd just witnessed one of her best friend's deaths and she was in agony. She was trying to pull out of Gambit's arms and go back to where she had last seen Joseph. Back to help him. To save him. To do something. But her wound and blood lose were halting her actions as well as Gambit's iron grip on her.
Gambit reached out one arm which Storm took. Storm had grabbed Kitty with her other hand. Jean had reached out to Scott while she also carried Magneto. Kurt had grabbed a hold of Beast and Logan and teleported them closer to the ground.
All of the X-Men, expect Joseph, were able to make it down to the land beside the castle safely as the castle collapsed behind them. The X-Men gathered, watching the final parts of the castle break and crumble into the sea.
Rogue's eyes were wide, looking for any sighs of Joseph that she could. When all of the castle was gone, she came to face the fact that Joseph was gone. He had sacrificed himself in order to save them and had been murdered by Sinister whilst doing so. Rogue, gritting her teeth in agony, turned inwards to hid her face in Gambit's chest as she cried. It was the only place where she felt she could find some comfort. Gambit glanced down at Rogue, saddened by her pain. He'd heard her call out to Joseph as he died. Knew why she was in so much pain besides her injuries. A part of him was jealous and upset at the emotion she held for Joseph. But mostly, he was sad that she had just lost someone close to her which was obviously killing her a little inside.
Rogue blacked out in his arms. Logan had come forth and healed Rogue since her powers were now functioning again. Beast had picked up Logan's unconscious body after touching Rogue and seeing her wounds starting to close and heal. Gambit guided the X-Men to his jet. All of them were mostly quiet as they walked to the jet Gambit brought.
"Whoa, I, like, can't believe Joseph did that for us. I thought he was so on Sinister's side." Kitty said as she and Kurt walked side by side.
"I can't believe he's-" Kurt trailed off and hung his head down.
That was about as far as the conversation on Joseph went. Everyone held their heads down, appearing upset at losing Joseph, but it was a conflicted lose. The X-Men obviously still cared for Joseph, even if he had made some massively wrong decisions. Gambit stayed quiet along with the X-Men. Only speaking up when he needed to give direction.