Disclaimer: I don't claim any part of ownership to any characters in my
stories, they're copy written/ trademarked/
whatevered by Marvel ect.
Author's note: So, lots of fics have been written about Kurt's past..I'm trying not to mimic any of them, and all of them at once given inspiration..goes from reading too much fanfiction I guess. But if any of it is too close to a fic someone else wrote, my apologies, it's not intentional.
Moonlight Reflections Chapter Thirteen The Past..the Truth By: NightElfCrawler
The images began to pull everyone in at once. Flashing by at the speed of light, Xavier searched for the ones that were related..He slowed as he felt Kurt guide him to the beginning events that started the end result in motion...and this is what followed...
It was late one afternoon, and the sun was just setting between the mountains, casting an orange glow over the quiet town. Two boys were sitting on the side of the green hills above the gypsies camp, watching it.
"Beautiful isn't it.."
"Yes.."
"I can't imagine that God would make more of a perfect scene in the world..."
"Mmm.I'm sure there are others that rival it."
"Hmm I don't think so." The dark haired boy turned, facing his blue friend. "Tell me something..what is your worst fear, Kurt?"
The blue furred youth sat up, propping up on his elbow to face the other. "Well...I have many.."
"What's one that sticks out most?"
"Probably..thinking that one day, I might be all alone..with no one who cares.. Because of the way I am.."
"A demon?"
Kurt's head jerked up, and his intense eyes stared at his friend with a shocked intensity. "What!?"
He held his hands up quickly. "Hey, easy there. I was just saying.. Do you fear the fact that when other people see you, they see a demon?"
Kurt bit his lip. "That's. part of it, yes." He glanced up at Stefan with an odd look. "Why?"
The gypsies boy shrugged and flopped back down. "Just askin.."
*** "Mein Gott.not again."
"This is the third one this week.."
"Where is he?"
"Upstairs, asleep I think."
"Are you sure? I mean it couldn't possibly.."
"No! Of course not..he's never harmed a soul, he's an innocent in this.."
Kurt was curled up at the top of the stairs, listening to his parents whispered words, as they obviously hadn't wanted to wake him..but he hadn't been able to sleep, and had intended to get a glass of water, but overheard his name and paused. Now he wished that he hadn't...
The murders had been going on for months now..It started with one, and that was it. then another. followed by two more. The town knew they had a serial killer loose, and naturally their accusing eyes had gone to him. He had been forced to stay inside, and not step foot even outside of the door, for fear that his life might be in jeopardy. Each time it happened, more whispers and rumors flew..it had started with an old beggar who no one had really cared about...they were nearly glad to find him dead, but that was before they found out how he had died..his guts had been extracted, and mixed into some kind of concoction.and spread over his back in a pagan symbol..the devil..he had of course been on his back, and his belongings draped over him, so they hadn't noticed immediately, they believed at first that he had died of natural causes.
That wasn't the case.
The following week, it was a young boy...
Then a pregnant woman...
A young innocent girl only 6...
It went on and on..there was no pattern, only to know that each of these people had been very devout in their faith, and therefore upstanding citizens.
The assumption had been of course, who else would paint the devil's sign, but the one who looked like the demon. never mind the fact that he had never done a thing wrong, and had been as devout as the rest, despite them not wanting him around when worshiping..the pastor luckily had been an understanding man, and allowed him to sit in the rafters, and would occasionally throw a special smile of understanding up at him during his sermons.
Kurt sighed softly as he listened to them talk. Another murder..and no one had even been investigated besides himself..
Suddenly a hard pounding on the door shook him out of his thoughts, and he could then hear angry voices. ~No.~ His thoughts echoed loudly. ~They've come for me.~ He stood up, still wrapped in his homemade blanket from childhood. He heard his father open the door.
"What do you want.."
"You know what we want, Wagner." Came an angry voice from outside. A thrilling hum of other angry voices floated to his ears as well. "Bring your demon son out here so we can put an end to his sinful acts!"
"My son has nothing to do with these murders, Frank.He has been upstairs asleep in his bed all night. We have checked in on him. He is there, and he has not left this house in over two weeks now because of your accusations!" His voice was rising in anger. "Now take yourselves off my property, and your pitchforks and torches with you!"
Kurt could hear a growling response of something. He wondered if they really did have pitchforks and torches, or if it was a metaphorical meaning, his father had a tendency to use those..
"One of these days, you will not be there to hide him." The man hissed. "We will put an end to it." Footsteps sounded, and Kurt was relieved to hear the door shut and bolt.
"Stupid fools..why must they persecute him.." His father said, sounding bitter and very tired. "I am worried that what he says is right..one day we will not be able to protect him.."
Kurt bit his lip. He couldn't stay here and endanger them any longer...he knew that he would be safe with the gypsies..and the townsfolk were afraid of them, and never ventured near. He softly padded back to his room, and dressed in some warm clothes, and put his big bulky robe on, then slipped out the window into the darkness..
He arrived on the outskirts, seeing their friendly fires, dancing, and music well before he saw any people. He leapt down from the trees, nearly startling the sentry to death. "Wah. ah.. Kurt it's only you.. Stop sneaking up on us like that, or you're libel to be killed one of these days!" The gypsies man grinned at him, his dark face lined with amusement at the youth's ability to constantly sneak up on them.
Kurt tried to return the smile, but felt empty inside due to the current situation. "I'm sorry Ulrich..I won't do it again." They both knew that he would do it again, and have the same situation occur at that.
Kurt walked through the camp, and nearly jumped when a hand landed on his shoulder. "Hey, whatcha doing here so late bro?"
Kurt turned, seeing the grinning smile of his friend. "Stefan. stop scaring me.." He breathed out. "I. " He started to say, and bit his lip.
Stefan looked concerned, and pulled him down on the log by the fire outside the wagons. "What is it?"
Kurt sighed and folded his hands in front of him. "The villagers came to my home tonight. they wanted to take me and kill me. they're blaming me for all the murders going on...I can't put my family in danger much longer." He looked up pleadingly at Stefan, the boy's eyes reflecting the fire brightly in his dark eyes. "I had to run away from them...I love them too much to put them in danger."
Stefan nodded with sympathy and put a strong arm around the smaller boy's shoulders. "I understand..you're safe here, but you knew that." He flashed a smile. "How about we go cheer up by running down by the falls and throwing insults down at the village?"
Kurt flashed a grin. It was one of their favorite things to do, when upset. They'd go down and stand on top of the waterfall ridge, with the roaring water crashing down below them, and scream out their frustrations and pent up anger at being constantly treated different for what they were born as..a gypsies and a mutant... "Yes..I think that would help a lot right now."
"Right. Lemme grab a cloak and we'll go." He got up and walked into one of the wagons.
Kurt stayed seated, glancing around the merry atmosphere. This was his second family. they didn't care what you looked like..in fact, it sometimes even made them accept him more, being different. He glanced over, seeing the fluttering flags of the tent. He smiled a bit watching them flutter in the darkness. The gypsies always set the circus up wherever they roamed..and he was ecstatic when he'd been asked to perform as the 'flying wonder Nightcrawler' during some of their performances. He had been good..no other person matched his agility and feat in performing in front of a clapping, excited crowd. When they moved on, which they did once and a while, he missed the thrill of the circus.
Stefan came back with a rush, brown cloak fluttering after him in the approaching stormy wind. "Ready, let's go." He slapped a hand on Kurt's shoulder, and the two made their way out of the merry camp, into the growing darkness.
They reached the overhang within a short time, and stood there, cloak and robe fluttering loudly in the wind as it tore the hair from their faces and whipped it around.
Kurt closed his eyes and breathed in a deep breath of the crisp air, and smiled, feeling the wind ripple his fur. it was something like a massage. He didn't hear Stefan draw the knife until it was buried in his side. He gave a cry of pain as the blade struck him just under the ribs. He glanced back in startled fear at Stefan, and saw the wild look of a madman reflected there. "W..what...?" He managed to choke out as Stefan ripped the knife out, keeping a firm grip on his shoulder with the other hand..
Stefan's laugh sent chills down his back to coincide with the flaming pain. "Why? Can't you understand it? You of all people..." His eyes laughed merrily while he spoke. "All those murders...they ARE your fault you know."
Kurt choked back a cry, not believing what he was hearing. this was the boy who he had considered to be his brother... "No.. I didn't."
"Of course YOU didn't kill them..that was me." He grinned darkly, still holding Kurt motionless at the edge of the falls. "I killed them...to get to you."
Kurt's eyes widened in shock at what he was hearing.
"I knew that you would be blamed if I made it appear demonic...and being such the good Samaritan you are, I knew that eventually, if I killed enough people, you would run from your family, not wanting them in danger from hiding you. and where else would you go?" He laughed. "So predictable..I knew you would come here..That's when I would finally put you out of the way."
Kurt swallowed hard, his knees feeling weak, not only from the wound, but from what he was hearing. "Why...I thought we..were friends..brothers.."
"How could I EVER be friends. or brothers. with a demon?" He spoke so coldly, that Kurt could feel the ice locking into his heart as it thudded madly in his chest. Betrayal crossed over his face as he stared up at the twisted face of Stefan..the one he had once called his friend..
Kurt closed his eyes. What better than a fitting death for him to end all this suffering..why? Because he had been born a freak. a demon, like Stefan said.
Stefan laughed at his expression. "Yes, I see you understand it now. Ever since we first met, I knew. You are the incarnation of all that is evil in this world..You didn't know it yet, that's all... I must get rid of you before you can truly become what you are."
Time seemed to slow... Kurt watched as a flash of lightening illuminated the sky in a brilliant purple, and in that instant he saw the knife poised above him, ready to strike. Suddenly, all the kindness his parents had shown him, the care of Margali and Jimaine, his second mother and sister...and Stefan..his brother.. Were they all lies? No, they couldn't be.they loved him for who he was, not for what he looked like..he was no demon inside, even if he may look it outside.
Kurt's wrist shot up, and gripped onto Stefan's hand, stopping the knife from plunging down. Stefan's surprise was evident as he glanced at him, pausing. Feeling a sensation rise up from inside, a strange sensation..a tingle and a nudge telling him to put two and two together.. He watched in slow motion it seemed, as Stefan stepped back for a second blow, gathering strength, and then leaning forward to deliver it...
However, as the knife plunged down, it passed through a plume of sulfurous smoke instead of solid matter, throwing off the balance of the strike, so that Stefan stumbled, and found his foot meeting empty air below.
Kurt wasn't quite sure what had happened, but one moment he had been in front of Stefan, the next he stood behind him, watching as his friend began to fall down the cliffside. He sprung into action, reaching forward and grabbing onto the back of Stefan's cloak as he plunged down. .With a jerk, Stefan's fall stopped, and he looked up at Kurt with a startled expression. Kurt winced as he tried with all his strength to pull him back up from the precarious position, dangling hundreds of feet above sharp rocks below the falls. "Hang on!" He cried, as he struggled to pull him back up.
A hand gripped onto his, and he glanced down as Stefan peered up at him intently, gripping his right wrist. "Why are you trying to save me, demon." He whispered, only loud enough to hear over the dim roar of the water and wind. "I just tried to kill you."
Kurt smiled sadly, tears running down his face, mixed with the rain that just began to fall. "I know...but I can't let you die..."
A strange look of confusion passed over Stefan's face as they hung there, tense and each struggling in their own way. Then suddenly a sad smile passed over his face. "Oh.." He closed his eyes, and smiled. "God forgive me..." He then simply let go. Kurt had been holding the robe rather loosely once Stefan had gripped his hand..and was unprepared.
Kurt gave a startled cry, and reacted ..by the time he realized what had just happened, it was too late, and Stefan's cloak had slipped beyond his reach, and all he could do was watch as his body hit the rocks below, soundlessly.
He knelt there, and an anguished cry echoed from the cliff side walls..but it wasn't his own. He turned, and saw Jimaine standing there, blonde hair drenched in the pouring rain, face locked in an expression of shock. She had seen most of the conflict, and the result...
Kurt stood up slowly, shaking from the wound he had received, and the realization that he had just killed his closest friend...his brother..He stood there, unable to move, even as the townsfolk, who had shown up at the gypsies camp in search of him after finally breaking into his home, began pouring out of the woods, and saw him there, blood on his hand and clothing..only one conclusion was to be made.
*** Everyone watching this scene was spellbound by it, unable to say anything the whole time. It was practically unimaginable that such a thing had happened to the joking, lighthearted elf... a few eyes strayed to him, still sitting on the ground, with an expression of anguish. He didn't seem to be seeing anything but the visions pulled from his head.
The visions kept coming, since Xavier himself was so wrapped up, he wanted to see the results of the incidents, and what had caused Margali to blame Kurt so.
They all watched, horror struck, as the townsfolk dragged Kurt down the hill to the village, even as he cried out and struggled. He was struck across the head, and slumped dazed as a result, and dragged listlessly. They watched in shock as he was taken to the center of town, tied to a pole that had been erected there, and firewood piled around beneath him...Kurt was still dazed, his head lolling to the side and eyes trying to focus. The townsfolk were screaming names, crying out foul things, throwing rocks and rotten vegetables at him..nothing seemed to shake him out of his daze. The X-men were gripping the edges of their seats with anxiety as the wood was lit, and still Kurt didn't stir. It didn't matter that it was obvious he would escape, since he was here present with them, they were all pulled into the moment.
The pyre was lit, and flames began to lick at the hem of his robes, and this was enough to shake him awake. He cried out, begged, screamed, and wept, but the villagers just seemed to grow angrier and cheer on the flames more.. From the corner of the vision, they could see his mother and father, struggling to get through, screaming in hysterics at seeing their son in mortal danger. but they were held back, prevented from reaching him by strong men with shotguns. The flames had lit his robe already, and were licking at his feet, which he desperately was curling up to avoid the flames. The smoke was becoming so thick, that they lost sight of him...
The X-men watched as a puff of thick black smoke erupted as some of the logs re-arranged, sending sparks up into the air, and completely hiding him from view as the flames leapt higher, and higher...then the vision suddenly just winked out.
They all blinked, not sure why it had just vanished, and all looked to Xavier and Kurt. Xavier lifted his head and let out a breath, sweat rolling down his forehead. "He lost consciousness at that point.." He murmured. "After teleporting out."
Margali seemed to be in the most shock, and stood there with a strange look of pain on her face. she glanced down at Kurt, who was sitting with shoulders slumped, and eyes staring with a hopeless vacant expression at nothing in particular. Suddenly, she gave a strangled cry, and knelt down, throwing her arms around him and hugging him tightly to her as she cried. "My dear boy..I'm so sorry...I made a horrible mistake..." She choked and just held him, rocking back and forth, tears flowing from her eyes freely, dripping onto the back of his head.
Kurt finally showed some reaction, after re-living his painful past, by lifting his hand and placing it on her shoulder gently. His eyes still seemed distant, but they lost the vacant expression, and focused more on Jimaine, standing behind her mother, tears in her eyes as well. His voice sounded incredibly sad when he spoke. "I'm sorry..I didn't want to kill him...I wanted to save him.."
Margali let him go, and took his shoulders in her hands, holding him firmly in front of her. "No. You did not kill him, Kurt." She said, a sad smile on her face, and an expression of understanding. "I know that now..you did try to save him..but Fate punished him for his Sins..." she put a hand on Kurt's head and kissed his forehead gently. "You hold no blame in this...I withdraw my vows...and beg your forgiveness."
Kurt looked faintly confused, and Xavier spoke up quietly. "He really does believe that he is responsible, Margali.." He smiled gently. "It may take him time to realize that he has not, considering he has been blaming himself for four years..."
Margali nodded once, and stood up, pulling Kurt up with her, cradling him a bit in her arms as if he might fall without her. "And for so long I have held hatred for him, believing that he was the one who murdered all those people, and finally my son." She glanced back at Jimaine, who had a sad smile on her face. "But my daughter believed otherwise..she tried to convince me, and finally I allowed her to set us up here, and get close to Kurt in order to find out the truth." She bowed her head. "I have done him a tremendous wrong. .and in my power as a sorceress, I shall attempt to right it."
The X-men exchanged glances at the 'sorceress' comment. Having never encountered anyone quite like Margali, they weren't' sure what to think. Finally, Beast cleared his throat. "ahem.. Perhaps we should head back now that this is cleared up..get some time to think it over?"
Xavier nodded in agreement. "Indeed...I think that's best..."
Author's note: So, lots of fics have been written about Kurt's past..I'm trying not to mimic any of them, and all of them at once given inspiration..goes from reading too much fanfiction I guess. But if any of it is too close to a fic someone else wrote, my apologies, it's not intentional.
Moonlight Reflections Chapter Thirteen The Past..the Truth By: NightElfCrawler
The images began to pull everyone in at once. Flashing by at the speed of light, Xavier searched for the ones that were related..He slowed as he felt Kurt guide him to the beginning events that started the end result in motion...and this is what followed...
It was late one afternoon, and the sun was just setting between the mountains, casting an orange glow over the quiet town. Two boys were sitting on the side of the green hills above the gypsies camp, watching it.
"Beautiful isn't it.."
"Yes.."
"I can't imagine that God would make more of a perfect scene in the world..."
"Mmm.I'm sure there are others that rival it."
"Hmm I don't think so." The dark haired boy turned, facing his blue friend. "Tell me something..what is your worst fear, Kurt?"
The blue furred youth sat up, propping up on his elbow to face the other. "Well...I have many.."
"What's one that sticks out most?"
"Probably..thinking that one day, I might be all alone..with no one who cares.. Because of the way I am.."
"A demon?"
Kurt's head jerked up, and his intense eyes stared at his friend with a shocked intensity. "What!?"
He held his hands up quickly. "Hey, easy there. I was just saying.. Do you fear the fact that when other people see you, they see a demon?"
Kurt bit his lip. "That's. part of it, yes." He glanced up at Stefan with an odd look. "Why?"
The gypsies boy shrugged and flopped back down. "Just askin.."
*** "Mein Gott.not again."
"This is the third one this week.."
"Where is he?"
"Upstairs, asleep I think."
"Are you sure? I mean it couldn't possibly.."
"No! Of course not..he's never harmed a soul, he's an innocent in this.."
Kurt was curled up at the top of the stairs, listening to his parents whispered words, as they obviously hadn't wanted to wake him..but he hadn't been able to sleep, and had intended to get a glass of water, but overheard his name and paused. Now he wished that he hadn't...
The murders had been going on for months now..It started with one, and that was it. then another. followed by two more. The town knew they had a serial killer loose, and naturally their accusing eyes had gone to him. He had been forced to stay inside, and not step foot even outside of the door, for fear that his life might be in jeopardy. Each time it happened, more whispers and rumors flew..it had started with an old beggar who no one had really cared about...they were nearly glad to find him dead, but that was before they found out how he had died..his guts had been extracted, and mixed into some kind of concoction.and spread over his back in a pagan symbol..the devil..he had of course been on his back, and his belongings draped over him, so they hadn't noticed immediately, they believed at first that he had died of natural causes.
That wasn't the case.
The following week, it was a young boy...
Then a pregnant woman...
A young innocent girl only 6...
It went on and on..there was no pattern, only to know that each of these people had been very devout in their faith, and therefore upstanding citizens.
The assumption had been of course, who else would paint the devil's sign, but the one who looked like the demon. never mind the fact that he had never done a thing wrong, and had been as devout as the rest, despite them not wanting him around when worshiping..the pastor luckily had been an understanding man, and allowed him to sit in the rafters, and would occasionally throw a special smile of understanding up at him during his sermons.
Kurt sighed softly as he listened to them talk. Another murder..and no one had even been investigated besides himself..
Suddenly a hard pounding on the door shook him out of his thoughts, and he could then hear angry voices. ~No.~ His thoughts echoed loudly. ~They've come for me.~ He stood up, still wrapped in his homemade blanket from childhood. He heard his father open the door.
"What do you want.."
"You know what we want, Wagner." Came an angry voice from outside. A thrilling hum of other angry voices floated to his ears as well. "Bring your demon son out here so we can put an end to his sinful acts!"
"My son has nothing to do with these murders, Frank.He has been upstairs asleep in his bed all night. We have checked in on him. He is there, and he has not left this house in over two weeks now because of your accusations!" His voice was rising in anger. "Now take yourselves off my property, and your pitchforks and torches with you!"
Kurt could hear a growling response of something. He wondered if they really did have pitchforks and torches, or if it was a metaphorical meaning, his father had a tendency to use those..
"One of these days, you will not be there to hide him." The man hissed. "We will put an end to it." Footsteps sounded, and Kurt was relieved to hear the door shut and bolt.
"Stupid fools..why must they persecute him.." His father said, sounding bitter and very tired. "I am worried that what he says is right..one day we will not be able to protect him.."
Kurt bit his lip. He couldn't stay here and endanger them any longer...he knew that he would be safe with the gypsies..and the townsfolk were afraid of them, and never ventured near. He softly padded back to his room, and dressed in some warm clothes, and put his big bulky robe on, then slipped out the window into the darkness..
He arrived on the outskirts, seeing their friendly fires, dancing, and music well before he saw any people. He leapt down from the trees, nearly startling the sentry to death. "Wah. ah.. Kurt it's only you.. Stop sneaking up on us like that, or you're libel to be killed one of these days!" The gypsies man grinned at him, his dark face lined with amusement at the youth's ability to constantly sneak up on them.
Kurt tried to return the smile, but felt empty inside due to the current situation. "I'm sorry Ulrich..I won't do it again." They both knew that he would do it again, and have the same situation occur at that.
Kurt walked through the camp, and nearly jumped when a hand landed on his shoulder. "Hey, whatcha doing here so late bro?"
Kurt turned, seeing the grinning smile of his friend. "Stefan. stop scaring me.." He breathed out. "I. " He started to say, and bit his lip.
Stefan looked concerned, and pulled him down on the log by the fire outside the wagons. "What is it?"
Kurt sighed and folded his hands in front of him. "The villagers came to my home tonight. they wanted to take me and kill me. they're blaming me for all the murders going on...I can't put my family in danger much longer." He looked up pleadingly at Stefan, the boy's eyes reflecting the fire brightly in his dark eyes. "I had to run away from them...I love them too much to put them in danger."
Stefan nodded with sympathy and put a strong arm around the smaller boy's shoulders. "I understand..you're safe here, but you knew that." He flashed a smile. "How about we go cheer up by running down by the falls and throwing insults down at the village?"
Kurt flashed a grin. It was one of their favorite things to do, when upset. They'd go down and stand on top of the waterfall ridge, with the roaring water crashing down below them, and scream out their frustrations and pent up anger at being constantly treated different for what they were born as..a gypsies and a mutant... "Yes..I think that would help a lot right now."
"Right. Lemme grab a cloak and we'll go." He got up and walked into one of the wagons.
Kurt stayed seated, glancing around the merry atmosphere. This was his second family. they didn't care what you looked like..in fact, it sometimes even made them accept him more, being different. He glanced over, seeing the fluttering flags of the tent. He smiled a bit watching them flutter in the darkness. The gypsies always set the circus up wherever they roamed..and he was ecstatic when he'd been asked to perform as the 'flying wonder Nightcrawler' during some of their performances. He had been good..no other person matched his agility and feat in performing in front of a clapping, excited crowd. When they moved on, which they did once and a while, he missed the thrill of the circus.
Stefan came back with a rush, brown cloak fluttering after him in the approaching stormy wind. "Ready, let's go." He slapped a hand on Kurt's shoulder, and the two made their way out of the merry camp, into the growing darkness.
They reached the overhang within a short time, and stood there, cloak and robe fluttering loudly in the wind as it tore the hair from their faces and whipped it around.
Kurt closed his eyes and breathed in a deep breath of the crisp air, and smiled, feeling the wind ripple his fur. it was something like a massage. He didn't hear Stefan draw the knife until it was buried in his side. He gave a cry of pain as the blade struck him just under the ribs. He glanced back in startled fear at Stefan, and saw the wild look of a madman reflected there. "W..what...?" He managed to choke out as Stefan ripped the knife out, keeping a firm grip on his shoulder with the other hand..
Stefan's laugh sent chills down his back to coincide with the flaming pain. "Why? Can't you understand it? You of all people..." His eyes laughed merrily while he spoke. "All those murders...they ARE your fault you know."
Kurt choked back a cry, not believing what he was hearing. this was the boy who he had considered to be his brother... "No.. I didn't."
"Of course YOU didn't kill them..that was me." He grinned darkly, still holding Kurt motionless at the edge of the falls. "I killed them...to get to you."
Kurt's eyes widened in shock at what he was hearing.
"I knew that you would be blamed if I made it appear demonic...and being such the good Samaritan you are, I knew that eventually, if I killed enough people, you would run from your family, not wanting them in danger from hiding you. and where else would you go?" He laughed. "So predictable..I knew you would come here..That's when I would finally put you out of the way."
Kurt swallowed hard, his knees feeling weak, not only from the wound, but from what he was hearing. "Why...I thought we..were friends..brothers.."
"How could I EVER be friends. or brothers. with a demon?" He spoke so coldly, that Kurt could feel the ice locking into his heart as it thudded madly in his chest. Betrayal crossed over his face as he stared up at the twisted face of Stefan..the one he had once called his friend..
Kurt closed his eyes. What better than a fitting death for him to end all this suffering..why? Because he had been born a freak. a demon, like Stefan said.
Stefan laughed at his expression. "Yes, I see you understand it now. Ever since we first met, I knew. You are the incarnation of all that is evil in this world..You didn't know it yet, that's all... I must get rid of you before you can truly become what you are."
Time seemed to slow... Kurt watched as a flash of lightening illuminated the sky in a brilliant purple, and in that instant he saw the knife poised above him, ready to strike. Suddenly, all the kindness his parents had shown him, the care of Margali and Jimaine, his second mother and sister...and Stefan..his brother.. Were they all lies? No, they couldn't be.they loved him for who he was, not for what he looked like..he was no demon inside, even if he may look it outside.
Kurt's wrist shot up, and gripped onto Stefan's hand, stopping the knife from plunging down. Stefan's surprise was evident as he glanced at him, pausing. Feeling a sensation rise up from inside, a strange sensation..a tingle and a nudge telling him to put two and two together.. He watched in slow motion it seemed, as Stefan stepped back for a second blow, gathering strength, and then leaning forward to deliver it...
However, as the knife plunged down, it passed through a plume of sulfurous smoke instead of solid matter, throwing off the balance of the strike, so that Stefan stumbled, and found his foot meeting empty air below.
Kurt wasn't quite sure what had happened, but one moment he had been in front of Stefan, the next he stood behind him, watching as his friend began to fall down the cliffside. He sprung into action, reaching forward and grabbing onto the back of Stefan's cloak as he plunged down. .With a jerk, Stefan's fall stopped, and he looked up at Kurt with a startled expression. Kurt winced as he tried with all his strength to pull him back up from the precarious position, dangling hundreds of feet above sharp rocks below the falls. "Hang on!" He cried, as he struggled to pull him back up.
A hand gripped onto his, and he glanced down as Stefan peered up at him intently, gripping his right wrist. "Why are you trying to save me, demon." He whispered, only loud enough to hear over the dim roar of the water and wind. "I just tried to kill you."
Kurt smiled sadly, tears running down his face, mixed with the rain that just began to fall. "I know...but I can't let you die..."
A strange look of confusion passed over Stefan's face as they hung there, tense and each struggling in their own way. Then suddenly a sad smile passed over his face. "Oh.." He closed his eyes, and smiled. "God forgive me..." He then simply let go. Kurt had been holding the robe rather loosely once Stefan had gripped his hand..and was unprepared.
Kurt gave a startled cry, and reacted ..by the time he realized what had just happened, it was too late, and Stefan's cloak had slipped beyond his reach, and all he could do was watch as his body hit the rocks below, soundlessly.
He knelt there, and an anguished cry echoed from the cliff side walls..but it wasn't his own. He turned, and saw Jimaine standing there, blonde hair drenched in the pouring rain, face locked in an expression of shock. She had seen most of the conflict, and the result...
Kurt stood up slowly, shaking from the wound he had received, and the realization that he had just killed his closest friend...his brother..He stood there, unable to move, even as the townsfolk, who had shown up at the gypsies camp in search of him after finally breaking into his home, began pouring out of the woods, and saw him there, blood on his hand and clothing..only one conclusion was to be made.
*** Everyone watching this scene was spellbound by it, unable to say anything the whole time. It was practically unimaginable that such a thing had happened to the joking, lighthearted elf... a few eyes strayed to him, still sitting on the ground, with an expression of anguish. He didn't seem to be seeing anything but the visions pulled from his head.
The visions kept coming, since Xavier himself was so wrapped up, he wanted to see the results of the incidents, and what had caused Margali to blame Kurt so.
They all watched, horror struck, as the townsfolk dragged Kurt down the hill to the village, even as he cried out and struggled. He was struck across the head, and slumped dazed as a result, and dragged listlessly. They watched in shock as he was taken to the center of town, tied to a pole that had been erected there, and firewood piled around beneath him...Kurt was still dazed, his head lolling to the side and eyes trying to focus. The townsfolk were screaming names, crying out foul things, throwing rocks and rotten vegetables at him..nothing seemed to shake him out of his daze. The X-men were gripping the edges of their seats with anxiety as the wood was lit, and still Kurt didn't stir. It didn't matter that it was obvious he would escape, since he was here present with them, they were all pulled into the moment.
The pyre was lit, and flames began to lick at the hem of his robes, and this was enough to shake him awake. He cried out, begged, screamed, and wept, but the villagers just seemed to grow angrier and cheer on the flames more.. From the corner of the vision, they could see his mother and father, struggling to get through, screaming in hysterics at seeing their son in mortal danger. but they were held back, prevented from reaching him by strong men with shotguns. The flames had lit his robe already, and were licking at his feet, which he desperately was curling up to avoid the flames. The smoke was becoming so thick, that they lost sight of him...
The X-men watched as a puff of thick black smoke erupted as some of the logs re-arranged, sending sparks up into the air, and completely hiding him from view as the flames leapt higher, and higher...then the vision suddenly just winked out.
They all blinked, not sure why it had just vanished, and all looked to Xavier and Kurt. Xavier lifted his head and let out a breath, sweat rolling down his forehead. "He lost consciousness at that point.." He murmured. "After teleporting out."
Margali seemed to be in the most shock, and stood there with a strange look of pain on her face. she glanced down at Kurt, who was sitting with shoulders slumped, and eyes staring with a hopeless vacant expression at nothing in particular. Suddenly, she gave a strangled cry, and knelt down, throwing her arms around him and hugging him tightly to her as she cried. "My dear boy..I'm so sorry...I made a horrible mistake..." She choked and just held him, rocking back and forth, tears flowing from her eyes freely, dripping onto the back of his head.
Kurt finally showed some reaction, after re-living his painful past, by lifting his hand and placing it on her shoulder gently. His eyes still seemed distant, but they lost the vacant expression, and focused more on Jimaine, standing behind her mother, tears in her eyes as well. His voice sounded incredibly sad when he spoke. "I'm sorry..I didn't want to kill him...I wanted to save him.."
Margali let him go, and took his shoulders in her hands, holding him firmly in front of her. "No. You did not kill him, Kurt." She said, a sad smile on her face, and an expression of understanding. "I know that now..you did try to save him..but Fate punished him for his Sins..." she put a hand on Kurt's head and kissed his forehead gently. "You hold no blame in this...I withdraw my vows...and beg your forgiveness."
Kurt looked faintly confused, and Xavier spoke up quietly. "He really does believe that he is responsible, Margali.." He smiled gently. "It may take him time to realize that he has not, considering he has been blaming himself for four years..."
Margali nodded once, and stood up, pulling Kurt up with her, cradling him a bit in her arms as if he might fall without her. "And for so long I have held hatred for him, believing that he was the one who murdered all those people, and finally my son." She glanced back at Jimaine, who had a sad smile on her face. "But my daughter believed otherwise..she tried to convince me, and finally I allowed her to set us up here, and get close to Kurt in order to find out the truth." She bowed her head. "I have done him a tremendous wrong. .and in my power as a sorceress, I shall attempt to right it."
The X-men exchanged glances at the 'sorceress' comment. Having never encountered anyone quite like Margali, they weren't' sure what to think. Finally, Beast cleared his throat. "ahem.. Perhaps we should head back now that this is cleared up..get some time to think it over?"
Xavier nodded in agreement. "Indeed...I think that's best..."