The Truth Hurts
Chapter XXXVII: Graydon's Wrath
By: Michelle
"You have no idea how glad we are to see you." Rogue said as their friends smiled.
"Yeah chica." Jubilee replied. "But we'll have to save the hugs for later. Senator Creed has gone psycho. He's leading an army of men up here."
"What men?" Iceman asked dreading the answer.
"We don't know who they are or how they found us." Jubilee replied. "But Senator Creed ordered them to kill Sabretooth."
"The F.O.H." Rogue remembered the brief moment she absorbed Graydon. "The Friends of Humanity. They are mutant hunters. Graydon is their leader."
"Dey dun be de ones we heard earlier." Gambit reminded them. "Landin' on de roof before Graydon ran off."
"We gotta get out of here."
"Yeah, well not all things go as planned."
They all looked over to the end of the tunnel to see some of the F.O.H. members heading towards them.
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"What is wrong with this picture?" Graydon said as he held the pistol steady in his hand. He signaled the group of men behind him to surround Storm and Wolverine. "Oh yes, you are all mutants."
Storm and Wolverine took in deep breaths as they found themselves outnumbered.
Kurt slowly stood up to meet his brother's height. "Vat is going on here?"
"We've started a little war." Graydon replied. "My kind against your kind." His smile was enough to make them sick. "And it all begins with her death."
Disregarding how much pain Mystique put him through, Kurt took her defense. "Don't do this Graydon. It doesn't have to be this way."
"Despite the abomination that you are, I thought you would be on my side." Graydon replied. "After all, she never gave a damn about us, just her little Rogue. We were just accidents."
"Be that as it may." Kurt replied. "She is still our mutter."
"You can claim that if you want, but to me SHE IS DEAD." Graydon eyed Kurt hard. I can't believe he is coming to her defense after all she had done to us. "Now move out of my way."
"No." Kurt answered. "I will not let you do this, brother."
Graydon's eyes reflected his tortured soul as he snapped at the truth. "DON'T EVER CALL ME BROTHER."
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Gambit flung a handful of cards in the F.O.H.'s direction causing them to jump back.
"It's not going to hold them long." Seeing the quick distraction, Iceman created a wall to slow the men down. "We have to find the others."
"Come on." Jubilee called to them. "It's clear this way."
Rogue, Gambit, Iceman, and Colossus rushed over to follow her. Pyro, pissed because he couldn't find his back up lighter and because his face throbbed, followed them, but kept his distance. It wasn't long before they heard the ice wall shatter.
Rogue glanced behind her to see Gambit having trouble keeping up. She knew something was seriously wrong.
Gambit fought another wave of dizziness that passed over him. With each step he took, his legs seemed like they were getting heavier and heavier. He was surprised he had held on as long as he hid, but he didn't want to let her down.
"Remy." Rogue walked over to his side, despite the angry look she received from her limping boyfriend. "What's wrong?"
"Nothin'." He replied as convincing as possible. "Gambit's fine."
Why is he being so stubborn? "No, you're not." She answered. "You are hurt bad, aren't you?"
"Non." Gambit lied again. "It's just a bruise. I'm fine."
"Remy." Rogue stared at him with disbelief. I know something is wrong. Why won't you let me help you? She wanted to reach out and touch him, but was afraid he would reject her. I thought he liked me. "Never mind."
She's worried about me. Gambit paused and let her walk ahead of him. Merde. Won't this pain ever end?
If he wants my help, he'll ask for it. Rogue walked slowly away from him. She folded her arms pulling the trench coat tighter around her. She wasn't cold, but she was scared. Alls I want to do is help him. Why won't he let me?
Gambit grinded his teeth as another wave of pain soared through his body. Mon Dieu. He leaned on the wall taking deep breaths. Every noise around him seemed to fade away. Everyone he looked at seemed to multiply in front of his eyes. "Rogue."
Rogue turned around and practically flew over to catch him before he fell. "Remy."
"Chere, Gambit ain't doin' so good." He finally admitted as she supported him
"I know." As she helped him walk, he could tell that he was slowly drifting unconscious. "Remy, talk to me. Let me know you are still OK."
"K" He answered weakly. "Why ya helping Gambit?"
"Cuz I care about ya." She answered.
He smiled to himself. "Gambit care about ya too, Chere."
"There they are." Jubilee yelled as their other teammates came in view. "Come on, they need our help."
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"Ready Darlin." Wolverine asked as he extended his claws.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Storm glanced over to Kurt who was stuck in the middle of Mystique's lies and Graydon's wrath. Lord watch over him. She turned her attention back to Wolverine as she summoned the wind around them.
"Then, let's kick some F.O.H. ass."
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Kurt stepped back at Graydon's reaction. Has he gone insane? "Vat is this madness?"
"YOU WANT TO KNOW. YOU WANT TO KNOW. IT WAS BAD ENOUGH TO KNOW SABRETOOTH AND MYSTIQUE ARE MY PARENTS, BUT TO LEARN THAT YOU AND ROGUE ARE MY SIBLINGS…IT WAS ENOUGH TO DRIVE ME MAD." Graydon replied without a heart as he pulled the trigger.
"NEIN." Kurt grabbed Mystique.
BAMF
"NO." Graydon fussed. "NO. NO. NO."
BAMF
As they reappeared, Mystique ignored the nausea that had come over her. He saved me. Why? Then, she looked into his golden eyes and knew why. He grew up to be a better person than I will ever be.
Kurt met his mother's eyes. He could tell she was confused, but so was he. He didn't know why he saved her, but he did. He knew why though, but he just couldn't say the words. I forgive you, mutter. He just figured he'd have time for that later.
BAMF
Kurt appeared behind Graydon and wrestled the gun out of his hand. "Vhy are you doing this?" He demanded as they both lost grip on the pistol. "She is your mutter. She gave you life."
"SHE IS A MUTANT. SHE GAVE ME PAIN AND SUFFERING." Graydon screamed. "I HATE HER. I HATE ALL OF YOU. YOU ALL SHOULD BE ANIALATED."
Graydon backed Kurt up and slammed him hard into the wall. Kurt felt his head pound. I'm going to feel that for the next couple of days. He thought as his brother faced him in a fighting stance.
The two brothers glared at each other hard. One had the face of a devil, but the heart of an angel. The other had the face of an angel, but the heart to the devil. It was a shame that after finally meeting each other, they were fighting instead of hugging and being thankful they found each other. But this was no Unsolved Mysteries union; this was the union of Kurt Wagner and Graydon Creed.
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Storm felt herself tiring, but knew Wolverine was just warming up. She felt as unfocused and nervous as she fought the F.O.H. Maybe I'm just worried about Kurt. Or maybe the more the F.O.H members I blow into each other, the more they reappear. Damn Magneto. If this whole damn place wasn't loaded with metal, I could give all them shock therapy.
Caught off guard, Storm found herself in a position she couldn't get out off. Plus, Wolverine was too far away to help her.
"You are trapped freak." One of the F.O.H. officers said.
"Not if we can help it."
PAFS
"Thanks." Storm smiled; glad she trained the young X-men well. "We need to stop this before it gets worse."
Jubilee and Colossus didn't argue with that. Iceman, balancing on one foot, turned slowly to glance at Rogue helping Gambit before he joined them as best he could.
Gambit felt his knees give out. Rogue tried to hold him up but she couldn't. Instead she helped him sit down against the wall. He looked back behind them to see a bunch of the F.O.H. marching towards them. "Gambit gotta fight Chere."
"No, you're hurt." Rogue placed her hand on his chest to keep him from getting back up.
"Gambit fightin' Chere." He said to her as she got closer to him. He pulled out his bo staff and a pack of cards, ready to fight. "And ya can't stop him."
"Yah, I can." She replied and leaned down meeting her lips with his. She could feel his heart pounding beneath her hand as she pulled away. Her lips tingled from the little she absorbed from him.
No argument with that. Gambit thought as she leaned down to kiss him again.
Rogue's whole body tingled as he pulled her closer to deepen the kiss. Chere look like Pocahontas. He's such a flirt. Ya sure ya alright? Cuz ya cracked da cement. He always picks on me, but he cares about me. It's a beautiful night, ain't it? I think he's hot too. Remy's…Remy's gonna kiss ya. So what are you waiting for? Je t'aime ma Chere. I love you too.
Oh DAMN. Gambit knew the effects of her touch could kill him, but he trusted her. I don't want to let you go. His eyes closed and he dropped his weapons. Be careful.
I will. Rogue pulled away to find him unconscious. She touched his stubby cheek and brushed his hair out his eyes. She knew she didn't hurt him, but he was definitely going to be out for at least a day or two. She picked up his weapons and stood up. I can go for a cigarette right now. She thought as she turned to see the F.O.H. getting in position. Gambit be ready ta kick some ass.
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Kurt was able to block many of Graydon's punches which frustrated the man even more. "Graydon, it doesn't have to be like this."
"YES IT DOES." Graydon whined. "NOW STAY STILL."
Kurt backed up against the wall and BAMFED at the next punch Graydon threw his way.
Graydon's fist slammed into the wall. He howled out in pain as he held it. I was angry before, but now you really pissed me off. He landed a kick to Kurt's side.
Kurt leaned over from having the wind knocked out of him. Then, he fell to the floor as Graydon struck him across the face.
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Storm's eyes pearled over as she summoned another gust of wind to blow over some of the F.O.H. officers while Jubilee shot fireworks at them and Colossus threw them into the wall. Their method of fighting was different from Wolverine's slice and dice method, but it suited them just fine. Plus, it was a whole lot less bloody.
Wolverine was in his glory as he fought nearly effortlessly with the F.O.H. He felt a few bullets hit him every now and then, but he wasn't in pain. Plus, he loved how the F.O.H. were freaking out when the bullets would pop out of his body and the wounds would heal themselves up.
Rogue extended Gambit's bo staff and watched it glow red in her hand. Freaky. She grabbed her side briefly fully understanding why Gambit was in so much pain.
Iceman limped up beside her to help her fight even though he was heartbroken. He knew by looking at Gambit's glowing red bo staff that she absorbed him in one way or another. I don't even want to know.
Risking all she had to protect the unconscious Gambit, Rogue spun the bo around and began fighting with moves she didn't even know Gambit himself could pull off. She loved how every time the bo staff hit one of the guns it would charge up and explode. Laissez les bon temp rouler. But, what she loved even more was flinging a handful of charged cards in their direction.
Iceman tried to keep his mind off of Rogue using Gambit's mutant abilities. So, he froze guns in the F.O.H. officers' hands. It wasn't helping very much. It just made him even angrier.
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Finally finding his lighter, Pyro kissed it before he flicked it open. It's just me and you. He thought as he noticed he was the only member of the Brotherhood in the room willing to fight. What the hell is wrong with Mystique? Oh well, who cares. Time to roast.
Mystique looked around at the room. It wasn't supposed to be this way. My two sons, my flesh and blood are trying to kill each other. My adopted daughter is not herself. Why is it that everything I do turns out like this? Can't I have any peace in my life?
She turned away from the sight of the room. She could bare stand the sight of it anymore as the tears rolled down her cheeks. Did they still love me?
She opened her eyes and glanced at Kurt. He grew up to be a good man, far better than his father. He wasn't the biggest mistake I ever made. He is the only good thing I have accomplished in my life. I was too self-centered to see it.
Just a glimpse of Graydon was enough to make her hurl. That was the biggest mistake I ever made. I should have thrown him off the damn waterfall. I can't say I didn't deserve the payback though.
She smiled over at Rogue. She was always my favorite. How could I be so stupid? I loved her and raised her as my own, but then I hurt her and tried to sacrifice her for my own failures. In the end, I lost her to Xavier.
I'm a horrible mother. How could I ever make it up to them? She looked over to the end of the tunnel to see Magneto, Sabretooth, and Mastermind making their way over to her. I have to save them.
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Kurt tried to get up but Graydon pounced on him and pinned him to the ground. He began gasping for air as his brother attempted to choke him. He looked up into Graydon's eyes and could see down into the hatred in his soul. He's a madman. He wrapped his tail around Graydon's waist and flung him off of him.
Graydon flew across the tunnel, only stopping when he hit the wall hard knocking him out cold.
Kurt lay on the ground taking deep breaths. He hated to admit it, but Graydon knew how to fight. He didn't want to know how his brother learned or what inner anger fueled his rage, but he prayed to God to calm the man's heart. He didn't care much for Graydon, but didn't want him to end up like his foster-brother Stefan.
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Storm finally took a breather as the battle ended. For the moment, it was Wolverine vs. the F.O.H. It was definitely best to keep her distance. "Are you two alright?" She asked Jubilee and Colossus.
"Yeah."
"But Rogue and Iceman could use our help."
Rogue felt Gambit's power weaken quickly as she wore down. She sighed seeing the rest of the men she and Iceman were fighting begin to retreat.
"We did it." Iceman turned to her only to see her run to Gambit's side. Yeah, no need thanking me.
"Rogue, what happened?" Storm asked as she rushed down to her and Gambit.
"Hey Stormy." She replied still feeling a little of Gambit's mind in her. "He has a severe burn and two broken ribs."
Storm looked over to Rogue. She absorbed him. Oh God. "We need to get him back to the jet."
"I'm sorry."
"It's alright Rogue." Storm looked behind her to see Iceman limping their way. "We need to get you back to the jet too."
"Yeah, whatever." Iceman replied.
Wolverine walked up beside them not really satisfied with the fight. "Is Gumbo gonna be alright?"
"He's going to fine." Storm replied as she stood back up. "You had your fun."
"Yeah." He grunted and folded his arms. "But half of them ran away before I could get a real work out."
"Ororo."
"Kurt." Storm's heart pounded in her chest as he slowly walked over to them dragging an unconscious Graydon behind him. He looks like he's gone through hell and back. She ran to him and wrapped her arms around him. "I love you. I was so scared."
Kurt let go of Graydon's collar and wrapped his arms around her. "I love you too. You don't have to worry anymore." He said and kissed her lips.
Rogue sat next to the unconscious Gambit. Then, she looked over to Iceman. What have I gotten myself into? Her head pounded hard and she placed pressure on the side of her head. WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME?
"The deal is off Magneto." They all turned at the voice of Mystique. "It wasn't suppose to be like this and you know it"
"They betrayed me." Magneto replied as he walked forward. "And if I'm not mistaken, you are betraying me too."
"I am." Mystique replied. "I no long want a part of this. Our partnership is over."
"So it comes to this. But Do you actually think you can beat me by yourself?" Magneto eyed her hard and laughed as she prepared to fight him. "Who would fight on your side?"
"I vill." Kurt replied as he released the embrace he had with Ororo. He looked into his love's pleading eyes. "I have to do this." He took his place next to Mystique.
"And so will I." Rogue answered standing up feeling more powerful than she had ever felt before. She pushed past Iceman who tried to stop her. She took her place on the other side of Mystique.
"Then, let the battle begin." Magneto narrowed his eyes.
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FROM THE AUTHOR:
Yeah. I finally got finished this chapter. I hope to have Chapter 38 out in the next three to four days. I have only 3 more chapters left so I better get cracking.
Oh. I also started another fanfic in the X-men Comic section called Mon Petit Frère. So, If you're a Gambit fan, you might want to check it out.
Au Revoir