Disclaimer: I do not own the Xmen….. I would be so freaking rich.. Do I look rich to you?? Huh Huh?? Huh?? I don't hear any answers!… Oh and I don't own the songs either… :p

Yay!! More Reviews this time!! Anyhoo. . . I have received a slight complaint about the song in between. Well technically, it's not a song.. It's a foretelling. You have to get it drilled into your mind because it's essential for later on. It's kind of unavoidable. You have to really pay attention to the words of the song in order to figure out the prophecy. Don't worry, I have ADD as well but you have to really focus on the words, then relate it back to the situation at hand. Plus, it's someone you've met before, speaking the words. And you still have to figure out who that is. So the prophecy must stay. But I guess I could try to shorten it for you even though it is going to do some irreparable damage later on. I just figured to drill it in your heads now cuz I guessed you were just like me.. Not wanting to skim to the past chapters just to read a damn song. Plus, I didn't want the prophecy to be obvious (* adding mysterious appeal). But remember: THIS IS A PROPHECY, SO REMEMBER IT DAMN IT!!

Recap: Rogue and Spike are "supposedly" dying. Later on they go out into town, but their festivities were interrupted by a certain evil mastermind. YAY SINISTER!! Anyhoo. . . Let us continue with this lovely story. . . (* by the way, do you get what's going on?)

Chapter 21: Seeking the Crescent Moon

" I have a slight fascination with

Legolas from the Lord of the Rings."

(* thought you'd like to know)

~ RoguesHeart~

His entire body seemed to be racked with pain. Slowly, Remy attempted to pull himself up from the ground only to be jerked back down by the chains wrapped around his wrists. A small groan grasped his attention, it had seemed to come from his left side. Squinting his eyes, Remy tried to focus on the voice.

" Bloody 'Ell, where am I?"

Remy's mouth gaped open in surprise. Out of all the people that he thought could be in the same room as him, he had never thought in a million years it would be the Australian firecracker.

" John, Dat be y'?"

Snapping his head around, John stared at the Cajun.

" Remy?"

" Oui…"

" How the hell did ya get to Genosha, mate?"

Remy frowned in confusion. The last thing he remembered was being in the park down in New Orleans. Then getting attacked by some black haired, blue skinned freak. After that everything else was fuzzy.

" Remy don't think we be at Genosha, John.."

" Then where the hell are we?"

Remy attempted to scan his surroundings. It seemed that they were in some kind of underground dungeon. A small beeping noise, alerted him to the power inhibitor around his neck.

" Remy doesn't know.."

John sighed to himself and tried to recall the last events. He had remembered waking up, blowing up hot pockets, getting kicked out of the house, then running into Mag's daughter and her crazed Shiela. Somehow, they had blackmailed him into rescuing the Xmen from Genosha. That he couldn't even explain to himself, though the kid they did manage to "rescue" seemed quite grateful. Scrawny, as that kid was.. He did have guts. When they had made it out of the work camp, the little brown haired kid had parted ways with them. Saying something about he had a score to settle with Trask.

After that, they had flown back to the Americas and were on their way to an arcade when suddenly they were attacked by some man with silver hair. He had injected them with some kind of liquid which burnt like hell. After that, there was nothing but darkness. Cold pitch black darkness that seemed to envelop him as he had passed through his subconscious.

Both Remy's and John's thoughts were interrupted when a the click of a lock being turned alerted them to the door. Finally after what seemed like hours, which was probably five minutes, the metal door swung open. Light flooded into the room, temporarily blinding Remy's sensitive eyes. When he was able to focus again, he was greeted by the same man he had met earlier. The same guy who was with Rogue, when he had first came to New Orleans.

His chocolate brown eyes glared down at him furiously. His silvery hair fell carelessly across his face as he strode into the cell. There was something off with him though, his eyes were cold and his expression was emotionless. Sure they weren't on the best of levels but never was such a hostility directed towards him by that man.

The silver haired man directed his attention to John for a split second. Turning slightly, he let out a piercing whistle that rang through the dungeon cell. Immediately, four men came rushing into the room. Their lower portions of their faces were concealed only revealing identical onyx eyes. The silver haired man gestured to the men next to him, to pick grab the Australian.

John's eyes widened as he watched the men come towards him. They leaned over and unlatched the chains from his arm, but all the while keeping his arms pinned behind him. John attempted to struggle against their grasp yet the effort was in vain. The men held stead fast to him as they dragged him from the dungeon, kicking and screaming every cuss word in the book.

Remy had wished he could help the boy but he was helpless. His muscles refused to allow him the slightest bit of movement without giving him a shock of agonizing pain through his spine. Yet, he couldn't bother worrying about himself, when there was so much more important things to deal with. One was, where the hell was he? Could they possibly still be in New Orleans? The other questions that ran through his mind was whether or not his sister in law and brother were alright. They didn't exactly get out of the previous fight unharmed. Remy was sure of the capabilities of Henri but Mercy was a different story. Of course all Thieves Guild members were taught the basics of fighting but she still wasn't as strong as the others. He had no idea how she would be able to handle their situation. But the major question that nagged at his soul was

"Where was his Rogue?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

John had given up struggling a long time ago. Now he just allowed for them to drag him down the long corridor. After what seemed to be fifteen minutes, they stopped. Turning to face two giant steel doors, the silver haired man whipped around to face him. His eyes scrutinized every aspect of his body.

" Ya like what ya see, mate?: snarled Pyro nastily.

The man huffed at him and heaved open the steel doors. There to greet him was a disgruntled looking Wanda. Her hair was ruffled slightly and a woman stood over her, tending to the open gash on her arm.

The men who had an overbearingly tight grip on his arms, suddenly loosened them and he was sent flying across the room. He smacked the ground with a harsh thud, so harsh that his head began to swim. The silver haired man knelt down beside him and offered a hand to him. Taking it, he helped John stand upon his feet. The man's eyes softened a slight bit as he spoke.

" Are y' okay, sir?"

John nodded faintly. His head felt like hell. The man stared at him once more before turning to the woman next to Wanda.

" I wan' y' t' tend t' dis man's wounds immediately."

" Yes, sir."

The silver haired man diverted his attention back to John.

" De pain in y' head is from de injection we gave y'."

Rubbing his head, John glared at the man.

" What de hell was in de injection?"

The silver haired man ignored his question and turned to face Wanda. Her eyes were narrowed at him and her mouth curled up into an intimidating snarl.

" Y' are Wanda Maximoff, I presume?"

Wanda continued to snarl. The silver haired man remained indifferent to Wanda's silence.

" I am Cadmus, I will be de one who watches after y' team."

" Team?"

Cadmus gaze flickered at Wanda momentarily before returning his attention to John's wounds.

" It be explained in time, chile.."

" I want to know now!"

Wanda stood up abruptly, attracting the attention of the men. They surrounded her and began to restrain her. Cadmus raised his hand and dismissed the men. They looked at the disgruntled goth and back to Cadmus but left.

" Do not trouble y' self wit it now.."

" And why not?"

Cadmus stood and headed out of the door but not before gesturing to them to follow him. Reluctantly, they followed him out of the room. He led them back down the hallway but took various turns through the different corridors. Stopping at a glass window that showed a huge colosseum-like room, Cadmus returned his attention to them both.

" Y'll be competing for y' lives."

" In what?"

" A warrior's competition."

John frowned while Wanda kept her furious snarl.

" What do you mean like a gladiator tournament?"

Cadmus answered without looking at either of them.

" Oui, and if y' lose… y' will not see de light of day ever again."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aurora sat in the living room of Michael's estate in Paris. The servants had gone out of their way to make her and her child feel comfortable. She couldn't help but worry for Rogue's and Spike's well beings. It had been weeks since they had last contacted her with the latest update on Rogue's whereabouts. Frankly she was pissed that she was left out of the festivities but she couldn't blame them.

Glancing down at the small infant in her arms, Aurora began to lightly stroke it's face. The baby shared her mother's hair but it had her father's eyes. The baby's chocolate eyes gazed wistfully up at Aurora as her mother began to rock in the chair.

A warmth of love swept over the young mother whenever she gazed down at her child. The baby was so small, her little fingers could barely wrap around Aurora's thumb. Yet each time she would happen to glance down and their eyes would meet, Aurora would note a strong presence. It was so empowering that it was almost frightening.

Can you here the calling of the raving wind and waters…

Aurora broke her gaze with the baby. As she looked up, she caught sight of a tall woman with white on auburn hair. Much like Rogue's but straighter and with a dingier appeal.

" Rogue?"

We just keep dreaming of the land across the river…

The women's eyes were a cold green and they stared at her with a firey hatred like she had never felt before. No, this wasn't Rogue..

We are always on the way to find the place we belong…

The women's physique began to shift as the song rang through the room. Her hair began to grow longer and darker. The portion of her hair that was once white, was now turning blood red. The woman hovered slightly over to Aurora. By then her entire body had changed.

Wandering to nowhere, we're paddling down the raging sea…

Her hair was jet black mixed with crimson and her eyes were of a precocious emerald green with tinges of orange specks.

Who can cross over such raving wind and water…

Aurora held her child to her body as the woman began to hover closer. The woman didn't seem to express hostility against the infant however. She merely allowed for her gaze to flash upon the small child's figure. Aurora could have sworn that the woman's gaze flickered for a small moment when the child cooed at her softly. But it had passed as quickly as it had came.

" Who are you?"

The woman turned her gaze up at Aurora and opened her mouth. But it wasn't a human voice that came from her, it was one of a higher divinity.

Shine, bright morning light.. Now in the air spring is coming..

Her voice was like the angel's song or one of the Siren's. Tempting all that would listen. The woman's hair began to gently blow around her face gently as her body began to sway lightly.

Sweet, flowing wind.. Singing down the hills and valleys…

Aurora watched in bemusement as the women continued to sing.

Keep your eyes on me.. Now we run the edge of hell…

Hear my love, sweet morning light…

Wait for me.. You've gone much further..

Too far….

The last note that she had sung rung through Aurora's ears pleasantly. The woman no longer looked hateful but tranquil. The small infant in her arms had fallen asleep and her small chest was heaving gently up and down. Aurora turned to look at the woman who stood before her.

" Who are you?"

The woman's eyes fell passively upon Aurora. Cold as they were, her eyes still held a calm inner serenity.

" Is it so easy to forget me, Aurora Lana Riley? "

Aurora frowned slightly at the use of her name.

" And by what do you mean?"

The woman gently lifted her hand began to reach for the child. Aurora stepped protectively away, eyes flaring dangerously.

" Do not touch my child, woman."

The woman merely stared at her passively.

" Then you have truly forgotten me.."

" I do not know of what you speak."

The woman's eyes glistened with sadness. Her demeanor seemed to wither before her eyes. Slowly, the woman's body began to shimmer with a bright light. Then it split into two separate entities. One that seemed to be a child while the other remained the same.

Aurora's eyes widened when she looked at the child. Her throat began to tighten and tears began to flow freely down her cheeks.

" Nivea?"

The small child gazed up at her with those green orbs of light that could only be described as her eyes. Her hair cascaded down past her knees and rested gently upon the floor.

" It has been quite a while Aurora."

Aurora's voice began to crack with emotion.

" How?.. But… you passed away many years ago…"

The child shook her head lightly and began to hover slightly towards the babe in Aurora's arms. Aurora allowed for the child to take the infant into her arms. She gently stroked the baby's cheek and smiled when the baby cooed quietly in return.

" Goddess divinity, Hestia.."

Aurora watched in amazement and confusion, as the little child began to cradle the infant in her arms.

" How is this possible Nivea?"

Finally the child glanced up at Aurora.

" My body merely passed, not my soul.

" What?"

" My sins weigh too many.."

" What sins?"

" Sin of life, Aurora."

Aurora turned to look at the older Nivea that had spoken. It was strange, talking to the same person who was in two different bodies. The older Nivea looked more cold and demanding than the child. The child held a loving care within her as she cradled Aurora's small child.

The older Nivea glared upon Aurora with what seemed to be pent up rage.

" Why did you let me die?"

The younger Nivea flashed a small glance at the older Nivea before turning away (child in arms). Aurora's eyes had a momentary flicker of sadness.

" I did not let you die, you were beyond my healing power."

" You could've tried but no, you let me die."

" No I didn't."

" It is because of you, I cannot leave."

" I have nothing to do with that Nivea."

" Maybe not you Aurora, but the one called Fate Striker does."

Aurora's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

" What do you mean?.. Rogue did not pass judgment upon you."

The young Nivea walked passed Aurora and gently placed the child in her crib. Only after she did this did she respond.

" Rogue may not have Aurora, but the Fate Striker has."

" No.."

The younger Nivea cut her off mid sentence.

" Nobody can leave this plane until they have met the Fate Striker."

" But.."

The younger Nivea hushed her by raising her hand. The older Nivea floated closer to her and placed a gentle hand upon Aurora's shoulder. The younger Nivea walked slowly over to Aurora and laced her hand with her own.

" I will show you what happened four years ago.."

Almost immediately a rush of images sprang forth through Aurora's mind. Pain and sadness flowed through her body and coursed into her soul. Why did such a child have to live in such agony? Hateful and painful memories played in front of her eyes like a movie reel. Scene after scene flashed into her eyes and imprinted somewhere in the depths of her mind. But one particular imaged burned into her own memory.

She could feel Nivea's body dying. She was seeing through Nivea's eyes that one fateful night when she had supposedly passed.

Nivea's vision was blurred by the mixture of tears blended with blood that was coursing across her face. Staring down at her, she saw a very young Rogue gazing upon her dying body in sadness. She was crying, why was she crying? She could hear Rogue's pleas for her to not die but it was beyond her control now.

For a child so young, Rogue seemed to always be too serious for her own good. Even now, her eyes held onto a strict determination. She had never had a chance to actually enjoy her own childhood. Pity ran through her mind, as she reached a hand up in attempt to wipe away at the tears that were flowing down Rogue's face. So sad.. Though she was the one dying, it seemed that a part of Rogue died a long time ago.

" You really are too serious for a child you know.."

Aurora watched as Rogue's eyes widened in surprise only to be replaced with solemnity. A spasm of pain gushed into her spine, causing for small specks of red dots to flash behind her eyes. She was dying fast, she had to tell Rogue.. Before it was too late.

" Please.. Rogue tell Spike.. That I…"

She had been cut off by a blindingly bright light that seemed to flash right before her. When it finally cleared, she saw a furious Rogue glaring down upon her.

" Rogue?…"

" Silence."

" What.."

" Ah will get mah revenge.."

" Revenge?"

" Judgment shall be passed.."

Before anything else could be revealed, Aurora found herself surrounded by a perpetual darkness. No matter where she turned she was met with the glimmering night. Not a speck of light shown anywhere..and it seemed to be getting darker by each minute. Aurora opened her mouth to scream but it was muted, she began to cough violently. She was choking.. The darkness began to close in on her at a faster pace. She made attempts at breathing but all that escaped was a wheezing gasp that solved nothing. Aurora continued to cough and cough.. She could feel her pupils begin to dilate as the lack of air became more persistant.

She felt herself beginning to fall, the wind whipped across her face. Icy cold breezes slashed at her cheeks, cutting small gashes into her sides. But she couldn't cry out. She needed air yet it wouldn't come. As began to slip away into the darkness, she suddenly felt a gentle tug on her conscious.

" Why have you done this to me?"

The words rang through her ears, blaring louder and louder. Aurora gripped her head and set out to let out a blood chilling scream. Yet she was stopped by a sudden realization. She felt a gentle tug on her hand. Slowly opening her eyes, she was greeted by a worried Natalia.

" Y' alright Miss?"

" What?"

Natalia gently helped Aurora from the floor.

" It seems dat y' passed out, maybe y' need mo' sleep Madame."

Aurora shook her head and glanced around the room.

" Where's my baby?"

Natalia frowned slightly.

" Pardon moi, Mademoiselle, but y' did not have any baby."

We're paddling down…

Down to Nowhere..

Nowhere…..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You will cry all alone … but it does not mean thing to me…

Spike sat in the dark. He always preferred the darkness over everything else. Despite what he usually displayed around others, he was a pretty shadowy character. Both he and his sister both. In all reality, they did not belong in this realm. Were they even real? They were weapons… that was all they ever were and all they ever would be.

Created by some depraved lunatic who got his kicks out of messing with nature. They were the real freaks of nature. Neither of them were meant to exist in the first place. Because of them, all of this has happened.

Now, the world would have to relive the terror. The countless slaughter of millions would begin again.

Master did not like the children. They would have to go first. Children were a burden to the Master. If he had his way, everything would have been genetically created in a damn tube.

Yes, they were super mutants. They originated the first mutants alongside Apocalypse. They fought so hard then, they just wanted to live but no... they wouldn't leave them alone.

He began to wonder just how old they were. They were not created from birth, in fact the mother they supposedly had DNA from was a genetic experimentation herself. But she failed the Master horribly. He never tolerated failure. She was killed in a matter of years. Rogue favored their mother. They may have been twins, but something about her personality seemed to blend in with their "mother".

How awful the human heart could be. Humans only brought death and destruction to this world. They would have to remedy that now. It is time to serve once more.

What was he thinking when he thought they could ever be happy? The time he thought he was happy was a miserable lie. She was dead now, Nivea was dead now…

Soon Remy would be as well. Master always took away anything or anyone that would create a "glitch" in his plans. Rogue won't take this too well. She knew this was bound to happen but she couldn't' help from falling in love. It was too late now, now Master would probably have them killed.

But Master wouldn't take pleasure in just killing them. No, he had to torture them. Like he did Nivea all those years ago. Master had created the Games of Jove. Which were similar to those back in the roman era with Julius Caesar. Only these were more dangerous.. So much more dangerous.

They would all have to fight. Some would have to die for the sake of others. It was a chance, Master was willing to make. But this year, oh yes.. This year was different.

Master had presented him with a tantalizing proposition. The winners of the war games would be able to fight him. If they were to win, all of them would be granted their freedom from the Syndicate. If they were to lose, the original members would have to remain while the others would be led away to face a torturous nine years of suffering.

Glancing over at the pale form of his sister laying on top of the cot across from him, Spike smiled. This year, they would win at all costs. Even if it meant their lives.

It does not much matter to me…..

It does not mean a thing to you….

Hello my esteemed readers!! I have finished yet another chapter. I understand that this may be slightly confusing to you. If it is, just tell me and I shall clarify it. Like I said earlier in the story, this will get a bit complicated.

Sorry there is no Romyness in this chapter but deal with it for now.

Don't worry about Tabitha or the other Xmen quite yet, they're irrelevant. Just think of Tabitha as being with an OC character later okay unless you think otherwise. And to make things clear, the Xmen have not been rescued yet.. Only Jamie and he was on his own there. We'll go back to him later.

I have revealed the person who has been singing the song now. Now I wish for you, my readers and reviewers to try and figure out what portion of her song belongs to which situation as I continue with the story. I will now only give you subtle hints from time to time.

As you may have guessed, I have broken my writer' s block for the moment. *I think*

Now the story is beginning to progress into the sector that I've been making for a while now. So please be patient. I will update as fast as physically possible considering that I am now on Xmas vacation. Love me and Leave me..

Anyhoo.. There will be more Remy POV later, just had to reintroduce Aurora back into the story. She is an important character.

And.. Worry for Aurora's child. Who knows what dear little "Nivea" has planned for the babe.

** Nivea was the character that I was hinting at. . . . She is located in the first chapter.

** As for the other mysterious character, HE is also in the first chapter. ** hint**hint** ;)

Make sure that you re-read the last section of the first chapter at least one more time. At least from when Rogue has her first nightmare on down. PUHLEASE!! Trust me.. It will benefit you later.

Oh yeah.. Before I forget: PLEASE PRETTY PRETTY PLEASE REVIEW!!

The faster YOU review, the faster I can place a new chapter. And thanks to all did review: Linda Keene, Floods-Evo, Ishandahalf, and LightSpeed Suzuki (and Toddler Suzuki *wink wink*)

~ RoguesHeart~