Disclaimer: The X-Men are the property of Marvel. Golan and Cirrus belong exclusively to Star and are used with permission. Corrinth retains all rights to Ilehana Xavier and Ori. Lamby retains all rights to Blaze.

A/N: This story is a joint work between Lamby and Corrinth, based on Corrinth's X-Men the Movie fanfiction of the same name. The whole 'Vancouver' affair that keeps being brought up is in 'Thief's worth' fourth story in Lamby's evolution timeline. Reviews always welcome.

10

"So how you bin, Electra?" Gambit asked not quite icily as he found Electra keeping pace with him, pushing Xavier's wheelchair ahead for the following mutants. They were just far enough ahead of Magneto and Mystique and the rest that their words could remain private.

"Keeping busy." The female mutant replied flippantly. She obviously expected Gambit to continue the conversation, the ensuing silence not what she had planned. Electra cleared her throat before elaborating a little, exactly as Remy had wanted her to. "Been in Vancouver, working for a gang trying to win a contract to work from Magneto..."

"Let me guess." Gambit knew he wasn't guessing, but Electra didn't. "It all go belly up?"

"Some little tramp called Blaze messed it all up." Electra moaned, obviously expecting sympathy. "Magneto promised that if I left the gang and came with him, he'll let me kill her."

"Bonne chance." Gambit wished her sarcastically, making her look at him sharply.

"What's that supposed to mean? And no, I don't mean in English Remy, I know it means 'good luck'. Do you know this Blaze or something?"

Gambit didn't reply, remembering only too well the bitter things Blaze had said to him not so long ago, about how he never would fit in anywhere, not working for Magneto, not with Rogue, and certainly not with the X-Men or even her. Those words had hit him hard; there had been no reason for it. But then maybe she had a point, after all he'd been stupid enough not to realise that a kiss from Rogue whilst her powers were stifled hadn't been Rogue's to give, but Blaze's transferred by touching the Southern girl in an effort to save him from Rogue's attack...

"Oh, I get it." Electra spat cruelly, making him wonder what he'd ever seen in her anyway. "Does Magneto know you've been falling for the enemy?"

"Shut your mouth, Electra. You don't know what you is talkin' about."

"I know you Remy." Electra was certain, "You don't think much, but when you do its usually about some girl or other. That's why it didn't take me long to figure out you were cheating on me, you lying..."

"These t'ings work both ways, Jennifer." He interrupted before she could get her torrent of long-stored anger off her chest. In the wheelchair Xavier stirred briefly, Cirrus' poison finally starting to wear off. Gambit hoped Xavier wouldn't wake too soon, that poison was the only thing protecting them all from Xavier attacking their minds. Not to mention protecting Xavier from feeling whatever Mystique had planned.

"And what about Blaze?" Electra brought the conversation back to its starting point. "Does she reciprocate the feelings, or is she fortunately oblivious?"

"It ain't none of your..." His words were cut short as they emerged into a great room, with a high ceiling that made the voices of Mystique and company echo as they gushed their awe. Two doorways broke up each of the four walls, each edged by a statue of what they supposed was a Guardian, featureless beings. A walkway could be seen on the floor above. And there, in the corner, was the Altar of the Ancients, a great slab of tan coloured stone with symbols etched into the edges, while the face remained blank.

"Strap our Chosen One to it." Mystique ordered as the gathered mutants spread themselves around the room. "And do it quickly, Gambit." Gambit nodded and obeyed, very aware that Magneto was watching his every move.

"Can you hear that?" Electra whispered as she helped Gambit lift Xavier onto the Altar. He looked at her quizzically, seeing her strain as if to catch something on the breeze. Not that there was a breeze in this place, this undisturbed centre of power. Gambit shrugged, maybe being on the receiving end of Blaze's power had burnt any last semblance of sanity right out of Electra's empty skull. He sure couldn't hear nothin'. Or could he? He stood and turned, looking up at the balcony-walkway, thief's senses on overdrive. Quicksilver was already up there.

"There's someone coming!" Magneto's son yelped, sprinting back to his father's side. Magneto visibly distanced himself from his so-easily spooked son, and turned to Gambit.

"Gambit, do something." The Master of Magnetism instructed calmly, "Bury them, block them, whatever. Keep them away."

Gambit nodded his obedience; glad of any excuse to be away from Electra and her irritating questions. Extending his pole, he leapt athletically over the balustrade of the walkway. Card charged in hand, he barely registered the flickering firelight that danced on the walls of the passageway before he'd thrown his weapon, intending to block the passage completely...

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In the last few twists of the passageways, Blaze's fire lit the darkness as the X-Men followed, Ilehana and Ori right behind her and Logan bringing up the rear of the column. They were attempting to sneak up undetected on Mystique and her band of cronies. Ori heard it coming, the whistling sound of an attack and communicated a warning to them all. Vixen cried out for them to run, but Blaze was that little bit too far ahead. Vixen charged forward to grab her friend, pull her away to safety, but Ori set his teeth into Ilehana's uniform and held her back despite her struggles.

#No Vixen! It's too late! #

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In that microsecond between throwing the card and waiting for the explosion, a familiar figure holding a palmful of fire turned into the last stretch of corridor. Blaze's eyes met Gambit's in overwhelming fear as she screamed, the tunnel collapsing as the ceiling fell in, leaving a dark uniform trapped beneath tonnes of rock and a rising cloud of dust...

"No!" The word was a primal scream torn from him, issued from his very soul. He couldn't lose her, not now!