X3: Fight for the Future

Prologue

Mutant. A simple six letter word that is often flung around like a four letter word. People often need a definition of mutant, usually because they don't want the definition to apply to them. Many would say that a mutant is a super-powered terrorist bent on dominating the world. Charles Xavier would like to think that we could be the salvation of the human race. Magneto would like to say that we should be the end of the human race. As one looks on at the children Xavier has tutored over the years, the ones that stay, and the ones that leave, it be comes evident that the truth, like all things, is somewhere in the middle. Whether one is a hero or a villain can only be determined by posterity. The great question of the world isn't who is right. The question is; who presents their case the best.

Chapter one: A thief in the night.

The only sound his shoes made was the soft crunch of loose snow. Even this displeased him. It was his business to be silent, and leave no evidence that he had been there. Luckily, it was snowing as he moved, so in minutes he tracks would be gone. He got to the house and scaled a drainpipe to a balcony. The moving so quietly and carefully had made detail plans of this place in advance. He knew the grounds and the house like the back of his hand. As he pulled himself onto the balcony, he pulled from the inside of his long brown duster, what looked like a small kit for shaving. He opened it up to reveal several kinds of lock picks. He picked the lock on the balcony door with ease, and was inside. He was thankful for this, as it was getting very cold outside. He replaced the lock-picks into his duster's pocket, and continued down the hall until he cam to a laser web. He shucked off his duster and hung it on a marble bust beside him. He was standing in blue denim pants, and a form fitting black shirt, and a pair of black canvass shoes. None of which was designed to keep him warm, but all of it was chosen to keep him quiet and unnoticeable. Affixed to his belt was a small bag. He tucked this inside his pocket and took a deep breath. After a few impressive acrobatics, he was threw the laser field and at his target; a large blue diamond.

He cut several wires with a small, simple, Swiss army knife, and lifted the glass case covering the diamond. He picked up the sparkling crystal, which was about the size of his fist. He held it up to his red on black eyes and purred, "You gonn' make Remy one rich T'ief."

In his intense concentration, Remy "Gambit" LeBeau had failed to hear someone exit a nearby room. So he jumped when someone behind him growled, "No, it will continue to adorn my house."

Remy turned around and saw a man in elaborate pajamas. He thought they made the man look a little like a young blond Hugh Heffner. The man's gaze was dangerously tight on Remy. Remy flashed a winning smile, still holding the Diamond. "You surprise Remy, dat impress." He said in his thick Cajun accent. "So, how 'bout dis? Remy give you back de rock, an' you let Ol' Remy leave, nothin' stolen', nothin' hurt eh?"

"How about you stay right where you are until the cops come, and I won't beat the tar our of you while we wait? How does that sound?" the blonde countered.

"Violen' t' be hones'," Remy said with a slight gulp. "Now Remy a gentleman t'eif," he said as he poured on the charm. "Remy don' usually hurt no one, not my style. Neitha's goin t' jail. So you put Remy in a sticky sit-yay-tion"

Remy tossed the diamond high in the air, and as the blonde moved to catch it, Remy dropped and swept his legs out from under him. With the blond on the floor Remy deftly caught the diamond, and slipped it into the velvet bag on his waist. He grabbed his duster from the bust, and started running for the balcony. The blond however was getting up. Remy jumped and landed with a roll in the snow. He began to run when he saw the blond man get to the window. Remy gave a little wave and smirked. "Aurevior," he called. Then he noticed the man was taking off his robe. Standing there in pajama pants, and not a stitch more the man stretched out large white bird-like wings. "Mon deiu" Remy said in an exasperated tone. "Remy not catch a single break tonight."

He began running again, trying to escape, but his pursuer had the advantage of flight. He was tackled from above and the both tumbled to the ground. The grappled for a moment but Remy threw him off, and scrabbled to his feet.

"You a mutant," Remy stated.

The blond ignored his comment, "No one steals from the Worthingtons."

"You must be Warren de t'ird," Remy said, with a smile of recognition. "Don' worry none, Remy a mutant too."

"Yeah I noticed your eyes," Warren growled in annoyance.

"Dat not all Remy can do," Remy said with a devilish expression. Remy gave his arm a flick and a card appeared in it.

"ooo, you're a magician, good for you," Warren said sarcastically.

Remy shook his head. "You not even see d' trick yet."

"What?" Warren watched as the card began to glow.

Remy threw it at the ground and yelled, "rentrez!" and dove backwards. Warren was smart enough to do the same as the card exploded sending dirt and snow everywhere.

When all settled, Warren looked around, and the thief was gone. The problem was that people were looking out windows, and they were seeing a Warren Worthington III with big white wings on his back. The problem with this was that no one knew that Warren Worthington III was a mutant. It was a fact he and his parents had guarded tightly since he was sixteen. Now it was out in the open. He couldn't go back in. the press storm would be a nightmare.

Thus Warren Worthington III spread his large white wings and took off into the sky. Where he was headed he wasn't sure.