The Prince of Thieves
Chapter XXX: The Curse of the Ruby
By: Michelle
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DISCLAIMER: I don't own the X-men. I just write fanfics for fun.
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After about an hour or so, he felt slightly better. As he looked around, he realized that he wasn't dreaming. He was free and was damn well planning to stay that way. He glanced around seeing Magneto and his associates.
"How are you feeling now that you are out of that prison?" Magneto asked as the walked towards him.
"Free." He answered dragging out a breath. "Why?" He asked knowing Magneto wasn't one to help anyone unless it served his own purpose in the long run.
"Why not?" Magneto replied playing the question game. "Or did you prefer the tank?"
"Don't start crap with me?" He said glaring at him hard. "Why did you free me?"
"As you know, Charles is a friend of mind. However, we see things differently about mutant-human co-existence in the world." Magneto reminded him. "But he's been a thorn in my side too long. He and his X-men get in the way of my progress. That's where you come in."
He stared at Magneto with curiosity.
"I want you to take care of Charles and his X-men." Magneto said. "I don't care how you do it, just as long as they are out of my way."
He raised an eyebrow. "And what's in it for me?"
Magneto smirked and pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket. He unfolded the handkerchief to reveal the Ruby Gem of Cyttorak. "I think this would be payment enough."
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Remy sat under a tree watching the students play. He took a drag from his third cigarette and sighed blowing out the smoke. So far, the cigarette was doing nothing to relax him.
"You got a light kid." Logan asked appearing out of nowhere.
Remy was so lost in thought he didn't even sense him coming up behind him. "Yeah sure." He replied and touched the end of Logan's cigar.
Logan looked at the perfectly lit tip. "Bet that comes in handy when you ain't got a lighter." He said and began puffing away.
"Yeah well." Remy shrugged. "So are you going to lecture me or kill me first?"
"Well, my first thought would be to kill you, but too many people have gotten attached to you and would miss you. Besides, it's better to have 'Ro mad at you rather than me." Logan replied. "So I guess I got to lecture you, Bub."
Remy leaned back against the tree. He was tired of all of this.
"But I ain't one for lecturing." Logan said taking a seat next to him.
"So why are you here?"
"To talk." Logan took a puff from his cigar. "You know I used to be like you."
"A troublemaker."
"No." Logan answered. "Stupid."
Remy hung his head and sighed. Here it comes.
"Before I came here, I used to wander the country. I didn't have it easy either." Logan explained. "A dump was a nice way of talking about my trailer. And if you don't believe me, ask Rogue. The only way I got money was by fighting cage matches."
"Sounds like your life sucked."
"Yep." Logan took another puff of his cigar. My life sucked, but I don't need to tell you what happened when I came here."
"No you don't." Remy answered. "And I ain't like ya. So my bike be totaled. So some of my clothes are gone. So what? It sucks, but I can git me a new stuff. Money is no object."
"So, you got a nice bit of money stashed away."
"Yeah. I gots a nice pile." Remy answered. Got a quarter of a million. "And more dan what ya found de other day."
"Sounds like you got it pretty good." Logan said and watched Gambit nod. "Just got one question for you."
Remy stared over to him. "And what dat be?"
"How much of your money will it take to buy you happiness?"
Remy couldn't answer. How was he supposed to? He knew all the money in the world could never make him completely happy. From his experiences, money did nothing but cause him trouble. One would think, after all these years he would learn a thing or two. But he knew that was never the case.
Logan noted his silence as a cue to leave. "That's what I thought." He got up and flicked his cigar butt into the grass. "See you around Kid."
Remy looked down at his cigarette as it burn away into ash.
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Precious. There it was in Magneto's hand. His precious…the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak. It called to him. It yearned for him. And he missed it too. He reached for it but Magneto pulled it away. Mine. He glared at Magneto hard and ground his teeth.
"Do we have a deal?" Magneto asked seeing the desire for the ruby in the man's eyes.
He thought for a moment. Serving Magneto did have its advantages. "Deal." He said with a big smile on his face. "I'll take care of Charles and his precious little X-men too."
Magneto extended his hand offering him the ruby. "Good."
He took the ruby in his hand and began breathing deeply.
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Remy sat quietly in his room playing solitaire on his laptop. He heard his doorknob turn and looked up to see Ororo step in. Wow.
Ororo looked like the goddess she was. She was wearing an elegant coral cocktail dress. The neckline cut low (Something he wasn't comfortable with) with her ruby pendant dangling in between. The dress was long, but it slit up to her thigh on each side (he didn't care for that either). But, what could he say. She was gorgeous.
"Ya looking beautiful Stormy." He said slightly drooling as she came to sit down on the bed next to him. "If ya dressed up like dat fa me, don't plan ta stay dat way too long?"
"It's not for you." Ororo smiled. "Kurt is taking me out to dinner."
"Oh." Lucky him.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I's just…" Remy smiled. "I's just glad ya happy. Kurt seem like he be a good man and he will take good care of ya."
"I'm glad you think that. And, you don't know how much it means to see that you two get along." Ororo said wanting to cry. She turned away from his stare. "When are you leaving?"
Remy shrugged. "Sometime tomorrow. After ya classes, I guess." He replied. "So I don't miss telling everyone goodbye."
"Remy, it don't have to be…" Ororo stopped herself before she said anything further. She turned back to him and cupped her hands under his chin lifting his head so she could look into his eyes. "You behave while I'm gone. Alright. No climbing in air vents or picking locks. OK."
"D'accord."
"I'll see you later on tonight if you are still up. If not, I'll see you at breakfast." Ororo kissed the top of his forehead and got up.
"Ororo." Remy went to follow her. I want to stay.
Ororo paused at the door. "What is it?"
Remy was silent. It was like he could speak but no words could come out of his mouth. Well, what he really wanted to say anyways. "Have fun."
Ororo smiled. She had been hoping he would say something else. "I will." She replied and walked out the door.
Remy walked back to the bed and plopped down. Why couldn't I just say I wanted to stay? He pulled his laptop back in front of him and thought of every single excuse of why he didn't belong.
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Cain.
Cain.
He could hear it calling to him. The power of the ruby burned in his hand.
Cain.
Cain Marko was his name. He was a troublemaker, a bully, former Korean soldier, a criminal and a most importantly…the stepbrother of Charles Xavier.
With a fuel of hatred and jealousy, he pulled the ruby against his chest and recited under his breath. Whosoever touches this gem shall possess the power of the Crimson bands of Cyttorak! Henceforth, you who read these words shall become…forevermore…a human Juggernaut. His eyes rolled back as the power consumed him.
His suit of mystical red metal body armor summoned around himself. Bands wrapped around his biceps and fists. His helmet fastened itself in place. The power and the strength of the gem flowed into his core.
Juggernaut
Juggernaut
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Kurt took Ororo's hand as she stepped out of the car. Wow. She looked at the entrance to the restaurant he had taken her to. Fancy. "Kurt you didn't have to do all this."
"I know." Kurt replied as they walked in. "But how many opportunities do we get to spend a nice normal evening together?"
"Not many." Ororo answered. It was the damn truth too. Most of their time was spent teaching and fighting. Plus, having an evening at the mansion meant having the students giggle whenever they held hands or kissed. She had a feeling the evening was going to be a good one. The only thing she wished is that Kurt didn't have to hide himself with his image inducer.
They walked hand in hand to their table and sat down. Kurt listened tentatively to the specials and Ororo's mind wandered.
After the waiter left, Kurt noticed Ororo. "You seemed distant Liebe." He said searching her eyes. "I thought you were going to take time out for yourself tonight."
"I know." Ororo sighed. "I…I'm sorry." She apologized. "I just needed to clear my thoughts. I will have fun."
Kurt smiled. "Good."
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"Hey." Rogue smiled as she peeped in the doorway to see Remy lying on his bed shuffling a deck of cards. "Why you been hiding?"
Remy shrugged and sat up. "I guess I just be a little tired."
"Oh." Rogue stepped in the room.
"So what brings you here Chere?" Remy smirked causing her to blush.
"I was wondering if you want to play pool with me." Rogue asked. "All my friends are busy doing other stuff and I can't stand sitting around doing nothing. So, you want to play a few games."
Remy thought for a moment. Why not? It might be the last time I see her. "Sure."
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"What did you talk about with Remy?" Ororo asked Kurt halfway into their meal.
"Just stuff." Kurt said. He knew it would be a question she was going to ask him sooner or later.
"Oh." Ororo replied and took another bite. After a few seconds, she asked the next question. "What kind of stuff?"
"Some private stuff." Kurt answered. He made a promise to Gambit and he wasn't going to break it.
"So you are not even going to tell me?"
"Nein." Kurt replied.
Fine. Don't tell me. Ororo sighed. "So what was church about today?"
"Church?"
"Yeah." Ororo replied. "What kind of stories did they talk about today?"
Kurt smiled. Ororo didn't believe in the same things he did, but she did respect it. Plus, she enjoyed listening to the stories he read in the Bible. "The priest read about the Prodigal Son and Cain and Abel."
"Cain and Abel?" Ororo questioned. "Who are they? I don't remember you telling me about them."
"Cain and Abel vere two of the children of Adam and Eve." Kurt explained. "Cain was a farmer and Abel was a sheep herder. One day, they brought Gott a sacrifice. Cain brought his best vegetables, vhile Abel slaughtered Gott a lamb. Gott vas pleased vith Abel but he rejected Cain's offering. Cain became jealous of his brother."
Ororo listened to what he was saying. The story sounded so familiar. Like the Professor and the Juggernaut. She shivered at that thought and Kurt's next comment.
"In the end out of jealousy, Cain killed Abel." Kurt said thinking about his foster brother. "He became the world's first murderer."
"That's a disturbing story." Ororo said taking a sip of her wine. Very disturbing.
"Ja." Kurt had to agree.
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Juggernaut looked around at his saviors. He had no intentions of helping them with their cause. He was greedy and only cared about himself…about his revenge.
"How are you feeling?" Magneto smiled. "Ready for action."
"I'm always ready for a good fight." Juggernaut shook his shoulders out. "No matter who it's against.
Before Magneto could even begin to process the statement he was hit from behind by Juggernaut. He rolled out of the way of a foot slamming down just barely. How dare he turn on me? He extended his hand to control the metal of Juggernaut's armor, but it's mystical powers made him immune.
"Nice try Mags, but no one controls me. Not even my brother." Juggernaut grabbed Magneto instantly and threw him across the room. Magneto hit the wall hard knocking him unconscious.
Pyro saw this and hummed a ball of fire at him.
"Was that supposed to hurt me?" Juggernaut laughed. Damn kid.
Juggernaut laughed as he walked forward. He was completely unharmed. His mystical powers made him completely invulnerable to it.
Still keeping the fire blazing, Pyro backed up. He couldn't understand it. Anyone else would have burned alive with the amount of fire he raging, but the Juggernaut didn't even get a singed hair from it.
Tired of the fired, Juggernaut charged after Pyro grabbing the young mutant before he got away.
"Let him go." Mystique said pulling out her gun and taking aim.
"No problem." Juggernaut said tossing Pyro aside. "Didn't like him much anyway. Too puny. Can't put up a good fight. 'Course, I ain't much for fighting girls either."
"Very funny." Mystique glared as she cocked the gun.
Juggernaut laughed again. "Go ahead. Take your best shot." He said to her.
Mystique aim and shot good. One of the clasps on his helmet popped open. After the bullets ran out, she attacked him to unlatch the remaining three.
Just as she unlatched a second one, Juggernaut grabbed her by the wrist. "That wasn't a smart move lady." He said and flung her across the room.
Mystique made a perfect landing, but she didn't bother go after him again. She knew better than that. He can be someone else's damn problem.
Juggernaut latched back the 2 clasps. He took one last look at her and walked off, right through the walls.
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"Eight ball, corner pocket." Remy said and made his shot.
Rogue crossed her fingers hopping he would mss, but that wasn't the case. For the third time in a row, the eight ball sunk in the pocket and he won the game. Out of anyone she had ever played pool against, she had always been the victor.
"Ya want ta play again Chere." Remy asked as he chalked up his pool stick.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Cuz you keep winning." Rogue replied. "I ain't gonna play you again until I can kick your ass."
Remy couldn't help but laugh. It was the first time he had felt this good all day. "Alright Chere. When ya be ready fa a rematch, let me know." He said and walked over to her. "Ya wants ta play a few games of poker."
"I don't know how to play poker." Rogue answered.
"Den I have ta show ya." Remy said with a smirk on his face.
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Logan peeked out the door of Xavier's office. Rogue was giggling as Gambit flirted while trying to teach her poker.
"Is there a problem Logan?" Professor Xavier asked as he wheeled to see what was going on. "I see."
"I don't get it Charles." Logan said. "Rogue dumped Drake. Why? What makes a sweet girl like that fall for a guy like that? Like Gambit?"
"Perhaps, she sees something in him that others neglect to see." Xavier suggested. "They both have very similar pasts. They are both from the south. The have similar tastes in music and clothes. They both know what it is like to search for a place called home. Besides, I think they compliment each other very nicely."
"That ain't funny Charles." Logan growled.
"I'm being serious." Xavier replied.
Logan rolled his eyes.
"I have one question for you Logan."
"Yeah." He grunted. "And what's that?"
"Do you believe in love at first sight?" Xavier asked.
Logan thought for a moment. He fell for Jean the first moment he saw her. "No."
Xavier folded his heads and let out a sigh signaling his disbelief in Logan.
"Alright I do." Logan grumbled. "But this is different. They are kids. They know nothing about being in love."
"They know more than you think." Xavier said. "Just look at them. Have you ever seen Rogue that happy these past few weeks? Have you ever seen Gambit this happy since he arrived?"
"Shut up Charles." Logan grumbled at the truth. She's not a little girl anymore.
"That's what I thought."
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Ororo couldn't believe how wonderful the evening was. It had been a long time since she had a moment without X-men duties and babysitting. As she looked across the table at her love, she couldn't ask for better company.
"You look even more beautiful vhen you smile." Kurt said to her.
Ororo couldn't help but blush. She had such a natural beauty that she didn't have to where a lot of makeup. Kurt loved that abut her. Unlike him, she could show the world who she really was and they'd lover her for it. She truly was a goddess. She was lucky, but he was even luckier to have her in his life. She saw pass his demonic appearance and into the heart of a kind and loving man.
"Now who's smiling?" Ororo said observing the grin and dimples he had.
Kurt chuckled lightly. "Ororo, Ich liebe diche." He said squeezing her hand.
Ororo squeezed his hand back in understanding of what he just said. The evening had gone perfectly. She really did need a moment like this.
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"I don't get it." Rogue said as Remy finished explaining the game of poker for the third time.
Remy smiled. "How about we play something else?" He suggested as he shuffled his cards. "Do ya know how ta play Blackjack?"
"Now that I do know how to play." She said as he dealt them out two cards each.
About fifteen minutes later, Rouge found herself concentrating more on Remy than the game. Whenever he'd win, he'd give off this slick little smirk that made her blush. Whenever she'd win, he'd play it off as if he had let her win.
"Quoi?" Remy asked as he caught her staring.
Rogue's smile turned into a placid look. "Are you going to leave again?"
"Oui." Remy answered honestly and stared down at the next set of cards. "But I have to go alone this time. Can't take you with me Chere."
"Oh." Rogue said slightly hurt. "Hit me."
Remy handed her a card and she lost that round. "Ya need ta finish school." He said and dealt out the next set. "Den I take ya ta see de world."
"Will you visit me?" She asked. "Hit me." Once again, she lost.
"I don't know if I can visit." Remy replied. "But I'll call you and write letters ta ya."
Rogue sighed. That wasn't the answer she was looking for. "Why don't you stay?"
"I don't belong here." He answered.
"I betcha you do and just don't know it."
"You'd be wrong." Remy said handing her the deck to shuffle. "Besides, I never lose a bet."
"You sure about that." Rogue said as she shuffled. "I thought you were a Gambit. 'Fraid you're gonna lose."
"Non."
"So what gives?" Rogue placed the deck down in one neat stack. "I bet you I win this round and if I do you have to stay. If you win, you're free to go and I won't bring it up anymore."
"Sounds fair." She's challenging me. Remy said agreeing to her terms. He placed two cards in front of each of them. He flipped over his first card. "Jack of Hearts. That's ten points already Chere."
Rogue flipped her first card over revealing the Queen of Hearts. "Looks like we are tied."
Remy smirked. "We shall see." He said and flipped over his second card. "Ten of Cubs Chere. Dat's 20 points now. Gonna take a 21 ta beat dat."
Rogue looked down at her second card. One flip determined whether or not Remy stayed. She placed her hand on the card ready to flip when she felt his on hers.
Remy didn't know what to do. One card determined his fate. Part of him wanted her to lose, but the other part wanted her to win. He wanted her to win. He placed his hand on top of hers stopping her from flipping over the card. He had to know something. What was he feeling? He leaned in to find out.
Rogue looked from their hands to his face. Before she knew it, his lips pressed up against hers.
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Sorry for the late update guys. I had some writer's block. I just started school again and I am taking a writer's class. My Prof told us that Writer's block is when your characters don't trust you anymore. Now why wouldn't they trust me? Sinister laugh.
Anyways, I'll get crackin' on next chapter. I promise. I will be good. Sinister laugh
Thanks to simonluke26 for the Quote: Whosoever touches this gem shall possess the power of the Crimson bands of Cyttorak! Henceforth, you who read these words shall become…forevermore…a human Juggernaut. Uncanny #12
Thanks to TheDreamerLady for all your help with this chapter. Pyro managed to only get a few bumps and bruises.
Thanks for all the reviews. See you next Chapter…
Michelle
