Replay: Slow Motion

Installment 7

Rogue had given one last look behind at Remy before entering the school. "Bah." she said giving a wave. He smiled and watched her walk away. However, as soon as she was out of his sight, a look of disgust came across his face. Someone had spray painted the words "Death To The Muties" on the front of the school. It was done in big bold letters - you'd have to be blind not to see it, yet one of the teachers walked by, smiled at some students standing outside and continued on his way. Gambit gritted his teeth.

"Bastards. All of dem." He turned quickly on his heels, not being able to get away from the place fast enough. I can not believe dat femme be goin' to dat schoolthen added wit' demHis teeth began grinding together. He didn't know how she could stand it. Rogue had to hide her identity day in and day out, listening to these scumbags and what they thought about mutants. He hated normal people. Then Remy began thinking back to a time, a time when he had been in love. Her name was Bella Donna.

Flashback

Remy was dressed in a black tux, Bella, in a light blue gown. The two stood in front of the altar, smiles on their faces. They had known each other their whole lives and fallen in love. Now, at the age of only seventeen the two were to be married. It was the happiest day of their lives.

Remy's father had approved almost right away to the marriage, knowing that his adopted son loved the girl with his whole heart. It had taken Bella's father a much longer time however. He questioned the boy's intentions, and insisted that the boy would be nothing but bad news. But after a visit from Jean-Luc LeBeau, who reminded him of how their guilds would be united and all that it would entail, he agreed.

Now surrounded by friends and family alike, the two exchanged their vows. Bella Donna slipped a golden ring onto his finger and smiled.

"With this ring, I thee wed."

Tears of pure joy began streaming down her face. Remy thought she had never looked more beautiful than she did right then, and he didn't think he could be any happier spending the rest of his life with anyone else. A feeling of pure pride and joy washed over him as he went to place the ring on her finger. That's when a gasp washed over all those in attendance. Remy turned, meeting the eyes of several of the guests who all seemed to be focusing down at Bella's hand. Then everything seemed to move in slow motion as he turned and looked down at her hand in his. Both their hands were glowing and he felt a burning sensation starting in his hands. Bella looked at him. The look of happiness was gone and replaced with fear.

"Remy?" She was scared. He didn't know what to do. Then Bella's father yelled.

"Let go of my daughter FREAK!"

Remy immediately let go of her hand and the glow no longer encompassed it. His hand, however, was now glowing more brightly than before and the pain became much more intense. He screamed out in pain as the ring on his finger exploded. Then as suddenly as the pain had appeared it was gone. Remy looked down at his hands in awe then looked back at Bella who was being looked after by her father and brother.

"Told ya that boy was no good." he said embracing her. Remy tried to read her expression but she wasn't making eye contact with him. He soon became aware of the silence filling the church. Looking out at those in attendance, he found both disgust and fear on their faces. Then someone whispered. Then another person. Then the whispers grew louder for all to hear.

"Mutant." they all said. Remy became very afraid and turned back to Bella hoping for some sign of …he didn't know what…but all he found was a very angry Julien.

"You could have killed her!" he said moving slowly towards Remy.

"I…didn' mean to…" Remy, now aware of several members of the Assassins Guild making their way towards him, added "I…couldn' control it…" He looked out to his fellow members, most had their heads hanged down, others were walking away, and others looked uncertain of what to do. Then lastly he met eyes with his father. He didn't find the re-assurance he was hoping for, instead, he found a dumbfounded Jean-Luc. "Papa…" he sounded exactly like a scared little boy.

"Run." was all he said. Tears began to stream down his face. Remy took one last glance at Bella Donna but she would not acknowledge him. The Assassins looked threateningly at Remy. He didn't know how the happiest day in his life had become the worst but he knew right then and there- it would never be the same. Sadly, he turned back to the only father he had ever known, gave a small nod and ran.

End Flashback

His life had never been the same after that. He had stayed in New Orleans for a short while after, but news had traveled quickly, and he had become a target. He had found himself the recipient of too many beatings and thought it best to leave. Start a new life. A life where he would no longer be a victim. Not ever again.

His anger resurfacing, Gambit failed to notice his powers had started up when some football players walked by. "It's a mutie!" one of them yelled. Gambit turned to face them.

"Look! It's a bunch 'o' morons!" he mock replied pointing at the football players. The group of boys looked at one another.

"Dude, did he just insult us?" one of them asked, which got a couple of chuckles from Remy.

"Who cares." the largest boy in the group said, making a fist and punching it into the palm of his hand for emphasis. "He's a mutie." The boys began circling around him as he took out a stack of cards charging seven, one for each boy. Dis could be fun…. Gambit thought. The boys all moved towards him. He threw three cards at the ones he was facing, then pivoted and threw the other four. Two of the boys had already gotten up and tried to rush him from behind but he was prepared. He accurately back flipped over the boys, landing behind them. He tapped them on the shoulders and when they turned around, he delivered a powerful blow to both of their faces. The larger one had slowly pulled himself up and grabbed Remy in a bear hug.

"Sorry homme, but Gambit don't swing dat way." Struggling to get out of the boy's grip, Remy grabbed a hold of his attacker's arm and allowed his powers to leak out. "You don put me down, de arm goes…" he said coolly.

"What the…!" he yelled looking down at his arm glowing pink and quickly dropped Remy before running off.

"What'd he do to Jimmy's arm man?"

"Who cares - let's get the hell out of here!"

"We'll get you for this freak! You and all your other mutie friends!" the retreating boys called back. Remy glared at the retreating forms and spit. He reached into his trench coat and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. He pulled one out and went to light it when a voice spoke.

"Ugly habit that." Gambit didn't bother to turn around.

"Don' recall asking for an opinion'" he said going to flick on his lighter before it flew out of his hand. "Merde." he said turning around to see his lighter hover over to a man in red.

"No. I don't suppose you did." The man made a fist with his hand as the floating lighter crumpled. Gambit's eyes opened wide. The initial shock quickly wore off though and he placed a look of indifference on his face.

"Impressive."

"I was about to say the same thing to you. You handled that rather well." he said, a smile on his face.

"Dey deserved it."

"I have no doubt that they did." he said looking down at him with understanding. "We are Homosapien-Superior. They are scum. That in itself is reason enough." Remy gave a smirk at this. Odd he doesn't seem the type to join with the X-MenMagneto thought inwardly. "Where is it that you are staying?" he asked with what Remy thought was genuine concern. He didn't know why this guy seemed so interested in him or why it was he trusted him but he did.

"Deres dis buildin' down a coupla blocks, abandoned." he added. "Ain' much, but it be better den notin'." There's no way he's one of Xavier's students. He'd never allow the boy to live like that. Magneto smiled outwardly.

"Well maybe we can do something about that." Remy looked up at him quizzically. "Let me tell you about the Acolytes."

TBC>