Chapter 3 - by Whagent
February 22, 1993
The rain gushed down on to Remy's bare skin, but flew from his body with each jerking movement. Droplets exploded in mid-air as his foot connected past them towards his target. More evaporated as his staff streamed the diameter of the roofless room, hitting each target assigned.
"Very well, young son, but remember that flashy movements will not impress an opponent that has a firm stance while you do not. Do not think you can rely on distracting movements to gain the advantage. Other than that, your father and I believe you may soon you'll be ready for your final test."
"Oui, Madam Moinet, but de sure looked good, no?"
The woman was hard and contained an intense glare that matched her training. She had been hired by Jean-Luc years ago to mentor to his sons in many forms of martial arts and survival training just like she did for him.
"MADAM MOINET? Madam Moinet?" came the ordering of a strong voice from behind the doorway. It opened gently as Jean-Luc peered in side. "Madam, I need to speak wit m' boy."
Her monotone voice answered obligingly as she stepped out of the training room and shut the door. Jean-Luc slowly walked from the shadows caused by the large pillars surrounding the room and knelt down onto a meditation pillow where Remy now sat. He reached into in overcoat and pulled out a white envelope. With a small smirk, he handed it to his son.
"Happy Birt'day, Remy."
"Merci, Pere. What dis be?"
"Open it an find out." Another smirk escaped his lips as Remy opened the envelope. The boy's eyes doubled in size at the item inside. Speechless, all the young boy could do was glare at the solid gold coin with an engraving of Fleur de Lis on it.
"On behalf of de T'ieves Guild… I, Jean-Luc Lebeau, give yo', Remy Lebeau, full membership into de Guild of T'ieves!"
"Merci! Merci, Pere, Merci!" The young boy leapt from his pillow into the air with great height. The joyous action caused a small grimace to Jean-Luc's face. It's been some time since his visit to the strange Dr. Essex, but still no word on how his boy could be doing these strange things.
"Now, Remy, I need you' to put dat coin up safely, and do it quickly, neh? 'Less yo' want it to blow up.
"Oui, papa."
Remy ran to his room while chuckling to himself. Faintly, Jean-Luc could hear him let out a yelp once his door was shut. Now alone in the dark training room, Jean-Luc bent down and grabbed the Bo staff that Remy had left. Running his fingers across it, he noted the many dents and dings it contained. He also noted the ever so slight warp on one end. Letting out an "Hmpf" he left the room with the staff.
Entering his study he leaned the weapon against a bookcase. Without even looking, he noticed something in the room was different. Without hesitation and on pure instinct, Jean-Luc turned with his son's staff in hand and took an aggressive stance. The only thing there, however, was a small metal box that had a note on it. After setting the staff back against the bookcase, he moved to his desk and grabbed the note. Upon opening it, He read:
Mr. Lebeau,
Happy Birthday, Remy Lebeau. Here is a gift on behalf of myself. Take one every morning.
Respectfully,
Dr. Nathaniel Essex
No wonder he had been so uneasy when entering the room. Even the way that man writes gives him an odd feeling. Opening the box, Jean-Luc held one of the many small, black pills it contained. He turned his head to the window and looked outside to see Henri and Remy speaking exuberantly to each other outside. Remy was still shirtless. Curious as to what may happen; Jean-Luc opened the window and gained the boys' attention.
"Remy, can yo' show me de thing with the cards again?"
"Oui, pere, but you sure you wan' me to do dat?"
"Oui, but just dis time."
Jean-Luc threw down a deck of cards from his desk drawer. Remy caught it perfectly and had two cards out and in his fingers almost instinctively. The tingling sensation returned to his hands again, but living with it these past few months, he was able to channel it a little, especially with the playing cards.
Taking aim at a close by tree, Remy strained slightly, but was able to cause the cards to glow. Once reaching a bright fuchsia, he let them spring from his fingers. The cards hit the tree perfectly, causing it to explode, leaving a whole in its trunk the size of a basketball.
"How is dat, Papa?"
"Merci, Remy. Now I want you to take dis pill and try again."
Upon catching the pill thrown at him, Remy swallowed it and took a card out of the deck. Focusing on another close-by tree, he tried to "charge" the card. Nothing happened. He tried again, this time straining and flexing his hand as hard as he could. Unable to do so, and relieved that he couldn't, he turned to his father in the window smiling. Jean-Luc smiled back. Remy still had those strange red pupils and black eyes, but that was a small consolation to Jean-Luc.
"Take one of dese a week." He threw down the small, metal box to Remy and shut the window. Relieved he turned and sat into his chair and leaned his head back.
RRRRGG! RRRGG!
Only a select few had the number to his study phone. The ring meant that it was either a large business transaction, or an emergency.
"Dis is Lebeau."
"Hello, Mr. Lebeau. I'm sorry to bother you, but my name is Charles Xavier..."
Chapter 4 will be posted either later today or tomorrow.