A/N: It's funny how you think this is going to be a short story and several chapters later you're looking at it and wanting to continue. Hahaha...oh well, I hope you are all continuing to enjoy this. At least it keeps me out of trouble....well, for the most part, anyway.;) As I said last night, the dialogue is not verbatim, nor are events exactly as they appear in the show. Thanks go to RGNCJNLeBeau for adding this to faves and Lucia de' Medici for adding this to Story Alert. Yay!
Shiro-Kitsune8: That's right! Yeah, let's hope he's learned his lesson.
Chellerbelle: Thanks muchly, as always! :)
FruitCase: Muchas gracias! The title came to me while the Avengers animated series was on.
xdreamernumbuhfour: Yes, it definitely is. I'd heard rumors about that and I think it's absolutely nuts! They will have a large following of Romy fans angry with them if they go through with it! ROMY 4EVER!!!
courtneykutie: Kurt is always cute. He's my second-favorite X-guy. And yes, Remy certainly did! He would do anything for Rogue.
Madame Star: Mesmero definitely deserved it. Since powers were negated in the cell, Remy resorted to a good old-fashioned butt-kickin'. I quite agree and thanks! Punches for Mystique and Magneto as well, hahaha.
Team-JEdward2010: Hehehe...Logan is grudgingly beginning to accept the sexy Cajun.
Chica De Los Ojos Cafe: Yeah, ain't Remy great? ;) The fight begins now.
roguelover321: Oh trust me, there's still a bit more to go. The fun isn't over yet.
acupofchamomile: Haha...yes, is there any better? Especially from Logan. As I've said before, Remy or Rogue kicking butt is always a very good thing!
ALLREMS: Glad you liked the title. :) Nah, Logan just waited too long, is all...lol.
Scott has a pole up his ass: That was a tad unexpected, but yeah, I think we're all agreed that Remy sockin' him worth it. ;)
Disclaimer: Events and characters are not mine.
Almost everyone is gathered in the kitchen for breakfast, except for four notable faces. Storm, Beast, Jean and Professor are absent and the other residents wonder where they could be. They don't have long to wait however, when Jean strides by without even looking in. Scott casts a worried look in her direction and leaves to find her.
"What do ya think that was about?" Rogue asks with some concern. She is sitting with the other members of the senior team.
"Like, I have no idea." Kitty looks out the door inquisitively.
"Don' know eit'er, but if dey don' get back soon, 'm goin' t' go fin' out."
"I am certain that they will let us know if there is anything we need to do." Piotr intones from his place by Kitty.
Scott makes his way back in, standing in the center of the room. His features are carefully schooled, so as not to alarm everyone, but Remy can sense there's something very wrong.
"Okay, everyone listen up. I need the senior team to suit up and meet me downstairs. Students, I need you to suit up and wait in the media room for further instructions. Let's move."
After the team has gathered downstairs, they see for the first time that Jean has been crying. Tears are still pooled in her eyes as Scott begins gravely.
"Jean told me that Professor just left with Storm to go to the Sphinx to try to reason with Apocalypse." He glances around the table at the expressions of shock on each face. "We need to let Professor know that we are standing behind him. He has his Cerebro interface, so he will be in contact with Beast as soon as they arrive. It shouldn't be too much longer now, so we'll go in a few minutes."
Those minutes pass by slowly, each person there lost in their own thoughts. Rogue reaches over and grips Remy's hand tightly. Remy notices that Rogue's face is slightly paler than usual. He gently strokes the back of her hand, reassuring her silently in the best way he knows how. Scott signals that it's time to head inside. Hank is already communicating with Professor. They hear Beast say: "It's a little late for that."
"We're not leaving. We are with you, all the way." Jean speaks up.
"Thank you. All of you." Professor responds gently, before turning back to summon Apocalypse. They watch as Apocalypse emerges from the Sphinx.
"Oh man, look at ze size of him!" Kurt exclaims, horrifically stunned.
Rogue watches in astonishment as Remy rests his hands on her shoulders. She reaches up and places her hands on his, grateful for the comfort he is offering her.
They see Professor attempting to talk sense into the aged mutant with no success. Apocalypse lifts Professor up by his shirt, the interface now removed. Things just get worse from there. Storm tries to intervene.
"Leave him alone!" They hear her shout. She sends a powerful jolt of lightning in Apocalypse's direction, knocking him off balance, but only for a second. He retaliates by raising both Professor and Storm into mid-air. Everyone gasps in fright as they see the same thing happening to their mentors that Magneto went through. After they disappear, Jean runs out of the room sobbing, Scott on her heels. Piotr holds Kitty close as she clings to him. Remy feels Rogue's torment and turns her toward him, wrapping his arms around her as her control crumbles. A few moments later, Rogue looks up at him.
"What do we do now?" She inquires brokenly.
"We come up wit' a plan an' fig't wit' ev'ryt'in' we got, cherie. Y' know all dat trainin' we've been doin'? It's been leadin' up t' dis. Now we got t' put it t' use." He gazes at her, willing his strength into her.
Logan leads the group back into the meeting room.
"Okay. We've got ta figure out what happened to Professor and Storm and what Apocalypse has planned for them. Then we need ta somehow shut down those pyramids." He stops suddenly when he catches an all too familiar scent. "Stay here." He commands, as he steps out to meet Nick Fury.
"What're you doin' here?" Logan snarls.
"Trying to stop you from planning to go after him." Fury coolly informs him.
"Too late fer that." Logan informs him.
"Steps have already been taken." Fury responds as they enter the control room. Beast is typing away, trying to find any information he can.
"Pull up the schematics on the pyramids and the Sphinx." Fury commands Beast. Beast looks at him distrustfully.
"It's okay, Hank." Logan says. Beast resumes typing and pulls up the screens. The scenes occurring before the three mens' eyes enrages Logan.
"You reinstated the Sentinel program?" Logan growls menacingly as he unsheathes the claws on one hand, right under Fury's chin.
"Wasn't my call to make." Fury replies.
The rest of the team re-enters the room, just as they see the Sentinels heading for the aforementioned areas. They watch as Fury explains about how they are equipped with sub-atomic cannons, meant to weaken the energy shields around them.
"Brilliant!" Beast exclaims.
"Why do I think that it isn't gonna be that easy?" Logan mutters.
It seems to be working, until a few moments later, when the sight they behold stuns them. Out of the Sphinx, Professor, Storm, Magneto and Mystique emerge.
"They're alive!" Piotr points out in amazement.
"What happened to them?" Scott queries in quiet astonishment
All eyes in the room are focused on the monitor as the four leap onto glowing horses.
"The four horsemen of the Apocalypse." Hank murmurs.
The group sees three depart and Mystique return inside. They are intently focused on the events unfolding before them. The beings formerly known as Professor, Storm and Magneto arrive at their given destinations and immediately defend the pyramids. Everyone gazes in horror as they effortlessly destroy the Sentinels.
"Got any other ideas?" Logan questions Fury.
"That was just a diversion. There is one other." Fury informs him, darting a quick glance toward the team.
"I'm way ahead of ya." Logan states, then captures the team's attention. "Listen up, people. We need four teams, one for each pyramid and one for the Sphinx. Kitty, you go ta the Brotherhood and see who you can get there ta help. Nightcrawler, you find Spyke. Scott and Jean, you go and find anyone else who is willing ta come. Rogue, you come with me. I have a special mission for you."
"I'll be with ya, jus' give me a minute." Rogue requests.
"Make it quick, Stripes." Logan tells her as he steps outside to confer with Fury.
Rogue wraps Remy in a fervent embrace, leaning her head against his chest. Remy rests his cheek against the top of her head.
"Y' can do it, cherie. Don' let anyone t'ink y' can'. I'll be wit' y'. Maybe not in person, but m' always t'inkin' o' y'. W'en we defeat ol' 'Poccy, 'm takin' y' int' de city an' we'll celebrate all nigh'." Remy promises with a confidence he really doesn't feel for the first time in a long time.
Rogue gazes up at him, committing his face and those beautiful rubies to her memory. "Be careful, Rems. Ya jus' came back ta me an' I'm not gonna lose ya again. I wan' ya back in one piece, sugah." She states tearfully, then takes a deep breath to steady herself. She looks back up at him a few seconds later
Remy is in awe when Rogue's eyes suddenly blaze with raw determination.
"I played a part in his release, so now I'm gonna see ta it that he gets jus' what's comin' ta him an' take him down." She says resolutely.
"Now dat's de Rogue I know!" Remy grins.
"Shut up Swamp Rat." Rogue sasses as she pulls his face close enough to kiss him passionately. "Ya bes' come back safely, 'cause I'm plannin' on kissin' ya like that a lot more." She informs him cheekily as she turns to join Logan. Just as she reaches the door, she turns back to face him one last time. He strides to where she is and takes her in his arms, his smoldering gaze locking with the gorgeous emeralds. Remy's lips meet hers in their most fiery kiss to date.
"I'll be lookin' fo'ward t' it, mon tresor." Remy replies seductively.
The sound of a throat clearing behind them causes Rogue to jump back slightly. Logan passes a cryptic glance their way. "If you two are finished, I need ta give Rogue her mission parameters." He tells them gruffly. "The others are returning and we will get inta teams then. Cajun, you're on mine, along with Cyclops and Nightcrawler. We're takin' the Sphinx. I need ya ta wait in the meetin' room fer the rest ta get back."
"Can' he stay with me while ya tell me? It's not like we're gonna be on opposin' sides."
"Rogue, I really-"
"Please? It would make me feel betta jus' ta have him here." Rogue asks simply. She's not one to beg.
Logan pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs. "Fine, he can stay."
Logan runs through her part of the mission with them, both agreeing that if all else fails, this just might work.
"Okay, Rogue. Ya need ta go now. Fury's waitin' fer ya outside." Logan says gently to her.
Rogue exits, blowing Remy a kiss on the way out. Remy watches her until she's out of view.
"C'mon, Cajun. They're comin' back. By the way, when we get back, we're talkin' about whatever intentions ya have toward Rogue." Logan warns him as he indicates the team, returning with everyone who is willing to join the fight for survival.
"D'accord." Remy looks at him unflinchingly. "We bes' be goin'." Remy says idly as he walks to the door, waiting for Logan to lead the way. They enter the meeting room together, Remy taking a seat, while Logan takes his place at the head of the table.
"Alright. Looks like we got a pretty good turnout here. Scott, I'm happy ta see that ya brought the students down. They're gonna be in on all of this, too. Pyro, Wanda, glad you could join us." Logan indicates the pair.
"Happy ta help, mate." John cheerily salutes Logan.
"Okay, the teams are as follows: Shadowcat, on your team will be Wanda, Pyro, Roberto, Piotr and Alex. You will go to Mexico. Jean, you have Jubilee, Angel, Tabitha, and Jamie. You get Egypt. Beast, you're leading Spyke, Ray, Bobby and Amara. You're in China. Scott, Gambit and Nightcrawler are with me and we've got the Sphinx. Everyone, we need ta constantly keep in touch, while Beast tries ta find out more on how we need ta fight ta regain control of those pyramids, shuttin' Apocalypse's plans down, so leaders, keep your comm-links on at all times. Be careful out there, and.....I'm proud of all of ya. Ya've all proven ta me that ya have what it takes ta be heroes." Logan looks around the room at each face. Many of them were ones he taught himself. "Teams, let's take care of Apocalypse." He encourages them.
Each heli-jet arrives at its destination awhile later and the mutants inside rush out to meet their 'enemies'.
Hank comes in on the comm-links. "Listen everyone. Our opponents have had their mutant powers greatly enhanced. So make no mistake, we are in for the fight of our lives." He intones gravely.
Wow, I didn't realize how difficult this would be to write. Part two, coming up next. Hope ya liked it. ;)