Chapter 7: Clash of Alexandria

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Character Crossovers – You get it by now.

A/N – I've been dying to get this chapter out since I re-uploaded this fic! This chapter starts off where the original left off. This is also where the story shifts farther from the movie and deeper into X-Men! Chapter dedicated to all of the readers of the original version.

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Rogue and her squad had caught up with the rest of the Bayville Militia. The five men fell in formation throughout the ranks while Rogue trotted ahead to the front of the march. She now rode side by side with Creed. He made a cat like hiss when he glanced her way.

"Empty handed. How predictable," he sneered.

Rogue grinned. "Nah, they were there. Our squad was too few ta rally the tavern an' stop the Dweller an' his new Militia friend from getting away."

Creed turned his full aggressive attention towards Rogue. "You couldn't handle a few whores and drunken bastards! And let an infant escape your grasp?! Betty…" he started but his throat was strained. Rogue had had enough. Stopping her horse she grabbed Creed by the throat with her left hand and squeezed.

"That is the last time yah call meh Betty, pig." As she predicted, Creed grabbed her threatening hand with his own while his right hand raised above his head intending to knock Rogue off her horse. "Ahh, ah" Rogue tsked gesturing down to her free right hand that held her serrated knife at the inner part of his left thigh.

The knife was made especially for the most unpleasant of people. Creed was a particular person she had in mind on the day she had the knife forged.

He looked down. Knowing he was bested he calmed his right hand and let her wrist go. He would let this go, till another day. "A clever girl, I might actually enjoy our little mission we are expected to complete." Like nothing happened he guided his steed ahead towards the Bay of Alexandria.

Rogue was still at a stop as she sheathed her knife. She did not offer the Militia a glance as they slowly began to follow Creed ahead and left her to catch up. She knew the troops would cover their reactions to the incident, they always do. Nothing surprised or appalled the army of Bayville, which, for the first time Rogue could recall, gave her pause. Was she the same cold blooded killer as the rest of these men? Like Creed?

She loved her mother and she loved the hunt. Being in battle was a thrill for her but killing the innocent and praying on the weak? That was something expected of villains. And now here she was surrounded by villains like Creed whom Rogue always thought was a monster…

One by one the men rode by. She accounted each man as they went, Slab, George, Morph, Rukus; she continued to take into account each man's sinful nature. Was Rogue just as evil as these men she rode with, fought with? Her mother's own plan was for the destruction of those that apposed her. But was that to save those that could not fight to save themselves? Was it to stop the evil tyrants from ruling this world? The thing is the Bayville army is full of evil tyrants.

The worst were the Marauders, the group responsible for the massacre in the southern realm of Olean where the Rejects called home. They were instructed to discipline the people of Olean for their invasion in the Bayville territory and attack on the outer camps. What followed was something many tried desperately to forget, the Olean Massacre.

Carnage of hundreds, which included women and children, murdered. Many knew the murders were for no reason other than the bands sick craving for blood and death. Rogue despised the group led by Essex, her mother's greatest commander. He was killed by one of his own men who was a turncoat. The man she had only heard whispers of, Le Diable Blanc, a man with eyes both red and black.

Why would she not know the identity of this traitor? More importantly, why had none of this ever bothered her before?

She nudged her horse to a brisk canter to catch up with the band of twenty four men. To what, she wasn't sure.

~7~

Scott had presumed the journey to the island would have been traitorous with how Kurt forewarned him of all the magical dangers of the water and mist. He would have been correct to warn those that did not have the wand of the Scarlet Witch to guide them to the island that held Ororo. The waters included a thousand islands which all looked the same, though some were large, others were small.

It took him a while to walk to the island the wand pulled him towards. Once he had arrived on the island he was instantly engulfed with a desolate feeling. Like it had been abandoned for centuries and nothing had grown there since. Not much vegetation and nothing really green. The mist clouded the surrounding waters, creating an eerie vibe of uncertainty of what was beyond the mist. Never before would he have thought the feeling of solitude would radiate such a terrifying feeling.

He walked the island. "Ororo!" he called out, hearing his voice echo through the island and off into the distance. He waited for an answer, but did not receive one. "Ororo! My name is Scott Summers. I'm here to bring you back to Westchester," silence, still no answer.

As time passed by and the abandoned feeling still lingered he began to question the Envoys, and the Scarlet Witch. Why had no one ever come here to rescue her before?

Scott continued to walk until he heard a distant call. It was too faint to make out what had made the call. He followed the sound to where he assumed it came from. There was nothing in this area but rocks and stone.

Waiting for the sound again he stood silent, nothing. He leaned against what he assumed was a bolder. It was tall but not very wide. A woman made a surprised sound. Startled, he jumped looking for the source. Finding none he leaned against the bolder again. "Who the hell is Scott Summers?" a woman questioned.

Scott turned towards the bolder. He cleared the natural growth that covered any details and soon discovered this was not a bolder but a stony figure of a woman. He looked at her face which was set in a mid-surprised expression. "Ororo?" he asked staring into Ororo's stony eyes. This was not what he had expected.

~7~

They had marched hard for hours and would be there soon. Creed halted the Militia and Rogue stopped next to Creed. She stared off into the distance while she waited for Creed to instruct the troops.

They were a few miles away and had to start planning the attack since they were not entirely sure what they would be encountering. A Dweller, Militia, infant and perhaps by now a Sorcerer are what they knew this group consisted of.

"George, Slab," he called two of his Nasty Boys. The men approached to the left of Creed while Rogue stayed, waiting at the right.

"George, take four men and sweep from the right, Slab, you take four men and sweep from the left. We'll box them in, slaughter the fools and take the infant back to the Queen."

The men nodded and started off to do Creed's bidding. Rogue stopped them. "Unless absolutely necessary, don' kill anyone. There is more than enough of us ta take these men an' a Sorcerer alive back to mah mother, yes?"

Creed glared at her, not only had she questioned his orders in front of his men, she had mocked him as well. "Child, you are not in command here," he said eyeing her.

Rogue eyed him right back. "Yeh are here, helping meh. This was mah mission, technically Ah am in command here. These men could have been given some sort of powers, killing them may not be enough. Mah mother may need to include them in the ritual."

"Yeah? How so?" he mocked, trying to catch Rogue in a vulnerable position to explain herself.

"This child is of the prophecy. Would it be wise ta think that those helping her now are part of the prophecy as well?"

Creed took this into account. He actually grinned, which was not a pleasant sight. "A damsel with a brain. Men, you heard the Queen's child, we will surround the fools and take them all captive. Understood?"

In unison the twenty three Militia all called out, "Bayville!" The march continued on, while ten men rode ahead to get in position before the attack. Rogue continued to ride at Creed's side.

"You know when this is over, I may have to request you be transferred to my army. I could use someone with your intellect amongst my men," Creed offered. He eyed Rogue giving her the chills. She wasn't sure what else he was thinking with her enlisted in his army but she didn't ever want to find out.

"Mah talents would be wasted with the likes of your army. Besides, Ah command mah own army. Ah don't take orders from savages," she countered and cantered ahead wanting this final stage of the mission to be over. They finally had the child cornered after all of these months.

~7~

Shortly after the mist enveloped Scott, Remy started getting an uneasy feeling. 'Dis not right', he thought. He looked around and knew they were in a vulnerable position on the shore. Granted they did buy some time with the shortcut, but if they marched hard the Bayville Militia would be here soon.

They waited at the bottom of a lengthy hill. The narrow sands covered them on both sides and behind him was the water. There was no real cover besides the conversion from the grass to the sands which offered a six foot drop. Along there he found a small cavity that gave Katherine and the Envoys shelter to keep them safe while he drew the attention of the Militia.

He dropped both Envoys not too gently into the hole.

"Yo man, careful! You boys are both harsh!" Toad complained as he stood up, glaring at Remy.

"Zere is no reason to be zis rough with us," Kurt added.

Remy ignored them and tucked Katherine in. He covered the hole and the three watched him from inside. A branch now blocked the opening. Remy disguised the branch by adding dirt to make the hiding spot look as though nothing were out of the ordinary. Kurt and Toad could still see out so the feeling was not as claustrophobic as one might think looking from the outside in. When the Bayville Militia came at least they would not find Katherine.

"Watch de fille. Don let dem take 'er without a fight, neh," Remy instructed and left the view of Kurt and Toad before they could respond.

The shore stretched from end to end for only a mile. This was a death trap. The Militia knew they were here for Ororo out on one of the islands.

Remy put himself to work by creating a few surprise traps amongst his surroundings. Using his sword and dagger he dug up some holes in the grassy hill. He replaced the top of the grass while below several inches of missing dirt would not support the weight of anyone unlucky enough to step on the patches. He expected if someone fell while descending the hill it would be a bumpy ride down.

Along the beach he set a few snares with the material he had to work with. If this band of Militia was as large as he assumed it would be, all of his work now would only serve to delay his inevitable capture or demise. Unless Scott brought Ororo back in time she would be able to stop the Bayville Militia with her magic.

He continued with his work until he heard the beat of hooves coming in all directions.

"Merde," he muttered. He armed himself with his sword and a walking stick he had found earlier. He glanced behind him and still saw nothing move in the mist. "Looks like Remy have 'imself a good ol' time alone den," he grinned turning back he waited for the enemy to join him on the sands.

~7~

"Are you the one the Scarlet Witch has foretold about?" she asked, voice muffled through the stone. Through magic the Scarlet Witch had been able to communicate with Ororo through the years to keep her informed the news around the realms. It had kept Ororo sane, for if she had been left with just isolation she would have gone insane. Part of Raven's plan she was sure.

Scott was not sure how to answer. 'The Scarlet Witch foretold about me?' he thought to himself. The Scarlet Witch set him upon this journey, but foretold of him, he wasn't sure. Somehow that didn't sound right. Then again he did doubt himself quite a bit.

"I, uh, yes the Scarlet Witch sent me. She also gave this wand to give to you," he said pulling the wand out from his pouch.

"What would I do with the wand now? I am a statue, Scott Summers. Use your magic to turn me back into my human form," Ororo insisted.

He stood there staring at her; he did not know what she was talking about. "I do not have magic to free you," he admitted.

"You are not a Sorcerer?" Ororo asked.

"No. I was going to be an apprentice for the great Sorcerer Charles Xavier but I did not have confidence in myself for him to train me."

"This is who the Scarlet Witch sends to free me and help end the reign of Raven, an uncertain Sorcerer?" Ororo was becoming irritated.

"Oh you are mistaken, I am to give you the wand and bring Katherine to Westchester."

"The Princess Katherine, she has been born!? My dear, I must see her. If you are not a Sorcerer touch the wand upon me and I will form into a creature of this world."

Scott moved the wand to Ororo's shoulder. In an instant the wand began to glow and the stony figure of Ororo Munroe disappeared.

He panicked, "Ororo, where are you!?" he called out.

A squeaky voice answered at his feet. "I am here Scott. I told you, if you are not yet a full Sorcerer I will transform into a creature of this world. Until a full Sorcerer using their magic to release me I can only be transformed into various creatures of this world, not of human form." The white rat stared up at him.

"How, who will change you back into your true form then? I know of only a few full Sorcerers." Scott questioned.

"I can teach you Scott. If you did not have the potential of being a Sorcerer the Scarlet Witch would not have sent you with the wand. Come, let us join the princess. I must see the child that will bring forth the destruction of Raven and her evil army."

Scott picked up the white rat and put her in his pouch. Ororo positioned herself so her hand was sticking out of the pouch and she could talk to Scott. She began to tell him the tale of how she was trapped here at the Bay of Alexandria as he walked the path back to the shore.

~7~

Rogue looked down at the shore. Something didn't seem right. The traitors had arrived earlier and had had plenty of time to set up traps. The Militia just stood there waiting for them to attack.

"On my order we drive at the Militia. Stay spread out so we attack on all sides," Creed ordered the remaining Militia.

Rogue looked over at him. "Creed, this…plan of yours… it's foolish to go barreling in like a bunch of witless oafs," she cautioned.

Creed gave her an irritated glare, "we are twenty five men and I would not waste any more time without a fight. Charge!" he ordered. His sword ready for battle he spurred his horse and charged down the hill.

Rogue's horse attempted to follow but she pulled the reins back and held tight. The horse danced instead while others rushed towards the fight. "Men who would stand with meh, HALT!" she called out. Only five men remained those she had expected to follow her orders. The rest of the men charged ahead.

"If I may ask, Captain" St John began approaching.

"Yeh may," Rogue replied, though her full attention watched as nineteen riders charged on the lone man in the sand.

"Why do we not pursue?"

Rogue looked at him, "jus' wait."

As if on cue, two men riding down the hill fell from their horses as their mounts stumbled. Two Militia charging from the left side were caught by a snare in the sand.

Rogue grinned, quite enjoying Creed's overzealous charge getting him into a preventable situation. "Follow meh, single file," she started her horse to a slow trot. The others followed behind. She watched as Creed's charge slowed. Now cautious Creed stole a glance back up at her. She mock saluted him.

"Argh!" he hollered, spurring his steed.

Three more stumbled down the hill and another fell in the sand.

The first two made the decent from the grass to the sand and were met by the Militia head on. Remy charged sword in his right hand and stick in his left at the last minute he aimed the stick at both horses' front legs while blocking the sword strikes with his own.

As swords clashed horses screamed as they toppled forward. Riders flew over their mounts heads. Remy dropped the stick and pierced his sword into the sand. From his pouch he pulled out two fist sized rocks and threw them at the pursuing riders closing in on his right. One fell while the other stopped as blood gushed from his now broken nose.

Remy pulled out five more rocks and took aim at five more Militia. 'Dis be easier dan I thought,' he considered. He eyed the remaining force as they raced forward. Two men charged from the grass.

Rogue looked on in awe and horror as only two men remained from Creed's attack party on horseback. She pulled her bow out and latched an arrow, aiming at the Militia. "When Ah shoot, advance," she ordered. Her men charged ahead seconds before she released the arrow.

"LeBeau!" Creed called out as his horse leapt from the grass to the sand. Remy looked at the man he once fought with and grinned his cocky grin. He pulled a thievers trick from his pouch and tossed it on the ground. A loud 'BOOM' resonated the area, followed with a flash and smoke.

Ears ringing and eyes seeing a haze Creed tried moving but all of his senses were in a frenzy. He looked up from where he lay, unable to move. Remy approached, sword in hand.

"Creed, you charge on Remy like a crazed goat. Thought you were smarter den dat, mon ami." Remy said, grinning.

"If I'd have known you were the Militia, I'd have called in the Militia you betrayed you low life!"

"Yeah, yeah. Well Creed, Remy got lil' time for dis, desole." Remy raised his hand for the strike to finish Creed but an arrow knocked the sword from his hand and grazed his wrist. Before he could react five men were on him. The first used the hilt of his sword and slammed it into Remy's face. He stumbled and received another blow from the staff end of a spear. Remy fell to the ground. The five men surrounded him as he lay in the sand, head spinning and blood flowing from his mouth, nose and cut wrist.

The five dismounted and approached the fallen Militia with caution and purpose. The first rolled Remy onto his stomach while two others wrestled to bind his hands. They pulled him onto his knees as another Bayville troop approached. Remy could only watch on as the troop dismounted and moved towards him. He looked around at the other Militia who were recovering and approaching. Two men held him and the other three kept their weapons on him. As the troop approached Creed advanced as well. "Troops of Bayville I command you strike the Militia down!"

Rogue's men looked at Creed than back at their commanding officer. Rogue shook her head, 'no'. Her men turned back to the prisoner and stood their ground. "Damnit! This man is Remy LeBeau a wanted murderer against Bayville and of Commander Essex!"

Rogue looked at Remy, shocked to have finally met the man Bayville Militia never talked about. "Le Diable Blanc" she whispered. "Creed, Ah do not care about his past crimes. He is a prisoner until the Queen says otherwise," Rogue ordered.

"Just because she is your mother do not think you are safe, child," Creed threatened. They now stood facing the other and inching closer.

Rogue grinned. "After that show of capture yah just displayed, Ah do believe safe is the correct word."

Creed pulled his sword and advanced towards Rogue while Rogue stood her ground, sword ready in hand. The twenty three men squared off against each other. Rogue was surprised over half were in support of her. Though she knew it was only because of her mother.

Before any could advance or make any further threats they were alerted to the sound of a baby crying. "Find the child!" both Rogue and Creed ordered. All moved to find the child except the five holding Remy captive.

Morph and Rukus found the cavity and pulled the crying baby out. "Let meh see her arm," Rogue insisted. They held the child for inspection. Rogue knew this was Katherine Pryde but did not want to be made a fool of if this was some sort of trick.

Pulling the sleeve up Rogue saw the mark of the prophecy. Rogue felt a sigh of relief hit her like a tsunami. 'Finally,' she thought. "Bring her wit'," she started and turned towards the other Militia, "the child of the prophecy!" she called out. The men raised their weapons in salute. "Take our prisoner and secure him. Secure the child as well. The rest of us await the Dweller and Sorcerer."

The men fanned out to do her bidding. Creed watched even as his men listened. He was starting to feel less in control, not only to a young commander but a woman as well.

This will not stand. He will need to put her in her place. 'Soon,' he promised himself getting ready for the Sorcerer.

~7~

Scott listened to Ororo's tale of rise and fall in bewilderment. Here he was an everyday Dweller, hell just recently tending his fields and now he was here helping one of the most powerful Sorcerers' in the lands!

He reached the end of the path from the waters and he emerged from the mist, towards the shore. He did not sense the danger that lurked beyond the mist.

"Wait Scott," Ororo cautioned. He heard her a little too late, stepping from the mist. Looking around he felt that eerie feeling again, everything was too quiet. Before he could react it all happened at once. Katherine cried off in the distance, two dozen Militia advanced towards him and he was grabbed by Bayville troops.

Scott struggled but his fight was lost quickly when one troop struck him in the back of the head and another took hold of him to secure him in ropes. Ororo squeaked when Scott nearly landed on his pouch. The Militia took notice and picked up the bag.

Rogue stepped from behind them eyeing the ordinary looking pouch. "Ororo?" she called, knowing the Sorcerer could very well be inside. No response. "Come on out, sugah."

A moment passed and the white rat poked her head out. She looked at Rogue for barely a moment. "My, my word child. I had never thought you would look so much like your father!"

"Silence!" Rogue demanded. Any mention of her father was a sore spot. She did not know him but her mother's rage at the mention of the man always held bad tidings. "Yeh will not speak of the man."

Ororo knew to abide the young woman's threat. "And where is the child of the prophecy?" Ororo asked.

Rogue grinned, "safe, for now."

"May I see her?" Ororo pleaded.

To Rogue's surprise she felt a small part of her almost agree to those terms, but knew that was unwise. "When the Queen allows it," Rogue said. "Bind them and prepare for the journey. Bayville awaits."

~7~

Todd and Kurt moved from their hiding place amongst the cavity that had hid them and Katherine. While they watched Remy fight off one Bayville troop after another they began to find hope they could escape evil. But Remy was soon overwhelmed and taken hostage. They looked out towards the water hoping that Ororo would come to their aid. Nothing.

It was then Katherine started to cry and they could do nothing to stop the wails from the child. To them it was like Katherine had wanted the Bayville Militia to find her. Perhaps so Scott and Ororo could get an opportunity to surprise the Militia. But still nothing moved amongst the mist.

They heard the Bayville Militia start to close in on their hiding place and the Envoys hid, out of sight. There was nothing they could do to save the child and the only chance at helping was if they were alive and not captured.

So they hid as the Bayville Militia took Katherine. Hope faded even more as Scott passed through the mist and was taken prisoner.

They watched on as the small band of Bayville Militia took their prisoners and headed east towards Bayville. Toad quickly became impatient. "Yo this is weak man. Sitting here hiding out while Bayville easily takes us all prisoner." Todd complained as they climbed out from hiding.

"You zink getting killed vould be better?" Kurt asked, knowing the answer.

"I don't know man. I feel like a worthless…amphibian of sorts."

"Zes is ze life of ze Envoy. Ve must find a bird to take us to Herr Logan und varn him of zes." Kurt said, eyes already searching the skies

"We ain't gonna follow em'?" Toad asked hopping out of the hole and joining Kurt in the search for a vessel to assist them.

"Ve know vhere zey are heading. Unce ve update Logan ve can locate ze trail to free zem from Bayville. If ve are lucky."

"Ha! For once blue boy, you make sense," Toad said.

Just then a flock of geese flew overhead. Using the power bestowed to them by the Scarlet Witch they called out to the birds. The goose in the lead turned towards them head cocking and without hesitation descended towards the Envoys.

The two climbed aboard separate geese. Once settled they again used their powers to communicate with the geese. The geese honked in reply, a mutual understanding. The two Envoys were now airborne and on their way to find Logan and what army he had.

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