X-Men: Fate

Rogue's Gambit

"Hey Suga," Anna said: after she teleported in Remy's bedroom. She stood at the foot of his bed, looking over his naked body. He slept nude. Clothes on or off, this man couldn't help be attractive.

"You won't do this," Remy said, sitting up and propping himself against his head board.

"Do what?" Anna asked. She didn't move.

"Use me against them," Remy said. "You can use me anytime, any place, for anything but I won't let you use me against the team because you're angry with Jean."

Their eyes met. They shared a look. Anna teleported. She teleported in bed beside Remy.

"I won't lie to you," Anna told him. She gazed upon him while he wouldn't look at her. "I've thought about it: quite a bit. I know you would help me without hesitation. That's why I avoided you. That's why I don't talk to you. So I don't put you in that position."

"So why come now?" Remy said. "Emma's listening. She knows you're here. Forge's security system probably has documented your visit too."

"Emma can't hear us," Anna said. "That's covered. Forge's security system doesn't matter. Everyone knows I'm not a threat. They just want to stop me." She went quiet for a moment. She didn't want to say what she was going to say next. "I miss you." But she recognized he deserved to hear it. "That's why I'm here now."

That made Remy look at her. He grasped her by her arms suddenly. This took her by surprise.

"Your actions are confusing to me," Remy said. "You're angry with Jean. You're hurt. You're in pain. You're grieving. Why not, stay with me. Why lead the Brotherhood?"

Anna lowered her gaze before she met Remy's eyes again.

"The Brotherhood has to exist," Anna said. "Maybe I thought differently before. I am angry with Jean. But, she proved that so many people were waiting for something like this to happen: something they could use to justify their hate of mutants. Besides that Suga, with Erik and Charles' deaths, I realized what Charles knew all along."

"And what's that?" Remy asked.

"The X-Men are a type of family for mutants," Anna said, "and the Brotherhood are too. I'm going to undo all the damage Jean did, and I'm going to make sure not another mutant has to suffer. I'm going to do it for Erik and Raven. I do this because they were my home first. I owe them."

"Ororo carries on Xavier's legacy," Remy said. "So, you plan to carry on Magneto's."

Anna nodded.

"I won't stand in your way," Remy said. "I commuted with them for a while. I see what you mean. I understand."

Anna kissed him: long and hard. Remy kissed her back: with a hunger and a need.

"How?" Remy asked.

"Don't question it," Anna told him.

He stripped her naked. She put him on his back. With her super strength. They smiled and laughed. He kissed her passionately. She climbed on top of him. They each held the other's gaze. They did this until they both reached their climaxes.

Anna let herself fall besides Remy. They laughed while breathing heavily, catching their breaths. Remy's smile made Anna smile. He had turned toward her. He kissed her with that smile.

"I'll give you something," Remy said, letting his smile fade, "but you must give me something in return."

Anna didn't say anything. He was serious.

"I'll even go first," Remy said, laying back beside her. He crossed his arms, but she took his hand and held it. They weren't looking at each other.

"You sure?" Anna asked softly.

"I know you're thinking you planned this," Remy said. "But I knew we'd end up here. Don't matter how far we part ways we always going to end up back in the same place."

"I'm going to bring back the others from the dead," Anna said. "There's a mutant who can do it, and I'm going to have him do it."

"There's a game you and Storm are playing," Remy said. "Much bigger than the two of you. I know that because Scarlet Witch has been playing that same game too. And she's about to make her move toward both the X-Men and the Brotherhood."

"I'm aware of that," Anna said. "Her move will be a young mutant named Tess. I just don't understand the why or what she's trying to accomplish."

"There's a mutant she might be looking for with a lot more skin in this game than any of us," Remy said.

"I'm not going to bother asking who," Anna said. "I'm holding my cards close to the vest, so I expect you to do so too."

Remy looked at her and smirked. Anna laughed.

"Ready for round two Cheri?" Remy asked. This time he hovered over on top of her.

"Sure you're up for it?" Anna questioned him playfully.

"Gambit got plenty of energy for you to drain," Remy said, "remember? And the night is young."

"You want to impress me you better make it to round three Cajun," Anna said.

"Then Gambit be at your service," Remy said as he kissed down her stomach, and when he reached down below and made her gasp Anna immediately clutched onto his head.

~~~

Armod received a text message from an unknown number. He read it: open your door.

He checked to see who it was, and he found himself taken aback to see Reva there. He opened his door.

"It's late," Armod said.

"I don't want anyone to see me talking to you," Reva said. "You going to let me in?"

"Do I have a choice?" Armod questioned her. He tried not to smile because he was happy she was here, but he couldn't let her know that.

"Yeah you have a choice," Reva said: irritated. "But I'd like to talk to you, and I'd rather not come back if I don't have to. So, wouldn't it be better if you let me in and we have this conversation now?"

"Maybe if you ask nicely," Armod said. He smirked.

Reva walked off.

"Come in," Armod half exclaimed in a harsh whisper.

Reva met him in his doorway.

"Don't play with me Armod," Reva said. "I'm already two seconds away from punching you in the face." She walked inside and went and stood in the middle of the room.

Armod shut the door. He didn't lock it. He didn't want to make her uncomfortable. His heart was pounding like a sledge hammer. He'd been with a number of women, none of them had ever done anything like this to him.

"What do you have to talk to me about that couldn't wait for daylight hours?" Armod asked her. He watched her make two fists and punch them together.

"Just three things and then I'm out of here," Reva said. She made the decision to come see Armod. She kept telling herself it was for the team and for Sorcha, but she felt like she was lying to herself.

"You're going to apologize to me too," Armod said, "huh?"

Reva made to leave, but she stopped.

"What do you mean too?" Reva asked.

Armod went and sat on his bed because he didn't want Reva to think he was boxing her in.

"You two seem pretty close," Armod said. "Even if he hasn't told you the story, I'm sure you've heard her name: Tess."

Reva turned from the door toward him. She crossed her arms however.

"Yeah," Reva said. "I know of her."

"Tess was my ex," Armod said. "He came to apologize. A few days ago. Probably because of her. He told me she was alive right after."

"I'm guessing you have as many questions for her as Reth does," Reva said.

"Don't know," Armod said. Not looking at Reva. "I know I moved on from her. But not because I'm pretty sure the reason she survived is because of a latent mutant ability." He looked at Reva when he said that.

Reva shrugged.

"None of my business," Reva said. She looked away from him. The man was wearing a hoodie and grey sweat pants, and he still managed to put off the same kind of energy he did barely dressed in his garden. Maybe it was his eyes. Reva shook her head.

"I'm not a monster," Armod said, standing.

Reva took a deep breath. She sighed. She looked at him.

"I know that," Reva said. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have punched you. I shouldn't have fought you. You were pulling your punches. You could have hurt me with your fists. I could have killed you with my powers. It wasn't a fair fight from the start. It wasn't right. Again. Sorry."

"Apology accepted," Armod said.

They were now standing closer to together in the middle of his room.

"I'm sorry too," Armod said. "You have no reason to trust me, but I'm not here to have anyone killed or get anyone killed."

"Why are you here?" Reva asked.

"Many reasons," Armod said.

"For Adrian," Reva said. "He's one of those reasons."

Armod said nothing.

"You said three things," Armod said.

"Right," Reva said. "Don't put Sorcha in the middle of this."

"Sorcha put herself in the middle of this," Armod said.

Reva could see that being true, except she herself had asked Sorcha to observe Armod, so actually she was the one who had put Sorcha in the middle of this. She was at a loss for words, but she didn't want Armod to know that. She put her back to him with her arms still crossed.

"You can't be mad at me because Sorcha has a mind of her own," Armod said.

"I'm," Reva worked with her words. He gave a little bit. She wouldn't be outdone. "I'm used to women calling me a man or a lesbian. Because of how I am. I consider her a really good friend. I'm protective of her. If you have to hurt someone, hurt me."

"I consider her a friend too," Armod said. He got closer to her: without meaning too. "I wouldn't hurt her. I don't plan on hurting you either."

They shared a brief silence.

"I am a Purifier," Armod said, "but I'm not at war with mutants or the Brotherhood or the X-Men."

Reva turned around and recognized how close he was, but she didn't let that faze her. She uncrossed her arms.

"You got to be careful Armod," Reva said. She didn't expect to say that. Armod didn't expect to hear that. "I might believe you. And if you are telling the truth, a Purifier might kill you over it."

They shared the silence again. They stood closer to each other. Armod looked toward his thoughts, toward the ceiling. Reva looked at him.

"The third thing…" Reva said. She stepped away from him: paced toward the door until she came back close to him. "You want to fuck?"

Armod opened his mouth and no words came out. He closed his mouth and tried again. He was at a loss for words.

"Excuse me?" He questioned: confused. "I mean." He looked away from her, but he quickly looked back. He didn't want her to think he didn't want to because he definitely had thought of scenarios. He could tell she was completely serious. He made sure he would regain his composure. She didn't let him though.

"It's a yes or no question," Reva said.

"Yes," Armod said. He stepped closer to her and held to her waist.

Reva's eyes grew a bit large. This made Armod smirk. He kissed her. She kissed him back. He moved her back against the door.

"Why?" Armod asked.

"You were pretty pitiful in the fight," Reva said. "Thought you might be better in the sack." I think you're hot and kind of a badass, but I'm not going to tell you that.

"Low blow," Armod said. "But I'll show you right." He picked her up and carried her to his bed. Threw her on it.

"At least I can say I'm special," Reva said, siting up on her elbows. "You don't treat other women like that I'm sure."

Armod reached into his drawer to pull out a condom. Reva had pulled one out of her pocket.

"We'll use mine," Reva said.

Armod nodded. He put his away. Then, he stripped naked. He crawled on top of her, taking the condom from her hand while looking into her eyes. He went to kiss her. She held to his arms. She drew back his attention.

"This doesn't mean we're together," Reva said.

Armod nodded again. He went to kiss her again.

"Why?" Reva asked. She drew back his attention again.

"Why not," Armod said. Because I haven't stopped thinking of you since you punched me. He kissed her passionately. "Besides." He added without drawing back to meet her eyes. "Got to prove my skills. Give you the dicking of a lifetime." He made her laugh. And that filled him with a hyper ness and excitement. He stripped her.

Reva let him strip her.

"I like what I see," Reva told him. He was rock hard.

"Likewise," Armod said. He smirked.

Reva rolled her eyes, but she grabbed hold of him and gave him a passionate kiss back.

When he eventually entered her, she locked onto him.

Neither of them were virgins. Their time together was really good, really fun. It left them both speechless.

Reva left with a nod before anyone who got up early could see her leave his room.

Armod watched her go and sent her off with a wave and let himself collapse back on his bed.

~~~~

Rogue teleported into the office on the fifty-fourth floor of the skyscraper in the city. She looked through the blinds upon the people. Matthias Calhoun was at her back.

"You received my message," Matthias said. "Thank you for coming."

"You asked to see me," Rogue said, turning around. "I figured it had to be important, concerning our mission." He stood leaning slightly on his ornate desk. "You clean up nicely."

Matthias chuckled.

"Have to thank Charles for that," Matthias said. "He knew how to wear a suit. He made sure Erik and I did too."

"I've given you time to recover," Rogue said. "And I, I prepared myself for the conversation I came to have with you. I don't trust you Matthias, which I know you're aware of. I'm using you to get to Gravedigger. Why did neither Charles nor Erik ever speak of you? Why does no one seem to have a mutant record of you? Why were you imprisoned by some woman in the first place: a woman you won't explain?"

"I did care about them," Matthias said. He drove a fist into his desk now. "I considered them my friends, but we didn't end on good terms. My fault. It was me."

"If you'd indulge me," Rogue said, "I'd like a few more details."

"I was young," Matthias said. "I grew jealous of them. So much so I grew to hate them. Charles and Erik. They were a duo. There was no place for me. I don't know how this is going to sound, but they were soulmates."

"You're not wrong," Rogue said. "I know you're not lying on that front."

"You don't have to trust me," Matthias said, "but you can believe me when I say I am working to bring them back. I don't know that it's right or wrong, but I believe they deserve to be here: for mutants and humans alike. I spent years trying to separate myself from mutant life, and that ended up involving a string of poor decisions. I was used before you by a human woman. She's a danger to all. Because of her, actions must be taken, including letting you use me too."

"Tell me who the woman is," Rogue said. "Especially if she's this much of a threat. Is it Scarlet Witch?"

"I will once you've brought Charles and Erik back," Matthias said.

"You don't think I will," Rogue said.

"I think I knew the X-Men long before you," Matthias said. He gave her a brief, gentle smile. "They're notorious for causing changes of heart."

"Not this time," Rogue said. "I won't be swayed."

"Hmmm," Matthias said. "Have you seen Gambit yet since you became leader of the Brotherhood? Spoken with I mean? Spent meaningful time with him?"

Rogue said nothing and ensured her face gave nothing away.

"We'll move on from that: to the reason for this meeting," Matthias said. "By the way, the woman isn't Scarlet Witch. Because of Warren, you might remember him better as Angel, I followed a trail of money. I'll be joining you on the next mission because it will be the one that will bring us face to face with Gravedigger."

"I'm sorry that you grew to hate yourself," Rogue said, "but I'm grateful that you're trying to make amends. That being said, don't think you're going draw Gravedigger into some kind of ploy. If you try, you'll deal with the consequences: not from your mystery woman but from me. I'll be in touch."

"Very well," Matthias said.

Rogue teleported from the office, leaving Matthias alone with his thoughts: of his past and an impending future.

~~~

Reth and Adrian had gotten up early to hike. They climbed until they reached a cliff face: one that overlooked the woods and the skyline. They sat together on a blanket. Reth sat behind Adrian. They had planned to observe the sunrise. But they fell asleep. Reth held Adrian in an embrace. He awoke first.

Adrian had taken off his shirt during their hike as it grew hotter. Reth had sat in the shade under the lone overhanging tree. He rested back against it. Adrian had smiled before he sat in front of Reth and rested back against him.

Now, Reth gazed upon Adrian's tattoos and traced them with his fingers.

"Hey," Adrian said, waking up himself.

"Hey," Reth said.

"I'll admit I was against an early morning trek," Adrian said, "but now that we're up here. Not so bad."

"I don't know why," Reth said. "I'm the pro hiker, and you made me seem like an amateur."

"You're a city boy," Adrian said. "Body's not used to getting beat up by the elements. My dad made sure I was ready for anything and everything."

"You miss him," Reth said. Wasn't a question.

"I miss when he acted like my dad and not my leader," Adrian said. "You want to hear something funny?"

"I want to hear any time you want to talk to me," Reth said.

"I like you," Adrian said. "A lot."

"That's good to know," Reth said. "Since you're my boyfriend."

They laughed together.

"That's not the funny part smartass," Adrian said. "My dad didn't care that I was gay. He caught this guy uh taking care of me. Know what he said?"

"Is he a mutant," Reth said.

"Yeah," Adrian said. "I shook my head no. He left. We never talked about it. I never brought it up. Too scared to. But he didn't treat me differently because of it."

Reth waited because Adrian was finally getting things off his mind and heart.

"He wasn't a good man," Adrian said. "He put me through hell. But I wouldn't be strong. Who I am. Without him."

"That's true," Reth said. "It's been hard not talking about him. But you can talk about him with me." He paused before he added. "And Armod."

"I wasn't trying to keep him a secret," Adrian said. "There's nothing going on between us."

"Except that you both are friends," Reth said. "You two won't say it, but I will. You like each other. You have stuff in common. You two grew up in the same world."

"We can't be seen together," Adrian said. "Alone I mean. The two of us together, it wouldn't lead to anything good."

"You don't trust yourself," Reth said. "So don't. Trust me."

Adrian laughed.

"What's funny?" Reth asked.

"He told me not to let you cloud my judgment," Adrian said.

The two of them laughed together again. Adrian sighed.

"You're too good Reth," Adrian said.

"No," Reth said, embracing Adrian tighter. "I'm a train wreck. But I can't let that stop me. People out there I want to believe are counting on me, and I refuse to let them down."

"You won't," Adrian said.

"You and Reva are so great," Reth said. He stood from Adrian and went and walked to the cliff's edge. "You're a guy's guy. Reva connects with everyone, and she's not even trying." Adrian stood too and joined him. "I don't know who I am. I don't even know if I should talk to you about this because I'm the leader of our team." He held up a fist, looking at everything and nothing at the same time. "Sometimes it leaves me paralyzed inside, yet I go on: on the outside."

Adrian took Reth's fist and moved it down to his side. He turned Reth toward him.

"You think too much," Adrian said. "What do you want, right now?" He looked him hard in his eyes.

"I want to kiss you," Reth said.

"Then do it," Adrian said.

Reth kissed him in such a way Adrian felt like Reth felt like it was the last thing he'd ever do.

The kiss definitely caused Adrian to tent.

Reth made Adrian feel. When Adrian had thought it wasn't possible. Deep down.

They looked upon each other.

"You're Reth," Adrian said. "And RJ. You're part of the X-Men, leader and teammate. You're a son, a classmate, a friend. You're sunshine and hope personified. And you're not just those things either. And those dark parts of yourself that scare you. They don't scare me. Got it."

Reth didn't respond. Adrian felt his cargo pants coming undone. Reth used his ability as he took a knee. Adrian felt himself out in the open until Reth grabbed hold of him.

"I want this," Reth said. "You got a problem with that?"

"Not at all," Adrian said.

"You'll trust me to keep you grounded in your new life," Reth said. "I'll trust you to take on all of me."

Reth engulfed Adrian, and Adrian saw it was his turn to embrace Reth tight, tighter.

~~~

Anna met with Aimi at sunset. Anna found Aimi on the roof, and she surprised her when she walked up beside her.

"Sorry," Aimi said. "You're the last person I expected to come join me."

"I needed to talk to you," Anna said, "but I wanted to check on you too."

"I'm fine," Aimi said. "I might've been a bit in shock before, but I'm back in action. I hope Lupita and Leon didn't worry you."

"No," Anna said. "They wouldn't bring anything concerning you to me. I'm too high. They wouldn't want to lose you."

"You make me sound important," Aimi said.

"You are," Anna said. "To your team you are. They care deeply for you."

Aimi looked upon Rogue: who she thought was beautiful and strong. She wanted to be more like her: so independent seemingly capable of handing anything that came her way.

"Can you forgive Sunfire?" Anna asked.

"Yes," Aimi said, "but I can't see him."

"Does it surprise you he was part of the X-Men at one time?" Anna asked.

"Yes," Aimi said. "He used to speak fondly of the team he occupied: Thunderbird, Banshee, Colossus, and Polaris. But he much preferred the efforts of the Brotherhood. I write to my mother, and he's happy I'm with them."

"You're the leader of your team Aimi," Anna said. "I thought I should inform you in case you weren't aware."

"No," Aimi said. "Don't pick me for that role. You see what happened when I ran into Tess."

"I didn't pick you," Anna said. "Lupita and Leon did. I'm sure they aren't aware of it either. Leaders have setbacks. Doesn't make them less of a leader."

"I noticed," Aimi said. "Guess I was trying to ignore it."

"That's why I had to talk to you about it now," Anna said. "You can't ignore it anymore. The next mission for us will be a game changer. You and Reth's involvement with Tess puts you front and center. Regardless of Tess, your team has to be taken care of. Even your superiors might be preoccupied and unable to assist. You'll all have to stand on your own. We know you can. You have to know it."

"Right," Aimi said. "I understand. I won't let you or them down."

"One more thing before I go," Anna said: more serious now. "Tess. She's going to come to us. To meet with you. I don't know her as you did. She may actually want to reconnect with you, but she does have an ulterior motive. She might be looking for a mutant. If she is, if she gives you a name, you report it directly to me. As soon as you can."

"Consider it done," Aimi said. "I'm going to head in. Thanks for checking in on me."

"Anytime," Anna said. She watched her leave then took in the night sky.

"Raven," Rogue said. "Scott. Erik. Charles. I'm going to bring you back because this world needs you. Your work wasn't finished. I know it's the right thing. Because if more dark days are ahead, I don't see us surviving them without you. I don't plan to take that chance."