En Sabah Nur warriors are on a mission to free the city from Rama-tut's army. Can they do it? Read on to find out.

Chapter Two: Siege and Recue

Rogue woke up the next morning more tired than when she went to bed, that was her second attempt at sleep. She heard a ruckus going on outside and stumbled to the entrance of her tent. She was still wrapped in her sheet when Nightcrawler walked over to her.

"What's goin' on?" she asked as he noticed a man running towards their formidable host. The man looked distraught and Rogue didn't care that she wasn't dressed and made her way over to the scene, more than curious to what was going on.

"Please, Lord, you must help us," she heard the man say. There was a desperation about him seeing he was prostrated at the feet of En Sabah Nur. "The City of Sakidi is under siege. Rama-tut has taken the neighboring villages. Please, help us."

"Rise to your feet," En Sabah Nur commanded. "Now, tell me what is you name."

"Omari servant of Asim," he said with his eyes looking towards the ground. "He sent me to ask for your help. Warriors came and has taken his wife and daughter. Rama-Tut seeks control of the region that my master rules."

Do not worry, Omari, Sakidi is under my protection," he said and the man fell to his knees.

"Thank you, Lord," he said with tears in his eyes.

"Rise, and return to your master," he said and Omari still looked anxious as to what he would say. "My warriors will ride with you, back to your city. Rama-Tut has taken his last hostage."

"When do we leave?" Rogue asked as she approached En Sabah Nur. After hearing the man called Omari's plight she just assumed that she and her teammates would lend a hand.

"I don't expect our guest to risk themselves in a battle that is not theirs," En Sabah Nur said but Rogue looked disappointed by his words.

"We would be more than happy to lend our talents for the cause," Magneto stood up. As long as we're here and you have lent us your hospitality it is our duty to fight."

"My friends and I will do whatever we can to help," Professor Xavier chimed in.

The rest of the group nodded in agreement, which made their host smile. It was unnerving for some to see him so agreeable. "Well, then, we leave in an hour. My warriors will adorn you with proper attire.

Rogue looked at herself and realized she was still in her bed garments. She made her way back to her tent and one of En Sabah Nur's people, a woman, came with some battle garments. "Our leader insists I attend you since your group will be joining us in the battle."

"Oh, thank ya very much," she said as the woman laid out the garments on her sleeping cot. "Your name?" Rogue asked nonchalantly.

"I am called Edrice," she said and Rogue nodded in approval. Her group had only been here less than a day so she didn't get any kind of formal introductions to most of the people residing at the camp.

"How did you…?" Rogue asked but didn't know how to finish the question. "My family were killed in a raid several years ago. En Sabah Nur saved me and took me in and trained me. I am forever grateful."

Again, hearing the stories of these people did not match up what she knew of this man, the same man she had fought in her time, one that tried to wipe out the human race and enslave mutants that he deemed worthy.

Rogue put those feelings aside knowing that they had to help in this attack or many innocent people would be killed. When she came out of her tent she did feel a little awkward but this was the style in this time period and wearing her own clothes even if they weren't ruined would have made her stick out.

"So, how do ah look?" she asked Kurt who was dressed in a more masculine version of her outfit.

"You always look lovely," he said but he had a worried look on his face.

"We'll be fine, Kurt," she said but he still had a serious look on his face.

"I'm more worried about you, sister," he said and took her hands.

She was wearing a pair of white gloves that Edrice brought her. They had gold embroidery that reminded her very much of the design of the Scarab that Storm had given her and the last birthday of her that they had before Remy died. It looked very much like a bird's eye with four line signifying a beak and feathers going down its neck.

"I don't want anything bad to happen to you," he said and Rogue knew exactly what he meant. He didn't want her to die. "I protected you once when we were under attack, and I'll go it once more." She looked a little confused by his words.

"Do you mean at the monastery in Germany?" she asked.

"No, at the mansion, you were helpless and unconscious. Logan and I defended you when you couldn't defend yourself." Rogue looked away not knowing he had done that, and then she betrayed them all by siding with Magneto. How was she ever to atone for her actions? "If needed I'll defend you again."

She turned to him and saw the sincerity in his eyes. "And ah'll do the same for you," she said and a tear left her eye.

At that moment En Sabah Nur came before the group. He was on his horse in full battle gear ready to make a speech.

"My friends," he started and he seemed to grab the attention of the entire group. "We embark upon a dangerous situation. Our allies and neighbors are in dire need and it is our duty to bring relief to those in need. Some of us may die, but it is a needed sacrifice. Freedom is our cause and the battle is just. Today, we either achieve freedom or fall in the pursuit."

His warriors roared and cheered. "Freedom!" one man shouted followed by other voices. The chant rang out and Rogue knew one thing for sure. This man had charisma.

The other warriors mounted their horses and followed En Sabah Nur as he led the way. Edrice approached Rogue with a war horse with one question. "Can you ride?"

"Ah was practically born on horses," Rogue said proudly and quickly mounted the horse.

"Her name is Paramy," Edrice said and Rogue nodded.

"For me not so well," Nightcrawler said but Rogue just smiled.

"Then Ride with me," she said and Kurt ported from the spot of the ground where he stood and reentered behind Rogue who easily guided the horse. "Easy, Paramy," she said using the horse's name. "Hang on, Kurt. Ah like to ride fast."

They took off steadily gaining speed until they caught up with the rest of the group. She noticed that Magneto forwent the horse and used his magnetic powers to glide through the sky. Showoff, Rogue thought and it just made her ride even faster.

Beast and the Professor rode in the caravan while the rest of the warriors rode on their horses almost as fast as Rogue. She was just behind En Sabah Nur having some renewed determination. They had to succeed. If they did perhaps she could redeem herself. She could make up for her bad deeds by helping these people who could not protect themselves. That's what she told herself, but the truth was nothing she did would wipe it out, for the simple reason that she could not forgive herself.

As they reached the city Rogue could see all was not well with smoke coming up from some of the roofs of the buildings. En Sabah Nur gave the command to ride faster straight for the city. Once they reached the stone gates they all saw that they were shut tight.

"We have to get through!" one of the warrior shouted.

"Ah got it," Rogue said and hovered off the horse and flew like a cannonball right towards the gate.

She hit it with much force and made a dent in the gate but it was still intact and saw there were some remnants of metal. Rogue could see the joint moving out of there place, and the gate starting to buckle. Rogue backed up and gave it another hit and caved in part of the door, and she threw one of the scrap pieces away. It took a few minutes, but she cleared the debris. Soldiers stormed the gate from inside and attacked her, but she easily fought back kicking one man in the gut. He went flying and hit the ground. Within seconds Nightcrawler appeared welding three staffs, one in each hand and one on his tale. He helped Rogue take down the remaining foes and clear a path for En Sabah Nur and his warriors to enter.

In formation they entered but more enemy soldiers arrive and En Sabah Nur gave the attack order. Rogue found her horse to remount and joined in the attack. She once said she would take riding over flying any day, and this day proved it.

The fighting continued with Omari approaching Rogue on her horse. "The governor's family," he said approaching her horse. "We have to rescue them."

"Do you know where they are?" Rogue asked almost shouting over the noise.

"The fortress," he said and turned his horse around. "I'm not sure how we will get in, but with your god powers…"

"I'm no god," she said and looked around until she spotted her brother. "We'll need a teleporter. Kurt! Nightcrawler!"

She saw him turn to her and then almost immediately bamph. He entered right behind her on her horse. "Need my help?" he asked.

"Yes, rescue mission," Rogue said looking like she got that spark back in her eye.

"Omari, lead the way!"

The older native rode to the east side of the city with Rogue and Nightcrawler following him gallop to gallop. They followed him until they reached what looked like a stronghold. Rogue would have called it a prison, and there was a door at the front and jumped off her horse followed by Nightcrawler determined to get inside. Rogue ran to the entrance but arrives seconds before Nightcrawler did. Rogue almost jumped seeing Kurt reappear.

"Ah should be used to that by now," she said and Omari just looked on in awe.

"If it's true you are not gods, you must have been sent by them," Omari said and Rogue turned her head trying not to laugh.

"So, how do we get in?" Rogue asked, looking around for a latch or catch somewhere.

"This entrance is sealed," Omari said but pointed is outstretched hand. "Over there is a concealed place. The blue one with his disappearance abilities, perhaps he can deliver us inside."

"Well, Kurt, can ya do it?" Rogue asked.

"If I can get the right coordinates," he said looking around to see the smooth stone wall.

"Come," Omari said, and scouted the lower part of the wall. "I left a marker." He walked slowly until he reached three small stones that were shaped into a triangle. "Right here," he said and pointed down to the ground. "Behind this outer wall we can enter undetected.

"How far in?" Nightcrawler asked.

"Three royal cubits," he said and Rogue looked confused.

"Six feet," Nightcrawler said and looked at his sister who was still confused. "Learned many things at the monastery." Rogue just rolled her eyes and thought that she should paid more attention in history class. "I'll do a test first."

"Be careful, Kurt," Rogue said and a squeezed his hand a little. Since she was wearing gloves there was no danger. She let go of him and he closed his eyes and ported. Seconds went by which seemed like an eternity but he reappeared next to her.

"I'm ready," Kurt said and took her hand. Kurt outstretched his other hand for Omari.

"Will this hurt?" he asked.

"No," Rogue said looking over at him. "Just brace yourself."

"Ready?" Nightcrawler asked.

"Just do it, Kurt," Rogue commanded. It only took a second and the being disappeared with a puff of smoke surrounding the area where they once stood. When they reappeared Omari was in awe. "Are you well, my friend?" Kurt asked.

"If indeed you are not gods, you must be blessed by them," Omari said and neither Rogue nor Kurt had the time to explain where and why they had powers, and he may not have understood anyway.

"We are inside, so where do we go to find the governor's family."

"The dungeons," Omari said with a look of fright in his eyes. "It will be dangerous."

"Dangerous or not, it has to be done," Rogue said looking towards Omari. "Lead the way."

"We must be stealthy," Omari said as he left their hiding place and looked around. "This way."

He led them down the lower levels only taking refuge a few times when guards flooded the halls. If they were going to make it to the dungeons they would do it on their own terms and not because of capture.

They walked only a few feet when footsteps could be heard coming closer. The pillars that lined the hallways were a good place to hide and they waited until the guards passed.

"This way," Omari whispered. Rogue and Nightcrawler followed him down to the edge of the hallway until they reached what looked like a door. He hit a catch and the low opening slid down until it reached the floor. "This will lead to the dungeons."

He allowed Rogue and Nightcrawler to enter first before entering himself and sealing the opening. The stone steps although looking sturdy had no railing and Nightcrawler ported from the top to the bottom.

"Omari, hang on to me," Rogue commanded. She hovered over him and picked him up from the back and locked on to his arms under his armpits. He closed his eyes fearing that if they were open he would scream, and right now that would draw too much attention, thwarting their misson. Rogue touched down on the ground where Nightcrawler was waiting for her.

"Now, where do we go?" Nightcrawler asked.

"Down this corridor," Omari said pointing to another cubby that would go unnoticed if you weren't looking for it deliberately.

The three were about to head the way that Omari was directing them to, but a loud voice came from just behind them.

"Stop! Prisoners!" a large tall man bellowed a few feet away from them.

"Oh, shit!" Rogue said and looked back to see a trio of guards on their tail. "I'll take care of these guys."

"Lady Rogue, please, don't put yourself in any more danger," Omari said trying to hold her back.

"Don't worry, ah can handle it, Omari," he said and walked a few steps while taking off her gloves. "Watch over my brother."

Rogue swiftly walked towards the men with a largest of the guards remarking, "Decent of you to surrender, unlike your companions."

"That's what you think," Rogue said with a chuckle and touch the man's cheek with her bare hands. The man dropped to the floor, and Rogue had a look of disgust on her face. "Pervert."

"She's killed him," one of the other guards said.

"We must subdue her," the other one shouted.

"Give it your best shot," Rogue shouted at them while holding her sword. They both had weapons and as she caught the first man off guard and made her attack, although these two who looked like buffoons wouldn't be so easily taken down.

The first came at her with his sword but she blocked his attack easily. She used her flight ability to jump into the air and land behind him and touched her bare skin to the back of his neck. He let out a gasp before falling to the ground, and That left one more foe and he looked terrified. He shakily held his small sword but Rogue only held hers to stop any an attack he might make. She wasn't sure if he was trying to fake her out to let her guard down and thought it would have been wise to keep hers up just in case his behavior wasn't authentic.

"What did you do to…" he said in a shaky voice, barely holding to the sword. Rogue had one half-hearted swipe and the sword he was holding fell to the ground. He dropped to his knees with tears falling from his eyes. "Please, don't slay me, great goddess. I will be your humble servant. I will erect a great monument in your honor, but please… don't hurt me!"

Rogue just rolled her eyes and touched her fingers to his forehead. His head fell back slowly into unconsciousness. She quickly runs towards the cubby with was kept open and squeezed through it leaving the three guards in the place where they fell.

As she looked around to find her two companions the thoughts of those three men were swirling around in her mind, and even though the last man's thoughts were not as sleazy as the other two he still had those thoughts.

"Rogue, are you alright?" Kurt asked running up to her and embracing her. She barely put her gloves back on when he did so.

"Ah'm fine, Kurt," she said and looked over at Omari.

"We must, hurry," he said and guided them down another narrow hallway. "More guards will come after hearing the disturbance."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Rogue asked and again Omari led the way. They soon came to a shot that contained an iron bar all the across with a door in the center with a large latch. "Do you have a key?"

"No, Lady Rogue," he said and gave a small bow.

"It's just Rogue," she said with a smile, and studied the latch for a few seconds. "I can take care of it."

She wrapped her hand around the latch and squeezed tightly and the lock crumbled away in seconds. Omari seemed to be in more amazement, and it was nice for Rogue seeing someone who was just human not spewing hate after seeing what she could do, and even Nightcrawler seemed to be accepted amongst the group that took them in.

"This way," Omari said and led them through and even darker corridor. Rogue had a hold of Kurt's hand. He was the one who could see in the dark, and for all her gifts, that was one she did not possess.

They came to a series of chambers closed off by iron bars to keep the people inside from escaping. Rogue could see people of all ages trapped inside even children. That more than anything made her angry and reminded her of the time they were held prisoner by Sinister and that fear she felt came flooding back, not knowing if she would live or die. Remy got her through that, just another reason she was feeling the pangs of guilt.

"Can you break the locks on these cells like you did before?" Omari asked and Rogue just wore a determined look on her face.

"Try and stop me," Rogue said and walked forward hearing the frightened whimpers of some of the people trapped.

"Please , whatever you do, don't hurt the children," she heard a woman pleading while holding onto three frightened children looking to be no more than five years old.

"We're here to help," Omari said and came out of the shadows. The woman's face lit up at seeing him. Rogue made short work of the lock and the children scrambled to their feet. There were other prisoners in the cells and they also rose to their feet.

"Please, try to be as quiet as possible. Ah took out three guards but more are probably on their way.

"Then how are we to get out?" a young man asked. Rogue looked to Nightcrawler who looked ready to do his part.

"This is my brother, Kurt," Rogue said and motioned for him to stand next to her. "He can get you to safety.

"Take the woman and children first," the young man said. "The men can fight," he said and showed a hidden knife. "Edmon over that hidden some short swords. Rogue looked over to the next cell. The man raised a hand and Rogue quickly broke the lock on that cell and went on down the line until all the containers were open. The people came out and NIghtcrawler was already gone with several passengers.

One of men saw the puff of smoke left when he disappeared and looked stunned. "Where?"

"Blessed by the gods," Omari said and the man accepted his explanation. Kurt was back in minutes carrying the three swords of the fallen guards Rogue took out.

"Add these to our Arsenal," Kurt said and laid the swords on the ground.

"Did you take the children to a safe spot?" a woman asked.

"Yes they directed me to a hiding spot near the city."

"Thanks the gods," another woman said almost crying.

"I can take three at a time," he said and an old woman and a young one holding a baby came forward.

"This is my granddaughter and she has given birth just yesterday. Her husband is a soldier that fight the tyrants. Please save her and her child."

"We will do our best to save you all," Nightcrawler said and took the hands of the old woman and young mother."

While he was taking the most vulnerable to safety Rogue and Omari was organizing the other prisoners who could fight. There weren't enough weapons for everyone and even Rogue gave up her own sword since she had other ways of protecting herself. Once Kurt returned after his final rescue they heard footsteps coming out of the corridor they entered from.

"They're coming," Rogue said and the other former prisoners looked as if they were ready to fight. About a dozen soldiers appeared from the entrance way and not looking one bit happy that the prisoners were out of their cells. "We are going to have to fight our way out. "

The yong man who was the first to speak up turned to Rogue and said, "The governor's family are still being held."

"A secret place," he said and she looked frustrated. "I know where it is, and I can take you there."

"What about these people?" Rogue asked but it looked like some of these men were trained him combat.

"They can hold their own," he said and started to walk off into the darkness. "Please, come."

Rogue followed the man hoping this wasn't a trap.

Present day….

Sinister landed his plane in what he thought was the worst place possible. "Why a swamp?" he grumbled to himself. He glanced in the mirror and saw his pathetic state and remembered why he was doing this. He had tried to fix the problem himself, but that x-woman he done something to him, but was poisoning his insides and the serum he concocted just made it worse. He just hoped that the cure Apocalypse had would work or his days just may be numbered.

He existed the plain and followed the coordinates to a nearby graveyard. He boots her muddy after all that walking, but this cemetery was old. He could tell by the sign on the gate, established in 1850. Perhaps that's why he saw an iron shoe scraper near the entrance. He took advantage of it to clean the mud off his boots.

The gate was locked seeing it was late at night but he had little trouble in hopping the fence even in his sickened state. He had a flashlight and used it to read the headstones. The ghost of a mutant couldn't give him any more specific instructions, so he had to read the headstones. If only they were in alphabetical order, but people didn't die like that. He looked up to see a mausoleum that read LeBeau Family. He quickly walked up to it and entered, but all these graves where from the 1800s, but he felt that he was getting close. He walked out the other side and saw two other graves bearing the name LeBeau. One was Marianne dying nearly twenty years ago and there was a young infant girl with the same death date as the woman.

He was getting impatient but still investigated the surrounding headstone until he found one that bore the name Remy Etienne LeBeau. He remembered back to his files and this was the true name of the mutant he knew as Gambit, a man that was once briefly his prisoner. He had so much potential and what did he do? Allowed himself to be killed and for what? To save inferiors. He just hoped Apocalypse would drive that out of him, granted he can do what he said he could, but he did see him resurrect Caliban, hopefully that act wasn't to be an isolated incidence.

He had brought some tools to get the job done and just hoped no one caught him, if they did it would be their last act in this world.

The digging took several hours but finally he reached the coffin and opened it. He cringed at the rotting corpse inside. But lifted the body out of the grave and wrapped it in the linen he packed in his supply bag. Looking at the now empty coffin he reached into the front pocket of his duffle bag and fished out the card that Apocalypse had given to him. He examined the yellowed card and saw the writing on it. It was in French and remember how that mutant kissed the woman he was just about to kill.

"Oh, yes, I bet you die to save her, but it was all in vain. Now you belong to Apocalypse as she will be soon enough. So much for sacrifice." He gave a small chuckle before throwing the card into the coffin and slamming it shut.

He covered up the grave with the same dirt he shoveled up doing his best to make it appear to be untouched. As soon as he was finished he heard a noise like footsteps and had to get out of the graveyard somehow. Just then he saw a tear and a portal opened and out came a pink skinned mutant in a green costume.

"The Master sent me," she said in a monotone voice. "Where is the body?" He pointed to his left and she waved up a hand and the corpse seemed to float in midair entering the portal. "Come, before we are discovered."

He picked up his tools and duffel bag and entered the portal only to reappear where he had landed his plane. Again he stepped in the mud. "I hate swamps," he said but the pink skinned woman seemed not the care.

"Bring the body back to Genosha, and I will port ahead to inform the master," she said and disappeared as strangely as she came to him.

He loaded the body onto the plane and tried to mask the stench as best he could but the smell was barely tolerable. As he flew away he looked down to see someone look up at him from the graveyard. It was a woman with blonde hair and it seemed like she knew him. He paid it no mind and returned to his mission.

Thank to reading and the battles continues in the next chapter. Will the city be saves and lay in rubble? Remember to comment and see you next time.