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Lost & Found
Ventura, California, population 97,000, sixty miles up 101 from Los Angeles, it’s famous for it’s beaches, it’s citrus fruit…and for the last year or so, it’s colourful residents - Force Works! One such member, John Walker a.k.a. USAgent, a familiar sight, ripping through town on his powerful force-cycle. The handsome hero is returning from his parent’s grave-side, a trip he makes every few months, a solemn journey into his past to remind him who he is. Every time, Walker returns to Ventura clear-headed and refreshed. The locals wave as he rides through. They like the reassurance of having one of America’s premier super teams in their backyards. ‘Guys!’ USAgent calls out as he waves to some local police. ‘Hey, fella!’ one of them calls back.
And on a fine, promising day like this, there are other distractions, too. When USAgent stops at the traffic lights, a young woman on the sidewalk exclaims ‘You’re USAgent! Honestly, I’m totally your biggest fan!’ and asks if she can get his autograph. ‘Sure you can, sweetheart’ USAgent replies. ‘I mean, it’s like so totally wow to meet you like this, and I hope you don’t mind or anything, but -’ the woman begins, before USAgent interrupts her, asking what her name is, when suddenly, a dark shadow looms overhead. ‘Uh…can we do this later?’ Walker remarks as he looks up at the huge spaceship that has materialized over the city. It is the size of a city block, and it hangs in the sky, as silent as a cloud, blotting out the Californian sun. ‘Omigawd!’ the woman gasps. Civilians on the sidewalk begin to scream, and USAgent knows that this fine, promising day, just turned lousy.
‘This ain’t good. Nothing that big could be good’ USAgent declares, adding that he thought Force Works had marked the “no close encounters” box after the beef with the Skrulls. No more speculation, USAgent swings the force-cycle around and kicks in the turbo-assist, while the anxious shouts of the Venturans fade behind him as he speeds off. Already the great ship is moving south, following route 1010 to the coastal desert. With a sick feeling USAgent knows where the ship must be going. He triggers the communications stud: ‘Agent to Works HQ! Respond, guys!’ he calls out. ‘C’mon, Plato! At least you must be listening! Respond, blast it!’ Walker shouts, but he gets no response and decides that this really isn’t good.
Off-road, he stows the force-cycle in cactus scrub and lies on the rocky face surrounding Works HQ. Silent and monolithic, the slab-ship hangs over the Works HQ, just as USAgent predicted. Examining the situation, USAgent decides that the front door, the vehicle egress and the private lobby are all out of question as possible entry points - but, there is always the air-ducts. He slides down the side of the cliff-face with ease, and enters the air-duct. USAgent was born and raised to think ahead. He had carefully memorized the circulation system plan within days of moving into the Works HQ “just covering all the basics” he said when his teammates mocked his efforts. Now that effort serves him well. A nine meter drop, a hundred meter crawl brings him up to the Works hangar-bay. Sliding the grate up from the floor, USAgent is greeted by cool, dark silence.
The power is off, and there is no hum of air conditioners, no flash of the red telltales on the security monitors. A quick check of the nearest comm-station shows Walker that Plato is off-line as well. ‘Blast! Even the Recorder never screwed things this royally!’ USAgent thinks to himself, referring to Force Works’ former associate. Walker realizes that the Recorder kept systems running so he could use them - but whoever did this pulled the whole darn plug. Walker hears someone coming, so he squats down behind the comm-station to stay out of sight and size up the competition. There is the sound of a communicator device, and a voice can be heard: ‘Search party report!’. One of the two figures skulking around in the hangar bay, pushing something along, announces that hangar level is secure and that they just bagged the last one. ‘We’ll be with you shortly’.
USAgent realizes that the voices are gruff, thick and inhuman. He is glad he cannot see their faces. But, as their cross a pool of sunlight, USAgent sees all too well what is inside the coffin-like pod they are pushing - Fisher Todd. ‘They got Fisher Todd in that blamed box! Poor sucker looks like he’s in a coma’ USAgent tells himself as he sees the motionless tech-expert. USAgent waits three minutes until he is sure that the enemy has gone. Then he moves, as silent as the building around him. The intruders have grabbed the Works’ chief technician. There is no telling who else has fallen into their clutches. Fearing the worst, Walker moves toward the Works residential level. USAgent always fears the worst. That way, he is never disappointed.
Walker ignites his photon shield at a low-power level, and it lights up the dining room. He sees a meal for three set out, half-eaten, overturned glasses. On the carpet, dropped as if in some rush for the door, he finds Amanda Chaney’s Dictaphone. Walker has never seen her without it. He turns it on, and Amanda’s voice is heard: ‘Contact USA Today to confirm interview with Scarlet Witch. Accept on Spider-Woman’s behalf invitation to open Ventura child care center. Purchase gift for Rachel’s birthday. Appr’ Amanda’s voice is then cut off, by a loud SSHSSLKMMFF noise. ‘What on Earth was th-’ Amanda continued. But that is all she wrote.
USAgent enters Spider-Woman’s quarters, the signs of a desperate struggle are self-evident. Furniture is overturned, a mirror lies broken on the floor. Walker knows Spider-Woman was here, the dissolving gossamer of her psi-web is proof of that. He looks down at one of Rachel’s toys, but he doesn’t want to think any further.
One floor below, is the Chaos Vault, the heart of the entire Force Works operation, this room is usually singing with activity. The death-quiet makes USAgent shudder. The mighty Chaos Computer has been operating continuously since the team’s conception. The place doesn’t look right without it’s swirling multi-colored displays. Sitting down at the console, Walker picks up a spilled coffee mug. It is still warm. He wishes he had gotten here soon. Opening up a panel on his gloves, Walker plugs an power feed into his gauntlet and uses it’s energy to wake up the local systems. The deck comes to life, and USAgent sees the last ten minutes of the building’s log.
Flashback scenes, ten minutes ago, revealed to USAgent in the present:
Inside the Vroom Room, Spider-Woman a.k.a. Julia Carpenter darts about several hologram robots, making them look stupid. But USAgent knows they aren’t stupid, that they are all level nine - and he to him, Spider-Woman has never looked more beautiful. Julia lands, turns and swings to kick one of the robots - but then she disappears, with the screen obliterating her in a scowl of white noise.
Within the Chaos Vault, Wanda Maximoff and Tony Stark a.k.a. Scarlet Witch and Iron Man, respectively, were deep in conversation. ‘…if we can’t even talk about it?’ USAgent hears Wanda say. ‘Talk about what? What is your problem, Wanda?’ Iron Man retorts. ‘As if you don’t know!’ Wanda declares. ‘Command and structure, Mr Stark. I am meant to be in charge, or had you forgotten you’d ever said that?’ Wanda reminds Iron Man, before telling him that if he wants to review the situation, that is fine, but they need to talk about it. ‘You’re in charge. I said so, didn’t I?’ Tony mutters. Wanda tells him that he talks the talk but doesn’t walk the walk, causing Tony to slam his coffee mug down. ‘Spare me the aphorisms, lady!’ Tony shouts. ‘Well, pardon me for being direct, Anthony…’ Wanda remarks, before Tony notices the alert on panel nine flashing, and asks Wanda how long it had been on for. But they are gone - eaten by the white noise.
In Century’s quarters, the “alien freak boy”, as USAgent calls him, is meditating. Walker can almost smell the lotus-flower scent of Century’s vile incense candles. Then there is a sound. Century looks up and utters a damning word: ‘You!’, before there is more white noise.
Present:
‘Oh, “YOU”, is it?’ Walker shouts, slamming his fists against the console. ‘I mighta guessed our ET flatmate would know what was going on!’ USAgent declares. ‘Blast you, Century! I never trusted you, blue-boy! And it looks like I was flaming right!’ Walker exclaims. Suddenly, ‘Hello, pinhead’ a voice calls out, as a large figure steps up from behind USAgent and grabs him. ‘Get off, my bozo!’ Walker shouts, using his augmented strength to punch the alien square across the Chaos Vault. The stone-like alien gets up and turns back to USAgent: ‘Bozo? I’m just guessing, but is that a term of abuse?’ he enquires. He remarks that he is not conversant with this planet’s slang, but that “bozo” sounds pretty uncomplimentary to him. ‘So I’ll work on the assumption that you just insulted me’ the alien declares, striding back over to USAgent, he raises his fist to punch down hard, boasting that he will smack USAgent’s head off. ‘Shield ignite!’ Walker exclaims, just in time, as the alien’s hand cracks against the powerful photon shield. The alien screams in pain, crying out for his hand. ‘See ya, wuss! Hope ya find someone to kiss that better!’ USAgent exclaims as he turns and runs from the Chaos Vault.
The atrium opens before USAgent, who exclaims ‘Oh, man!’ as he sees four aliens ahead of him - standing over the coffin-like pods containing Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Woman and her daughter Rachel, Fisher Todd and Amanda Chaney. ‘All of them! Ya got all of them!’ Walker exclaims. A red-skinned alien turns around: ‘No…it seems we missed one’ he grins. Walker ignites his shield, while the other aliens all rush towards him. ‘Get him! Nail his human hide!’ a green-skinned alien declares. But as he lunges towards USAgent, Walker releases is shield, shooting a photon blast at the alien and knocking him back.
The red-skinned alien uses his large staff to knock USAgent from behind. ‘He’s down!’ he calls out to his teammate, a strange creature with a beaked face called Kiwi. ‘On it!’ Kiwi replies, addressing the red-skinned alien as Skewer. Kiwi dives towards Walker, who struggles to get up, but just in time, he rolls backwards and kicks Kiwi as the alien reaches him. ‘Guess again, Donald Duck!’ Walker exclaims as Kiwi lands nearby. ‘Kiwi is my friend! You’ll pay for that, Earth-pup!’ the aptly named Skewer shouts, as he brings his very sharp staff down towards USAgent, who dodges the skewer just in time.
USAgent falls backwards into a large tentacled alien, who shouts ‘I got him! I got him!’ USAgent tries to break free, while Skewer, Kiwi and the green-skinned alien move towards USAgent. ‘Oh, no! Slug won’t let you go…not until I’ve finished you!’ Skewer declares, tapping the venomed point of his skewer against the ground. ‘What say you now, Earth-pup?’ Skewer asks. Walker sees the venom on the end of the staff and defiantly declares ‘Why don’t you go s-’, but he doesn’t finish his sentence, as Century teleports into the atrium. ‘Enough!’ Century shouts, knocking Skewer and the others aside. ‘Century?’ Walker remarks, while Century’s attack is over before the flash of his teleport gate has faded.
For Century’s second attack, he slices Slug with his staff, Parallax, causing the gooey blob to release USAgent as it squeals in pain. Kiwi dives towards Century: ‘It’s him! It’s the merchandise! Don’t let him escape for Klakk’s sake - or the broker will incinerate our brains!’ Before Kiwi can strike, Parallax whirls, and Century tells USAgent to stay close and make no sudden moves. ‘Oh, sure’ Walker mutters, before the two vanish in a blaze of color, leaving the aliens lying on the ground of the atrium. ‘Oh, Klakk. He gated out and took the human with him’ Skewer mutters, deciding that he best report this to his lordship. ‘But my pseudo-pods! That animal severed my pseudo-pods!’ Slug exclaims, while Kiwi tries to calm him down. Skewer tells Slug to shut up and pull himself back together. ‘You polypods make me sick’ Skewer adds.
In the blink of an eye, Walker and Century rematerialize in another part of the Works HQ. USAgent has ridden Century’s teleport before, but he will never get used to it. His head spins, his stomach churn and it takes him a full minute to find his voice. But, when he does: ‘Where the friggen heck are we?’ Walker demands to know, looking around at his sterile surroundings. ‘There’s gratitude’ Century mutters, before explaining that they are in a sealed subterranean chamber one mile beneath Works HQ. He adds that this is where the building’s power systems and primary data banks are located. Walker is shocked, and Century tells him that even he didn’t know this was here, explaining that he found it by chance / accident / fortune when looking for a place to conceal himself from the broker’s men.
‘Incredible! I’ve lived here more than a year…and all that time, Shell-Head’s got a freaking bat-cave down here!’ USAgent exclaims. He goes over to one of the machines and examines the power box - ‘Hey…“Timely Wisconsin”? It ain’t like Stark to order out for parts. What the heck isn’t he telling us?’ USAgent wonders as he examines the non Stark Industries made power source. ‘That troubled me, too. As did the lack of a door. I’d guess only a teleporter could get in here’ Century tells USAgent, who decides that this stuff can wait. ‘We got more immediate problems’ he points out. ‘You talk about this broker like you know him! From the top, and use simple words!’ USAgent orders.
Century turns to USAgent and explains that the broker’s slave-levy attacked the Works just after noon, that they came from nowhere and effortlessly took control of the base’s smart systems. ‘They had come for me. They are a part of my past. A part I had long ago ceased to remember’ Century reveals. The alien explains that the broker was once his master - or, rather owner - and now wants to make Century his property once more. Century tells USAgent that when he failed to raise the others on their comm-studs, he began to teleport from place to place, trying to stay ahead of the hunters who sought him, and that he sheltered here for a while, but couldn’t stand the waiting, so teleported to the atrium, where he found / discovered / chanced on USAgent. ‘And, unless I’m mistaken…saved your life’ Century points out.
‘Yeah? Bill me!’ USAgent frowns, reminding Century that those creeps have the rest of Force Works locked up in coffins. ‘Actually, hyper-stasis capsules’ Century reveals. ‘Whatever’ Walker mutters, announcing that they have to rescue them. ‘So tell me, if this Broker is so desperate to own you again…what’s the market price for a skinny, tattooed space hippy like you?’ Walker asks.
Thirty minutes later, on the cliffs outside of the Works HQ. The great ship continues to hover in the blue summer sky, impossible and silent. ‘Broker! Broker! You hearing me, mister?’ USAgent calls out, he is tiny compared to the ship, and scrambling along the precipice, is vulnerable - but loud. There is a FPING and a teleport signal sounds the arrival of the flamboyant Broker. ‘Loud and all too clearly, darling!’ the Broker exclaims. Walker frowns: ‘Neat tele-mat. You the Broker?’ he asks. ‘That is the name I go by. A little blunt, but then again, so I am sometimes’ the Broker replies, explaining that he is a dealer, and calling Walker a “peach-puff”, adds that he is a trader, a purveyor of unique and beautiful objects.
He adds that the Century is his property and wants to reclaim him. ‘And I can give you the going rate’ the Broker smiles. ‘Humor me. How much’re we talking?’ Walker enquires, informing the Broker that he has Century valeted and gift-wrapped, all ready for him. ‘I never much liked the creep anyway’ Walker adds, announcing ‘So let’s haggle’. ‘Let’s the Broker smiles, and a device on his wrist begins to beep. The Broker’s men are teleported to the cliff face, and he announces that he will return the captives alive in exchange for Century. ‘You won’t get a better offer, sweetie’ the Broker tells USAgent. ‘I’m sure I won’t Walker replies, before turning to Skewer and asking ‘What d’you reckon, runt?’, to which Skewer tells Walker to take the offer, as the Broker will not offer it again.
USAgent just smiles and tells the Broker that he employs some “mean hombres”, before asking him how much he pays them. ‘Nothing’ the Broker reveals, explaining that they are his property, just as Century was, so they do what he tells them, or he will use this device on his wrist to scramble their paltry minds. ‘Show him, Skewer’ the Broker orders, and Skewer reveals a contraption attached to the back of his neck. ‘Gross’ Walker mutters, while the Broker explains that all his servants have been clinically infected with Tyrmean brain-stem parasites, which feet on latent mental energy. ‘One touch of the controls and I can ultrasonically excite them into a feeding frenzy’ the Broker explains, adding that death is painfully explosive and mercifully quick, so complete obedience is assured.
‘Color me impressed’ USAgent remarks, adding ‘Paychecks just don’t provide the same incentive…do they?’, before telling the Broker that it is a deal - his friends for Century. ‘A wise choice’ the Broker replies, and in an instant, Century materializes beside USAgent. ‘Here’s your merchandise, Broker’ Walker announces, before telling Century to get his sorry alien butt on the Broker’s flying saucer quick smart. ‘I got friends to think about!’ USAgent declares. ‘Ahhhh, Century, darling! It’s been a long time!’ the Broker calls out. ‘Too long! And I have much to…’ the Broker begins as he goes over to Century and places a hand on the alien’s shoulder - only for his hand to pass through. ‘Eh?’ the Broker utters, surprised, as Century’s image fades away, replaced by Plato, who apologizes to USAgent, explaining that with only his gauntlet as a power source, that was as long as he could sustain the hologram.
‘Good effort, Plato’ Walker congratulates the computer program, while the Broker exclaims that he has never been so insulted. ‘Murder them! Murder them all!’ he shrieks, when suddenly, Century - the real Century - teleports onto the cliff face. ‘Broker…’ Century calls out as he raises Parallax. ‘Get him!’ ‘Mash his klakking head in!’ the Broker’s men call out as they race towards Century - but it’s too late, as Century brings Parallax down, slicing off the Broker’s hand with the scrambling device attached to it. ‘MY HAND!’ the Broker wails. Century announces that the Broker’s hand has been teleported to another dimension, with the control bracelet, too. He turns to Kiwi, Skewer and the others and tells them that they are free, and that the Broker can no longer harm them. ‘Yeah, but just watch how we can harm him’ Skewer begins, as he brings his poisoned staff towards the Broker, only for Century to knock Skewer aside, announcing that he wants the Broker alive.
Later, in the atrium, USAgent, Century and Plato wait for the hyper-stasis capsules to slowly restore their teammates and associates to consciousness - a decision is made. ‘What’ll I tell them?’ USAgent asks the others. ‘That my past finally caught up and it’s taking me with it’ Century replies. He informs USAgent that Skewer and the others are going to use the Broker’s star-ship to find their various home worlds, and that it is a process he wishes to be a part of. Century explains that he will question the Broker en route to the home worlds. ‘Eventually he will tell me where he found me, and what my life was before he tore it from me’ Century declares, adding that he hopes one day to come back here and tell everyone what he found.
USAgent looks down at the motionless Scarlet Witch, and tells Century that she will miss him most of all. ‘She trusted you from the start’ Walker declares. Century replies that he knows, and that he appreciates that more than he can say. USAgent turns to Century and asks him if he is sure that this is what he wants. ‘Every time you get part of your memory back, it seems to hurt you. Do you really want to know the whole truth?’ Walker asks. ‘If your life was an utter mystery, wouldn’t you?’ Century replies. Walker remarks that he would, and on behalf of Force Works approves Century’s leave of absence, telling the alien that he hopes it works out. ‘You look almost sad, USAgent’ Century replies. Smiling, USAgent asks ‘Who’ll I have to bug now that you’re gone?’
Century tells USAgent that he will find someone, before speaking into his communicator, addressing Skewer, announces he is ready to be brought aboard. ‘Activate the tele-mat’ Skewer calls out to the other aliens, all at their stations inside the Broker’s ship. ‘Activated. Century aboard’ comes the reply. Skewer orders the helm to engage the fotel drive, and an instant later, the sprawling vessel departs for the sky. ‘Good luck, fella’ USAgent remarks as he watches the ship leave. USAgent turns around when he hears Spider-Woman’s daughter, Rachel, stirring. She sits up in the chamber and rubs her eyes. Smiling, Walker calls out ‘Hey kid…rise and shine…it turned out to be a fine day after all’.


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[Assistant]
Free
(Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles)Molly, Vic, Gert, Nico and Chase have landed the Leapfrog on Hollywood Boulevard. Even at this time of night, it’s not exactly subtle in its uncloaked form. Old Lace has gone missing. Molly wonders if they should put up fliers. Vic thinks that’ll go down great with the locals. ‘Lost: One telepathic Deinonychus genetically engineered by evil time travelers in the 86th century.’ Gert reminds him that her mom and dad were from the 87th, actually. Nico has warned Chase not to leave the Leapfrog’s hatch open when they’re crime fighting. Chase doesn’t want the blame. It’s Gert’s stupid pet!
Gert admits that she is to blame. She tried to raise Old Lace to be like her, and now she is. “Jewish?” asks Chase. Gert reckons he doesn’t get it. Old Lace is a runaway just like the rest of them. Molly reminds her that they ran away because their parents were evil, but she’s a totally good mom to her dinosaur. Nico suggests that they have to capture Old Lace before the sun comes up and she gets hungry enough to start snacking on the stupid tourists. Victor interrupts. He’s sitting next to the star of Wonder Man, and he tells his friends that he used to be a super hero. Beast informs him that he also happens to be an old friend of his.
Vic turns to see a team of X-Men standing there. Vic freaks out. “That’s… that’s the Beast! Awesome.” Chase is less impressed, and asks him to keep his flies zipped. Wolverine notices Molly and says that she’s the one he tussled with in New York City. She’s the belle of the ball. Molly asks him to leave her alone. She doesn’t like him anymore. He smells like barfed up hair.
When Nico asks what they want with her, Cyclops introduces himself and explains that he and his friends are instructors at the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning. He tries to explain how they teach mutants like Molly in the use of their powers, but Gert interrupts him, asking him to drop the condescending tone. They know what mutants are.
Colossus says that it’s more dangerous for their kind than ever before. Their comrade belongs with them now, in a safe environment where she can be taught how to use her powers to make the world a better place. Nico reminds him that the X-Men have been at this since they were kids, but the planet is just as screwed up as it’s always been. She asks them to give her one reason why they should turn Molly over to the ‘League of Those Who Can’t Do?’
Cyclops replies that this isn’t a negotiation, and they aren’t the girl’s legal guardians. They are truant teens! He feels Colossus is right. Molly needs structure and discipline, not to mention the kind of positive vision that helped them become who they are. Nico tells him that if he had any vision, he would have noticed that he was talking to an astral projection that she just conjured.
Nico swings the Staff of One around and smashes Scott’s visor. His optic blast shoots out without focus, forcing him to close his eyes before he does any more damage. Wolverine snikts his claws and says they only need the squirt. The rest of them are worthless. Vic sees Wolverine approaching him, and asks him not to hurt him. He’s not a snob. He likes the X-Men. His powers kick in and he uses them to raise Wolverine into the air. After the optic blast hit home, the buildings around them take another assault as Vic’s powers fizzle all around him. Wolverine tells him that if he’s another Magneto, he’s gonna end him. Vic explains that he’s a robot; half-robot anyway. He was built by a killing machine called Ultron… but he mostly takes after his mom. “I gotta stick to solo missions,” grumbles Wolverine.
Molly becomes angry and lifts a vehicle above her head. She’s sick of people wanting to be her babysitters. She launches the vehicle at Colossus, but he remains standing. He tells Molly that she reminds him of his little sister. He once told her that the headstrong may win many battles, but only the strong of heart will survive the war. He allows the vehicle to smash into him, but remains unfazed as it disintegrates upon impact.
Meanwhile, Gert sits alone as the battle continues around her. She sticks her fingers in her ears and asks to be woken up when the fight’s over. Kitty Pryde appears nearby. She asks Gert if she’s the token pacifist of the group. Gert says that pacifists are like vegans. She’s more of a vegetarian. She enjoys fish and occasional maulings. Kitty sits next to her with Lockheed perched on her shoulder. So you can turn intangible? asks Gert casually. Since I was about your age, Kitty replies. And you have a pet dragon? continues Gert. Lockheed, she replies. Crazy, huh? Gert thinks about her missing pet dinosaur. “Yeah, crazy,” she sighs.
Chase tries to get the Leapfrog to activate its primary laser thingys to fry their assailants, but Beast grabs him as he runs. He asks Chase if he’s the progenitor of their little guild’s ingenious aerial-phibious conveyance. Chase has no clue what he just said, but grabbing his flick knife, he warns Beast that if he doesn’t put him down, the next thing that comes out of his mouth will be his own blue blood. Beast tells him that if he stabs him at this altitude they’ll both fall to their deaths. He lands on a tree and hangs Chase over the edge from his toes.
Emma Frost appears and says that this is quite enough, and she’s directing the comment at both sides of this inane little battle. Beside her is Old Lace. Gert’s face light up on seeing her friend and she gives her a hug. She asks Emma how she found her. Is she a telepath, too? The finest in the hemisphere, replies Emma, but adds that the dinosaur actually found her. When looking for lost souls, she explains, perhaps we would all do to remember that it’s best to stay put and wait for them to come to us. “Isn’t that right, Scott?”
Scott, still with his eyes closed, gets the hint, but reminds Emma that the girl is important. Emma replies that so is his policy of never forcing mutants to join their cause. When Ms. Hayes is ready, she now knows exactly where she’s welcome. Until then, “If you love someone…” and all that.
Kitty asks them to stay crazy, and Beast asks them to pay a visit anytime. “Or don’t,” adds Wolverine. Molly tells them it was nice fighting them, but Nico complains that they’re stuck on clean up duty. Chase is rather happy because he’s stolen Hank’s glasses, and he does a feeble impression as the Blackbird flies away. Gert sighs. For a moment there, she was worried that they almost learned something.


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[Assistant]
Of Deviation and Mutation (1st story) – “Let’s talk about Krakoa” (3rd story)
1st story:The Machine that is Earth narrates that this story will concern three groups. The first is the Eternals, its protectors, which keep up the Status Quo. They curtail the Deviants and follow unbending principles, among them:  Prevent Excess Deviation.
The second group is the Avengers. To the Eternals, this is a catch-all phrase for the mightiest heroes who are not them. They are those with sufficient power to be worth Eternal consideration.
The third group are the mutants. There, things are complicated. They have been for a long time.
Flashback to a million years ago:Odin stares at a small, monkey-like creature that seems to be in deep concentration. It is a monkey, he tells his two companions unimpressed. Said companions are two Eternals, the patriarch Uranos and his grandson Druig. Uranos orders Druig to explain to Odin what he is seeing.
Druig explains that this species has gained some rudimentary psychic abilities. A smattering of telepathy and telekinesis. Nothing to worry about individually. However, due to their species’ communality, they have accessed something a little more potent. They’ve formed a primal hive mind.
Odin interrupts that Druig promised him drink to get him here. And, unless these monkeys are psychically brewing something potent, he is not sure why this is relevant.
Urnaos replies that Druig was lying. It is what he does. He needed Odin here. He wanted his Avengers to know. They are going to annihilate this species. Odin protests at this overly harsh decision. A little thinky monkey is nothing to worry about. It’s not a Deviant. It’s just a mutant!
Uranos retorts that an infinitely expandable hive mind is a genetic technology that cannot be put into the hand of lesser beings. The longer it goes, the more it will grow in power and the more dangerous it will be. This “thinky monkey” left unchecked could destroy the world. Mutation can be mutation… but it can also be deviancy. Some children should be smothered in the crib.
Odin is doubtful. Uranos warns him not to mistake the Eternals’ politeness with them asking permission. This is one of their principles and not something they can compromise on. Would the Avengers war with the Eternals for the monkeys’ fate?
Odin tells him to make his lackey get him a drink and Uranos can go ahead. He is right. A thinky monkey is not worth a war.
The two patriarchs watch as the forest burns. Odin is sipping mead woven from molecules in a Celestial hive. It tastes bitter. For Uranos, this was excess deviation handled. Not for the first time and not for the last…
Recently:A kaiju is attacking Manhattan. The Avengers wonder what the creature is, even as they attack. Suddenly, they are joined by the Eternals Ikaris and Sersi both chanting “excess deviation” as they attack the creature with empty eyes. They detonate the kaiju’s head.
Afterwards, Ikaris tells the Avengers there’s a knack to fighting Deviants. They’ve been doing it for a long time.
Getting rid of the slime, a disgusted Sersi announces she needs a drink and a shower and then perhaps another drink. Iron Man asks if she is okay. She seemed a little… off. She thanks him for his concern and explains it was a Deviant suffering an out-of-control mutation. And… Eternals really don ‘t like out-of-control mutations. Whatever the motivation, they were glad for the help, Captain America thanks her. Sersi admits it wasn’t a choice. When something deviates too much, they have to step in. Choice is for mortals. Eternals have duty coded into their every molecule.
What is deviation? What is mutation? the Machine wonders. When is a thinky monkey just a thinky monkey and when is it a ticking atom bomb?
Krakoa, now:Overseen by Emma Frost and Wolverine, the Five resurrect Cyclops from the dead. This is the mutants’ greatest secret. That they have conquered death. They are unaware that the stealthy Eternal Jack of Knives is among them, learning the secret and soon brings the intel back to Druig, current Prime Eternal. His source didn’t lie. The mutants and death aren’t a thing anymore. They are eternal.
Druig tells him not to be ridiculous. They are immortal. At best. Druig considers what to do. It depends on whether this very striking mutation is deviation. And if it is? Jack asks. Let’s be honest, Druig replies. Nothing they haven’t done before.
3rd story:In a news studio, Mary Jane Watson and her aunt Anna are welcomed as brand ambassadors for Krakoa’s miracle medicines. They both narrate about living through Anna’s beginning dementia and how those drugs miraculously cured her. MJ adds that everyone pays the same price, regardless of insurance status. Every evening, Anna takes a single pill that extends the duration and quality of her life. She takes every day she can get, Anna adds. She wants to see how Succession ends!
They are being watched by someone who seethes that, while mutants have made humans’ worst years somewhat less traumatic, mutants themselves will never feel that pain. Mutantdom has a secret. They have solved death. Mutants are heroes. They are evolutionary deviants who stole fire from the gods. But mutant supremacy is not assured. Fear can be stoked in the hearts of man and difference can be exploited.
She imagines a battle to the death between mutants and Avengers with no on left standing, but that will only happen if she plays her cards right.
Mary Jane accompanies her aunt home. The two joke and, as Anna goes to bed, MJ tells her she will travel next week. Anna jokingly protests she doesn’t remember that. The drugs don’t work! She remembers MJ is attending the Hellfire gala and asks her to tell Tony Stark hi.
MJ walks downstairs. A voice addresses her, she saw her on TV. Who’s there? there MJ demands and shouts at her to get out of the house. A metallic hand grabs her and warns, if she wakes her aunt, it will be her life. She needs Mary Jane’s invitation to the Hellfire Gala. Ask her who she will be wearing, she orders, as she takes MJ into a headlock. Who will she be wearing? MJ stammers.
She’ll be wearing her! Moira MacTaggert’s cybernetic form announces.


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[Assistant]
First story: Prescribed Burn  -  Second story: Controlled Demolition
First story:Mykines, where the world's gaze is currently focussed as mutantkind celebrate at their Hellfire Gala.But outside the X-Men's Treehouse headquarters in New York City, New York, a shadowy figure looks up at the Treehouse as the rain pours down on him. This is exactly as he planned – there should be minimal resistance here. He checks his watch, then leaps upwards, where he lands on a branch. He knows that mutants are an invasive species that must be ripped from the Earth, and he hopes that the terrible things he must do will be forgiven by God someday. He climbs up through a window and begins making his way through the Treehouse.The war between humans and mutants is at hand, and is glimpsed but not fully understood by the mutant precog Irene Adler a.k.a. Destiny, who is with her wife, Raven Darkholme a.k.a. Mystique, at the Hellfire Gala. 'Something's happening' Destiny utters. 'Here on Mykines?' Mystique asks, before Destiny drops her champagne flute, which shatters on the ground. Destiny turns to Mystique and tells her that a soldier has returned to the field of battle and matters are more complicated. She then asks where Rogue is, to which Mystique reports that Rogue just flew off at mach three. 'We must leave now' Destiny announces as she takes Mystique by her hand and walks towards a Krakoan gateway. 'If there's danger – we need to wait for Rogue. She -' Mystique begins, but Destiny tells her that Rogue will find them when the time is right, as they enter the portal.Back at the Treehouse, the soldier stands before his prize – the battlefield uniform of Captain Krakoa, which is encased behind a Krakoan stasis tank. In times of strife, the symbols of nations can be vital to their survival. The soldier removes from his jacket a needle containing a fluid, with an Orchis symbol on the vial. The mutant nation-state of Krakoa must fall if humanity is to be the master of its domain. The scientists of Orchis set aside their petty differences in response to the mutant threat. They have been preparing for this night since Xavier revealed Krakoa to the world. The soldier grins as he injects the serum into the Krakoan stasis tank, then there is a rumbling, and a voice calls out 'Stop what you're doing...and I won't have to kick your ass'. It's an unimpressed Scott Summers a.k.a. Cyclops, who appears through a Krakoan portal and asks the intruder 'You didn't think you could waltz into the home of the X-Men undetected, did you?''Far from it. I wanted a fair fight. It's been a while' the soldier responds as he runs towards Cyclops, then shoves his elbow into Cyclops' stomach, knocking Scott backwards. 'Nice left' Cyclops remarks as he responds by punching the soldier hard in his face. 'Who are you?' Cyclops asks as he fires an optic blast, which the soldier narrowly dodges. 'I'm just a man' the soldier answers, glancing back at Cyclops, who responds by firing another optic blast at him. 'Stay down' Cyclops tells the soldier. Cyclops then contacts Forge via communicator, telling him that he is sorry to interrupt the partying, but there is a problem at the Treehouse, and he thinks it has been poisoned.'The hubris of you mutants' the soldier snarls as he smacks Cyclops hard in the head, then kicks him to the ground, slamming one of his feet into Cyclops' head. 'I tell you the truth, that “I'm just a man,” and what do you do? You turn your back on me. You think me less than you... when, in fact, I am more' the soldier declares as he yanks the Captain Krakoa armor from the stasis tank and puts it on, while the infected Treehouse begins to crumble and burn around him. 'Not much of a fight, unfortunately. And Captain Krakooa is needed tonight in Washington, DC' the soldier declares.The soldier drags Cyclops out onto the balcony and asks 'Flames or gravity?' Cyclops is barely able to grumble as the soldier lifts him up over his head, 'Dealer's choice then...gravity it is' he announces as he tosses Cyclops from the heights of the Treehouse. Cyclops lands on the street brlow. In times of strife, the symbols of nations can be vital to their survival...or their demise. The Treehouse is now ablaze as the soldier takes flight. This is a demise that, for the mutant nation-state begins tonight... with Captain Krakoa. Second story:Washington, DC, the Capitol, where, on the evening of the third Hellfire Gala of the Krakoan Age, the Senate Intelligence Committee is meeting to discuss the deep concerns of the intelligence community. A large bald man with a moustache sits before the Senate and asks 'Do you feel the existence of a mutant nation to be a clear and present danger to the United States of America?' One of the Senate responds by pointing out that the mutants have magic gateways that allow them to enter their country from their sovereign foreign ethno-state and completely bypass their customs and border patrol. 'Let me be blunt. They set aside their divisions and coalesced around the idea of mutant supremacy -' the man sitting before the Senate begins, to which another member of the Senate tells him that is hyperbolic, that all they have really done is moe to the South Pacific and plant some weird stuff.'A group of them terraformed Mars' the large man states. 'They're the most powerful nation on Earth. We need to stop being stupid'. The large man reminds the Senate that their constituents pay more for every insurance when they live near mutants. 'We have a duty to give you the honest recommendation that the United States aligns with Orchis. It doesn't need to be public. It allows us to have a winner in either outcome' he points out. Suddenly, 'I suggest...you yield your time to Captain Krakoa' the mysterious new Captain Krakoa announces as he enters the Senate hearing. 'This is outrageous – this is a closed hearing!' the large man calls out, before telling Captain Krakoa that he is not recognized here. A security personnel rushes towards Captain Krakoa, who smacks him down with ease. 'Who remembers what Magneto told your ambassadors in Jerusalem?' Captain Krakoa asks. The large man looks at him, wide-eyed and scared, as he quotes “You have new gods now.” Captain Krakoa grins as he pulls pins from two grenades and replies 'Yes... and your gods are angry'.At that moment, in Brooklyn, New York, Steve Rogers a.k.a. Captain America sits at a cafe. He was never one for parties, and declined the invitation to this year's Hellfire Gala. This year, he stayed in the city, sketching the neighborhood dogs. He's quite a gifted artist, though he rarely shares his work. This will be his last few quiet moments for a long time, as he overhears a news report which announces that a dangerous and developing situation has been reported at the nation's Capitol building. 'Oh no' Steve gasps, before pulling on his uniform and driving off on his motorcycle. He radios out on the Avengers' emergency frequency, and asks what is happening at the Capitol. He reports that he is heading for a jet, and asks if anybody else is inbound yet. But he gets no response, and suddenly, he realizes that he might be in danger. He holds his hands up and declares that his bike is off-balance, pulling to the left.A couple of pounds of plastic explosive on the chassis will cause some alignment issues, and suddenly, there is an explosion on the Brooklyn Bridge, although Cap is able to dive to safety into the river below. It has been a while since he was the target of assassins. He could do without it, but it does make him feel alive. As he hits the water, he thinks to himself that whoever is behind this is going to have to try harder. Twenty feet underwater, that though is impressed – his enemy has thought this through, as he finds himself surrounded by a dozen or so Orchis agents. But Steve Rogers has been America's best soldier for the better part of two centuries. His success is mostly skill, a little science, but also timing and luck – and everyone's luck runs out. The Orchis agents swim closer to Cap, and one of  them shoves a blade into his shoulder. Cap opens his mouth, releasing what little breath he may have left. But Cap's luck will not run out today – as some external force suddenly raises him up through the water, and pulls him to safety – it's Rogue!Rogue tells Cap that it is lucky she synced with Polaris' powers before she bounced from the Hellfire Gala, and informs him that she heard him on the emergency channel. Cap coughs as he  regains air, and Rogue suggests that they chat with his new friends, offering to pluck them up by their metal bits. Rogue does so, and as she sees the Orchis personnel she isn't surprised, and points out that Orchis is getting sloppy. 'Orchis forever!' one of the soldiers cries out, before pressing a button which is connected to a bomb which seems to be attached to all of the Orchis personnel. 'On second thought. Lemme drop this trash where we found 'em' Rogue decides as she drops the Orchis personnel back into the water, and an instant later, they explode. 'This feels bad' Rogue utters, before asking Cap what happened in DC. 'Terror attack' Cap responds, deciding that they are going to need help – they are all in a lot of trouble. 'You know as well as I do what this means for everybody. Human and mutant'.Meanwhile, at the Preston home, where Emily and her husband Terry Sr. sit with their son, Terry Jr. and foster daughter, Ellie. 'In the Preston house, we eat our veggies, Ellie' Terry Sr. remarks, but Ellie looks unimpressed and announces that she hates brussels sprouts. 'Young woman, so help me -' Emily Preston begins, when suddenly, a brilliant light is aimed through their window into the dining room. Emily gets to her feet, assuming Deadpool has a hand in this, she calls out to Deadpool, warning him that she is going to drop-kick him into the East River. But as she arrives outside, she is shocked to find an Orchis operative waiting for her, with two Stark Sentinels standing behind him. 'Emily Preston? Are you aware there is a young mutant living under your roof?' the Orchis agent asks calmly.


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Unnatural Selection
(1859)
Beneath the gas-lit streets of London, Scott Summers has arrived, naked and confused into an anachronistic nightmare. He is effectively blind, but he can hear dozens of people around him who seem to be mistaking him for one of Cootie’s boys. Deprived of his ruby quartz, he has little choice but to use his optic blast to act as a warning to his assailants. It works and, as they panic, Scott tries to get through to Jean using their psionic rapport.
Above ground, Jean walks the streets of London. She can hear his call but knows that Scott is too weak and confused to be able to answer him. She looks around at her surroundings. She recognizes the grand interior of Westminster Abbey and judging by the dress and accents of those around her, she guesses she’s at least a century in the past. She wonders how she got there, and why. A priest asks if she’s all right, and she replies that she’s quite well as she departs.
Outside, the world seems to slow down, with passers by becoming Victorian mannequins on a frozen film set. Only Jean Grey sees reality’s dominion usurped. Nearby, a woman floats above the ground, with a green aura surrounding her. She introduces her self as Sanctity, last of the Askani Sisterhood, burdened with guarding the timeline. She explains that she has brought Jean and Scott to this time. They are charged with an awesome duty. If they do not save the present, then the future is damned!
She asks Jean to look around at the world of gas and steam, clumsy machines and crude science. Would there be anyone in this world able to withstand the power of the evil one? Jean realizes she must be talking about Apocalypse. Sanctity explains that even the Askani cannot stand outside the wheels of time, but the ancient texts speak of a place called Milbury House. There, she will find a man named Essex; a man on whose soul will be the battleground, and on which the fate of the future will be decided.
She adds that she can maintain Jean and Scott’s physical form for a limited time only. She informs Jean that she has forty-eight hours to find Essex and stop the rise of Apocalypse. All their futures, everything Jean has known, lives or dies in these two days. Without warning, Sanctity vanishes, leaving Jean Grey alone with a final fleeting image of her dear Scott. Using her awesome telepathic power, she reaches out to him.
(Milbury House)
Rebecca tries to reach out to her husband. She tries to make him see that what he did to their son was wicked and evil. Nathaniel feels that his wife doesn’t understand him. Rebecca prays she never will. He informs her that he is a pioneer, a scientific explorer. Just as Livingstone explores the uncharted regions of the Dark Continent, so he explores the darker continent that is their species’ future. Rebecca tells him that won’t do. These are excuses, not reasons. At first his work was for the benefit of mankind, but now mankind, and even his own family, is there for the benefit of his work. She adds that no amount of genius gives him the right to play God.
With the stress of the situation, Rebecca receives a sudden jolt of pain from her heavy womb and settles on the couch. Nathaniel tries to comfort her, and says he will do anything in his power to stop her suffering. She asks him if he’s willing to abandon the mad excess to which he is taking his work. For the sake of her and their unborn child, can he do that? Nathaniel pauses, and his hesitation says everything. Rebecca departs, as the watching Apocalypse enters.
He tells Essex that he must learn to ally his intellect with strength. He wants to know about Darwin, and also how Essex arrived at his conclusion. Essex thinks not. He doesn’t know from which end of Jermyn Street Apocalypse procured his outlandish garb, but he isn’t welcome in his home. The stranger replies that he is En Sabah Nur, and he could be of use to him, and Essex to him in return. There is something in his eyes; an intensity… a power, a hidden knowledge that causes Essex to change his mind. He could certainly do with powerful allies now he has been outcast by his peers.
He accepts Apocalypse’s proposal, but warns him that he might find his work shocking. Apocalypse doubts that. As they turn to leave for his annex, he looks at the door his wife left through. A voice in his head seems to say there is still time to go after her, but another more ancient voice asks him to come along; the future awaits them.
In his laboratory, the ‘freaks and fools’ are in cages; some on the ground and others raised above it. Bottles, vials and casks of all shapes and sizes litter the room, and diagrams adorn the walls. Essex explains to En Sabah Nur that these freaks are nature’s failed experiments, human sediment on the test-tube of progress.
Apocalypse looks around with interest. At last, after two millennia, he now knows what he is. He is an anomaly - the first born of this great mutation. He is the first and mightiest of a super race that will follow him.
Essex checks his watch and says that time grows short. He has a meeting with some men who are also concerned in shaping the planet’s future. They are his last chance of support now that he has been condemned by the Royal Society. En Sabah Nur would like to meet these men, and Essex figures it can’t do any harm. He points out that the famed house of lust and decadence is but a smokescreen for their real work.
Elsewhere in London, Jean ascends to the highest point of Westminster Abbey to better search for Scott. She wonders why Sanctity chose them. Haven’t they sacrificed enough? The city she looks out upon is almost as alien as the future the Askani pulled them into, but she knows that the love she and Scott share was enough to pull them through then, and always will be.
Beneath the streets, Scott realizes those around him are backing off, but doesn’t know for how long. He tries again to contact Jean, and this time he is more successful. He explains that he’s in some kind of sewer, and even has a little company. He just wishes he knew what was happening. Across the static of Victorian consciousness, she tells him all she knows. If they don’t stop Apocalypse in forty-eight hours, he will rule this world. This means that by the time they are born, the planet will have been under his rule for over a hundred years. They need to combine their mutant powers. Scott replies that it must wait. He advises her to follow the lead that Sanctity gave her, and find out what’s going on. If they know the Askani, it wasn’t a complete fluke that he ended up in this hole.
Jean descends into the abbey, and asks about Milbury House. One gentleman informs her that it’s a place where the devil’s work is done, and the devil’s own ideas are propagated. Another adds that its owner is a man more ungodly than Darwin himself. Jean catches a coach, knowing full well that she will have to mind-wipe him once they arrive at Milbury House. She even feels a little sorry for him. Eventually, the brooding façade of Milbury House comes into view through the rain. She shivers as she approaches. The entire place seems to emit a sense of rottenness… of evil… of grief.
Jean finds herself thinking of young Nathan Dayspring Summers, the man who grew up to be Cable. She recalls the terrible decision Scott had to make to send him into the future, into the arms of the Askani, and where she and Scott eventually traveled to raise him. She feels a parent’s grief at losing a child.
At the cemetery near Milbury House, the cause of her thoughts can be seen. Rebecca Essex lowers the corpse of her dead son back into his troubled grave. She whispers a prayer to a god she only just manages to still believe exists. She senses Jean’s approach, and informs her that it’s private property. What does she want? Jean finds her words hard to articulate; what with the dead child in the coffin and the stifling air of suffering. She manages to say that she is trying to find her husband. Rebecca says she finds this funny, since she is in the process of losing hers. Jean doesn’t mean to intrude, but she has been informed that a Mister Essex might be able to help her. Rebecca replies that she doesn’t believe Mister Essex can help himself.
She begins to cry, asking herself what she is to do. She knows he’s not a bad man. The death of their son must have turned him sour; poisoned him. She explains that he was a scientist, a genius, and yet he couldn’t save their boy. Jean empathizes, telling Rebecca that her own husband suffered in a similar way. Rebecca adds that Nathaniel tried to work his pain away, but instead he became obsessed, even wicked. But she asks, was that his fault? They are only flesh and blood. Bend them with enough force and do they not become twisted?
As Rebecca cries out her anguish, Jean is drawn towards the strange-looking annex to Milbury House. Rebecca warns her not to go near the place, but Jean doesn’t have time for explanations. She approaches the house, and enters with a reluctant Rebecca following closely behind. She sees Essex’s work, and wonders what Essex is doing to all these people. It’s his work, Rebecca explains. Jean replies that this isn’t work. It’s evil, pure and simple.
She walks up to the cage where Daniel sits silently. She senses that he cannot speak, and uses her telepathy to communicate with him. The boy tells her his name is Daniel, and asks if she’s like the bad man. No, replies Jean. She wants to know what they look like, and prompts Daniel to create a telepathic image in his mind. She presumes the two men are Essex and Apocalypse in disguise. She asks where they went. Daniel informs her that they went to a place called the Hellfire Club! Jean is shocked at this revelation, and rushes from the annex. She has work to do, and so does Rebecca if she is willing to help.
(meanwhile)
In the sewers, Scott Summers tells those around him that he isn’t going to hurt them, but he needs their help. They still believe he might be a Marauder, but others believe he’s a freak like them. He is told to get used to this place. It’s where they belong. Scott asks them to listen. He leans against the wooden bars that confine them to the sewer. He tells them that they might imprison them, but they don’t make them prisoners. It’s inside you that does that.
With that, he opens his eyes and destroys the bars, opening up a hole so they can escape. However, he asks for someone to be his eyes in return for freeing them. The freaks stare at him, numbly, as though they fear freedom more than captivity.
At that moment, a group of Marauders arrive and wonder what the racket is. They see the mangled bars and the gaping hole where the freaks are gathered. Oscar is told to shoot Scott, and he manages to let a shot loose, catching Scott in the shoulder. Jean simultaneously feels this through their psionic rapport and she calls out to him. He assures her it’s only a flesh wound; nothing to worry about.
He fires over the Marauders’ heads to scare them off, whilst asking for any news on Apocalypse. Jean informs him that she’s heading to the London Hellfire Club. Scott is surprised by this. Jean adds that he wouldn’t believe some of the horrors she’s seen today. She’s about to say there’s something familiar about this Nathaniel Essex, but her connection is lost, leaving Scott alone to face the Marauders.
As he prepares for the worst, the underground freaks suddenly find themselves backbones, and they pile on the Marauders. Within seconds, the Marauders are reeling, and most of them flee. One man, Oscar, falls and is caught by the freaks. They recognize him, and know that he isn’t usually as bad as the others. Scott grabs him, and asks if he knows where the Hellfire Club meets. Oscar does, so Scott tells him he can fill him in on the way there. When Oscar asks who he is, Scott replies that he’s just a freak who’s fighting back.
(The Hellfire Club)
Apocalypse, in his human form, explains his vision of the future to the assembled gentlemen. They are incredulous, as they listen to his ideas of the strong subjugating the weak with little mercy. He tells them that Essex will be his first prelate, and will help him control the master race whose destiny is nearly manifest. Essex listens with interest. He thinks that being able to conduct experiments on the sort of scale that Apocalypse outlines is unimaginable. He could pursue science for the sake of science; unshackled by money or morality. However, he wonders what kind of a world it would be, and what place there would be for someone like his son, Adam.
He snaps out of his thoughts and decides to call a halt to Apocalypse’s rant. He apologizes to people like Lord Braddock and Mr. Shaw. He had allowed himself to believe the man was genuine. Shaw agrees that he should apologize. The man is a buffoon! Braddock asks from what authority this stranger speaks. “Authority!” exclaims Apocalypse. “I will show you from what authority I speak!”
Suddenly, his face changes and an incredible metamorphosis takes place. The human body of En Sabah Nur is transformed into the hulking metallic creature that is Apocalypse!
Essex gets somewhat of a thrill out of this transformation, as this proves that his theories of the great mutation were right all along. Look at this creature, he thinks. Look at this monster!
Apocalypse turns to face his hecklers and calls them weak, complacent parasites. He once knew a man who thought as they do. He was full of pride, and thought his so-called royal blood gave him power. For more than a thousand years this man has been his slave.
Energy surges through his body, and his clawed hands glow with this power. He warns them that, unless they serve him, they will have a most intimate knowledge of death. He informs them that it is his custom to remove the eyes of those unfortunate to bear witness to his power, but the looks in their eyes tells him it is unnecessary. He tells them they will await his instructions, and departs with Essex. The meeting is concluded.
Nearby, on a lonely embankment on the Thames, a rowing boat moors. Oscar Stamp is at the oar and he tells Scott Summers in his unusual vernacular that the monster he saw must be a demon. He explains that he changed and did something unnatural to Cootie and the others. He talked about the importance about being strong, and wonders if Scott knows him. You could say that, he replies, before asking if they’re near their destination. Oscar says that, if his contacts are right, they’re meeting across the street from where they are. He admits to Scott that he never liked picking those freaks up off the streets, but, Cootie said they had to change with the times.
He suddenly stumbles and Scott, despite wearing a scarf over his eyes, grabs his arm to stop him from falling. Oscar asks how he can do that. Scott smiles, and replies that someone else is acting as his eyes now.
From above them, Jean Grey asks if he’s all right, before dropping down to him and giving him a big hug, which he reciprocates. They are grateful to be reunited. Jean tells Scott that Apocalypse is somehow using Essex. Scott knows, and he tells Jean that Essex has recruited a small army. But, as long as he and Jean stick together, they don’t stand a chance.
Oscar calls to them and points at members of the Hellfire Club running from their meeting house. They see Apocalypse, and Scott asks Jean to remind him what Sanctity said. “If we don’t save the present, the future is damned,” she replies. Oscar points out the other man he mentioned; Essex. On the riverbank, Nathaniel Essex asks Apocalypse what exactly he is. He replies that he is the future. Essex says his theories show that mutations should not occur for several generations. Apocalypse replies that he is above his theories. For all Essex’s genius, he couldn’t possibly envision a being of his… magnitude.
Jean is shocked at what she sees, and so is her husband. “Essex is Sinister!” exclaims Scott. “Or will become Sinister,” adds Jean. Scott feels it could be so easy. One optic blast and, in one instant, Sinister would be wiped from the history books. All the suffering he will cause would be eradicated. But, can you kill a man for what he might become? Presently, Essex is still human. Perhaps he can stop Essex from becoming Sinister. Maybe that’s what the Askani intended all along?
Scott’s deliberations are rudely interrupted by a group of Essex’s Marauders, only now they’ve been monstrously enhanced by Apocalypse’s alien technology. Scott unleashes an optic blast, toppling them, and Oscar takes the opportunity to slip away unseen. From the street, Nathaniel Essex sees Scott on the jetty and asks Apocalypse how this can be possible. How could his theories be so wrong? Such a being shouldn’t be born for a century or so!
Apocalypse asks if he can see how they fight. Does he not feel the fire in his belly? He transforms once again into his true form and proceeds to attack Scott. He tells Scott that he has long awaited another such as himself, but none may oppose him. Scott fires at his chest, but he barely slows the hulking creature down. Jean is about to help, but she is slammed by a Marauder wielding a club, and falls unconscious in the river.
With Jean down, their telepathic link is severed and Scott is effectively blind once again. He feels she may drown. Apocalypse delivers a crunching blow and Scott too falls unconscious. Apocalypse tells Essex that it’s over. Whoever the creature in his hands may be, he is a truly courageous opponent but, ultimately, he is not fit. He must be destroyed.
Essex asks if he’s going to kill him, but Apocalypse has a better idea. He gives him to Essex so that he can have a living specimen to dissect, examine and understand. Essex thinks how Scott and Jean looked at each other, just like he and Rebecca used to, but how can he refuse? He’s worked all his life towards this. How can he not do as his master says?
Apocalypse, however, says there is a price. He must join him. He must allow himself to be released from the stupid chains of weakness and morality that he still clings to. In return, Apocalypse offers him the chance to follow his work to its end, and witness sights undreamed of. Essex doesn’t understand, but Apocalypse gives him until the next sun sets to give his decision. He then disappears in a flash, leaving Essex alone to make a choice that will decide humanity’s fate.
He begins to leave the harbor area, considering everything that’s just happened. Can he afford to leave the world in the hands of someone who would happily destroy all knowledge if it served his precious drive towards power? But, can he also afford not to have the means to longevity, to be able to pursue his work to the limit? Does he not owe it to science itself to accept his offer?
As he thinks about the consequences and possibilities, he hears someone coughing nearby. He looks to the river and sees a woman’s hand reaching out to him. He reaches over and drags the young woman from the river, asking if maybe she fell from a boat. Jean asks where Scott is, and as Essex lifts her to him, he exclaims, “You?”


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Tithing
A mysterious man known as the Tithe Collector walks the streets of New Orleans partially concealed by fog. He appears every seven years and stories of him are told throughout the French Quarter to frighten young children that if they behave bad the Tithe Collector will come for them. After a pair of muggers recognize him they leave in the middle of a purse snatching, commenting that this is Guild business and everyone needs to stay off the streets until he has done his business. Before they can leave a black figure with red eyes kills them with his clawed hands and stares at the blood on his hands. He says that “quick and clean“ is the way of the Assassin’s Guild and it is time for all thief families to die, so that the gift of the Tithe Collector will be theirs.
Meanwhile in Westchester, Rogue and Gambit are having a late night training session in the Danger Room as Storm and Wolverine watch on from the Control Room. Gambit uses some charged cards to free Rogue from some robotic tentacles saying that no thanks are necessary. Rogue’s reply is she didn’t need his help. As the two continue to argue Storm and Wolverine comment on the need to test their teamwork due to the couple‘s unresolved romantic issues causing tension. Storm increases the intensity level of the test.
Outside, a bald man wearing a dark blue body suit makes his way past mansion defenses, leaping over motion detectors and lasers.
As the two X-Men take down some more robots in the Danger Room, Gambit tells Rogue that life is a game and if she would give him a chance he could show her what he means. As Rogue turns to look at Gambit she group a pair of missiles heading towards Gambit. Strangely Gambit doesn’t seem to notice them, and he seems like he has his mind elsewhere. Rogue cries his name in panic, and in the control room, Storm decides to cancel the training session. Logan, however, thinks she is acting too fast. They wanted to see how the two X-men would operate under combat conditions, so they should let it play. Indeed Rogue flies over to Gambit and pushes him out of the way as the missiles explode behind them, knocking them over. Storm ends the session as Wolverine smirks that he was right. Gambit takes advantage of the situation to flirt with Rogue, before he leaves in a hurry, claiming they have to finish this later as there is an uninvited guest in the house. Rogue gets angry and punches a hole in the floor.
The mysterious intruder has by now made it into the house and silently sneaks through a corridor, when he is suddenly intercepted by Gambit, holding a charged card to the man’s throat. The stranger‘s reply is he hopes Remy is still a thief and not an assassin. Gambit recognizes the voice of the intruder and when the others arrive, he introduces them to his brother Henri LeBeau. They demand to know how he made it past the mansion’s security, why his presence wasn’t picked up by Xavier or Psylocke, and how Gambit sensed he was there, but the Cajun X-Man says that they all have their secrets and excuses himself and his brother as they have to catch up on old times.
Henri and Gambit go out to the porch to talk. As Gambit lights up a cigarette Henri tells Gambit that it is time for the Tithing and everyone has to be there including “you, hot-headed one”. Henri mentions the peace has been broken since Gambit’s last trip to New Orleans and Gambit’s brother-in-law has been stirring things up. Gambit’s eyes widen in surprise, he thought Julien, his brother-in-law, dead. In fact he saw him die. Henri replies that not all things are as they seem and nothing is more important than family. All of a sudden, an arrow hits Henri in the chest. Alerted by Gambit crying his brother’s name the other three X-Men storm outside, witnessing Henri using the last of his strength to tell Remy that it’s the Assassin’s doing. They don’t want the Tithing to take place and only he could stop them, as he has knowledge of the Assassin’s Guild. Gambit says that everything he knows about them died with Bella Donna, but Henri repeats that not all things are as they seem and Gambit needs to go see for himself. Henri’s dying words are for Gambit to take him back to their father.
Logan says that he got the attackers ‚ scent. They are two and heading to Salem Center. He is about to go after them, but Gambit says that this is something he needs to do alone. It’s a family matter. Right after he left, Rogue wants to follow, but Wolverine stops him. He knows that gambit can handle himself and that he needs to deal with this blood debt alone, actually he pities the people on the other end.<>P
In New Orleans the High Council of the Thieves Guild gathers to discuss the coming events. Jean-Luc , the head of the guild, suggests that Remy LeBeau be the one to accept the elixir this year. The others of the council disagree stating that he isn’t truly one of them and that they should wait to see if he even comes. Jean-Luc’s reply is that yes they will have to wait and see.
Meanwhile in Paris, a mysterious woman named Candra is standing on her balcony admiring the city wearing nothing but a bathrobe. She is a mutant gifted with long life, a so called External. Candra is joined by her lover Gideon and they talk about how nothing ever truly changes for them and Candra mentions how she craves some excitement and that one day soon she will get it as her plan is proceeding perfectly.
In the woods outside Salem Center, Gambit trails the assassins. After realizing they won’t lose him in the darkness of the woods they fire upon him saying they will kill him. Gambit’s reply is that they are the ones who will pay for killing his brother this night as he throws some charged cards at the pair slowing them down. However by the time Gambit catches up, the assassins have escaped into a warehouse with a steel-reinforced door. Gambit uses his mutant power to charge a toothpick, which blows the lock off the door. He notes to himself that the door would have been a problem if he weren’t a thief and a mutant. Gambit walks into the darkened warehouse and tells the assassins that he is coming for them.
Meanwhile Rogue and Wolverine wait on the porch for Gambit to return. Wolverine states Gambit will be alright as there is more to him than anyone suspects. Lost in her thoughts, Rogue answers that she loves Gambit. The two X-Men have a talk about Rogue’s feelings for Gambit. Wolverine mentions that the two remind him of Mariko and himself. Wolverine explains that while this thing is something he has to do alone, Rogue should not let him be alone again after tonight. She should not wait until everything is perfect, because for the likes of them, there is never going to be a perfect time.
Back in the warehouse Gambit finds the two assassins as well as some others. After throwing some charged cards to distract them, Gambit uses his bo staff and fighting skills to fight the group of professional killers to a stand-still saying that they will see every part of their defeat which is more than they gave his brother Henri. A man in a skintight black suit congratulates Gambit on his speech. It’s the same person who killed the two thieves before. Remy recognizes the voice, it’s Julien underneath the mask, his brother-in-law whom he believed dead. Julien taunts Gambit that he fights more like an assassin than a thief. Which one is he, Julien asks, as he explains that someone showed him death isn’t forever which means they should finish their duel. Gambit refuses saying there is no reason for it and picking up a sword, he attacks Julien for murdering Henri. During the fight Julien claims Gambit won’t be stealing his honor again, and lunges into Gambit’s sword. Gambit is shocked, but Julien isn’t dead. As the other Assassins pull him away into a glowing portal, claiming that it’s time to go, Julien states that he won’t be dying this time and he won’t stop because he is doing this for his sister Bella Donna who almost died because of Gambit. She only survived because he has taken care of her. Julien says that the assassins have the power and the thieves have the life. It is time for the assassins to have both and he will kill all the thieves to get it. His last words are a warning for Gambit to stay away from New Orleans, or he would die along the rest of his family. Left alone, Gambit is still trying to take in the news of Bella Donna being alive somehow.
Later at the mansion, Gambit is discussing what happened with Xavier, Storm, Wolverine and Rogue. Gambit says this is family business and he must go to New Orleans to settle this. Xavier protests saying the X-Men are a family and that he doesn’t like Gambit going off on his own. Wolverine offers to go with him but Gambit says this is family business. Wolverine understands but Rogue claims she is going with Gambit whether he wants her to or not. As Gambit and Rogue leave the mansion Gambit tells Rogue she better be sure about this, as he is going to see if his wife Bella Donna is alive and she may learn some things about Gambit she doesn’t want to know. Rogue states she is willing to take that risk.
In New Orleans, the Tithe Collector is still walking the streets of the French quarter.


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Honor Amongst Thieves
Gambit stares through a fence and looks at a mansion, which stands glorious on the River Road in New Orleans. Gambit jumps over the fence and walks to the mansion, remembering how he has been breaking into this house ever since he was a “pup.” Gambit breaks the door open, slipping one of his playing cards through the lock. Remy enters the place, going up on the stairs. He remembers how there was always just one person who welcomed him in the mansion all those years back, and Gambit realizes that now probably no one shall roll the welcome mat for him. Remy finds it too quiet in the house, as it was always full of wild events when she was alive. She, who Gambit once loved: Bella Donna.
Gambit prepares himself and charges up some playing cards he holds ready in his hands, and opens the door to Bell’s bedroom. He finds Bell lying in her bed, like she is sleeping. Gambit comes to the conclusion that Bella Donna is the only one who would make him come back to this crazy town. That she was the only reason he stayed in New Orleans so long. And Bell was also the reason why he had to leave.
Gambit takes off his coat and hangs over Bell’s bed, holding her hand. Remy can’t believe it, but it’s true: she’s alive! Gambit doesn’t understand how this can be, as he held her in his arms when the life drained out of her body. Gambit knows that he isn’t alone and throws his charged-up cards away, and orders the Assassins to leave him alone with his wife.
One of the Assassins orders Gambit to leave, as he is the intruder here. Gambit attacks the Assassins, having heard enough that they always mock at him, that he isn’t good enough to marry an Assassin woman. But they can’t understand that the woman herself wanted to marry him. The Assassins open fire, but Gambit dodges the bullets, saying that even their best could never beat him in a fight. Gambit comes to the conclusion that nothing has changed. A voice from behind tells him otherwise, correcting Gambit that everything has changed! Marius Boudreaux is rather angry, as Gambit has taken his two children away from him. His beautiful daughter, Bella Donna, hangs on a thin thread and Julien has already been murdered. Marius proudly takes out his sword and challenges Gambit to a duel.
Gambit tries to tell Marius that he didn’t come here to duel him, but Marius doesn’t want to listen and tells his son-in-law that he shouldn’t have come here then. Marius throws Gambit a sword, ordering him to pick it up, or else he will kill him. Gambit doesn’t do that and Marius slashes with his sword, but Gambit ducks away just in time. Marius says that Gambit doesn’t have the honor the other Thieves do have. But, Marius remembers, Gambit isn’t truly a Thief. Laughing, Marius remembers that Remy is just a mutant outsider picked up… or was it stolen? It doesn’t matter as it happened when Gambit was a baby, and now he is an adopted Thief. And soon, Marius promises, Remy shall be a dead Thief!
Gambit has had enough and picks the sword up and wants to get over this. Gambit fights Marius, telling Marius that he should know that Julien isn’t as dead as Marius believes he is. Gambit explains that he and Julien fought last night, after Julien had murdered Gambit’s brother, Henri. Gambit tells Marius that the outcome to the fight wasn’t to Julien’s advantage, and that it was he who sent him down here, by ordering him to stay away. Marius channels his sword up with energy and tries to slash Gambit again, but he jumps high up. Marius gets angry, saying that that thing isn’t his son, as he was a man made of honor. Marius gets angry and tells Remy that he took Julien’s honor and his life away from him.
Filled with anger, Marius tells Gambit that the creature that walks around like his son would betray his family, his father and his Guild. Marius finds the creature an abomination that must be destroyed! Gambit says that he didn’t come here to argue with his father-in-law about his past, and wants to end the fight. Remy takes out two coins of his pocket and charges them up, and makes them explode. The explosion makes Marius fall back. Gambit jumps to his fallen father-in-law and holds a charged-up playing card on Marius’ neck, threatening Marius to call of his killers. Marius doesn’t obey and orders his servants to kill Gambit. Rogue flies through the bedroom window, saying that she doesn’t like the killing part towards her teammate, and she likes him alive. Rogue defeats two killer Assassins and throws them out of the window.
Gambit joins the fight, telling Rogue to stay out of this. Rogue, attacking her part of Assassins, doesn’t care and gets hit by a powerful beam. Gambit takes out some cards from the pocket of his blouse sleeve and says, as Rogue told him when they were training in the Danger Room: “This is no game!” Gambit charges the cards up, throws them at the Assassins and explains to Rogue that the Assassins always play for keeps. But Remy, smiling continuously, so does he. Rogue fills in, defeating the final pack of Assassins, that so do the X-Men! “Touché” Gambit says, and he and Rogue point their attention to Marius. Gambit moves over to Bella Donna, telling Marius that he is taking her with him.
Marius gets angry with him, telling Gambit that he is now stealing his daughter away from him as well. Marius tells Gambit that if he truly wants to safe her, Gambit should let her taste a part of the Elixir the Thieves hold. Gambit doesn’t understand what Marius is talking about. Marius thinks that Gambit is fooling with him, as he and the Assassins have always known about the Elixir. Marius reveals that many have tried to get it for themselves, but failed to get it. A pact was made long ago. The Assassins get the power. The Thieves get the Elixir of Life. Rogue asks Gambit what Marius is talking about. “Old wives tales and legends”, Gambit claims. Nothing more. Marius laughs, realizing that Gambit doesn’t want to tell his mutant girlfriend to know the truth. Marius believes that maybe it’s time that they all know the truth.
Marius gets upset again, telling Gambit that he knows that the Elixir can safe Bella Donna. Marius tells Gambit that he should take his daughter to his father, as only a taste would be enough to safe Bell. Marius tells Gambit to safe his daughter, and that Gambit should safe his wife. Marius mocks Remy, saying that if it’s too much to ask, maybe? That Remy’s secrets can’t be taken outside the Guild? Or could Gambit possibly betray his family for the life of one he promised to take care for in sickness and in health? Gambit leaves and Rogue asks him if she doesn’t better carry Bella Donna, as they have to move far. Gambit hands Bell over and they leave, without saying a word to each other.
A short time later, the Assassins are attacked and killed by Julien. Julien wants to talk to his father, but Marius doesn’t want to talk to the killer claiming to be his son. Marius tells Julien to kill him instead. Julien grabs Marius by the throat, promising him that his suffering has only just begun. Julien hates the fact that Marius let Gambit take his sister away. Julien wants to get his sister back and have a taste of the Elixir himself. Marius calls him a fool if Julien thinks he can achieve that. Julien laughs and promises his father that he will get what he wants and, when that is done, he and Bella Donna shall sit at the throne of the new Assassins Guild! The old days shall come back. Julien takes his claws out and kills his father.
Meanwhile, in an underground chamber, members of the ten families of Thieves bow and stand ready to the Tithe Collector in exchange for long life, as it is written in their pact. The Tithe Collector agrees and promises to grant Jean-Luc LeBeau and his crew the deal by giving them the Elixir of Life in exchange for the tithe. As, so does the Tithe Collector says, by the grace of Candra, their benefactress, he shall do the honors.
The ritual is disturbed by Gambit and Rogue, who make their way in. Rogue asks Gambit what’s going on, but he simply calls it “family business” and Rogue should leave. But Rogue promises that he shall never leave him alone again. Gambit tells his father and wants to have words with him, but Jean-Luc isn’t pleased to see his son again, as he has disturbed the ritual. The Tithe Collector takes out his walking stick and lifts it high up, telling the Thieves to handle their business quick or the ceremony will not go on. The Tithe Collector takes a briefcase with him and vanishes.
The angry Thieves want to kill Gambit for this, but Jean-Luc holds them down. Gambit puts Bella Donna in a bed and informs his father about the situation and that he wants the Elixir of Life. Pierre, a member of the Thieves Guild, never wants to grand Gambit his wish. Gambit throws a knife in Pierre’s shoulder and orders him to stay out of it. Gambit takes out some of his cards and charges them up, threatening his father to hand him the Elixir over, or else he’ll turn into an Assassin right here and now. Jean-Luc says he can’t do that, even if they had all the three vials, he couldn’t give the Elixir to an outsider. Gambit wants to kill Jean-Luc, but Rogue holds him back, saying that killing isn’t such a good idea. Gambit agrees, but says that Rogue doesn’t know him as well as she might think she does. No one does. Gambit throws his cards towards Pierre, but they pass him and destroy a closet.
Gambit picks up Bella Donna again and calls his father a fool for still leaning on the old ways and hiding in the darkness. That Jean-Luc gave everything away in exchange for long life. Gambit doesn’t find that living. Even his brother is dead now. Gambit and Rogue leave, with Gambit telling Jean-Luc to mourn the loss of two sons now. As they are gone, Pierre gets up, telling Jean-Luc that they need all three vials for the Elixir to be complete, and that they can’t allow Remy to betray them like this. Jean-Luc sadly says that he knows that.
At the same time, surrounded by mist, the Tithe Collector walks through the dark, night streets of New Orleans, alone. He gets attacked by several members of the Assassins Guild, who steal his briefcase from him. Julien sticks his sword through the Collector and he falls down, not understanding why the Assassins broke the pact. Pierre shows up, wanting to make a deal and hand the Elixir to both Guilds as they are stronger united. They bicker, and the Tithe Collector gets up and takes his briefcase back and vanishes through the mists. The Assassins try to stop him, but they are too late.
The Garden District of New Orleans…
Gambit and Rogue have taken Bell to a house. Gambit explains to Rogue that he grew up on the streets and doesn’t remember his real parents. On the streets, Gambit says he survived by stealing and, one day, he tried to steal a man’s wallet. That man was Jean-Luc LeBeau. Gambit claims that he didn’t know that Jean-Luc was the head of the legendary Thieves Guild. Gambit explains that Jean-Luc took him in and taught him everything Remy knows today. Gambit takes Bell up to a room and puts her in a bed. He explains to Rogue that Henri was like a brother to him; the only family he had. And now he’s gone.
Rogue comforts him, saying that he’s still got her… and the X-Men. Gambit thanks her for that. Gambit apologizes, as he knows all this must have been hard on Rogue and tells her that she doesn’t need to stay and guard Bella Donna. Rogue puts her hand on Remy’s shoulder, saying that she isn’t doing it for her, but for him, and wants to guard her. Gambit wants to leave, but Rogue holds him down, wanting to know one thing: what is the meaning of this house? Opening the windows, Gambit explains that he bought the house years ago, wanting to have a place to retire and raise a family in. Gambit smiles, laughing, saying that he’ll probably never settle down. He jumps out of the window and takes good-bye from Rogue, telling her to take care. She wishes him the same. Rogue goes back to the comatose Bella Donna. Rogue says to Bell to answer her a question: is she the dream of a thief?
Gambit returns to Marius, who’s recovering from his wounds. Gambit apologizes for seeing Marius suffer like this, but needs information from him so that he can safe Bell’s life. Marius tells Gambit that, by doing this, he might betray his family. Gambit says he can live with that.
Meanwhile, at their place, Gideon, holding a wine glass, smiling speaks to Candra, saying that he feels sorry for leaving her when her business is going so badly. Looking at an exhausted Tithe Collector, who sits in her chair, Candra tells Gideon to not concern himself, promising that everything will be resolved as planned.


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The Benefactress
Gambit, in civilian clothes, pays a visit to the wealthy club, Petit Chou, in Paris. Gambit asks, in French, a table dealer where he can find Candra. The dealer claims not to be at liberty to tell him that but, instead, offers Remy to gamble a little. Gambit isn’t interested. A beautiful woman at the gambling table finds that odd, since she thought American people loved to gamble. Gambit convincingly claims that he never gambles; he wins. “At everything,” Gambit smilingly says, as he takes and kisses the hand of the beautiful female. Remy corrects the woman that he isn’t an American; he’s a Louisianan. Remy continues to sweet-talk the woman and she agrees to join him on an ‘adventurous’ night.
As Remy and the woman walk out, they are blocked by a security guard, who says that the manager of the club would like to have a word with him. Gambit isn’t interested, but more security guards show up and surround him and the woman. Gambit realizes that he has found the one he came looking for in Paris. He apologizes to the woman that he must go now. The guards take Gambit to an elevator and go down to the fourth floor, to the underground garage. Gambit says he thought they were going to take him to Candra, but now believes he best comes back another day.
The guards take out their guns and Gambit realizes that they want to kill him, and that he’s outnumbered. Gambit wants a last wish and asks if he can have one final smoke. One of the guards tosses his cigarettes and lighter to Remy, who lights one up. Gambit charges the cigarette pack up and throws it at the guards and the pack explodes in their faces! Remy defeats the last standing guard himself, thanking him for the cigarette. As the guard is defeated, Gambit continues his way to Candra.
Gambit walks over to his car. He opens the trunk and takes his costume out and puts it on. Remy remembers why he is there: to safe his wife, Bellea Donna, and to do that he must get the Elixir of Life, which is in the hands of Candra. And nonetheless that he is betraying his family if he safes Belle, he is going for it.
When he’s finished putting on his costume, Gambit realizes that he is not alone. The Tithe Collector shows up from behind and attacks Gambit, rendering him unconscious and saying that Candra will see him now. Meanwhile, Rogue has gotten the help of Tante Mattie, who takes care of the still comatose Bella Donna. Mattie tells some things about Gambit to Rogue. Mattie remembers how a young Gambit came to her when he had first met Bella Donna. Gambit asked Mattie if she had a love potion he could use. Mattie simply told Remy that she’s a healer and he should win Bell’s love through the proper way.
Rogue asks Mattie if she’s a doctor. Mattie informs that she is a healer, which is much better than just a doctor. Mattie says that she also knows that Rogue loves Remy; you don’t need special powers to see that. Mattie feels sorry for Rogue that she is guarding Remy’s wife and hugs her, saying that the Lord wouldn’t give us a bigger burden than we can carry. Tante Mattie says that she has to leave now, but she’ll come back every day to check how Belle’s doing. Mattie informs Rogue that Belle’s father tried to use magic to keep her alive, but that she’s slipping. Tante Mattie tells Rogue to call her when Belle’s state changes. Rogue promises that she’ll do that and says good-bye.
Rogue makes a serious look on her face, and says that she believes that Belle is probably dreaming about all the good times she had with Gambit. Rogue wants to know for sure and takes off one of her gloves, and plans to absorb the memories. At the same time, Gambit wakes up in a beautiful room. Though he realizes that Candra captured him, Remy claims that he could get used to this. Gambit wants to escape, but the Tithe Collector shows up again and wants to make Remy pay for the damages he had to endure last night, believing he was attacked by Thieves. Gambit doesn’t care and picks up a picture frame, charging it up and throwing it to the Tithe Collector. Though the Collector ducks, the explosion takes place, nonetheless, and smashes through the bedroom window.
Candra shows up and stops the fighting, claiming that she needs this “creature” alive. Gambit is surprised by Candra’s appearance. Candra tells Gambit that it has been a very long time since he left Paris and, when they worked together, they never used names. Gambit remembers. Candra found their time together a good one, and so does Gambit. He and Candra kiss. Meanwhile, Rogue is doubting if she should absorb Bella Donna. She withdraws her hand, not knowing what she was thinking, realizing that she could have killed Bella Donna. Rogue gently puts her hand next to the bed and apologizes to Belle. Suddenly, Bella Donna gets an involuntary reflex and grabs Rogue’s arm and starts to absorb!
Candra attacks Gambit, saying that he never should have left Paris and certainly should never have returned. Gambit survives the blast, noticing that Candra hasn’t changed and is as eager as ever to use her telekinetic powers. Gambit tries to charm her, but Candra isn’t fooled, claiming that it doesn’t mean anything to her. “Maybe not,” Remy says, but it did once. “In a time that has long past,” Candra angry replies. Candra says that Remy never was good at commitments. No loyalty to anyone but himself. Gambit explains that he is doing working for her. Candra isn’t so sure, and reveals that she has the Elixir of Life.
Gambit commands that she gives the Elixir to him, but she tells him not to be so fast. Candra wants to make a deal, like the Thieves Guild does. Gambit wants to tell Candra about his Guild. Candra claims to know all about her Guilds, as she set them up centuries ago and gave them the Elixir and the powers in return in return for their services. Candra says that she now has need for a new organization to fulfill her needs. She snaps her fingers, and a bounded unconscious man falls out of a closet.  Gambit promises that, if Candra gives him the Elixir, he’ll do anything for her. Candra doesn’t quite believe that. She says that she had such high dreams for him and her together, but that Gambit now seems to struggle between the love for his wife and his X-girlfriend.
That he always has to play it in the middle. But no more, Candra says. Not with her. Candra gets the bounded man up and reveals him to be Jean-Luc, Gambit’s adoptive father! Candra wants Remy to kill Jean-Luc, and then he can have anything he wants. Remy gets angry and promises that he’ll kill Candra for this. But then, a huge explosion takes place.
Meanwhile, Rogue has absorbed Bella Donna’s memories and learns how Belle felt about the privileges she had as an Assassin. How a young Bella Donna felt like when she dates Gambit, and how they kissed and held hands. Rogue tries to make these memories her own, but stops. She realizes her mistake and cries.
Julien and some Assassins have broken into Candra’s place and Julien wants the Elixir. Candra orders the Tithe Collector to stop them. He does as ordered and attacks, explaining that he let the Assassins defeat him earlier, as Candra ordered him to. The Assassin members defeat the Tithe Collector and Julien moves over to Candra. Julien grabs her by the throat, not allowing her to use her powers against him. Julien promises Candra that he’ll come after her and her kind, the Externals, for what they did to him. For what they have turned him into. Julien wants to kill Candra, but Gambit stops him. Julien fights back, telling Gambit that, if he knew how Candra used his Guild, he would be helping him. Gambit kicks Julien in the face, noticing that he still allows Candra use them.
Letting Candra use them so that they kill each other so that Candra has no more use of their kind. That Julien and his minions are still doing her dirty work. Julien gets mad and orders Gambit to give him his sister back. Gambit calls Julien sick. Julien takes out his claws and prepares to kill Gambit but, before he can strike, Jean-Luc takes the bullet! Gambit panics, but Jean-Luc is still alive and finds it nice to see that Remy still cares. Jean-Luc tells Gambit to do anything it takes to save his wife. Gambit quickly moves and attacks, making Gambit remember that it was he himself who challenged him to a duel, which caused him to leave New Orleans… and his wife! Gambit says that he knows that Julien says he wants to help Belle but, in reality, is only interested in himself.
Gambit charges up some cards and the explosion makes Julien and his helpers fall through the window. Candra approaches him, knowing that she owns her life to Remy and, for this, she won’t kill him. Gambit kisses Candra, noticing that there’s still a spark between them. Remy picks his father up, saying that they’re going back to New Orleans to settle things.
As Remy’s gone, Candra is pleased as events went pretty well. She orders the Tithe Collector to get the messy room cleaned up. Candra realizes that Julien will be her wild card and keep her and her fellow Externals on their toes. But at least the Guilds will be broken. Candra is happy that she can begin to consolidate her powers anew.
Candra reaches for her vial of the Elixir, but it’s gone. She realizes that Gambit charmed her when they were kissing and took the vial from her. Candra becomes enraged and orders the Tithe Collector to follow Gambit and Jean-Luc to New Orleans and to spread the word to the Guilds that Gambit has betrayed them. Plus, Candra orders that she wants Gambit’s family, his wife and girlfriend… all killed!