Road Trip

All three buses took the children from the Mansion of the Xavier Institute at approximately 6:35 am eastern standard time. Xavier then heads to the sub-basement levels using his secret elevator connected to his office. After meeting briefly with Beast and Forge, Xavier remains in the war room monitoring the events of day via X-satellite remote viewing. Beast accompanies him along with Logan. The children's busses reach the local Jets stadium and they file off the bus to find their seats alongside Storm, and Scott Summers. There is one more chaperone, but for now their identity is not known.

A small crowd begins to gather near the gates of Xavier's Institute for Gifted Youngsters.

Rogue takes her seat along with the students, her mind on anything but a game. She should be back at the mansion helping to keep the protestors at bay. She understood why the Professor wanted her with the kids, but she would have rather stayed behind. The mansion was as close to home as she was going to get, and she would hate to see it damaged or destroyed. She did pack a little bag of personal items just in case something were to happen. 

She was also worried about Gambit. His vibe had been off lately, and he wasn't telling her what was going on. She did try to gently coax some, any, information out of him, but he wasn't budging. He'd laugh it off with some off handed joke, or change the subject when she would push a little. 

Get your head back in the game Rogue! She thought. These kids and the Professor are counting on you. She turned her attention back to the group.

Logan made his way up with the intent to leave the mansion when he was met by beast. Already smelling soot, Logan ran past the greeting Beast attempted and made his way towards the Lounge Hall.


"Gumbo? Wtf happened in here and why are you still up here? Are you trying to get us all made?"


(Beast jumps in right after the last word from Logan is heard) "My dear... this will take some time to repair. And this must have been what triggered the silent arm. Gambit, everyone needs to be upon the sub-basement levels of the mansion. You being here right now could trigger an attack by the Friends of Humanity who are right outside our gates. It is imperative for you to head to the lower levels right now."

We ain't got time for this! If you want to speak to Xavier, get your ass to the basement... sitting here feeling sorry for yourself ain't gonna fix shit! Beast, tell the Professor I went to find the FOH. (turns and leaves the Mansion locking the doors then doubletimes it as runs around through the forest area)


"Gambit, please this way... (gesturing) after you..."

Gambit gets up and walks out the lounge headed for the basement

As the Jet's Football game begins Scott and Jean Grey sit above the kids while Storm, and Rogue sit in the middle to be able to see all the children anyone near them. Everyone at the start of the game is cordial and the kids appear to be enjoying themselves. The Jets run for a kick- off return the opening drive. Storm gets up to go get food, Jean Grey accompanies her leaving Cyclops and Rogue to watch the kids.

Logan finally makes his way towards the entrance of the Institute for Gifted Students. Smelling the scent of the two members of FOH he met the night before. Both men were standing in front of him, Logan waited until the exact minute of his promised arrival to tap one of them on the shoulder...


"I'm here..." (pulls out cigar and begins to prime it with a lighter)


Ah there you are... and right on time I must say.


Good to know we can count on your word. What is your name?


"You guys can call me, Patch."


That's an odd name... is that a nick name of some sort?


"I just would prefer to not use my real name..." (draws cigar) "for religious purposes..." (blows smoke)


(Both FOH Members Chuckle) "Fair enough, Patch..."


So tell us Patch... how would you like to be the first person to throw a molotov cocktail into that mansion?


"It would be my pleasure..."

Rogue sits amongst the kids. She looks over at Cyclops sitting on the opposite side of her in the same row. She could tell his mind wasn't on the game either. She wanted to call someone still at the mansion, but she knew that cell service in the basement was non existent. Being in the dark about what was going on was going to drive her crazy. She called to Cyclops over their commlinks, "Any news on the mansion boy wonder? This waitin and seein business is for the birds."

The Professor, and Forge sit in the War Room monitoring the events taking place on the news, and following their cameras outside the gate of the Mansion. Beast and Gambit make their way to the Danger Room and upon reaching it Beast directs Gambit to the simulation area while he sits upon the chair in the Master Control Command Room.


It is imperative for me to begin any scenario with you so that we ensure the ray shields are functioning that will absorb your powers should you experience another attack. I have just informed the Professor and he is now on his way here to help you, Gambit. Please try and relax as much as you can.




Gambit immediately feels the strong breeze, the chirping seagulls, cars being parked behind were he is standing. as he looks down and sees he is wearing flip flops upon the beach on a clear day, possibly in California. As he is standing still beachgoers walk to the left and right of him holding onto chairs and towels. Kids run laughing and playing with water bottles making their way upon the pier. The waves continue to wash upon the beach.

Gambit takes his flip flops off to feel the sand between his toes. The smell of the sea is so refreshing and relaxing, he decides to lay down on the sand. He listen's to the people laughing and having a good time swimming and enjoying the day. 

Gambit closes his eyes trying to clear his mind of what has been happening. Then suddenly he's swept away back to when he was a very young boy. He is standing on the beach late in the evening, surrounded by other children. They are all laughing and playing, and Remy is having a good time.

Suddenly, Remy feels a surge of power. He doesn't know what it is, but he knows that it's dangerous. He tries to control it , but it's too strong.

Remy loses control of his power, and he accidentally creates an explosion. The explosion injures several of the children, and Remy is horrified. He Runs away, not knowing what else to do. He hides in the shadows, and he tries to forget what happened. But he can't forget. The guilt and the shame are too much to bear. He knows that he hurt innocent people, and he doesn't know how to make it right.

The vision ends with Remy coming back to find himself standing in a small crater with the people close by knocked to the ground tables and chairs thrown far away and knocked over. He's sweating and shaking, and he knows that he's seen something important. He doesn't know what it means yet, but he knows that it's something of many things he needs to face. Remy drops to his knee's and puts his hands on his face. " So much pain I have cause" he says to himself.

Last edited by Gambit on Wed Sep 13, 2023 10:31 pm; edited 1 time in total

Both of the FOH turn to watch as "Patch" tries to find a way over the fence. Patch simply slides the Molotov Cocktail through the fence first setting it upon the other side, then he finds a place to climb and begins his ascent. Both members of the Friends of Humanity smile as Patch successfully makes his way over to the other side and then begins to double time it towards the Mansion.


As you can see it looks like one of the FOH protesters has made it over the fence and his making his way towards the mansion. This guy is about to commit a crime on national tv!! He's wearing a leather jacket, cowboy hat, and a plaid shirt with blue jeans. Looks like he could have a beard? Anyways he, he seems to be lighting something atm... cannot seem to make out his face...


"Professor, I am going to throw this in the cafeteria that Gambit destroyed... Profess----


(((That is fine Logan, go right ahead. Make sure you run into the forest... the newscast is filming you right now...)))


"I've never gotten used to you being in my head..."

Professor X concentrates his mental powers to project a large explosion, followed by a growing fire just as the real explosion by Gambit rocks the concealed sub-basement level of the X-Mansion. The people outside the gates panic for a few moments and then some of them let out screams believing that children may have been hurt or killed in the blast. Both men of the FOH sadistically satisfied make their way from the area smiling as the rest of the protestors celebrate jovially. Fire trucks can be heard in the distance...


What a sad affair this has turned out to be. A man possibly affiliated with the FOH... wearing a leather jacket, cowboy hat, and a plaid shirt with blue jeans made his way towards the mansion named the Xavier Institute for Gifted Children through a ---- what is now being described likely as a Molotov cocktail into the Children's Cafeteria all captured on film. We only have a rough cut of this man... he seems to be very short... maybe 5'5" or 5' 3" who committed this terrible crime. Police are now just pulling up and parking here we will stay on site to continue to deliver to you more news at this location!

Last edited by Charles Xavier on Wed Sep 13, 2023 11:31 pm; edited 1 time in total

A very large male makes his way up the bleachers only to jump from 1st row to the football field right before the players rushback out.

Both football teams just watch and stare as the Large Mutant begins walking and bashing his hands across the football field! Distorting and perverting the field lines and numbers while laughing. The Fans began to boo in disgust just as multiple security guards run towards him. He swats wildly at the guards sending them flying in all directions. Police then run towards him drawing their weapons and warning him to get down on the ground, but he simply laughs at them. Four policemen about 12 feet away from the Large Mutant continue to warn him just as he leaps up and comes down upon two of them crushing them instantly....

The children near Cyclops and Rogue begin to panic! Cyclops tries his best to settle them down! Jean and Storm unaware of the cause of the ruckus begin to hurry through the crowd back to their seats. Several children near Rogue begin to scream and one of the girls is hyperventilating, and begins to stagger...

Rogues' top priority was the kids. This mutant was new to her, and who's to say he was acting alone? She and the others needed to get the kids on the buses as soon as possible. Where they were going to go, she wasn't sure yet. She didn't know the status of the mansion or its occupants. The Friends of Humanity might still be there. So many thoughts racing through her mind. She called out to the others, "Lets get these kids outta here." 

She turned to the hyperventilating girl and tried her best to coax her to the rest of the children. This girl was in full panic attack mode, and 
Rogue was unsure of this girls mutation. It could come out at any time. She was confident the news crew wouldn't see if this girls powers came out, as they were concentrating on the big fellow on the field. But others might see, and with the anti-mutant hysteria going around, they were all in jeopardy. 

Rogue watched as the other children gathered closer to Jean and Storm, Cyclops staying behind them to make sure no kid got left behind. She turned her attention back to this panicked girl, and knelt down to get on her level, "Honey, we gotta go. The buses are waitin for us." She grabbed the girls hand and once again tried to lead her towards the others. She was met with some resistance, but the girl did start moving.

Professor the Police are making there way to our doors along with the Fire department. I suggest that you alone greet them.


I see what you are alluding towards... the public will feel sentimental about this because of the FOH destroying a children's school owned by a man in a wheelchair?


Well you phrased it directly to the point, so I concur... your deduction is more then correct.


I will make my way to the elevator. Thanks again my friend.


The pleasure is mine, Professor.

Professor Charles Xavier enters the elevator and makes his way back up to the main floor quickly. Then changes to his wheelchair before allowing his yellow hover chair to automatically make its way to the danger room. The Professor then rolled himself towards the entrance doors and opened one of them to invite the police inside.


Are you Professor, Charles Xavier?


Yes Charles Xavier I am.


Good to meet you Professor, my name is Captain Joseph Deraden of the NYPD. Please allow us to escort you from your property there is a fire within your residence... We didn't know if you knew or not?


Well I do now, I did hear the explosion but I fear my place is so large so I didn't know what room the fire occurred within.


Understood, please if you will come with us... the fireteam is here as well. We will get you to safe distance while they do their job Mr. Xavier.


I will follow your lead, gentlemen.

Gambit, feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin and the cool breeze in his hair. Now having the beach all to himself after what had happened, closed his eyes and breathed in the salty air, a memory came flooding back to him. He was a young boy again, standing in the shadows of the thieves guild.

He had been excited to finally be old enough to join in on a heist. He had heard stories about the thrill of the chase, the satisfaction of a successful job. But the reality was much different.

He had been stationed at the back door, his job to keep watch and signal to the others if anything went wrong. But he had been so focused on the excitement of the heist that he hadn't noticed the guard approaching from behind.

The guard had grabbed him and held a knife to his throat. Gambit had panicked and tried to fight back. In the struggle, the guard had stabbed him in the arm.

Gambit had cried out in pain, and the other guards had come running. They had overpowered the thieves and taken them prisoner.

Gambit had watched in horror as his fellow thieves were tortured and killed. He had felt so helpless, so guilty. He had been responsible for there deaths.

Gambit opened his eyes and looked out at the ocean. The waves crashed against the shore, and he could feel the salt spray on his face.

He closed his eyes again and tried to push the memory away. But it was no use. It would always be there, a reminder of his past.

Just as the final fireman left along with the police investigative detectives Charles Xavier made his way back into the Mansion and down the private elevator to the Sub Basement levels. Remembering that Gambit was still within the Danger Room Charles Xavier rolling his wheelchair entered the Master Control Room and took his place alongside of Beast. Holding his index finger to his head Professor X begin to pierce the boundaries of Gambit's mind...


Gambit... I am here. We will deal with the roots of your pain together... we are traveling back together... you and I... back to when it first began... back to your original trauma... when it all began. Show me Gambit... let's face it together!

Gambit closes his eyes and drifts inside his mind, His parents lying on the ground, dead, their blood pooling around them.  He sees the men who killed them, their faces twisted with evil grins. He sees the lies they told him, the promises they made that they never kept.
Gambit feels a wave of emotions wash over him: grief, anger, guilt, and despair. He wants to cry out, but no sound comes out. He wants to run away, but he's frozen in place. A flash of light blinds gambit his hands trying to shield the brightness from his eyes. 
As the light fades gambit  sees his mother's face, her eyes filled with love and fear. She reaches out to him, but he can't reach her. She whispers his name, but he can't hear her.
And then he sees his father's face, stern but kind. His father smiles at him and says, "I'm proud of you, son." Suddenly everything goes dark, "Professor are you there? can you hear me" says gambit.