Note: This issue takes place before M2K's X-Men: Omega and X-Men: Alpha # 1!

The last 48 hours of Remy LeBeau's life haven't been the best he's experienced, but he'll never forget them. After Gambit, along with Storm, were attacked by robots (which LeBeau still intends to figure out their objective .. and who sent them) he was summoned to New Orleans.*

(* Last issue -- Dino)

For the majority, his life before the X-Men was spent in this place. With the Thieves Guild, with Bella Donna, with Tante Mattie, with his father... Jean-Luc LeBeau. A man who he'd thought would live forever.

Considering he had Candra the External backing him, why wouldn't he? Despite what Remy always knew to be constant, Jean-Luc's life, the man is going to die. And soon..

...But only if Gambit lets him, which he has no intention of doing. His objective was to steal 12 stones. Tante Mattie and Jean-Luc had filled him in ... but only broadly. Twelve stones, each to be placed in a large machine which would supposedly restore his father's life. It made little sense... but doubting Tante Mattie is something Gambit learned long ago not to do.

Twenty-four hours ago, LeBeau got his hands on the first stone. Piece of cake. They were the shape of a large diamond (considering they all looked like the first one) and, as he was informed, were different colors. The first was silver. 11 more to go.

The second one would be tougher, Gambit knew that much. The irony in the situation was simply delicious. LeBeau had to get the stone, stealing it right out from under the ruler of a certain nation's nose. No big deal.

What made it so tough was the nation was Genosha... and the ruler, Magneto.

I do not know why I agreed to help Gambit in his task, the mutant speedster known as Quicksilver thought to himself, looking over at LeBeau. They had only just moments ago surfaced from the ocean waters, removing their diving gear. As Gambit promised, they were met with two men carrying more Genosha-like garb. With an exchange of nothing more than a handshake, the deed was done .. and the two X-Men blended in perfectly.

"Answer me this, Gambit," Quicksilver spoke, a harsh tone in his voice. "How, exactly, do you have contacts in Genosha?"

"For me t'know, Pietro," LeBeau's trademark grin appeared on his face as he spoke, "An' for you t'never."

The son of Magneto rolled his eyes. "Do not forget I am only here in kindness to the X-Men. I do not like you, LeBeau, but you've proved your worth to the team over and over."

"Y'really know how t'make a guy feel special, 'Silver. Y'gonna make me blush.."

Just as before, Quicksilver grunted. "Unfortunately, I know enough of my father to pinpoint your stone's most probable location. In my years with him, I've learned he has a... soft spot... for the finer things. If it's here in Genosha, he'll have it showcased near his throne."

"Yer pops has a throne?"

"Magneto makes an extra effort to make sure he does. It makes him feel as if he is above others, I trust." The disgust in Pietro's voice was very clear, and partially due to Gambit's nerve.

They soon found themselves in a crowd of people, shuffling from one place to another. Pietro looked about with a sigh. There were so many endless possibilities in this place, and the U.N. had been foolish enough to hand it all over to HIS father. Both of the X-Men kept their faces hidden. Neither of them had any doubt.. if they weren't careful, the slightest thing would cause Magneto to discover them.

"D'ya even know where we're goin'?" Gambit asked, not bothering to look over at his teammate.

"Simply put, Gambit... No," the former Avenger replied flatly. "We'll know in due time, I assure you. Even though we have yet to observe any--"

Suddenly, a woman screamed. "Please, no..! I have done my job.. Please.. Spare me from Magneto!!!"

"--It appears I spoke too soon. Trouble in a country my father has been 'trusted' to run. We have to help her!"

"We're X-Men, savin' lives is what we do, mon ami.. But a fight ain't what we need at de moment.."

"I can handle my father, Gambit. One way or another. I will not see this woman butchered... for whatever reason!"

Magneto looked on at the man before him, one of his servants returning to another room. The man lay on the floor, encased in rags which he called clothing. Erik Lehnsherr's words were swift, merciless, and futile. They came in a deep tone, one that commanded all those around it. "Give me their names, Flatscan, or pay the price."

"I.. I.. I do not know what you are talkin' about, my Lord!" He gazed up, his own eyes meeting a set of fierce ones shrouded in shadows from the helmet Magneto wore. He was one of the men that had met Gambit upon the two X-Men's arrival.

"Your friend didn't make much noise as I stopped the blood in his body from circulating, but I managed to get information, nonetheless. I have no doubt you know why you are here - you have the valuable information which I need."

"Sean.. is.. d-d-d-dea..?"

"Indeed, your friend is dead. I may be willing to spare your life in exchange for information."

"Two men.. they came in from the sea. I met 'em there, gave 'em some clothes to wear.."

"Names, you simpleton, NAMES," Magneto said harshly. He'd heard rumors.. and hoped they weren't true.

He was about to find out they were.

"The one I know... his name's LeBeau. That's all I know.. I swear! The other one.. he had white hair... He kinda looked like that Avenger.."

Magneto sighed, turning around. Two of the X-Men had smuggled themselves into his country... and he had no intention of letting them leave. He waited a moment, giving the Genoshan native a moment to reflect on the situation. "Good," he finally said. "Then my plan is not in vain."

...Minutes later, Lehnsherr had a smile on his face at the sound of a human scream.

Five soldiers surrounded the woman, until fists flew all around them, and they fell to the ground without warning. She looked to Quicksilver with a grateful smile, "Thanks.."

The X-Man simply nodded, "Are you well?"

"I'm fine, thanks to you," she replied. "Your face.. you resemble--"

"--I haven't the slightest clue what you're talking about," he said quickly, turning away to find Gambit looking on, his crimson eyes showing his annoyance. "I'm afraid I must go."

Pietro hadn't used his speed to get back to Gambit, not feeling the need. Preservation was needed - he felt a battle coming with his father. That was his first mistake, as the woman slammed a small device onto his shoulder. "Let's say hello to your father!"

...And then Gambit watched as they disappeared in a burst of light. "An' here I thought I'd be de one needin' de rescuin'. Next time I gotta let m'ego take care o'me, instead'a bringin' back-up like Tante suggested for d'is one.."

LeBeau turned with a sigh, and began walking again. He was keeping it casual, blending in with the crowd as much as he could. Magneto's men lined the streets, armed with not only their mutant powers, but guns. (It was most likely an image thing, what use could they possibly have of them?)

There wasn't anything he could do to help Quicksilver at the moment, and he knew he could handle his own. Gambit had complete faith in the man. LeBeau walked for ages, it seemed, but he finally found himself in front a large gate. A complex sat behind it. What other place could there be for Magneto's base?

He walked slowly to one of the guards, who talked first. "Lord Magneto doesn't wish to have any--Urk!"

"I don' got time t'play games, Homme!" Gambit said, having jammed a charged knife into the man's leg. He leapt out of the way as it exploded. (LeBeau was even amazing himself!) He was actually enjoying this!

LeBeau scaled the fence with ease, dodging gun fire. Within moments, he was inside the complex. Then it occurred to him.. He'd gotten this far with ease.. (That much was expected..) ..But too much ease! Magneto wasn't stupid...

He turned, finding Magneto hovering slightly above him. "Very good, Mr. LeBeau. I trust you've learned you've been set up by now."

"Where's Quicksilver?" Gambit asked instinctively. That was the part of him that had come from being an X-Man.

"My son's location is none of your concern. I know why you're here. Therefore, I trust--" He paused, slamming Gambit to the wall. LeBeau had actually worn metal?! He'd pay for that tomorrow... "--that you know why I cannot give the stone to you."

He... knows? Gambit grunted, glaring on at the X-Men's archenemy.

"You're a very bold man, Gambit," Magneto continued, "I'd expect this from no one less than Wolverine, in fact."

Keep on talkin', Magneto... I know ya ain't no novice, so why're ya actin' like one? Ya haven't even noticed de time-delayed charged card I got layin' right under ya...

Just then, the card exploded, hurling Magneto forward. His control over Remy's chest plate dwindled, and Gambit fell to the ground. He quickly removed it, and, knowing when to run.. Did just that. He couldn't handle Magneto by himself.

The ruler of Genosha snarled as he stumbled up, turning to see Gambit make it through the doorway that lead to his throne room.

Don' know fer sure why Magneto takes such an interest in de stone... but I've got m'guesses.. just like de whole situation. I can't take on de Master of Magnetism alone... Gotta find Pietro...

The mutant speedster known as Quicksilver moaned softly as his eyes flashed open from his brief status as one of the unconscious. While normally he'd already have been on his feet, he found himself restrained. Whoever had done this to him had to have been fast. No doubt about that.

Very fast, because Pietro was chained with metal restraints on a metal backboard which hung upon a stone wall. Before him were dozens of cameras. He was in some sort of observation room.

Magneto stepped into his throne room softly, his purple boots crushing into the dust layers below him which sat upon the ground. Scanning the room, he saw no trace of LeBeau. A magnetic field surrounded him. This time, the thief wouldn't get the best of him.

"In another world, Gambit, perhaps we would have been allies. Your ideals are not unlike my own, you realize. We are mutant. Homo sapien superior. Do you truly believe the world will accept you? Charles' dream was something to believe in. Do you not see that his dream has failed? Not only the X-Men, but mutant kind. My former associate would continue to stand with the team he founded so long ago if it had not. A new era is approaching, Gambit. My era. I will show mutantkind a dream worth having. One that will never fail. I have made the first move. I have become ruler of Genosha. Let the world tremble before my might."

"Long ago, you assembled the Marauders."

Gambit perked up from his hiding place amongst the rafters above.

How did Magneto know?!

"..You have since learned from your mistakes, Gambit. Your trial has been held. It is time for you to embrace a new fate. One that I can give you."

The rafters bent at Erik's will, and Gambit fell to the ground before him. The two mutants glared at each other. "Well then," Magneto continued. "Your silence speaks louder than any words possibly could."

"Guess so, mon brave." With that, LeBeau's staff was extended. It wrapped around Gambit's wrists, pulling them together. Damn.. Dat's de second one dis week.

The X-Man grunted.

Quicksilver's eyes grew wider than they were before, as he looked on in shock from his resting spot in the observation room.

Because now, on one of the screens...

...He could see Gambit and his father.

NEXT ISSUE: What exactly has made the former Avenger and son of Magneto's eyes pop out of his head?!?!