Okay everyone, this is something I've been working on for a long time. I wasn't going to publish it, but then a dear friend of mine read it and started pestering me to no end to post it here. (You know who you are, and you owe me another chapter from your story; preferably the chapter where you-know-who meets you-know-who's parents. Get writing.)

I've only been reading the X-Men comics for a few years now. Which means I've only had that long to become addicted, and I haven't wasted any time. For all you long-time X-Nerds out there, forgive me if my characters seem a little original, but I have tried to stay as close as possible to the cannons. This story is going to be a lengthily one, so I'll hope you'll bear with me in how long I take in-between updates.

For those wonderful people who have read my other two stories and are despairing of me ever updating them, do not be too discouraged. I've had a bad case of writer's block, but I haven't given up on them just yet; though they may be in for a bit of an overhaul.

Thank you all in advance for reading this, I hope you'll review and tell me what you think. I'd appreciate any and all feedback (good or bad) that you feel like giving me. Or even if you just want to leave a note saying you like it so far.

Disclaimer: I do not own X-Men or anything pertaining to the Marvel world. That belongs to their original makers, even if some of them have proven themselves unworthy of writing for such a great set of characters. I do, however, own the story itself and a variety of original individuals that will appear for many purposes throughout the story.

Diary of a Swashbuckler

Kurt was sitting in the comfortable window seat of his room, snuggled deeply in the large pillows. The sky outside was dark but clear enough that he could see the millions of stars for miles in either direction. His vision was very keen, even in the dark, and he was sitting with the lights out enjoying the view. He held in his hands a dark brown leather journal given to him by his dear friend, Kitty Pryde, a few hours ago at his 22nd birthday party. It was about six inches wide and several inches thick with beautiful gold stitching that spelled out his name and the date on its front cover.

She had made him promise the he would write in it, if not every day, at least often. The only problem was that he'd never really had one before, and while he had always been eloquent in the spoken word, writing wasn't his strong point.

And that is why he was staring blankly at the thick book, spinning the ballpoint pen around with his odd fingers.

Let's see… What to write…

Doesn't one usually start with a date?

November 11th

Well… my birthday party was as it always is when I am surrounded by my dear friends, slightly crazy, but a wonderful time none the less. I only wish the Professor had not called me to the party by such an urgent sounding mental message! I felt silly bursting through the doors still tugging at my uniform in preparation for some threat. But we all had a good laugh.

Then Bobby went and poured a whole punch bowl over Hank's head, freezing it as he did so. The ensuing chase was hilarious, and it was nice to laugh at someone other than myself. I think that is why he did it in the first place.

The pen paused above the paper as the writer looked off into space, a grin showing off his white fangs at the memory. A few moments later he continued:

I think I will enjoy Logan's gift of the pair of Katangas very much. I might go as far as to say they are my favorite. Not that I would tell that to any of the others, of course. Storm's book on famous sword fighters was wonderful and I can't wait to read the one on ships that Jean and Scott gave me.

He was writing quickly now, surprised at both how fast he was going and how easily he had fallen into the effort.

Kitty thinks they got married when they finally realized how many people now make up the team. And how, as a couple, they only have to give one gift between them. I think it is a funny thought, but anyone who sees way they look at each other would know from the start that that was nowhere near their thinking. I surprised myself by feeling a little jealous. I shouldn't… but sometimes I wish I had someone that I could look at, and who would look back at me, in a way that spoke of more than simply lust.

But enough of that! I have enjoyed myself more this night than I have for a long time. For once there was no one to worry about saving, no buildings burning, no villains trying to kill me or those I love. All in all, it was a fantastic night; though the calmness was unusual. I kept expecting the othershoe to drop. But it didn't, and I am grateful that so many of my friends were there. The Professor was able to make it after all, Jean and Scott back from their honeymoon, Ororo, Kitty (who drove all the way from college just for the evening even though she knew she would have to drive home in the dark), Piotr, Hank, Bobby, Logan, Jubilee, and so many others here to celebrate with me. Sometimes I feel alone in this world, with all the hate and bigotry surrounding me day after day… And yet, God always seems to find a way to remind me that, not only am I not alone, but there are many people around me who care.

I am grateful more than I can express with pen and paper, or words in either of the languages I know.

I only hope that I can find a use for Bobby's very odd gift. I don't know what in the world he expects me to do with an ivory plated, gold handled…

He jumped at the sound of the alarm going off overhead, screeching through the mansion from the hidden speakers on every floor.

Knowing what it meant, he jumped up. Glad he was still clad in his uniform, he ran for the door.

"Ach. Here must be the famous 'other shoe'. Oh well, it seems that duty calls." He thought to himself with a mental sigh.

Once again, in the span of a second, Kurt Wagner had become The Incredible Nightcrawler. With that transformations he took on all the burdens that title demanded; unaware that he was in for one of the strangest, and most life-changing, adventures of his young life.

Yes I know. It's very short, but it is meant as more of a 'testing of the waters' so to speak. If this is something anyone is interested in, I'd be happy to post more of it. It's been a lot of fun writing and I hope it will turn out to be at least half as much fun to read.

Review people. It is the courtious think to do!