Rogue Redeux

Authors note:

This story takes place around the time that the X-treme X-Men team was formed. Rogue's powers were out of control, and the team was searching for Destiny's diaries. If you like the whiny version of Rogue, or movie Rogue, then this fic ain't for you. This story explores the darker side of Rogue – her villainous upbringing and her struggle to be the person that she wants to be. Usually, our greatest adversaries are not those we meet in daily life, but ourselves. So, read and (hopefully) enjoy!

"You know what you have to do," Mystique said. "Make sure there are no witnesses. I want you in and out before the next guard change." She glanced at her watch and added, "That gives you twenty minutes."

Rogue fidgeted under her mother's unwavering gaze. She knew what she had to do. Mystique had already drilled it into her head. She had spent half the night studying the blueprints of the government compound and preparing for her mission. She wasn't a child anymore, and she was getting tired of being treated like one.

"Don't worry Momma. Ah know what to do." Rogue peered over Mystique's shoulder to glance out of the non-descript black cargo van they had liberated and unconsciously clenched and un-clenched her hand over the handle of the gun she was holding. Her attention was brought back abruptly by a sharp jab of Destiny's cane into the small of her back. She glared in sudden rage, surprising herself.

Mystique caught Rogue's gaze and pinned her beneath it. "Do not fail, Rogue. Lives depend on the information you are about to…liberate…tonight."

Mystique could be very loving and warm, Rogue thought. But at times like this, when she was in 'Brotherhood terrorist mode', she could become a complete cold and heartless bitch. If she failed in some way tonight, she knew Mystique would come down on her – hard.

"Ah know, Ah know." Rogue began shifting restlessly from foot to foot, anxious to escape her mother's penetrating gaze. She glanced behind her, taking in Destiny's still form. She had not moved since she had hit Rogue with her cane. Using her precognitive abilities to aid Mystique and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants guaranteed that there were no surprises (at least to her), but her advice was cryptic at best. An unfortunate side effect for Rogue was that Destiny knew what she was going to do before she did, and would suddenly find herself getting hit by her cane before she knew what had struck her.

"Then go, Rogue." Mystique advised. "Destiny and I will be here when you return."

"Yes, Momma."

As Rogue lifted her gun and moved to step out of the back of the van, Destiny tilted her head and spoke. "Beware child, not all is as it seems. Your powers, while they possess great possibilities, hold a degree of enthrallment for you. If you are not careful, you will lose yourself."

Less cryptic than usual, but regardless, Rogue felt her temperature rise in annoyance. 'Enthrallment?' Rogue snorted quietly to herself. What did they know about her powers, or how they made her feel? Sure, she loved the feeling of dominating someone else, of being feared by men twice her size; she reveled in forcing her will on another person and taking everything their mind held. There was nothing they could hide from her; no dirty secret or hot fantasy escaped her. Being in such control gave her an almost sexual pleasure that she craved more and more each time she absorbed somebody's mind into her own. But enthrallment? Really.

Wordlessly, she stepped into the night and quietly melted into the shadows. Mystique turned with a puzzled look to Destiny, but said nothing. She shut the door to the van with a quiet click.

The snapping of a twig brings Rogue quickly out of her reverie. Thoughts of the past slip away and she focuses her attention to the present. Forcing herself to remain still, she waits for her guest to give away their position. Hearing a soft rustling to her left rear, she pivots on her heels from her sitting position, and with lightning speed is upon her target before their heart can take another beat.

"Ain't no use hidin', sugah. Ah know you're there."

But then, maybe not. The forest is empty save for her. Strange, Rogue thinks. There was someone here, Ah felt 'em. Listening, Rogue stands absolutely still. The wind blows softly through the trees, crickets chirp, but there are no sounds that don't belong. Ah know Ah heard somethin', she muses. Turning her back to the darkness, she moves towards the perch she had just occupied on the embankment of the lake. She hits the ground with a solid thump and her breath leaves her. Forcibly, she is turned over onto her back as a dark form kneels over her. She sees the flash of metal a split second before it comes towards her throat. Bucking, she throws her assailant over her head and pivots to her feet. Her bare fist rockets towards a collision course with her assailant's face. Empty air. Spinning, she manages to throw up a forearm block as a kick zeros in on her mid-section. She counters with a side-thrust kick and makes solid contact. A pained grunt is her reward and she moves forward to take advantage of the situation. Rogue sees her opponent recover quickly and begin to step out of range as she delivers a spinning back kick. A front snap kick is returned to her mid-section even as another rewarding grunt from her opponent rings out into the still air. Alright enough, Rogue seethes. This ends now. Metal streaks towards her throat again; but lands no-where close to her. Taking to the air, she bolts straight up and is gone from sight in the mere blink of an eye. The sounds of battle dissipate into the crisp night air and her opponent is left standing alone. Not for long, sugah. Let's see how you like this. The ground beneath her prey's feet shudders and suddenly, she is there. Erupting from the ground like an angry volcano goddess, she topples her prey and pounces on them before they have a chance to realize what has happened. Her bare hands lash out again and this time makes contact with their face. Memories flood into her mind like a dam breaking. Within moments, she realizes who her opponent is and why they attacked her.

"How ya feelin' now, sugah?" Rogue asks. She helps Storm into a sitting position.

"Much better. Thank you, Rogue." Storm brings a hand to her forehead and rubs her face. "I thought I had you. You were so absorbed in thought, you never even heard me approaching. A fatal mistake, I thought, on your behalf. I could not let the opportunity pass."

"Ah know. Ah didn't hear ya comin'. Even when Ah knew someone was there, ya managed to fool me. Must be why you're team leader again and Ah'm not anymore."

"You know that is not true, Rogue. With your powers as unstable as they are right now…"

"Ah pose a greater risk than b'fore. Ah know. Worst part of it is, Ah can't control 'em. Wouldn't be so bad t' have access t' all th' powers Ah've absorbed over the years, but Ah got no control over which ones Ah use an' when." She holds her arms out in front of her and extends her claws. "'Cept for these. For some reason, Wolvie's power's are the only one's Ah got some measure of control over."

"Why did you not use your claws on me when I attacked you?"

Rogue examines the claws protruding from her hands. "Honestly hon," Rogue laughs painfully to herself, "it hurts. Ah may be invulnerable, but these danged things hurt an' Ah don't understand it." She retracts them back into her hands. "'Sides, Ah forgot Ah had 'em."

Storm laughs as she gets to her feet. "You forgot you had them?"

Rogue looks shyly to the ground. "Yeah, well, heat o' the moment an' all…"

"If you don't mind me asking Rogue, is there anything troubling you?"

"'Sides the usual?" Rogue laughs. "Naw, jus' thinkin' is all."

"Really? It seemed like you were doing a little more than 'just thinking'."

"Yeah, well." Rogue looks past Storm's shoulder in the direction of the mansion. "Ah can't help but thinkin' 'bout Momma. Ah ain't dense, Ah know she's used me in the past; Ah've done some awful nasty things for her. Ah've killed people an' Ah've seen things that no kid rightly should. But Ah can't blame her for the things Ah've done. Ah did 'em for her approval, yes; but Ah also enjoyed it. What kinda person does that make me?"

"You were a child…" Storm starts.

"Yeah, Ah know, but that ain't no excuse. Ah knew what Ah was right an' wrong." Rogue stops suddenly, a lump in her throat. "She's done some nasty things, but Ah…Ah never thought she'd actually hurt me. Leastways not intentionally." Her hand goes to her stomach reflexively. "She stabbed me Storm. Ah got in her way and she took me out. If it weren't for Logan's healing power, Ah'd be dead. She had no idea Ah wouldn't die…She didn't care." Rogue chokes back a soft sob.

Instinctively, Storm reaches out to comfort her friend, taking her into her arms in a protective embrace. Rogue cries softly into her friend's shoulder then uncomfortably withdraws, wrapping her arms tightly around herself.

"Yeah, well we should head back to the mansion. Ah imagine Remy's wondering where Ah am."

Seeing her friend's unease, she lets her change the subject. "That's right, Remy mentioned you two were going into town tonight for dinner before we leave tomorrow."

"Uh-huh. Won't be seein' him for a while. Who knows when we'll be back. Destiny's diaries…," Rogue stops herself. "Let's get back."