Dusk 'till Dawn

Chapter One

The Assassin and the Thief

'Stop her!'

'Quickly before she gets in!'

'Put up the God damn defenses!'

I grin. As if that will do anything.

The moonlight highlights my path. I'm running for what seems like my life, but really I'm running because it would only slow me down for these so-called guards to catch me. The medieval courtyard rushes past me as I dash across it, avoiding the flames that are being hauled at me, avoiding the rocks that aim to crack my skull open. Pah. I can take more than one of your feeble rocks and wouldn't even gain a scratch.

I jump over the hedgerows. Ahead is a large door, so large and fortified it echoes the atmosphere of the mansion I'm attempting to breech: regal. And regal means rich.

More guards, perhaps a dozen of them or so, stand before the door, their powers ready to plummet me, but I don't stop. I leap into the air, too far from a human of course. I guess the leaping is aided by my ability to fly. When I come back to the ground, it's with my fist hammering into the ground, causing a stone tsunami to hit and disperse the guards, and break open the door. I don't hesitate in running over the debris and entering the mansion.

As expected from a place like this, the interior is lavish and gleaming, but I have no time to look around. I feel an infiltration of my mind, but that's what all my little pals inside my head are for: to confuse mind readers and telepaths. Despite our ambivalent relationship, my little pals are the best shield.

I see the telepath, obviously a family member; he is staring at me with utter concentration, trying to get past my block.

'Don't feel disappointed with yahself now,' I say as I come at him, 'it happens with your kind all the time.'

When he realizes it's impossible to break through, his eyes widen in terror. He tries to run, but I've already got my bare skin on him.

'Useful, telepaths are,' I say as he falls unconscious to the ground.

It takes a moment for me to comprehend his memories, his powers, his energy. They are all a foreign thing to me, and my body wants nothing more to reject anything alien into my mind. But I've done this too many times for it to phase me now, and I have no time to go split personality: the guards are entering the building.

Before they spot me, I'm up the stairs, running through the corridor.

I look like I know where I'm going. That's because I do. No, I've never been here before, and I've never met the man I'm here to possibly kill, but recently I obtained the layout for this house, and I studied exactly where I need to go.

I take out a few guards, though one manages to throw me into a wall. Can't stand it when someone else has super strength. Invulnerability though? Evidently he does not have that, because when I throw him through a wall, he doesn't resurface.

I open the door to see an old man on a chair. He looks scared, but also dignified, as if he still will uphold his pride.

'I knew you'd come,' he says, despite the fact he's never seen me in his life. 'They've been telling me of the girl with the white striped hair, seeking revenge. I knew you'd come for me next.'

I walk towards him, face stern. 'Why did she come t' you?' I ask. 'Why were you the last person she spoke to before she died, when she hated the skin yah crawled in?'

He smiles, but it's not an amused one. A sad one. 'I was just one of many pawns on her chessboard.'

'But she still came to you.'

'Yes, she did.'

'Why?'

'She thought I'd betrayed her.'

'Betrayed her?'

'Yes…'

'Why did she think that?'

He considers whether to answer me, though he doesn't have a choice. 'She wanted something, something of immense power.'

I come closer to him. 'Which was?'

'Which is,' he says. 'She never got her hands on it. She was betrayed. But not by me. Not by me! She may have hated me, oh yes, she certainly did, but I always admired her, always.'

'Tell that t' her corpse,' I snarl.

I hear the guards coming, so I quickly grab the old man and produce a dagger from my belt. It's a beautiful dagger with a golden hilt. I made a point of bringing it, knowing I would need something to threaten the man with. I couldn't just hold my hand out to him; he wouldn't know the threat my hand produced. I stand behind his chair and put it to his throat.

'Not a very polite guest, am ah?' I say.

When the guards come, they stop.

'Don't!' shouts the man. 'Don't come any closer.' To me, he says, 'Please, please. Just let me go. I'll tell you what you want!'

I see his dignity didn't last for long.

I try to read his mind, but there is a block there. It's literally like slamming into a brick wall. Guess the telepath wasn't that useful.

'Tell me about this something. What was it?' I demand.

'I-It was an item, one that she wanted to use against the House of Magnus! She wanted to kill them!'

I knew she hated them, but to kill them?

'Tell me what this item was,' I say, pressing the dagger into his neck.

He makes a strange gargled noise. 'I-I-It's called Dusk! Dusk! I know no more. No more!'

'So you knew she was after it, that she wanted it.'

'Yes, I knew, I knew. I knew! But I didn't betray her. I told her where it was, but I didn't betray her!'

'Then who did?'

'I don't know. Please, I don't know!'

'How did this person betray her?'

'They must've told the ones protecting it b-because they tried to kill her, she said! They took it to a new location! She'd never get her hands on it. S-She knew she'd never see it again.'

So, she came back here to this whimpering fool believing he had betrayed her.

And soon after, she died.

Did this 'Dusk' have some significant part in her death? She had many enemies. She was a number one Wanted. But could this be why she died?

'Where is it now, this Dusk?'

'I don't … know.'

Hesitation. My dagger presses into him harder, issuing blood.

He gasps. 'I don't know!'

'Then know, and know quickly. Ah'm not a patient gal.'

He stutters for a few moments. 'I-I swear I didn't betray her! I swear! I-I tried to tell her that someone had told Corsair before she left, but I couldn't get the message to her in–'

'Corsair? Yah mean, Captain Corsair of the Magnus Fleet?'

'Yes, yes, him! He's the one who protects Dusk.'

Everyone in Genosha knows of Captain Corsair. He and his family are rich beyond measure after he was promoted by the House of Magnus, but he wasn't always. He used to be a pirate, as cliché as that may sound in these times. A lot of the norms, the non-mutants that is, have never heard of things like cars and blimps. Mutants repressed their kind since the middle 1800's, so they still use ships to transport their goods. Goods that are worth stealing, at least, that's how Corsair used to think. He and his Starjammers were my idols when I was growing up. Unwashed, fierce, untamed pirates that sought the riches and treasures of the world. What better life could you want?

'And where did he move it?' I say. 'Where is Dusk now?'

'I-It's …'

'Where is it?' I growl.

'I-It's on the Summers ship! With his family!'

I bite my lip. The Summers' home is on a flying ship. Yeah, no joke. With who Corsair is, it will be overwhelmingly protected, too protected for me to infiltrate.

'Thanks for the info dump. Ah suppose ah don't have to kill yah.' I make him stand and lead him over to the window, the guards watching us, ready to kill me. 'Thanks for the hospitality,' I punch the window open, 'but ah really must be going now.' I throw the old man to the floor, and before I can be attacked, I'm flying away into the night.

'Say that again, one more time?' the bartender asks me.

I roll my eyes. 'Ah said, "Ah need a thief, and a damn good one". Get that?'

He considers me. 'What are you needing a thief for? Scrawny little mutt like you should be in school somewhere.'

'Then why the hell you been serving me drinks here since ah was twelve?'

He coughs into the cloth he's using to wipe his glasses with. 'Didn't we agree you were eighteen?'

'One more year and that won't be a lie anymore. A lie that could throw you into jail. In fact, just one word to the police and you–'

'A thief, you say?' he says, leaning forward.

I smile. 'Yes, a thief. Ah know everyone comes t' you when they need something. Surely you can find me a thief, right?'

He considers it, brushing a hand through his orange-flamed hair. 'I might have someone … interesting that can help you.'

A bar fight breaks out behind me, but we ignore it, as per usual.

'Go on,' I say.

'Happened to work with a thief once, long time ago. Back when Australia was still fighting for its independence I met him. Weird bloke. Strange eyes. But good at his job: thieving, sneaking, all that stealthy business. Couple of my mates in the army needed some bombs set up inside enemy territory. Hired him to do it, and he did, even though we thought it was suicide. They paid him, 'cos believe me he expects payment, but they didn't bring it with 'em, thinking he'd never survive. He almost blew 'em all up with that funny pink, reddish power of his. They paid up in the end.'

'Payment is fine, ah can do that,' I say. 'But where is he?'

'I saw him a few months ago at the Festival of Justice. He was there with some pretty blonde girl. Fancily dressed too. If they're still on Genosha, I reckon there's one place he'd be.'

'And where's that?'

He leans across the bar. 'His codename is Gambit. Where do you reckon a guy with a name like that would spend his time, with a pretty rich girl at his side?'

'And Gambit wins again!'

The dejected faces on the losers only delights the grinning Gambit further. With red-on-black eyes, he almost looks like their personal poker demon. I counted six wins in a row. He must be cheating. But that's a good thing, because I need someone deceptive for my mission.

The woman that's been at his side all night is dressed in a sparkling lilac dress that exposes her breasts to the point they are almost coming out. It's because of her I found Gambit, and when I heard them call his name, I knew I'd found my thief. But how to get him away from the game let alone the woman? The woman isn't even a problem, really. He hasn't even looked at her since he began gambling. In fact, the waitresses hold more attention for him.

I thought of maybe playing the game, talk to him that way, but there are too many people, plus the fact I don't know how to play poker. It would be a mistake to get to him that way. So how else can I do it?

Then it comes to me.

Appeal to him.

He obviously likes women too much, and though I'm not as petit as the women he's been eye fondling, I could maybe catch his attention long enough to talk to him.

It helps that my enthusiastic bartender gave me a dress to wear and did my hair. Seriously, who would've thought a bartender had so many skills? Good thing I had blackmail to use against him, otherwise I'm certain he'd want money in exchange for his help.

I walk towards the table they're playing at, strolling leisurely as if I have nothing but time on my hands. I don't look at Gambit, just keep my eyes focused on the new game. I place my hand on the table, my fingertips sliding across it. It's then I look at Gambit, and I seem to have his attention. I give him a sheepish smile, looking away coyly.

'Belle, go see how Henri's doin' for me, would y', mon amour?' I'm surprised to hear his accent. Southern like me.

I watch 'Belle' reluctantly leave the table, complaining as she does so. Gambit is staring at me, a grin on his face. He reminds me somewhat of a wolf, ready to pounce on his prey.

But I don't let him catch me easily.

I walk away, a smile still on my face, and play a small game of cat and mouse. I move through the crowds, slowly, and as seductively as I can muster. I was always told I had a good body, but I'd never show it. I liked being covered, I liked being unappealing, but tonight I was anything but.

I look back occasionally, just to make sure he's still following me. He is, and he seems to be intrigued by our game.

I'm intentionally taking him to the back of the casino, mostly empty besides a few tables. If he notices what I'm doing, he probably thinks I'm leading him here for very different reasons. I almost sigh; men like him think they are mysterious, but really it doesn't take long to deduce their character, and once you've done that they'll play right into your hand. Key thing is, I have to keep making him believe he has the upper hand.

I look back. My eyes widen.

He's gone.

I bite my lip. Maybe I got him wrong after all. Maybe all he wanted was a quick flirt, not a game and anything more. Not that I'd give him more. I'm about to head back to see where he went when –

Two strong arms wrap around my waist, and a husky voice whispers in my ear, 'Caught y', mon belle chere.'

I can't even explain the self-control I have to muster not to break his arms, because no one, and I mean no one, ever touches me. Covered skin or not.

I escape from him, smiling as cutely as I can, like the sheep to his wolf.

'Ah finally caught yah eye,' I say in the most seductive voice I can gather. Believe me, when it comes to seduction, I haven't a clue.

'Y' been tryin' for long, mon chere?'

I pout. 'Too long. Ah almost gave up.'

He takes a step closer to me. I don't flinch, despite worrying about the contact. ''M glad y' didn'.'

I glance over to the poker table where his girl is waiting. 'Sure ah'm not in the way? Seems you an' Blondey are pretty cosy.'

He grins. 'Believe me, she means nothin' t' me. Just a pretty girl with a hand t' hold.'

'Ah see.' So whoever she is, Gambit has either had his way with her or tired of her, or he is forced to stay with her. Hearing how good he is at slipping away, I gather it's the latter. 'Mind if we … slip out back? It's …' I make sure to show my cleavage, 'a little hot in here.'

Grinning, and unphased by my presentation – he must be used to this – he agrees it is getting a little hot in here. I take him outside, to the alleyway, and he laughs at how secretive I'm being. His hands find a place on my hips –

I turn and punch him in the shoulder, sending him flying into the wall. Not too hard to break it though.

'God, ah'm glad that's over with. Yah a hard man t' get alone, Gambit.'

He's still bewildered by what just occurred, attempting to stand up from the hit.

'Look, ah need yah help, and ah –'

He stands up quicker than I can anticipate and produces a small stick that extends into a bo-staff.

Great. He wants to fight me.

'Ah don't really have time for this,' I say.

'Y' wit' de tin men?'

Tin men is a derogatory term for the police in Genosha.

'No, ah'm not.'

'Too bad y' can't prove it.'

He comes at me, but I easily avoid – or so I think. I step to the side, flying slightly so I get some height in there, but he's already guessed my move somehow and I find his bo-staff hitting me in an awkward place under my chin. I stagger backwards and he pushes me into the wall, his arm on my neck.

'Who are you?' he demands, his red eyes gleaming.

I really don't have time for this. But if it makes him feel safe having me here 'pinned', I may as well stay 'captive'.

'Mah name doesn't matter. Ah got a job ah need done, and only a thief can do it. Word is, yah pretty good at sneaking and stealing.'

He considers me. 'Y' not wrong.'

'So, ah want t' hire you. Ah'll pay yah as well. Half now, half later. Can take that pretty girl who has a hand to hold out for a dinner or something. Just do what I want done, and you'll have the money.'

He stares at me for a long time, scrutinizing me. I can tell this guy is not trusting. Boy, I know how that feels.

It takes a while for him to let me go. I take the money from my purse and throw it at him. Gold coins.

He whistles. 'Dis is enough for my normal jobs. Y' got something big planned?'

I smile sheepishly. 'Something big, something that could kill us both.'

He grins. 'Just de way I like it.' He steps forward and takes my gloved hand. 'Desole for my actions. I hope y' understand I have to be cautious.'

I raise an eyebrow, wanting to take my hand from his grip. 'Yeah, ah get that. Apology accepted.'

'Den, chere, Gambit is at y' service.' He kisses my hand. When he looks back up at me, grinning, he meets with a glaring face. 'What's wrong-?'

I flip him over and he lands on his back on the cement. 'OW!'

I put my foot on his neck, just like his arm had pressed into mine. 'No kissing hands. No flirting. No sexual moves. Got that? This is a serious mission ah have here.'

'Dat's no reason t' throw me over! Dieu, how y' be so strong?'

'Ah didn't throw you for that reason, Cajun,' I say. I press my foot harder into his neck. 'Next time yah think of pushing me into a wall again, bear in mind ah can punch you through ten of 'em.'

'Desole! How many times a homme have t' say it?'

I let him free and he is quickly on his feet.

'Where did dat innocent femme mignonne disappear to, eh?'

'T' the back of mah head where all mah other personalities are.'

He doesn't get what I mean, and I don't explain.

'Merde. I be stupid for followin' y'. Damn dat smile o' yours, an' y' Southern accent.'

I ignore his regretful words.

'So, are y' gonna fill me in?' he asks.

'Not here. For all ah know, a camera's been recording this whole conversation. We need somewhere quiet.'

'I like y' thinkin' –'

I stomp my foot on his.

'Ow! Vas bien! No sexual comments,' he says.

'Ah know a place we can go, but will yah hand-to-hold find it suspicious if yah randomly vanish? Ah don't need the police on me.'

He shakes his head. 'She be used t' it. 'M not her pet or nothin'. He says it resentfully, as if that is what he is, but not, obviously, by choice. His personal life doesn't interest me though.

'Follow me then,' I say. 'And put that damn staff away.'

Talisman Bar, where my friendly bartender awaits, isn't a mainstream bar. It's full of mutants that are dirty, drunk on air before they even get inside the bar, and angry, oh, angry indeed. It's no place for a young girl, but since I was twelve I've come here. The regulars don't talk much to me, but we've got an unspoken friendship. When newbies come in to make a move on me, they'll always be the first to knock them out. I've joined in the brawls a few times; it never gets too serious. If it did, the tin men would be here in a second, and the bar would probably be shut down. Lord knows the Council of Magnus wants to shut down all dirt holes like this. Luckily, too many people support these types of places.

Since Gambit and I are extremely well dressed, eyes dart to us when we walk inside.

'That you, girl?' one mutant says. 'Girl' is all I'm referred to here. No one knows my name, or cares to either, and since no other female with a decent head on her shoulders would come in her, girl always means me.

'Sadly, yah correct,' I say.

They don't enquire further, and quickly lose interest in us.

The bartender smiles when seeing me, his art. 'Welcome back. Took you, what, four hours?'

I grunt. 'Monsieur Gambit here was a hard man t' get alone.'

Gambit appears behind me, observing the bar.

'Gambit, my ol' buddy!' the bartender exclaims. 'Good t' see yah!'

'Who are you?' Gambit replies.

My poor orange-haired bartender's face falls. I almost laugh. 'Apparently you met each other in Australia. His friends in the army gave you a job t' do,' I say.

Gambit shakes his head. 'I had so many jobs, chere. Can't remember all o' em. Kinda like my women.'

I roll my eyes and turn back to the dejected bartender. 'Ah need to use yah back room, private stuff, yah know?'

He nods. 'Go right ahead.' When it comes to 'private stuff', he gets it.

I take Gambit to the back room I've only ever had to use once. A lot of shady characters are always coming in here, usually do deal drugs, I think, but I've seen a few that look like they mean business.

Gambit sits on a lounge chair that has rips in it, putting his feet on the table. 'Nice friends y' got out der, chere. Y' always keep dis kinda company?'

'So what if ah do?'

'Nothin'. Jus' explains y' hostile nature.'

I don't retort to that. 'Ah need to break into the Summers' home.'

His eyes widen. 'Say dat again.'

'Captain Corsair has something stored there that ah need. If ah don't get it … well, it doesn't matter t' you. All you need to do is break us in there and get what ah'm lookin' for.'

He laughs, and I can see he thinks I'm crazy. 'Now listen, mon chere. I can tell y' very young, inexperienced even, so let me tell y' dis one important detail: the Summers' home is impenetrable, even by my standards. Not only do we have to take a portsmith1 t' get up der, but we have t' get through the highly trained guards, de security mechanics – which are set t' kill, I assure you – and den we have t' find de damn thing.'

'Ah understand all that. Which is why I wanted to find a damn good thief. Hence why yah sat here with mah money in yah pocket.'

'I can't –'

'Ah made a contract with you by giving you that money. You can't go back on a contract.'

'Thieves are a dishonorable kind. What does some contract mean t' me?'

I lean forward. 'Ah know what ah'm asking is almost impossible, but if yah do it for me, ah'll give you two sacks of gold, not just one.'

He snorts. 'And where does a kid like you get all dis money from, eh?'

'That's my business.'

He sighs. 'I knew I shouldn't have come here. Never liked Genosha.'

'Look, are yah gonna help me or not?'

He sits still for a while, contemplating it. 'I can't promise y' anyt'in', an' if we get caught, I won't try t' help y' escape. Moment it all goes wrong you'll find me vanished from y' side. Got dat?'

'Understood.'

He sighs again. 'I'm probably gonna regret dis, but can't say no to a pretty lady.'

I smile at his defeat.

'So, first things first: y' got a plan?' he asks.

I bite my lip. 'Well …'

'Y' don't have a plan?'

'Not exactly…'

He groans. 'C'est ridicule. No plan. Of course. Y' want to break into probably the second most fortified place on Genosha an' y' don't have a plan.'

'Yeah…'

'Do y' have any connections to the Summers? Any one at all? A maid, member of staff? Anyt'in' dat might gain us access?'

I think. 'Well, ah did know the Summers boy, the eldest. We went t' school together.' I had a crush on him, but it's not like I'll actually say that.

'And did y' know him well?'

'Ah suppose he talked t' me sometimes…'

'Enough t' know y' face again?'

'Well…'

'Enough t' grant y' entrance?'

'Maybe…'

Scott Summers did talk to me at school, always willing to help out with homework and things, but he was helpful to everyone he met. I was probably just another face to him.

'It might be worth a shot,' I say. 'But t' be honest, ah thought breakin' in would be easier.'

'Y' been livin' some kinda life if y' t'ink dat, peu rebelle.'

'Do you have a holo-phone?'

'My riches come from de losses of my victims, chere. My money goes fast.'

'Yah can just say no instead of gloating.'

I go to open the door when he says, 'By de way, what's y' name? Y' never did tell me.'

'My name lost its meaning. Ah go by Rogue now.'

'Rogue …' He grins. 'I like it.'

The bartender lets me use his holo-phone, though I have to pay him a bronze coin. I could use my blackmail, but after all he's done for me tonight, I suppose I should just pay up.

I wait until morning. It takes me an hour to get through all the security that answers the phone, just to talk to Scott. When I get him on the holo, I realize his face that I so adored hasn't changed much, except that it's become a lot manlier. He still wears his red sunglasses, his mutant abilities prohibiting him to take them off. I like them though, I always have, and I can't help but blush, hoping he doesn't notice it.

'Hey, Scott,' I say in a very high-pitched voice. I hear Gambit snigger.

'Rogue, is that you?' he replies.

My eyes widen. I haven't seen him for four years, and yet he remembers me? No, not only that, but he remembers my nickname? Back then, when I had a name, people rarely used it. I was a bit of a delinquent, so I was named Rogue. Like Gambit, I liked it.

'Y-Yeah. It's me. How are you?'

'I'm good! Wow, you look great. It's been so long.'

Too long. 'Ah guess it has.'

'So what made you call?'

'Ah … Ah guess ah felt a little reminiscent lately and thought of you. Almost gave up tryin' t' call you, what with all the security.'

He groans. 'I hate that. I'm so sorry. My father … he never used to be cautious about anything, but ever since he became, well, what he is, he's very overprotective. Here, I'll patch through my number to your phone so you can call me directly.'

I smile. Not because this is better for my plan, but because it's Scott. I shake off the girly feeling though.

'Ah was wondering if yah wanna meet up sometime. Ah'd love t' see yah again.'

His face brightens. 'I'd love to! Ah, but then, my father doesn't really let us leave the grounds much.'

I hear Gambit snort. 'Rich boy.'

'Well!' I say loudly so he doesn't hear Gambit. 'Ah can always visit you.'

'That … might be a problem. For the past six months security here's gotten tight.'

Six months ago, she was murdered.

'Do you know why?' I ask, knowing exactly why.

'I think my father's been given something. It's not unusual for him to keep things safe, but this is different. This is something big. None of my family are really allowed visitors anymore.'

'Ah guess it doesn't matter then,' I say. I see Gambit raise an eyebrow. 'We don't need to meet up again. Just thought it'd be nice.'

'No, no!' exclaims Scott. 'I want to, really.' There's a short silence. 'Let me see what I can do. I'm sure my father won't mind if I bring an old friend here.'

'Really?'

'Yeah. It might take me a day or two. He's not easy to talk to, being busy and all. Do you mind waiting?'

'Not at all.'

'Great! I'll give you a call when I get my answer.'

'Ah look forward to it. See yah later, Scott!'

'Bye, Rogue.'

I hang up. 'Well, that was unexpected.'

'Seems t' me y' make an impression on people, but y' don' think dat highly of y'self,' says Gambit.

'Ah'm not that memorable.'

He smiles. 'Heh. If y' say so, but I don't think I'll be forgetting y' any time soon, and I barely know y'.' He comes over to me and takes a strand of my white hair into his hand. I'm about to punch him when he says, 'De girl wit' de white streaks. Feisty, strong and doesn't think ahead. Y' a bulldozer. Dat's why people remember y'.'

I slap his arm away, glaring. But in my chest, something small and unfamiliar blossoms. I squash it before it becomes anything though.

I give the bartender three gold for the holo-phone, more than he's ever got in his life probably, and Gambit and I proceed to a hotel. He doesn't stay with me, but he tells me he'll drop by. I suppose he has to go back to his hand-to-hold.

As I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I think about a lot of things: my mission, Dusk, Gambit, Scott, and I wonder what path is unwinding before me.

Author's Note: Thank you for reading this first chapter. I don't usually like to give AN's because, well, I wouldn't want to give too much away. Primarily, Rogue will feature as the protagonist of this story, but there will be other stories alongside her that may not even feature her. I haven't planned out the entire story, but I have a good idea of where I want it to go.

The world is planned out, but I don't want to give you an info dump. You just have to slowly see the world for yourself. In a way, I suppose it is an AU, but I want to keep very close to the original universe of the X Men. The House of M saga did inspire me, but I've never read it, so I really don't know the details of the world. I don't want to do too much research as I like to 'create' my own world.

If anyone is looking to edit a story, you're welcome to contact me.

I do care about reviews, obviously, but don't feel the need to go out of your way to give me one. I'm really just happy when you feel the need to do so, and therefore do.

1 A portsmith is, in this world, a small boat-like transportation that can fly. I gained inspiration from one of the space crafts I saw in an X Men comic book, but since it didn't have a name, I named it myself.