About this story: This story is a little bit "Evolution," a little bit "X-Men," a little bit "X-Men the Movie" and a little bit of my own imagination. And unfortunately I don't own any of it. It can be slightly confusing at times but here is a list of what the little symbols mean:
-This shows a collective thought or action-
*One of these means it's a thought someone is thinking to themselves.*
**Two of these means that two or more people are thinking at each other**
(A.N. Means Author Note. I have an awful lot of these.)
Summary: What happens when a psychic friend of Rogue's dies? Will relationships change for the better or for the worse?
By: Desert Rose
'Till the End
Chapter One
A Dream?
"No. No! Ge'way from me. Ge'way! Help me, Marie, I don' wanna die!"
"Take my hand, we'll live together. Everything will be all right, I promise."
*Flash*
**X-Men, everyone to the war-room NOW!**
"Ooohh?" *Great, now what?*
Biff, "Owww!"
*Sounds like Kitty phased through her bed. Again.*
A slight smile caressed Rogue's full, red lips before she realized she should be getting dressed. Stretching, Rogue cautiously made her way out of her bed.
*I feel… different. Like I haven't walked before*
Rogue, using the wall for balance, got dressed in her "school uniform," as Kitty had dubbed the X-Men outfits.
*I hate these things. They're so damn clingy. I am definitely a 'loose and baggy' kinda gal.*
With a slight laugh, Rogue pulled on her tight-fitting "uniform." *Huh, that's weird,* at that precise moment Rogue had glanced in the full-length mirror, and had seen someone else entirely.
*Not a bad someone else. Actually… I look good… Wow, I look… sexy. I think I've changed my mind about our "school uniforms,"* thought Rogue as she did a little twirl. *I think I'll change my wardrobe; my hair could use a little spursing up too, make-up never hurt nobody. Hell, even my ass looks good!*
*Oh, shit.*
Rogue ran down the hall belatedly realizing that even Kitty had beaten her to the war-room. She burst through the door, slightly flushed, and took her usual seat.
*Everyone's in their usual spots. Logan's in the "shadowy and mysterious" corner; Scott and Jean are sitting next to each other barely keeping their hands to themselves. Kitty and Kurt are talking quietly on the other side of the table. Storm was out on some kinda mission, so I'm left alone. Hmm, I don't feel lonely though. Maybe I'm too tired to feel anything right now. Waitaminute! (A.N. What? Don't you say those words all together?) Where's the Prof?*
Just then Professor Charles Xavier, Principal of the Xavier Institute for Gifted Children, Sponsor of the heroic team called the X-Men, rolled into the room. Everything went still.
*It looks like he's been… crying?*
As soon as he took his position at the head of the table he looked directly into Rogue's eyes.
*What's going on? Did I do somethin'?* Starting to panic with the fear that if she had done something accidentally they'd kick her out.
Quite suddenly, Rogue felt an overwhelming calm. She stopped trying to count the dust molecules in order not to have to meet his penetrating gaze.
Rogue sat up straighter, she tucked her feet under her chair and she stared right back at him.
**Thanks, for the confidence Prof. But I didn't need it.**
Giving Rogue a slightly puzzled look, the Professor looked around at all that had gathered, then continued to stare at Rogue. It almost seemed like he was looking through her, like he was seeing into her very soul.
"I'm afraid I have… some terrible news."
-Collective gasp and eye widening-
"It's not Storm is it Professor X?" squeaked Kitty.
"No, Kitty," the Professor said, not taking his eyes off of Rogue, "Storm is fine. However, one of the greatest female super heroines has fallen. Not one hour ago someone attacked and succeeded in killing Desert Rose." (A.N. Don't ya just love how I can write myself into all my stories.)
-Collective "Oh, dear"s and such things like that, then everyone recovered enough to turn and see how Rogue was taking this.-
Everyone knew that Desert Rose and Rogue had met up and become the best of friends, as close as sisters really, a few missions back. The two of them had kept in touch for the past several months. They called or emailed each other at least once a day. And since Desert Rose, Alana Shea (A.N. Did I mention I was also a BIG fan of Mutant X?), was a powerful psychic they literally kept in constant contact.
*This can't be right. Maybe I'm goin' through shock. I just don't understand. I should be cryin' my eyes out. But I don't feel like cryin'. I feel… I feel… strong? I feel amazing, confident, POWERFUL. Maybe I should leave, I've gotta figure this out.*
"Rogue?" It was Logan.
*Now how the hell did he get behind me?*
"I… I have to… Out… I need out!" Rogue said as she stumbled out of her chair, head hanging low.
"It's alright kiddo. Everything will be alright, I promise. Come on."
*Promise? That word, it makes me feel sick.*
"No." Everyone's mouth fell open, even Logan's.
Rogue looked him right in his glacier, blue eyes and said, "I'm seventeen years old, I have not been 'kiddo' for quite some time. And I would appreciate it if you would stop treating me like your kid sister." Rogue had said this all very quietly, but it was a scary quiet, a voice that said it was not to be messed with. When she was finished she took a deep breath and turned on her heel leaving the room with its confused occupants.
