A/N: It's me with another Evo fic. This one's another post Apocalypse fic (gasp What a shocker, I know.) This one's set about 6 months after Ascension. It's kind of my take on the Acolytes joining the X-Men.
Ages:
Gambit-21
Colossus, Pyro, Jean, Scott, Lance-19
Rogue, Wanda, Pietro, Blob-18
Kitty, Kurt, Toad-17
Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men: Evolution or any of the characters from it.
Rogue and Kitty passed notes throughout English. They both were passing with flying colors, despite their lack of attention. They were more than ready to leave when the ball rang.
"Thank Gawd. Ah don't think Ah could have sat in there much longer."
"No kidding." Kitty brushed some of her long hair out of her eyes. She had decided to leave it down that day and it was getting in her way. "By the way, you should keep the new makeup style. It suits you better than all the purple eye shadow and everything."
"Thanks. Ah'll keep that in mind." Rogue threw her English book into her locker in exchange for her French book. "You planning on askin Lance to the Winter Formal?"
"Yeah. I'm going to ask him next time I see him. What about you? Anyone in mind?" Kitty asked as the girls headed toward the steps. Rogue's French 2 class was in the room next to Kitty's History class.
"Not really. You know how Ah am about dancing and everythin."
"Yeah, but it's the Winter Formal. That means you can get away with long sleeves or high gloves or whatever. Plus you can ask one of the guys at the Institute, since they know not to touch you."
"Sounds like a fun way to dance."
"Come on, Rogue. It's your senior year. Just ask Remy or something. That way you can come and not have to worry about anyone questioning you. Besides, I'm sure that everyone would be so jealous when you showed up with him."
"Ah don't know, Kit."
"Just think about it, okay?" Kitty waved and ducked into her class. Rogue walked into the next classroom and sat down just as the bell rang.
The hour of French usually flew by, but today it was dragging. Rogue was contemplating Kitty's idea. He does know that Ah can't touch. And him and Piotr are the only guys Ah could really ask without going for one of the New Recruits or Logan. Rogue shuddered at the thought of going to a school dance with the man that was practically her father.
"Rogue? Are you okay?" Rogue looked up to see the blond French teacher looking at her.
"Yeah. Ah'm fine."
"Would you care to answer the question, then?"
"Ah'm sorry, could you repeat the question?"
"Please pay attention in the future." The teacher turned to ask one of the other kids a question.
Why am Ah takin this class again? Ah can speak French better than the teacher. Maybe we need a new teacher that Ah could learn something from. Or at least Ah need someone who can challenge me.
"You all need to practice speaking French in an everyday setting, not just in this classroom if you want to improve."
Who do Ah know that speaks French well enough to carry on a conversation? Hmm, let's see. How about no one. Well, Remy speaks Cajun. Ah guess that's close enough.
"I am going to give you a project that is due the Friday after next, meaning to weeks from this Friday. I want each of you to pick a city that has been influenced by the French. Please raise your hand when you pick a city. I'm giving you half an hour to pick a city. If you don't choose one by then, I will assign one to you."
Rogue's hand immediately shot up. Since she had been thinking about Remy already, she knew the perfect city.
"Rogue? Do you already have a city picked out?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"What city is that?"
"New Orleans, Louisiana."
The teacher paused for a minute. "New Orleans will work, since the culture has French influences."
Another student raised their hand. "What exactly is the project?"
"You are going to write a thousand word essay, in French, about the city and the aspects of the French language that have been integrated into it. Then you will present a five minute speech on the city, once again, in French." Groans rang out across the room. "This will count as a quarter of your grade this semester."
Rogue however was somewhat excited. She had loved what she had seen of the city in her too brief visit. She looked forward to finding out more about New Orleans. It would also be a huge bonus to have a New Orleans native to question about the city. She jotted some ideas in her notebook and waited for the bell to ring.
Rogue grabbed her backpack and slung it over her shoulder as soon as the bell sounded. She was looking forward to her next class: Study Hall. She caught up with Kitty in the crowd of teens and walked with her friend to their next class.
Their study hall was in the upstairs library. Rogue and Kitty took their normal table in the back, more or less out of sight of everyone else. Kurt soon joined them. The teacher was absent, as usual, and the librarian always took her lunch break during their class, so the library was never a quiet place during 3rd period.
"I don't know vhy they call this study hall. It's not like ve can actually study in here," Kurt complained as he took out one of his books.
"We're supposed to have a teacher to, like, keep everyone in line. But I've only seen him, like, once this year." Kitty looked at Rogue when the other girl grabbed her history book and flipped to the index. "Looking for something?"
"Ah've got a thousand word essay to write for French."
"Harsh."
Kitty nodded her agreement with Kurt's statement. "Um, if it's for French, then why are you looking in my history book? It's, like, American History."
"That's why."
"What?"
"Ah've got to write a thousand word essay on an American city that has been influenced by the French."
"What city did you pick?"
Rogue looked at Kitty with a smirk. "New Orleans, of course."
"Why would you…" Kitty's voice trailed off as she understood. "Wait, isn't Remy from New Orleans?"
"Exactly." Rogue nodded and flipped to a page the index listed.
"So you can totally ask him about it."
"Yeah, but Ah doubt that he can tell me much about the city's history."
"But I'm sure he can tell you something about the whole French-Cajun thing."
"I'm hopin he can. If not, Ah've got a lot of work ahead of me."
"When's it due, mein schwester?"
"Two weeks from Friday. But Ah have to give a five minute speech on it. In French."
"Too bad you don't have German. I could help you vith that."
"Sorry, fuzz ball, but Ah can already speak German."
"How?"
"Ah've absorbed you. You're psyche can translate for me."
"So you understand me vhen I am speaking German."
"Yep. And you thought you were so clever by cussing in a foreign language."
"If you can understand me, shouldn't you be able to dig around in Gambit's memories to find your answers?"
Rogue shook her head. "No, Ah can't. Apocalypse erased his psyche."
"Then you can only understand me because you've absorbed me in the last six months?"
"Yeah. Just like Ah can understand Kitty in valley girl mode because Ah've absorbed her since then."
"That makes sense."
"So, Kurt, have you decided to go to the Winter Formal?"
"I'm going vith Amanda. What about you?"
"I'm totally going with Lance. And I'm trying to get Rogue to find a date."
Kurt looked at her with raised eyebrows. "You should come. It'll be fun."
"If Ah can get a date, Ah'll come. But right now, Ah'm going to find a book with some info about New Orleans." Rogue stood up and headed toward the history/geography section of the library.
"Vhen did Rogue start looking like that?"
"What do you mean?" Kitty looked up from her book, where she was doing her reading assignment.
"You know what I mean."
"Actually I don't."
"Vith her hair up and less makeup and normal looking clothes."
Kitty glanced across the library at her friend. She really did look a little different. "I don't know, but maybe she'll decide to lay off on the Goth makeup."
"I hope you're right. She's prettier without it." Kurt and Kitty both went back to their work. Rogue came back a minute later. She was empty handed.
"Ah guess Ah'll have to look it up on the internet. There's nothing here worth using."
"You could try the library back at the Institute."
"Ah might have to."
The bell rang, signaling lunch. Kurt, Kitty, and Rogue waited until the rush out of the library had calmed before getting up to leave. They stowed their books and went outside to eat. They had all brought their lunch to avoid the stares of everyone in the cafeteria.
The New Recruits were already at a picnic table when they got outside. Rogue waved and headed off to relax and read under her tree while she ate. She dropped to the ground next to the tree, not surprised to see Wanda there. The other girl wasn't any more of a fan of the crowded quad than Rogue was.
Wanda looked up form the book she was reading. "Hey, Rogue."
"Hi."
"I heard that some of my father's old Acolytes joined the X-Men."
"Where'd ya hear that?"
"That annoying Aussie that moved in."
Rogue laughed at the look on Wanda's face. The other Goth glared at her. "Ah'm sorry. Ah've only met him a few times, but AH can't imagine livin with him. Ah think he'd drive me crazy."
"He's only been there since yesterday and I've already hexed him a few times. He's worse than Pietro."
"Wow. Ah'm kinda glad that we got Remy and Piotr instead."
"How's that working for you anyway?"
"Fine. Why?"
Wanda shrugged. "I figured that it might be hard on you, since Gambit kidnapped you and everything."
"No. Ah understand why he did it. Ah'm not saying that it was right or anything, but Ah can see where he was coming from."
Rogue heard someone calling her name from the direction of the quad. She stood up and brushed off her pants. "See ya later." Wanda gave a small wave, already consumed in her book.
Rogue walked back toward the other students, trying to figure out who had been calling for her. Nobody seemed to be looking for her. She winced as the PA system screeched. "Rogue Darkholme please report to the secretary's office."
Rogue rolled her eyes and headed toward the front of the school, ignoring the looks that were being thrown her way. She gave some jocks that were laughing at her the one fingered salute as she walked through the cafeteria. She was surprised to find that the halls were completely silent, save for the noise coming from the closed cafeteria doors.
"Ah'm here." The secretary glanced at Rogue's dark clothes in distaste before looking down at a note pad in front of her. Rogue heard the door open behind her. She watched the secretaries eyes light up as someone stepped through the door, her message for Rogue obviously forgotten. A smile wound it's way across the middle aged woman's face.
"Hello. How may I help you?"
"I'm here to pick up Rogue." Rogue turned around at the low voice. She couldn't help but smile at the man standing behind her. He returned the smile. "You ready, chére?"
"What are you doin here?"
"Xavier sent me. Come on, we'll talk on the way." Remy held the door for Rogue and grinned at the lady behind the desk. "Thanks."
"You're quite welcome."
"You ready?" Rogue looked over at Remy to see an impatient look cross his face.
"Let me put my books up."
"Fine. Just hurry up, will you?" He followed her down the hall to her locker.
"So what's this all about?"
"A mission."
Rogue looked questioningly at the Cajun. "Why did he just want me?" She opened her locker and threw her books inside.
Remy shrugged. "He didn't explain it. Just told me to come get you while Logan readied the jet." He looked around the hall, taking note of everything.
"You ready to go or you wanna stare at the wall a lil longer?" Rogue's sarcastic voice brought him back to reality.
"Sorry. Just rememberin how much I hated school." He looked around for a minute longer.
"If you're just gonna look around, Ah'm gonna go tell Kitty that Ah'm leavin." Rogue started to walk away.
"Sorry, chére. But we ain't got time for that." He threw an arm around her shoulders and steered her toward the exit.
"Aw hell," Rogue cursed as the bell rang. Teenagers filled the hall. Many of them stopped and stared at the Goth leaving with a guys arm around her shoulders. She was never so glad to walk out of the school.
"So where's your ride?" Gambit nodded toward a black '68 Camaro. "Nice, but Ah always saw you as a bike guy."
Remy chuckled at her statement as he opened her door for her. "I am. But I also love an American Classic. I wasn't sure how you'd do on a bike, so I brought the car." He climbed into the driver's seat and started the car.
Soon they were pulling up to the Institute gates. Remy pulled off a glove and pressed his thumb to the touchpad. The gates swung open to let him through. He parked his car and jumped out.
"Go get your uniform and meet us in the hangar. You can change on the way." Rogue nodded and rushed off to her room. She threw her bodysuit in a duffel bag with the boots, glove, and armor that completed her uniform.
Rogue ran down to the hangar, arriving at the same time as Jean and Scott, who were both suited up and ready to go. Scott looked at her in confusion.
"Rogue, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be at school."
"I sent Remy to get her. I believe that we will need her help on this mission," the professor's voice said from behind them. "Now, let's go. We're running out of time." The teens nodded and boarded the jet.
Jean and Scott took seats next to each other in the front. Logan was flying and the professor was in the position of co-pilot. Ororo sat just behind them and next to Hank. Jean and Scott were across the aisle. Piotr sat behind Hank. This left Rogue and Remy sitting across from Piotr.
"What's this mission about Professor?" Rogue questioned, since she still didn't know anything about it.
"I am supposed to be debating against a very strong anti-mutant opponent, Graydon Creed. He is trying to gain support for the Mutant Registration Act. We also have information that suggests that Graydon is the head of the Friends of Humanity."
"Creed? Isn't that Sabretooth's last name?" Jean asked.
"I'm afraid so. You see Graydon is the son of Victor Creed, or Sabretooth, and Mystique."
"So this guy is my half-brother in a twisted sort of way?"
"Yes, Rogue. But he hates mutants with a passion, probably because of his parents. He strongly believes that mutants are an abomination that needs to be eliminated at any cost."
"So we're pretty much being your body guards?" Scott questioned.
"In a manner of speaking. During the debate, the FoH headquarters will be empty because the members will be recruiting and raising support for Mr. Creed. Beast and Colossus will accompany me to the debate while the rest of you gain access into the FoH headquarters to gather information."
"Wouldn't this be better to do at night?" Gambit raised an eyebrow. He'd rarely encountered anyone that would risk a break-in during the day.
"It would be ideal, yes, but we don't have much of an option. We have no information regarding security or anything at night, but I don't doubt that the place is better guarded after dark. And the debate is the perfect distraction. The members will be busy trying to stir up any anti-mutant attendees, as well as scouting for new members as I've already mentioned."
"So you want us to break into a building and steal information?" Scott seemed perturbed by the idea.
"Yes. I have reason to believe that they have information on each of us as well as other mutants around the world. If you find theses files, please bring them back with you. Gambit, you're in charge on this mission, since you have the most prior experience when it comes to breaking and entering."
"Gambit, Colossus, and Beast are obvious choices, but why the rest of us?" Rogue couldn't help but ask.
"Rogue, you have a natural agility that is only rivaled by Remy. I also believe that with your recent breakthrough, you can use any powers you have absorbed in the past if you focus on them. This could be invaluable.
"Jean telepathy and telekinesis is always an asset when there may be unforeseen problems. Storm will give you cover to move in. Scott and Logan are always a welcome addition to any mission. Does that answer your question?"
"Yes." Rogue lapsed into silence. She noticed Gambit studying a building's floor plan. "Is this it?"
"Sure is, chére."
"What's your plan?"
He pointed to an office on one side of the building. "This is where the files should be. If you can actually use powers that you've absorbed, I think that we can get in and out no problem. We'll just need Kurt or Kitty's powers. They'll get us in and out without a trace."
"And if Ah can't?"
He smirked. "Then we do this the old fashioned way."
Here's ch. 2. Let me know what you think.