Disclaimer: Does not belong to me.
Chapter 2—Rogue
People stared at the young brunette as she slunk through the crowd. It wasn't often that they saw someone—anyone—dressed for below freezing temperatures in a place where snow was something of a myth. The girl in question, a runaway by the name of Rogue, ignored the looks and kept her eyes on the ground. The last few weeks had been long and horrible. Everything seemed like a nightmare.
Soon, Rogue left the crowds behind and entered a small park. She quickly found an empty bench and sat in the very middle, placing her bag on one side and leaving little room for company on the other. New Orleans was nothing like she had ever imagined, partly because she felt no joy in touring the Big Easy, and mostly because she was alone.
Rogue blinked back tears as she looked down at the newspaper she held in her hands. On the bottom of the page was an article entitled, "Comatose Teen Awakens after Mutant Attack". The article went on to describe how Cody had woken up after three weeks in a coma, and that he was growing stronger with each passing day. Cody's parents were also quoted as saying, "When we catch the mutant that did this she will be locked away forever."
Rogue gave a cynical chuckle, so much for traveling the world with Cody now. He probably hated her, not that she blamed him. She had almost killed him. Cody still lived on in her mind though his memories and thoughts were slowly beginning to fade into the dark recesses of her head. All but the parts that Rogue had found to be useful, like his knowledge of martial arts and football tactics. Yet that was what scared Rogue the most. She was fully intent on never touching another living person again. She wasn't keen on living their memories. Her fear of losing her own mind to that of another's kept her fully clothed and covered, regardless of the weather.
The teen hadn't come to terms with her curse, as she liked to call it. She couldn't deny however that it was getting easier to go around in complete solitude. She never said more than two words to anyone and didn't care that many would label her as stuck up. Being a bitch was a whole lot better than what she really was: a freak of nature.
Bayville, New York:
Professor Charles Xavier was silent as he stared out his window. Behind him he could hear his two colleagues entering the room with two of his top students.
"You wanted to see us, Chuck?" growled Logan leaning against the door.
"Yes. There is a mutant in need of our assistance," replied Xavier turning his chair around.
"Another one?" asked Scott dubiously. He thought back on the last mutant in need who had tried to kill them, and was now working for a dark mutant by the name of Mystique. While the Professor felt mutants needed their help it was hard to believe that all would be welcoming of that aid…there were just some mutants that could not be helped.
"Her name is Rogue. She's only seventeen and on the run. Her powers evolved and left a boy in a coma as a result. She needs our guidance now more than ever."
Ororo picked up a newspaper off of Xavier's desk and scanned the headlines. "Her powers sound dangerous."
"Rogue's powers are unlike any other I have heard of. From that article, I believe she has the ability to absorb mutant powers and use them as her own. But if she were to touch a normal homo-sapien she would be able to drain their life force. Without looking into her mind I can't tell what effects her powers have on her. Even now I can't get much of a reading—she's too far away and…I sense another's thoughts blending with her own."
"So you want us to find her and bring her to the mansion?" questioned Jean chewing on a strand of her hair. "Is she going to even trust us? If she's on the run, she's probably scared out of her mind. Putting a boy into a coma, even accidentally…that's serious stuff, Professor. This girl probably feels like everyone's out to get her now."
"If this girl has the power to absorb other powers," started Logan carefully, "then how come old Tin-Can ain't after her?"
Xavier looked over at the burly man and frowned. "I believe Erik is also after our Rogue…if only to use her powers to his advantage. From my last encounter with Mystique, I believe Erik has been watching this girl for a long time now."
"What for, Charles? Does Magneto have a connection to this girl?" asked Ororo quietly.
"I don't believe so, but…I think he's been planning something with the consultations of a mutant who can see into the future."
Jean frowned. "Destiny? She's pretty good at what she does—no one else has the ability to foresee what's to come like she can."
"Yes, she's also a good friend of Mystique's, and I'm fairly sure that Destiny has been working with Erik for some years now." Xavier sighed before continuing. "Logan, gather Kitty, and Kurt. Jean, Scott, Ororo, suit up—we're heading to New Orleans to catch ourselves a rogue."
The Brotherhood of Mutants:
"Hey! That's my sandwich, yo!" cried out Toad in dismay from his position hanging off the ceiling fan in the kitchen.
Lance ignored him as he took a bite of the sandwich the other teen had made. "It ain't grand, but it'll do until Mystique goes shopping again."
Pietro sped into the kitchen and snorted in derision. "You think she's actually gonna go shopping for us? That witch hates us with a capital H."
"Maybe if you weren't such a smartass to her, yo, she wouldn't hate us so much," said Toad leaping on top of the counter. With a flick of his tongue he snatched the remainder of his sandwich from Lance's hands and straight into his mouth.
"Freak," muttered Lance.
"Look who's talking."
"Now, now, boys, if you're going to spill some blood go outside. You know how dear Mystique can't stand a mess," tsked Pietro in a mocking tone. Lance balled his hands into fists and let loose a mild tremor that shook the house.
"What the hell is going on here?" demanded a booming voice from the kitchen doorway. All three heads turned, expecting to see Mystique in disguise, but instead of the shape shifter there stood Magneto, boiling with anger.
"D…dad!" exclaimed Pietro in surprise. Toad gulped and leapt behind the counter as Lance stood his ground. Magneto entered the kitchen and eyed the three teens darkly as Mystique and Sabertooth walked in.
"Hey Whiskers," grinned Lance popping his knuckles. "Been a while since we've seen you around."
Sabertooth replied with a deep growl, causing Pietro to take a small step backwards. Mystique pursed her lips before speaking. "This place is a fucking mess—clean it!"
"Now?" whined Pietro.
"No, tomorrow. Of course now. I'm going to pick up a new recruit, so I want this place spotless by the time I return," snapped Mystique.
"Another one? I thought Quicksilver counted as two…he sure acts that way," muttered Lance.
Magneto gritted his teeth. "This mutant is very valuable. I won't let Xavier or his X-Men get what is rightfully mine. Victor, Mystique!" Both mutants snapped to immediate attention.
"Let's go, I won't have our recruit waiting." Magneto turned from the doorway with his two followers on his heels.
"A little possessive, ain't he?" asked Toad popping up from the other side of the counter.
"That's dad for you," mumbled Pietro. "He always gets what he wants."
Outside Magneto was briefing Mystique and Sabertooth on what he wanted them to do. "Under no circumstances must we let this girl go. Victor, I need you to keep the Wolverine and any others who get in your way as far away from our Rogue as possible. Mystique, do whatever is necessary to get her on our side."
"Consider it done," replied the shape shifter crossing her arms. Sabertooth simply nodded his head in agreement.
"Good." Magneto turned to stare out into the sky deep in thought. "The war has come, Charles. Are you ready to succumb to your fate?"
The Big Easy:
Rogue rubbed her tired eyes as she gazed at the pink sunset overhead. The day was finally ending, and she still wasn't altogether sure where she was going to crash for the night. She didn't have enough money to stay in a hotel and still get by for the next few days. Rogue needed a miracle if she was going to survive her newfound life.
"All I need is some money," she murmured to herself as she watched a young couple walk by hand in hand. Rogue felt a tinge of envy at the closeness of the couple, but quickly brushed it aside when she caught sight of a red headed girl her age, headed straight towards her.
"Hi," said the red head casually smiling brightly at Rogue. The brunette felt herself freeze as she stared back at the pretty teen. People usually stayed away from her in case she was just as much trouble as she looked. It seemed humans were wary of runaways, feeling that doing something would get them mixed up in bad business. Yet here was this red head acting as though there was nothing wrong with Rogue. That was more than enough reason for the brunette to bristle uncomfortably.
"My name's Jean Grey, I was wondering if I could talk to you for a minute," continued the girl sweetly.
Rogue simply shrugged in dumbstruck horror. Talking hadn't been in her plans for the rest of her life, but she couldn't just get up and walk away, could she? Try as she might Rogue couldn't just wipe away the years of upbringing her parents had instilled in her, and with that had come the infamous southern hospitality that required polite response. At this point Rogue wasn't sure what was more of a curse—what she did to people with a simple touch or the person she had been raised to become.
Jean bit her lip, as if trying to decide how to continue on. Rogue tensed at her next words. "I know you're running away from home. That you're from Mississippi…and something bad happened there."
"That's it, I'm done listening," said Rogue grabbing her bag and getting to her feet. She wouldn't stay here and listen to someone accuse her of being a murderer. Cody was still alive as far as she knew, and while the teen desperately wanted to return home and undo all that she had done, she also knew it was impossible. If someone knew who she was that meant it wouldn't be long before the cops arrived to bring her in. Louisiana wasn't all that far from Mississippi—she'd be home before she knew it if she didn't get away now.
"Wait!" Jean rushed on. "I want to help you. I know what it's like to be scared and feel like you're all alone. But you really aren't! There are others like you!"
"Others like me? Can they kill people with a touch of their hands? Did their folks sell them out too? I don't think you know what it's like to be alone. No one knows what I'm going through. No one can help me." Rogue shook her head. "So please, just leave me alone. I have to live with what I've done for the rest of my life…I don't need anyone trying to make things better. It's impossible."
"Professor Xavier can. He owns a school for kids like us; kids with powers they can't control. He helps teach restraint and control so you can learn how to use your powers carefully. He's helped me."
Rogue looked at the red head doubtfully. "Can he get rid of my curse?"
Jean shook her head. She hadn't expected that question, but at the same time she had known it would come. Most people new to their powers believed their powers could be taken away like it was nothing more than a small wart.
Rogue gave a sharp nod and turned her back to walk away. Her question had been answered, and with it had come the decision that staying it alone was her best bet. She didn't want to endanger others and staying in a place with other people would only ensure that happened. She could just as easily learn how her curse worked on her own as she could with someone else guiding her. It was easier to be alone in the end. Being alone meant not getting attached to people; people that would eventually let her down as her family had done.
"Wait!" called out Jean following Rogue. "Are you just going to walk away like that? The Professor can help you learn how to control your powers."
"Powers are abilities like super strength or running like the speed of light. What I have is a curse. My skin is poison, Jeanie. I don't think anyone can help me with that."
Jean pleaded in gentle voice. "You should really just give the Professor a chance. I swear we only want to protect you from people who abhor all mutants. The ones who want to lock us up and throw away the key."
Rogue continued to shake her head. "I don't think so. People get hurt around me. I'm better off on my own." With that Rogue stepped off the path and into the trees of the park, disappearing from sight. Jean gave a deep sigh and sent a message to the others with her mind.
Sorry guys, she wouldn't listen to me. Your turn.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" Rogue berated herself as she took on a faster pace through the trees. She breathed in relief when the trees opened out upon an old cemetery. She could hide here for the night, and come tomorrow she would high tail it out of New Orleans—especially now that some people apparently knew who…and what…she was. She should have known going somewhere she had been talking about for ages would be the first place people would look.
"Excuse me!" came a voice from behind Rogue.
The teenage girl groaned in frustration. "Why me?" She turned around to tell off the caller, but caught her breath when she laid eyes on a teenage boy with brown hair and the oddest pair of sunglasses with red lenses. There was something about him that told Rogue that he was sincere and meant no harm…and his looks weren't bad to stare at either. Unable to tell the boy to go away Rogue simply waited for him to speak again.
"My name's Scott Summers. I know you don't want to listen to what I have to say, but…we really want to help you out."
Rogue almost groaned. She had been hoping he'd be a local stranger like the type she had read about in books. Apparently that just wasn't meant to be. "You're one of them, huh? Figures. Look, I don't need your help. I'm perfectly fine on my own. I stay away from people for a very good reason. So why can't y'all just leave me alone?" Rogue raised her eyebrows as the teen struggled for an answer.
"Look, we just want to be your friends. We want to help you out. I know its hard coming to terms with your powers, but it'll get better. I promise." Scott shoved his hands into his pockets with a grim face. Rogue was proving harder to help out than any of the other mutants at the mansion had been.
"You don't know what I've done."
"It doesn't matter what you've done," replied Scott softly. "You can't let it define who you are and who you will become. You have to move past it…put it behind you. You can keep running, but eventually you'll run out of places to go. We're offering you a home, a chance to start over. Let us help you."
She could feel herself wavering, if only because she was tired of running…and both the boy and the girl seemed so genuine with their words. What if there was a chance she could learn to control her powers? Wouldn't that be just as good as getting rid of it? She could only run for so long before something dire happened—like accidentally killing someone. Perhaps getting help was better than nothing at all. Before Rogue could reply however, a large figure jumped out of the bushes with a menacing growl. Rogue gave a shriek as she caught sight of Sabertooth and his sharp claws.
"Hello, girlie," growled the evil mutant with a snicker. "I think you've reached the end of your lines running tonight."
"Who the hell are you?" gasped Rogue taking a step away from the overgrown feline.
"Your worst nightmare."
"Not so fast, bub!" came another growl. Rogue turned around and felt her head spinning with fear as she caught sight of another menacing mutant. He had steel claws coming out of his knuckles, and by the looks of his face, Rogue didn't consider him a very forgiving person.
"Wolverine. It's been a while. How'd you know I was coming?" chuckled Sabertooth forgetting about Rogue for a second.
"You forgot to take a bath, Sabby. I could smell you a mile away," replied Wolverine. Sabertooth narrowed his eyes and howled as he leapt towards his archenemy. Rogue's eyes widened and she took off running deeper into the cemetery as the two mutants came together in combat. No matter how sincere that boy had been, those two mutant felines had appeared after she had stopped to talk to him. There was no way in hell Rogue was going to stick around and be clawed to death. She would take her chances with running.
"Aw crap!" muttered Scott. "Jean, she's running again. Sabretooth is here, I think Magneto's looking for our girl."
I know. I sense Mystique nearby. Kitty and Kurt are in position if Rogue runs their way.
Rogue ran like there was no tomorrow. She was scared beyond all reason. It seemed like everyone was after her now, never before had she felt so helpless. She glanced over her shoulder and cursed when she saw Scott still following her. She turned back to watch where she was going, only to collide head on with another dark haired teenage boy. Her eyes widened as his bare hand came into contact with her cheek in the fall.
The boy's eyes popped open as he felt Rogue drain some of his powers before she pulled away and scrambled backwards against a gravestone. Her heart was racing and her eyes were as wide as saucers now. This was exactly what she didn't want to happen, but it had.
"Kurt!" screamed a dark haired girl rushing to the boy's side as he lost consciousness. "Kurt!"
Scott came to halt and knelt down beside Kurt before looking over at Rogue. Her eyes were wide and haunted as tears began to form. She shook her head as if to prevent him from saying anything. "Why can't you just leave me alone?" she whispered. Then in a puff of smoke she was gone.
A/N—Chapter 2: Rogue revised as of May 17, 2007.
