Best of You
By: RogueBHS
Chapter 3, "Out of the Shadows"
Author Notes: Its been ages since I wrote anything…X-men or otherwise, and my life has change drastically in that time. But I've begun to watch reruns of X-men Evolution on Disney XD, and rereading my own fictions. I promised ages ago I would NEVER completely abandon my fictions, so I am back to fulfill my promise. While updates may still take time, I will do my best to keep this going in a timely manner.
And to address a few questions from reviewers:
NeoNails: Pairings are still being decided for certain, but I'm a ROMY fan at heart. So any flirts she has are likely just that. *wink*
Agent-G: Professor X "suppressed" some of the images he absorbed from Apocalypse because there were so many. Plus, Apocalypse has seen a few different futures I'd imagine. Destiny/Irene is the only true future seer, but Xavier seeing that flash was kind of a "cookie." As for the other, you'll have to wait and see. Hehe.
ALTERNATE CHAPTER W/ LYRICS POSTED AT: .com/group/RBHSFanFicArchive
Disclaimer: I do not now nor will I ever own the X-men in any way, shape or form. They belong to Marvel...Naturally. Z belongs to my friend...not me! Any other OCs will be addressed as the enter.
Notice: Due to 's rules, I don't dare post song lyrics in my stories here any longer. There will be names of songs included, and I will be posting a link to my own site where the lyrics will be posted. For that matter, there may be alternate versions of chapters as well. Look for song information in Parenthesis as you read.
Full Summary: After the ordeal with Apocalypse, the X-men, Acolytes and Brotherhood try to find some sense of normal, but for Rogue, that's harder than it is for the others. Will she be able to find herself again in Bayville? Or will it take new friends and a new location to make her the woman she knows she's meant to be? For that matter, how will the others react to a new Rogue?
Main Characters: The X-men (Scott, Jean, Kurt, Kitty, Rogue, Storm, Wolverine, and Prof. X.), Acolytes (Gambit, Colossus, Pyro, Magneto), Brotherhood (Todd, Pietro, Lance, Wanda, Fred, Mystique), and my own unique Excalibur team...you'll find out who they are later.
Somewhere in Hell -
"You know my aid comes at a price, old man."
"Aye, I dunna 'a care."
Blinding golden eyes took in the tall frame of the demon in front of them, then a slow smirk formed from under the shadowing hood. "I figured as much. There's a reason I came...I have a...shall we say, request."
"Wha' kinda request?" the demon asked warily, his own golden eye glowing softly as he watched the form from his cell.
"There's a girl who interests me...I want you to help her...train her...protect her."
"Dat it?" he said, a smirk forming on his own lips.
"She's something of a rebel...like you. And attracts a fair amount of trouble, without meaning to."
"Sounds like me, a'ight."
The shadowed form of the Guardian moved forward now, and with a wave of her hand, the cell door was unlocked. At the same moment, a vision was granted to the demon, a vision of the girl he was to find and protect. "There is one who can help you get to the girl...a woman by the name of McTaggert. Return to your home in Ireland...she will find you there."
"I like de name...been a while since I been home."
"I'm aware of that...you'll be in Scotland for a while...but I do believe there will be enough to occupy you...plenty of fighting."
The demon grins evilly. "I love a good fight."
"These mortals will not be worthy of your true power...but they will amuse you at least, in their attempts." The Guardian smiled now. "Do we have a deal?"
"Sure...why not?"
"Done." In a flash of black light, the shackles binding the demon to the wall fell away as if nothing, leaving him free to do as he pleased. "I will see you again, old friend."
"Aye...but dunna ever ask me fer n' more fav'rs."
Golden eyes flash with amusement. "I make no promises..." And with a wink, she was gone, leaving the demon to find his own ways out of hell.
Bayville, around midnight -
The new X-man, known to most as Gambit, whistled as he sped along the city streets on his motorcycle, a grin on his lips. De chere best enjoy dis surprise...wasn't easy findin' a store open dis late dat had chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream still in stock, Gambit mused. Still...she be worth it, heh?
As he passed a darkened alleyway of the city, a huge pillar of fire came shooting from the ground, lighting up the area, even as the pillar reached for the sky. Then, as sudden as it came, the pillar was gone, leaving the alley in shadow. Surprised beyond words, Gambit screeched his bike to a halt in front of the alleyway, his red-on-black eyes searching for what had caused such a phenomenon. A slight shuffling sound drew his attention, and he looked harder, only to wish he had perhaps taken another route home.
There, in the alley, was a seven foot tall man with shaggy green hair and a glowing red eye. Seconds later, the eye changed to gold, and the man shook his head rather like a dog trying to get rid of water. As the Cajun watched this, the smell of sulfur and blood reached his nostrils, making him turn up his nose in disgust. With a shake of his own head, Gambit made to start up the bike, not wanting to be anywhere near here when the man finally regained his senses.
X-mansion -
Back at the X-mansion, since its a Friday night, most of the teens are still up and about, watching TV or hanging out in each others rooms to talk. A sound of a motorcycle roaring up the driveway catches the attention of most, alerting them to Gambit's return a good few minutes before he actually even makes it to the house. Downstairs, Rogue is seated on a barstool in the kitchen and sipping on a glass of water when Gambit enters from the garage. Without warning, he deposits the package of ice cream he had picked up on the counter, and promptly turns to the trashcan to vomit. Concerned, Rogue stands and walks over to him. And in her concern, her normal "no touching" rule gets disregarded. Gloved figures gently pull Remy's hair away from his face as he vomits quite rudely into the trashcan, causing him to start in surprise at the gesture.
"What on earth's got ya so sick, Rem?" Rogue questions, green eyes a bit wider than normal in their curiosity.
During a break in his retching, Gambit raises his head a bit to look at her. "Jus' saw somet'in disgustin' is all...well...smelled it is more like it...been doin' dis..." he makes a lame gesture at the trashcan, "ev'r since...stopped more dan a few times on de way home..."
"All this over somethin' ya smelled?" Rogue asks, surprised. "Must've been pretty damn awful..."
"Brimstone and blood and burning trash..." Gambit answers, then leans over the trashcan, now dry heaving.
"Ya wanna see Mr. McCoy?"
"Na...jus' gonna tell me t' drink some water and lay down, pro'lly..."
Rogue nods, then backs away as Gambit straightens, finally rid of his sickness...at least for now. While he grabs himself a glass of water, she puts away the ice cream he'd gotten her, hiding it on the bottom shelf at the back in her usual spot, then takes a seat next to him at the counter again. And while he sips on the water, trying to get his system to calm down more completely, Rogue almost absently rubs at his back as she vaguely remembers someone doing for her as a child when she was sick.
At first, Gambit starts when she touches him, surprised, then slowly relaxes, allowing himself to enjoy the contact while she's willing to give it. Then, without warning Kurt bamfs in, grabs a drink from the fridge, then bamfs out, leaving the smell of brimstone in the air. And despite the fact that the smell is a good deal lighter than what he had smelled before, its enough to have Gambit off of the barstool and retching again into the trashcan while Rogue watches him in amazement.
Just then, Scott walks by the door, and at the sound of Gambit throwing up again, stops to look in. At the sight of Gambit bent over the trashcan, and Rogue watching with a rather dazed look, Scott makes his own assumptions and looks at Rogue in disappointment. "Rogue, please tell me you guys didn't get into Logan's stash again..."
Rogue shakes herself from her daze and glares at Scott. "No...Gambit just ain't feelin' good."
"Then what was with your dazed look?"
"Oh...er...just one second he was sittin' here and th' next he's bent over th' trash can again..." Rogue only half fibbed, as the real reason for her daze had been the mere fact that she'd actually been touching Gambit without thought.
"Right..." Scott says, unsure, then looks at Gambit. "You need me to get Mr. McCoy up here?"
"No t'anks, mon ami," Gambit mutters as he slumps to the kitchen floor, quite exhausted. "Jus' gonna sit here for a bit, den go sleep..."
The last was barely out of his lips before Gambit slides to the floor, now passed out.
Ireland -
From the shadows of an old castle, the same demon who had surprised Gambit in New York steps forth, head bowed against the early lights before sunrise, his eyes slowly adjusting. Finally, he lifts a golden eye to look around, one hand resting on the hilt of one of three katanas slung at his waist. Almost from no where, a mini-jet appears, and he turns, pointing the sword in the direction of the auburn-haired woman who approaches.
"Ach, put th' bloody thing away," the woman muttered, not at all fazed by his drawn weapon, instead, she took in his many bleeding wounds and uncommon height. "Now, ye're a right sight, aren't ye? That c'n be fixed, though."
The demon blinks at the woman for a moment, then speaks in an accent heavily laced with traces of the Irish. "Wha' de 'loody 'ell?"
"Bloody," the woman takes in his appearance again, "tha' ye are, but hell? No, I dinnae think so. Don't suppose ye have a name do ye?"
"Why de 'ell sh'ld Ah tell ye?"
Miffed, the woman puts her hands on her hips and frowns at him. "Well tis certainly no way t' treat someone who was lookin' t' help ye, now is it? ACH! Where are me own manners? I'm Moira McTaggert."
The demon raises an eyebrow. "McTaggert?"
"Aye..."
"Z."
"I'll be assuming that Z is ye're name?" The woman asked.
"Aye…"
"Well then, 'Z,' lets get ye out of the damp mornin' air, and go somewhere we can have a chat, if you're agreeable," Moira says, one eyebrow raised in question.
Z raises one shoulder in a sort of shrug, and smirks. "Lead de way, lass."
Muir Island Research Center, Scotland -
Moira landed the mini-jet on a small air-pad outside of her research center, then glanced over her shoulder to where Z was hunched into the passenger seat behind her. "I hope tha' wasn' too bad a flight for ye t' handle…"
Z has one of his katanas drawn and looks uncomfortable. "Like walkin' through 'ell lass…"
Moira pauses in the unbuckling of her seatbelt to give him a critical look, then shakes her head in amusement. "Ye certainly do use th' word 'hell' a lot, laddie…"
"When ya been where Ah 'ave, ya do…"
"I'll take your word for it…now, ye planning on getting out of the plane or no?"
"Wha' a plane?"
Moira raises an eyebrow. "Tha' thing you're sittin' in would be a plane…"
Z tilts his head, then taps the side of the plane with the hilt of his sword.
"Ye done?"
Z suddenly vanishes from the plane, leaving Moira to look at the vacated area curiously, and with no small amount of surprise. Then, without a sound, Z reappears behind her there on the ground, and smirks. "Aye…"
Whirling, Moira takes a step back so she can properly look at Z, rather than have her nose about to poke Z in the stomach. "Well, I suppose that would be some sort of teleportation ye do, hmm?"
Z points to the ground, where Moira's shadow reaches right up to the tip of Z's boots.
Moira looks down, then back up at Z, then sighs, realizing it will take a while to get this one actually speak more than a few words at a time. "Might as well go on inside," she tells Z, motioning to the Research facility not far away. "See if we can't find ye a room if ye like…"
Z slowly takes in the facility, then looks back to Moira. "Aight…" he mutters.
Moira leads him to the facility, her own brisk stride keeping up with his slower, yet long, lumbering steps. "The rest of me team be out for a few days taken care of things on th' mainland, so ye'll have plenty o' time t' settle in."
Z looks at the building again. "More dan one person lives 'ere?"
"Aye," Moira says with a slight laugh, "We got 'round half a dozen people that live 'ere, off and on."
Z nods.
With a smile, Moira slides her key card through the electronic lock, and pushes the door open to allow Z entry. "Well then, Z…Welcome t' Muir Island."
Xavier Mansion, 3 days later -
The photos of 7 mutants came up on a large screen, each of them very different from the others. After a few moments of silence, the mutant known as Beast moved from his spot at a keyboard to the side, even as the profiles of the 7 other mutants began to slide one by one onto the screen.
"So these are her students?" Ororo Munroe asked, turning blue eyes to her old friend, Xavier.
"Students…no. These are those whom have proven themselves in enough control to be a part of the team known as Excalibur." Xavier let his gaze linger on the profiles for a moment longer before turning to face the others in the room. "It would seem that the European governments are a few years ahead of our own in their dealings with mutants. After the ordeal with Apocalypse, Europe realized that there would be foes whom only teams of mutants could battle and survive. Thus, they felt it prudent to form their own team, under their control, to protect all of Europe from any non-human menace that might arise."
"So they turned a bunch of young mutants into their own fightin' force?" Logan ground out, looking at the photos again. And true enough, none of the mutants pictured looked to be any older than perhaps 25.
"In a sense," Xavier conceded. "But an old friend of mine is part of the project, and has been in contact with me weekly since the team was formed. I trust her to take care of the mutants she's charged with."
Curious, Beast turned to look at the Professor. "But I was under the impression the good Doctor was not a mutant herself?"
"No, she is not. But she has studied the X-gene for years, and is very sympathetic to our cause."
"Doctor?" Logan said, eyebrow raised.
Knowing what Logan's concern was, Xavier shook his head and smiled. "Do not worry, Logan. She is not the type who would experiment on mutants. She is simply interested in helping them learn control."
"Then could she do somethin' for Rogue?"
"I…" Xavier paused. "I am not sure. She has seen the file on all of the students here, and something tells me she has her own hypothesis when it comes to Rogue's powers. But she would also need to run her own tests, which cannot, unfortunately, be run here."
"So that means…" Ororo frowned.
"Yes…that means Rogue would have to, at least temporarily, leave the Institute."
"No way, Chuck. Girl's better off here with people she knows," Logan said, immediately against anything that would take Rogue away from his watchful gaze.
Magneto shook his head at the protective nature of the others at the table. "The girl has incredible power, and no way to control it right now. And without control she can be used as a weapon against us. Or have you already forgotten what Mesmero and Apocalypse did?" His cool blue eyes noticed Mystique shift her weight from one foot to another, the only sign of distress she would allow herself to show. "Or does Rogue need to have a relapse of when the many psyches she has absorbed fought for control to make you see clearly?"
Unable to keep quiet any longer, Mystique moved from where she leaned at the door. "She's grown stronger, possibly more powerful since that…episode."
"Which you let happen," Ororo reminded, "and without alerting us. We could've helped her had we realized what was going on."
"Yes, and you were doing such a fanastic job of that to begin with," Mystique countered, approaching Ororo, eyes narrowed.
"And posing as her friend, lying to her, using her for your own means makes you such a wonderful mother or caretaker does it?" Ororo asked as she rose from her chair.
"Mystique, Ororo, sit down," the professor bade. "I am telling you all about this not just for Rogue, but for any of our students who perhaps need an extra push to properly control their powers."
"It just don't feel right…feels like we're givin' up on em," Logan said. "And that's the last thing the kids need, ain't it?"
"Indeed," Hank agreed. "However, I do feel the students should be allowed to know there is another option. Sometimes just knowing that there is another path, another helping hand can be enough to cause a person to gain the confidence they were previously lacking."
"Let us think on it a bit longer," Magneto proposed. "Not just your students can benefit from this, Charles. And if we tell one, we should tell them all."
"Of course," Xavier said, as that had been his intention all along. "We'll talk about this again at a later time."
One by one, the other adults left the room until there was just Logan and Hank left, both looking at the photos of the Excalibur team. With a smirk, Logan turned his attention to Hank. "Hell of an odd bunch she's got there, eh?"
"Mmm," Hank murmured, then raised an eyebrow. "Odd is a word that could be used for our team as well, Logan. Perhaps the term you'd be looking for is colorful?"
Chuckling, Logan looked at the photos again. "Colorful…are ya just talking about the hair there Hank?"
Author Notes: I'll leave it there. Hehe.
