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Chares Darwin once wrote, 'It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.'

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Rogue remembered the first time she had taken a history course in college. Ancient Cultures: Cultural, Social, and Religious movements in Ancient Egypt, Rome, and the East. It was such a lofty title, but then again it was a lofty course. A two semester course that covered the movements of influences throughout the civilizations. What stuck in Rogue's mind from that course wasn't so much the construction of the civilizations, although impressive in itself, but the destruction of such strongholds. What really brought down Egypt, Rome, the Indus valley, and the emperors of the Asian lands fascinated Rogue.

Even more so, it was helpful that Irene shared the same fascination as well. It was such an interest that Irene would suggest readings and ask that Rogue discuss them with her. And so, in a way, this was how Rogue learned many things.

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Emma gritted her teeth, 'I would suggest you put the guns down before someone hurts themselves.''

The sentinels made no movement.

Emma sighed, turning around so her back was to the soldiers. More then one soldier admired the shapely behind. 'I'm good at what I do boys, and what I do…' She stared out at the bright skyline, her reflection and those of the sentinels reflected at the corner of her eyes. 'Is get away with everything'.

The sentinels watched as Emma Frost's entire body shifted and changed to a hard diamond form, harshly reflecting the sun and blinding the soldiers

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'One of my associates is looking for it right now'

Magneto slowly smiled, 'I like the way you think…doctor.'

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Rogue saw the flash as another explosion went off in a neighboring building.

Rogue, in a moment of panic, felt the building of pressure behind her eyes.

'Nooooooo'

A red laser beam shot from her eyes, knocking the pieces of glass out of the way.

She quickly shut her eyes, scared at what she might have done.

Feeling for the wall, she was about to call for Logan to help her, until an arm came around her waist and pulled her into the ally again.

'Hello Cherie' the voice huskily said into her ear.

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Miss...ah...?'

'Rogue'

'Right, Miss Rogue, I'm sorry but the museum simply can't allow you to see the document at the moment.'

Rogue slowly straightened up to her full five foot and eight inches. Looking the man directly in the eye, 'Mr. Coza, I understand the delicacy of the scroll better then almost anybody. I have permission by New York University to view it. ' Rogue hesitatd a moment. 'for research purposes of course.'

Mr. Coza sighed again. He really wished for a different job. Handling irate academics was exhausting by nature, and he simply didn't have the patience for it. Feeling the sweat beading on his forehead, he took his white handerkerchief out and mopped his forehead. the woman looked determined and slightly frightening. She never turned away from him, not even to look around the small office with the one harsh light bulb.

'I'm sorry again for the inconvenience but I really can't allow you to see it at the moment. The curator simply won't allow me to give it to you. I understand what the letter in you hand means, but until Dr. Haroon allows it, well...its out of my hands.'

Rogue gave him an assessing look before turning around and walking out the door, missing his collapse into the chair in relief.

three days later the scroll went missing.

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Logan opened his eyes, realizing after a few seconds that nothing had happened, no pieces of glass were embedded in him, and the girl was still alive under him.

Straightening up, he saw the pieces of glass embedded into the concrete only a few inches from them.

A frantic mother grabbed the girl from Logan's hands. But Logan was preoccupied with what just happened.

Turning around, he couldn't find Rogue.

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Rogue struggled, trying to get out of his arms, her other senses so disoriented. She had no leverage to use her strength as she felt her feet kicking in thin air.

The man was taller then her, and again he was able to just pick her up as if she was a feather.

Slamming her against the wall, she felt the wall behind her cave in slightly, wincing a bit at the faint pain she felt and the grit grinding into her head and back. As the man leaned in to her, she could feel his wiry body against her. All her senses focused on this one man, smell, sound, even the faint taste of the cold wind that carried his cologne on it.

'We gotta stop meeting like dis. Why you followin ol' Gambit like dis? we be friends non?' A strong New Orleans accent pricked Rogue's consciousness. His breath warm on her ear.

Turning her cheek from him, 'I need to get better friends swamp rat. What did you steal this time?' she placed her hands on his chest, feeling the layers of clothing underneath. She could feel the slight grime on her fingertips as she pushed him, hard.

Waiting for it, she didn't hear any resounding crash.

The inability to see was giving her quite a disadvantage.

Within seconds, she felt him close to her again. The cold steel of the bo staff against her neck. 'De doctor said not to hurt you, but Gambit can't resist a beautiful woman like you. De diary is in safe keeping, we just borrowing it for de moment.' His name tumbled through her head.

As she contemplated where his nether regions were, his hand pressed something into her hand. 'dis is fer you'

Clenching her eyes tighter, she felt the warm brush of his hand against her, and then the grasp of something small, delicate, stiff paper.

'Dis is for me' grabbing her hand and kissing it.

In a moment, all she felt was air, and tumbled to the ground as whoever it was no longer supported her. Turning her head left and right she tried to sense him, yet all she could smell was the faint cologne around her. She shook her head, the noise on the streets finally got her attention.

Licking her lips and rubbing her hand against her jeans. That was stupid of him.

Realizing the crowds were in the distance, she moved towards the noise. She knew it was useless looking for him. If he was good enough to escape the mansion, he was good enough to disappear in the middle of a major city.

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Logan looked around trying to find Rogue in the crowd gathering. After the tenth sweep, he saw her feeling her way out of the ally, her eyes closed as she used the brick wall to help her.

They drew attention as people gathered around, 'Red beams…', 'Another one of those mutants…'

Taking long strides, he grabbed Rogue's arm, and dragged her out of the crowd.

'We gotta get out of here kid.'

'I'm okay'

'what the hell happened out there?'

'Nothing...I'm fine' Rogue struggled to shake off his arm, but his grip tightened even more.

Logan could smell something on her; he knew he recognized the smell before the blasts. But now it was all over her, and he wondered what happened back in the ally.

'the thief, from my bedroom, here's here.' Rogue said blushing, hoping if it was said calmly, it might not sound so bad.

'I'm going to kill the pup.' Logan snarled. Rogue sighed, nevermind.

Logan put a protective arm around her, as if the man, miles away by now, was still threatening her.

Rogue grabbed his arms, 'No Logan. He's not after us...at least not yet...' she tried to state it another way. 'Besides he's good, in this crowd it would be impossible to catch him.'

Rogue felt the urgency of the situation, 'We need to get back to the mansion.'

Logan looked up and down the street. The chaos hid their identity well, but still he didn't want to take any chances. Together they made their way off the streets.

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Rogue sat on the metal table. Her legs swinging as she waited for Storm to come back.

Every sound caused her to jerk, but the silence was even harder to take.

'Say something.' She demanded, her eyes clenched shut

Logan growled from his stance near the door.

'Good enough' Rogue snapped back. She was slightly irritated that he treated her like one of Magneto's minions. A young student who didn't know better.

Suddenly the air was warmer, as she felt the air shifting. Logan moved closer, leaning his hands on either side of her. Feeling his breath on her cheek, 'And why is that exactly, you haven't been telling us everything, or anything' he said to her in a low calm voice.

Rogue shoved Logan back. She was strong enough to push the 200 some pound man back several steps. 'Back off Logan.'

She could hear Storm's heels clicking on the metal floor. The door slid open allowing Storm to enter the room, pausing when she stepped in, feeling the tension in the room.

Rogue felt Storm's questioning stare.

'I was able to find these among the boxes. I knew Scott had kept extras all the time.' Storm said calmly, as if this was like having a cup of tea instead of Rogue unleashing catastrophic power through her eyes.

As Storm was about to place the glasses on Rogue's face, Rogue grabbed her wrist,

'Are you sure about this?'

'We can only see.'

Rogue felt the cool metal against her temples. Slightly big and heavy, she still kept her eyes closed. What if these don't work, When Scott wore them, it seemed logical. But the pressure was intense, and it wouldn't stop. It kept flowing.

Storm gently placed her hand on Rogue's shoulder. 'Open your eyes honey.'

Rogue clenched her eyes closed for a second, still feeling the pressure behind her eyelids. Slowly she opened her right eye, then the other.

Everything was completely washed in red, her senses wheeling from the loss of her normal sight. But the pressure behind her eyelids was slowly dissipating. She could feel the energy flowing through her pupil, it felt….unbelievable. It was like freely unleashing power without limitations.

Slowly moving her hand in front of her eyes, she could barely tell it was there, being the same shade as the floor under it. 'Oh god'

Storm told her gently, 'it's going to take some getting used to it until we figure out how to stop this.'

Rogue groaned, burying her face into both of her hands. Storm and Logan shared a glance, before Logan gave a small shrug.

Blinking once, twice, she still couldn't discern much except basic shapes and movements.

Looking around the room, Rogue narrowed her eyes. The red glasses were causing some distortions, but she was fairly sure it wouldn't conjure up what she thought she was seeing.

'Storm?'

Storm, busy with putting away medical equipment, looked over.

'Why is there a body down here?'

Storm took off her gloves, 'that's what we need to talk about. This is a girl we found screaming outside the school gates. She dropped into a comatose state by the time we reached her.'

'She is…alive…I'm assuming?'

'As far as we can tell, but-'

Storm heard the ringing on her cell. Checking the number, she looked up, 'I need to take this. We're going to talk' Storm gave both of them a glare before walking out the door.

And with a whoosh, the door shut behind Storm, leaving Rogue and Wolverine…and a body in the room.

She softly placed her bare feet on the grounds. Dressed in only her jeans and black tank top, she felt the cold seep into her. Taking a few tentative steps, she shivered again.

I wonder who she is' Rogue murmured as she walked up to the girl. Tilting her head slightly, she realized the girl was not much older then her. She slightly bronzed skin, black raven hair. Bending down closer, she stared at her, touching her head slightly Rogue turned around to find Logan staring at her.

the doors opened, Kitty looked up from reading some papers. 'Hey guys, where the hell have you been?'

Kitty looked between the two of them, and then noticing the glasses on Rogue, 'and why are you wearing Scott's glasses?'

Logan just glared at Rogue before sauntering off.

Rogue waved her hand, 'Minor incident downtown. What are you doing down here?'

Kitty just shrugged wondering about their situation even more. 'I just came to check on the patient. We seem to have a new guest for a little while.'

'Do you have any idea who she is?' Rogue enquired, trying to discern Kitty's expression through the heavy red glasses.

'Not a clue. She showed up this morning screaming her head off. She said something unintelligible.

'Who's our resident doctor, these days?' Rogue asked Kitty curiously.

'That would be me my dear' Hank said in the doorway, the man moved like a cat, quiet yet alert. HIs glasses perched on the edge of nose, he still held a twinkle in his eye.

'Hank' Rogue turned surprised at the big blue here, although not very blue through her glasses.

'My you have grown up. I like the shades. ' Hank commented as he came over to hug her.

Rogue pushed the slightly falling glasses up again, 'Yeah well a minor problem.' Rogue said tapping her head. 'When did you get here? Storm said you weren't supposed to be here for weeks.'

'Storm asked me to look at the girl.'

Hank bent down slightly. Although Rogue was tall, 5'8, Hank was still far taller, making her feel like a little girl.

'You and I need to talk. Storm has told me about your visit so far. Quite the adventure I would say.'

Rogue smiled softly, 'You have no idea.'

Hank stared at Rogue for a long time, '…Your eyesight, happened today correct?'

Rogue straightened her shoulders, hesitating, 'yes?'

'Mm hmm. And you haven't experienced this for a long time, when was the last time?'

Rogue shrugged, trying to brush his questions away, 'Several years ago. Don't worry, it will fade soon. Scott's presence is just very strong for the moment.'

Hank looked at Rogue even more carefully, 'Storm said a woman helped you control your power of touch. How did she do that?'

Logan just shifted behind her.

And Rogue glanced nervously at the people around the two of them. Hank got the hint and turned to Logan, 'And how are you doing my good man'

Logan just shrugged, 'its been awhile'

Hank nodded never losing his twinkle, 'that it has'

Hank shuffled over to the girl on the table, taking out a penlight, he opened her eyes, checking if the pupils were dilating. Confused, he checked again. 'that's interesting?'

All three of them stared at Hank, but Hank was preoccupied with checking other vitals.

Logan prompted him, 'interesting...?'

Hank realized he had an audience still, 'oh well yes, her pupils, they are dilated. And her heartbeat is extreme for a girl this size and age, and being in a coma.'

Rogue looked at the girl for a moment, there was something about her. She closed her eyes for a moment, imagining the world in its full color spectrum, hoping to get some of her senses back. Maybe if she could picture it in her own mind, she might be able to remember who this girl is. Shaking her head at the uselessness of it all, she opened her eyes again.

'Hank?'

'Hmmm?'

'let me know. When you find out who she is?'

Hank looked at her for a moment above his glasses, 'Will do my dear. As long as you are still teaching my classes.'

Rogue took a step back to the door, quietly but firmly, 'tell me what you find out about the girl.'

As Rogue followed Kitty out of the room, she could feel Hank's eyes burning into her back.

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Rogue finally found some peace sitting at the kitchen table, beer in hand.

Taking another swig, she had to clench her teeth as the taste filled her mouth. Never a fan of beer, the Logan in her felt the need for it at the moment, and she felt the need for it as well.

She sat there for a long time, thinking about the girl below her. She laid there, her lips almost tinged blue. Rogue wondered who she was, why was she here, and what would have caused the scars. When leaning closer, she noticed the cuts along her neck, the pinpricks on her arm. This girl had for some reason come here, and Rogue wondered why.

Taking out the pieces she collected, she set them side by side. There lay the parchment of paper with the sun and pyramid, next to it lay the siff carboard paper Gambit put in her hand, Queen of hearts, a stupid playing card, and then there were the notes.

Glancing around her, she made sure no one was really around. At one in the morning, it was unlikely anyone was awake, which left her at peace to mull over the information.

Feeling it necessary, she took out the piece of paper with the doctor's name and adress on it. A Dr. Nathaniel Essex. Placing that next to the rest, Rogue looked over everything. All of these had a connection to each other, and she wondered how.

Rogue contemplated the girl downstairs, would she be part of this? For now Rogue firmly put her out of the equation.

Furthermore, she took out notes she kept with her at all times. Some involving the stolen diary, others from other items over the years she looked at.

Storm had tried to track her down in the hallways, but she managed to avoid her for now. She knew in the morning Storm would ask questions, and she had better have answers rather then conjectures.

Riffling through the papers, she looked at her research so far. The parchment with the symbol was one not often found in heiroglyphics. From what she understood, it was almost considered a curse. It meant that one would suffer in death. A small story to keep little boys and girls in bed.

Rogue had to mock that, they used death to scare little kids so long ago, now people use mutants.

The story goes that a terrible king reigned before the unification of upper and lower Egypt. His campaign was so terrible, he had become a curse on his own people's tongues.

He had died young, only 27 or 28 mysteriously. Most assumed it was own bodygaurds that had murdered him. But when they tried to burn him, mummification not having come into existence at that time, he had not burned. His skin instead turned to a harsh gray, and people called it the curse of death, that this man would suffer-

Rogue lifted her head up, hearing that click sound again. Looking around her, she knew no one was in the room with her, but looking back around, the bay windows were in front of her. Semi reflecting herself and the kitchen she couldn't really see anything else there.

Suddenly seeing yellow eyes, a scream rose up in her throat.

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A/N: I apologize sincerely for the wait. I didn't mean to delay this so long, but I am technically half way around the world right now, and so didn't have access to internet nor my files. This chapter has been written more or less from memory. Again I'm truly sorry to all of you for doing this. I promise the next chapter won't take so long, er well it might because I have to get back home at some point, but I'll see what I can do. But hey Gambit was here, see!!!

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