Disclaimer: I don't own anything.


Rogue had been going crazy in the med bay. The other X-Men had gone on a recent mission involving Magneto and all she knew was that Remy had somehow been involved. He had told what little bit he could remember that spawned the mission, but their phone time was restricted to late night when the med bay was empty.

Rogue had finally gotten out of the med bay when the mansion had been attacked by a crazed teen looking for Wolverine. She had torn the place apart. She had also knocked out all the inhabitants to get back at Wolverine.

Rogue was sitting in the gazebo, waiting for Remy. They had been meeting here for a few weeks when they wanted to spend time together. The gazebo was never used, except by Rogue, and far enough from the mansion that they didn't have to worry about anyone finding them.

Rogue's phone rang as she looked out over the cliff. Damn it mother. What could you possibly want right now?

"Hello?"

"Anna, dear, good to talk to you again."

"Ah'm sure. Ya need something?"

"Is this a bad time?"

"No, Ah'm just waiting for Remy. He's still got about ten minutes."

"Good. I need you to do something for me."

"Why else would you call?"

"To talk to my only daughter."

"Keep telling yourself that. What do you want me to do?"

"There is a mutant by the name of Mesmero that I have made a deal with."

"Isn't Mesmero the one that screwed with Remy's head the other month?"

"Yes."

"Ah'm not letting anyone in my head."

"Let me finish. I've made a deal with him. Mesmero is working for a very powerful mutant named Apocalypse. I have agreed to help Mesmero free Apocalypse under the pretense that you, Kurt, Remy, and I will be safe from harm after his release."

Rogue felt arms wrap around her and she leaned into the embrace "Whatever. Ah've got to go. Remy's here. Can ya call me back later?"

"Sure."

"Bye." Rogue put her phone in her pocket and turned to her fiancé.

"That important, chére?"

"It was just my mother. But Ah can deal with her later." Rogue leaned up to kiss Remy. "Ah love my life," she mumbled when they pulled away.

Rogue found out Mystique's plan when she called back a few hours later.

"I want you to absorb every member of the X-Men, Brotherhood, and the Acolytes."

"Fine. Any certain time frame?"

"Absorb the X-Men tonight. I'll let you know when to take care of the others."

"Fine."

That night, Rogue silently snuck around the mansion. She absorbed the Professor first, since he might figure out if something was up. She then absorbed the others.

Rogue took her time the next morning. They were already running late anyway. "What a bizarre dream," she commented as she wiped off the steamy bathroom mirror. "Ah think Ah need some therapy." She had dreamt about Remy getting Belladonna pregnant even though the girl was dead.

She dressed in black track pants, a black tank, and a green hoodie before going downstairs. "Ah think Ah'm gonna pass on breakfast." The kitchen was a zoo that she didn't feel like dealing with.

Logan drove them to school in the X-Van. Everyone else ran for the door, but Rogue took her time. She wasn't in any hurry. A limo pulled up to the curb and Rogue changed directions. This was her ride.

"Mornin, mother."

"Morning, Anna. Did you do your job last night?"

"Yeah. What do ya want now?"

"If you have a problem with the way I am handling this, I can get Mesmero to control your mind."

"No thanks."

Rogue got out as they pulled up to the Brotherhood house. Mystique let out a low growl at the sight of what the boys were doing to her house. Rogue ignored it and went inside. She absorbed all of the Brotherhood members quickly and fairly quietly. She climbed back into the limo and Mystique ordered the driver to take her back to the Institute.

Later that night, Mystique came to pick her up. Rogue met her at the gate and climbed into the car.

"Ya think ya could've been early? In case ya haven't noticed, it's fuckin raining." Rogue glared at her mother as water dripped from her hair.

Mystique laughed, causing rogue's glare to become more severe. "I noticed, believe me. A little rain won't do you in."

Rogue sulked for the drive to the Acolyte base. Once they got there, she looked around. It was a plain looking warehouse. "The window." Mystique nodded and Rogue absorbed her. Serves ya right, bitch.

Rogue morphed into a bird and flew in the window. She quickly hid and watched as Colossus walked by. At the right moment, she touched him. He dropped the crate he was carrying and she focused on Fred's power to protect herself.

Sabertooth jumped out from behind a crate and attempted to tackle her. She made short work of the large feline. She morphed her arm into metal form to withstand his sharp claws.

Pyro was the next attacker. She noticed the glint of a flame on her hand and turned to see the slightly older boy ready to fight. "Awful bold of you coming here girl. Or are you just stupid?" He cackled maniacally as she was engulfed in flames. Rogue morphed her whole body to metal to avoid being burned severely. Her pants were burned into shorts and her shirt was burned off across her midriff when she emerged from the flames to absorb Pyro.

Rogue turned when she heard clapping and fought to avoid smiling at the sexy Cajun. "Bravo, chére. Looks to me like Rogue's up to no good. But hey, I like that in a girl." He smirked at her and pointed his bo staff into her chest.

Rogue knocked the staff aside and morphed back into her normal form. Remy eyed her lean body appreciatively before slowly backing away, keeping the staff in between them. He knew what she was up to and needed to put up a fight.

"Only thing is, you're not alone in this, are you? Who's behind it? Mystique?" He jumped onto some crates to avoid her. "I think so. Question is, why?" Rogue used Jean's TK to pull him off the crate and slam him into a wall. He landed on the floor and Rogue immediately jumped on him.

"See if you can guess." She reached for his face, but he threw her off. Remy was instantly on his feet looking around for her. He found her when he turned, only for her lips to meet his in a soft, quick kiss.

Rogue used Mystique's powers once more when she heard Magneto coming. She morphed into Remy and laid on the ground. When Magneto came near, she jumped up and absorbed him before fleeing the scene. He'd be mad when he woke up.

The next day was the Bayville High graduation ceremony. All the kids at the Institute were up early because Jean and Scott were graduating. Rogue followed the others out to the cars, wishing it was her graduation.

Scott and Jean sat down on the football field with the other seniors. The remaining X-Men were sitting in the bleachers with Professor Xavier, Storm, and Beast. All was going well until Magneto interrupted the ceremony. Everyone started to run as the Master of Magnetism floated over the field. His Acolytes and Brotherhood were right there with him.

Rogue attempted to sneak away, but Pietro grabbed her. He put her down in front of the group and waited. Rogue picked up the metal chairs and started moving them around in a circle.

"Magneto, explain yourself."

"The girl is under Mesmero's control, Charles. She attacked us to absorb our powers then wiped our minds with his powers to cover it up."

"What proof do you have?"

"My surveillance cameras. They captured it all." Tired of listening to the two fight, Rogue lifted into the air. She threw the chairs at the other mutants ad flew off.

"Logan, track Rogue," the professor ordered.

"Got it."

"You two, go with him." Remy hid a grin at Magneto's request. He definitely wanted to find her.

"No. I don't need their help," Logan snarled while looking at Sabretooth.

"Logan, you two must put it aside. There's too much at stake." Remy smirked as Logan and Creed growled at each other.

They all got on their motorcycles and took off. Remy stayed behind the other two and watched as they raced. "Well, this is gonna be interesting."

Rogue meanwhile was with Mystique. They had gotten a head start on the others and were on their way to the airport.

"So, my dear, did you get any interesting information from the X-Men you absorbed?"

Rogue glared at her. "Ah know that ya had an affair with Logan and that Remy has a long list of fantasies involving me. But Ah already knew that."

Mystique made a face at her daughter's proclamation. She preferred not to think about her daughter and Remy's fantasies. "Let me rephrase that. Did you get any useful information?"

"Not really. Scott thinks about Jean way too much, Kitty's in love with Lance, Kurt's dating a human, the professor has a thing for Storm, Beast has a thing for Storm, Storm has a thing for Logan, and Logan drinks way too much. Any of that useful to ya?"

"Not any more useful than they are to you."

Rogue looked out the window. "So where are we goin anyway?"

"Tibet."

"Are ya out of your fuckin mind?! Do you have any idea how cold it is there this time of year? Ah can't even stand the cold in New York, let alone in the mountains."

"Sorry, Anna, but this is all a art of the plan. We must meet Mesmero in Tibet. But first, we must steal a plane to get there."

The limo pulled up at the airport and Rogue and Mystique got out. Rogue distracted the guys in the tower while Raven knocked them out. They stole a small plane that either of them could fly and took off. Rogue noticed Remy breaking up a fight between Logan and Creed just as they took off.

"Ah hope this plane is fast, Mama."

"Why's that, Anna?"

"Creed and Logan are right outside the airport with Remy."

"Relax. Those two will spent so much time fighting that we'll be in Tibet before they leave the airport."

Raven hit a button and the plane picked up speed.

"How did ya do that?"

"This is no ordinary plane. This is my personal plane. I have had it equipped with the most advanced flight technology available. It is almost as fast as Xavier's precious X-Jet."

In a matter of a few hours, Mystique landed the plane in Tibet. They met up with Mesmero and he started to lead them to Apocalypse's tomb.

They were only partway to the tomb when Mesmero stopped and looked behind him. Rogue noticed Logan, Creed, and Remy a good distance back. They suddenly dropped to their knees, clutching their heads. Mesmero turned back to Mystique and Rogue and hurried them along.

They climbed to a ledge not too far from the peak of the mountain. Mesmero led them into a cave. There was a wall in front of them with a large carving of a beetle on it. Rogue noticed that the door of the cave closed as soon as they were through it.

"The day has finally come, great Apocalypse. I now deliver the final key, the shape shifting mutant, Mystique."

Mystique stepped back at Mesmero's announcement. Rogue looked at her in surprise. Mystique had a shocked look on her face. Her surprise faded to anger quickly.

"What do you mean I'm the key? You told me Rogue was."

"You are both needed in order for Apocalypse to cross this threshold."

Mystique grabbed Mesmero by his cloak. "Listen, circus freak, I agreed to bring Rogue here because I was assured that our futures would be secure. Were you lying then, too?"

"Apocalypse will not forget those who are loyal."

"Why didn't you just enslave me like you did her?"

Mesmero chuckled before responding. "I was unable. Your powers of control are formidable."

"I'd advise you to remember that. Now, what is needed of me?"

"Upon entering through there," Mesmero pointed to a small diamond shaped hole, "you will find the engraved sign of Apocalypse. Place your hand on it and the door will open."

Mystique glanced at the hole and the tattooed man in front of her. Then she glanced at Rogue, who wasn't paying attention. She finally glanced at the hole again and morphed into a cobra before slithering through.

Rogue heard some noise and a scream before the door opened. Her eyes widened when she saw Mystique standing before her, completely encased in stone. She quickly averted her eyes, not wanting to look t her mother in such a state. Mesmero nodded to her and she looked straight ahead as she walked past Mystique.

Rogue came to a staircase lined by cave formations. At the bottom was a rounded stone surrounded by a green light. She hesitated slightly before starting her descent.

Rogue heard an explosion behind her. Please, Remy, don't do anything dumb. She kept walking slowly toward the rounded object, wanting to know what it was.

Rogue ignored the sounds of a battle behind her. She drew closer to the object. When she was near it, she noticed that there were engravings all over it. She noticed a spider engraving on top. Curious, Rogue pulled off a glove and touched the spider. It started to glow as the object opened.

Rogue saw what looked like an old man lying in the middle of the object. This must be Apocalypse. As she stared at him, his eyes began to flicker open. Rogue heard a large crash and looked toward the staircase. In her moment of preoccupation, Apocalypse grabbed her still bare hand. Rogue had the unpleasant sensation of all the psyches she had collected being forcefully pulled from her body.

When he finally let go, Rogue collapsed to the ground. Her head was swimming and she felt weak all over. She squeezed her eyes shut to block out everything while she sorted out her mind. She was vaguely aware of Logan picking her up off the ground.

She saw a bright flash from behind closed eyelids. Ah guess Apocalypse is up. She felt Logan put her back on the ground. His telltale growl let her know that he was making an attempt to go after the more powerful mutant. She heard a thud as Logan's body connected with the ground.

Rogue was aware of something going on. She could hear sounds, but refused to open her eyes. She blocked out the world, trying to find something to focus on to get her mind back in order. Remy's face floated through her mind and she had an idea. Rogue focused on Remy with everything in her.

Her focus was so intent that she didn't notice when the other X-Men and the Acolytes arrived. Her whole being was focusing on righting the thoughts swirling through her head. She was finally getting order back when she heard a loud clap. It made her thoughts stray for a second and all of her work began to fall apart.

Rogue quickly refocused her thoughts. She had just gotten the order back in her mind when she felt a hand gently stroke her hair.

"Chére, can you hear me?" Rogue opened her eyes to see concern swirling through the red on black eyes of her fiancé. "You okay?"

"Ah think so, swamp rat."

"Do you know what happened?"

"Apocalypse took all the psyches. It was like absorbing someone but in reverse."

"It's okay, chére. That bastard will pay."

Rogue was about to respond when Logan came over.

"You okay, Stripes?"

"Ah'm fine, Ah think."

"Gumbo, get your hands offa her."

Remy glared at Logan but was quickly distracted when Rogue tried to get up. He grabbed her arm to support her. She stood up and he let go and stepped back. Rogue offered him a small smile. She tried to turn around and fell. Logan caught her and picked her up.

"I got ya, darlin. Let's get you back to the jet and have Hank check ya out."

The X-Men got back to the mansion and Rogue was immediately taken to the med lab. Hank ordered her to stay overnight for observation.

Two weeks later, Rogue was finally allowed to leave the med lab. Hank had wanted to keep an eye on her, so she had been forced to sleep where he could check on her. She had been allowed to leave for a few hours at a time during the day, but only if supervised.

Rogue was genuinely glad when some of the kids left on a cruise the week after she had gotten out. She was the only one of the original students left at the Institute for the next two weeks. Even Tabitha, Amara, Jamie, and Bobby had gone. Logan took off for a while since the kids were gone, leaving the Professor and Hank in charge of the remaining students. Rogue used this to her advantage and snuck out frequently to see Remy.


Here's the end of season 3. There'll probably be two more chaoters to finish off the episodes before I start the post Ascension part of the story. Sorry it took me so long to get this up. The end of the semster was crazy. I'm on break now, so I'm hoping ot get a few chapters posted before I go back to being a college student in January. Let me know how you like it.