Authors Notes: Yes, I am sorry, my promise to always finish this… has been broken.
I want to explain myself. I'm now in my mid 20s and am over the bad fanfiction part of my life (I hope at least), I can no longer go on with writing stuff I now cringe that I have done in the past. I give a lot of praise for the old timers (heh) of X-men Evo on this site, well done to those still going.
But, life has gotten in the way. I now do art for Evo on my DA site, but no longer write for it. I have a diploma I am going for at the moment, and after that I will be working my ass off for travel money. On top of it all, my view on evo has changed since I last updated.
I am sorry to the readers BUT I will not take these stories down… as much as I would like to to hide the shame of my bad writing.
However! I thought the best way for me to go out, is to give you ALL the notes I made while writing this and upload them in one final chapter. Please remember, these are NOTES to myself… so some may not make sense.
I do hope this helps for you readers in some ways, and again apologize for this. I wish I could still keep going for you guys, but my heart isn't in it anymore.
Catch you guys on the net, and maybe even DA sometime.
NOTE this is only one of four note update I am doing for this story, as I planned the ENTIRE 4 seasons out in this storyline. I am kind of sad I won't see it finished as it was my one and only go of Rogue/Scott and I was having fun planning them out, but am glad I decided to share it with you.
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Chapter Ten: Spykecam
"Come on Rogue, get with the program! Shake that thing!"
"'ey, Ah got mah moves, deir just not a PG ratin'." Placing her hands on her hips Rogue's weight swung onto one foot, her hip cocking out further to emphasis the pose. During this all Kitty was watched on, body still swaying to the music playing as the camera lens focused on the two girls.
It started with a friendly challenge, a part in a school play and a taunt to one another that they wouldn't get the part. It lead to the girls needing the same tape to practice dancing to the music and Evan adding in a solution, an open air practice for both just outside the Xavier's school land but still away from onlookers. The fact it was also helping out with the boy's school project was an added bonus.
"Really?" Evan asked, the camera in his hand dropping a little with it. "Do them anyway."
"Evan!" Kitty cried, her own hands going to her hips and glaring at the boy.
Only chuckling at this Rogue shot him a wink before rewinding the tape back to the beginning and letting the beat start up again. "Maybe later sugah."
"Ok, let get on with it. Action!" With camera raised and aimed on the two of them again
*dancing*
Evan: Looking good, looking good.
There is a roar and camera swings around to show fluffy. Evan falls backwards and Fluffy when hearing the music stomps his foot down on the tape deck to break it.
Sabretooth: *Grabs evan by the shirt front and lifts him above his head* You're mine!
Evan: We've been expecting you. *spikes* You gotta be sharp if you're gonna mess with the spyke.
Sabretooth throws Evan onto Rogue.
Sabretooth: *running at Kitty* Then I'll take you!
Kitty: Right. I'm so sure. Huh? *Phases and he goes through her. When she looks to the others sees they are knocked down still and is caught off guard this time, getting backhanded across the face and to the ground*
Rogue: Back off, ugly. *he grabs Rogue, immobilizing her hands.*
R: (whispering) W'at are yah doin' 'ere!
ST: I'm not always on Magneto's time.
R: Yah just better not blow mah cover furball.
Logan: pickin' on kids, Creed? Big mistake.
Sabretooth: Yeah? Why?
Logan: 'Cause...it really ticks me off!
They fight. All of a sudden, Rogue drops him from behind. Tries to hold back transformation, but gets at least fangs and claws, but hides them from the others.
Logan: Thanks kid. Ya ok?
R: Yeah, just head rush.
Logan: You planned this, didn't you, porcupine?
Evan: Um... a little bit... yeah.
Logan: Well, don't do it again! You coulda all been killed. And don't give me them puppy-dog eyes, half pint. You're grounded. And so are ya.
Evan: Um...for how long?
Logan: [sighs] I don't know. Now, let's go.
Kitty: What are you gonna do with Sabretooth now?
Evan: Yeah. Scott said you two been dukin' it up for years.
Logan: He and I got unfinished business.
Rogue: So what's gonna happen to him?
Logan: Oh, he'll get a little coolin'-off period.
----
Gambit watching in the back with video recorder, videoing her for the family, is caught briefly on Evans video, used in future reference. Start from audience point of view, Evan through his camera, leads onto behind stage of the girls getting ready to go on.
----
After show, meeting R backstage
Rogue: Scott? Yah waitin' for little ol' meh? Dat's so sweet!
Scott: Rogue, you were amazing!
R: Thanks.
S: Hey, what are friends for?
R: W'at indeed. (Takes the elbow he offered)
S: Need a ride.
R: Non, Ah'm good, mah rahdes 'round 'ere somew'er-
Gambit: Cherie!
R: Dere.
G: (picks her up and spins her around) Ya were terrific! 1Magnafect! A world-class actress!
R: Remy! Put meh down! (smiling and laughing)
G: Mais Mademoiselle Rogue, dis Cajun must get ya autograph. For dis humbling, grovelling peasant. (drops her and bows before her)
R: Well, Ah don't know…
G: Remy begs ya.
R: Well if dere's beggin' involved, Ah suppose.
G: Nice to know ya don't forget da little people now ya famous Roguey.
R: (hits his chest and he pretends to be hurt before she remember Scott) O'! Remy, dis is Scott. Scott, dis is mah best friend Remy.
S: Hi (holds out hand)
G: 'ey. (plays with camera instead until Rogue elbows him hard in the ribs. Shakes his hand)
S: (uncertain) Well… I better go and catch up with the others. (Just to Rogue) You were great.
R: Merci Scott.
S: See you in school.
Looking back Scott spotted Rogue smacking her friend around the back of the head, her shouted words at him loud enough for Scott to hear. "Ah told yah to be nache to 'im yah egomaniac, jealous, no good Swamp Rat!"
----
Thieve Guild Mansion.
New Orleans.
Watching the tape of Rogue on stage.
Studying the writing on the front of the package Lapin's face lit up the instant he recognized it, racing through the house and screaming for everyone to get downstairs.
"W'at ya screamin' 'bout boy!" Mattie questioned as she waved the rolling pin she had been using in the kitchen, her apron stained with flour as Mercy walked up to stand behind her and wiped her hands clean on her own.
"It's from Remy!"
This instantly made them all go silent, just staring at the brown paper object in Lapin's hand before Henri grabbed it. Ripping it open he pulled out a small card, flipping it over to find out it was the King of Hearts before reading the message.
"'A little something for ya to remember us by.'" Raising his eyes to his family Henri raised a brow at the videotape in his hand.
"W'at ya waitin' for 'enri?" Mercy quizzed him, almost jumping in excitement. "Put it in!"
"Is dat w'at ya always say to 'im?" Lapin grinned over at her until Mattie smacked him around the back of the head with the palm of her hand.
"Boy, be'ave yaself."
Leading the way into the living room Henri placed the tape into the machine before taking the seat next to his wife, who leant forward in anticipation.
First is Dracula play.
M: O'! She looks so belle!
TM: Oui, she does. (Wipes at tears)
Leads to them doing personal messages.
----
Chapter Eleven: Survival of the FittestIron Back Survival Camp.
Instructor: (Pacing in front of the line of students who stand in front of a school bus) You will not be making wallets, neckties, racks or paperweights. You will not be engaging in potato sack racing, water balloon tosses or pony rides. You will be taking 20-mile hikes, repelling down 200-foot cliffs and crossing trechous water with no more than a rope and all the courage you can muster. Do you read me?
All: Yes Sergeant Hawkes sir.
Hawkes: I said, do you read me!
All: Yes Sergeant Hawkes sir!
Hawkes: (Crosses his arms) Welcome to Iron Back survival camp, a name you won't soon forget. (Walks up to S) Now, here we have a young man, Scott Sumner.
S: Summers.
H: Who's scalastic achievements at Bayville High have made him the rank of group leader. You will be following his lead. (S gets dirty looks from the BoM boys there)
R: (Who is next to him elbows him and whispers) Way to go Capitaine. (Captain)
H: You get ten minutes to store your gear and report to the training field. Dismissed!
The normal kids (stuck in between the XM and Bom standing either side of them) grab their stuff as they move off, moaning about the camp.
R: Ah 'ate bein' school age at mah boadin' 'ouse. Ah can't believe da owner made meh do dis!
Ki: Ahh, I'm going to be dead in, like, two days. (Sits down on her suitcase)
E: What about me? (Turns to Ki and points a thumb at his chest) I'm a city kid.
K: Vhat did ve ever do to dezerve dis?
R: (Picks up her bag) Ah'm goin' AWOL. Anyone know 'ow to 'otwire a school bus.
S: Woah! (Places a hand on her shoulder) Slow down private.
R: W'at did yah just call meh?
S: Come on, we're not washing out in front of the whole school. Besides, Professor X endorses this place.
J: At least he gave us a choice, survival training here or with Wolverine.
R: Choice? Yah forgettin', Ah don't live with yah gahys. (crosses her arms) Dis is slave labour.
S: Come on, we can do this.
They all grab their bags and move off, leaving the BoM by the bus.
Makes it so R is bunking with Ki in the same room as J and a few other girls.
--
Rope climb part, R hits the top first and is watching the others from above, hanging upside-down from the rope she is on as her legs are twisted around it. Is next to Scott.
R: Ah told yah dis would be borin'. (Calls out to him)
As Blob grabs the rope the structure starts to bend, until his rope breaks and it returns to normal.
B: Ah! I'm not built for this kind of stuff!
R: No shit fat boy.
After this Rogue uses the flying fox to slide down, taking her time and yawning. S and L are competing behind her.
As she lands on the ground she waits there, not really caring about the race, S and L land behind her and go for the boats, untying them.
R: Ah swear, boys. (Rolls her eyes)
The others land beside her.
R to J after watching S and L fighting it out: W'at is it with men 'nd provin' demselves. Ah grew up in a house full of males, dey are always in competition with each other.
J: Testosterone overload.
R: (Laughs)
L lets out a tremor that knocks S into the river.
E: Hey! That cheating chump! (Spikes up his arm)
J: (Grabs E arm just as he is ready to throw the spikes) Listen, we agreed to not use any powers out here, remember? You know, just man against nature.
E: That guy needs his boat popped!
J: Yeah well, Scott's cool. He'll handle it like a group leader should.
As L gets towards the other side of the river towards the end an optic blast throws his boat over one side.
J: Or not.
R: Males.
S climbs onto his boat and gets to the other side As Hawke is timing them and the XM cheer for him. (Apart from J and R) Getting out of the boat he runs through the finish tape and H blows his whistle and stops his watch. The Bom approach the Xm.
Blob:
P: Yeah, just cause he slipped into the bath the guy went ballistic.
K: Slipped? More like avalanched!
T: Scott stole that first place ribbon.
Ki: He did not.
R: (Rolls eyes) Dis is goin' to end bad. (Watches as the four of them argue with the Bom)
H whistle interrupts them.
--
Ends up with the two groups going push-ups and counting them off, 60 of them. B collapses at the end one.
H: Now on your feet. (They stand) Here at Iron Back we have a way to weed the loudmouths from the tough guys. We fight it out in the wilderness, against the wilderness.
R: (Whispering to Ki) 'nd yah chose dis over Wolverine?
H: You grunts want to prove how tough you are? Fine! First team to snatch a flag I planted up there on Mount Humiliation (Points at a certain mountain) and brings it back to me, wins.
P: Cake walk! Our team can take a sauna, I can get it myself.
K: Not if I beat you there.
H: The whole team or no one! As proof, I want a snapshot of every member right there at the top! Are we clear?
All: sir, yes sir!
H: You leave in five from opposite trails. (Walks off) Be ready.
They start to walk off.
R and Ki walk off together.
R: Dis will just make dem worse.
Ki: Who?
R: Scott 'nd Lance, now it's a real competition, 'nd dats da last thing dey need. Other dan mah Aahnt 'nd sister-in-law Ah'm da only girl of da family, Ah grew up in a large family, all boys. Ah know exactly w'at is goin' to 'appen. Dis is a competition, don't doubt it.
--
S is running in front of the others up the path, he has a rope wrapped around his torso (from shoulder to hip) and he pauses to call back to them.
S: Come on, pick it up! We're almost to the base!
The others run up behind him, R first then followed by Ki and K.
R: W'at with Mister decathlon? 'e's as bad as Sergeant 'awke! (Yells out to him) Dis is so not cool Scott!
Ki: All he cares about is winning this thing. Hey Kurt, can't you just, like, make yourself useful and teleport us up to the top?
K: Dis trip is of da power free variety I'm told.
R can't hear the rest, she's too far forward as she catches up to S.
R: Yah trahin' to kill us or something?
----
Chapter Twelve: Shadowed Past
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Chapter : Grim Reminder
Chapter : The Cauldron
AN: A few slight changes in this chapter, other than Rogue being the bad guy and all that. Towards the end of Cauldron Two Rogue and Storm are told to run and get the X-Jet going, yet even after seeing them run to the jet you later see them in the fight (this a mistake by the creators?). For this chapter Rogue and Storm are not in the fight. I have made it this way as Xavier would not want Rogue to fight as she would be considered a 'civilian' still by the X-Men. This also gives me a chance for her to do some spying in the X-Jet and play with the plane.
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Acolyte Base.
"Movies, chocolate, ice cream, bourbon, no super villains wantin' to take over da world. Everything's set chèrie!" Remy called out as he walked into her bedroom, dumping the load in his arms onto her bed before making sure the ice cream wouldn't leak over her bedding.
"Yes!" Rogue cried as she bounced over onto the bed, throwing herself onto it, having been setting up the DVD player on her TV. "Finally, a day with no missions, no Mag's, just us two! We should party it up sugah."
"Later tonight Roguey, found a new club for us." He said as he seated himself next to her, rearranging her pillows behind him so his back was supported and started to open the bottle he held onto with a death grip.
Smiling at him she patted his cheek. "Yah too good for this girl Swamp Rat." Getting a grin in return as she thumbed the remote control, starting up the movie and shuffling around to use him as a pillow.
Getting past the beginning credits they both settled back to enjoy the movie, Rogue digging through the ice cream with her spoon and occasionally feeding Remy pieces as he pulled out two shot glasses she kept in her nightstand by the bed. Only a couple of minutes into the movie Rogue's phone rang, overwhelming the speech on the screen.
Sighing in annoyance Rogue paused the movie before snatching up her phone and raising it to her ear. "'ello? Kitty? Well, Ah guess, Ah was goin' to 'ang out here mais-" Whatever she was going to say was cut off by the girl on the other line. "Ok, ok, keep yah ponytail on, Ah'm comin'! Ah'll meet yah outside da Institute." Hanging up on the X-Girl Rogue gave a sigh and turned to him. "So much for no missions."
"Quoi?"
Getting up off the bed she began to sort through her draws for the clothing she would need. "Da X-Geeks invited meh to da beach."
"And ya not takin' Remy?" He asked, a pout forming on his face as he gave his best puppy eyes to her.
Throwing a pair of pants at him Rogue grinned at his expression. "Next tahme dey invahte meh to something Ah'll bring yah." She promised.
----
Xavier's School for the Gifted.
Roaring through the gates and speeding down the drive Rogue skid her bike to a stop, flicking the visor of her bike helmet up so just her eyes showed.
"Hey!"
Turning to the voice Rogue gave a wave to Kitty running towards her from the mansion, a light purple shirt covering her swimming suit as large pink tinged glasses rested over her eyes.
"You made it!"
"Of course Ah did. 'ad to break a few speed limits mais Ah made it." Rogue answered with a smile as she pulled her helmet off. "Everyone ready to go?"
The garage door opened in front of them to show the school's large black SUV pulling out, Kurt driving as Evan took shotgun, the roof of the car rolling back and turning the front of the car into a convertible.
"Hustle it up Rogue, before Auntie O shows up and dry docks our plans."
"Let meh put mah bike into the garage and leave mah bike gear 'ere." She cried, wheeling her motorbike into the garage like she normally did when she visited, throwing her trench coat over the seat and leaving her bike boots next to it. Opening the bag she brought with her she slipped on a pair of black sandals and her sunglasses, adjusting the tight pants she wore and zipping up the dark blue hoodie. The clothing left her midriff, half her forearms and the lower half of her shins exposed, leather gloves covering her hands to give some protection against her 'uncontrollable' absorption.
Running back out of the garage with her shoulder bag in tow she almost tripped over a stray brown cat running across her path before it disappeared somewhere into the bushes. "Shoo! Ah 'ate cats!"
Jumping into the car she buckled herself in next to Kitty in the back seats. "Whah would Ororo do dat? Yah not suppose to be goin'?"
"This is coming from a girl who admits she goes out nightclubbing!"
"Dat's different." She said as she stuck her tongue out at Kitty.
"Let's go!" Kurt cried as he pumped a fist into the air and drove out of the school.
During the ride multiple topics were chatted around, nothing really serious, apart from complaining about school. With Kitty it normally ranged between clothing and pop music, until the others threatened to throw things at her and Rogue said she's zap her if she didn't stop, Evan also getting the same mix of threats when he started up about skateboarding. The two boys in the front mainly stuck to talking about latest games coming out while Kitty was trying to convince Rogue to go to the mall with her.
"Ah ain't exactly a mall type Kit. 'ey," She finally asked. "W'ere's Scott 'nd Jeanie?"
"Yeah, where is Jean?" Evan asked, none of the questioning the lack of the telepath since beginning their road trip.
"I couldn't, like, find her so I left her a note."
Kurt nodded to that while searching for the right words. "Scott got pulled away for a…"
"Mission?" Rogue supplied.
"Something like that." Kitty took over the story. "When Scott was younger he was in a plane crash, and he totally thought he was the only one who survived. He, like, just found out his little brother is alive."
"Wow, dat's sure to blow yah world. W'ere's da brother?"
"Hawaii."
Rogue's eyes narrowed a faction at that, remembering what her boss told her team just before he left that he would be in the Hawaii area. He then left them with a whining John asking why Mag's couldn't take them along to the beach, and that was the main reason why Remy and her planned to whole up in her room until Magneto got back, to not have to listen to John complain.
"And they like totally ditched us! So we decided we would go to our own beach." Kitty grinned.
"Sounds lahke a plan." As they rounded the windy road around the mountains the beach came into view, the sea reflecting the blue sky making it the perfect day for being there. "O' man." Throwing her arms up Rogue stretched in her seat. "Yah feel dat ocean breeze? Ah've been goin' into meltdown 'ere, all covered up lahke dis. Ah 'ate it."
"Yeah? I know. You should try being bl-." Kurt turned to talk to her over his should but cut himself off quickly, still believing Rogue had no idea what he truly looked like and despite the others trying to convince him she wouldn't care he still always kept his image inducer on around her.
Rogue didn't get a chance to comment on his pause as she pointed a finger towards the road. "Kurt! Da road!"
Right in front of their car the entire middle of the road splintered up into shards of tarmac and rock, only some quick driving by Kurt making them avoid it as he spun the wheel, making the car scrap against the metal barrier. A hard hit from behind cause the car to lunge forward and the four to be forced into their seat belts. The second time it happened Kitty glanced behind them.
"Vhat's going on?"
"It's Lance Alvers and his buddies." She cried.
"Da loners from school?" Rogue questioned to keep up her act. She never interacted with the Brotherhood boys at school so to the X-Men she would have no idea who they were, having only seen them only twice outside of school, when Fred kidnapped Jean and during the survival training camp.
The earth continued to rumble beneath them as the road behind them mimicked what happened before, forcing its way upwards into the air and this time it caught the back of the SUV, throwing it into the air before landing back hard on the road.
"The Brotherhood." Evan spat as a row of spikes forced on his forearm. "I'll slow him down." Leaning out the window he shot them towards the jeep tailing the four teens, two of the spikes embedding in the jeeps lights.
Another earthquake rumbled up ahead of them but instead of being aimed at the road it was at the cliff that lined it to one side. Broken free from the tremor a landslide of boulders came thundering down the cliff, falling over the road. Spinning the wheel sharply Kurt swung the SUV out of the way again but in doing so went off the main road, bumping down a dirt side road that lead directly to the beach and jarring them all in their seat. Looking up through the windscreen Kurt gave a cry, the other three spotting what he did as they saw Blob standing in their path. Unable to stop in time even with Kurt slamming on the brakes the SUV smashed right into the large teen, only to bounce off him and throw Kurt, Kitty, Evan and Rogue hard against their belts again.
"Thank Gawd for belts." Rogue muttered as she shook her head.
"Come here often?" Fred laughed at the four stunned teens.
The Brotherhood jeep pulled up behind them and allowed Avalanche, QuickSilver and Toad to stand from their seats.
"Let's party." Avalanche said with a grin.
Grabbing the front of the jeep Blob picked the entire thing up, much to the shock of those inside and twisting it around threw them out onto the sand below. Holding his hands up Avalanche called on his powers once more, making the sand swallow up the four and sucking them under.
Crouching next to his teammates as they watched for any movement Toad asked. "Hey, man, that didn't take too long at all."
Bamfing in behind them Rogue gave Kurt a nod to show she would help before he tackled Avalanche and she Toad to the sand. Phasing up not far from them with Evan in her hands Kitty helped the boy back onto the solid surface as QuickSilver came racing towards him.
"TimetoproveyourselfEvan." (Time to prove yourself Evan) Appearing behind him in a flash and shoving him at high-speed face first into the sand.
"And you're staying behind!" Fred cried as he lumbered up behind Kitty, throwing himself upon her just as she turned to face him, the sand flying violently out from where he landed against it. Grinning at the action his expression changed to shock as he felt a strange sensation passing through his midsection, looking to see Kitty phasing up through his body.
"Yuck, Blob-ola. I like totally need a shower now." She mumbled before her eyes rolled up into her head and she passed out.
Crouching on Avalanche's shoulders Kurt held the earth shaker under his arms and pulling upwards, effectively putting him in a double arm lock. Struggling around Avalanche finally got his arms up to grab him but the teleported vanished in a puff of brimstone. Looking around to try and find him Avalanche spotted the boy upon a tower of rocks, raising a hand and rolling his eyes back in his head to call on an earthquake.
The shockwave speed along the beach and up along the rocks at a direct path towards Kurt. Seeing this coming he tried to teleport away as the surface he stood on collapsed under him, but in doing so he also teleported the falling stones with him, landing on top of him and knocking him out cold.
Having recovered from the face plant Even was unsuccessfully trying to spike QuickSilver who raced in circles around him. Increasing his speed Quicksilver created a tornado of sand around the boy, eventually burying him under it with only his head left exposed.
"IgotyoubeatandyouknowitEvan.'CauseIalwaysspeedtothetop!" (I got you beat and you know it Evan. 'Cause I always speed to the top) He taunted as he stood atop of Evan struggling to try and get free.
Bouncing around on the beach Toad shot his tongue out at Rogue, despite her not being a member of the X-Men – she did after all hit him first – but she flung herself to one side, his tongue sticking to the inside of the car door that she was standing in front. He gave a rather girly cry as she slammed the door closed, trapping his tongue as he slammed face first into the metal.
"Stay 'way from meh yah over grown frog!" She cried as she released him from the door, tugging off a glove to absorb him when a hand landed on her shoulder. Turning she found Avalanche next to her.
"Rogue, right? Relax, it's over."
"W'at's over?" She quizzed him as Blob and QuickSilver followed him.
"Here comes the reward." Fred pointed up into the sky, four metal spheres hovering from over the mountain towards him.
"W'at da 'ell?"
"We'rethechosenones!Themostpowerful!" (We're the chosen ones! The most powerful!)
As the sphere's got closer they landed on the road next to them, the top halves opening as the three Brotherhood members stepped into them.
"Come on Rogue," Avalanche called out. "It's a reward."
Shooting a look back at the unconscious X-Men she shook her head and started to back away. "No way, Ah don't want dis cult yah sellin'."
Her eyes widened as several metal tentacles shot out of the empty sphere meant for her, reaching up into the air before coming after her. Dodging out of the way of one Rogue threw herself into a back flip to avoid another, ducking under another and kicking a leg up to have the last one miss her. The tentacles kept coming as she continued to elude them, her thief training for getting around laser beams coming in handy for the situation.
Grabbing hold of one she swung her body around, using it as a gymnast would a horizontal bar and kicked violently out at another, forcing it away from her and slamming it into another, denting both piece of metal at the tip of one of them fell off and hit the ground. The one she hung onto began to shake her violently and in her struggle to hold onto a fourth wrapped around her waist, dragging her back to the sphere.
With all four occupants in their place the spheres closed and rose into the sky.
----
Asteroid M.
Wheeling behind his old friend who had kidnapped him earlier in the day from Hawaii Xavier followed Magneto down the metal halls of his creation.
"The gathering is almost complete, just Wolverine and Sabertooth to go." Magneto announced as he paused along his path to turn and face Xavier. "A storm is coming for mutant kind Charles, and our resolve must be iron-clad. Side with me, not against me."
"Your invitation begs the question: What happens to those who won't come willingly?"
"If necessary, sometimes salvation must be force-fed." He answered and continued along their route, leading the way into the room and pointing to several large tubes to prove his point.
Each of the clouded cylinders stood over eight feet tall, a large tube hooked up to each and pumping in what could only guess what the gas that kept the occupant in each of them unconscious. So far only three were filled.
Shock took over the Professor's face as he raised a hand to Storm's clear cell, Jean standing out cold to her right. "Magnus, you haven't saved them, you've abducted them… Rogue?" His eyebrows shot up as his mouth dropped open, spotting the young Goth girl in the third tube, her darkly painted eyes closed and head lowered with sleep. "Erik! Rogue is just a bystander, she is not part of my team, she is a student at Bayville High. She has nothing to do with this!"
"Hasn't she now?" Magneto asked with a smile, happy that Rogue's mission was still going ahead as planned and that none in the X-Men knew of her true affiliation. "A certain amount of persuasion may still be needed, I'll admit. But for every unbeliever there is a new convert." He finished as the three Brotherhood boys moved into the room and stood behind him. Raising a hand Magneto pointed out the last two willing members as they entered through a door on the far side of the room: Scott and Alex.
----
Acolyte Base.
Remy was bored, there was no hiding that. He was never a very patient person but cards could only keep his attention for so long as he looked down at the game of solitaire in front of him. He had played ever version of one player card games he knew multiple times, having been convinced Rogue would be back by now and they could carry on with their plans for a movie day. Instead she was still out, and this worried him.
He knew enough of the X-Men that they wouldn't put her in any risk if they could help it but still he was lonely without her and there was only so many ways to annoy Piotr and John before he was either thrown out of the room – Piotr – or had caused John to completely lose it and barricade himself in his room with the fear that microscopically air breathing squids were going to float up his nose and eat his brain out… or what was left of it.
Rolling over on Rogue's bed and scattering the cards he reached inside his coat to his cell phone, speed dialling her number to see what was taking her so long. Instead of the husky Cajun-Mississippi mixed accent he knew almost all his life he got a no signal sign, cards now forgotten as worry ate him up inside.
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Asteroid M.
Letting out a groan Rogue held her hands to her head, trying to massage the pain out of her temples and the cloud that seemed to wrap itself around her brain. She had had this feeling several times, including when she had been shot during a mission for the Thieves and her Tante Mattie had to knock her out to get the bullet out and stitch her back up. It then clicked in Rogue's fuzzy brain that was what exactly happened, someone had giving her something to make her unconscious, a growl getting out of her throat as she pictured what she would do to that person once she got her hands on them.
Opening her eyes for the first time she looked around confused then reached a hand out, coming in contact with the cylinder that surrounded her. Casting a glance to her sides she spotted Jean, Storm and Xavier in similar tubes as the also awoke yet it was where their attention went next that made her gasp and yell at the same time as Jean.
"Scott!"
Standing in the doorway of what could of based as a high tech safe – and she had seen a few – the insides were impossible to see with the glowing purple interior, but Rogue could make out enough the silhouette next to the X-Men leader. His normally preppy look replaced with a leather jacket over a white shirt and dark jeans, the person next to him wearing an identical outfit as at the last moment upon entering the machine Scott seemed to panic and tried to get back out, but the door slammed close on him.
Gritting her teeth Rogue spotted Magneto smiling over at Xavier before for a split second his eyes flickered to hers. Narrowing her own green ones in return she rests her palms against the surface that could have been plastic or glass to her – at the point she didn't care – and glared out before realising she wasn't playing her part in the act and raised a brow in a silent question if Magneto wanted her to keep pretending. A slightest of nods set her off.
"W'at da 'ell is goin' on? W'ere am Ah! Let meh out Bucket'ead!" The last comment got a raised eyebrow from the Master of Magnetism and Rogue had to hold back a smirk from her face for finally getting the chance to call him that to his face.
"Everything will be alright Rogue."
Turning her head she spotted Xavier looking at her. "W'at's goin' on Professor, w'ere am Ah? Who are dese freaks?"
Movement from the door a moment later stopped any answer as it reopened, Alex and Scott walking back out but not looking the same as they went in. Of stronger builds now both the teens appeared older now as Scott's brown and Alex's blonde hair had been bleached to pure white. Rogue felt a flicker of fear go through her, she and Remy didn't sign up for something like this, they were just suppose to supply thieving and fighting skills.
"Go on Scott," Magneto spoke up. "Show us the colour of your eyes."
The red glasses dropped from Scott's face with a smile, but the eyes underneath were dark and lacked any emotion that before the transformation even with the glasses on he was able to express.
"Another benefit to your enchantment, your minds, they're purged of useless emotions." Magneto continued as he rested a hand on Scott's shoulder. "You should have a clearer perspective of our dominating role here on earth." Anything else he may have wanted to add was cut off as an alarm echoed through the base.
"Aircraft!" A giant hairy being that could have been mistaken for Bigfoot announced, Rogue guessing it to be Sabertooth, or the 'upgraded' version.
"As if 'e wasn't ugly enough before." She muttered under her breath as Magneto spoke again.
"Really? Let's see who it is." A wave of his hand opened a hatch leading up into the sky, the incoming vehicle in sight. With a raised hand at it Magneto's brow creased in confusion. "No metal." He glared over at his old friend as Xavier gave a shrug and a hint of a smile. Magneto turned to the transformed Alex and Scott. "Boys, defend us."
Disappearing down one of the many halls leading off the room the brother returned not long after, running as the X-Men's helicopter came skidding into the room, spending sparks up off the bottom as it scrapped across the metal floor, the back of the machine showing damage from the two energy blasts that took it down. Raising her hands to her head Jean threw the brothers off their feet and across the room with her telekinetics, saving them from being crushed under the machine as it spun in the spacious room. Turning 180 degrees the tail of the helicopter slammed into the wall above where the two landed, sending a rain of concrete until the two were unable to be seen anymore.
Teleporting out of the helicopter Nightcrawler landed on the ground as Shadowcat phased her and Spyke out of the side, one of the hatches open to show Toad and Wolverine joining the scene. Pulling herself up after them Mystique appeared, her glared aimed at her boss.
"Knock knock."
"Mystique," Raising himself with his magnetism Magneto floated just above the ground with the three Brotherhood boys behind him. "You never could take 'No' as an answer."
Leaping from the craft the Brotherhood boys scattered as she launched herself in their direction, the shapeshifter landing two hard kicks against Magneto's chest and pushing him back as Wolverine rushed to the imprisoned mutants, slicing the cables above their cells and setting them free as the tubes slid into the floor.
"Where's the X-Jet?" He growled.
"Observation deck, that way." Xavier said as he pointed out the way.
"Gather there-" Wolverine started before from above Sabertooth landed directly on his back, sending them both through the tube equipment and making it collapse atop of them.
Having covered their faces to avoid broken pieces of machinery and the dust cloud Xavier looked to Storm. "Storm, prepare the jet and take Rogue with out."
"Ah can 'elp!" She started but was cut off.
"I am more concerned for your safety, my team can take care of this."
Prepared to argue more Storm placed a gentle hand on the covered part of her arm. "Come along child, the X-Men can handle this. I will need your help to get us out of here."
Torn between sticking around Rogue gave a sigh but turn and ran down the corridor Professor Xavier pointed out, Storm right next to her as her cape flapped behind her body. Racing down the hall Rogue heard Storm say a quick thank you to the Goddess as they leapt aboard, she had been aboard once during the disaster field trip in which Mystique almost killed her and Scott but Rogue had never been in the cockpit with all the control. Part of her brain screamed this was the perfect opportunity to gather more information on the X-Men, to see how their equipment worked and how advance their technology was, the other part wanted to run back and help her friends. Deir targets! Not friends!
"Child, you will have to do exactly what I say. We must ready the jet quickly, I have a feeling we will need to make a quick exit."
"Just tell meh w'at to do."
Given several sets of instructions to multiple switches and buttons Rogue set about helping to start up the jet, filing away what did what in her mind for later use. The basic operations weren't that hard, especially after some of her experiences with Remy, including when he had talked her into hotwiring and hijacking a fighter jet with him for fun. A fighter jet they later crashed as while both knew how to fly it seemed Remy forgot how to land. The base next to them continued to rumble as explosions were heard from inside, the vibrations from Avalanche's earthquakes vibrating through the plane.
"Good." Storm announced. "Go and keep an eye out for the teams please Rogue while I finish up here."
Nodding her head she made her way to the hatch, resting her hands against each side as she tried to spot someone from any side coming down the hall
Spotting the first of people running towards them Rogue raised her voice for Storm to hear in the front. "'ere dey come!"
"Good, I need your help again Rogue."
Rushing back to take the seat next to Storm Rogue glanced over at the readings the Weather Witch had on her screen before flipping several switches without even been told to, making the read out return to normal. She raised her eyes to see Storm giving her a strange look.
"You learn fast."
Giving a quick smile Rogue shrugged one shoulder and returned her attention to the controls. The training from having to memorize blueprints made it so even if she was not born with one Rogue had been trained to have an almost photographic memory, just like every other Thieve in the Guild. Details were just too important in her line of work to forget. "Ah got a good memory."
As members of both teams piled aboard Storm went back to make sure everyone was seated, an unreadable look shot back at Rogue as she handled the crafts basic needs with ease only after a few minutes.
"Move it Stripes."
Turning to look over her shoulder Rogue quickly got out of the seat and backed into the rest of the plane as Wolverine resumed his normal seat. Strapping herself into one of the spare seats what he said finally got her attention. "Stripes?" The plane suddenly tipped to one side as the surface it was on gave way beneath them and she gripped harder at the straps running over her shoulders. A gasp got loose of her lips as she saw the jet was heading directly towards the ground, nose first, and that Wolverine was struggling to pull up.
"Ah don't think Ah should 'ang out with yah gahys anymore, dere's been too many near death experiences w'en Ah'm 'round yah."
"Rogue?" Spotting the girl amongst the group Scott let out a breath, glad to see she was in once piece. "Are you ok?"
"'part from almost dahin', gettin' kidnapped bah some maniac so 'e can play with mah DNA 'nd almost nose divin' into da snow? O' yea', Ah'm perfectly fahne."
Ignoring her sarcasm he gave her a smile, getting one in return. "Good."
"Well, it be bon to see yah back to yah normal self too, dat look really didn't suit yah." Pausing Rogue put on one of her best smiles and moved next to him, running a covered finger under his chin with a wink. "Mais da jacket does." She turned serious after that. "It's not a curse havin' to wear glasses Scott, yah could 'ave it a lot worse."
"Your skin isn't a curse either."
"Ain't it? Yah can still see even if yah 'ave to wear glasses."
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Xavier's School for the Gifted.
Looking at the coat he threw onto his bed Scott hesitated before picking it up, smiling at the memory of the words Rogue said before hanging it up in his wardrobe.
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DELETED BITS
Turn of the rogue:
REWRITE?
Leaning against her locker and watching people just walk past her on their way to class Rogue only half saw them, her mind still distracted from the whirlwind of events the other day. After flying back to the X-Mansion Logan had driven her back to school, allowing her to grab her bike and speed out of the parking lot. Arriving back at base she did something she never thought she would do willingly: Go to Mag's office. It was there she told him about Mystique's actions, her impulse that almost blew her mission with the X-Men and exposed her as their enemy. The fact she had almost killed a fellow mutant. It was the last part that hit it home, the idea of mutant death enraging the man in a way Rogue could only guess. He had thanked her for informing him about the situation and said he would deal with it.
She was unable to bare being alone that night, the idea that she was close to death several times that day driving her into Remy's room and refusing to leave. She has spent the night in his bed, just letting him hold her as she replayed everything in her head over and over again. Mystique's own views of the day didn't help as they echoed and bounced around her skull, trying to get out. Rogue could see her plan, what the woman had expected to happen and the outcome to it all, and surprised to see a large part of herself in it for some reason, but she hadn't held on long enough to know why the blue mutant was so interested in her. The next morning she didn't even need to be convinced to attend school, rising early for once and arriving before the late bell.
And there she was, waiting on one of the X-Men to show up and tell her Scott was ok. Or even better, Scott himself. Spotting the locks of red hair amongst the crowed Rogue pushed her way through the mass of people to catch up to the school's student telepath. Grabbing the girl's arm and pulling her to a stop away from her friends before Jean could say anything she got in first.
"Is Scott Ok?"
Pausing in whatever she was going to say Jean just nodded. "Yeah, he is… Thanks."
EXTRAS:
Leaving the three behind to talk and marching out of the office she didn't go far, pushing her back against the corner and waiting for the boys to leave, not ready to even guess where the X-Men had run off to. She had to curse herself, having not placed trackers in their bags yet but so far since she was allowed so easily into their group she hadn't seen a point for them. It was enough in her mind to have slowly been bugging the mansion every time she was there with the hope her scent was there enough for Wolverine not to pick it from the mini cameras and microphones she left.
A few muffled shouts later the Brotherhood boys exited, quickly making their way down the halls with as much speed Fred could muster and slinking up behind them Rogue kept pace. There was little doubt in her mind Mystique would send them after the X-Men, or even Toad to bring him back for punishment. Their stop off in the boys bathrooms had her rolling her eyes, didn't these two teams know about battling in civvies? If you couldn't fight in jeans and a pair of heels they should never be worn, battles didn't wait for you to change clothing.
But her patience paid off for waiting on them, shadowing them as they had caught up with Toad later in the day after having spent the rest of class time trying to find him. Yet no device. Looked like the X-Men had gotten to it first, and not wanting to get caught up in an impending battle between the two teams she had waited it out while they fought within one of the lower levels of the school that no doubt most of the students didn't know about.
As night began to fall Rogue stayed in her huddled position in the tree branches, well out of view from all and watched as finally the two teams left from their battle within the school grounds. And between the looks on the Brotherhood boys face and the fact the X-Men had seemed to pick up a new member she could easily guess who won.
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