Chapter
Ten - She's Found Two days later . . . . .
Rogue sat silently as the doctors, workers, and Julie worked around her. The voices were yelling again, but now there was no sharp, stabbing pain, instead there was just a numbing feeling. It was like Rogue could see and hear everything going on around her, but couldn't feel anything. The doctors were setting up strange equipment that blinked and hummed with life. Rogue was beyond confused, normally, her legs and arms were strapped down to the chair, but instead they were free to move. Her confusion must have shown on her face because Julie's walked over to Rogue's chair.
"It's okay Rogue," Julie's voice seemed too soft from were she was standing, "We're just setting up the equipment that will be helpful to you when you're being transferred."
'Sure, big machines are helpful!'
'Oh, great! Childish is back and she was being sarcastic. Lovely' Rogue thought to herself with a roll of her eyes.
Rogue didn't know what was happening. She knew that she was getting transferred, but no one had told her in what or how. As if reading her thoughts, Julie started explaining.
"Let me explain. You're going to be moved in a truck. This equipment," at this, Julie waved her hand at the mass of machines, "is going to keep you alive while you're being moved."
Rogue gave the woman a blank look.
Julie smiled and continued, "While you are traveling, you're going to be in a drug induced sleep, for everyone's safety. These machines are going with you to make sure that you stay alive for the journey," Julie put her hand on Rogue's shoulder and Rogue automatically flinched from the contact, "When we have finished setting up this equipment, one of the doctors will be taking you to get cleaned up; a shower, new clothes, maybe a hair cut."
Julie sighed when Rogue made no noise or movement to say that she had heard the doctor, but that was normal. According to the real Julie Greenwood's files, Rogue had stopped talking, screaming, or making any sound at all a few weeks after the chip had been place in her.
'Soon this will be over and I won't have to play this part anymore,' the blue mutant in disguise thought to herself, 'Only a few more hours to go.'
"Dr. Trick, take 453 to the showers and get her cleaned up. Dr. Rancid's orders, anything happens to her and it's your job," commanded Julie to one of the younger doctors, "There's no need to worry about 453 using her powers either, the power chip is on full power."
"Yes, ma'am!"
'Almost time . . . . . then boom!'
Something flickered in Rogue's eyes as she followed the nervous doctor out the door. A childish giggle and images of flames filled her head.
7878787878787878787878787878787878
Rogue was led down a series of hallways before the doctor in front of her stopped. Rogue noted that the door in front of her was different compared to the ones she was used to. This door was painted light blue, not gray and was made from wood instead of re-enforced steel. There was also a handle instead of a bunch of locks. Dr. Trick opened the door and walked inside.
"Follow me," was all Rogue heard from the doctor as she disappeared.
Rogue did what she was told and stepped through the doorway. On the other side was a big room, the walls and floors had tiles on them. The walls were lined with rows of showers. There were fifteen showers along each wall and two rows of ten down the middle. Along one wall, a metal bench was bolted to the floor. Her eyes were torn away from the showers when something soft was placed in her arms. Rogue looked down at the item in awe.
'What is it? It's so soft.'
Catching the look upon Rogue's face, Dr. Trick quickly explained what the fluffy thing was.
"It's a towel." Rogue just looked at the doctor with more confusion.
"Okay, um . . . . . When you finish with your shower, you use this," Dr. Trick held up the towel, "and dry the water off. You understand?"
At the words of shower and towel, images flashed through Rogue's mind; running water from above, a green fluffy item. Rouge looked at the doctor and nodded, indicating that she understood what she had just said. Dr Trick smiled at the action.
"Put your towel over here so it won't get wet and sit down please."
Rogue placed her towel on the bench and sat down where she was supposed to. She watched as the young doctor went to retrieve some things.
When she came back, Rogue eyed the items with caution. Rogue could see something metal and sharp. Dr. Trick placed the items next to Rouge and muttered something before quickly walking away again. Rogue looked at the metallic object in wonder. The object was shiny and had two holes at one end that made their way to a point at the other end. Carefully, Rogue grabbed a hold the object move it to her eye level. Slipping her pointer finger and her thumb into the holes, the object opened without a sound. Rogue's eyes narrowed at the metal object, the shape was different now. The object now looked like a persons' legs.
'The edge looks sharp. Hmm . . . I wonder'
Rogue used one hand and grabbed a fist of her mid-back hair and brought the metallic object up to it. Slowly, she applied pressure on the handles and suddenly the hair she was holding fell to the floor. Rogue's eyes went wide at the fallen hair, a ghost of a smile graced her face and Rogue repeated the process to the rest of her hair.
By the time Dr. Trick had returned, Rogue's hair was chopped quite messily, but now was a good two inches above her shoulders. The doctor dropped the stuff she had been holding and quickly grabbed the scissors from Rogue's hands. She did a quick check over Rogue, but was surprised to find no cuts or other injuries that could have been made by the scissors.
"Well, it looks like you've done one of my jobs for me…let's get you cleaned up."
Rogue stood and waited for further instructions from the woman in front of her. She followed the doctor to one of the showers and blinked when water started to pour from the sky. A frown formed on Rogue's face when she saw this.
"It's okay; it's just water," Dr Trick smiled at Rogue, "Um. . . . Okay, I need you to strip and stand under the water to clean yourself. Can you do that?" the doctor asked patiently.
Rogue tilted her head the side and nodded. Sighing, Dr. Trick made her way back to the bench.
"I've got some stuff that should help get you clean," she called over her shoulder. There was no response, not she expected one. Dr. Trick took hold of the cleaning items and brought them back to where Rogue was.
"Here, you'll need these," Dr. Trick handed some shampoo, conditioner, body wash as well as a cloth to the now showering Rogue. She flinched at the scars that covered Rogue's body.
Rogue grabbed the shampoo and took off the lid. Eyeing the bottle, she brought it to her nose and smelt what was inside. The smell reminded her of something sweet. Shrugging, Rogue squeezed the pink stuff onto her hand and rubbed it into her now shorter hair. After washing out the sweet smelling stuff, Rogue repeated the steps with the conditioner. The actions almost seemed automatic as Rogue cleaned off years of dirt and blood with the body wash.
After the water had been turned off and the towel wrapped around her body, Rogue made her way back to the bench.
"Orders from above tell me that you are to have some fresh, clean clothes as well," came Dr. Trick's voice, "So, here, put these on and I'll take you back to your room, after that, it will be about hours wait before someone else comes to get you."
Dr. Trick handed a fresh bundle of clothes to the now clean mutant. Rogue stared as the doctor went about picking up the things that she had used while washing. Looking down at the clothes, Rogue could tell that they were different to what she usually wore.
'Doesn't matter'
Rogue dried herself and slipped the singlet top over her head, she noted that the top was darker then the light blue she normally wore as she flattened the shirt down. The top was colored black and had a picture of a white skull on the back with the letter 'R' underneath it. The top was tight and it showed her stomach. The pants were just as black and had white stripes running down each leg. They were also tight, but gave enough room to move freely. She had also been given a black wrist guard, which she attached to her left arm, and a black leather guard that she put around her upper right arm. The shoes were what amazed Rogue the most, they were standard black combat boots that everyone wore, but around the toes of the boots was a steel covering.
'Weird,' Rogue thought to herself as she laced up the laces.
Rogue waited from the doctor to finish what she was doing, not five minutes later she found herself back in her room.
"You've got about forty minutes before someone else comes to get you," was the last thing she heard from the doctor.
Rogue stretched across her cot and waited as she slowly ran her finger along the scar across her wrist.
'Nearly time,' stated the childish voice with another round of giggles7878787878787878787878787878787878
Logan only half-listened to what Xavier was saying, he already knew everything the bald man was saying. He was just repeating himself. Logan's eyes shifted to the clock behind Xavier.
'Ten minutes before we leave, hurry up Chuck'Xavier gave Logan a look, but continued to talk to the team.
"Are we all clear on the plan? We are to get Rogue out, but not cause harm to anyone unless they seek to harm us first, got it?" Xavier calmly stated, at the last bit he gave Logan a hard look.
Logan snorted in response.
"Okay, everyone suit up, we're going to save our friend," commanded Scott, taking lead of the situation
"The older students will be looking after the little ones, so everything will be fine here while we're gone," stated Ororo.
Xavier nodded, "Okay, but we also need to be prepared for any surprises that might come our way when we're getting Rogue. Move out."
Xavier watched the team as they exited the war room.
'I hope no spirits will be broken if
Hank is wrong,' he thought to himself before wheeling after the
team.
7878787878787878787878787878787878
Pyro shifted in his chair, he was bored and couldn't figure out why Magneto would want another mutant to work under him. He already had a good team that were willing to kill for him, why would he want to waste time seeing if this one mutant would work for him?
The sound of the door opening brought the fire manipulator out of his musings.
'Guess the team is as ready as I am,' he thought to himself.
Through the door walked in six people, this was Magneto's team.
Out of the six new people there was only one girl, she was aged in her early twenties and went by the name of Scarlet Witch. She wore tight, black leather pants that had a dark red stripe going down the right leg as well as a midriff-showing, red short sleeved , button-up top along with a simple black jacket and equally as dark combat boots. Her nails were painted blood red and her make up was on the gothic level with different shades of red and black. Her hair was short and black with red tips.
"Scarlet Witch!"
The girl's head shot up in the direction of the voice, "What, dear brother of mine, do you want?"
The brother in question gave the girl a smirk before using his power to speed next to her.
"Just wondering if you're ready for this mission, you seemed tense early," he commented with care.
"Don't worry your pretty head about it, Quicksilver," she answered tartly.
"Suit yourself, just trying to help."
Quicksilver had short silver hair and piercing blue eyes. He looked the same age as Scarlet Witch. His uniform consisted of a tight, light blue muscle shirt and a pair of loose black pants as well as a pair of black steel capped combat boots.
A growl was heard from the corner of the room.
"What de matter, fu' ball?" asked the slick, cocky man who was shuffling a deck of cards.
All that was heard was a snarl.
The card man had brown hair tied into a low ponytail, burning red eyes as well as a goatee. He wore a brown trench coat over black pants and a red shirt. Black boots were on his feet. A smirk was firmly placed on his face when he heard the snarl from the older man.
"Leave the fuzz ball alone, Gambit. He probably lost his ball of yarn somewhere," answered a voice from behind
"Oui, y' probably righ', Avalanche." he replied, still smirking
Avalanche also had brown hair, which was short and spiked, his eyes were brown and he was playing with his blue handled pocket knife. He had on a pair of ripped, dark blue jeans, a grey t-shirt and a brown vest. He also had black boots on.
Avalanche turned to the last member and shook his head, "Blob, you shouldn't eat so fast, you'll choke."
"That's what you say," Blob replied, his mouth still filled with his sandwich
Blob was largely overweight, with his blonde hair styled in a Mohawk and his brown eyes trained on the food in front of him. He wore dark grey cargo pants, a black singlet and a dark grey vest. On his feet were brown army boots.
"So," his voice was muffled from the amount of food in his large mouth," When's ol' Magsie gettin's here. I hate to wait."
"'Ol' Magsie,'" Came a low voice from the door, "is here, and it is time to go to meet our new member,"
Blob almost choked on his food, but was able to swallow as everyone stood to leave the room.
"I hate it when he does that," he muttered to himself as he left with the others.
As the full team walked down the metal lined corridors, Magneto stated calmly to the man to his right, "Sabertooth, I expect you be helpful with the new mutant. No growling, snarling, or threatening to kill her. Got it?"
"Yes, sir," was the only response the Master of Magnetism received. He nodded in satisfaction.
"Good," he replied, "Team, get yourselves comfortable in the transport orbs and remember only two to an orb, expect for you, Sabertooth, unless someone is game enough to sit with our killer."
There was a chorus of "Yes sir" from everyone before they entered the metal orbs. Basically the orbs were made from liquid metal so it was easy to store and easy to form shapes from. The orbs were hollowed spheres with enough room for two people comfortably, but could fit three if needed to.
When everyone was seated and ready, Magneto used his power to move the five orbs. Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, being in one, Avalanche with Blob, Pyro and Gambit together as well as Sabertooth and himself having a single one each.
'It will take us about ten minutes to get into place,' he thought to his self, 'Mystique better be right about this.'
7878787878787878787878787878787878
Rogue listened for any signs of footsteps and smiled when she heard the familiar sound of army boots fitting floor. Quickly, she placed her hand under her cot and felt around for something. Rogue sighed when she felt her hand come in contact with a twisted metallic object; quickly, she ripped it from the hiding place and looked at it.
A smirk formed on her face, the object in question had once been a fork Rogue was given during a meal time, she had kept it in hopes of using it to advantage someday and today was perfect. Rogue had used her powers to twist the fork to form an object that resembled a spiral pencil; the fork came to a point and looked sharp enough to cut through human skin. Carefully, she slipped the twisted fork under her left arm guard and waited for the door to open as well as making her face blank from emotion.
Not two minutes later the metal door swung open and a gruff looking guard stepped in, he had black gloves covering his hands.
"Follow me," was all he said.
Rogue made no noise as she stood and followed the man.
'Stupid man,' she thought to herself, 'Smile, it won't kill ya.'
It took a few minutes before Rogue was back in the room she started in at the beginning of the day. It was different now, compared to before. The mess of the machines was gone, but there was now a big glass tube with wires coming out of it and disappearing around to the back, in their place.
'What the hell is
that,' a gruff voice demanded from Rogue's head. 'Don't know,'
was all Rogue thought back to the new voice.
"Bring
453 over hear please," called Julie to the guard.
"Yes ma'am."
The guard took a hold of Rogue's right arm and dragged her towards the doctor.
"You're dismissed," Julie stated, but continued when a look of disbelief crossed the guard's face, "453 trusts me and knows I won't harm her. Please leave."
"Yes ma'am," the guard saluted before turning on his heel and leaving the room.
"Okay, Rogue. It's just you and me now. I'm going to place you in the tube behind you," explained Julie, "Because you need to be asleep for the journey, I'm going to give you two pills that will knock you out for the trip. After you have taken the pills, I will strap you into the tube's restraints. Nod once if you understand."
Slowly Rogue nodded her head, and Julie smiled.
"Here," Julie gave two white colored pills to Rogue and a glass of water, "Drink up. It should only take a few minutes for the pills to take effect."
Carefully, Rogue put the pills into her mouth and drowned the glass of water. With her mouth closed, Rogue slid the pills under her tongue and swallowed the water, before handing the glass back to Julie. With a small smile, Julie led Rogue to the glass tube and opened the door. Rogue stepped in and watched as Julie strapped her legs, arms, and her waist to the walls of the tube.
"The pills should be taking effect now," stated Julie, she watched carefully as Rogue's eyes began to droop, she smiled as she closed the door.
'This is easier then I thought,' she thought to herself as she called for the guards to load Rogue into the truck.
Minutes passed as Rogue felt the tube around her being moved, she would have smirked, but that would have spoiled her secret. With the two pills still in her mouth, she would have to wait before spitting them out.
'Wait 'till you in da truck,'
came the childish voice. 'She's right,' Rogue thought to
herself.
Finally, after ten minutes, Rogue felt the tube stop moving and a clicking sound. Then, there was a sound that was like a door closing, before a rumble was heard. Rogue felt the tube jolt with the rumble, before a low hum was heard throughout the tube. Slowly, Rogue opened her eyes and frowned. Everything was dark and she couldn't see.
'Doesn't matter,' she thought as she
spit the pills out of her mouth, she smiled when she heard them hit
the ground, 'Now I need a drink.'
Rouge strained her eye
for any sounds, but was disappointed when nothing was heard. Quickly,
she shifted her attention to her restraints. Rogue tested the
strength of the straps, she smiled.
'Too easy,' she thought as she began to pull against the straps and smirked when she felt a slight rip.
Gaining more hope, Rogue called forth her super strength power and pulled for all she was worth. There as a satisfactory snap as the arm restraints came off the walls. Rogue repeated the process with the leg restraints and was almost finished with the strap around her waist when she felt the truck suddenly stop and Rogue felt herself jerk foreword.
'Can't be there yet, what's going on?' Rogue was confused, 'and what's with the voices, there not in my head this time'
Getting annoyed, Rogue began to bang against the glass in front of her, hoping to get someone to notice her.
7878787878787878787878787878787878
Magneto smirked when he saw the truck come into view.
"It's time," He stated calmly.
He watched as everyone stopped what they we're doing and stood, ready for action.
Magneto watched as the truck came closer and closer. Finally, he raised his hand and the truck came to a sudden stop with the front crushed from the pressure. There were people shouting and yelling orders, but his team didn't care. They took them out with ease, hardly having to use their powers.
'Pathetic,' was the first word that popped into his head.
He smiled when he saw Mystique come around the side of the truck with one of the guards in front of her, a gun pressed firmly to the back of his head. She was still in her Julie disguise.
"Let's go," he heard her tell the man.
Magneto walked towards the mutant in disguise and his team followed.
"So good to see you again, my dear," he calmly said.
"Good to be seen," came her reply, "She's this way…and my good friend here has decided he wants to help out. Move it!"
As the Brotherhood of Mutants made their way to the back of the truck, they all noticed the all too familiar X-jet land across from the truck. Everyone saw the lather clad figures exit from the ramp.
Sabertooth emitted a growl, when he smelt the familiar scent of his number one enemy.
"Need t' move quickly, boss." Gambit came up to Magneto from behind.
"I know, Gambit. Mystique, let's hurry this up," came Magneto's voice.
"Come on," pleaded Avalanche, "We can kick these goody two shoe asses with our eyes closed."
"As much as I'd like to see the look on Charles face when we get this mutant, I'd rather not have to deal with him going on about how we should change our ways and help him"
"Eric," started Mystique, "She's in a tube covered in metal. You should bring it out here, so my friend can open it."
Magneto nodded and raised his arm again pulled on the metal inside the truck. There was a loud bang when the metal looking tube came through the side of the truck. It stood upright on its own.
"Open it," Mystique hissed into the guard's ear.
With shaky hands the guard began to type in the code to release Rogue from her glass prison. Suddenly, the guard was thrown back from the tube by red beam.
"Stop right there, Magneto," stated the commanding voice of Cyclops.
"Why would I that?" asked Magneto.
"She's not going with you," came the angry voice of Shadowcat.
"Who. . . . ," Magneto was cut off when a banging was heard.
Suddenly there was a loud bang and the metal door flew off its hinges, a few people watched as the door hit the ground behind the X-men. There was silence as a figure stepped out of her metal. Shock was evident on everyone's face as the girl's face came into view.
Rogue looked at all the faces of everyone around her, she was confused. The first time in months Rogue projected her thoughts out to other people and sent out the first think that came to her mind.
"Who are you?" Rogue asked using her teleapathic abilities
TBC… -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TA-DA
the next chapter. I know everyone had to wait awhile, but it was
worth it this, I proudly say, is my longest chapter to date. Yay
me. Oh, thank you to all that voted, I know where Rogue will
be going. So sit tight for the next chapter. And thanks
to