Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men. I own Julia & Matt.

Just Too Late

Warren raised his arms in front of his face to block the snow from blowing into his eyes. Jean touched down onto the ground closely followed by Storm and Warren.

Warren folded his wings in behind his back tucking them in neatly. "Now what?"

Jean started walking up a mountain, white snowflakes landing in her flame red hair while the wind blew it about furiously. "Betsy said she was heading to Tibet. But I can't sense her anywhere." She shouted above the blizzard.

"Maybe she's still around here and we can spot her." Storm answered back.

"I can't see a thing!" Warren yelled.

Storm's eyes went white. "I'm fixing it." Within a few seconds the snow stopped falling and the skies cleared.

The three X-Men looked around trying to spot Rogue. Finally Storm yelled. "There! She's going in there!" She pointed towards the top of the mountain where Rogue was disappearing into a hole.

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Remy pulled out a cigarette. He stuck it in his mouth then searched his pockets for a lighter. "Merde!" He exclaimed. He didn't need a lighter. He never carried one with him. He put a finger to the tip of his cigarette and it lit up.

He was sitting on the back porch of the mansion. He found that it was quietest in the evening, considering the students weren't allowed out after dark, unless it was a weekend. He sat on the railing his legs swinging around carelessly.

"Can I join you?" Asked a gruff voice.

Remy turned around and looked at Logan surprised. "Doesn't matter to Remy." He mumbled taking his cigarette out of his mouth and blowing a puff of smoke.

Logan sat in the chair on the other side of the porch. The chair was in the corner so Logan was half in shadows. He pulled out a cigar and quickly lit it with a lighter he pulled out of his pocket. He put it to his lips as he muttered to Remy. "You know smoking isn't good for you."

Remy snorted. "Look who's talking."

Logan chuckled. "Point. But I have the healing factor while you on the other hand-"

Remy cut him off. "Remy's got a lot of things on his mind."

Logan shrugged and continued to puff away on his cigar. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Remy tossed his cigarette away. "Any word on Rogue?" He asked, not turning to look at Logan.

Logan growled. "No. Not yet." He said standing up and dropping his cigar and grinding his heel on it. "What's on your mind Gumbo?" He asked unexpectedly.

Remy turned to look at Logan shocked. "What's on yours?" He asked sharply. He brushed past Logan and stomping into the mansion. The door slammed shut behind him.

Logan growled. "Fucking Cajun." He muttered, turning and walking into the mansion a few moments later.

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As soon as Rogue's feet touched the ground, her angelic wings started to shrink. The wings were sucked back into her back and within ten seconds the wings were gone altogether. Rogue's blank red eyes looked over at Stryfe who was standing in the corner.

He looked up at Rogue and smiled. "I've been expecting you. And so has our master." He stood up and walked towards a big stone door.

Rogue didn't say anything as she followed Stryfe towards the door. Stryfe fetched a golden key from his pocket.

He let out a small laugh. "At last Apocalypse will be free." He placed the large key into the keyhole. The whole cave shook as the big door opened slowly.

When the doors were fully open Stryfe pointed into the centre of the room. Behind the door it was a large stone room. There was one light that shone dimly onto a weirdly shaped object. The object was large as if it were some diamond shaped container. It had to be at least ten feet long. Strange markings covered it.

Rogue knew what she had to do. As she walked towards the tomb she pulled off one of her gloves. She stepped up beside the tomb and stood staring at it for a minute. Finally she placed her hand on the tomb and it opened up. The lid opened in five parts.

Inside the tomb, rested the legendary Apocalypse. He must have been around seven feet tall, and he had black hair. He looked more like a robot rather then human. Rogue didn't hesitate as she pressed her gloveless hand against his cheek, her red eyes glowing.

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Jean, Warren and Storm flew into the cave and touched down inside. The three gasped when they saw the doors open in the back of the cave.

Jean took off running. "We might not be too late!" She yelled.

Just as she was nearing the door someone stepped in her way, and lifted a single hand that sent her flying back into Warren. Warren landed hard on his back and he took a sharp intake of breath as pain shot through him.

The man smirked. "Nobody will interrupt the rebirth of Apocalypse." He let out a cold laugh that sent chills down the trios spines.

Storm's eyes clouded over as the rumbling of thunder came from outside. She raised her arms as she summoned lightning which came through the opening of the cave. The man looked shocked as the bolt struck him in the chest and he flew back into the wall.

Jean stood up and ran towards the door. What she saw made her heart stop. "We're too late." She whispered.

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Rogue blinked once. Instantly her eyes returned to their usual green colour. She looked around confused. Where am I? Is this the danger room? She looked down and was shocked to see her hand touching someone's face. Is this Apocalypse?! She was about to break the contact when Apocalypse's eyes snapped open to reveal cold, piercing blue eyes.

Rogue was shocked to see such pure evil in one's eyes. Apocalypse arm moved into action and snatched her wrist. She struggled briefly with him, trying to get away but he held fast.

Then the draining came. Rogue felt as though as her energy was leaving her. She sunk to her knees but Apocalypse still held onto her bare wrist. Am I dying? Black spots started to appear. This must be what it's like when I use my powers. With that last thought her eyes closed.

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"No! Rogue!" Storm yelled as she jumped to Jean's side. She had appeared just in time to see Rogue slump to her knees. Apocalypse frowned as he threw Rogue to the side. Warren rushed to the X-Women's side.

Jean scarcely breathed as Apocalypse looked down at his hand. He clenched his hand, making a fist. Then he spoke in a deep voice. "Finally. I am free!" Then his eye's looked up at three gaping at him. His eyes narrowed. "Foolish mutants! Do you think you can stop me?" As he spoke the entire room shook.

He's using Avalanche's power! Jean thought with anger.

Suddenly the man known as Stryfe appeared by Apocalypse. "Master." He murmured.

Apocalypse looked between the X-Men and Stryfe. "Dispose of them." He muttered stepping out of his prison.

Stryfe stepped forward. "With pleasure."

Jean took to the air. "No!" She yelled and with one motion with her hand she sent Stryfe spiralling away. Warren stretched his wings out and flew upwards as well. Storm's eyes went white again as lightning crackled around the room.

Stryfe gasped in surprise as he was winded. He slumped to his knees. He looked up, expecting another attack, but was shocked to see the three X-Men teaming up against Apocalypse. With a smirk he stood up pulling out a gun which he pointed to Rogue who was on the ground not moving.

Apocalypse waved his hand once, the attacks sent at him bounced off an invisible shield. His eyes narrowed at something behind the X-Men.

Jean spun around to see Stryfe pointing a gun at Rogue who wasn't moving. Jean's head snapped up as she remembered something.

He shall use one to gain power. The fate of this one is death.

Before she could spring into action Warren had already scooped up Rogue and was flying out of the cave.

With a mumble of defeat she took off after Angel, Storm right by her side. She was surprised when Apocalypse didn't try to stop them.

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Apocalypse smirked as the X-Men flew out of the cave. It immediately fell as soon as they were out of sight.

He turned on Stryfe. "Insignificant fool!" He bellowed. The whole cave started shaking in his anger. "How dare you try to kill her!" He yelled.

Strfye looked at a lose for words. "Hey! She's not important. Might as well dispose of her sooner then later!" Next thing he knew Apocalypse was on top of him, pinning him to the ground.

"No! She's far more powerful then I could have imagined. No!" He mumbled he stood up.

Apocalypse turned his back on Stryfe. "She's too valuable to just kill off. I have it. She will become death!" He gave a laugh of pure evil.

A/N: I'm feeling kind of down today, so please excuse me if you find this chapter is kind of crappy. Anyways, I'm going to go now and see if I can do something that won't make me feel so depressed... I'll post again tomorrow I think...