So... in my defense I wanted to make sure this chapter was PERFECT! This is a big chapter, big reveal, be EVERYTHING! I would hate for it to be ruined by rushed writing or typos ;) So here we are at the climax, please let me know how you feel about it :)

As always I do not own the marvel universe or the x-men, the original story line is my own :)

The house was lit brightly in the dark night with white and gold party lights as Warren's limo pulled up the long drive way. The cobble path was shoveled and brushed dry to keep the party goer's clothing from the wet salt. The trees were decorated tastefully with icicle light's and giant Christmas bulbs. Classical music filtered from the wide double doors and the sounds of the guests was a steady undertone to the drifting music. As Warren waited for their turn at the front gate he adjusted his simple black and white checkered mask before watching his companion wring her glove covered hands. He placed a calm hand on her shoulder, causing her to jump slightly in her seat.

"Relax, you'll do fine." Kitty smiled at him nervously, her eyes glittered with nerves from behind her soft pink mask. "Do you remember the plan?" She nodded before taking a deep breath and stared out the window again.

"You're going to distract Shaw and Emma while I look for Rogue. Once I have her I will need to place this nifty little thing on her neck," Kitty looked down at the small microchip that forge had designed for them before continuing. "Then I tell the Professor and he tries to break down what barriers Emma erected in her. Once that's done we'll have Rogue back and escape and like, live happily ever after."

Warren smiled at her softly and tried to not let his worry show through his eyes. She was so young yet and believed so much of the world. Warren hoped she could hold onto this innocence for just a bit longer. As the valet opened the door and Warren stepped out into the cold, Kitty stashed the small lifesaving gadget in her clutch purse before graciously accepting Warren's hand. They meandered slowly with the crowd up the steps towards the entrance. News cameras and reporters lined the sides of the staircase shouting names and questions at the guests of importance. Kitty felt a little shy as one stuck a microphone right past her face to shout a question to Warren. He smiled graciously and spoke quickly, the perfect image of a businessman and playboy of the upper crust society. Kitty watched the people around them and saw several celebrities that would have had the girls back at the mansion squealing in excitement. For now Kitty kept her eye's moving, searching for any sign that Rogue was outside.

'That would be like, too easy.'

Slowly they made their way into the bright entry way. The colored masks and clothes blended before Kitty's eyes and she couldn't help but feel slightly awed at the majestic feeling of it all. Smiles and laughter filtered from the grand ballroom and Warren slowly steered them into a corner away from sight but still have a clear shot of the large double doors. He stood close to her with his head slightly bent towards her ear. She blushed slightly at the closeness and knew they were painting quite an interesting picture.

"Shaw and Emma usually have these large throne chairs near the far right wall. My bet is that they will be there lording over their guests. If their plan for Rogue is what we believe then she will be somewhere in the middle of the dance floor being the perfect hostess. Make your way there discreetly and see if you can pull her from the crowd. We don't really know what her reaction will be to Forge's invention. They stopped talking for a moment as a gaggle of women giggled as they walked rather closely by. Although Kitty knew she was not, in any essence, dating Warren; she still bristled at the obvious attempts to win his attention. Warren smiled politely at them but turned back towards Kitty to their annoyance.

"Now, if things don't go to plan…" She silenced him with a short shake of her head.

"This will work, we're the X-men and she's my best friend. This will work Warren." He smiled at her enthusiasm but continued.

"Kitty, we have to have a plan for the small chance this doesn't work. If we can't get Rogue back or if something diverts you before you can get to her, you need to follow the escape plan understand?" She nodded slowly before accepting his offered arm. Together they entered the giant ballroom and for a moment Kitty was awed by its Christmas spirit. Evergreen trees lined the edges of the great room with sparkles of tinsel and bulbs. Tables were scattered around them hosting several people at each with plates of delicate finger foods and glasses of champagne. In the middle, skirts twirled and flowed as the dancers weaved in between each other and across the dance floor. Gales of laughter echoed around them and for a moment Kitty was transported back to a slower time, a grander time where these parties were a nightly occurrence. Warren led her confidently towards the center of the ballroom and joined the swaying crowds for a few minutes as they scanned the faces around them.

"Do you see her?" Kitty shook her head, a sliver of fear and dread was working its way into her mind and she searched for Rogue's familiar white streak. Finally after what seemed like ages she spotted a woman standing just inside the large balcony windows. Her back was to them but Kitty would recognize those curled white bangs anywhere. Nodding her head slightly, Warren followed her line of sight until he too located her through the crowds. He marveled at her deep green gown with a dangerously low neckline. He leaned down to whisper in Kitty's ear, a picture perfect moment of possible lovers whispering sweet things to each other.

"Her skin, be careful." Kitty nodded once before they pulled from each other and bowed. As Warren gracefully made his way towards Shaw and his group of lackey's, Kitty turned and made a bee line towards the refreshments. She smiled at the young man who handed her a crystal glass of champagne and she turned to stare at the dancing crowds. Out of the corner of her eye, Kitty watched as Rogue laughed and smiled with a group of other girls. A young man stood at her arm smiling with the other gentlemen. She seemed calm and in control and Kitty could feel a touch of envy towards the southern belle. She seemed so at home in this atmosphere that it was almost a crime to pull her away from this lie. She watched with bated breath as Rogue seemed to excuse herself and make her way towards a pair of side doors. Her escort had stayed behind with the group for the moment and Kitty took her chance.

'Now's my chance, please work.'

Warren watched Kitty go and turned his own eye towards the dais that held Shaw's ridiculous throne. He sat there wearing regal clothing and a full face mask. Emma was next to him, her posture as pristine as ever. Her own snow white face mask reflected her constant icy stare. Neither were entertaining guests at this moment, preferring to sit above their guests and displaying their power. Warren forced himself not to roll his eyes as he approached the dais and the line of guards before him. Plastering one of his best playboy smiles he raised a hand in greeting to Shaw and Emma.

"Good evening Shaw. Emma you look lovely as always." He stood politely and waited for them to respond. After a moment he cleared his throat and tried again. "So Shaw, Have you head the latest anti-mutant campaign in DC I hear it's-"

"Excuse me Sir." Warren turned to look at a man standing just to the right of the dais. He was wearing a deep red velvet suit; his black demon mask covered the upper portion of his face leaving his mouth free. Warren felt a cold chill shiver its way down his spine at the calculating smile. "The King and Queen are currently not entertaining guests at the moment. Please, enjoy the refreshments." Warren forced a weak smile before turning away to meander back towards the entrance. He leaned against the cold marble wall and watched the stranger over the heads of the other guests. The man stood at his post with an air of self-satisfaction that made Warren uneasy.

'Can you see what I'm seeing professor?'

'Yes Warren I can, I believe that is the Essex man. Be wary of him. For now we need to concentrate on getting Rogue out of there.' Warren scanned the crowds for Kitty's pink dress and mask, finally spotting her as she slipped behind a side door.

'We're almost there Professor, Kitty is following her now.' He smiled quickly to a waiter who held a tray up to him with a glass of champagne. He took it with a nod and sipped slowly as he watched the other guests and admired the decorations.

'Warren… would you look back to the ceiling for a moment?' He obliged, letting his gaze linger on the gauze strips of silver and white fabric. The twinkling lights shown through the thin material making his eyes go slightly unfocused.

'What am I looking for Professor?'

'It's not what you're looking for, it's what you've found. We have to get her out of there now Warren.'

'Why Professor what is it-'

A loud trumpeting sound interrupted his thoughts as several of the guards saluted and parted the guests for the man in the red suit. Warren glanced at his watch and saw there was but a few more minutes until midnight.

'Warren please, something isn't right you have to get out of there!' Warren could feel the Professor's panic through the telepathic link and pushed his way towards the side door he saw Kitty go through a few moments before. He felt a hand snag his shoulder and tried to brush off the stranger. The hand clenched down in a bone crushing grip and Warren grunted at the pain. The stranger forced him to his knees as the crowd parted for Essex who now stood in front of Warren; His cold calculating smile glittering down at him.

"Mr Worthington, leaving us so soon? And just as my protégé was about to make her debut!" He leaned in closer to Warren, his breath tickled the side of his ear as he whispered, "You as well Professor, be welcome in her honored performance, and never doubt the power of the Master again." Essex straightened his jacket and smiled to the surrounding guests.

"My friends! As the new year approaches our honored King and Queen have allowed me to indulge you all with a spectacular show from their darling daughter. She is one of the few, one of the special," Essex smiled mischievously at Warren who struggled against his captives. "She is… A DEMI-GOD!" His voice boomed around the large ballroom as smoke bombs and bright flashes lit up the center of the dance floor. The mechanic sounds of gears and conveyor belts made the floor vibrate as an opening began to form in the middle of the orchestra stage. Bright white spot lights lit up from below and threw a shadow of a young woman as she was lifted from the hole.

'Professor… please tell me that's a magic trick, or maybe… her powers…'

'They haven't evolved Warren… I fear the worst, Magneto and the others are outside trying to get in but their body guards are more than they appear. Hold on for just a few more minutes, help is on the way.' Warren felt his mouth run dry as Rogue finally appeared floating over the smoking hole. Her eye's were closed for the moment and Warren searched her face for any signs of struggle. Her green gown was replaced with some sort of black and metal body suit that left very little to his imagination. Her hair tangled about her face erratically from unseen force. He was so entranced with her that he failed to notice the party guests around him bend to their knees, their faces downcast. Essex was watching her with a rapt lustful expression. He had removed his red jacket and now stood before her with his black shirt open revealing his bare chest.

"My Master, come to your worshipers, we have longed to have you return. Too soon were you cruelly banished from your rightful throne. Come my Master, enter the body and spirit of your design." As he sank to his knees, Warren watched as the roof above them seemed to shimmer and glow with sigils of unknown origin. Their light blinded Warren as they streaked and were absorbed into Rogue's body. She jerked as each sigil collided with her chest. The sounds of thunder came from outside and the windows lit briefly with flashes of light. Behind him there were sounds of fighting and screaming and Warren begged for them to hurry. Suddenly the roof glowed a brilliant white light that arched into lightening that struck Rogue's body. Her blood curdling scream mixed with his as she jerked from the power that assaulted her. He could hear her pleas of mercy and help as the lightening struck again and again against her frail body. The side door behind him crashed open and he smiled in relief, the cavalry had finally come. He was instead surprised to see Kitty next to him with Mystique not far behind. Kitty phased Warren through the hands of the man holding him and Mystique knocked him back into the crowd. She growled and made a dash for Essex.

"THA'S MY DAUGHTER YOU BASTARD!" Before Mystique could slash her claws through his back she was thrown aside from an unseen force. She landed hard in front of Warren and Kitty who stood shocked at Rogue who, in turn, was staring directly towards them.

"Mortals… mutant and human alike…" Warren's heart sank deep into his chest as he watched Rogue's eyes, the golden light of the flames inside her mind reflected for all to see. "Know now that the power, the fate, the destiny of Apocalypse can never be thwarted."

Danger Will Robinson! Any good? Comments are lovely as always and just for you lovely folks I have already started working on the next chapter. There will be a bit more of a flash back for Rogue and the master of metal and of course their point of view for this party. Thanks for the drive by!

~GreenRogue