Note: Alas we are coming to a close soon. -.- little upset about that. Oh well. I'm not completely finished with this story. Going to give a nice little extra to it since rogue hasn't learnt to... Well, I'll let you guys read this one first. Thanks anyway for all your support. You guys rock! XD

Chapter 25

He opened and closed his eyes. His head was pounding. But as he went to rub his temples, he found chains trapping his wrists. "What the?" He muttered as he opened his eyes. The gentle day light hit him like a knife to the head and it knocked him back into the pillow. After crunching up his face he attempted to open his eyes again. His sight was blurry but when he looked around, he looked to his left and made out six figures behind metal bars. All of which were looking at him. "What?" He questioned confused.

"Nice of ya ta join us Malcolm." Came the voice of Jean-Luc LeBeau.

Malcolm opened his eyes fully and took in the six people stood outside of the cage cell. The two LeBeaus, Jean-Luc and Henri, the three assassins, Marcus, Julian and Bella Donna, and last but centre front was Tante Mattie Who had her hood down and looked furious. Malcolm sat up and stombled his way over to the cell door.

"What ya doin? Let me outta ere ya stupid-"

"Enough malcolm." Said Tante Mattie in her rage, yet she stayed still and calm.

"Mattie, ya ain't go not right lockin me in ere. Let me go!"

"Unfortantly for you Malcolm, you are wrong."

"What? Woman don't push me-"

"Wade Malcolm junior, you have been accused and evidence given against you to being the thief who has stolen from de thieves guild and de assassins guild over the many years you have ruled over de higher court. You have also been accused of continuing and creating a feud between de thieves n assassins guild by manipulating each guild into believing de otha was de one takin their money and more. You have also been accused and found guilt of blackmailing several of the higher court members to have them do your dirty work and also take your side of a voting, breaking the rules of a fair trail. You r also bein found guilty for the murder of other innocent victoms you have killed to get what you desire. Wade Malcolm Junior the fifth, the court is deciding your faint. Although from this moment forwards You r striped of ya title n any further rights you once had. You r no longer head of de higher court."

"What?" Malcolm yelled in a panic. He was losing everything. He had lost everything. How? How did they find out? What had happened? He tried to remember. He tried. And he remembered. "Wait, wait!" Malcolm yelled back the six. They stopped to glare back at him. "How?"

"By the girl you tried to kill ta take tension off de little disappearance of large amounts of money from each guild Ya been stealin for ya own selfish self." Stated Bella Donna.

"But... But how?"

"by er mutant abilities is how." said Jean-Luc with that family trade grin.

"Her mutant abilities... She can take memories through touch. But-"

"You touched er when ya dove in ta kill er. She knocked ya unconscious n discovered everythin ya sneaky bastered been hidin." Said Marcus with the deadly family trade glare.

"N ya believe er? Ya believe dat little bitch?"

"Oiy, don't call moi future sister-in-law a bitch. She ain't anythin of de sort." Snapped Henri.

"You believe that little mutant scum over me? you let that bitch live?" Malcolm suddenly started laughing. "She's gonna die. The higher courts can't be over ruled once a decision has been made. i see it. See it all in ya eyes. Ya treasure that mutant scum. Well ya gonna haveta watch er die. That troubleson piece of shit is goin ta die. N I'll get what I want. Dat bitch in hell."

"Actually your wrong Malcolm." Said Julian. Malcolm spat at them.

"The higher courts can be over ruled by one person."

Malcolms face dropped. He was hoping that wasn't the voice. He was desperatlying hoping that wasn't her. He thought he'd get worse punishment if it was her. He was scared of her. "No." He breathed as he put two and two together. "No. No she can't believe dat bitch. She can't favour the mutant scum over me. I have legacy. Family legacy. That bitch is just a wash up perfectic excuse for existance dat shouldn't even be alive. I believe de same thing her pere does, dat she should be dead. Dat filthy mutant bitch has nothing compared to my family."

"Your family which has been discovered to have been the cause of the feud in the first place and for generations has used and fulled that feud ta take advantage of all of us. Your family has no honor or place in dis guild anymore. Not only have ya been stripped. But so has ya family, n de rest of ya older relatives r been collected n y'all r gonna be hung tagether." Tanthe matte said. "Just like the long lieing cheatin family ya's r. N as for de girl, whole guilds respect er more than they have eva dune ya. N dat girl happens ta be liked n protected by the External. So best be careful what words ya use against er Malcolm, or ya sentence maybe worse."

As they all left Malcolms jaw hung open. How could the External like that mutant scum?

XXXXX

Rogues eyes fluttered open and she smiled seeing Remys beautify peaceful face lit up by the golden glow that came through the window. Rogue still couldn't believe what had happened. How gambit had rushed non stop to get to her breaking so many laws to do it. Well rogue shouldn't be suprized at the law breaking, but still. It warmed her heart and also stung it that gambit had been so desperate to save her after what she'd done. He'd forgiven her straight away and she just thought how in really lucky and unworthy she was to be lieing in his arms. Rogue snuggled up closer into his chest and began thinking again of how he put his life on the line for her and what happened after that voice.

XXXXX

"Enough!" The voice boomed.

All the thieves and assassins hot off from on top of gambit and rogue. gambit sat up pulling rogue close into his lap. Rogue clung to gambit too. She tired to make sense of what was happening as she was screaming when the voice had yelled. She looked down to see Malcolm unconscious. Good, she thought as shed realised a lot of messed up things hed done to keep his power over the guilds. She thought she hadnt known a more vile person than him. Then her eyes shifted up to the assassins and thieves who had jumped up off them. They were scattered off around them and their attention was all towards the same thing. Even when rogue looked to gambit, his attention was on only one thing. And it wasn't her. Rogue turned her head up to above her and gambit and right there, glowing with bright light against the growing darkness was a goddess. A beautiful beautiful goddess with long blond hair and blue eyes. Rogue was stunned not only by the woman's beauty and obvious strong powers, but because from the memories of all people in the guilds that she had absorbed, all of them were stunned too and told her just who this woman was.

"Guild leaders and higher court report." She ordered.

Slowly at first the assassins and thieves around them started moving away, then ran away into the crowds. The heads of the assassins and the thieves stepped up as well as all the higher court member, except Malcolm as he was knocked out. Gambit didn't stand up and bow to the External like his family did. He stayed with a tight grip on Rogue.

Tante Mattie took over. "External, this is a sentences for this young lady here after she stole from the thieves guild and framed the young princess of assassins Bella Donna."

The External raised her line eyebrow as her attention turned to rogue. "Such skill."

"Yes External. The girl is very gifted." Continued tante Mattie." The girl is one of de best thieves the guilds have ever come across as she broke inta the assassins home, n the thieves, n stole from both. N ders even been some debate as to weather she would be a betta thied or assassin as she managed to frame Bella Donna perfectly. Bella Donna would have died too if it wasn't for the girls good conscience. The girls noble n in love with de prince of thieves. She had her heart broken cause of de guilds peace arrangements n simply wanted a little revenge that came out of her anger, love n jealous for dis boy. She didn't mean her crime, but unfortunately de higher courts have voted against er." Rogue already liked tante from the first moment she sort of met her, but now as she explained what happened and saw how she was trying her best to prove to the External how valid she was and not to kill her, she only grew to like her more.

"I see. That does put a damper on such a skilled individuals obvious talents. Why is Malcolm asleep?"

"He is not asleep. I believe simply knocked un conscience by the girls powers."

"The girl is a mutant?" The External asked, seeming rather interested in this.

But rogues attention had moved back to Malcolm and under her breath and crunched up face of anger and disgust, rogue said. "Hope ah put em in a coma."

"What was that?" The External asked now looking at rogue. All eyes came to rogue as she looked around, nervous at being put on edge. Then her eyes found the External again.

"ah...ah... Sorrah." She said hanging her head down in embarrassment.

"Don't be sorry. Tell me what you said."

Rogue eyed Malcolm again and everyone saw the look of utter disgust in her eyes. Rogue couldn't hold it in. "That man is vile. He ain't even a man. He's worse than vile. He's-"

"One of the higher court members" the External said warningly. "I suggest you have a good reason for cursing him however."

Rogue looked the woman in the eye and somehow saw in the Externals eye an interest and kindness which gave rogue enough confidence to continue."Him. He's the one who's been takin stuff from the thieves n assassins." Everyone looked bewildered and confused.

"Oh really. What evidence do you have and why do you only just clam this now? It is quite odd a timing considering you were about to die from stealing yourself."

"Ah know. Ah know it's wired. But ah absorbed his memories n ah know he's be foolin yall. He's-"

"what are your powers?"

"Oh, errr, guess ah should explain them first. Ma power is absorption. Whenever ah touch someone's skin, ah take their life force, their memories, their abilities n powers if their mutants, n ah leave em hurt n un conscience like that." Rogue pointed her head in Malcolm's direction as gambit had his arms wrapped around her arms and stopping her from moving.

"I see." The External said, never taking her eyes off rogue. In fact she grew closer to rogues face. Bending over so she could come eye to eye with rogue just inches away from each other. Then her eyes flickered to gambit. "You may rise and let go of her now."

Gambit looked at the External, hesitant to let go. Rogue looked back up to him too and he met her eyes. Her soft longing eye emeralds Which he liked losing himself in. Handling rogue gently and carefully, he stood them up, loosing his grip, but still having an arm wrapped around her. Rogue looked back to the External who was looking deeply into her eyes as if looking deep into rogues soul and judging her character. The external took rogues hand and pulled her out from gambits arms. Rogue felt in a trance lost in the externals magical blue eyes. "You have quite a power. Useful for both stealing and killing. I see where this argument of which best you'd suit comes from. Tell me more of what betrayal you saw within Malcolm."

Rogue swallowed, never looking away from those eyes. They just seemed to comfort her. Make all the other people fade into nothing. Little did rogue know though, that the External was testing the Rogue. "The man and his family are con-artists. The feud teeen tha thieves n assassins started years ago ova a disagreement. At the time, a Malcolm was in charge of tha town. He was gettin robed n people gettin killed, so he discovered tha guildes n worked is way inta em. I believe tha first time ya met em, Wade Malcolm the first, he offered ya n the guilds his shares of the town they lived in as long as he was involved in the decision makin n he gave ya the idea of de higher courts. He brought a silver box with em with his family crest in gold as the lock n inside there were thirty schillings. He gave it ta ya at one of tha guild meeting which he followed an assassin ta, n snuck in."

"Yes, I believe that is correct. But that was so long ago around the brining of the seventh century. "

"That Wade Malcolm Junior fifth got told these stories offa his papa who is papa had told em n so forth."

"So, the Malcolm's are a close family?"

"Bout as close as the thieves with their family n tha assassins r theirs. The Malcolm's though, didn't care for ya rules n what ya stood for. Ya created these guilds to make t'ings fair in the world. Assassins ta kill the evil in tha world, n the thieves to steal from the greedy rich n give ta the needy. Ya set up Otha guilds too, but they're less effective than the thieves n assassins, n less trouble. The first Malcolm though offered ya his services ta watch over all des guilds cause ya struggle with visitin regularly. Ya thought it wasa good idea, so created tha higher courts."

"Yes, I did." The External said rather surprised at rogues knowledge of the guilds more than any other person it appeared As all the guild members stood, stricken dumbfoundly at how much rogue knew.

"Malcolm was makin a fool outta ya External. Ya stopped visitin as often n stopped knowin what was happenin. He turned mean then n started diggin dirt up on the other good decent people had chosen ta be in the higher court. Ya idea was actually a real good one, but Malcolm was a rotten seed. He sucked up ta ya n fooled ya inta t'inkin he was ya loyal servant when he really wasn't. He was fillin dirt n started blackmailin other higher court members n demandin from the guilds that they start payin the higher courts. He got real gready. Tha greed which thieves would steal from. He got real horrible, killin n framin inno cent people who got in tha way of his plans. someone tha assassins would kill. He passed on his power to his sons n they passed on everythin. They knew bout their fore fathers onta their children. For centuries tha Malcolms did whatever they had ta ta keep rich n keep on top, includin whisperin in each guilds ears n makin em hate each other so they'd turn on each other n focus on each other rather than focus on em n realise what the family were doin. Malcolms been foolin all the guilds n ya for centuries External. N he's doin his bad deeds now."

The External frowned and straightened. Rogue blinked out of a trance she didn't know she was in then felt gambits arms snake around her waist and pull her back. Rogue looked around confused as everyone was backing up. Then she looked to the External and fear rushed through her veins just as it did everyone else's. "FOOLED!" She yelled, raging with hate of being embarised and used.

Suddenly thunder sounded above their heads and winds became more wild. Rogue was sure Storm was around somewhere trapped in an in closed space. But it wasn't storm. It was the External. Rogue was pulled back down off the stage by gambit and she noticed that all the others had gotten off stage too, except Malcolm which the External was looking down at white eyed with rage. "You dare Mock me? Mock the order of the guilds? You shall pay?"

Rogue realised what was going on. The External was mad and going to kill Malcolm. As much as Rogue hated the guy for continuing the feud and making it worse,meaning that gambit had to marry Bella Donna or get killed for it, the X-Men within her couldn't do it. "WAIT!" Rogue yelled out. "NO! WAIT!"

"what r ya doin?" Gambit asked her.

External easier her powers and turned her white furious eyes on rogue. Those eyes were scary. And rogue regretted speaking. "Is there more to add?" The External asked.

"Errr, no, ah... Ah just didn't want ta see ya kill him."

"That is not in your control to decided."

"Ah know, it's just..."

"What is it girl?"

"Ah- Ah don't know. It's just killin em dunt seem right. Dunt seem like tha right punishment. Specially since ya gonna kill em while he's already down n missed everythin that's happened. Ah just t'ink dat maybe ya should, ya know, have his punishment judged fairly. By the higher courts like ya created. Ah mean why sink ta his level? Why sink low? Ya a woman of justice n fairness. He might not deserve it, but everythin here, everyone here is here causa ya, n causa your purpose. Ya created the guilds as a secret justic away from tha world which would talk n judge fairly and thoughtfully tha fate of unfair people in tha world. Why let em ruin that further? Why ruin what ya created like he's been tryin ta do. It ain't worth it. He ain't worth it. It ain't worth ya losin everythin ya stand for just cause ya mad at em."

And the weather calmed. The External looked at rogue for the first time obviously and very bewildered. "In all my years..." her bewilderment and total lose for words soon cleared up, and she replaced herself with the strong beautiful woman she was the first time rogue layer eyes upon her. "You speak wisdom child. Wisdom I have not seen for many centuries. A strong and equal will full of purity from one who has obviously lived her life through pain and suffering. Who knows the world for it's faults, yet can still rise above it and find the bright side to life." Rogue had no idea what she was talking about. That wasn't her at all. If anything it sounded more like the professor and everyone knew his little miniatures were Scott and Jean. Rogue had nothing compared to them. And she was selfish and stuff. and she'd still feel sorry for herself when the world hurt her. She didn't believe a word the External had just said to her. "Step forwards leaders." External remaining higher court members, assassin leaders and thieves leaders stepped back up onto the stage creating a circle around the External. All except one. "I said all leaders." The external said eyeing gambit.

Gambit squeezed rogues shoulders and looked down to her. Rogue looked back up seeing he was fighting his duty over his love for her once again. And she felt for him. "It's alright, go." Rogue said in a low voice.

"She will not be harmed Remy LeBeau. " then the External straightened up more, addressing everyone. "In this girl I see the reason I befriends and created the guilds. I see the first person I ever came across on this world, who help me when I had nothing. Who taught me the goodness and hardships of the world and with in who's existence, I decided to seek for you skilled individuals. She is a living reminder of why we are who we are. A person who well represents our cause. Tell me child, what is your name."

"Errr, Rogue."

"Rogue?"

"yeah." Rogue saw the raised eyebrow. "It's,errr, who ah am now... The old meh died sometime ago." Rogue said looking to gambit. "Ann Marie died with her mama." There was understanding in gambits eyes And acceptance which lightened her world. She turned back to face the External. "From that moment on, ah changed n ah became the Rogue."

"I see. Another great in the making." The external smiled at her own joke. then she turned her attention back to all. "From this moment on the Rogue is under my protection and shall take Malcolm's place in ruling."

Rogue gasped and a moan escaped her before she could stop it. The external caught this and turned back to her. "What is it child?"

"oh, nothin"

"speck child."

"It's just... Well, tha reason ah spoke up in tha first place, asked ya not ta kill em, but give em a fair trail was because ah was remembering some people. Ma old family. The X-Men. Rogue looked down it her un gloved hand, and tried, but didn't want to look at gambits reaction out of the corner of her eye to see if he was disappointed or anything. He just seemed confused and interested in what she had to say. "They taught meh bout fairness n peace. They took meh in when ah had nowhere else ta go, even afta ah betrayed em. Well, they didn't trust meh. But anyway, the X-Men have been lika family ta meh, n... Ah been t'ink bout em. When ah was bout ta die that is. N ah thought if Remy too." Gambit tried to hold a grin as she said that." N the truth is... Well just a minute ago, ah thought ah was gonna die n neva see em again. Ah was missin em before ahd even died, n ah just realised how ah've been runnin from actually havin a good t'ing. Maybe cause it's cause ah t'ink ah don't deserved it, but ah don't know." At this moment she felt gambit squeeze her sides and she realised he was telling her off in the most des rear way he could. She tried to hide a small smile. "It's just that... Well ah don't t'ink ah could do what ya askin meh ta do. Ah... Ah only just got ma life back, cause of ya, n ah'm so grateful for ya ta give meh another shot at life, really, thank ya so much. But..."

"I understand child. You seem to have the same wish as somebody else." She said while looking at gambit. He shrugged his shoulders in a cocky layback sorry can't help it kind of way, bringing back the old easy gambit rogue remembered which made her happy. The external shock her head in mock displeased then turned her attention back to rogue, although seemed to address everyone. "However, you shall and will remain under my protection from this moment on, n it shall be each and every guilds job all over the world to make sure no harm comes to you or else they shall answer to me. You, both of you, are freed to adventure from this guild and search the world on a mission to seek and raise the peace we represent. Guild leaders step forwards." The leaders on the stage took a step closer around the External, each having some sort of small smile towards the two. Even gambits father who was still being trialled for attempted murder. "Today we have received a gift and an eye opener. This feud shall stop with the revelation of what it's cause has been. The guilds are to befriends each other. Trust each other. Do business together and decided, not from selfishness, but from fairness, the consequences of those who's actions are out of line. Here we start a new leap n shall better ourselves from this day forwards. All the guild leaders and remaining higher court shall decided the Malcolm family punishment and run it past me once there has been a decision. Now, I order that this meeting of the bored is ended . Peace be with you and with you all."

Then the External disappeared in her own magic cloud.

The time after that was a bit of a long uneasy blur for Rogue. She had to get throw the shocked and existed crowd of thieves and assassins who wanted to meet and know her and know why the External loved her so much. Thank god Remy stayed so close by her side. He wanted to talk to her privately and she was almost scared by this, only he was having trouble fighting off the guild members as if he was a body guard to a very famous celebrity. She got pulled into a room with the higher courts and other leaders from all different guilds after they got out of the swamps. Guilds that rogue thought were funny or didn't even know existed even with all the memories she'd absorbed. she helped the victims of Malcolm's blackmailing be released from his hold by using his memories against him to free them while there was still time while he was unconscious. That lasted all day. She went through leaving the long boring meeting to being pulled aside by Bella Donna who wanted to start over, go out shopping or something with rogue and be friends. Then her family came over and offered her training and to join the assassins. Of course then gambits family came over and offered the same thing. Merci had found Henri and acted just like Bella and wanted to go shopping with rogue. The two, Bella and. Merich made it a date for the three of them to go out some tim. That weak. Then when Remy got her away from all the other guild leaders trying to invite rogue to join them, She found Logan mopping over her death which he wasn't aloud to attend because the guilds feared he'd try and stop it, so was left out on the cold. rogue had him wrap her in a frantic hug and had to explain everything to him, n send him off home with the news n make them all wait to hear from her. While she reaving her wanting-to-be father of his fears of her death and sending him home, gambit stood tall by a tree not too far away, watching over her. And then she had to answer to gambit who took her back to his old room in his home with the thieves and yelled at her for being so stupid as to run off leaving him like that. They'd argued, but it was a healthy arguement which, in the end had the both of them tellinb each other they loved each other. The only down side was there was no kiss which seemed to be the next step after their conversation and in their relationship. So instead, gambit finally crashed out on his bed after changing into his pyjamas while rogue had a shower, and rogue joinned him in his bed besides her. He'd awoken up by her moving onto his bed,nbut simply smiled at her, brought the blankets over the both of them and they cuddled together while falling sleep

XXXXX

And that was what rogue had been thinking about a little later on when she'd woken up and now was falling back to sleep, happy the busy day was over (even though she knew there would be more Erin's tomorrow since she was the golden girl now under the External) and at last she could enjoy her reason for living. Well for her life.