Disclaimer: Still not mine.

Chapter 48-Traitor

A loud clanging sound greeted the Brotherhood as Mystique shoved open the metal door. Her red hair was disheveled and her yellow eyes were wild with fear. She was breathing heavily, choking up with sobs every few seconds as she swayed into the room.

Pietro, being the fastest one in the room, quickly caught the shape shifter before she dropped to the ground. He maneuvered her over to a chair in the makeshift metal foyer, looking over at Wanda who was getting to her feet.

Wanda didn't need to read Pietro's mind to know what he was trying to tell her. Turning to Toad she snapped, "Get my father!"

Toad blinked in surprise but quickly disappeared down the metal hallway in search of Magneto. Wanda slowly made her way over to Mystique who was babbling under her breath, her yellow eyes staring off into space. The blue woman was in shock, that much was certain.

"Hey, now, what's goin' on, mates?" asked St. John as he edged over to the Maximoff twins and Mystique. Behind him Betsy and Philippa were both watching with avid interest. Mystique was usually calm and collected no matter what happened.

Lance and Tabitha joined the group, with Tabitha kneeling down in front of the shape shifter. "You know, she kinda reminds me of Rogue when Rogue has one of her headaches—or the voices in her head start up," remarked Tabitha.

At the mention of Rogue, Mystique's head snapped up, her eyes clearing as her hands shot out and gripped Tabitha by the collar of her shirt. "She's gone! She's gone!"

"Who's gone?" demanded Lance suspiciously as he helped Tabitha out of Mystique's iron grip. "Rogue? She was never here, Mystique. You sure you didn't hit your head or somethin'? You're actin' a little…weird."

"You don't understand what has happened…no one understands the full extent of Rogue's actions!" cried out Mystique standing on her feet again. She swayed once more, tears falling freely down her cheeks, and then plopped back down into her seat. She buried her face in her hands and began to cry just as Magneto entered the room. Directly behind him came Toad and Fred pushing the wheelchair with Jason Wyngarde in it.

"Raven, what has happened?" questioned Magneto kneeling down in front of his lover. Mystique glanced up with tear filled eyes and wrapped her arms around Magneto's neck, sobbing into his chest.

"Rogue…my baby girl is gone forever! I've only ever tried to save her…but I could never save her from herself!"

"Raven, you must pull your self together and tell us what happened. What has happened to Rogue?" Magneto gently pulled Mystique away from him and locked eyes with her.

Instantly Mystique's tears dried as she nodded in a businesslike manner. "Rogue came to Destiny's apartment last night…she left the X-Men about four days ago. She…she had had an altercation with Carol Danvers. Now Carol is in a coma and Rogue has seemed to come in possession of Carol's powers of flight, and possibly strength. When Rogue awoke after her fight with Carol she thought that's who she was. She flew to California, met Carol's parents, and then realized that she wasn't Carol.

"Rogue then returned to Caldecott, Mississippi where her adopted parents live. She made peace with them…learned that I have been watching over her since birth…and she said good-bye to the first person she ever absorbed. He died, Eric. The boy Rogue touched, he died as a result of that touch. She stayed for the funeral and realized she had to accept who she was. And she came to me last night…and we talked for hours, just like mothers and daughters are supposed to do. She was there when I fell asleep last night…but when I awoke this morning…she was gone."

"Gone where? Rogue's dangerous in that condition—every time she drains another person she gets an unwanted roommate upstairs!" exclaimed Tabitha, her blue eyes filling with worry.

Mystique hung her head. "She has gone to fulfill the prophecy…or change it. I don't know which, but I do know that she is no longer with the X-Men. Rogue is with Sinister now. She is working for the enemy. Our enemy…the X-Men's enemy…everyone's enemy."

"How the hell could Rogue possibly get in with Sinister?" growled Wanda with narrowed eyes.

"Look around, who's missing?" shot back Mystique. The mutants glanced around warily.

"Hey," started Piotr suddenly, "where are Sabertooth and Gambit?"

Mystique sighed. "I have never trusted Victor…he has been angry at the world of man longer than I've been alive. Sinister bought him a long time ago. As for Gambit…I ordered him to do whatever it took to watch over Rogue and protect her. He joined up with Sinister to have inside knowledge on what that monster wants with my daughter. Rogue has not gone to Sinister alone…Juggernaut, the Black Tom, Lady Deathstrike, and Destiny have more than likely all gone with her. Juggernaut also works for Sinister…but I think he believes in paying his debt to Rogue first."

Eric sat back on his heels, his mind turning over the news. "She is playing a dangerous game. Does she not realize what she will be doing while under Sinister's command?"

"I think she has every bit of an idea what she is meant to do," whispered Mystique. "Eric, Rogue will die if she completes the prophecy. She is the most powerful mutant in the world. I don't think even your powers and those of Xavier's combined could stop her. She knows she has the potential to be invincible…I believe she intends to unleash the Apocalypse so that she can destroy both him and the Dark Phoenix."

Lance made a face. "Jean? Rogue wants to kill Jean? Man, if that girl holds grudges then I better hide."

Mystique shook her head. "The Phoenix and Apocalypse are mortal enemies. The Phoenix was not always evil…it was a force of goodness, thereby going against everything Apocalypse stood for. Somehow or another Phoenix lost its light and turned on the world it protected. Eventually both the Phoenix and Apocalypse were locked away. If both of them roam the earth at the same time we will be looking at the Doomsday predicted in the Bible. However, there is a chance that in Apocalypse's death the evil inside Jean could be destroyed—leaving behind only the power it possessed."

"You think Rogue means to unleash Apocalypse and then turn around and kill him—as well as the Dark Phoenix? How the hell is she going to manage that?" snapped Wanda.

Jason spoke up in a halting voice for answer. "Rogue can have any power in the world…combined the powers would be unstoppable. Only Rogue can wield so much raw power at one time. Only Rogue is meant to release the Apocalypse…and only she can destroy him. But the true test will be whether or not she can withstand his powers of mind persuasion. If she cannot…all will be lost. Even the Phoenix will be no match for Apocalypse."

The Brotherhood glanced around at one another uneasily, their eyes showing true fear.

"How…why…what 'bout us?" asked St. John hesitantly.

"We will all perish. Humans and mutants will all perish," replied Jason in a husky whisper.

Eric took a deep breath as he got to his feet. His cold eyes surveyed the members of his Brotherhood before resting back on Mystique. Her yellow eyes implored him one thing only. Finally, the master of metal said, "Then there is only one thing to do. We must join forces with the X-Men and try to stop the prophecy from happening. Rogue is not as strong inside as she would like to be. Many of us here are the reasons why her heart is burdened with hatred. We must right our wrongs…we must stop the Rogue."

The X-Mansion:

"Anything?" asked Gabrielle as Xavier wheeled himself out of Cerebro. The rest of the adults gave a collective moan as the Professor shook his head.

"It is as though Rogue has simply vanished off the face of the planet," answered Xavier quietly.

"She's not…dead, is she?" demanded Logan, his eyes widening slightly.

"No…I would be able to find her then. It seems her mental barriers are back up in full force. She does not wish to be found, but I sense something else coming our way." Before someone could ask what the estate alarms went off. "We have company."

Upstairs, the X-Men were powering up as they peered out the front windows. Headed up the driveway were a jeep and SUV. It was the Brotherhood. The younger mutants glanced in relief at the elevator as it opened up and the adults piled out.

Scott spoke first. "It's Magneto and them. What do you think they want?"

"I believe they have come to talk." Xavier turned to the doorway, and opened it using his mind. He wheeled himself out onto the front porch, along with Logan, Sean, Ororo, Hank, and Moira. Scott, Kitty, and Kurt quickly filed outside as well while Gabrielle positioned herself in the doorway with Warren to keep the younger recruits inside. Taking the hint, the teens scrambled to the nearest window, pushing them open to hear the adults talk.

"It's been a long time, Charles," said Magneto in greeting.

"Too long, Eric. I sense, however, that you have come to offer me a proposition."

Eric smiled a knowing smile and turned to motion Mystique forward. The shape shifter eyed the X-Men on the porch carefully before speaking. Her voice cracked with emotion. "Rogue came to me last night…she's undergone quite a remarkable change since I last saw her."

"Where is she?" snarled Logan stepping forward, his claws popping out of his knuckles.

Mystique barely blinked at the visible threat. "She has joined forces with Sinister. Rogue is going to complete the prophecy." Then the shape shifter quickly explained where Rogue had been the last few days and her theory regarding Rogue, Apocalypse, and the Dark Phoenix. When she finished, tears were rolling down her cheeks.

As soon as Mystique had finished speaking, Logan turned to Moira. "You're the scientist…can Rogue do what shifty thinks she will do?"

"Oh yes…and much more." Moira stepped forward so both Xavier and the Brotherhood could see her. "Rogue's DNA has undergone quite a transformation since she's gained her powers…I can't say how much since all I have to go on are recent blood samples…but if Rogue can learn how to control her powers then, yes, she can channel all of them at once. This is why the prophecy has always talked about her—Rogue's the only mutant in the planet with powers like these. She knows the risk she is taking in going through with this prophecy."

"Will she live?" asked Kurt teleporting beside the scientist.

Moira shrugged helplessly, running a nervous hand through her brown hair. "It's hard to say. I don't know what will happen if Rogue goes against Apocalypse…she could wind up getting both herself and Jean killed. It depends how strong Rogue is…but she doesn't know how to control her powers. I don't know what makes her think she's ready to take on such a big task. She needs time to study her powers and train them to do what she wants. I think Rogue is only jumping head first into this now because she isn't sure how long she will be in control of her mind. Rogue has a hard time remembering who she is these days…she's borrowed too many powers, and they're all fighting to be the primary power. Rogue is too fragile to handle this type of responsibility."

"This is all your fuckin' fault, lady!" yelled Logan pointing a finger at Mystique.

The blue shape shifter snorted. "Oh please, like you didn't push her away either? We all did! Rogue is too damn dangerous for her own good! I should never have let her join your side—none of this would have happened if she hadn't had to fight with that fuckin' Danvers girl!"

"You're the one who tried to kill her! You're no mother—you're a monster!"

"I've done what's best for her. You can't say the same, asshole! You've pushed her to her limits here—making sure she can fight in battle and stays cooped up in this fuckin' hellhole you call a home! You're the one that let her take off after her first meltdown—letting her handle it on her own!"

"You caused her meltdown! The girl was fine until you got a hold of her—you fucked with her mind!"

"Stop it—both of you!" shrieked Moira stepping between the two mutants who were now standing face to face. "Everyone has made a wrong decision when it comes to Rogue…but no one is more at fault then the other. Rogue needs you—both of you. She is your daughter, for Chrissakes!"

"What?" Logan turned to Moira, surprise etched in his face. He turned back to Mystique who now had a hand on her mouth, her yellow eyes wide in fear.

Moira took a deep breath. "Why do you think I got a sample of Rogue's blood in the first place? She came to me, asking me to check if Mystique was telling the truth. Logan, you are Rogue's birth father. She's been so out of it lately that she grew afraid to tell you the truth. That's why I wanted you to talk to her the night she fought with Carol. Rogue craves family…security and comfort. That's her driving force—you can see it in her eyes. She tried to make a family with Mystique…and that didn't work out; she's been trying to make a family with you…but she must have freaked out over Laura."

"Laura?" repeated Mystique. "Who the hell is Laura?"

"My daughter," sighed Logan rubbing his forehead. "Or my sister…she's a clone. She came from Hydra—part of the Weapon X program…speaking of which, where's my favorite feline?"

Eric shook his head. "Sabertooth has been working for Sinister for quite some time now. But I wouldn't worry about him attacking Rogue…Gambit is supposed to be looking out for her—as well as Juggernaut, Black Tom, Lady Deathstrike, and Destiny."

"You let a thief watch over my daughter?" growled Logan eyeing Mystique darkly.

"She's my daughter too…and besides, I didn't see any of your precious X-Men watching out for her. Gambit knows what is at stake if Rogue dies…he won't let anything happen to her."

"I don't trust him…he's too…charming. He tried to hit on Ororo at a bar one night—right in front of me. He ain't the smartest kid on the block."

Wanda rolled her eyes, reluctantly stepping forward to come to Mystique's defense. "He's been doing a good job so far. I tried to attack her the other day, and in swoops Gambit to the rescue."

Piotr nodded in agreement. "He always knew where she was…and what she was doing so he could report in to Mystique."

"Hey, Wolvie, if it makes ya feel any better, Rogue really can't stand the guy. They didn't exactly hit it off the day he arrived. That's the only reason she returned to the mansion. The Cajun bugs the hell out of her. Hell, I don't think he's too fond of her either," quipped Tabitha with a small shrug.

A low growl reverberated in Logan's throat as his eyes returned to Mystique. "I seem to remember we were the same way," he muttered.

Mystique gave a snort that turned into a cough as her eyes widened. "You don't think they…they couldn't possibly…oh no."

Kurt suddenly appeared at his mother's side, pointing a finger in her face. "If anything happens to my sister under that man's care I will lock you in the Danger Room!" he threatened.

"It's nice to see you too, son," murmured Mystique with a raised eyebrow.

"Well it would be if you had told me sooner that you had another son—and with Sabertooth. Ew. Mother, you have bad taste in men. I'm starting to think the crazy psycho stuff comes from you," replied Kurt in a huff.

Logan's eyes narrowed. "You had a kid with Sabertooth? How many kids do you have, lady? Should we be worried another one's gonna pop up and join the club?"

"Oh shut up. I didn't come here to be insulted. We came to work together. The Brotherhood and the X-Men must work together from now on. Rogue's life is at stake…as is the life of Jean Grey." Mystique crossed her arms in front of her chest as the X-Men and Brotherhood eyed one another warily.

Xavier nodded in agreement. "From this day forward we are one team."

Elsewhere:

Sinister's voice droned on, losing Rogue's attention. She was seated in a cushioned chair directly between Remy and Phoenix. Across from them sat Sebastian Shaw, Selene, and Emma—the rulers of the Hellfire Club. Lady Deathstrike, Black Tom, Juggernaut, Sabertooth, and Destiny were scattered around the room in various chairs. Everyone seemed to have their attention directed on the evil mutant standing in the front.

Rogue let out a deep breath as she turned her attention to her nails, which were now visible through a pair of black fingerless gloves. She now wore a pair of black form fitting pants with a matching belt hung loosely around her waist, combat boots pulled up to her calves, a black form fitting shirt, and a black jacket that ended at her midsection with sleeves down below her elbows.

The click of a cigarette lighter made Rogue look away from her nails. She glanced at Remy and saw him take a drag of a freshly lit cigarette. Unable to withstand the nicotine craving, Rogue swiftly took the cigarette out of Remy's mouth and popped it in her own. She felt her body begin to relax almost immediately…she had gone far too long without smoking. Rogue ignored the dark glare Remy sent her as he pulled out another cigarette and lit up.

On her other side Rogue could sense Phoenix's disdain at the smoke filtering the immediate area around her. With a smirk on her face Rogue turned to study her latest nemesis. Phoenix had not been pleased to find Rogue joining Sinister's side. The dark entity didn't trust Rogue in the least, which amused Rogue to no end.

Speaking of enemies…Rogue blew out a puff of smoke as she turned to glance across the room at Emma Frost. The blonde woman was shooting her dagger eyes. While Emma's darker counterparts were enthralled to learn Rogue had defeated Carol Danvers and manage to keep the girl's powers for so long, Emma had been livid with anger. The Ice Queen had refused to say a single word to Rogue since then…which didn't bother Rogue one bit. Eventually, Rogue returned her attention to Sinister who was going over the latest plans to release Apocalypse.

"So the next step," said Sinister, "is to locate and capture the Four Horsemen."

Rogue snorted. "Sure, ahn that sounds easy enough. How the hell are ya plannin' ohn convincin' 'em ta join us? Cookies ahn milk?"

Phoenix narrowed her eyes at the southerner as Sinister answered. "Our means of persuasion will be easy, my dear Rogue. You see, Mesmero will be more than happy to…convince…the Four Horsemen that their services are needed. Getting them will be Phoenix's job—yours is to drain our enemies so that you will be ready to unlock Apocalypse's tomb."

"Sounds like fun," muttered Rogue as she puffed away on her cigarette. Absorbing the powers of other mutants was going to take a massive toll on her, and Rogue was afraid to find out what that toll would be. She was still hurting from the episode with Carol. Rogue still woke up thinking she was Carol every morning…and it usually took an hour before she could sort her mind out again.

"Afraid you can't handle your part of the plan?" asked Phoenix coolly.

"Ah cahn handle it just fine, birdie, how 'bout you? Think ya cahn find all of the Four Horsemen ahn get them ohn our side in one piece?" shot back Rogue. "One look at ya ahn they're gonna run for cover—ahn you know it."

Emma got to her feet, her eyes smoldering. "Shut the hell up! I don't know who you think you are waltzing in here and pretending to be on our side—but I don't trust you! Once an X-Man, always an X-Man!"

Remy grinned. "Den I don' t'ink trustin' the bird is the way ta go, non?"

"Oh go screw yourself, Cajun! No one asked for your opinion!" shrieked Emma in a shrill voice.

Rogue chuckled. "Looks like ya went ahn made blondie angry, Swamp Rat."

"Jus' thought I'd point out de obvious, chère. Not like I care any if de red bird trades sides—den I wouldn't hafta walk 'round wit' my cards charged ev'ry time I left de room."

"Enough," cut in Sinister sharply. "We don't have time for games. First thing tomorrow Phoenix, Sabertooth, Lady Deathstrike, and Mesmero will round up the Four Horsemen; Rogue, you will absorb the powers of all the X-Men and Brotherhood members you have not yet taken."

"So long as the Swamp Rat goes with meh," agreed Rogue.

Making a face, Remy said, "Now why ya gotta go an' make me volunteer for th' dang'rous stuff, chérie? Don' ya wan' me ta live? Hangin' 'round you is startin' ta make me t'ink you're tryin' ta get rid o' me."

"Only in your dreams, Swamp Rat."

"More like nightmares if ya ask me," mumbled Remy with a scowl.

Rogue grinned at him as she got to her feet. She glanced back at Sinister with a serious look on her face. "We'll be gone first thing in the mornin', sugah. Don't wait up for us tomorrow…We'll be in touch." Without waiting for a reply Rogue turned her back on the evil mutant and made her way out of the room with Remy hot on her heels.

Halfway down the hallway Remy began to speak. "You're treadin' on dang'rous ground, chère. I don' t'ink pissin' off de White Queen is a smart move."

"She cahn rot in hell for all Ah care. The damn bitch is pissed that Ah put Carol in a coma—apparently Carol was her favorite lil' underling ahn Ah screwed up her plans by not dyin'."

"An' puttin' us on de woman's black list helps us how?"

Rogue rolled her eyes as they turned down the hall leading towards the bedrooms. "Swamp Rat, you're gonna hafta learn ta trust meh…Ah know what Ah'm doin'. Emma will get her dues soon enough."

Remy grabbed Rogue's arm, pulling her to a stop so he could turn her around to face him. He could only talk to her back for so long without making a point. "Look, chère, I'm on your side—but I jus' t'ink we should be careful. We're a team, non?"

"Ah guess…"

"Den don' get me killed, chère. I won' be able ta protect ya if I'm dead!"

Rogue frowned. "Ah never asked ya ta watch over meh."

"But Mystique did—ahn dis thief always keeps his end of de bargain. Now, ya gonna play nice wit' de others, or do I hafta put ya in time out?"

"Cute. Keep that up ahn Ah'll make sure ya never have kids, Swamp Rat." Rogue wrenched her arm out of Remy's grasp and continued down the hall.

Remy grinned as he followed behind her. "Didn't know ya wanted kids, chérie. Remy be more den happy ta help ya along."

"Ah'd rather kiss Toad than you, Cajun—so don't hold your breath 'bout kids."

"I t'ink you'll come 'round 'ventually, chère. No one can resist de Cajun charm."

"Someone shoot meh now," murmured Rogue under her breath as she pushed open the door of one of the bedrooms. Remy chuckled as he followed Rogue in, shutting the door and locking it. The Cajun went to glance out the bedroom window as Rogue plopped herself down on the bed.

"Security is up an' rollin' 'gain," announced Remy softly.

Rogue sighed. "They just wanna make sure we don't take off in the dead of the night ta warn the others what they're up ta. Rumors are startin' ta circulate that the X-Men and Brotherhood have joined forces. Gawd, why'd we even agree ta stay in this hell hole? A hotel would've been better than this place."

"If they gonna trust us, chère, den we gonna hafta stay wit' 'em for a while. 'Sides, I don' t'ink dis place is all bad. It kinda reminds me of the mansion you were stayin' at. It's ten times comfier den Magneto's metal dome. Dat place was too damn cold for my likin'."

"Ah guess. Ah jus' don't like the idea of stayin' under the same roof as Emma. Ah don't trust her."

"Look on de bright side, chérie, at least ya have easy access ta their students when ya start touchin' mutants 'morrow."

Rogue nodded in agreement as she lay down on the bed. The Hellfire Mansion reminded her of the X-Mansion too…though the friendly, care free atmosphere was missing here. The students Rogue had seen were serious and soldier-like; even Amara and Roberto had seemed withdrawn, of course Rogue figured that was because they were afraid of what it meant with both Rogue and Jean working for Sinister now.

Remy looked over at Rogue, taking note of the small frown on her face. She hadn't been herself since she had knocked him down on the bar. The battle with Carol Danvers had made her much more introverted than usual. Sure she willingly discussed tactics and bantered with him, but Remy had a hard time getting the southern belle to talk about herself. Rogue seemed to go blank when he asked her how she was feeling.

With a sigh of his own Remy took off his trench coat, tossing it over the back of one of the chairs in the room. Rogue ignored him, her eyes gazing out at the sky from her place on the pillow. Remy frowned as he went to lie down beside her with her back facing him.

Finally, "Remy, do ya think Ah cahn defeat Apocalypse ahn the Phoenix?"

"I don' know, chère. I wish I could tell ya oui, but I can't," replied Remy quietly.

Rogue turned around to face Remy, her green eyes filled with fear. "Ah'm scared."

"So am I, chère, so am I." Remy reached out, pulling Rogue into his arms. A million different jokes entered his mind as he felt Rogue snuggle against his chest, but Remy kept his mouth shut. They could wait until another time.

At The Same Time:

Emma's face seemed frozen in a permanent scowl as her heels clicked on the floor. Within minutes her fast pace brought her directly to the door of her bedroom. She flung open the door and slammed it shut, knocking a picture off the wall. Emma didn't bother looking as the glass broke into a million little pieces.

"I hate her!" Emma stalked over to her bed, grabbing a satin pillow and tearing it open. Two more of her pillows were shredded apart before the White Queen turned her attention to her vanity. She picked up a perfume bottle and flung it across the room and into the wall. She swept the rest of her make-up off her vanity and onto the floor before walking over to her desk.

"That little bitch is going to pay if it's the last thing I do!" vowed Emma as she began ripping various papers in half. With a small growl she pushed the rest of the papers on her desk onto the ground, stomping on bits of glass with the heels of her shoes.

As soon as she felt her temper subside, Emma glanced around her room in satisfaction, her mind swirling with thoughts. Rogue would die…Emma wasn't sure how yet, but Rogue would die.

A/N—Another chapter closer to Apocalypse…exciting isn't it?