Warning: More teenage angst, aftermath of Apocalypse and negative emotions.
In the aftermath of Apocalypse, Rogue isolated herself further. She couldn't bear to hear the others tell her she wasn't to blame.
Apocalypse, Mesmero and Mystique were the villains, but that wasn't completely true. They would never have been able to do this if she'd been normal.
This curse that had been bestowed on her was ruining her life.
Apocalypse had needed her poison skin and powers of absorption, in order to regain life and rise from his tomb.
Mesmero had been the puppet-master turned puppet and Mystique, well, as always, she'd overestimated herself. Only this time, she hadn't been the victor...
When Logan arrived at the tomb, he'd spied the stone statue of Mystique. Normally he'd think she'd finally got her just desserts but he couldn't bring himself to be so cold. For all that this woman had done to his protégée; she was still Kurt's mother. The elf loved her with all his heart and he would be devastated to see her in such a condition. Even if it was deserved. But then, if they were to bring Mystique back, what would that do to Rogue? Could they really risk damaging one even more, in order to help another?
XxX
Charles was the one who gave the order to bring Mystique back to the mansion, on the proviso that Rogue not be told.
Rumours trickled out anyway, no matter how much discretion was levelled.
Rogue had no opinion on the matter. She wasn't surprised that Mystique's so-called fears over her safety had had such a brief expiration date. She was past caring.
Hank and Charles ran tests on Mystique but could find no brain activity. There was nothing more they could do. It was time for her to move on and because they thought her presence bothered Rogue, they sent Mystique to the Brotherhood. However it didn't last long. Kurt brought her back. With Wanda's help, he found someone who was able to restore Mystique to her human form. Agatha Harkness. She'd known Mystique for many years. She'd brought many a heartbreak to her victims. Now it was time to pay the fiddler.
Agatha assessed the stone creation under Kurt's watchful and hopeful eye.
"She's still alive." She announced to her audience of one.
"You can help her?" Kurt asked.
She shook her head. "I can't but I know who can."
Kurt knew then what had to happen. To save Mystique, he'd have to employ one of the people who had been affected the most. He wasn't blind to her pain or hurt but surely she knew it had to be done? They needed Rogue to help Mystique. Rogue was a good person. She'd understand. She had to.
XxX
Over the next couple of days, Kurt badgered Rogue at every chance he had.
"This is the right thing to do, Rogue. Don't you remember what you told us your mother said? That in helping others we help ourselves?"
Rogue hated how her mother's words were being twisted and used against her.
"I know she hurt you, but this anger you hold won't help you. You'll never find peace." Rogue scoffed. She didn't need to help Mystique to have peace. It didn't matter how many people you helped. There would always be someone wanting more.
In her time with Mesmero, she had been granted freedom from responsibility and free will. There was no emotion to wage war against, nor was there anything to be stimulated either for or against. There was only existence.
That was peaceful.
When she'd 'woken-up' in the tomb of Apocalypse, there was awareness. She was on the edge of a new world. Her confusion blinded her to the reality that once again she was being used. For a brief moment, there was calm.
But then, Apocalypse had woken himself, took hold of her arm and turned her powers against her. In that moment, she was nothing but a pawn, a device in his well constructed plan. Perhaps it was karma for all the times she'd used her powers on another. It was all well and good when you were on the 'right' side, but the pain still existed. She continued to feel his grip on her arm, even through all the personalities. If he held on much longer, there'd be nothing left. She'd be snuffed out from life and at peace.
Kurt was saying something to her, trying to make her give a damn. As though she owed Mystique anything. What a joke! The bitch had manipulated, lied and stolen any chance of redemption. But she was still Kurt's mother. Not even Mystique could steal that hope of a relationship from him. Kurt was right. Her own mother had always told her that in helping others, you help yourself. Even now she couldn't deny her mother's teachings.
XxX
Rogue had agreed to meet with Agatha Harkness. The old woman explained that all that was needed was a simple touch.
Rogue's touch normally held destructive qualities, yet this time, there would be redemption.
Was a simple touch really the answer? Or were they holding back, setting a trap for her? It was exhausting to be so suspicious. The only other answer was to take a chance. A leap of faith. One touch was all that was required.
She took a breath and laid her hand on Mystique's stone shoulder. And waited...
It took some seconds for the effect to sink in. Her hand was stuck to the stone and once again, she felt the draining commence. She'd never given it a thought as to how her powers screwed up the other person. But now she knew. It hurt. Apocalypse had drained her limited sensitivity, her caution, her ability to feel. And in helping Mystique, a woman so far beyond the personification of mother, she was only sinking further.
They broke apart as the stone started to crumble, revealing the human form of Mystique. She stared back at the youth, her eyes widened in shock.
"You? How..." Her harsh voice felt like a weapon. It was enough to break the spell she'd been under to accept this. The spell of compliance.
Mystique continued to question everything, leaving Rogue to look between Kurt and Mystique. In that moment, they were both alike to her. Both eager to manipulate to get what they wanted. She didn't see a son's desperation for a maternal relationship. Nor were there signs that the same woman wanted reconciliation.
Rogue was beyond tired as she uttered a terse, "Ah hope you're very happy together."
The three of them watched her retreat and return back to the mansion.
XxX
Rogue's actions were made known, in the usual way but she didn't care. There was no joy to be had in their praise or their comments. She only did it because it was 'the right thing' to do. It was the way of the 'X-Men'. Nothing else. Kurt made some small attempts to engage her in conversation. She looked to him, puzzled.
"Why are you talking to me? You don't have to now. You got what you wanted."
Kurt could feel the disdain increasing as he reeled back. "Rogue..."
Her eyes were bland as she asked, "How's Mystique doing?"
"She erm..." He met Rogue's eye, knowing he did not have to tell her that she had already bailed without a word. It was uncomfortable to acknowledge.
Kurt was further embarrassed to admit, even to himself, that after several brief moments the night before, Mystique had not made further communications. The Professor made it clear that Mystique wasn't welcome to stay, something Kurt understood. He didn't expect the coldness from Rogue. He hadn't realised that in asking Rogue to help Mystique, he was severing the links he had to his adopted 'sister'.
XxX
Over the next following days, Rogue made several attempts to contact Gus. Her self-loathing was at peak and the only way she felt it could be resolved was to experience some contact with the only person who could handle her.
He responded a few days later but there was no direct offer or request to see her. A part of her felt that he'd realised he'd had his fun with her and wanted to create some distance. It was only small. She wanted him to say the words, and then she'd believe that it was over. It bothered her at night, when she should have been sleeping. It followed her when she was with the others at training. She was on edge with the knowledge that it did not matter how much you trained, there was always someone more powerful. No-one else felt this way. They still believed that if you worked hard enough, you could be better. They were the positive ones.
XxX
On the third night of uneasy sleep, she knew she had to find out for herself if Gus had moved on. Security at the mansion had been heightened but she didn't care. She slipped out of her room and down the hall. She knew that any moment Logan or even Charles would present themselves, ready to quiz her or worse, call her in to talk about her feelings. That was more Charles than Logan. He was always ready to help her 'work' through her frustrations, either through meditation or the gym or the danger room. But despite their efforts, they rarely brought any help. Only Gus could...
It was after midnight by the time she arrived at the apartment. He wouldn't be asleep. Not at this time. He might be a bit miffed with her but she could hardly be held accountable when Mesmero and Apocalypse had messed with her head.
She knocked on the door, expecting his drowsy eyes to meet her in several moments. But time dragged on, causing her to knock again. Just as she went to knock for a third time, the door opened, revealing Gus, as she expected.
"What are you doing here?"She hadn't expected his hostility.
"Ah wanted to see you."
"It's not a good time." He went to shut the door but not before Rogue heard the accompanying voice.
"Who's there?"
Rogue pushed her way in to find another figure, decked in one of Gus' shirts, much in the same way she thought she would be.
"Who are you?" The stranger asked again.
"Ah'm..." Rogue shook her head. It was pointless identifying herself. What would it do, make the girl feel bad for intruding in what had been a casual set-up between her and Gus? The whole thing had been so spontaneous before, but now it was sordid.
"Ah'm sorry. Ah made a mistake. But it's over now."
She heard the footsteps behind her as she retreated through the door. Gus stood there, annoyed and frustrated.
"You shouldn't have come here."
"Don't ya think I know that? Don't worry, Ah won't be back."
He continued as though she hadn't spoken. "How was I to know you'd show up? Do you expect me to turn down offers just because you're too busy?"
If only that had been her reason. She'd feel much better if she'd ghosted him and was only now checking in. But there was no way to escape the truth. He'd moved on and so must she. It was odd but the thought didn't hurt as much as she thought it would have. Was she now so devoid of feelings that her heart was untouchable? Had she truly become the Rogue?
She shook her head. "No, Ah don't expect that of you. You said from the start that we don't have to answer to anyone."
He shrugged. "Then what's the problem?"
"There is no problem. Except that Ah don't want to do this anymore." Rogue turned to go. "Good-bye, Gus."
Gus's face twisted as he gave a snarl. "So you're going to turn down the one guy that can actually be with you? Over petty spite?"
Rogue snarled back. "Mah feelings ain't petty. But you won't have to worry about being lonely. Not for long."
XxX
Logan and Charles were waiting in the hallway when she arrived back. Charles had held Logan back from going after her, trusting she would return. Logan had reluctantly conceded.
Charles was the first to speak. "You finally made it home." His use of the word was deliberate.
He was about to ask where she had been, but Logan recognised the scent from the apartment he tracked her to and communicated this to Charles.
"What happened?" Tiredness made him extra grouchy.
Rogue shrugged. "Nothing happened. We called things off. That's all."
Charles addressed her once more. "He's not worthy of you Rogue."
Rogue almost smiled. There was something wonderfully naive about her father. Despite all that had happened, all that he had seen. He still had hope.
"Ah think you're a little confused. But thanks for saying so."
Both men watched her ascend the stairs and slowly, gracefully return to her room.