A/N: Numero Uno on the importance scale, this fic does not acknowledge the existence of any episodes after Episode 27 (Retreat). Ergo, HeX Factor, as well as Day of Reckoning Parts I and II do not comply to this setting.
Number Two. As for circulating rumors about the death of this fic, I'm telling you now, they are false. In fact, this fic, for those of you who need assurance, was designed to be and remains a Trilogy. Please be patient, as I have much to work on. And as you all know, typing's not my favorite thing to do.
And finally, Number Three. For all of you who enjoyed New York, New York and are still waiting for the rest, please note it may be long in coming. As this particular fic was written before the events of September 11, and thus, for certain scene and plot reasons, must be entirely re-written. I have been working on it for months, and so far, it's not looking well. I never post something I am not satisfied with. So, again, it may be a while.
All that said, enjoy.
"Home?!" Kurt asked incredulously. Pietro nodded. "But I thought you vere brought up in New York." "Yea, so did I." "You did," came a voice, "At least for a little while." They turned to see a girl of about seven standing behind them. "Rogue?" they asked simultaneously. She shook her head. "Samantha," she offered. "Sammy?" Pietro asked, the name spilling out of his mouth automatically. She smiled. "You remembered." "I…I…" Pietro wasn't sure what was happening. He found himself drawn to this girl. His heart ached in his chest, but he wasn't sure why. His eyes flooded with tears, and he dropped to his knees in front of her and hugged her tightly. She laughed. "I knew you would remember," she said, stroking his hair, "I knew you would."
Pietro sobbed openly, crushing Samantha to him as images began to flash before him. For any normal person, they were going too quickly to make any sense. But for Quicksilver, they were going at the perfect speed. They were fuzzy and had large gaps, but at least they were something. A flash caught his mind's eye, and he tightened his fist. Slowly he pulled away from her, staring into her glittering emerald eyes. "Pietro, do you know this girl?" Professor Xavier asked softly. Pietro nodded. "Samantha," he whispered, in awe, gently stroking her hair. He hugged her again. "Oh God, I thought I lost you!" He looked at her again. "And you've been here. All this time, you've been right here." He held her again. "I'm glad you remember me Pietro. I've missed you so much." "I'm sorry Sammy. I'm sorry," he sobbed. "It wasn't your fault Pietro. You know that." She held him tightly. "You've gotten so big. Look at you, you've grown up." "So have you," he replied. She shook her head. "Not really. Once or twice maybe. Not much." Pietro stared at her. "Rogue doesn't remember," Kurt breathed. "She doesn't," Sammy replied.
Pietro opened his hand, the necklaces still clasped together. "My necklace!" Sammy cried. Pietro put both chains around her neck. Sammy's hands went to the necklaces, her fingers lightly touching them. "And mine," Pietro replied. She smiled. "Sammy?" She looked up at him. "Who does the other necklace belong to?" She smiled. "Wanda," she replied. "Sammy? Who's Wanda?"
There was a flash of lightening and suddenly everything went dark. They felt the ground drop from under them, but they didn't fall. "Professor? Vhat's going on?" Kurt asked, his voice wavering. Pietro groped around in the dark. "I'm not sure Kurt," the Professor replied. "Samantha? Samantha!" Pietro cried. "Rogue…" came her voice. Pietro got up. "Samantha where are you?" "I have to go!" she cried. "Sammy wait!" Pietro called. "Yes please Samantha," Professor Xavier said, "We need your assistance." "But I have to go. I have to go help Rogue." "Samantha," the Professor said calmly, "We have come to help her. Let us help her. Let us help you." "No!" she cried, "No! You can't help. Nobody can help. Just go away!" "Samantha, please listen to me." "NO!" "Sammy," Pietro said, somehow finding his way over to her. He grasped her shoulders. "Please Sammy. Please…we love her……I love her." She sighed. "Oh Pietro," she said, giving in, "Come on." She took his hand and walked swiftly over to Kurt, grabbing his hand as well. She turned to face the Professor. "Are you coming?" she asked. Pietro and Kurt held out their hands. "Yes, thank you," he replied, taking their hands. "Hold on tight," Sammy said, "You don't wanna get lost." Samantha closed her eyes, her body beginning to glow. "Sammy what's happening?" "It's Mastermind. He's trying to take her again." "Rogue?" Kurt asked. "Yes," she replied, a pillar of light slowly forming. "Vhat does he vant vith her?" "He wants what he's always wanted. He wants control." The light shot up, blinding the three passengers, and they felt the pull. Then all fell silent.
Pietro blinked a few times, trying to clear his vision. "Sammy?" he called into the echoing emptiness. Kurt got up, rubbing his eyes. "Uglabich! Vhere are ve now?" Pietro shrugged, though neither could see yet. "Ah Charles," came a deep male voice, "It seems your companions are now awake." There was a muffled sound of struggling. They both turned toward the sound, their vision slowly returning. Their eyes widened as they saw the Professor tied up in a wild array of vines. They also noticed a bright green glow and turned in its direction. Kurt gasped, and Pietro froze, as they saw the light was really an encasement. Rogue was inside it, naked and in a fetal position. All they saw were her legs, arms wrapped around them, and her face. Her head was tipped forward, and she appeared languid.
Pietro moved to run towards her, but found his body rebelling, leaving him glued, unmoving, to the spot. "What the-" "Pietro, it's been a long time. My, my look at you. How you've grown." Pietro's eyes darted around, but he couldn't see anyone. "Quicksilver over zere!" Kurt cried, from behind him. Pietro's gaze shifted in the direction of Kurt's voice. Neither of them could point, for both of them were paralyzed. "Where?" "Zere." "Where?" "By ze Professor!" Pietro looked at the Professor, but saw nothing. "Can't you see it?" "See what? I don't see anything blue boy." Kurt sighed. "What can you expect Kurt?" came the voice, "He is his father's son." Pietro glared into the darkness. Come to think of it, it was darker by the Professor. "Look who's talking," Pietro shot in the voice's general direction, "At least my father's not a coward!" "Watch what you say boy! You know not whom you're dealing with." "I know you don't have the guts to face us. Whatsa matter? Afraid?!" "Pietro vhat are you doing?" Kurt hissed. Pietro honestly had no idea. But he hoped something good might come of it.
The voice growled low. "Mastermind, is it?" Pietro taunted, "What's that stand for? Some kinda alien parasite?!" Feelings of deep anger and hatred began to flow around them, strangling the air. "Is that it? Did I get it?" Pietro continued, "So tell me, why do you have to hide behind the Professor, huh? You want him next?" "I hide behind NO ONE!" came the reply. "Oh really?" Pietro replied, "Tell me. Do you really believe that?" There was a cry of outrage. "Pietro!" Kurt shot. Pietro ignored him. "I HIDE BEHIND NO ONE!" "So you've said. That's getting really boring actually." Pietro mock sighed. "But I guess an alien parasite doesn't know any better." "I am no alien!" "Sure, sure. I believe you." Pietro snickered. There was a roar from his opponent. "Insolent whelp!"
Pietro cried out as he felt himself being absorbed, rather painfully. He noticed the cocoon that held Rogue captive was glowing extremely bright. "Hide behind no one, eh?!" he choked, "Sure, no one but Rogue!" He doubled over in pain, his body going limp, but feeling very heavy. "I am here for Rogue's benefit." "Oh yeah," Pietro managed, "I believe that." His body began to tremble in pain. "Vhat are you doing?!" Kurt cried. "I am just teaching our young 'Mr. Maximoff' here a lesson." Though they couldn't see, they both swore he'd made quotation marks when he'd said it. Kurt looked at him warily. "Vhy? He hasn't done anyzing." "Ever the caring one, aren't we?" "Vhat you're doing is 'rong. Rogue has done nozing to you!" "This is true," replied the voice, "However, she needs me all the same." "I highly doubt that," Pietro replied, struggling. "Still with us Pietro?" Pietro coughed defiantly. "Rogue is strong. She doesn't need you!" he spat. Mastermind sighed. "I know she's strong." They could feel him smile. "I've made her that way." "Made her?!" Kurt cried. "I've made you all the way you are. Years of my hard work and dedication have transformed the three of you into the fine young mutants you are today." "Vhat?!" Kurt cried. Pietro began to wheeze. Mastermind laughed. "You're welcome."
A/N: Completely off topic, I've been getting requests for more Warren/Rogue. I must say that I'm glad you guys like it, and I'm working on some more for you. However, those of you who are looking for any story written by me to be under a PG-13 rating, I should inform you, they're extremely rare, as I don't find anything more than innocence in them. I do have some, and I'll try. But, I find that my stories work best when I'm myself. And unfortunately, I don't generally think in the G category.
