Head Games

            Rogue notices that all the pain from her wounded neck is gone.  She reaches up to touch it and gasps when she realizes that it isn't there.  She looks around and sees nothing for what seems like forever.  There is no noticeable floor, ceiling, or walls.  She feels dizzy but not from pain.  Donny..?

            I'm here…Donovan says from behind Rogue, who turns quickly.  She sees Donovan in her human form.  Rogue thinks it looks unnatural and wishes that she was the same Donovan that she knows.  Are you all right?

            Ah'm okay… jus' confused, Rogue says.  Where are we?

            Either in my mind or yours.  But judging by your perception of me, probably mine.  This is how I used to look.  You remember it, right?

            Yeah.  But Ah like you better with your wings… Rogue says, gazing at Donovan.  She feels drawn to the older girl's beauty but finds that it pales in comparison to Donovan's natural form.  Wait… You remember meetin' me before?

            No.  She doesn't, another voice enters the conversation.  Rogue sees Mandy approaching them.  She immediately doesn't like her.  She clenches her fists.  You do.  You remember it and while your minds are temporarily linked during the healing process, your thoughts and memories are accessible to Donovan.  And, of course, me.

            Who're you? Rogue demands.  She sees the love and affection in Donovan's eyes as she gazes at Mandy and feels a pang of jealousy.  She pushes that aside as she crosses her arms.  What're ya doin' here in Donny's head?

            I'm Mandy Harper.  Donovan's… life partner, if you will, Mandy's voice is dripping with malice.  She turns to look at Donovan.  Her expression is the opposite of Donovan's, with anger and hatred burning in her eyes.  I died for Donovan and now have to live forever at her disposal.  Fortunately, she has more faith and love for me than she does in God… so she has become more of an extension of me than anything else.

            Rogue stares at Donovan in disbelief.  She can't believe that Donovan is letting Mandy do this.  After hearing all this, Donovan is still gazing at Mandy lovingly.  You're controllin' Donny?  And you're jus' lettin' her?  Donny, what're ya doin'?

            She's my girlfriend… Donovan doesn't sound very sure of herself.  I love her, Rogue.  You don't understand.

            Mandy grins triumphantly.  Not even you can sway my Donovan.  You, with your pretty face and down home charm.  You may have turned her eye for a second but in the end, she comes right back to where she belongs.

            Rogue glares at Mandy.  All this t' keep her yours?  You're dead!  So what if she wants t' move on!  She didn't ask ya t' die for her.  You did it cuz you love her.  And if you really loved her, you'd let her lead her own life!

            Mandy shakes her head.  Silly girl, you'll never understand what love truly is.  Of course, that's not your fault.  After all, you were born with a power that would ensure that you never know what love feels like.  A power that would always leave you all alone.

            Rogue wants to cry but find that she can't.  She looks at Donovan, who can't return her gaze.  Mandy continues.  So you choose my Donovan, whose power would allow you to touch.  But you had no idea that she's already mine.  And that's not your fault, either.

            Mandy starts to approach Rogue.  However, we're faced with an interesting dilemma.  You see, while Donovan is attracted to you, there isn't much focus on me in her life.  And though I'm normally not the jealous type, a person with a physical form could be more desirable than I am, despite the love that we share.  So, unfortunately, you simply cannot be allowed to continue tempting Donovan away from me.

            Uh, Mandy… what are you saying? Donovan finally interjects.  Rogue sighs in relief.

            Mandy smiles fondly at Donovan, the way an adult smiles at a foolish child.  Think of this, Donovan.  My mind in Rogue's body?  It would be brilliant.  She's a lot different looking than I am, but you're already attracted to her.  It would be perfect.  And the transfer will be so easy.  Jennifer and Sabretooth provided us with the perfect opportunity to do this.  With your minds linked, all I have to do is take over Rogue's body.  With no body, and no psychic abilities to anchor you to anyone's mind, your mind will dissipate and die, Rogue.  As though you never existed.

            With that said, Mandy lunges at Rogue.  Rogue dodges the attack easily but feels as though she's falling forever.  She reaches for something to hold on to but finds nothing in the endless void.  She tries to scream but there is no sound.

            Suddenly, a hand grabs hers and sets her right.  She smiles at Donovan, who has taken her winged form again.  Donny, she's gonna kill me!

            I heard, Rogue… Donovan says sadly.  She looks up at Mandy, who is waiting expectantly.  She sighs and gazes at Rogue.  I care about you, Rogue, I really do.  But Mandy's been in my head for so long.  She needs a body.  I owe it to her to provide one.  And she's chosen you…

            Rogue slaps Donovan across the face.  Though she can't physically feel it, Donovan feels the sting of shame.  She looks down.  Y' may think y' owe her somethin', Donovan Milady, but Ah'm mah own person.  Ah don't owe her a damned thing 'cept maybe a butt whuppin' that she'll never forget, Rogue says boldly, glaring up at Mandy, who is seething above them.  Ah'm mah own person, Donny, and so are you.  Did you ask her t' give her life for ya?  Did you ask her t' live in your head 'stead of passin' on like she shoulda?  No.  But you let her fester in yer head like a cancer and now she's runnin' the show.  Ah won't pay fer your mistakes, Donny, an' you shouldn't make me.  If you gave a damn about me like y' say y' do, you wouldn't make me.

            Donovan can't return Rogue's gaze.  She looks down at her feet, ashamed of her actions but unable to do anything.  She is still holding one of Rogue's arms as Mandy lowers herself to their level.  Beautiful speech, Rogue.  Moving and touching.  You'd have made a great political leader if you were destined to survive this day.  But as you can see, Donovan is mine, heart, soul, and body.  Our love is stronger than your noble words.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a body to get used to…

            Mandy starts to concentrate on making the transfer.  Rogue just watches her, helpless.  Mandy's body starts to disappear.  As she does, Rogue gets weaker and she drops to her knees. 

            Donny… please don't let her do this.  Y' know this is wrong.  You know that she is using you… using me… Rogue whispers.  She reaches for Donovan's other hand.  Donny, help me…

THE CLEARING:

            The stone casing that holds Rogue and Donovan together starts to shatter.  Gambit, Warren, Jennifer and Kitty stand back away as it splits and falls down around the pair.  The awful wound that had been on Rogue's neck is gone, not even leaving a trace of a scar.

            Donovan puts Rogue down gently and stares at her for a minute.  She has a confused expression on her face.  Rogue just looks down at herself, inspecting her hands, arms, legs, and body.  She grins at Donovan and throws her arms around her.  "It worked, Donovan!  I've got a body!"

            Gambit, Warren, and Jennifer can tell that this isn't Rogue.  Jennifer narrows her eyes.  "What the hell just happened?"

            Rogue turns and faces Jennifer.  She puts her hands on her hips.  "I'm so glad I can finally meet you in person, Miss Granger.  You've been an awful thorn in my side before I even had a side.  But now that can be taken care of…"

            Jennifer is suddenly thrown back by an unseen force.  She crashes into a tree and slides down, nearly unconscious.  Rogue laughs and looks at Donovan.  I never used my power so openly like that before!  This is wonderful!"

            Donovan hurries to help Jennifer up.  Rogue glares at Donovan.  "What are you doing?  She's the one that caused you so much grief in the first place!"

            "You let Mandy take over Rogue's body!" Jennifer hisses at Donovan.  She hits Donovan in the shoulder.  "What happened to Rogue?"

            Donovan smiles.  "Ah'm right here.  Donny let Mandy have mah body so it was only fittin' that she gave me hers…"

            Rogue/Mandy's jaw drops.  "What?  You stole Donovan's body?  What happened to her?"

            "Without psychic abilities t' anchor her, Ah figure she's long dissipated by now," Donovan/Rogue says with a smile.  "Looks like you lose after all…"

            Rogue/Mandy shrugs.  "With a new body and no one to answer to?  How can I lose that way?  Donovan was starting to be a pain anyway."

            "You monsters!" Warren launches himself at Rogue/Mandy, who dodges his attack easily.  "You killed Donovan!"

            Gambit and Kitty don't know what to do.  Gambit pulls an extendable staff from his pocket and lets it lengthen to its full five feet.  Kitty phases out so that she can't be hurt by any of the battle.  Gambit rushes after Donovan/Rogue.  "How can y' jus' kill her, Rogue?  I t'ought you was better'n that!"

            Donovan/Rogue looks sad.  "Ah'm sorry, Remy… Ah had t' do this.  Ah couldn't let her get away with this.  Ah'm doin' what Ah gotta do."

            "Seems t' me y' got yer name after all, chere," Gambit says coldly.  "Too bad y' had t' steal it."

            "I wouldn't act so noble if I were you, Cajun," Rogue/Mandy says bitterly.  She looks at Warren.  "You have such pretty wings, Mr. Worthington.  Tell me, have they always been so nice?"

            Warren doesn't answer her.  Gambit's face pales.  "Mon Dieu…  Don' tell me dat dis is…"

            "That's right, Gambit," Rogue/Mandy says with a chuckle.  "You remember all those people who died.  The little girl with bones… the man with the angelic wings.  You thought he died down in those tunnels, didn't you?"

            "What are you talking about?" Warren demands.  He looks at Gambit, who is forcing himself not to cry.  "What about my wings?"

            Gambit can't look at Warren.  The older man's anger flares up and he grabs Gambit by the collar.  "Answer my questions, kid, or you're going to regret the day you were born!"

            "No need for threats, Mr. Worthington," Rogue/Mandy says sweetly.  "I have access to the parts of your brain that were forced shut.  Here… let me open them!"

            Warren screams as he suddenly is forced to remember the events that had been blocked from his mind by a man known as Dr. Nathaniel Essex.

YEARS AGO:

            Warren is an eighteen year old mess.  His father, whose health has been failing for years, has been harping on the young man to get his life together so that he can one day take over Worthington Industries.  Unfortunately, Warren has been harboring a big secret from his family and the public.

            Warren is a mutant.  A physical feature that he had always known about was the fact that his bones are hollow.  Doctors couldn't explain it but he has always been healthy so after a few years they had just decided to accept that he had them and there was nothing to be done.

            At fourteen, however, the rest of Warren's mutation began to manifest.  White feathery wings had begun to grow from his back.  They reached full length when he was sixteen, generating a wing span of sixteen feet.  This was surprisingly easy to conceal, however, as he can just strap them to his back and leave no more than sometimes a few bumps.  He can't believe his good fortune in having such flexible wings.

            At first, having wings was one of the greatest feelings Warren had ever known.  Flying had quickly become his favorite stress reliever.  But after a while, the newness wore off and fear set in.  What if someone discovered his wings?  What if someone tried to lock him up for being different, or worse, try to take his wings?  The fear developed into deep depression and Warren gradually withdrew from his family, friends, and peers.

            Today, though, Warren felt that his luck had finally changed.  A young man named Remy LeBeau, promised to bring him to a doctor who would be able to change his life.  Though he has no idea how anyone would be able to help him, Warren had leapt at the chance to make his life easier.

            Remy is late, however.  Warren stands at the subway station in annoyance.  He's been here for almost half an hour with no sign of the young man.  Just as he's about to give up, Remy darts past him and into the subway.

            Warren chases after the boy who can't possibly be more than ten years old.  The red glowing eyes confirmed that the young man was a mutant and the way he described Dr. Nathaniel Essex, he knew that there had to be truth in at least some of Remy's words.  So he follows him deep into the sewers and comes across a sight he thought he'd never forget.

            Dozens of mutants with physical mutations are hiding in these sewers.  Many of them cower as Warren walks among them, asking questions, searching for signs of Remy LeBeau or Nathaniel Essex.  Finally, a very young girl with bright red hair and jagged bones sticking out of her body points him in the direction of a pipe that is old and poorly taken care of.  There is dust and cobwebs everywhere.

            "You an angel?" the girl asks suddenly as Warren is about to leave.

            Warren sees that his wings are sticking out of his shirt slightly due to his running.  He unfastens them and lets them spread to full length.  "No.  Just a guy.  A guy who's a freak…"

            "I think you're beautiful…" the girl says with a small smile.  "I'm Sarah."

            "I'm Warren," Warren is touched by her innocence despite her awful surroundings.  Instead of chasing after Remy, he decides that he is going to do something for these poor people.  "You know what, Sarah.  I'm not a freak.  Neither are you or any of these people.  You have no reason to be hiding down here.  None of you do."

            Warren gets to the middle of the room.  "I'm Warren Worthington III, soon to be one of the richest young men in the world.  One of the richest mutants in the world.  You don't have to hide down here anymore.  I'll make sure that you're provided with housing, food, and medical care.  Anything you need to start over.  You don't need to hide down here anymore!"

            A pair of hands starts to clap.  Warren turns and sees a hideous looking man with white skin and razor sharp teeth.  He sneers.  "You're Nathaniel Essex…"

            "And you're Warren Worthington III, soon to be one of the richest young men in the world," the man says, nodding a greeting.  He crosses his arms.  "Remy tells me that you are having problems with your wings.  I can help you with that."

            Warren backs away slowly, sensing that something isn't right.  He sees Gambit standing behind Essex and glares at the young man.  "What the hell have you done down here, kid?  You lead these people down here to this… monster?"

            "Monster?" Essex chuckles.  "No, Mr. Worthington.  You seem to have the wrong idea about the kind of work I do.  You see, I am here to better your pathetic race.  To increase the chances of the world's survival through weeding out those that are unworthy of the life they are so generously given at birth."

            Warren feels himself starting to tremble but he finds himself asking:  "Am I worthy..?"

            Essex smiles cruelly.  "That remains to be seen…"

            Warren suddenly drops to his knees, writhing in pain.  He looks up at Essex pitifully.  Essex is glaring down at him as he slips into unconsciousness.

            The next few weeks is agony as Essex, calling himself Mr. Sinister, performs torturous experiments on him, tearing into his wings, bones, and muscles.  Warren's vocal cords grow raw as his screams go unheard through the sewers.  Only one small person seems to care about him.  Little Sarah brings him food, water, and what she calls "Morlock medicine."  The medicine is what keeps Warren alive throughout Sinister's labors.  Whatever is in it acts as an anesthetic that often knocks him out during the processes, depending on the dosage.

            Then, one day, Warren wakes up in an alleyway in New York City, not far from his apartment.  His father finds him staggering into the house, his wings spread out in all their glory.  "My God!  Warren, are you all right?"

            "Under the sewers…" Warren gasps.  "Dad, people… Sinister…" he stumbles to the floor.  "Sarah…"

            Warren Worthington II orders a search of the sewers be done to find the man responsible for hurting his son.  When nothing is found in the sewers, however, many people believe that the young man made up the story to draw attention from the fact that he has wings.  His father, sick of Warren's ranting and screaming nightmares, finally has Warren sent to a mental institute where he is forced to deny all that has happened to him and ultimately forget that it ever happened at all.

            Warren has never recalled any of those events until now.