Back to Bayville – Part VIII

"How long will she be under?"

"About two hours. It's difficult to be sure."

"That's quite alright. We should be ready to proceed by then."

Rogue listened as best she could without giving herself away. She tried to stay relaxed and keep her mind blank but it was difficult considering her hands and feet were currently tightly bound to a not so soft chair. Her neck was starting to ache from hanging down onto her chest and her hands were cold since the binding on her wrists was so tight it was limiting circulation to the extremities. Her gloves did nothing to warm them.

Don' worry, chére. We be dere soon. Remy's rich voice floated through her head. It was weird. Soon after she awoke she found that she and Remy could now communicate mentally which she assumed was due to their unique bond. She was almost positive that something must have happened last night to all of a sudden kick their link into high gear. Now she was able to not only hear Remy's thoughts and communicate with him, she was completely aware of everything he was aware of.

"Ms. Braddock, could you please escort Mr. Worthington to one of the free chambers? I don't want to risk him coming to his senses."

Rogue listened as the light footsteps trailed off to the left somewhere.

Prob'ly no exit dere.

This was going to take some getting used to.

How much longer are ya goin' to be? she asked.

I t'ink a little over an hour. Don' really know. We be goin' pretty fast.

Well, jus' hurry. Ah'm kinda tired of playin' dead. Ah think Ah'm just goin' to wake up so Ah can at least see what's goin' on. Without waiting for his reply, she swayed her head a bit before bringing it up and groaned for added effect. She opened her eyes and saw Jean lying on the ground, looking like a tossed aside rag doll. The girl did not appear to be injured. Keeping her mental shields up and full strength she looked around for Mesmero who appeared to be quite engrossed in a large book. If he knew she was awake, he made no acknowledgement of it.

*Well, that was easy,* she thought, stretching out her neck. So, Remy, what's goin' on? Why am Ah here? Right away she noticed his hesitance to answer. Just spill it already!

Um, 'member how X said dat dere was a Chosen One and a Supreme Guardian?

Yeah.

Dey found out dat de guardian was me. Guess what dat makes you?

Your kiddin' me, right?

Shoulda seen dere faces when de realized I had to save de world.

Despite the seriousness of the situation she couldn't help but find that particular vision humorous. So, this Apocalypse thing wants to take over my body and rule the world? Out of everythin' that's happened to me in my life, this has got to be the icing on the cake.

Yeah. Remy's mental voice changed to a serious tone. Dere be a problem, t'ough.

Of course there is.

Y' see, if de door is opened den me an y' won' be protected no more. De prof t'inks dat if y'r taken as de host, de entire process could kill y', an' because of our link, kill me, too. He let the gravity of the situation sink in before continuing. If dat happens den dere is no stoppin' Apocalypse an' we lose. Y' know we can' let dat happen.

Rogue agreed wholeheartedly. You're right. So what can we do about it?

De prof is t'inkin dat if dat t'ird door gets opened, de best solution is to make it so dat Apocalypse has got no where to go. He hoped that she caught his meaning because he didn't think he could tell her straight up.

Rogue swallowed hard. She understood. Ah hear ya.

Both were quiet for a moment. I'm sorry, mon amour.

Don't be. This is what happens when ya sign up to be a super hero. She sighed. So how should Ah do it? Throw myself off a ledge or something?

Non. I asked dem to put me out instead, so dere's no pain. Hank's got dis shot I can take. He paused. Dere not happy 'bout it, y' know. Wolverine been tryin' to talk de prof out of it and Hank don' agree at all. Dey haven' told Kurt 'bout it.

A part of Rogue took tremendous comfort in what he said.

**********

#Storm to Cyclops. Are you there?#

Storm's voice through the communication link was so unexpected that Scott momentarily startled.  "Hi, Storm. What's up?"

#We have arrived and are now entering the cave. How far does it go in?#

"So far we've walked about ten miles. No sign of the tomb yet."

Magneto, who had been listening to the exchange, spoke up. "Tell her we will wait for her here. It is better that we stay together." It was bad enough that they were already missing three team members.

Scott nodded. "Storm, we'll wait for your team to arrive."

#Understood. We shall see you shortly.#

Forty-five minutes later, Storm, Colossus and Shadowcat flew over to see John trying to 'entertain' both Scott and Erik with a variety of fire animals. Magneto stood in stony silence while Scott was backed against a wall by several flaming bunnies.

When Scott felt a rush of air he looked over to see that the other team had arrived. "You have no idea how glad I am to see you guys." And he was. Having to kill time with two people who were technically still the enemy was not the most comfortable situation to be in.

"Any news about the missing students?" Magneto asked.

Clicking off her flashlight, Ororo touched down softly and extinguished the bunnies harassing Scott. "Yes. Gambit has been able to contact Rogue through their link and she is relatively unharmed. She is being held in the same area as Jean and Warren and Remy believes they are being held somewhere here in a hidden catacomb. Warren seems to be under Mesmero's manipulations while Jean is sedated for the time being."

Scott was relieved that all of his friends were safe but was still worried. "Why do they think they were taken?"

"The professor and I have discovered some very interesting clues about the mystery surrounding Apocalypse. According to our findings, Remy is the Guardian and Rogue is the Host. It is also believed that the secret of the remaining key lies within Rogue and Remy's shared dreams. That is why Rogue was taken."

Silence prevailed throughout the tunnel. Nobody really expected the fate of the world to rest in the hands of those they cared for.

"So why was Jean taken?"

"Jean's presence would provide Mesmero with a fourth telepath to try and get past Rogue's mental shielding."

Scott let out an exasperated sigh. "Great. Things have just gone from bad to worse."

Magneto looked deep in thought. "Does Charles have any ideas of what we should do should the last door be opened? Or are we just going to rely on Remy?"

Ororo quickly cast her eyes to the ground. "He does. From what they have gathered, Remy and Rogue's bond has strengthened to a point where they mirror each other's physical health. Rogue was punched while being held captive and her cut lip also manifested on Remy. Charles and Hank both believe that should one perish the other would as well. At the moment, both are protected until the last door is opened." Her voice began to strain. "Should that final door be unlocked, Charles feels the only solution would be to terminate the host before any sort of bonding can take place."

"What?!" Scott shook his head in disbelief. "He wants to kill Rogue?"

"Not just Rogue," Kitty reminded grimly, "but Remy, too."

"That's ridiculous!"

"It is what is necessary." Storm looked at Erik. Despite the truth in his words she still did not feel that this solution was the right one.

Scott was far from convinced. "Do Rogue and Remy know about this?"

"Not only do they know, but they agree."

"You have got to be kidding me!"

Kitty stepped in. "Look, arguing about it isn't going to solve anything. If we can get to Rogue before the can figure out the whole key thing then we won't have to do any of that."

Any further argument was halted as the tunnel was once again plunged into darkness. Three flashlights clicked on instantly as they waited for John to provide them with a better light. When he was finally able to relight the torches, they all looked at each other, making sure no one was missing.

"We're all still here," Scott stated, perplexed.

"They were not after anybody." Magneto stepped forward and pointed to his head. "They have taken my helmet, now making me vulnerable to psychic attacks."

**********

Rogue gasped when she saw a figure materialize from the shadows. She recognized her as Psylcoke, the telepath who tried to invade her mind. In her hands was Magneto's helmet. Mesmero looked up in delight.

"Excellent. Now we are ready."

"Ready for what?" Both looked at Rogue as she glared back.

Stepping away from the large volume, he addressed her. "It is now time to opened the final door and release the Master."

"An' just how do ya expect to do that with the third key still locked up in my head? If ya think ya can get in, think again."

He favored her with a smug look as he stopped right in front of her. "My dear, Rogue. It looks like you have been misinformed. The only thing in your head that I am interested in is that special little bond you have with Mr. Lebeau."

"So what do ya want with me?" she spat out.

"My elusive third key just happens to be you."

Two strong hands clamped down onto Rogue's upper arms and raised her to her feet.

"Ah, thank you Mr. Worthington." Mesmero turned to Emma, who had just entered the room. "Ms. Frost, please wake our sleeping beauty. Her assistance will soon be needed."

Rogue was utterly confused. Remy, are ya hearing all this?

Yeah. We're already runnin' down de tunnel.

Please hurry. Her tone was pleading but the irritation at the situation was clearly evident on her face. "So what's the big deal with Jean? If ya got me why do ya need her?"

"Patience," He told her with a smile, further adding to her annoyance. "All will be revealed in due time." Motioning for Warren to follow, Mesmero headed for the doorway that Psylocke had just disappeared through. Rogue watched as Emma helped a dazed Jean to her feet. She wanted to call out to the girl but noticed the vacant expression on her face, similar to the one she displayed while under Mesmero's control so many months before. Helpless to do anything, Rogue could only watch as Emma and Mesmero led Jean out through the door, Warren dragging her along after them.

**********

Scott was relieved to finally see the large opening at the end of the tunnel. *Finally.*

They all walked up to the opening and looked into the large cavern. A set of two huge double doors adorned one side of the cave. It was sparsely decorated, mostly consisted of rock formations and scattered debris. However, the décor of the cave was far from their main concern. Floating above them in the center of the cave was Jean. Her face was devoid of any expression.

"Jean!" Scott rushed forward, only to run into an invisible wall. The others tried to move farther into the cave and found that Jean had completely encased them in a telekinetic bubble. Kitty reached out and phased through. Before she could reach out and pull everyone else through, an intense pain blazed through her head, rendering her unconscious.

"Tsk, tsk. Now, now, Ms. Pryde. That would be cheating." Mesmero appeared in front of the double doors, a broad smile on his face. He observed as, one by one, each member of the supposed rescue team fell, coaxed into a deep telepathic slumber. Only Scott remained awake, still being held back by Jean's power.

"Mesmero! Let them go!" Scott could now see Rogue being held by Angel.

"Now why would I do a thing like that?" Mesmero shook his head. "You should feel honored, Mr. Summers. Master Apocalypse has found you worthy to serve him."

"I'll never serve that monster!"

"We shall see."

Through their psychic rapport, Jean slowly began feeding small hints of persuasion to Scott. He struggled to ignore the whispering across his mind, but Jean's assault was continuous.

"Don't fight it, Mr. Summers. Soon you will bear witness to the awesome powers of Master Apocalypse as he ushers the world into a new era."

"That will never happen!"

Mesmero's face took on a menacing look. "Oh, but it will. With the key and the host under my control you have no power to stop it."

**********

Remy watched as the professor raced ahead of them. *Wow.*

Charles had changed into a modified wheelchair before they had exited the jet. Remy had thought nothing of it until he saw the professor wheeling down the tunnels at fifteen miles an hour, bright headlights leading the way. They were struggling to keep up and Remy could feel the burning in his chest but he ignored it. *Gotta get to Rogue,* he kept chanting to himself.

Remy? The professor's mental voice tickled his mind.

Oui, professor?

Are you okay with your decision?

Remy inwardly sighed. Was he 'okay with his decision'? Hell no. Just when he thought life couldn't be more perfect, some stupid madman had to have some massive power trip and screw everything up. And now, he was sacrificing not only his life but Rogue's as well to save the world from a fate unknown. Did he think the world was worth it? Absolutely not. Nothing was worth risking Rogue's life, not to him. But she had agreed that this was the only way. They were both scared but her sense of duty prevailed over her fear. She would rather die than let an unknown entity control her. He knew he would never be able to bear seeing her possessed should the transformation not kill him in the process anyway. On a list of crappy choices this was the best alternative.

I'm 'bout ta kill myself an' de girl I love. What do y' t'ink? he replied curtly and shut his mind off to any further communication.

Don't be upset with him, Rogue mentally advised.

I'm tryin'. Jus' didn' t'ink he'd be so quick to write y' off like dat.

What about you? Ah ain't exactly thrilled to know that your dyin' right along with me. Don't seem fair since Ah'm the main problem.

Dis whole situation's unfair. Jus' goin' wit' de flow.

Right. She hesitated a moment. Hey, Remy?

Yeah, chére?

If Ah don't get a chance later, Ah just wanted to say thank ya.

For what, chére?

For bein' ya. He felt her love shine through the link. An' for loving me.

**********

One more time! Thanks for the reviews. They're great, as usual. Happy reading!