She was gone. Her best friend was gone. Rogue huddled to herself on the rim of the fountain. They had all completed their mission; they killed Vargas. Well, she did at least; she did it for Elizabeth. All for her. Her memories began to swarm over the day of Elizabeth's death, when Elizabeth sacrificed herself, to save her, and Hank from the hands of Vargas…..
*~*~*~*
"Rogue!" Elizabeth screamed.
Taking the impact of the punch from the powerful superhuman Vargas, she flew back into the wall, leaving an imprint of her body in the hard cement. She fell to the ground, limp and useless. She coughed the blood she could feel raising in her throat, as she turned onto all fours. "Rogue!" Elizabeth gasped, as she knelt at her side.
"No, go away! I'm fine! Leave him to me!" Rogue warned.
Hank had knelt at her side as well, as he placed two fingers to her neck, "Rogue, you're not in any shape to continue!" He gasped.
Elizabeth's eyes scanned over her dear friend; she was surprised. Almost deathly shocked. Someone has now proven to be a match for Rogue! Her friend was almost broken to pieces. Rogue spit out the blood building in her mouth. Elizabeth's eyes narrowed with rage, as she turned to look at Rogue's attacker.
He was a largely built man; evil, beady brown eyes, long black hair, pulled back into a ponytail. He grinned at his work. "Stay alert Beast; anyone who's a match for Rogue should not be taken lightly!" Elizabeth warned, as she stood to her feet.
Hank looked up at her, "Betsy! No! Don't do it!" He warned.
Hank shot up to his feet, and leapt forward, over Elizabeth, towards Vargas. Elizabeth swung around as she saw another man; a blonde long haired one, jump into the room towards Rogue, his sword in hand, ready to strike down at her. "Rogue!" Elizabeth screamed, as she ran towards the new attacker.
Her fist ignited with her purple katana psychic blade. Rogue turned her head, looking at her attacker, as he held his sword up above her, "Betsy….no…." She gasped.
Elizabeth jumped into the air, screaming her anger, as she threw a kick to the blonde's head. The man flew back, as he dropped his sword. He landed on his back, away from Rogue. Rogue turned her head, looking at Hank; her eyes filled with tears of pain, rage, and anger; pain from her blows, rage and the anguish from not being able to save her friends. Hank cried out, as Vargas threw his fist into the blue furred mutant's stomach, causing him to fly back, and smash through the wall. "Hank!" She cried.
A scream broke her concentration, as she turned her head, watching Elizabeth shove her katana sword deep into the blonde attacker's chest. Elizabeth turned, and rushed to Hank, who sat against the wall, bloodied and beaten. She pressed her fingers to his neck, "My god, Hank, you're broken!" She gasped.
"Betsy….don't….do….it…." He coughed.
"Oh hush now." Elizabeth snapped. "Someone's got to stop him. He won't get away with what he did to Rogue, or you!" She hissed.
Elizabeth stood up, her katana ready in her hand. "I guess that leaves it up to me then," She growled.
Vargas reached behind him, pulling out a sword. "I am Elizabeth Braddock. I am called Psylocke!" Elizabeth hissed, introducing herself.
Vargas hoisted his sword, pointing the blade towards her, ready for battle, "And, I am called Vargas. Today, Psylocke, is your moment of truth…" Vargas sinfully grinned.
Elizabeth's eyes narrowed with rage, as she screamed out, rushing towards him.
Rogue's eyes opened wider, as all she could do, was watch. The gasp, the pain, the sight. Her dearest friend; a sword shoved through her stomach, at the hands of Vargas. "No!" She screamed out, "Betsy!"
*~*~*~*
Rogue cried, as she buried her face deep into her arms. No one could possibly help her through the depression; the hurt, the anger; she had killed Vargas. But, the killing would not be able to bring Elizabeth back. She wanted desperately to hear the laughter, hear the jokes; she wanted to cry on Elizabeth's shoulders. She needed a hug from her; letting her know everything would be okay; but, no matter what, she would never get it back. Ever.
Sobs began to escape her throat. She felt a hand rest gently on her shoulder, "Rogue?"
She turned letting the tears stream down her face, looking up at Logan, who proceeded to sit next to her, "Logan. She's gone. I still can't believe she's gone!" Rogue cried.
Logan wrapped his arm around her, pulling her towards him, "I know, darlin'. I know." He sighed heavily, as she rested her head into his chest, sobbing.
He stroked his hand on her hair, feeling her shake from the sobs that escaped her throat. "We're all tryin' to deal with the loss. Things haven't been the same for anybody around here since Betsy died. Brian couldn't take it; he ran off back to England; Remy's had a hard time dealin' with the fact that she won't come back; he's run off somewhere. You've had a hard time coming out of your shell; I know, darlin'; I know what pain you're goin' through." He placed his hand under her chin, lifting it up for her to look at him, "But we move on. You and I both know that Betts wouldn't want any of us, especially you, actin' like this." He told her.
Rogue blinked through her tears, as she stared up at her longtime love. He stroked his fingers down the side of her face, gently, trying to comfort her, "I'll be here for you, if you ever need anything." He smiled.
Rogue nodded, and hugged onto him again, tightly, and desperately, sobbing the pain, of losing her best friend.