Hehehehehehehe….my muse is on speed today…Two whole chapters done! Now I can start the second story!!  I am evil!! Muhahahaha!

Five

Friday nights were always paragons of chaos at the Xavier Institute, and this one is no different; Rogue thought darkly as she watched the others carefully over the edge of her book while seeming immersed in it.  Kitty and Kurt arguing over which movie to watch-a chick flick or a comedy-Rogue was hoping for the comedy personally.  Scott and Jean casting surreptitious glances at each other over some college admissions forms, and the new recruits were trying to round up the five copies of Multiple who were running around generally being annoying.

Rogue couldn't figure out if it was because of or despite her powers that she felt detached from the madness-or it if was just the way she was.  She shook her head as Bobby slid some ice down Amara's back and honestly couldn't remember feeling that freedom with people even before her curse had raised its ugly head.  She would admit it to herself even if no one else would-Rogue was just naturally antisocial.

Tuning out her surroundings Rogue concentrated on the issue that had been playing tiddly-winks in her mind for weeks…Cypher.  Who was the new Acolyte? What were her powers? Better yet how the hell did she meet Logan?  Time had been dragging by so slowly and neither the Professor nor Logan were sharing with her. For once Rogue caught herself wishing that Magneto would make a move so she could find out more. Rogue shook her head to clear away the bad luck that thought could bring.

The room was silent except for the practiced voice of the newscaster on T.V, "…We're here at tonight's peaceful Friends of Humanity rally in downtown Bayville…"

"Will someone like shut that idiot up?"  Kitty frowned at the screen.

All of the children stopped what they were doing and paid close attention as various bystanders happily shared their opinions about mutants with the Channel Five crew.  Rogue couldn't help the wave of sorrow that swept into her thoughts; it was hard listening as people repeated various versions of the 'freak of nature' speech.

"Oh my God!"  The newscaster's voice was high and panicked.

Rogue's attention snapped back to the T.V as the Friends of Humanity began to cower away from a man dressed in a familiar red and purple cape.  "Shit…" her jaw dropped-she had never imagined Magneto to have the guts to crash a mutant hate rally.

"X-Men assemble by the Blackbird." The Professor's voice rang through everyone's head.

Guess I should be careful what I wish for, Rogue stood and tagged along behind the others as they made their way towards the Mansions lower levels to prepare for the battle she had been craving.

**********************

From her position next to Colossus Cypher got a good glimpse at just how crazy Magneto really was as he tore any loose metal up to hurl at the Friends of Humanity assembled before them.  She was grateful that he was limiting himself to iron and other baser materials out of deference to herself and the Russian beside her.  "Wow…" the word left her breath in a rush at the destruction being caused.

"Yes, it is quite a sight the first time," Colossus kept his eyes glued to Magneto waiting for the sign that would tell he and Cypher to attack, "Are you ready?"

High above riding magnetic currents Magneto lowered his hand-and the Acolytes sprung into action.  With Colossus shielding her small body Cypher made her way closer to the news van.  When they were in position she opened up-her eyes blackening-and let go taking out all the electrical equipment for three blocks.

Flying sparks blended in with the flames pouring from Pyro's flame throwers as he tried to herd the 'normals' into the position Magneto had insisted on.  With a wave of his hand the flames formed walls and pushed.  So intent on his 'art' was Pyro that he didn't notice the brown haired boy walking up behind him until he felt an icy chill running down his back, "Bugger! It's the X-men."

**************

Rogue swung her eyes left and right trying to take in the whole scene; flames flying, people running-the disorder of the Institute paled in the face of such udder chaos.  She could see Iceman cooling Pyro off and dousing the flames and also the crowd's panic.  Logan was fighting Sabertooth oblivious to anything but his foe and Scott was trying to stave off an attacking Gambit and not having much luck. As Jean, Kitty and Kurt were shepherding people to safety.

A flash to her left drew Rogue's attention-it was the flames glinting off of Colossus' silver skin as he stood over Cypher.  Ducking her head the Goth made her way towards them careful to stay out of the worst of the melee.  Upon closer inspection it looked like Cypher didn't really need the protection of the large Russian-she didn't have much training but moving in a blur of speed was able to hold her own against equally untalented foes.

"Hey you too scared to leave the Tin Man's shadow?" Rogue called out bravely and watched as Cypher turned.

Unlike her fellow Acolytes or even many of the X-men Cypher was clothed simply; a tight, black long sleeved turtle neck, tight black pants and combat boots.  Cypher gave Rogue a thin smile-her irises still fully black but sad, "You're awfully young to want to fight this much."

Rogue crouched in the new stance Logan had taught her and smiled at her opponent, "You mean I'm awfully young to kick your ass doncha?"

Lashing out she aimed for the other girl's abdomen but found her hand blocked by Cypher's speed.  Quickly, Rogue tacked and spun her heel towards Cypher's head-the Acolyte had to move a bit faster to avoid having Rogue's boot get intimate with her face.  "You're good," Cypher panted.

"I know." Rogue spun and tried once more to punch the other girl but was pushed aside as Logan and Sabertooth's battle royale boiled over and right into her.

The Goth could see confusion spread over Cypher's pale face, "Wolverine?"

No response was forthcoming from as the feral men writhed in their orgy of violence.  Rogue was about to strike Cypher once again when twin cries sounded from both the girl and Wolverine.  Slowly they both rose in the air as Magneto pulled the X-man towards him, "Fool! Why do you insist on saving these hate mongers?"

Even with his face clouded with pain Rogue could see recognition flare in Wolverine's eyes as Cypher was pulled into his line of vision.  "You're hurtin' yer own Bucket head."

Despite the helmet covering most of his face it was visible that Magneto was unconcerned and he tightened his grip causing the girl to gasp in pain.  Literally taking matters into her own hands Rogue stripped off a glove and moved towards Magneto while his attention was diverted.  A hand on her shoulder stopped her-it was Colossus in flesh form, "You cannot reach him from here."

"Why do you care?" Rogue bit out not wanting to waste time.

She felt sorry when sadness flitted across his face, "Cypher is my friend I know what this thing he does feels like-I do not want to watch her pain."

Inspiration struck, "How much can ya'll bench press big guy?"

"Nearly two hundred pounds…" his brow furrowed, "Why?"

Rogue shot Magneto an appraising look; he was only a few feet above them, "Think you could throw me?"

Without a word the Russian stooped and made a saddle of his hands, "We shall try."

Careful to use only her gloved hand to steady herself Rogue hopped up and tensed for the coming flight.  Under her hand Colossus' shoulder muscles bunched-then she was airborne and heading straight for Magneto.  As soon as she was in touching distance Rogue grabbed on and scrabbled up the Master of Magnetism's body aiming for his bare neck.

Magneto's concentration broke as Rogue clawed her way towards her goal and Wolverine and Cypher fell to the ground.  There wasn't as much of a struggle before the familiar flood of memories began and Rogue knew she had found a piece of the older mutant's skin.

Pulling herself away Rogue quickly adapted to her borrowed powers to float slowly to the ground.  "I'll make you pay for that." Magneto hissed as he tried to keep himself aloft but Rogue's tap had taken most of the wind out of his sails.

Concerned about Logan; Rogue bit back her reply and watched Magneto pull away allowing his Acolytes to follow as they could.  Rushing to his side the Goth pulled on her other glove and shook her teacher, "Logan?"

"Anyone get the name of that bus?"  Rogue turned to see a worried Colossus propping up Cypher as she tried to rise.

Wolverine stirred and Rogue turned her attention back to him, "Are ya'll okay?"

"I've been better Stripes." He growled then glared at the two Acolytes next to him, "You sure know how to find trouble Fraser."

Cypher graced him with a wry grin, "You're one to talk."

"Looks like your boss has left ya'll high and dry," Rogue scanned the area but could only see the other X-men converging on their position.

"How about a rain cheque…" Cypher ground out as a spasm of pain rocked her body, "I promise to let you finish kicking my ass at a later date."

"You once asked me to leave Magneto," Colossus' deep voice broke the tension as levelled a steady gaze at Wolverine, "Does your offer stand?"

"Pete!" Cypher grimaced as she shot up, "Don't even think it-you know what he'll do to us if we leave…I won't let…"

"That's enough Fraser." Wolverine snapped and everyone even Rogue riveted their attention to the battle of wills passing between him and the young woman, "You and Tin Man are coming back with us-it's an order."

"I don't take orders anymore."

"I promise to protect you from him," If Rogue hadn't known better she would have thought the gruff man was pleading with Cypher-it was extremely out of character.

The girl's head lowered in defeat as she allowed her team-mate to lift her to her feet.  They stood even closer together as they faced the whole of the X-men together.  "Don't make promises you can't keep."

It was said so quietly that only Rogue, Logan and Colossus could hear it.  Rogue lifted her green eyes and met Cypher's which were a clear grey once more in that instant they both could see the betrayal each had experienced in the past, the bitterness of loss.  In that moment they understood each other with diamond clarity-the future was all that mattered.