Chapter Five-

         Rogue didn't remember waking up, didn't remember flying out of New Orleans or hijacking a plane. But there she was, in China, answering Apocalypse's call as one of his 'horsemen'- as the most powerful. And with her were Magneto, Mystique, and Storm. As if in a movie, unable to move or react, she saw the X-men show up- alongside members from the Acolytes and the Brotherhood. They only made this situation worse- because now she'd be forced to destroy them and experience the whole thing. Gambit, though, was mysteriously absent and for that she was grateful. Up in the air, Rogue had control of all the powers she'd ever absorbed before- half distraction, half protection as she remained between the select group and one of the pyramids Apocalypse needed to carry through his plans. So even if the groups managed to take down the others, he'd still have partial success.

         Kurt teleported up to her, having already tried reason and failing, but she teleported back away- slamming him to the ground with a high-powered optic blast. Then she targeted Kitty as she used various powers to deflect and administer hits. Her friend managed to keep phasing through the lightning bolts Rogue hurled until she got too tired quite a while later and was struck down. However, as 'she' directly targeted Cyclops, she felt Xavier trying to get inside her head again and saw the great telepath more off to the side, behind the others. With an evil twist to her lips, the force in control of Rogue doubled the professor's psychic power then sent it back to him- blowing him feet away from his wheelchair.

         With each 'victory' she felt the increased loss of her humanity, of herself. Then as she lost the hope she'd carried in her heart of hearts, something unexpected happened. A plane came down behind her, she sensed it, and a screeching noise erupted from it in waves- stripping away all her powers before she could attack it. Then as she fell, Remy appeared on the ground to catch her- both enjoying that instant of closeness until that darkness drove her to turn on him. Then the couple was fighting each other, one-on-one, full force like they used to. But in that field, he reigned. Not wanting to carry out the battle though, he held her in an iron grip; talking to her in a commanding, soothing, pleading mixture of French and English.

         As he did, the severely weakened Professor Xavier used his recovering power to project to her- trying to break Apocalypse's control, leaving Remy to fill the emptiness the ancient mutant forced on her with his own emotions and presence. Providing a temporary link between her and Destiny, Xavier showed her those new visions of the future. ~You wanted to find your true purpose and fulfill your destiny, Rogue? Here is your chance, don't let Apocalypse rob you of that. There was a reason he wanted you, child- you are so much stronger than all this. So over-power him, take control!~ Xavier demanded. Remy held her closer. *Please, chére, do it for me if you won't do it for yourself or even de world. Do it for Remy and de promise Destiny gave us, don't let dis destroy you. I would be lost without you.* He said through their connection, ending with a heartbroken whisper.

         Their efforts broke through Apocalypse's veil of control and Rogue went limp in Remy's arms as the demons fled her, sobbing. Putting a hand on her stomach, over the tiny spark of life that had lent her strength, she looked up into the equally teary eyes of the man she loved and power thrummed around the pair. The future was coming a little sooner than planned, but they'd be alright- she'd be alright. This time around she hadn't destroyed any of her friends. Rogue stood shakily as the helicopter landed. The battle wasn't over yet- there was still one demon to defeat. With Remy's help, she got into the helicopter and they sped towards Tibet, where Apocalypse himself lay on the highest peak in the world.

         With renewed force and heart, Rogue borrowed Leech's powers and leapt to the ground outside the grand pyramid after the Cajun- hurrying in to shut down the power as Logan battled Mystique. "Glad to see you're back, kid, now stop that maniac!" He grunted as Mystique dove at him. She gave a nod and ran into the next room, Remy and her struggling to close the metal wings around Apocalypse. "Turn the power back on!" Remy shouted about the noise. Biting her lip, she did so and, without warning, huge bolts of electricity blasted out of the machine as the flaps started closing- hitting Rogue in the chest. She flew back and slammed against the stone walls of the pyramid, blacking out even before the hundred or so volts of electrical energy shot through her. 'Now I'll never see how this ends,' echoed through her unconscious mind.

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