"What wrong chere? You t'ink we leave you to fight alone?" Gambit called up to Rogue. She smiled in relief and nearly laughed as Storm created rain clouds over Dark Phoenix's fire, putting it all out instantly.
She remembered everyone now; she remembered that Mystique was the enemy and that these people before her were her friends. It had all came back as soon as Gambit called her "chere." Rogue was home now.
Everyone was fighting now, besides Scott and Professor Xavier who were caring for Phoenix on the ground. They smiled encouragingly and Rogue felt a new power surge through her. They had faith and so did she.
"This is my fight!" Rogue screamed.
Everyone stopped and stared, even Dark Phoenix. The X-Men nodded understandably and left the charred battlefield.
Storm flew to Rogue quickly and stuck out her hand.
"Take my powers." Storm smiled.
"No! I'll hurt you!" Rogue protested, watching Dark Phoenix's anger rise.
"I trust you." Storm said seriously.
"I'm sorry." And Rogue reached out with a bare hand, grabbing Storm's smooth brown hand.
Rogue could see Storm was in pain but she bore it because Rogue was her friend and what do friends do? They give you their mutant powers to people who need to banish evil firebirds. All friends do… right?
Storm smiled shakily and Rogue nodded her head in thanks. Such a power was in Rogue now, and she had to use it. Dark Phoenix had waited long enough and was now charging through the air towards Rogue.
Rogue roared in anger and bolts of lightening escaped her. She couldn't control them but she didn't care, she wanted to hurt Dark Phoenix.
Through a midst of clouds, lightening, rain and snow, the X-Men could just see Rogue flying through it all. Storm calmed her soul and cleared a little of the weather.
Rogue was flying toward Dark Phoenix and although the X-Men could not see it, a determined look was plastered on her angry face.
"She has made her choice." Professor Xavier said wisely.
No one answered him. No one had heard him; they were all too engrossed in the battle overhead.
**~~**
Rogue was crying, she didn't want to do this but she had to. Eventually the back of Dark Phoenix's slim form came into view. Rogue took a deep breath and reached out quickly, grabbing Dark Phoenix's chin and forehead from behind.
Dark Phoenix roared in agony as Rogue's flesh came in contact with hers. A searing pain ran through the veins of the evil firebird and the angry red energy that she valued so much was slowly ebbing away and into the essence of Rogue.
Rogue called out in sorrow, the evil was great but Rogue was determined to not let it free. Dark Phoenix eventually fell to the ground in a heap. Rogue soon fell after her.
It was over. Dark Phoenix was gone.
Gambit stood up, stumbling greatly as he ran to Rogue's side.
"Chere! Are you okay?" Gambit took Rogue's head in his lap, staring into those emerald green eyes he had missed so much.
"She's so evil… but I can control her… and… Remy I can control myself!" Rogue spluttered.
Professor Xavier came over with the rest of the X-Men. Jean was awake and she kneeled next to Rogue.
"Phoenix is gone. Rogue? She wanted to say thank you. So do I. Without you I would be dead." Jean hugged Rogue and Rogue returned it gratefully.
"You say you can control your powers Rogue?" Professor Xavier asked anxiously.
"Yes. When I held onto Dark Phoenix for so long, a barrier inside of me just seemed to collapse and… I knew I could. Watch." Rogue reached out and touched Gambit's face with her bare hand.
"Congratulations Rogue." Everyone said in his or her turn.
Rogue turned to Dark Phoenix's body and felt tears fall by.
"She's the second person I've killed." Rogue closed over Dark Phoenix's open Ruby eyes.
"Time is a healer." Professor Xavier said simply, then he wheeled away slowly, the rest of the X-Men following him.
Gambit remained behind however, gazing at Rogue adoringly. She looked up from Dark Phoenix's still form and gave a watery smile. Gambit moved toward Rogue and before she could react, he was kissing her.
Rogue stood, frozen in shock. He was kissing her and hell she loved it. Gambit's hands ran through Rogue's white striped brown hair and he moaned in longing as she kissed him back.
After a while, they parted. Rogue was smiling like the Cheshire Cat while Gambit was breathing heavily.
"Don't you go running off to Mystique again chere…cos I love you." Gambit whispered.
"Ah love you too you big dafty." Rogue smiled.
They laughed quietly and looked at Dark Phoenix.
"I am sorry." Rogue whispered.
Gambit lifted Dark Phoenix's body and both him and Rogue walked back to the mansion, leaving behind a mass of burned trees, a charred field and a whole load of unwanted memories.
Rogue had known her dream since she was little. To grow up and be accepted, be loved and be known as a friend.
Rogue now had her dream.
**~~**
The End.
**~~**
Rogue: Or is it?
