Disclaimer: Marvel's, not mine.
Thanks to my reviewers, hope you like this next section despite the lack of fluff.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rogue was fairly certain that everything was about to get much more complicated. It was a gut feeling that emerged from the little details Remy was willing to give up about Kitty's kidnapper, and the team he worked with. Rogue was a smart woman though, and right now she was hoping that her thoughts were wrong as she watched Remy rush about her apartment, gathering his things,
He paused as he bent down to pick up his t-shirt. "Why're ya just standin' dere Rogue? We need t'go now!
Rogue rested a hand on the doorway frame. "Why can' ya tell meh more about what's going on Remy? Who is it that ya really work for?
Remy threw his trench coat on, checking his pockets for something. "Look petit, can I just get y'ta trust me, just for now?" His eyes searched hers, pleading her to drop her stubbornness, if not for him, for the sake of her former teammate.
Rogue bent down, grabbing her clothing items, and she began to dress rapidly while she answered him. "Fine Remy. Ah ain't got that much ta lose Ah reckon.
But as they stepped out her front door and descended down the stairway, Rogue's gut feeling grew. The salty wind stung their cheeks, blowing up from the nearby ocean. Remy grabbed hold of Rogue's hand then, squeezing it tightly. And then a black hole opened before them, and Remy looked at her terrified expression with apprehension. Rogue felt her heart skip a few beats, as it was confirmed that Remy's saviors were in fact the very people that put him in his near death state in the first place. It was the thought of Kitty, the innocent victim snarled into this mess that encouraged Rogue to suck back her tension and step through with Remy.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Betsy Braddock watched the couple from her darkened corner in the rec room. Jean and Scott had walked in several seconds ago, invading Betsy's privacy. They were so enraptured with one another that they failed to notice her lithe figure curled on the small, overstuffed chair.
Being a telepath, Betsy was very aware of her own mind. She knew she was trapping herself into a dark section, a lonely place where it was easy to just not care. She felt her nerves buzz with hate as she witnessed the two snuggle in each other's arms. She noticed with a silent, bitter laugh that it didn't take much to make Jean Grey smile. Scott Summers was not a funny man by any means, and the cutesy words that were bubbling from his mouth were enough to make Betsy sick.
She was about to slam her book shut, and let the couple know she was there, when Scott leaned over and kissed Jean's neck lightly. It was a small gesture, one that Betsy sorely missed. Warren would often make the same one to Betsy, usually in the morning, when he had just awakened. She had not known Warren very long, nor very well, but their connection was not something she could just ignore.
She missed him. She would not repeat those words to anyone, she felt they made her weak. Love was strong enough to destroy, and she would not let the X-Men or herself down like Warren had. She realized then that one hand was gripping the arm of the chair incredibly tight, while she held her breath in what felt like anticipation. She released her anxiety, closing her eyes in meditation form, gathering back her calm, just as the red alert alarm in the mansion went off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first thing Rogue took notice of were Kitty's eyes blinking slowly, as if she were drugged. The second thing she saw was the hand that held Kitty's hair, and the knife to Kitty's throat. Rogue remembered thinking Vertigo wasn't very original in her kidnapping techniques, but she pushed that aside as anger fought it's way to the front of her mind.
Remy stepped forward then, speaking before Rogue had the chance.
"What de fuck are ya thinking girl?" Rogue gulped as she watched the two interact. Remy had no idea this was the woman who had nearly taken his life.
Vertigo turned her attention to Rogue, rather than answering Remy. "You know Rogue, I have to admit, had I known that Remy would be such a pleasure to have around, I wouldn't of tried to kill him." Vertigo's buttery voice teased Rogue, as she emphasized the word pleasure, begging for a reaction. But it was Remy who gave her one.
His bow staff snapped open in one fluid movement, while several lit spikes appeared in the palm of his hand. Rogue felt her heart drop at the loss of his signature cards.
"Let me just remind y'Vertigo. I can charge y'up from here, with just one blink o'my eye." His words were deathly serious, his eyes stern, his playful charm eerily gone.
Vertigo raised her chin in the air, a smirk on her face. "You know he will just bring me back to life Gambit." She inched the knife closer to Kitty's throat, as the girl drowsily looked on. "But since you've made no move or indication that this girl means anything to you, I'll just kill her for fun." Rogue screamed as the knife began to plunge into Kitty's neck, blood commencing to trickle down, but the girl seemed to pull on a reserve set of energy, as she phased through the knife just in time to avoid a fatal injury. She dropped to her knees, her hand moving to catch the blood that fell from her neck in quick drops.
Rogue took the moment to rise off her feet, shocking Gambit, as he was only aware of her ability to absorb. She flew to Vertigo then, slamming one fist into her jaw, much like she had done months ago. Vertigo landed a few feet away, unconscious, on her back. Before Rogue could advance on her limp form, a voice stopped her, one that made her blood run cold.
"Vertigo will get what she deserves my dear Rogue." She spun slowly around then, watching Remy catch her eyes briefly before she took in the pale figure next to him. The man removed his sunglasses, revealing a set of red eyes quite similar to Remy's and Rogue's. "It is good to finally meet you Rogue.
Rogue chose to ignore him, as she quickly returned her frazzled attention to Kitty, who had a piece of cloth held to her neck. She squatted down near the girl, trying hard not to face the men behind her.
"Rogue chere," she heard Remy try to comfort behind her. "Essex can help Kitty.
The slight Shadowcat began to nod her head sideways vigorously, signaling she did not wish to go with him. Rogue would have agreed with the girls wishes had she not been a shade lighter than she should have been. Wordlessly, Rogue picked the faint girl up in her arms. She met Essex's eyes with fierce determination.
"If y'all harm this girl-
"Now, now Rogue, save your threats. You don't even know me yet. Sinister re-opened a portal, as Rogue watched Remy pick up the knocked out Vertigo and sling her over his shoulder. She felt a tinge of jealousy strike through her, but she pushed it aside as she stepped through the portal once again.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The X-Men had been informed that Apocalypse and his guardians had assembled together at the main temple in Egypt. Xavier had decided that this was the best position to attack them in, as they could use the force of the full team together, the Brotherhood included. The team now flew east in the large X-jet.
The hum of the jet's engine was the only sound to be heard, as the team remained silent on their journey. No one felt the need to express their fear. Lost in their own individual thoughts, no one was prepared to be attacked while still in the jet, especially when they were still miles from the temple.
But the sharp metal shards banged up against the glass, puncturing it slightly with abrasion marks. The thumping of the metal could be heard against the sides of the jet, as the team jumped from their seats. Everyone knew who was attacking them, but made no words to acknowledge it.
Psylocke, however, moved quickly to the front of the jet, pressing one palm against the window, using her mind to scan the area around the jet. Logan moved to pull her away from the glass, in case a shard managed to pierce through the glass, but she pushed him away.
Xavier remained flying the jet, giving orders to the team that the engine had been punctured, and that everyone must pair up with a member who had the ability to evacuate safely.
As the team gathered to the back of the jet to open the back hatch, Psylocke remained at the window, searching the skies for Warren, who had yet to show his face. She saw the rain of metal sprinkle down towards her and Xavier, the only two still in the front cockpit, and placed her arms protectively around her, ducking to the floor. The metal managed to shatter the glass, creating a small hole. As the jet plummeted to the ground, Betsy ran for the back, where Xavier had wheeled himself. Storm and Xavier were the only two still residing on the jet, as the rest of the team had made it safely out.
The metal wings gliding in the direction of the opened hatch pressured Storm to scoop the Professor into her arms, glancing with fear towards Betsy.
"Go Storm!" Warren reached their position before the weather goddess could argue with Psylocke, and so she retreated with the Professor. Angel flew into the hanger, picking Betsy up and carrying her into the open air with him.
The jet crashed seconds later, as the two hovered in the air. Psylocke let her head rest on Warren's shoulder, making the mistake that Warren had saved her out of love. He reached for her chin then, grabbing hold of it forcefully, so that she met his eyes.
"What are you doing?" His eyes burned with anger, his grip tearing into her skin.
"Warren? It's me, Betsy.
But his look of resentment proved to Betsy that she was wasting her breath. Anger fumed through her soul, bracing her for his next move. He released his grip on her, intending to let her drop the fifty feet to her death. As she began to slip from his grasp, she clung to his lower legs, using them to swing herself up and behind him. She crouched herself on his wings as he fought to shake her off.
He began to head for ground then, diving with great speed. Several feet from the ground he managed to flip Psylocke off, her body tumbling to the ground. She landed on her back, but made no move to get up. Warren landed on top of her, before she could rethink her strategy, placing his legs on either side of her stomach. At one point this position had been one of intense pleasure for the two.
Betsy tried once more to persuade him, entering his mind, probing him, letting him know she was there, inside his thoughts.
He smiled at her attempt, but quickly his look turned cold.
"My name is Archangel now, not Warren Worthington." He explained, removing a spike from his wing. "Everything else about my previous life is dead. And with that he rammed the spike into Betsy's chest, lowering his head down to meet her neck. He listened to her spurt out her reply as he kissed her pale flesh.
"You should have told me Warren. I would have joined you." Her tone was weak, her words a whisper, as the battle raged on around them.
Archangel ripped the spike from her heart, blood pouring out as he did so. He looked down at the wound, stripping cloth from Betsy's arm. He pressed it into the wound, to slow the bleeding, allowing one look of remorse to fill his eyes.
He stood up then, disconnecting himself from Betsy.
"I was a broken man. Not even love could have healed my wings.
He flew off then, Psylocke's eyes following his figure, until the loss of blood caused her to pass out, her hand clutched to her bleeding heart.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As they reached the inside of Essex's lab, he pointed one boney finger towards an examination table. "Lay the girl there. I will take care of the rest.
With trepidation, Rogue rested the girl on the cold slab, watching Essex discard his coat.
The loud thud of Vertigo's body hitting the concrete ground snapped Rogue to attention, as she glanced over at Remy's fuming form.
"Was dis de woman dat nearly killed me Rogue?
Rogue rested a hand on Kitty's wrist, noticing the girl was barely awake. But she caught the pained look in Kitty's eyes at the topic.
"Yes Remy. And then Ah killed her." Rogue's eyes blazed with venom, as she lowered her eyes to Vertigo's form, watching the woman shake her blonde strands and rejoin the living.
Remy's fists remained clenched to his side as Vertigo raised herself to her knees, but he said nothing, just cut through her eyes with his own.
Scalphunter's figure joining them in the lab distracted Remy as he noticed the man loading a revolver in his hand.
"Ah, good, you're here." Essex motioned towards Scalphunter. "Now Remy, would you be so kind as to join Rogue by Kitty's side?
Remy slide on quiet steps obediently towards Rogue's position, as Rogue's eyes got wide. He placed a hand on her lower back as Sinister glided in front of Vertigo.
He picked her up by the thin material of her dress, his words seething. "I did not order you to kidnap that girl, now did I Vertigo?
For once she did not reply with a twisted smile, instead her body began to shake as her face contorted to fear. "Please, not again Essex," she pleaded. Sinister simply dropped her to the ground and snapped his fingers in Scalphunter's direction.
A second later a bullet entered Vertigo's skull and her body fell face forward to the ground. Rogue tried hard not to yelp in shock, as blood began to puddle around Vertigo's head. She watched Scalphunter drag Vertigo's body out, the red liquid smearing a trail across the floor.
Sinister grabbed a tray of equipment from a side table and joined Rogue and Remy by Kitty's side, acting as though nothing had happened.
Rogue noticed Remy held much the same expression as Essex, as though he were used to cold blooded murder as well. Her words burst forth without a second thought.
"Is that what ya do ta the people that disobey you?
Sinister looked up from where he was loading a syringe. "Everyone does things differently Rogue. Vertigo possessed a flaw, one she will not have the next time I clone her.
Rogue looked horrified towards Remy, her eyes nervously scanning him up and down.
Remy braced his hands on the examination table. "No chere, he hasn't had to re-clone me." He said through gritted teeth. "I know dats what y're thinkin'.
Essex gave a short laugh at Rogue's concern and Remy's response before stabbing the needle into Kitty's forearm. She gave a slight moan before her body slumped in to a still position.
"What did ya do ta her?!" Rogue demanded, leaning in on the table, her face nearing Essex. She felt Remy's hand ease it's way up her arm.
"In layman's terms, I gave her a knock out drug, so she does not feel the pain as I stitch up her neck.
Rogue backed off, still unwilling to trust him. Remy dragged her away from Kitty's side then, bringing her to a corner and seating her on a bench. They sat there in each other's arms for the next half hour, before Essex explained that he was finished.
"Now, Rogue, as I know you and Remy are here to discuss some business, I am going to have Kitty escorted back to the X-Mansion. She will be placed safely in her bed, as I promised, as long as you are willing to listen to what I have to offer for you and Remy.
Rogue crossed her arms.
"Fine.
"Good. It is agreed." With another snap of his fingers, a young girl appeared, with shoulder length blond hair.
"She will take Katherine back home.
Rogue nodded her head in approval as the small girl hoisted Kitty up and disappeared.
Essex grabbed a remote and placed it on the slab Kitty had once occupied. Rogue stood opposite Essex, with Remy behind her. She felt slightly un-nerved that she could not see Remy's face.
"Now Rogue, you possess something that belongs to one of my more important members." She felt Remy scoot sideways, drifting away from her as Essex spoke. "And I have the power to give it back to him now that you are here.
Rogue avoided glancing at Remy as her eyes narrowed and her hands clasped the sides of the examination table. "And what's in it for you if Remy gets his memories back?
Essex smiled at her brazen attitude. "A less flawed, and nearly perfect mutant. It will put a stop to his endless quest.
Rogue snorted and turned to Remy. "And what do ya think about that Remy?
Remy stood tall above her, his body unfidgeting, his expression unreadable. "I owe dis man ta be alive today chere. I just want my life back.
"Well Remy, when you get your memories back you will find that this man was responsible for your position in the first place!" Rogue felt her body shaking with anger and grief.
Remy sighed, his eyes revealing a sad tint of understanding, their bright glow diminished. "I already know dat chere.
Rogue looked terrified back and forth between Sinister and Remy. "Whaddya mean ya know Remy?
Essex crossed his arms and nodded towards Gambit. "After Essex had healed me, he told me he had been responsible, but dat was all de details I got. I told him I didn't want t'hear de rest." Remy rustled his hands through his hair, his body resuming his natural restlessness. "Dis was de only place I had t'go without my memories. As fucked up as it may be, I owe Essex.
Rogue batted her eyes, her arms becoming too numb to hold onto the table. She faced Essex once again. "And if Ah let ya re-transplant Remy's memories or whatevah ya may do, will that prolong Remy's sentence to ya?
Essex's lips curled up. "He does not have a sentence, merely a debt. And yes, it would add on to it unless you agreed to take it for him.
"Ah ain't joining your team Essex." Rogue jabbed her finger down in emphasis.
"Fine. You don't have to. Just know that Remy will be here, working for me. If you take his debt, you can stay here with him.
Rogue's eyes shut, her arms deflating at her side. She felt Remy reach for her arm.
"I ain't gonna pressure ya to take my debt chere.
"Remy may not, but I certainly will." Essex spoke, turning on a tv screen in the corner with his remote.
Rogue heard the click, and willed herself to look up. In front of her were the X-Men, in battle. And they were dying. She watched their numbers go down one by one, counting the bodies already littering the floor and hoping that they were not fatally wounded.
"They will not survive. Apocalypse is far too powerful a mutant for anyone.
Rogue slammed her fist down, denting the table. "No! The X-Men always survive!
"Is dat why dere be a grave at home for me chere?" Remy asked, his tone cool, but not accusing.
Rogue breathed in deep, as Essex split the screen into four sections, each one a different news station broadcasting the battle.
The next few seconds stole Rogue's remaining fight. An explosion rocked all four screens, as the battle arena went up in flames. Over then next five minutes, reporters began to confirm that no one could have survived the explosions slaughter.
Dizziness consumed Rogue as she fought to stay on her feet. She felt bitterness welling through her insides, as she lost the ability to argue any longer. Remy was her only future now.
Thinning her lips and staring back up into Essex's eyes gleaming with pride, her mouth curled into a snarl.
"Fine. Remy's debt for the return of his memories will be mine.
Remy reached over and grabbed tightly to Rogue's gloved hand, as Essex nodded, a chilling smile stretching across his face.