To the Readers-
It's been a while since I've written fan fiction. I suddenly found myself with some free time, so I decided to try writing again.

About my writing: it will be a bit OOC. I can't seem to help changing the characters in the context of my story. So, if you're a big fan of canon, this might not be the story for you.
Oh, and of course I don't own X-Men Evolution or anything associated with it. All credit for the characters and backgrounds goes to the folks over at Marvel.

Setting: It's been a few years since Apocalypse. Rising anti-mutant feelings have caused the x-men, and most other mutants, to scatter and lay low. After Rogue left, she ran into some trouble and got caught up in a bad business. Jinan (her boss) had all her memories erased. So, she knows nothing about the x-men, brotherhood, and acolytes. He also implanted within her a crystal that can suppress her absorption powers. He can turn this crystal on and off at will. The story of how this all happened will come in later chapters.

Hope you enjoy it.

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It was dark. Almost pitch black outside. The moon was covered by masses of dark grey storm clouds. It was close to midnight.

A beautifully mysterious girl strode quickly through the streets. Her long black coat swirled around her, blown about by the tempestuous wind. She turned sharply to the right and headed into an alley.

"Hey sweetheart," called a homeless man crouched in a doorway. "Goin' somewhere important? Got time to make an old man's day?" He opened his mouth, baring rotting teeth, and cackled at his ribald humour.

The girl did not pause or turn her head, but her emerald eyes narrowed. 'Let it go,' she ordered herself. 'You have more important things to do.' She stopped at the very back of the alley and knocked on a door. It opened a crack.

"Yeah?" came a gruff voice from inside.

"It's me," said the girl, gathering her coat around her. The door opened wider and the girl slid inside. It closed immediately behind her. Inside, the small room was dark and dank. The girl turned to the man who had opened the door, awaiting instructions.

"He's waitin' for you downstairs," said the man shortly, pointing at a staircase. The girl nodded and went downstairs.

The room she entered was dark, save for a lone candle on a table in the center in the room. It didn't matter, she could clearly picture the man sitting behind the table.

"Ah, Rogue. You made it." She could hear him smile. "I trust your journey was pleasant?"

She rolled her eyes. "Cut to the chase Jinan. I was enjoying the first decent night of sleep I've had in weeks when you called me here, and I'd like to get back to it as soon as possible."

He laughed. It was a strange sound when you saw the person it was coming from, and it never failed to send a shiver down her spine. "Come now Rogue. Don't tell me you didn't enjoy having Mr. Cabot in your bed."

She scowled at him. "You know I didn't. I hate it when you make me do things like that."

"For your sake I hope that you aren't questioning my reasons for the choices I make." He stood up and walked over to her. "I have need of your services."

Rogue stared into his eyes. Black and soulless, they were a continuous presence in her life. He reached out and cupped her face in his hands. "A most useful thing, that crystal, no? How happy you must have been, finally granted the pleasure of touch. And all thanks to me. Although I must admit, I had a slightly....ulterior motive. You see, ever since you came to me, I'd dreamed of being the one to teach you the pleasures of the flesh. And, considering that you have never failed me, I was an excellent teacher."

Rogue jerked out of his reach and walked across the room, fighting down a wave of nausea. Those were memories that she never wanted to relive. "What do you want me ta do?"

Jinan chuckled lasciviously. "You have no idea, my dear. But that must wait for now. There is a stone. A blood ruby. I want it. It is imperative that you fetch it for me as soon as possible."

She blew out an annoyed breath. "You called me all the way over here in the middle of the night to talk about some stupid–"

He crossed the room quickly and shoved her against the wall. "How dare you speak to me that way? You come when I call, no matter what the job is!" His hand closed around her throat and his voice took on a dangerous timbre. "This is not just some gem, you insolent whore. It's powers are limitless. Do you understand that?" His hand put more pressure on her throat. "Limitless!"

Rogue nodded as best she could, and he let go of her. She gently massaged her throat with her hands.

He glared at her for a moment before continuing. "It is under the protection of some renegade group in New Orleans. They are known as the Thieves Guild."

Rogue frowned, still massaging her neck. "Sounds vaguely familiar."

"They've been in existence for centuries. Run by the LeBeau family. Stealing for their own personal gain, not usually for a bigger purpose. New Orleans is where their main base is located."

"And they've got this blood stone that ya want?" "Blood ruby, and yes. It's passed down through the generations from king to king. I've been searching for it for years. If I'd known that they had it all along, I would have gotten it long ago. Now, they will soon be crowning a new king. The time is right for us to strike."

"Alright, where do they keep the damn thing?"

"It is not that simple. Rivals have been trying to steal the stone for centuries. Few in the guild even know that it exists. You will not be able to just break in and take it." He smiled suddenly at her.

Rogue did not like the direction that this was going in.

"You will go to New Orleans, posing as a weapons maker. It is all set up. The guild will come to you for weapons, and you will get close to the Prince of Thieves, the heir to the throne. You will gain his trust. Then, when the ruby is passed on to him, you will take it. And bring it immediately to me."

"Jinan, you promised that Ah would get a break from this."

He laughed quietly. "I thought you might feel this way. But you should not worry. The Prince is young and attractive and ruled by his passions. Seducing him should be pleasant for you. And I have no doubt that he will be captivated by you, as I am."

Rogue sighed. She was exhausted, and her head was beginning to hurt. She needed to get out of here. "Fine. Whatever you say."

"I knew you would see it my way. A plane is waiting for you, hanger 9."

She moved to leave, but he caught her arm. "Rogue. This is the most important thing I have ever asked of you. Do not fail me."

She removed her arm from his grip and went back upstairs and out into the alley. "I never have before, and I'm not about to start now," she yelled over her shoulder.

The homeless man whistled as she walked by and grinned up at her. A dull, throbbing pain settled itself in her head. Glaring at the man, Rogue hailed a cab. "Airport," she muttered to the driver. "As quickly as you can."

Looking back, she would come to realize that that night was the beginning of the end.