Chapter Nine: Mind Games
Author's notes:
Italics indicate thought.
* indicates Rogue's psyches *
Indicates telepathy
For my two very smart reviewers (Lucky439, gambitgirl)... ::hands over chocolate chip cookies:: You are absolutely correct in your guess for Rogue's father. I really wasn't planning on revealing to everyone else yet, but oh what the hell? Rogue's daddy dearest is in fact the Black King aka Sebastian Shaw! Oh and Crazy 5000 X thanks for that fuckin' great review! He he. :-) I've finally gotten over my scribitis! We made up the word in English last month. Ha ha. It's the disease of writing. Am I babbling? I babble. Sorries!
On with the fic!
* ~ *
Rogue flipped through Teen magazine with a sigh. She didn't understand the importance of reading an article about kissing techniques when she would never be able to experiment with them. Besides, all the models reminded her of Jean; they were all without a flaw.
...Jean... she thought absently. Did she tell the Professor? Is th' team lookin' f'r me right now?
She couldn't help but smirk. Even if the Professor knew where she was, he'd never be able to stop her. If he wanted to find her, he'd have to work quickly. The train would be reaching Caldecott in less than an hour.
* ~ *
"Vhere's Rogue?" Kurt asked Spyke during dinner that evening. "She vas gonna help me with me with my English homework. Ve had to read Dracula," he said with a groan. Rogue obviously was the one person to ask to help him summarize the dark novel thanks to her gothic demeanor.
He shrugged. "Man, how should I know? It ain't like that girl goes outta her way to talk to me. Besides, I thought Jean said she went to the record store with Risty."
Jean twirled the spaghetti on her plate guilty. "Yeah..." she replied. Her bright emerald eyes stayed glued to the table as she spoke. "Maybe they stopped to get a bite to eat. I mean, would it be so bad if she decided to go somewhere else tonight?"
"Absolutely not," Xavier said. "Everyone is entitled to their own fun, but Rogue did not notify anyone as to where she was going-"
"She told me, Professor..." she replied softly.
"But it shouldn't take that long," Logan cut in. "Besides, we all have another session in the Danger Room tonight. You know it's bad t' miss 'em. Stripes should be back by now."
Kitty looked him with wide eyes. "Is she gonna, like, get in trouble?"
Ororo cut in. "I do not think that is any of our business. Rogue will come home or she will not, and we will decide her punishment from there. Understand?"
Kitty lowered her head in shame. "Like, sorry."
"What if she doesn't come home tonight?" Jean asked suddenly.
Xavier's head snapped in the redhead's direction. "What do you mean by that, Jean?"
"Nothing, I was just... curious," she replied.
Everyone knew something was up. Jean was about as good at lying as Kitty was at baking. "If you know something we should know about, please speak up," Xavier said.
She sighed. "I didn't want to tell you this, because Rogue would think I was snitching, but... Rogue didn't go to the record store. I think- I think she ran away."
Silverware was dropped and so were a few jaws. The room was a mixture of surprise and disappointment at both Jean and Rogue.
"She what?!" was all Logan could growl.
Kurt's golden eyes widened. "Then she really is going back home."
"To Caldecott?" Scott asked. "Man, that's hours away. We can't find her at this rate!"
"I don't think ve she bother her," Kurt said quietly. "Rogue didn't run away. She's just looking for answers about her past. I think she vent back t' ask her mother about her real family."
Xavier shook his head. "I knew something was troubling her, but I had no idea it was this bad. I never suspected she would try to contact Miss Adler."
"Who's her mother anyway?" Bobby asked Amara, who shrugged.
"But ve're going to let her be, aren't ve?" he asked, ignoring Bobby's comment.
"We can't just let her go like that," Scott said. "It's not safe! I mean, what if Mystique shows up again and-"
"She von't show up! Vhy vould she?"
"Mystique's been obsessed with Rogue since day one!" he countered. "Remember how she lied to her, how she posed as us just to make sure Rogue would end up in her group of freaks?"
Logan interrupted the boys. "Shaddup!" he bellowed. When everyone was silent, he continued. "Look, Mystique's not the most stable mutant on this earth. I wouldn't put anything past the woman."
"Ja, so?" Kurt asked, still hurt about the shape-shifter being his biological mother. "She doesn't know zat Rogue's going back dere, so she can't bother her."
Jean nodded. "Yeah, and what would she want with Rogue anyway?"
Ororo shushed the children as the Professor slowly wheeled himself into the library. "The Professor is trying to find out why. But he can't do that with your racket. Why don't you start the session, Logan?"
Wolverine nodded. "Sounds good t' me. C'mon, squirts. We have some trainin' t' do."
The X-Men groaned, and reluctantly followed the man into the Danger Room, whispering about the current predicament. Logan began talking about what the session would consist of.
Ororo looked at Hank McCoy. "What do you think, Hank?" she asked.
Beast scratched his head. "I do not even grasp why Rogue would wish to run away," he replied. "Let's hope Charles can find some justification for her disappearance."
Xavier reached into Mystique's, scanning her thoughts and location, ignoring everything going on around him. She is following our Rogue. And my suspicions have been right all along. It seems that Raven really is the girl's mother. It was nothing to get worked up about, though the telepath sensed fear in the woman's heart.
He dug deeper into Mystique's mind. She thinks someone is after her. A powerful mutant- no an entire group! Something stopped the flow of thoughts, and Xavier's link to Mystique had been cut. Someone had purposely pushed Xavier from her mind. But who?
There was something in Mystique's thoughts. A name... Xavier pondered this for a moment, pulling the information from his memory. No! It can't be the Hellfire Club!
Xavier knew about the evil organization that claimed to be nothing more than a group for wealthy people to discuss the market and other nonsense. It may be true, but the infamous Inner Circle only cared for mayhem, money, and power- nothing else. But how does Mystique fit into the puzzle?
He tried to reconnect with Mystique, but someone was stopping him.
Who are you? What are you doing in Raven's mind? he projected to the stranger.
A female voice suddenly hissed in his mind. Who am I? she asked. Charles Xavier, all powerful telepath, must ask this of me? Can't you read my mind?
She was taunting him. No matter how hard Xavier tried, he could not reach into the woman's mind. No.
The woman laughed wickedly. Xavier could almost sense a smile on the mystery girl. You know of the Hellfire Club, don't you?
Yes, I do. Though I do not support the things you stand for.
You are foolish then, she replied. But since you so noble, Charles, I will tell you what you wish to know. My name is Emma Frost, and you may know me as White Queen.
He registered her face now, fair and flawless, complete with ice blue eyes, and white-blonde locks that framed her face. What do you want with Mystique? Xavier asked.
I don't want anything with Raven Darkholme. She is a waste of my time.
Then what is it that you want?
The Hellfire Club wants her child.
Nightcrawler? Xavier asked, confused.
He is nothing compared to Rogue. She possesses unlimited potential. After all, she belongs to Shaw. Raven promised him a child with unimaginable powers, but Rogue has been hidden away. Now that she is free of your protection as well as Raven's constant vigil, Rogue will become part of the Inner Circle. And you can't do anything about it!
Charles sent a devastating telepathic blast to White Queen. Shaw, nor any other one of your evil fiends will have her! You will not touch her! he snapped, angrily.
I have told you everything you wanted to know! Do not show hostility towards me!
Then Emma was gone.
"Professor?" Ororo asked, breaking his concentration. "Are you all right?"
He nodded, but there was a certain determination in his eyes. Storm could tell something was wrong when Xavier spoke.
"Tell Logan to round up our best X-Men. Rogue is in immediate danger."
* ~ *
Emma Frost massaged her forehead gingerly. Jesus Christ, she thought angrily. I know I pissed him off, but he didn't have to do that. She frowned. That blast hurt much worse than I had expected. Perhaps it hadn't been wise of me to reveal my plans... Perhaps he will come to the girl's aid and prove more of a challenge than the Hellfire Club can handle.
It wasn't her problem, however. She had to concentrate on getting a hold of Rogue.
The White Queen sighed. It was kind of sad the way the girl's head had been messed with so many times that she had no clue what was the truth. She almost regretted doing this to her, but her greed swiftly replaced the pity. Money was more important than some child. After all, she could pity Rogue enough when she joined the Hellions. Right now, Emma had work to do, and no little brat would come between her and that work.
Rogue would make the Inner Circle quite the fortune. Emma's eyes had been set on that living ghost, Katherine Pryde, Xavier had under his care. After all, walking through bank vaults and short-circuiting security cameras would be a piece of cake for Shadowcat. Sebastian had thought those things were too low-class for the Hellfire Club. Anyone could rob banks. Besides, much more money would be earned when worthy adversaries had been dealt with in a more productive way.
Shaw had been experimenting with one pet mutant of his, Psyphage, who had similar powers in comparison to Rogue. He, with help from Tessa and a few of the nation's highest-ranked mutant specialists, had been trying to figure out a way to let Psyphage keep the powers she had absorbed. Everyone knew that if someone like Rogue or Psyphage could actually call back any power they had collected at any time it would make them some sort of super-mutant. Rogue would transform into a most coveted little weapon.
Of course, Emma mused. We could always rely on Tessa to jump-start her powers and see if that helps. Perhaps somewhere along the line she naturally turns into our super-freak.
Then again, there was that accident with Psyphage...
Psyphage's powers had been jump-started, and she went insane. She attacked everything in sight and constantly damaged people, things, and even herself. After that little incident, she had to be properly disposed of and the lab shut down for quite some time.
The thought almost made tears spring to her eyes. Emma had promised not to let anything get in her way. After her parents sent her the mental institution she made an oath to quickly climb back up to wealth and power and to do everything by any means necessary and without any regrets. That night, when such an innocent little girl was killed, the White Queen had seriously questioned whether it was worth it. To experiment so carelessly on someone... was it even right?
She had always had a soft spot for children, especially Psyphage. She was a nice girl, though extremely misguided. Emma had always blamed herself for that day. If she had only stepped in and said something...
No... Emma thought, shaking the thoughts from her head. I must concentrate on the task at hand.
The young woman focused once more on Raven Darkholme's mind. Shaw wanted to scare Mystique, and Emma was in the mood to give her quite a fright. Oh, Raven. I have a message for you... she cooed in the assassin's mind.
She watched the woman (disguised as a young blonde with green eyes) jump up and look around. Emma fought back the urge to laugh at the humorous sight. It's from Sabine's father.
"Who's there?" Raven asked, quite shaken. She saw Emma behind the curtain and got up, angrily. Before the woman could even react, Mystique grabbed the blonde by her throat and slammed her against the wall. "Who the hell are you? Shaw's new little bitch?"
Don't you wish to know what Sebastian has to say? Emma said with a smirk.
"Not particularly," Mystique snapped. "Now I'm giving you five minutes to get the hell out of here before I'll make you regret you were ever born."
Shaw said he was planning on having a lovely family gathering with you and his daughter, she continued as if she never heard Mystique.
Mystique narrowed her now green eyes. He won't touch her. Not while I'm around. She glanced at Emma's outfit, a white bustier, white knee-high boots, and white hot-pants. She loosened her death grip and allowed the woman to slump to the floor. "You must be that Sleaze Queen. Always such a scantily dressed snob. Did Shaw send you here to get me to back down?"
Emma stood up squarely. "He really doesn't care if you try to rescue the girl or not. You're a not much of a threat, and even if you were, you could be dealt with easily."
"Shaw really is a monster, isn't he? To come after his own daughter and use her for his own twisted purposes," Raven snarled.
"And you're any better?" she retorted. "You and Destiny hid her away so that she could be your little 'warrior.' Is it any different that Sebastian wishes to use her as a 'weapon'? I hardly think your sick version of mutantkind's salvation is any reason to use your daughter in such a way. From what I've heard, you're just some little slut with a changing face who's main purpose is to make the offspring that will save the world in a most peculiar way. Spare me from the wrath of such a terrifying creature."
Anger clouded Raven's vision. Emma's words had hit a nerve. "And I hardly think I should be quaking at the sight of Shaw's little whore," she spat. "Do not criticize me, you lapdog."
Emma shrugged. "And what are you to Destiny? Always following her advice. Every time you do something by yourself you screw it up. You're the lapdog."
"I've had enough of you," Mystique snapped, holding a gun up to the woman's temple. "I have something to say to Shaw, and you can be so kind to deliver the message."
"I-" she began, but Raven cut her off.
"If you so much as breathe while I'm talking, I will pull this trigger without hesitation. And don't think I won't, because I really don't have a tolerance for ignorant fools who stand in my way. Believe me, riding the world of your presence would give me great pleasure. The only reason why I'm keeping you alive is to repeat my words to Shaw. But I could always just deliver the message myself if I need to."
She nodded meekly.
"Tell Shaw that he will not touch my daughter so long as I'm alive. And if I have to kill him to stop him, I won't even think twice. I have worked too hard to ensure that our future comes to pass to just give it up. I will make sure he stays away from Rogue any way that I can. Got that, blondie?"
Emma narrowed her ice blue eyes. She focused on controlling Raven's mind. Put down the gun. You will sit in your chair and only remember the words I have spoken. She thinks a gun will lower my pride? She's even more pathetic than I thought.
Mystique grinned and only pressed the gun harder into White Queen's temple. "Nice parlor trick. But my mind's a little more difficult to control than that."
The woman glared and kicked Raven, sending her into the other aisle. "I don't just attack with my mind, as you can see."
The shape-shifter smirked and aimed the gun at the younger woman's head. "I've thought it over. I don't need a messenger anymore." She pressed the trigger, and a bullet sliced through the air, towards Emma.
Pale blue eyes widened as the bullet shot towards her. She felt a surge of power as a sparkling substance began to cover her entire skin in seconds. The bullet hit her jewel-encased temple, but only bounced from her diamond skin. "Nice try Raven," she snapped. "What do you plan to do now, morph me to death?"
Mystique performed a well-executed set of round-house kicks, but they did nothing. Emma grabbed her foot and threw her down to the floor. Raven tried to pick up her gun, but Emma slid it towards herself with the heel of her snowy boots. Knowing that she was helpless, the assassin frantically tried to come up with a plan.
"You've got on my last nerve," White Queen snarled, picking up the gun and aiming it at Raven. "The tables have turned, Darkholme."
* ~ *
The night was cool and damp as Rogue departed from the surprisingly crowded train station. She clutched her duffel bag tightly and pushed her way through the figures around her. A sign at the bench caught her eye. "Welcome to Caldecott County: Home of the Caldecott Cougars." She was finally home.
* ~ *
Dun dun dun. It's aliiiive! Finally! Thanks to Jskullguy for finally convincing me to get off my lazy arse and add a new chapter. It was a bit forced. I let it sit for months. I'll be very impressed if you can figure out where my stopping point was. To me, it's quite obvious, but then again, I wrote it. Sorry to keep you guys hanging like that. But my creative juices ARE flowing once more, and I might just update very soon.