Disclaimer: Marvel's.
Remy LeBeau never imagined there would be a day he was a hero. He had made bad choices and worse mistakes, but he had lived with the consequences. He had been moderately happy in his life, first as a thief, then as a mercenary. He just hadn't known then there was something better.
Lying amidst the rubble of what had once been the beautiful throne room of a megalomaniac's citadel, he realized how easily the roles could have been reversed. He could be the one twisted and evil and beating the snot out of anyone that dared interfered with him…if it hadn't been for her.
He tried to sit up and his head spun wildly. He touched his nose gingerly, fearing it was broken. Where would he be without his pretty looks? He shook that thought out of his head. If Onslaught had his way they'd all be dead, and it wouldn't matter much.
Her cry made him look up. He saw the necklace dangling from Onslaught's outstretched hand, and the fierce look that came over Rogue's face as her hand darted out and she leeched on to him. The look of pure fear and terror that came over Onslaught's face, followed by a pain mirrored in hers. Cyclops's slid out of Onslaught's boneless fingers, coughing and grabbing his throat, his eyes clenched shut. Rogue screamed, the sound so full of anguish that the hairs on the back of Remy's neck stood up. Her eyes were wild, dark and pulsing, even as she tried to pull her hand away. Onslaught's face twisted, his skin pulled taught and glowing with a strange light that washed off him like waves, with Rogue as the shore.
Remy tried to stand, but his legs refused to hold his weight. He began to crawl then, desperately hoping to reach her, agonizingly slow. Bits of brick and plaster scratched at his ribs and legs as he dragged himself across the ground, mere inches from where she was. He looped his fingers around her ankle, pushing up her pants until the smooth skin of her calf was revealed. Then he held on.
She was lost in a whirlwind of dark, malevolent energy. She had absorbed those she had considered evil before. But never, ever, had she encountered such darkness before. And insanity. The backlash of Onslaught's resistance was staggering in its intensity, the memories that had recoiled and stung her flashing before her like a movie permanently stuck on fast-forwards. Magneto's life. Xavier's life. Onslaught's birth from it. It was terrifying to watch, to have the inner workings of their minds and lives displayed for her to see. Emotions, feelings, sights, sounds, and smells crowded in on her, confusing her, tossing her about and creating a whirling vortex in her mind, as other memories disappeared. The psyches that lived here with her shrunk away in terror, some screaming, others simply disappearing as they too were pulled into the vortex.
Somewhere among the confusion, a voice was calling out to her. She felt an infusion of warmth, of strength, and then suddenly he was there, inside her mind, his eyes glittering in the swirling mists. The mists cleared suddenly, dissipating into a long purple field. He stood there, alone.
What are you doing? She demanded. She didn't want him here too, but even as she spoke, his memories intermingled with Xavier's and Magneto's, images of a red-eyed boy.
You can't do this on your own, he replied, his voice warm.
You can't help me. You are just a figment. Just a stolen piece.
Non, he replied, looking around. I chose to be here. Derefor, I am in here wit' you.
It doesn't work like that. Ah steal souls, Remy. Even when your body regains consciousness, a bit of you will be in here. A bit that is you, but at the same time isn't. Ah can't explain it.
Well if de chere really wants to keep me, he joked, a smile on his face. I don't mind stayin'.
This isn't right. This isn't how it happens. Ah'm not supposed to be trapped in here unless someone else is in control. But Ah'm in control. And you aren't supposed to be anythin' more than…Ah don't know…Ah call them my wisps. See, she said, pointing the swirls of colored energy the floated lazily around them.
That would be courtesy of me. You see, I am nothing more than a mental entity, a psychic being. And since I don't want to be absorbed into your pitiful mind, I took us to the Astral Plane. I don't know, however, how you got here, Mr. LeBeau. Even his presence was terrifying, large and powerful in the limitless plane.
Jus' lucky, I guess. Gambit said, peering at his fingernails as if he had no concerns. He rubbed them on his shirt. Anyone ever tell you fuchsia is not your color?
Rogue choked on her laughter, struggling to stand under the weight of the psychic energy still swarming her. She could no longer connect with her body in the real world. Onslaught was standing next to Gambit, who was still chattering away. Onslaught merely smiled tolerantly at him, a look she had seen several times on the Professor. Only this smile turned her blood cold.
Suddenly, Onslaught lashed out, and Gambit fell to the ground, clutching his head. Rogue felt his anguished scream reverberate through the Astral Plane, and then he lay still and silent. Onslaught looked at her, his eyes glinting in the murky atmosphere.
You shall become the vessel. I grow tired of this weak old man, he said, moving towards her. Rogue took a step back, but a wall suddenly formed from the ground, blocking her. There is no escape. There is only acceptance. And soon there will only be me.
Never! Rogue said, her heart hammering in her chest. What happened if her mind died here? Would her body still be alive? Would he be able to inhabit the lifeless shell? She moved forward abruptly, dodging around him. Tendrils came up out of the ground, grabbing at her ankles. She fell forward, jarring her chin on the ground, even as she rolled. The tendril yanked her ankle and she let out a cry, even as she tore it from the plane's grip.
I control this place, Rogue. There is no escape.
Rogue crawled towards Gambit. She grabbed his shoulder and shook viciously. She needed help. She was out of her league. What had she been thinking? That she could absorb him and control him? She shook harder.
Onslaught knelt in front of her, his face almost tender. He took her chin in his hand, forcing her to meet his eyes. You'll like it. You'll see. The power is incredible.
You are sick! Rogue screamed, jerking her chin from his grasp and scooting backwards away from him. She rubbed the spot his fingers had touched. It was numb.
If you resist, it will be worse. You may not survive.
Why do you care?
I don't, he said, nonchalantly, but he does.
Who? Magneto? Xavier?
Does it matter? She could go no further, the tendrils coming up to wrap around her arms, her legs, and her waist. She was held immobile as he knelt before her again, his deep blue eyes gleaming. Soon you shall be mine, your powers mine! And after that, the world shall be mine. I have the necklace. I have the power. I have it all!
Many men have spoken those very words before, Onslaught. And none have lived to tell the tale of their failures.
You! Onslaught hissed, turning around. The Professor stood behind him, tall and strong and proud, his eyes narrowed in anger.
You have hurt too many people this day, Onslaught. I created you. I can destroy you. His voice was level, even, accepting. Rogue caught a glimpse of the terrible burden he bore, the sadness in his eyes. You shouldn't be here, he said to her. He lifted a hand and a faint blue glow surrounded her and Gambit.
I chose for them to be here! Onslaught raged, jerking them back from where they had begun to float. And I am stronger than you!
Xavier laughed. Don't you see how absurd that is? You are me, in a sense. All of me I wished to never embrace. But I accept that, now. I accept you. A man cannot exist without evil. How else would he be good?
With those words, Onslaught began to fade, to dissipate, his being torn in two. Magneto stumbled free, falling to his knees, his face a white mask of pain, before collapsing into unconsciousness. A mirror image of Xavier stood before the Professor, Onslaught's true being. I accept you, Xavier said, placing his hand out, palm up stretched. You are me. Onslaught smiled, and lay his hand on top of Xavier's. The energy around him began to swirl and dance, the psyche glowing with power.
Professor! A voice cried. Rogue turned to see Jean standing there with a strange woman. No!
It's too late. He is gone! Onslaught cried, his spirit rushing into Xavier's. The Professor let out a cry, grabbing his head.
This is not the way! The strange woman said, rushing forward to stand before Xavier. This was not your destiny!
I make my own destiny, Rachel, Onslaught said, grabbing the girl by her throat and lifting her up. And you have interfered too often.
Leave her alone! Jean cried. She began to glow, a muted blue that quickly changed into a fiery orange. Her hair flowed out behind her, curling and licking her head like flames. Her eyes glowed in the dim light, a fierce, brilliant green. It is me you want.
Yes, Onslaught said, dropping Rachel. Come to me, Child of the Light. Your rightful place is with me. Think of the power we'd have, together!
I don't need your power, Onslaught! Jean cried, levitating. The glow around her formed into flames, her arms outstretched like wings. Her eyes were pure flames, and Rogue was unable to look away, even as she watched in horror as Jean's face changed, an evil smile splitting her face.
Hear me! No longer am I the woman you once knew! I am Fire! And Life Incarnate! Now and Forever! I amPHOENIX.
No! Rachel cried, grasping her head as a strange symbol began to glow over her eye. This isn't right! This isn't right! She let out a strangled cry as she too burst into flames. They dripped from her skin, clung to her body, lifted her in the air like an offering.
I am whole! Jean cried, her voice echoed, as if she spoke with many. The sound hurt Rogue's ears. I have the power of universes!
You must, Rachel cried, her one visible eye burning into Rogue with it's intensity, destroy her. Before it is too late!
It is already too late! I am what was, what is, what will bethe Black Angel, Chaos-Bringer! IAMPOWER!
What can I do? Rogue begged.
There is nothing you can do. I burn through self-deception, I burn through lies, I burn through LIFE! Flames extended from her figners, curling around Onslaught, cradling him almost tenderly, and lifting him towards her. She grasped her hands onto his face, hers descending, her mouth open. Rogue watched in horror as a brilliant white energy was sucked from Onslaught straight into Jean's open mouth. When it was gone, she dropped Onslaught. Rachel fell as well. Neither moved. Jean turned her eyes on her. The flames were dimmer now, the green showing through. And an incredible sadness.
Rogue. It is over. Onslaught it gone, forever.
Jean? Are you…okay? It seemed silly to ask, as the other girl stood in full glory, surrounded by flames.
I…don't know. I don't….think so. The flames around her were snuffed out and she lowered herself to the ground, sinking, wrapping her arms around her knees. She was shaking. What happened?
You don't know? Rogue crawled towards her, sitting beside her and wrapping her arms around the older woman. She felt frail beneath her, and Rogue buried her face in her hair. She began to shake too, as the full weight of what had transpired weighed down on her. You saved me. You saved us. Hell, she laughed. You saved the world.
I'm scared, Jean said, her voice low and sad. They did something to me. Something…I don't know. There's this power in me now. I don't know if I can control it.
You'll find a way Jean. You're strong. Stronger than me.
She was silent. They sat there like that, the girl who never needed anyone and the woman that was finding out she needed more than she thought. She closed her eyes, leaning her head on Rogue's arm. She hoped, for all their sake, that she was right.
Sorry I've been so long in updating. Hope this satisfies ya'll! Oh and P.S. because i didn't explain it last time: the necklace voids Rogue's powers so when she gave it to Onslaught, she could use them again.
Ishandahalf: You are just too good!
Wen1: I promise more Jott in the sequel.
Ingrid: You can't die before you find out what else happens!
CalliopeMused: Thanks for the constructive criticism, I'll work on making my action more cohesive.
Tara: Glad it's clearer for ya.
Diaz F: Here's another chapter for you!
DemonicGambit: Haha! Look at the donkey with no butt!
Tim: Thank you!
Natural: Um...because he was too tired from using it before? Because he forgot? Or because I forgot? That seems like it is it. Sigh. You caught me:).
