Here's Johnny! Hope you enjoy, thanks, please R&R! THANKS!
Agent-G: Thanks for the praise, I appreciate it so much! Yeah, I may try a little 'Fogue', ya never can tell. Thanks!!!!!!
Red Witch: Well, the title was more about change in general, but I stuck a part in just for you! Actually, your review gave me the idea. THANKS!!!!!!
Chapter 14 – Rogue gets a New Pair of Shoes
The Institute, Med Lab, three days after the bonfire, afternoon
"Hello? Hello?!"
"Rogue, it's ok, you're in the Med Lab. At the Institute. How do you feel?"
"Forge?"
"Yes?"
"Where's Doc McCoy? Who's takin' care of me?"
"He'll be right back, he just went to the restroom. How do you feel?" he asked again, smiling at her.
"Ah'm thirsty. An Ah'm hungry. Ah want some salad." Rogue paused. "Wait, now, why'd Ah say that. Ah don't even like salad that much."
"You absorbed some of Sam, Mally, Paige, and Ms. Munroe after we lost the tug o' war at the bonfire. Do you remember?" queried Forge.
"Ah remember the tug o' war, an then......" She shut her eyes tight in fear and confusion. "Mahn, Ah have got some freaky stuff runnin' thru mah head."
"Well, you've got a little bit of those four in there, plus Logan. He touched you to bring you back to consciousness."
"Yes, Rogue, absorbing four mutant life energies at once is a bit much," said Dr. McCoy, coming into the room. "Apparently, your nuerosystem could not handle the influx of four mutant abilities, very diverse abilities at that. It shut down your internal life support systems. Logan touched you, and you absorbed enough of his ability to restart your system."
"Oh Mah GOD! Are they all OK?!?" Rogue gasped, eyes wide with fear. "Ah mean, I didn't......?"
"No,no, dear child, no! Sam, his sister, Mallory and Ororo were all fine after a days rest. Logan took a little longer, but he has also recovered."
"We were all worried about you, sheila," said Mally, leaning in the doorway of Rogue's room, wearing his lab coat. "are you feeling betta?" He twitched his whiskers at her.
She tried to make her face 'twitch' back before she knew what she was doing. "Oh mah Lawd, did Ah just do what Ah think Ah did?" She turned to Forge. "That's why Ah wanted a salad, too, Ah'll bet." She said.
"Yes, my dear, and there are a few...other anomalies we need to talk about. But later, when Professor Xavier can parley with us." Dr. McCoy turned to address Forge and Mally. "Gentlemen, will you please prepare the girl a meal upstairs while I run a few tests. Thank You."
The Institute, Professors' Office, afternoon"Logan, I have a job for you. Do you feel up to it?" Charles inquired.
"As long as I don't have to fight Marko, yeah, Chuck, what do you need?" growled Logan.
"I have located a mutant girl, in the Morlock tunnels. As far as I can tell, she has not made contact with any of the Morlocks yet, and I would prefer to keep it that way." stated Charles. "Please take Kurt, Robert, Mally, and Rahne, and try to make contact. She is very frightened, mind you. And Logan," he continued, "She does not look normal, and she had been abused by humans before. Have Rahne switch to her werewolf self, and Robert to his ice form, before you make contact. I have a good feeling she will accept you all easier that way."
"You think Rue is ready for a misson?" Logan arched his brow.
"Unless you don't, yes. He is a responsible young man." Xavier responded.
"Sounds OK to me." Logan puzzeled. "What, is she furry, or made of glass or somethin'?" Logan asked.
"I'm not sure, Logan, but she knows she is different. She seems......afraid of herself." replied Charles.
"Ok, lemme grab those three as soon as they get back from school," he looked at his watch, "in about a half hour. Will you 'tell' Mally to meet us in the Motorpool? That'll gimme time to get things ready." said Logan.
"Yes. Thank you, Logan, and good luck." bid Charles.
The Institute, Med Lab, half hour laterRogue was finishing up her soup and salad the boys had made for her. 'Mally can really make a good salad,' she thought, 'or I'm really hungry.'
Forge was sitting with her, taking care of her. Dr. McCoy was sitting at a small desk nearby, going over his notes. As she finished up her chicken broth, the Professor hovered in.
"Good afternoon, Rogue, glad to see you're awake and feeling better. Is there anything you need?" The Professor smiled at her.
"No suh, I don't guess so. Except Ah want the Doc to tell me why my body feels different, but he said we was waitin' for you, Professor." Rogue stated.
"Of course, and I'm here now, we can go over everything. Henry?" Charles said, although he was looking at Forge.
"Uhmm, I got some things to work on in the lab," Forge stammered, "but I'll be back later to look in on you." He smiled at Rogue.
"Ok, seeya.", she said. 'Why is he acting so weird, I wonder' she thought to herself.
As Forge exited, the Doctor wheeled his exam chair over to her bed. Charles addressed her.
"Rogue, it appears that some changes to your mutation have occurred as a result of the accident at the bonfire." He started.
"Grrrreat, what, now Ah can't even be around people too long or sumthin'?" Rogue grumbled.
"Heavens no, nothing like that. Not at all." Dr. McCoy said. He handed her a thin metal rod, about half an inch thick. "Please, hold this for me, Rogue."
She took it. It was iron, felt like it was about two pounds.
"How heavy does it seem?" the Doctor asked.
"'Bout two or three pounds, Ah guess."
"Hmmm." Henry wrote something on his pad. "Bend it in half please."
"Wha?! Doc, you know Ah can't do that! What are you tryin' ta say?" Rogue looked from Beast to Professor X.
"Just try." smiled Charles.
She took it in two hands, shut her eyes tight, and tried. It bent easily, she didn't even have to try.
"Oh Mah GOD! Doc, are you pullin' my leg? Did Ah jest bend that?" Rogue wondered.
"Assuming that we are both in the same reality right this moment, I would conclude yes, you did. That bar also weighs ten pounds." Dr. McCoy wrote more notes.
Rogue gulped. "Oh mah Lawd..."
The Doctor reached out to take the bar back. As always, Rogue pulled back, afraid she might touch him.
"Sorry, Doc, but Ah don't wanna be furry, no offense." she smiled shyly.
"Oh, none taken, my dear girl," the Doctor smiled, "but I do need to touch you. Have no fear, the Professor can help me if any malfunctions occur."
"It's Ok Rogue." The Professor was smiling also. "Give it a try."
The Beast held out his hand. Rogue looked at it, scared as a little girl. She reached out slowly, not wanting to hurt the Doc, not at all, oh why are they making me do this, they know what's gonna happen, please God NO –
::touch::
Before she realized it, she had placed her hand in the Doctors big furry 'paw'.
"But – Ah – Wha – Can't – Nevah- Ah!" she said looking at her hand in his. She looked at the Doctor, then the Professor, then fainted.
The Institute, entrance hall, minutes laterThe high school students were returning from their second day of classes. Everyone was talking about the new things going on.
"...and Chemistry is gonna kill me. Me noggin won't accept it..."
"...yeah, same ole desk as last year. Ah scraped mah initials on it..."
"...and Lance is still, like, a major dork! You know what he said?..."
"...and ze new German teacher does not know vhat he says about..."
"Nightcrawler! Iceman! Wolfsbane! Meet me in the motor pool in ten minutes, and I don't mean fifteen. Suit up!" Logan barked from the elevator. The doors closed on him, and down it went.
"Oh crap, I can't even put my books down and the hairy one beckons..." whined Bobby.
"Svell, no snack for me. Oh, vell..." moaned Kurt.
"Quit yer bellyachin', we must have an adventure ta go on!" piped Rahne, smiling.
"You eat dog food." Bobby quipped back, heading for the elevator.
The Institute, Med Lab, minutes later'Rogue, wake up. You fainted child, but you are fine. Wake up.'
Rogue opened her eyes. She was still in her bed in the Med Lab, Dr. McCoy beside her, the Professor on her other side. They were both smiling.
"......Did Ah jest...touch...you?" she whispered to Dr. McCoy.
"Yes, you certainly did, dear girl. And here I remain, unharmed. How do you feel?" he asked.
"Ah, Ah, Ah, feel fine, Ah guess. Ah can't believe Ah fainted. Ah'm sorry." She blushed. "Ah really touched you?" she asked again.
"Yes, you touched him, and I felt no unordinary nuero patterns in either of you." Charles stated.
"But Ah thought mah power made that impossible! Ah mean, Ah never thought Ah would touch anyone ever again! What happened to me?!" Rogue cried, getting excited. She grabbed the rail of her medical bed, and crushed it in her hand. "Oh no, Ah'm sorry, Ah forgot about bending that bar! Ah'm sorry! What HAPPENED to me!?!"
"Remain calm, Rogue, it's all OK," the Professor soothed her, "Dr. McCoy thinks that your absorbing four mutant abilities, then a fifth has had some side effects. Doctor?" Charles turned to Hank.
"Well, yes, the side effects. Hmmm, you see, my findings point to several different areas. First, your strength has been enhanced. Your mutant genes meshed with those you absorbed from Mallory, Paige, and Logan, all of whom have metahuman abilities. Without testing, I shan't say how strong you are, but the facts lead me to believe that every muscle in your body has been heightened near to the strength level of Mallory's legs." Hank cleared his throat. "Second, due to some combination of Mallory, Samuel, Paige, and Logan, you now project a force shield around your person, protecting you from harm, and protecting others from your inherent mutant ability. You can still use your original power...well, I'll forgo explaining that and let the Professor tell you. I'll end by saying that your personage is very close to invincibility, as to what I know at this point in my examination. Any questions?"
"So mah arms are as strong as Mally's legs?" Hank nodded, smiling. "That boy jumps forty feet high! An he muss weight at least 200 pounds! Lawd!" she said, flexing her fingers.
"And, like Samuel and Mallory, except to a higher degree, you are safe from most attacks of a physical nature," chimed the Professor, "though I don't think it protects your mind from attacks. I encountered no resistance earlier, when you had fainted. And for an undetermined reason, it shields your inherent power off from others, unless you want to use it." Charles smiled. "You basically have to will it, concentrate on it, and your shield will drop momentarily, letting you absorb energy."
"Fat chance I'll wanna be usin' that power anymore, wasn't no good anyhow," Rogue said, frowning.
"Well, you can if you have too, or need to at some point in the future. I will show, and practice with you, some methods of concentrating that work very well." Charles finished.
"Is this all...permanent?" Rogue asked.
"Without further testing, I hesitate to answer, but it seems so." Hank replied.
"What did I get from Ms. Munroe?" Rogue puzzeled.
"I can not begin to guess. Maybe something unrevealed, maybe nothing at all." The Doctor said.
'Knock-knock'
The door opened, revealing all the students who were not with Logan, standing out in the hallway.
"Hey, Skunkhead, we just wanted to see if you were better!" Jubilee was standing up front, smiling.
The Institute, the motorpool, 15 minutes laterRue, Iceman, Wolfsbane, and Nightcrawler were standing in front of Logan. He was briefing them on the mission they were about to undertake.
"Everybody got it? And remember, this girl might be scared of us. So go in with kid gloves on, but be alert." He looked at Mally. "You ready for this, bub?"
"Right-o, am I! Beats the heck outta sweepin' up Forgies messes, and it gets me outta tonights classes!" Mally smiled, laying his new bat on one shoulder. "Let's go, mates!"
They climbed into the full size military style Hummer to the right. Logan goosed it, and they headed for Manhattan.
The Institute, Forge's Lab'I hope everything is Ok for Rogue,' Forge thought, 'she's had it pretty rough already. Hank was kind of quiet about any findings he has, usually he runs them by me, whether I can help or not.' He fiddled around with some equipment at his bench, not really paying any attention. He attached this to that, screwed the switch on here, got some batteries. 'Oh, look,' he thought, 'I've created a portable light source. I reinvented the flashlite.'
He looked at the clock on the wall. 'How long before I can go see Rogue?' he wondered.
New York City, side alley, eveningLogan stopped. He sniffed. "This one'll do," he said, looking down at a manhole cover, "it's right near the coordinates Chuckles gave me." He shot out one claw, and flipped it open. "Wolfsbane, you and I first, followed by Nightcrawler an Iceman. Rue, bring up the rear. Keep the eye in yer ass open, bub, there's people down here we don't get along with too well." With that, he dropped down into the sewer.
"Blimey, this stinks!" Wolfsbane growled, in her werewolf form. "I cannot imagine how Wolvie can take it." Winking at Rue, she jumped down after him.
Nightcrawler !BAMPH!'ed down, Iceman slid in after.
"Well, I needed a bath anyway, have at 'em!" Rue hopped into the hole.
It was dark and dank in the sewer. Wolverine looked at the satellite link reciever he had clipped to his belt. It was linked to Cerebro. There was a red glow about 200 yards ahead. "Move out.", he hissed.
They started down the sewer, Rue having to duck a bit. Steam was coming off Iceman, which gave Rue the chills, no pun intended.
'Crikey, this place smells like warm poopie. I wunda if Bobby can smell in that form?' he thought. He looked behind them every second or so, sometimes stopping for a second and sniffing. So far, so good.
"Stop." Breathed Wolverine. He stopped and sniffed. She's around the bend in that pipe." He thought for a second. "Wolfsbane. Go to canine form. Try to approach her without being scary."
She transformed, becoming a full wolf. She whimpered at first, it was really smelly down here for canine senses. Then she trod around the corner.
'I'll use a trick from those old 'benji' movies' she thought, taking on a bit of a limp, and whimpering more.
Wolfsbane saw her ahead, sitting in an alcove. She turned up her 'act' a bit. The girl saw her coming, and hid further into the shadows. Wolfsbane whined louder, like she was hurt. The girl peeked out. Her eyes where white, like Storm's were when she used her powers. She had weird birthmarks, or maybe tattoos around her eyes, Wolfsbane guessed light red. She couldn't tell as a wolf, but she had gotten good at guessing shades. She looked up at the girl and whimpered softly.
"Hey doggie, you lost?" the girl whispered. "Hey, you Ok? Is your paw hurt.
Wolfsbane shook her head like a human would for 'no'.
"Huh? No? What? Do you understand me? No way..." the girl laughed at herself. "Must just be my imagination."
Wolfsbane barked, shaking her head again.
"You DO understand me!" the girl said, her awe like a childs'. "Can you talk? What's your name?" she asked, excited. She had been alone a long time.
Wolfsbane walked closer to her, sat, and held up her hand like a dog trying to 'shake'. 'This is humiliating, but it might work.' she thought.
"You want to shake? Do you want to shake, girl?", the stranger asked. The girl reached down and took Wolfsbane's 'paw' in her hand.
Quick as a flash, Wolfsbane transformed back to 'human' form, her paw changing to a hand in the other girls clasp.
"Please, don't ya be frightened, lassie,", she said quietly, "Me name is Rahne, an I'm just like you. We're mutants, ya see, and not bad people like some be sayin'. Not all of us, anyhows."
The girls breathing stopped. Rahne could see she was petrified.
"Please, I know a good man, an he'll help ye, I know he will! He helped me, and all o' me friends, too. A lot of us are just like you, ya know, different looking. We can get you outta here." Now that Rahne could see her, see noticed her lavender skin tone. Her hair was reddish pink, as were the marks around her eyes. She also saw her other hand held a lightly glowing something.
"I don't want to hurt you." The girl said, quietly, but you could tell she meant it.
Rahne smiled. "Then don't, please. If you don't want to come, I won't be forcin' ya. But we really can help." Rahne stopped for a second. "Would ya like to meet my boyfriend?" she asked.
"Your...boyfriend?" the girl looked confused. "Why would I want to meet your boyfriend? I don't even know you."
"Well, he's a really nice bloke, and he's like you, well, sorta. He's different, ya know, sticks out a bit. Well?"
"I...guess. But I can get away, you know, anytime I want, so if this is a trick..." the girl cautioned.
"No tricks, lass, my word on it." Rahne turned on her com unit. "Rue, come up here please. By yerself. Pronto."
"There's more than one of you here?" the girl asked, backing up.
"Yeah, but just wait. If yer scared of how you look, ya gotta meet Nightcrawler." Rahne smiled.
They heard Rue coming. He turned the corner, catching sight of them. He didn't even miss a beat at seeing the strange girl.
"Hello, who's this?" He asked, smiling his big goofy grin. "Hiya, my names Mally, what's yorn?"
The girl stared at him. "...C-Clarice..." she said without thinking.
"Oh, well, pleased ta meet ya Clarice. I like your eye make up. It's real punky!"
The girl named Clarice looked away, realizing she was staring. "Thank...you. I like your.........feet. Their so...big."
"Oh right, that's fer sure. If I rub 'em together too long, it starts a fire." Mally grinned.
"Really?" Clarice gasped.
Mally laughed. "No, no-no-no! Not really. I'm part kangaroo, see, check out me fur!" He pulled his jacket open, and Rahne reached up and scratched his chest. "I'm all fuzzy, like a joey, see? Keeps me warm as toast bread!" He looked down at Rahne and twitched his whiskers. She scrunched her nose back at him.
Clarice couldn't help but smile, but she was still wary. "Don't people, normal people, try to hurt you?"
"Well, they made fun o'me sure, but that was before I came to the states. Well, I guess people here would do it to, but my buddy Forge made a gadget that makes me look like a regular joe – not a joey!" Mally smiled. "Beside's people do as they do, but that doesn't botha me none. And the place where I live now, heck, I'm NORMAL! You seen me sheila Rahne here, she can change into a dingo!"
"I saw, earlier. It was amazing." Clarice mused.
"Wait til you see these guys." Mally grabbed his com unit. "Hey guys, s'alright, come on about."
She didn't know why, but she didn't want to run or fight. These strangers didn't seem to be hurtful, in fact they were just like he-!
"Oh my goodness!" Clarice breathed when Nightcrawler came around the bend. "He has a pointed tail!"
"Ja, and it can be quite handy, too. Almost like having tree hands!" Kurt said, bowing. "Ze amazing Nightcrawler, at your service. My name iz Kurt."
"And my names Iceman, but call me Bobby, that's my real name," said a boy made of ice, "and this is Wolverine, but we call him Mr. Logan. He's one of our teachers. Hiya!"
She didn't like the looks of the 'Logan' character, but when he said "Pleased ta meet ya, I'm sure" she didn't hear any malice in his tone.
"Look," said Logan, "If were goin', lets go. I don't wanna be wearing out our welcome down here. You comin', Clarice? Your choice."
Rahne scowled. "Mr. Logan, ye pretend yer a guard at Buckingham Palace." She turned back to Clarice. "Please, give us a shot. If'n ye don't like it, ye be free to go. We'll even take you wherever. Come on!"
"Yeah, give it a go. I did, and I'm a pretty happy camper. Everyone's real nice, and nobody makes light of ya, no matter what." Mally smiled, then held out his hand.
"Ok. As long as I can do things at my own pace. I haven't been with people for a long time...and thank you. Thank you so much." Clarices' eyes welled up.
"No water works, bub. Lets roll." Logan said, turning around.
"Wait." Clarice said. "Where'd you come in?"
"Manhole 'bout 200 yards upstream." Mally said.
"I know where you mean. Hang on." Clarice turned around, holding up her hands. A portal formed in front of her. "This way's quicker, and it smells better."
Mally and Rahne stepped through first.
The Institute, Girl Dorm,Rogue's Bedroom, eveningRogue wanted to take a walk on the grounds before going back to bed. Some fresh air would be nice. Doc McCoy said she could stay in her own bed tonight, but he wanted her to start school a week late, so he could test her further. Everyone had been thrilled at the news about her 'new' powers. She still didn't believe it, she was sure she would 'change back' any second now. She got out her tennis shoes, went to put them on. They were tight; they still fit, but they were a little to tight for comfort. She pulled her foot out and looked at it. It DID look a little bigger, but not so much. Not that anyone would notice. She would have to go shopping for new shoes, though, these were just to small. She put on flip flops instead. She thought about the size of Mally's feet. 'I guess I got lucky!' she thought, walking downstairs. On her way to the front door, she passed the Rec Room. Forge was in there, doing something to the XBOX. He waved.
"Hey Rogue, what's up?"
"Ah'm just goin' fer a stroll." Rogue waved back.
"Care for some company?" Forge asked, standing up. She shrugged.
He walked over to her, got her shawl out of the coat room, and put it on her shoulders. They walked out into the chilly night sky.
End – Chapter 15 – New People, New Powers, New Evil