A/N: I've been reading a few more fanfics and I realized that I'm losing my touch at writing. I've grown a little lazy and neglected to write in the usual amount of details I'd write in any of my stories. So I'm going to try to make this chapter a little better than all the others. You guys might be wondering why I wrote in that John and Piotr scene…I haven't decided if I'll continue to include them in later chapters, but I couldn't resist writing a whole section just for them. And since Kosumi was wondering about how Pyro would get involved in all this, it's gotten me thinking on how I should redevelop the whole story But anyway, I'm starting to rant, and I don't usually do so. Here's the next chapter! ((BTW, someone wanted me to kill Hakan off…lol, I didn't create the guy just to have him killed in the middle of the fanfic. So I apologize…he's gonna live ))


Remy nudged John's side with the toe of his boot. The Aussie grumbled then slowly regained consciousness. He looked up into the disapproving demon eyes of his Cajun teammate.

"Morning, mon ami. Sleep well?" Remy asked sarcastically.

John groaned and brought a hand to his aching head as he sat up. He was on the hard floor of their hideout, and he'd obviously been out for a while; all his muscles ached. "What the hell happened?"

Remy crossed his arms. "Rogue sucked you dry, that's what happened. What were you doing causing havoc at the park, anyway?"

John blinked several times, willing his eyes to adjust to the light of the room. "Entertaining people with a parade?"

"Try again."

"I was just looking for some fun, mate," John said irritably.

Remy nearly huffed in annoyance. "And you call yourself an Acolyte?"

"I call myself an unpaid employee who has nothing to do!" John yelled, then immediately regretted it. He groaned again as pain shot through his head and cradled it in his hands.

"Yeah, well don't let it happen again. Rogue's boy toy dumped you in a back alley. Lucky for you I was around." Remy turned and walked a few steps. "But next time, I may not be there to save you."

John glowered at the floor since he was, at the moment, unable to glower at Remy. "What do you see in her? She's the weirdest person in the world with the most problems. You're asking for trouble, playing this game of yours. And it may affect me and Piotr."

"I disagree; if there's anyone with a lot of problems, it's Magneto's daughter Wanda. As for trouble…I live for it. And if you don't want to get affected by what I do, I suggest you behave yourself and keep away from Rogue."

"I didn't even know she was there! Ow, my head…"

"Well, just behave and you won't risk running into her. Take Piotr's example, why don't you?"

John snapped his head around to look at the Russian, who was still sitting in his corner reading his damn book and ignoring them. "Are you crazy?"

"No, just being sensible. Now…" Remy reached behind him and revealed the twisted remains of his pole. "Would someone mind explaining this to me?"

John shot a look at Piotr, who finally glanced up from his book. "You gonna give him your apologies now, mate, or am I doomed to follow your example and destroy his future weapons as well?"

Remy's eyebrows rose in surprise as he looked over at Piotr. "You did this?"

Piotr didn't move or speak for several seconds; he just sat there looking like a cornered deer. Then he calmly closed his book and stood up, hands clasped neatly in front of him. "You see…it all started when John asked me why I take Magneto's shit…"


As much as Hakan disliked bringing her to a sober mood, he needed to know more about her friends and enemies if he wanted Eyrie to join Xavier's school. "Listen, Rogue…I know you've only known me for a day, but I need to know more about your life and the people you're acquainted with." At her self-conflicting look, he added, "For Eyrie."

"Oh," she said.

They were in Hakan's apartment, which was pretty near his family's. She took a seat on the couch, her eyes on her hands. He sat next to her and waited. She sighed before looking at him, her eyes searching his face.

"What I tell you can't be repeated," she began hesitantly.

He nodded.

"We can't risk exposure…"

Again, he nodded encouragingly.

She stared down at her hands, silent. She was obviously debating inwardly if she should reveal the school's secrets to a human. Did she trust him enough? Maybe. Would he keep quiet? Maybe. But would she get into trouble for telling him?

Hey, Logan kicked you out of the institute. He had this coming, a voice said in her head.

But what about the Professor? she argued.

He doesn't need to know.

He'd find out once I go back.

Hakan's a good guy.

Yeah, but he's a human.

He has a brother who's a mutant. He needs to know if he can trust you.

Oh, so now I'm the one who's being questioned about trustworthiness?

Just give the guy the information. Admit it; you trust him.

After ending the argument with herself, Rogue looked at Hakan again, who was still sitting patiently. "Xavier's school not only helps mutants to learn how to control their powers…it helps us cope with who we are. We're known as the X-Men and we train nearly everyday to learn how to make use of our powers for battle purposes."

Hakan's face grew concerned. "Battle?"

"We're not the only mutant group in Bayville, but we're the good guys. There's the Brotherhood, for instance. I used to be a part of them before I joined the X-Men because when my powers first manifested, I was scared and tricked into joining them. Then there are the Acolytes, the group where Remy and John belong in. They're one of our tougher enemies since their leader is Magneto, and–"

"Okay, hold on," Hakan interrupted. "You're part of the X-Men, and the Brotherhood and the Acolytes are your enemies?"

"Yeah." Rogue replied. "I know you're worried about Eyrie's safety, but the new recruits don't have to join in the fights."

"Actually, it's not his safety I'm too worried about. It's all of yours," he said.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about the rest of the students. They're used to being cautious around me, and they'll adjust to Eyrie pretty quickly. 'Course, they'll have to be even more careful, but…"

"He'll be all right. He's used to keeping his distance from people."

"Yeah…so am I."

They sat staring at different directions for a few minutes, both silent. Then Hakan cleared his throat. "Tell me more about the X-Men."

"There's really nothing more to us. We do have a few adults who fly the jets and stuff–"

"Whoa, hold up. You have jets?"

"Uh-huh."

"Um…Eyrie's kinda scared of heights."

"Don't worry about that, either. Like I said, the new recruits don't have to join our fights."

"Why exactly do you guys fight, anyway?"

Rogue turned to face him. "Magneto, a mutant who's considered the master of magnetism, wants mutants to rule the world and crap like that. The Professor sees a future where humans and mutants live together peacefully. When Magneto tries something, it's our job to squander his plans and kick the Acolytes' asses."

"I see," Hakan grinned. "What about the Brotherhood?"

"They're just a bunch of misfits my adoptive mother Mystique recruited. But when we're not tearing each other's hair out, they're okay. Two of them, Pietro and Wanda Maximoff, are Magneto's kids."

"Interesting. So you're sort of related to your opponent?"

"Yeah, kind of. Mystique's son Kurt is also an X-Man, and therefore my adoptive brother. Kitty, my roommate back at the institute, goes out with Lance from the Brotherhood. Amara's one of our newer recruits, and she's friends with Tabitha, a former Brotherhood member. Evan and Pietro have been rivals for some time now. Logan's nemesis is Sabertooth, who's also with Magneto. The Professor and Magneto have been friends since like forever, but because they have different views on how mutants should present themselves to humanity, they're technically enemies right now." Rogue paused to take a break. "As for me, you know that Remy is my unofficial stalker. So we're all tangled in various relationships, but we deal with it."

"Wow…sounds like a complicated life," Hakan remarked.

"It is, but I'm grateful for it. I mean, I felt pretty much like a pinball being bopped back and forth between foster homes a few years back before I ended up with my foster mother Irene."

Hakan looked at her sympathetically, but she brushed it off.

"Don't look at me like that. I don't need your sympathy."

"Sorry. I'm a sucker for young people with difficult lives."

"It's not so bad anymore. Well, until Logan sent me and Evan over here." She frowned for a moment. "But what do you think? Will Eyrie like living at the institute, based on what I've told you so far?"

Hakan thought for a moment. Then he nodded and grinned. "Yeah, I think he'll like it. It'll be better than what he has now; at least the other mutants will understand what he's going through."

Rogue's face darkened. "Hakan, no one can understand what he's going through, even the other mutants. In fact, none of us can understand each other's feelings toward our powers; they're all different."

"But…you at least have some idea what he's feeling, right? You know how he deals with it?"

"Yeah…but I'm the one who's taking it harder."


((I went to visit the Brotherhood today, looking for one of the guys. It was too bad he wasn't there, but at least I got to spend time with Wanda. She's actually a decent person, once you get through the anger and vengeance thing. Well, maybe I'll get to see him tomorrow.))

Evan frowned at the page. Why was she looking for someone there? And WHY were there so many guys in her life?

((I had lunch with Eyrie Caraway today, Hakan's younger brother. Eyrie is my age, with a power similar to mine…except his kills instantly. I feel like I can relate to him, both of us being untouchable and all. I hope that when Evan and I go back to the institute, the Professor can help Eyrie. I don't care about me anymore; I just want Eyrie to be able to control his powers so he can touch again without killing anyone. The kid needs love. I don't.))

This entry tugged at Evan's heart. Did she really think that she didn't need love to live? What kind of life was she seeing ahead of her? Given her mutation, probably a pretty dark and lonely one. Evan's expression darkened. Hakan, however, was obviously changing that. He'd have to do something about Hakan…the guy was suddenly proving to be a big nuisance. He glanced back down at the journal and turned to the next page.

((Am I actually feeling something stronger? I think I am…even if I'm not supposed to. Even if I can't. I think…I'm falling for him. Me, Rogue. The bitch who doesn't have the right to fall.))

Evan pressed his lips together tightly. Who was she talking about now? Him? Hakan? Or even Eyrie? The point was that she was feeling something for one of them, and he had to know who.


A/N: Hmm…not exactly how I wanted it to go. The discussion between Rogue and Hakan took longer than I expected, but I don't feel like taking it out. I think that I'm slanting toward ooc again… Oh well. And to answer Anime addicted's question, I'm now fifteen