Disclaimer: I don't own anything that Marvel owns. Cause Marvel owns it, not me.

-)Thank you some much for the reviews:

Club Boredom: Thanks for all the reviews. I was excited that you liked the story. On thing though, Remy's brother name is Henri according to most Marvel documentation. That's the name that all the fanfic writers use anyway. I think they only called him Bobby in the 90's X-men series.

Chica De Los Ojos Café: I know! Everyone is helping out. I figure that's how the X-Men would do things. They are so used to helping each other it's almost a reflex for them. Hey! I'm still waiting for the update for "I Wish". Please don't tell you discarded it!

SugarHighNutcase: Wow, what a coincidence on the names! I looked up on to find his mother's name. That's so weird but awesome in the same respects! Thank you for the Portuguese inspection.

Lamarquise: Thank you for the review. I like the long ones. As long you don't hate the story I'm cool. I am going to apply what you said. I definitely don't know French grammar and I don't want to make an ass out of myself either.

Special shout outs also go to: musagirl15, PadFootCc, Fauna Greywolf, unseenpunkgirl, and everyone else who reads this story but just didn't review.

Authors note: Sorry it took so long! This is my first full fledge fanfic and I realized something… I suck at writing fight scenes. It took me a while to figure out what to write and try to keep the corniness to a minimum. Also this chapter introduces the new mutant that I created! I had to make sure she was the perfect creation! I OWN HER! Go me! Hmm, I think I'm starting to sound like Nathaniel Essex… all I need is the muhahahaha…

Enjoy…

Chapter 9: Healed

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Rocinha

"Hey, homme!" Gambit directed to the nearest guy in front of him. The man looked at him blankly. Gambit pulled a playing card from his pocket showing it off to his oppressors. It began to gleam with red florescent as he charged it slightly. "Catch!" Gambit's eyes flashed maliciously as he threw the card toward the man.

The man's eyes followed the in-coming card. "What the---" He was interrupted by the loud boom causing him to fly against the wall knocking him out cold. Another guy turned from his gaze on the falling comrade and growled at the X-Men.

"It seems you have angered them." Beast whispered to Gambit.

"Yeah, thanks a lot." Sunspot groaned taking a fighting stance.

"Spread out!" Gambit order as their attackers advanced on them. With that a battle erupted in the little shaggy bar. Gambit figured that they were up against over thirty people. He took out his bo staff and quickly pressed the button in the middle to extend it. As Gambit's staff extended two men pressing toward him from behind and in front were knocked out of the way. He twirled his staff proficiently to the left blocking someone's metal bar. Using the resistance as support he swiftly extended his leg back kicking a man behind him. In a hasty movement he moved the same leg forward kicking the man in front of him square in the abdomen. The man stumbled back giving Gambit ample opportunity to punch him in the jaw. With a loud cracking sound the man slumped to the ground. Another guy kicked at Gambit only to have his leg grabbed in midair, "Y' mind tellin' me where I can find dat antidote, homme?"

The man let out a growl and did a twist swing kick with his other leg toward Gambit's head. Gambit let go of his leg and jumped back dodging his attack, "Not de answer I was lookin' fa'."

"Watch out!" Beast called out. Gambit ducked as a flying human collided with the man Gambit was currently fighting with. Both men fell to the ground not moving.

"Hey! Watch where y' throw them, mon ami!" Gambit yelled to Beast from his crouched position.

"My apologies." Beast grinned sheepishly from his position near the main door. He then turned his attention to a goon running toward him with a wooden chair. Beast raised his leg and kicked the chair slamming it back into the man's face. All the men in the bar were surprised with Beast's strength. Although he looked like a weak commoner he hit with the force of an animal.

By the abandoned bar counter-top Sunspot was busy counting the number of bad guys he had knocked out so far. Up until now he had counted ten. He picked up a discarded stick from the ground and whacked his current opponent in the knee. He took another swing at his head; hearing the satisfying thud on impact Sunspot smiled. Eleven.

Gambit threw a couple punches trying to get someone to talk. He was getting aggravated from the useless fighting that obviously weren't getting them anywhere. His aggravation plus worry over Rogue's diminishing condition could be seen through his overly hostility toward their adversaries. Grabbing another goon's neck Gambit shoved the man hard against a nearby wall. "I'm gettin' very impatient, homme! Where's de antidote?" Gambit spat leaning into the man's face. The man let out a malicious laugh for his answer. Gambit growled at this punching him twice in the face and slamming him into the wall again. "Where is it!" Gambit yelled angrily.

The man's nose trickled with blood and he smiled showing off his blood ravaged teeth, "Vá ao inferno!" (Go to hell!)

Before Gambit could answer he heard a shot ring out through the room. He let go of the man and turned quickly. He is eyes widened as he realized he was staring at a bullet floating in mid air right in front of his face.

"Merde…" Remy gasped. He moved out of the path of the bullet and with in seconds the bullet shot forward shattering into the wall.

"What de..." Remy exclaimed looking around the room for the person who had shot the gun. The man was a few feet away aiming the gun toward Remy. The man stared at Remy in shock for a moment. He had aimed the gun perfectly at Remy's head but somehow Remy had evaded it just in time. He was about to press the trigger again but Beast got to him first. He tackled the man to the ground and knocked him unconscious.

"Dude, did you just dodge that bullet?" Roberto looked at him wide-eyed.

"Oui." Remy swallowed hard and pushed his fingers through his hair feeling the shock and relief overwhelm his body. Something about looking death in the face and evading it made his wholr body weak for a moment.

"Impressive…" Hank nodded in awe while getting up from the ground.

"I'll say! It was like you were moving with super speed. How did you manage to do that?" Roberto inquired walking up to Remy.

"I have no clue." Remy replied still stunned from his brush with death.

"Did you retrieve any information during our battle?" Hank asked Roberto and Remy. They both shook there head solemnly. Currently all of the inhabitants of the bar were passed out on the floor.

"We need to find Salgado!" Roberto said to the X-men.

Snapping out of his shock Remy returned his thoughts to the situation at hand, "I doubt de homme still be here." Remy began to walk toward the office they had left Salgado in.

"Comece-os!" (Get them!) Someone yelled from the outside doorway. Remy turned to see about twenty more people headed toward them.

"There like roaches!" Roberto groaned.

"Sophisticated roaches." Hank added referring to the nice black and white suits the men were dressed in. Once again the X-Men began to fight off their oppressor. A couple of seconds into the battle Remy felt a wave of uneasiness come over him causing him to stumble back. Everything became quiet as if nothing in the room was moving. He looked around and realized that the men they were currently fighting had been frozen in their tracks. He glanced over to Roberto and Hank who shared the same look of confusion as he had plastered on his face. For some reason whatever it was that just happened wasn't affecting them because only their adversaries were immobile in position. Some looked as though they were in the midst of walking others look like they were in the middle of a battle. Their facial expressions were stuck on their faces as if they were living statues. The only thing that could be heard was the three men heavy breathing.

"My stars and garters! Who's doing this?" Hank finally spoke after a moment breaking the silence.

"Don't look at me! I know my mutations and that's not one of them." Roberto said to them.

"It ain't me." Remy replied still in shock. He figured that whoever had halted the men in place had been the same person that stopped the bullet from shattering his skull.

"It's like they're all frozen." Roberto said waving his hand in a man's face. The man didn't react to his movements. Out of nowhere laughter entered the room. All three men turned to see the little girl from before standing in the doorway leading to the outside.

"Hola." She greeted politely.

"Did y' do dis? Are y' a mutant?" Remy asked her. She looked at him confused for a minute.

"I don't believe the child understands English." Hank concluded.

"Well, say somet'ing to de petite fille." Remy told Roberto.

"What do you want me to say?" Roberto asked back.

"I don' kno'!" Remy shrugged. "Ask her about de antidote."

Roberto nodded and looked at the girl, "¿Hola, puede usted encontrar un antídoto para nosotros?" (Hello, can you find an antidote for us?)

"I heard about you coming. Senior Salgado says no antidote." The little girl shook her head.

"You speak English!" Roberto shouted.

The little girl looked at him and giggled, "Of course I can speak English, silly."

"What do you mean by 'no antidote'" Hank asked the child politely.

"There is none. He told a big mean man that. He laughed and went away. They knew you were coming. But I can help." The girl gave them a toothy grin. "Vayamos!" She ran out of the door. The X-men looked at each other for a moment and then followed the little girl out of the bar.

"Hold on! The men in the bar… how did you freeze them like that?" Roberto asked the girl as they followed her.

"They're not frozen. We go faster!" The girl smiled.

"So you must be a mutant." Hank inferred.

The girl stopped running and looked at him with confusion, "What's a mutant?"

"A person with special abilities." Hank replied simply. He could get into the whole genetics of things but he presumed the little girl wouldn't understand.

The girls face grew with delight, "Senior Salgado says that I am special! So does that mean I'm a mutant?"

"Yes, yes it does." Hank answered. "Your name is Isabel, right?"

"¡Sí!" The girl said proudly.

"How old are you, Isabel?" Roberto inquired of her.

She held up her hand showed four fingers, "Cuatro años." (four years)

Hank stared at her for a minute. He never seen a mutant developed their mutation at such a young age. He had met Leech when he was six but even Leech didn't know how to control his powers. This little girl seemed to not only control her powers but know how to use them proficiently. However, from her dingy clothing and wild hair Hank could tell she was not being taken care of properly. "Where do you live?"

Isabel frowned. "I don't live anywhere."

"Where are your parents, then?" Roberto asked.

"I don't have any." Isabel responded looking at her feet.

"How do you know Salgado?" Hank asked her.

"Senior Salgado says I'm special. He always gives me food and candy. He says that one day I will be the best person in the whole world." Isabel said happily. She spread her arms outward to imitate how big the whole world was. Hank and Roberto looked at the girl sympathetically. She didn't have a family or a place to live. She was just too young to be on her own. Lord knows what Salgado was putting into her head.

"What did Salgado say that made you special?" Hank asked kneeling down in front Isabel.

"I have two things that make me special." Isabel said proudly. "I can go faster than anybody and if I think really really hard I can make people go faster with me, too."

"Wow that is special." Roberto told her almost feeling like he was in a Barney video.

"Uh-huh!" Isabel nodded happily.

"What is the other thing that makes you special?" Hank asked her kindly.

"I can't tell you." Isabel said playing with the hem of her dingy shirt.

"Why not?" Roberto questioned.

"Senior Salgado told me to always keep it a secret. I get new clothes when I do." Isabel said confidently.

"I see…" Roberto responded. He looked over the girls dingy rags wondering what Salgado considered to be 'new clothes'.

"Y' were in de Copacabana earlier, petite. Wat were y' doin' dere?" Remy asked her remembering their first encounter earlier.

"I had to tell Salgado when you come. He told me to." Isabel said with little enthusiasm. Remy turned to look at Hank. Apparently Salgado was using the little girl as a spy. And with her mutation she could move from one place to another in a blink of an eye. Salgado basically had the girl doing his dirty work.

"You guys ask a lot of questions." Isabel said making a face at them. "My turn! What's your name?"

"My name is Hank. That's Roberto and that's Remy." Hank said pointing to the two people behind.

"Woberto… I call my friend Wobbie! I call you Wobbie, too." Isabel smiled.

Remy chuckled, "Wobbie sounds cute, petite."

"Shut-up, Remy." Roberto snapped at him.

"Wemy! That's a silly name!" Isabel giggled.

"Yeah, Wemy." Roberto let out a teasing laugh. Remy shot him a glare. Hank just laughed. The girl would have a hard time pronouncing 'R's for at least another year.

"The big mean man said you were Diablo! Are you really?" Isabel asked Remy.

"Non, I'm not." Remy answered simply.

"I knew it! El Diablo is big and scary. You just have different eyes. Just like me." Isabel smiled referring to her own abnormally gray eyes that shone brightly contrasting to her light brown skin.

Remy laugh lightly, "Oui."

"What are you speaking?" Isabel looked at him puzzled.

"I'm speakin' French, petite."

"Oh, where are you from, then?" Isabel asked them.

"We are from America." Hank responded.

Isabel eyes widened with excitement, "Oh wow! I never been there before. Senior Salgado says it's far far away."

"It is… How would y' like t' go wit' us back t' America?" Remy asked her. He knew there was no way he would leave the little girl in this condition. He knew what it was like to live on the streets and fend for himself. He also knew how it was to be taken in by someone who cared only to nurture his mutation. There was no way he would let anyone live that kind of life if he had a say in things. "We live in a big house and dere be a lot of people who are special, jus' like y' dere, petite."

Isabel's mouth made a small 'o' in amazement. However, her excitement dissipated quickly with the realization of what leaving would mean. "I can't." She said sadly.

"Why not?" Hank queried.

"Senior Salgado says I can't go too far away unless I finish my training in the morning. If I leave and he can't find me and he will get really mad."

"Does he do mean things when he gets mad?" Roberto asked her.

"No, not him. The mean men that work for him do." Isabel replied sadly. "That's why I help you get away cause they do mean things to people all the time."

"Thank you for helping us, Isabel." Hank smiled at her.

Remy knelt next to Hank and took the little girls hand, "Don' worry about Salgado or his hommes. Y' don' need t' stay here. We can take y' t' a place where y' can live and be safe."

"Really!" Isabel asked eagerly. All three men nodded. "Oh, I want to go!"

"Well, let's go." Hank said taking Isabel's hand as they walked back to the jeep.

"So dere is no antidote?" Remy asked quietly when they arrived in front of the jeep.

"No." Isabel said simply. Hearing the answer, Remy could feel the anger and grief growing inside of him. He realized that it was all a lie, a fucking gimmick. Deadpool had no antidote from the beginning. Hank said that there were no such antidote ever found when he did his research and this was true. His angers soon turned to helplessness. Rogue was dying and there was nothing he could do to help her. It was as if his heart was being ripped from his chest and there was nothing he could do about it. The woman that meant the world to him would be taken away because of the one person he hated the most. And what hurt more than anything was that fact that he wasn't by her side right now. She was going through the pain alone while he was stuck in Brazil on an empty chase. Coming to South America was only deterrence from the evitable concentrated on false hope. As the anguish build up in him he let out an exhausted cry, kneeling to the ground and slamming his fist into the dirt road.

Isabel jumped back frightened by Remy's anger. She glanced up at Roberto with fear in her eyes. "Why Wemy so mad?"

Roberto looked down at Isabel and sighed. "Someone very important to him is very sick. The antidote was supposed to be the only thing that could help her."

Isabel turned back to Remy. "I can help her." She told him quietly.

Remy looked at the little girl. Her gray eyes stared back him with the utmost sincerity. "How can you help?" Remy asked dimly.

"If I tell you my secret will you promise not to tell anyone else?" Isabel asked.

Remy looked at the other X-Men. They both shrugged at him. "I promise." Remy said to her. Isabel walked over to him and leaned into his ear covering her mouth with her small hand. A smile grew on Remy's face when she was done, "Have y' done it befo'?" Isabel nodded in response.

"Y' must be très special, then." Remy told her taking hold of her hand. "Like un ange."

"What's that?" Isabel asked scrunching her nose.

"It's French fa angel." Remy explained. Isabel smiled at him. She had never been called an angel before.

Isabel's smile faded abruptly, "We have to go or the mean men will come and get us. I can't go fast anymore."

"Sure, let's get out of here!" Roberto replied hurriedly seeing the first group of goons run out the bar headed toward them. Remy quickly picked up Isabel and put her in the back seat of the jeep gently.

"Y' remember how t' get us out of here?" Remy asked Roberto as he took the drivers seat. Hank got in the passenger seat and Remy hopped in next to Isabel.

"Yep! I know this place like the back of my hand." Roberto assured hitting the accelerator.

"So, do you think the child can help Rogue?" Hank asked Remy.

"I hope she can. She's our last and only chance to save her." Remy replied. He was hoping that what the little girl told him was true. But more than that, he was hoping that they would reach Rogue in time.

Xavier Mansion

War Room

"Where is he! We don't have time for this." Jubilee crossed her arms over her chest. She was standing with Sam, Amara, Ray, and Tabitha in the War Room. They all had their full X-Men apparel on waiting impatiently for Bobby to meet up with them.

"Maybe he got caught." Ray shrugged.

"If he did I'm going to--" Jubilee was cut-off as one of the ninja boys came strutting into the room nonchalantly.

"How he get out of the danger room!" Amara shouted wide-eyed. With quick reflexes Ray grabbed the ninja and tackled him to the ground.

"I didn't know you liked me that much but GET OFF ME!" Bobby grunted under Ray's weight.

"Bobby!" Jubilee ran over to them. Ray scrambled off Bobby and shot up quickly while Jubilee helped Bobby up.

Bobby pulled off his mask and smiled proudly, "Perfect disguise, huh?"

"I'll say." Tabitha nodded with approval.

"You could have given us some warning before strolling in here like that." Ray snapped.

"Sorry, dude. I had to make sure it worked first. I brought one for you too." Bobby threw the clothing toward Ray.

Ray caught it with a face of disgust. "No way am I wearing this man!" Ray shoved it into Sam's hands. "They shit themselves in these if you haven't forgotten."

"Ewww!" Sam moaned dropping the clothing on the floor.

"I got them out the wash when I was looking for my uniform. I think John put them there this morning." Bobby explained.

"That's still disgusting!" Ray said with a contorted face.

"Oh, come on Ray! It's clean and downy fresh... You've been acting like a real bitch lately. Is it that time of the month for you or something?" Bobby teased.

A slight charge flashed in Ray's eyes. "Just shut up!" Ray retorted crossing his arms feeling very insulted.

"He's kind of right. I mean you're usually carefree. But today…" Amara began.

"Oh, leave Electro-boy alone." Tabitha gave Ray a supporting whack on the back. Ray winced at her gesture and slumped into a chair. "Speaking of the ninja boys, where are they? I went by the Danger Room on my way here but I didn't see them anywhere." Tabitha asked diverting attention back to Bobby.

"I locked those fake-me-out-ninja dudes in the Rec room with a bunch of junk food and I put the TV on cartoons. It was better than being locked up in the danger room, anyway." Bobby shrugged helping a more willing Sam put on the downy fresh ninja suit.

"Let me get this straight… Our prisoners are currently naked lounging in our rec room, watching our TV, and eating our food. Is it me or does the whole imprisonment thing not work that way?" Jubilee stated with a mixture of anger and sarcasm.

"Oh Jubes, calm down. They're not naked." Bobby assured her.

"That's good to know." Jubilee replied rolling her eyes.

"I almost want to see Logan's face when he finds them there." Sam joked.

"Let's not worry about them right now. Did you get the teleporter?" Tabitha asked him.

Bobby pulled the small device from his pocket and revealed it to everyone. "Phase One of Operation G.R.A.B. completed. Let's see if this baby works." Bobby walked over to a nearby wall of the room with everyone (except Ray cause he's still sulking in the chair) following him closely behind him. He pointed the device toward the wall and pressed the red button. A flicker of light projected from the device and grew in size on the wall. Within moments the young mutants were staring a large sphere encompassing intensely bright light.

"Whoa…" Jubilee gawked using her arm to shade her eyes from the brightness that emitted from the portal.

"This is so cool." Tabitha said gleefully. She reached out her hand to the portal and watched in amazement as it disappeared in the light.

"Do you think it's safe?" Sam asked them uneasily.

"Only one way to find out." Tabitha replied submerging herself into the portal. After a few moments her head came back into view, "Come on guys! We don't have time be cautious. Rogue needs the antidote and now." She told them before disappearing into the portal again.

"She's right." Amara nodded. She grabbed on to Jubilee's hand and they both jumped through together.

"Hey! Wait for me!" Sam called out jumping behind them.

Bobby turned to Ray who was still sitting in his chair. "Dude, don't even look at me. I'm not going through that thing."

"Oh come on! What's your deal?" Bobby complained.

"Are you serious? I think we should be here with Rogue. Not jumping through some portal trying to play hero." Ray snapped.

"We're not trying to play hero! We're trying to help a friend. Who knows, this might even lead us the missing doctors too. It's worth a shot instead of waiting for the older X-Men to think of everything." Bobby countered.

"Well, I just don't have a good feeling about this." Ray groaned.

"What are you, Spiderboy or something?" Bobby jeered.

"Let's be real, man. Your ideas don't always have good outcomes." Ray pointed out.

"This is true. But we've been training since we were freshmen in high school by Logan. We know more about special ops tactics than most government agencies. We were trained in martial arts, boxing, fencing, and even stupid gymnastics. Plus we have freaking mutations! I think we can handle this." Bobby assured. "Besides, this was Amara's idea. If it fails blame her."

Ray shrugged at him not moving from his seat.

"Man, you suck at life! What to I have to get you into this portal!" Bobby uttered exasperatedly.

On cue Tabitha popped her head through the portal once again. "What's taking you two so long?" She asked impatiently.

Bobby pointed to his thumb over to Ray, "Just trying to convince Spiderboy over there that our plan is foolproof."

"Goodness! Quit being a pussy, Ray!" Tabitha barked before vanishing into the portal.

Ray shot up from the chair and stalked over to the portal. His face was red with anger. "Did she just--"

"She sure did! I suggest you don't let her talk to you like that, man. Just don't hurt her too much. Roberto will kill you if you do." Bobby warned Ray as he jumped into the portal after Tabitha.

Bobby smirked with satisfaction. Leave it to Tabitha to get Ray moving. "Phase Two of Operation G.R.A.B. completed. Let Phase Three of Operation G.R.A.B. commence." Bobby walked into the portal proudly. When he was fully submerged the portal closed behind him.

Xavier Mansion

Hank's Laboratory

5:33am

"That asshole! What if we didn't check? We would have killed her!" Marie shouted. She was presently pacing back and forth in Hank's lab. Currently, Piotr and Kitty were seated at a table in the room with glum faces. John was sitting on top of the counter with a somber Wanda leaning up against him. Scott sat at Hank's desk sharing the same look of despair as the other occupants of the room.

"I bet he's having a field day right now." Scott scoffed bitterly. "I think he has to be one the cruelest people we know. Worst than all the evil mutants we ever stood up against. Ranks right up there with Mystique, Shaw, and Essex."

"Saying those names makes my skin crawl." Kitty grimaced. She remembered fighting against Hellfire Club at the beginning of the year. It wasn't a clean battle and there were many injuries. Out of everyone Wanda suffered the most. Thinking on Hellfire Kitty turned her gaze to Wanda. Her head was bowed and she was talking to John quietly.

"Who is Shaw and Mystique?" Marie stopped pacing and looked at Scott.

"They are mutants. Sebastian Shaw is the leader of a group called the Hellfire Club. Mystique is the leader of the Brotherhood of Mutants. Both of whom we had some unfortunate run-ins with in the past." Scott explained. "Mystique is also Rogue's adoptive mother."

"Really? I thought Rogue had no living relatives." Marie stated.

"If you can consider Mystique to be something close to a mother other than what adoption papers might say. Kurt is also Mystique's son… Rogue's older brother." Kitty added.

"Speaking of my furry comrade, where do you suppose he might be?" Piotr asked.

"Yeah, haven't seen the mate since he left the War Room all in a huff." John said from his positing on the counter

"He's probably on the roof. He always goes there when he's upset." Kitty suggested.

"He must be tearing himself up with worry." Piotr sighed. Everyone's attention turned to the door as Jean walked into the room.

"How is she?" Wanda posed walking up to her.

"Sh-She's stable." Jean said simply.

"No, I don't want to hear that. How is she, Jean?" Wanda pressed. Jean looked around the room and frowned. She didn't know what to say.

"We can handle the truth." Kitty gave her an encouraging smile though her eyes were brimming with tears.

"I did everything I could. The toxin is destroying her body at a faster rate." Jean said quietly.

"Oh God!" Wanda gasped putting her hands to her mouth in anguish.

Jean breathed deeply before continuing. "There's not that much more I can do. We really need that antidote." She continued with more sadness, "That may not even exist at this point." She hung her head feeling the heaviness of failure upon her.

Scott moved toward Jean taking both her hands. "Hey, look at me." Jean looked at him with tears staining her cheeks. "You did your best and don't worry. We have one more hope. If you all know Remy like I know him he will never let his chere die."

"Scott's right. When Rogue was kidnapped before, we looked everywhere with no clues of her whereabouts. It was almost as if she vanished. But Remy wouldn't let us give up and eventually we found her. So we don't give up now." Piotr gave Kitty's hand an encouraging squeeze.

"What can we do?" Marie asked who couldn't help but feel guilty for the whole situation.

"Well, we wait, hope, and pray." Scott looked at everyone in the room holding his wife tight, "We sit with her, hold her hand, talk to her, and make sure that she knows that her friends are here with her."

Everyone nodded or sighed in agreement. Scott and Jean left the room followed by Kitty and Piotr. Wanda was about to follow suit but John grabbed her arm.

"What?" Wanda asked turning to him.

"Sheila, are you okay?" John asked seriously.

"How can I be okay? My friend is dying." Wanda said agitatedly.

"That's not what I meant." John answered. Wanda knew exactly what he meant. She really hadn't said anything about their situation since she arrived at the mansion. John didn't wait for her to answer before continuing, "You never told me when you were coming back. You really didn't tell me you were leaving in the first place. But I understood why you did…"

"John, I really can't do this right now. I can't deal with that and Rogue." Wanda told him almost pleading. John frowned. He knew Wanda was still hurting from their lost and probably would never fully heal. He didn't know how to deal with it and her at the same time when it happened. He just watched her slowly sink into a depressed state and all the way he tried he couldn't help her stop hurting. Even now with her back he could see that she had changed. There was no fire in her eyes like it used to be. All that was left was sorrow and despair.

"Wanda, just know that you can talk to me. You don't have to hold it in… I-I lost him, too." John said quietly as she walked away.

She stopped at his words as tears fell down her cheeks, "I know… Just one thing at time. We can talk later." Her voice was shaky saying the words. Even though her back was to him he could tell she was crying. He wasn't sure if it was because of Rogue or his last statement to her. Wanda walked out the room with a silent John. He didn't want to upset her anymore with questions.

Outskirts of New York City

Magneto's Base

The trio walked quietly through the dark halls of Magneto's base. They tried as hard as possible to keep their shoes from echoing through the hall which was almost impossible since every damn thing in the building was made of mental. They had no idea where they were going but with Chloe's ability to sniff out scents they chose her to be their guide. They were surprised to actually get in without tripping an alarm or getting caught. Either Magneto didn't care who went snooping around his base anymore or they were walking into a trap. They were hoping it was the first one but with their luck in the past few years it probably was a trap.

"This way." Chloe pointed toward another dark hallway.

"Are you sure?" Jamie whined. "It seems like we have been walking around for hours."

"Can you sniff out scents?" Chloe asked him while still walking.

"No…"

"Then shut up!" Chloe replied with much irritation in her voice. Jamie made a face but decided to keep quiet remembering Chloe's adamantium claws.

They followed Chloe into an area that look like it was some kind of library. There were tall rows shelves reaching to the ceiling filled with many books. A desk and chair were in the middle room and it was no surprise that they were made of metal. The only light that was in the vicinity came from a slightly opened door across from them. As they moved closer they could hear faint voices coming from the other side of the door.

"Can you hear who it is?" Rahne whispered to Chloe as they snuck closer quietly.

"It sounds like Mags definitely… there are also two other women in there. I can't really tell who they are from here." Chloe informed them with a low voice.

"Let's go. Maybe Mystique is in there." Jamie began stalk towards the door only to be grabbed back by Chloe.

"Don't be so hasty!" Chloe hissed at him. "Let's hear what they are talking about first." She inched toward the door and leaned against the wall with Rahne and Jamie following suit.

"Why is this vision important to me?" The trio recognized Magneto's voice. He sounded aggravated for some reason.

"You were in my vision, too." A woman said to him. They had never heard her voice before. The voice sounded elderly and had a slight mystical sense to it.

"Well, what exactly happened to me in this vision of yours?" Magneto asked the woman impatiently.

"My vision wasn't too clear on your exact role but I saw Rogue standing on top of a mountain holding a child in her hands. Darkness looms below them…" The woman told him.

"Do you have an idea of what this darkness is, Destiny?" A younger female's voice inquired.

"Mystique…" Rahne whispered recognizing the tone of voice.

"Destiny? Isn't that the lady who took care of Rogue when she was younger?" Jamie asked. Chloe nodded at him without taking her attention off the people in the room.

"I'm not for certain. It comes soon though and will affect the lives of all mutants." Destiny answered. "Even you."

"What about the child?" Magneto questioned.

"I do not know. But she is important. In my vision she holds light in her hands. I am not certain of what it is that actually happens or when but I do know this. You must find the prodigy child before the darkness does. She is the key to the future and the darkness will do anything to destroy her." Destiny warned.

"Do you know where we can find this child?" Magneto asked with more interest.

"That is also an uncertainty. However, I sense she is close by." Destiny told him.

"What do we do with the child when we have her?" Magneto asked.

"She is extremely powerful but most of her mutation is still dormant. Have a telepath unleash her powers." Destiny instructed.

"I will begin the search as soon as possible." Mystique replied.

"Whoa…" Jamie gasped.

"What?" Rahne looked back at him.

"If Rogue is in Destiny's vision then maybe she makes it out okay from the poison after all." Jamie told them.

"Do you think we should even bother with Mystique, then?" Chloe turned her gaze to Jamie and Rahne.

"I think we need to tell the professor about this quickly. If Rogue is in the future then we don't need to worry about the cure anymore. We need to find the kid before Mags does. He might try to make her join the 'revolution'. We don't need an all-powerful mutant on his side." Jamie said moving away from the door.

"This is scary. There is always darkness when it comes to us. It never ends." Rahne frowned.

"I know… but that's the daily life a mutant. Get used to it." Chloe shrugged.

"Wait a minute. What if we don't need to find the kid? Maybe Rogue's pregnant!" Jamie whispered with excitement. The girls gave him funny looks.

"What? How did you come to that conclusion?" Rahne asked him.

"Well, Destiny said that Rogue was holding the prodigy child in her hands. It might be hers and Remy's. They are powerful mutants. Who knows what they could create." Jamie explained.

"You're an idiot. Let's get out of here!" Chloe said rushing toward the door. She stopped short when she caught a whiff of an unwelcome guest. Picking up the scent too Rahne began to growl looking around the room.

"Ladies, why are we growling?" Jamie asked them slowly. Sabretooth stepped away from behind a bookcase revealing himself to the trio. "Oh, that's why." Jamie gulped.

"Look what we have here." Sabretooth sneered. "Three little X-geeks so far away from home. Whatever shall I do?"

"How about you get out of our way." Rahne offered coldly.

"Make me!" Sabretooth taunted.

"You don't scare me in the least bit." Chloe growled. She shared the same hate for Sabretooth as her father.

"Well, if it isn't the clone. Does daddy know you're out wondering around other people's houses at five in the morning?" Sabretooth snarled.

"Does Magneto know you're in serious need of a bath?" Chloe snapped.

Sabretooth grinned evilly, "So the little runt got jokes. Let's see who will be laughing after I rip you to shreds and sell Logan the pieces."

"I like to see you try!" X23 challenged balling up her fist and emitting her claws.

"This isn't going to be fun." Multiple shook his head gravely as Wolfsbane changed into her wolf-like form.

"Wolfsbane! Multiple! Get out of here!" X23 shouted to her friends.

"What? No! We're not leaving you with him." Multiple said sternly.

"Don't worry about me. I can handle the fur ball. Plus, I really enjoy kicking his ass." X23 said grinning devilishly at Sabretooth. Sabretooth jumped toward her in which X23 rolled out the way. She looked up and realized that Sabretooth was blocking the exit. She had to get Sabretooth out of the way if Multiple and Wolfsbane would be able to escape.

"Here kitty kitty!" X23 mocked running into the midst of the bookcases to elude Sabretooth. Taking the bait Sabretooth went storming angrily after her.

"Come on!" Wolfsbane ran toward the exit. She felt herself rise into the air and slam against the wall. On impact she changed back to her human form and slumped to the ground.

"Rahne!" Jamie shouted and ran over to her. He tried to shake her awake but she was out cold. He looked up to see Magneto's arms outstretched. Using the metal from the bars on the chair Magneto bent them in the air and trapped Jamie to the wall next to Rahne.

"Let me go!" Jamie yelled struggling with the binds.

"Do you mind telling me what you were doing spying on me?" Magneto asked simply.

"We weren't spying!" Jamie disputed.

"Then what were you doing?" Magneto asked angrily.

"We were trying to help Rogue!" Jamie shouted still trying to release himself from the bondage.

"Rogue? What's wrong with her?" Mystique asked coming up next to Magneto.

"She's sick. She will die if she doesn't get an antidote." Jamie said with a calmer voice.

"Destiny?" Mystique questioned turning to the elderly blind lady. Jamie could sense a hint of worry in her voice.

"Yes, I can feel that Rogue's life signs are diminishing. But the future hasn't changed." Destiny responded. "There is no need to worry." (AN: And I won't have a story if Rogue dies. )

"How is she saved?" Mystique asked.

"I don't know." Destiny sighs.

"Man, lady! For an oracle you don't know anything." Jamie joked. The looks he received from Magneto and Mystique told him it was time to shut up.

"How much did you hear of our conversation boy?" Magneto eyed him.

"Uh, what conversation?" Jamie asked nervously.

"She put up a fight but she was no match for me." Sabretooth grunted throwing Chloe's unconscious body next to Rahne. Jamie's eyes-widen seeing Chloe's condition. She had cuts and blood stains everywhere. Sabretooth laughed seeing Jamie's horrid expression, "Don't worry. At least she's still breathing."

"You sorry piece of shit!" Jamie spat angrily. Sabretooth laughed louder and punched Jamie in the stomach. Jamie gasped out and glared at Sabretooth through the pain. "You're lucky I'm stuck to the wall or I will get you back for that."

"You're threats are meaningless to me." Sabretooth growled swinging another punch to Jamie's face. Jamie cried out in pain as Sabretooth fist hit his face with brutal force. Laughing Sabretooth hit Jamie a few more times.

"Enough!" Magneto yelled at Sabretooth interjecting into his fun. Jamie could feel the throbbing pain on the side of his face and the warm trickle of blood seeping down his nose. He could also feel his left eye begin to swell shut. Even through his pain he continued to glare angrily at Sabretooth.

"Why? I wanted to give pretty boy over here a new face." Sabretooth heckled.

"I don't need Xavier coming after me because you decided to disfigure one of his precious X-Men." Magneto snapped at Sabretooth. Sabretooth growled once more at Jamie and then left the room heatedly. Jamie could feel his eyelids getting heavy. He tried his best to listen to the conversation before him.

"We can't let them go. They know too much." Mystique said to Magneto coldly.

"I know." Magneto said simply.

"You called, Magneto?" Said another voice walking into the room.

"Yes, it seems we have some unwanted eavesdroppers." Magneto gestured to three teenagers by the wall.

"How unfortunate." The man sneered coming into the light of the room.

"Mesmero…" Jamie groaned before his world became black.

Xavier Mansion

Roof Top

6:00am

The bitter morning air cut through Kurt's blue fur like tiny needles piercing into his flesh. He didn't move. Instead he just stared out into the darkness of the winter morning wondering why. Why was it always his sister that had to suffer? She had been through so much in life and her distress continued to come. He could remember when she first moved into the mansion, it was his nightmares that tormented her. Then it was Logan's. Then everyone else she had absorbed. Finding out how Mystique used her twice almost drove her insane. Being captured by Sinister left her weak and fragile. Now this, another threat to her life.

"Vhy must she suffer?" Kurt sighed. He looked down at his hands seeing his rosary beads intertwined through his fingers. He let out another sigh and put it back into his pocket.

"You coming inside soon?" Kurt turned to see Logan coming up on the roof. Logan sat down gruffly next to him waiting for his answer. Kurt could see a bottle in one of his hand and cigar hanging from the pocket of his jacket.

"Nein." Kurt merely responded.

Logan grunted in response and opened his bottle of Jack Daniels. Taking a quick swig first he then offered it over to Kurt. "You should try some. It always makes me feel better. After a few bottles, at least."

Kurt looked at the offered bottle for a moment but then declined, "Never waz a drinker."

"Your lost." Logan shrugged taken another swig. They sat in silence for a minute.

"How iz meine schwester doing?" Kurt asked finally.

"You should go see for yourself." Logan answered.

"I can't." Kurt sighed.

"Why not?"

"I can't zee her suffer." Kurt replied truthfully.

"That's what I said, too. But then I started thinking that if anything happens, God forbid, I might regret it. Besides, I know Rogue will do the same for me." Logan said while watching him. Kurt stayed silent not showing a hint of movement. "Scott told me she doesn't have much time." Logan added solemnly. Kurt hung his head but still no movements. "Look, elf, I take you down by force or you come with me willingly to see your sister." Logan threatened. He was always good at persuasion.

Kurt let out another sigh and stood up looking out into the distance. A red light outlined the horizon showing evidence of a rising sun. The threat of a new day only revealed to Kurt that Rogue's time on this earth was ever decreasing. Time would stop for no one, not even if he needed it to. With this harsh realization Kurt began to follow Logan off the roof into the mansion.

Logan put a hand on Kurt's shoulder stopping him in his steps, "Hold on. You hear that?"

Kurt looked around and shook his head, "I don't."

"I hear it. Listen carefully." Logan instructed. Kurt perked his ears but didn't hear at first. After a few seconds a faint buzzing sound could be heard overhead advancing in their direction. Soon a white blinking light came into view from in the sky.

"It'z a plane." Kurt realized looking at the incoming aircraft.

"The X-Jet." Logan affirmed.

Kurt turned to Logan and smiled, "They are back."

Xavier Mansion

Aircraft Hanger

6:15am

Remy hurriedly unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of his seat. He leaned over a sleeping Isabel and gently unbuckled her.

"Hey, petite." He said quietly waking the girl from her slumber.

She blinked at him and yawned. "Are we in America now?"

"Oui, I will take y' t' Rogue, okay?" Remy told her picking her up from the seat. She nodded knowing who Rogue was and what she had to do. Remy, Roberto, and a currently blue Hank walked out of the small jet into the large hanger. Logan and Kurt greeted them there.

"How was it?" Logan asked huskily.

"It was an adventure." Hank offered tiredly.

"So did you get it?" Kurt asked eager to see his sister well again.

"No, the internet doesn't lie. No such antidote exists." Roberto responded glumly.

"Mein Gott!" Kurt looked like he was about to breakdown and cry. "What are we going to do?"

Remy walked passed Kurt toward the exit into the mansion with Isabel in his hands not saying anything. He seemed consume in his own thoughts to even notice anyone there. Upon seeing Kurt's distress Isabel looked over Remy's shoulder and said quietly, "I can help her."

"Who's the kid?" Logan questioned.

"Long story, my friend, I shall share it with you later." Hank replied walking forward with Remy. Logan nodded and followed them.

"How can she help?" Kurt asked Roberto.

"I don't know, dude. But somehow I believe she can." Roberto responded. "You should see the other things she can do."

"Iz she a mutant?" Kurt asked him.

Roberto nodded. "Come on!" They left the hanger to catch up with Remy and the rest of the group.

When Remy entered the room he was greeted with hopeful faces. Piotr, John, Scott, Jean, Marie, Wanda, and Kitty were all sitting around Rogue's bed. Professor Xavier was off to the side. Remy could tell Xavier already knew what was going on. He probably read Hank or Roberto's mind beforehand. Kitty was the first to say something to Remy. He couldn't comprehend what she said but he somehow knew what she was thinking. He knew what they all were thinking. He had found the antidote and was back to deliver it. He quickly shook his head 'no'. Kitty put her face in her hands and sobbed. He didn't turn to see anyone else's reaction. His mind only focused on one person. He looked at her and his heart dropped. She was extremely pale and thin. Her skin looked ghostly white while her lips and around her eyes were a deep shade of purple. She breathed, well the ventilator breathed for her steadily. The machines beeped to a stable beat. She was dying but at least he wasn't too late. He gently placed Isabel on the edge of the bed and walked up closer to Rogue. He leaned over and kissed her forehead lightly. Taking her hand he turned back to Isabel.

"Ready?" Remy asked her softly. She first looked around warily. Isabel had never seen these people before and she was worried that she would somehow get in trouble for sharing her gifts with others. Salgado had always told her to keep it a secret and she didn't want to disappoint him.

"Don' worry, ange. Y'll be safe here." Remy told her. She nodded. She scooted up to Rogue's waist and outstretched her arms. Her eyes began to be engulfed with white light until her pupils disappeared completely. Remy watched in amazement as Rogue's body started to glow with colorless light. The light grew brighter until it completely consumed the room.

Man, that was a long one.

I hope you guys don't think that Remy is a pedafile. LOL!

Please Review!