Hello, I'm BAAAACK! Soooo sorry that I haven't updated in literally forever, but so much has been happening in my life. But now it's summer and things have quieted down, so I will now be able to write a lot. Once again sorry, and enjoy the story!
A BIG thanks to all those who reviewed my first chapter so long ago! Thanx!
Disclaimer: I don't own the X-men…drat!
Beautiful Soul
Chapter 2: Gone
"Rogue, hustle!"
"Pick up the pace Rogue!"
A growl escaped from the southerner's mouth as Scott continued to yell at her. What was his fucking problem? She ducked quickly as a large metal object swung her way, and then proceeded to survey the scene before her once again. Training Sequence T-09, a favorite of Scott's, was their practice for the day. It was a maze, walls and all, filled with all kinds of dangerous obstacles, meant to sharpen their use of their powers and agility. Too bad Rogue could only rely on the latter of the two. Scott seemed to forget about this, as did the rest of the team, leaving her to fend for herself. Not that she minded, for Rogue was very capable of taking care of herself. But because she had to actually fight, she had gotten behind the rest of the group. And it seemed that her fearless leader was not too happy about it.
"Move it Rogue!"
"Shut ya trap Summahs! Ah'm commin'!"
Not even bothering to take out one of the robots, she run as fast as she could narrowly missing a spinning blade that come out of nowhere. 'Ah'm gonna end up getting' mahself killed.' By now, Rogue figured she was two-thirds of the way done with the maze, meaning that the most dangerous traps lay ahead.
"Shadow Cat Complete," came the voice of the computer. Rogue scoffed. Of course Kitty was the first to be done, she could go through the all of the fucking maze walls, which she had probably done. Kitty was not one of the best fighters on the team, and usually opted for defense instead of offense during battles.
Kurt, Bobby, and Scott himself were not far behind. That left her, Jean, Colossus, and a few others who had recently been made part of the senior team in the maze.
With her mind elsewhere for the moment, Rogue failed to realize a giant hand coming her way, and found herself a moment later in the machine's tight grip. 'Dammit. Way ta go Rogue. Now wha' are ya gonna do?'
"Jean Gray, Colossus, Jubilee, Amara Complete."
Fuck. Now she was the only one left in the maze.
"Rogue!" came Scott's angry cry.
Why was he getting so angry?
Rogue suddenly remembered the obvious reason, this was a team mission. That meant that the timer kept running until all team members crossed the finish. He didn't care about her; Scott just wanted a good time. 'The Asshole.' She just sat there, in the machine's grip debating whether to actually get out of the hold or to just piss Scott off more. She wasn't given a chance however since Miss Perfect came floating in out of nowhere, releasing Rogue from the grip with her powers.
"Really Rogue," Jean chided, "You should have just called for help. It would have been more efficient."
Rogue glared at the redhead, "Ah was fahne by mahself. Ah was jus' gonna get outta there mahself."
Jean gave her a look of skepticism, lifting Rogue into the air with her powers and moving them both towards the finish. Rogue folded her arms as a form of protest, not happy once they had made it, finding a very angry Scott and some not so happy team members waiting for her.
"Good work Jean," Scott said as soon as the two were on the ground. He turned to Rogue now, "You cost the team 5 minutes. Do you realize what that means in a real situation? Why didn't you ask for help?"
No are you okay or even a what happened. Just harsh words. She felt so loved right then. Not.
Rogue held back her tongue, keeping her not so nice comments to herself. Instead of giving her leader a reply, she chose to head out of the room, headed for her bedroom. 'Could tha' stick beh any further up his ass?'
/Rogue! That's not nice! You shouldn't say such things about your lea-/
'Shove it Gray, an' stay outta mah head!'
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Rogue was able to relax in her room uninterrupted until dinner came around, which she was forced to attend by Logan, who had personally escorted her down to the table, telling her along the way to just ignore Scott and his lodged stick (to which Rogue couldn't help but laugh). She sat in between Logan and Kurt, Jean across from her. Next to Jean, Scott frowned in her direction, obviously wanting to confront her about today's session. At the end of the table, the Professor must have noticed some tension, for he spoke up.
"Is everything okay my dear X-men?"
Everyone nodded, murmuring a yes.
"No Professor," came Jean's steady voice, "There is one slight problem."
"And what might that be my dear?"
"Rogue and her behavior and attitude, she-"
"I don't think now's the time to-"
"Silence Logan, let Jean speak," Xavier said calmly.
"Thank you. As I was saying Rogue is refusing to be a team member. It's got me worried. What if things start to happen again? You know what happened last time she withdrew from us all."
Xavier opened his mouth to speak, but Rogue cut him off.
"Why ya little bitch! How dare ya say such a thin'!"
Jean looked at Rogue calmly, a small smirk upon her face.
/It's true Rogue, you're a danger to us all./
"I think I'm going to have to agree Professor," Scott piped in, "Rogue has been creating a lot of tension lately. It's making it hard for us to be efficient."
Jean nodded, "Perhaps she needs to be taken off the team for a bit. You know, to make sure she's alright in the head."
Rogue glanced around the table. Though no one else muttered a word, Rogue could see it in most of their eyes. They were afraid of her. At that moment something inside Rogue snapped. She felt enraged. How dare they fear her, speak out against her, she had done nothing wrong! Her eyes turned dark, and before anybody knew what was happening, Rogue launched herself across the table, a now ungloved hand tight on Jean's face. Jean screamed out in pain before dropping to the ground, unconscious. Rogue just stood there for a moment, looking at everyone, before running back up to her room.
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Of course the Professor summoned her down to his office. And she received some cold glares from the others she passed in the hallway. She easily returned the gesture.
The Professor was not glad to see her to say the least, and after an hour of being firm and setting down some rules, he sent her back to her room with a harsh punishment. For the next month, she would be training with Scott at 4 a.m., in an attempt to learn respect along with other "needed skills". On top of that Rogue was now in charge on keeping the kitchen clean for the next month.
Life was just not fair.
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Rogue sat on her bed, not moving a muscle. She was sick of this place!
"It's always mah fault," she muttered out loud, "An' Xavier always lets Miss Perfect and Stick up his ass Summers get away with ev'ry thin'. Ah wish Ah cold jus' get away from it all. Ah mean-"
She stopped midsentence as her words register. What was holding her here? Nothing. It was so simple Rogue wanted to laugh. She was free to leave whenever she wanted. And that time was now.
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It was midnight. The mansion was quiet, the inhabitants fast asleep except for Rogue, who had just finished grabbing a select few items and shoving them into her backpack. She didn't have any time to waste. Surely one of the adults would be making rounds soon. With a quick glance around her room, Rogue made her way to the balcony, jumping carefully down into the bush. She paused to take one last glance at the mansion before turning around and heading down the driveway.
"So you're just going to leave like that Stripes? No plans, no transportation, and just a small backpack?"
Shit.
Rogue froze. She had been caught. Turning around slowly, Rogue cautiously looked Logan in the eyes. He stood there, his face emotionless like always, eyes blazing at her, his precious bike next to him.
"Logan-"
"Here Stripes, if you're gonna leave, at least be prepared."
She looked at him puzzled before her eyes widened in surprise, "But Logan, this is ya favorite bahke."
"Logan smirked, "It is, but I've had my eye on a new bike for a while. Now I have the perfect excuse to buy it.
Rogue allowed a small chuckle to escape her lips, "But wha' about Xavier?"
"Don't worry about him kid."
Rouge hesitated, "Alraght Logan."
"Good. Come on, grab your stuff and get going before anybody realizes what you're doing."
Emerging ten minutes later with a duffel bag and two small backpacks, Logan helped her put in on the bike.
"Goodbye Stripes," Logan said, pulling the Goth into a quick hug, "Just promise me you'll come back."
Rogue was surprised at the action, and tears came to her eyes, "Ah will Logan. Ah promise."
"Take care of this baby for me."
"Ah will."
"And keep in touch."
"Ah will."
Rogue mounted the bike, Logan handing her a helmet which she eyed, "Put it on Stripes. You're not invincible or anything."
Placing the helmet on her head, Rogue took once glance at Logan before putting down the visor, "Good bah Logan."
And with that, Rogue sped off, disappearing through the gates and away from Bayville and all she'd ever known. The X-men a thing in her past, something she wouldn't look back upon.
Logan watched her go, a single tear falling down his cheek. It was the first time he had "cried" in over ten years.
"Good bye. Be careful Stripes," he whispered into the air.
Logan turned abruptly around, heading back into the mansion, a scowl upon his face. He was not in the best of moods right now, which only meant one thing. It was time for a 5 a.m. Danger Room session. And today, Logan was not going easy.
Alright! That's chapter 2! Hope you enjoyed it! Lemme know what ya think, REVIEW!
I promise to update as soon as possible!
-Les723