Ahh… finally, I have time! Exams again! Essay after essay… English… Malay… Chinese… Argh!
A million thanks to Acidic Paranoia about the scorpions. Miss you lots and hope to see you soon! D
Thanks for all the reviews! )
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Chapter 5- Graduation
John was Piotr's roommate. Piotr was eighteen and John was twenty-two. Piotr was excited because graduation was in a week. He past the exam and was going to be rewarded with the Silver Dagger, just like the others who past the test. The Silver Dagger was not a weapon, but a small thumb-sized seal shaped like a dagger.
Piotr missed Rogue dearly. He wondered whether she would be back for the ceremony.
John has been in the Assassins Guild for four years now. He will be presented with the Silver Dagger along with the graduates. John was collecting information to take back to the Thieves Guild. After he graduated from the Assassin Academy, he would head back to his home at the Thieves Guild.
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Rogue was eighteen, the age all the Guilds presented their Seals to the graduates of the Academy. She was graduating soon; she would be an owner of the Crescent Seal. She would be going back to Mississippi too, for the Silver Dagger. Next week on this day, she would take leave from Jean-Luc and head to the Assassins Guild to take her evaluation test. She was happy. Soon, she would see all her friends.
Hank was going back too. He would stay with the Assassins, while Rogue went back on her own to get the Crescent Seal. He wanted to retire.
"Ah can't wait tah go back." Rogue said.
Hank nodded.
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Remy knocked on Rogue's door, but no one answered. He frowned and walked away.
Remy had forgiven Rogue over the bet but they fought all the time. Interesting enough, he developed some feelings for Rogue. Remy hoped she would stay after she graduated. But Rogue wanted to go as soon as possible, back to her home, in Mississippi.
Rogue left Hank's room and went walking around the small garden near the apprentice's quarters.
"Psst!" A sound was heard. Rogue turned around. Her sharp eyes spotted a figure in the bushes. She kicked it and a yowl was heard. "Rogue!"
"Pietro?"
"Duh!"
"Asshole, what are yah doing here? They'll kill yah if they find out!"
"What are you doing here?"
"Ah'll tell yah, but yah have tah promise yah won't tell a soul."
"Promise."
"The Elders sent meh here tah help Hank with some spying."
"Cool!"
"Keep it down."
"Ok. Will you be going back for the ceremony?"
"Yeah. Next week."
"Great!" Pietro said.
"Pietro, what are yah doing here?"
"Well, I wanted to spy on them. But I guess you're already doing that…"
"Pietro, it's dangerous here. You won't come back here, right?"
"I know." He said solemnly. "But aren't you glad I'm here?"
"Yeah." Rogue smiled. Her smile faded away and she pushed Pietro back into the bushes.
"Rogue, Jean-Luc is looking for you." Lance said. Rogue nodded and smiled at Lance. Lance blushed. Pietro scowled as he looked on from beneath the bushes. He stuck his tongue out at him.
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"Jean-Luc, yah were looking fohr meh?"
"Yes. Yes."
Rogue waited.
"Yes?" She finally asked him.
"You are taking leave from the Guild?"
"Yes. That's allowed, isn't it?'
"Of course. Is something the matter? It's two weeks away from graduation and with all the preparation with the war; it's not really the time to go home."
"Yah want meh tah postpone mah visit home? Sorrah, no can do. Ah just want tah check on mah family, yah know."
"So Hank is accompanying you?"
"Something lahke that. Mah family wants tah see him. Mah mentor and all." Rogue smiled nervously. "Ah promise ah'll be back as fast as ah can."
"Very well."
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"What are yah doing? Trying to break in mah room, Cajun?" Rogue frowned and placed her hands on her hips. The Cajun man grinned.
"Non, chere."
Chere. The name Rogue so hated. Remy had recently found out the name irritated her and decided to use it for tormenting her.
Rogue growled and glared at him. Remy stepped aside to let Rogue in her room.
"Ah'm sure yahr father doesn't approve of yahr bad habits." Rogue said.
"Now now chere…"
"Listen here, swamp rat. Let meh live the last few weeks of mah life as an apprentice in peace. Is that okay?"
"Oui." Remy smiled.
"Good thing ah'll be leaving after the ceremony." She said under her breath but the Cajun caught it.
"Chere! Y' leaving?"
"Yes. And stop calling meh that. It's against the rules."
"Against the rules? What rules?"
"The teacher and student thing. Yah know. Teachers and students aren't allowed to have a romantic relationship… Yah know."
"Chere, are we having a romantic relationship?" Remy's eyes sparkled in mischief. He sat on her bed. "Remy never knew!"
Rogue sighed and pushed him off her bed. "Yah know what ah mean."
"What do y' mean, chere?" Remy asked.
"Nothing. Forget it."
"Non, chere. Tell Remy." He edged towards her. Rogue shifted uneasily. Remy placed his hands on her waist. Rogue was shocked. Her heart started racing. She felt hot all of a sudden. Remy leaned down. He was going to kiss her! Rogue closed her eyes. His lips were centimeters apart from hers. It was getting closer… And closer…
/BANG/
"Rogue! You're late for practice!" Hank shouted. They pulled away. Rogue opened the door and Hank came in. He looked furious.
"If you don't start showing up on time…" He stopped talking as his eyes fell upon Remy. Remy gulped. He moved towards the door slowly.
Hank opened his mouth to say something but Remy was gone. He turned to Rogue. "What is he doing here?"
"/Ahem/ Well… he…"
"I'll deal with him later. Let's go. Chop chop!" Hank hustled Rogue out of her room. He slammed the door shut after him and followed Rogue out to the courtyard.
"Hey, Rogue." Warren grinned. He wasn't paying attention and earned a blow from Lance.
"Hey! That wasn't necessary…" Warren rubbed his shoulder.
"You guys graduated four years ago. Get a job will you?"
Warren shrugged.
Hank threw Rogue a dagger.
"Ok, you're old enough for this."
"Cool." Rogue said and ran her finger across the blade.
"Now, attack me."
Rogue did so but Hank stopped her.
"No, not like that. See how easily I can snatch the dagger away? Ok, try again."
Rogue tried to attack Hank again but Hank grabbed the dagger. Rogue was surprised that she let the dagger slip out of her hands.
"Concentrate. Ok, you try to snatch the dagger from me. Watch my moves carefully, Rogue."
Warren and Lance watched the two of them. They were amazed. Their mentors never taught them that. They looked on with interest.
Rogue gave a shout. She clutched her hand and took a few paces back. Her hand was covered with blood. Hank dropped the dagger and ran towards her. He examined her hand. The blood had drained out of her face. Rogue closed her eyes.
"What happened!" Lance yelled. Warren ran towards the Infirmary Building.
"She tried to snatch the dagger. Her hand must have run across the blade. See her hand…"
There was a huge cut running across the palm of Rogue's hand. Blood oozed out of it.
"It hurts." She managed to say.
"Well, of course it does." Hank snapped. He seemed angry but he was just worried.
Lance produced a handkerchief from his pocket.
"Oh gawd, don't put that on mah hand!" Rogue rolled her eyes.
"Well, the blood won't stop." He said impatiently.
"Warren went for the Healer, didn't he?"
A Healer pushed Lance away. "Give me some space, would ya?"
Warren came back, gasping for breath. He had run all the way.
A Healer doesn't really have magical powers to heal of anything, they were just like doctors. The Healer took out a small bottle of water from his medical pouch and poured it onto Rogue's hand. She flinched but never said anything. Assassins were tough.
The Healer wrapped a bandage around the cut. "You're done."
"Thanks." Rogue said. She touched the bandage.
"Don't take that off until I check on it tomorrow." He frowned.
"Thanks, Dylan." Hank said and patted the Healer's back.
"No more training today, Hank." He pointed at Rogue and she grimaced.
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A week later, Rogue's cut was almost healed.
"Ah can still take the test." Rogue said.
"Well, of course you must." Hank answered. He frowned at her hand.
Rogue took off the bandage slowly. "Doesn't hurt that much."
"Packed your bags?"
"Just a small bag."
"Good. The ceremony is two days after your evaluation, so we'll stay there until you get the Dagger."
"Ok. Then we come back for the Crescent?"
"Yes. After that, we're done here. We can go home."
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Rogue stood outside the gates of the Assassin Guild. She smiled at the guards.
"Hello, Rogue, long time no see." They smiled back. "You too, Hank."
The gates opened and they walked in. Elder Joseph and Elder Ferdinand were there to greet them.
"Welcome back, friends. Logan has been expecting you." Han nodded.
Inside the Forbidden Chamber, Logan and the rest of the Inner Circle waited for the two important people to arrive.
Rogue stepped in the room first. Logan stood up and smiled. Hank came in next. Logan hugged his brother tight.
"Welcome back, my brother."
"Nice to see you." Hank patted his brother's back.
"Hello, Stripes." Logan grinned at Rogue. She rolled her eyes.
"Can ah go?"
"Yes. Go to your room, Wanda is dying to see you."
"Thanks."
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Wanda was Rogue's roommate ever since Rogue came to the Guild. Wanda was Pietro's twin sister. Who was the elder one, no one knew for they never mentioned it. Wanda seemed more mature though.
"Hey, bitch." Rogue said.
"Ah, welcome back, bitch." Wanda smiled. The two girls laughed and hugged each other.
"Ah missed yah."
"Me too."
"So, ah gotta go take mah test later."
"Good luck. Don't worry, you'll past." Wanda winked at her.
The two girls sat in Wanda's bed and chatted until Pietro and Piotr interrupted by bursting in the room.
"Hello? Have yah ever heard of the word 'privacy'!" Rogue yelled.
"Sorry." They said meekly and closed the door after them. Rogue rolled her eyes.
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"Good evening, Rogue. Let's see how well hank has taught you all these years." Logan said. Rogue was in the Assassin's courtyard, along with Logan and Elder Joseph.
"Where's Hank?"
"He's in a meeting."
"We'll get Lenny and Octavos to help you with the evaluation."
Two men came towards them. They flexed their muscles at Rogue and winked. Rogue rolled her eyes. Lenny and Octavos graduated from the Guild two years ago and was helping apprentices with their training. They were very dedicated to the Guild.
"What? Are they mah punching bags?" Rogue asked.
"I see you still have your sense of humour."
"Ah don't." Rogue said, raising her eyebrow.
"/Ahem/ Well then. Let's get started."
"Hand-combat. Punch away."
"Aww shucks, a little baby is gonna fight us, Len." Octavos grinned.
Lenny sneered at Rogue. Rogue saw red. She aimed a clever punch at Lenny's face. It hit his jaw. Lenny staggered back.
"Cut the crap, guys. Fight!" Logan yelled.
After a few minutes, Rogue had beaten them. They lay on the ground, groaning. Rogue snickered back at them.
"In your face, Len." She said.
"Ok, next, weapons. Basic weapon, a stick."
"Ah'm supposed to fight with…?"
"Well, the guys were supposed to last longer than that…" Elder Joseph said.
"Er…" Logan looked around him. He spotted John coming out of the Apprentice Quarters. He whistled to him.
"You there! John!"
"Yes sir?"
"Come here. Take a stick, fight with her."
"Say what?"
"Do it." Logan growled.
"Ok, I guess."
"Fight properly."
John picked up another stick, unsure of what to do. But Rogue on the other hand, started attacking him. John ducked and fought back.
They started having a conversation. "So, ah never seen yah before."
"Well, shelia, I'm new here. Anyway, I never seen you too."
"When did yah come?" Ignoring his question.
"Four years ago." John ducked again. "So, how come you didn't take the test…" Ducked again. "Take the test with the others?"
"Ah've been busy." Rogue stepped back when John sent a blow to her leg.
"I see."
"But yah should know something."
"And what's that?"
"Ah'll beat yah."
"Naw shelia."
"Yes." Rogue said and used all her might to give one last blow. John fell to the ground, unconscious.
"Ok…" Logan said. He told two guards to bring him to the Medical Building.
"Let's continue. What's next?" Rogue asked.
"Daggers…" Elder Joseph said. Hank covered his laugh with a cough. The next person was as good as dead.
"I'll do it this time." Logan said. Rogue's mouth dropped open.
"No way!" She yelled.
"Why not?" Logan asked. He pulled out the dagger out from it's cover, which was hanging on his belt. Rogue slowly got out hers. The blade was sharp and shiny. The handle was made of crystal and was decorated with diamonds and emeralds. Every Assassin was allowed to decorate their own dagger, providing they paid for the cost themselves.
Logan's dagger had a black handle and there was a scorpion carved on it. The scorpion is the Assassin's symbol. Why a scorpion? Because scorpions are deadly and kill when provoked or looking for food. Just like the Assassins. People hire them to kill. The money they get for killing is to pay for all the costs in the Guild.
Logan smiled. "You needn't be afraid, Rogue." He said kindly.
"But…"
"You won't hurt me." He assured her. Rogue nodded and gripped the handle of her dagger hard. She walked towards Logan cautiously, trying to predict his next move. Logan made no movement.
"Relax, Rogue." He advised.
Rogue moved as fast as lighting, she tried to assail him but Logan was faster. He threw Rogue over his back. Rogue got up, groaning as she went. She cracked her knuckles and picked up her dagger again. As she did this, she was wondering. Why daggers? You'd have to get quite close to your enemy to attack them with a dagger. Swords are much longer. She wasn't watching Logan and he struck at her. Rogue fell down again. This time taking much longer to get up. She brushed dirt off her knees and stood still. She jumped into the air and Logan did the same. Logan used his dagger. A strand of her hair was cut off. She yelled in surprise and growled. She charged at Logan, and this time they were engaged in battle. Both sides struck out with their weapons. Rogue almost hit Logan but he ducked in time.
Then Rogue got an idea. It was no use getting close to Logan. He was too fast and too good.
"How do ah win?" She panted.
"When the dagger falls out of my hand and I'm lying on the ground."
Rogue nodded. She fiddled with her dagger. She'd wait for him to come to her.
She was right. Logan came slowly. She knew he was too confident. He was sure he would win, but Rogue was sure she would win. She raised the dagger in the air and threw it at him. The dagger was flying at Logan. He was surprised and he ducked. At this, Rogue ran towards him and kicked him. Logan went flying into a tree. The dagger lay a few feet from him. Rogue smiled.
"So… ah beat yah."
Logan got up, smiling. He winced in pain.
"You win, Stripes. You got your Silver Dagger."
"No apprentice has ever beat Logan before…" Elder Joseph mumbled.
Hank looked on from his room window. Rogue was his greatest accomplishment so far.
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Rogue bowed before Chief Basil. Chief Basil smiled at the girl. He was proud. He presented her with the Silver Dagger. Rogue breathed a sigh of happiness and stepped down from the podium. She stood with her friends.
"That's her. Rogue." Pietro whispered to John.
"I know, mate." John murmured. "How come I haven't seen her before in the Guild?"
"She was spying in some Guild."
John nodded. He went up next. He saw Hank sitting with Logan and the Elders. He looked shocked. Hank noticed him too. What was he doing here! HE got up from his chair and walked away.
Rogue sat down in her seat. Wanda, who sat next to her, squeezed her hand. Rogue grinned. Wanda went up next and John gave her a wink. Wanda blushed. Pietro looked ready to puke.
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"Hello, Hank." John said.
"John." Hank turned around to face him.
"What are you doing here?"
"I might ask you the same thing."
"Spying."
"Exactly what I'm doing."
"You spying at the Assassins Guild? Why wasn't I notified?"
Hank shrugged as he tried to hide his nervousness. "The Guild wants me to continue spying from them. I'm taking over, since you're going back."
"But I saw you sitting with the Elders."
"I'm trusted here. Logan knows me."
John nodded. "I see. So, I'm going back."
"Now?"
"I need to get back to the Guild immediately." John said and walked off.
Hank leaned against the wall and breathed a sigh of relief.
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"What do you want to do next?" Logan asked Rogue. She shrugged.
"An Assassin."
"So, you want to be the top Assassin?"
"Yeah."
"Make me proud some day, will you?"
"Ah will, don't worry."
"Your mom too."
Rogue looked up at Logan. He rarely mentioned her mother. They were close friends once, but Raven had gotten into bad company and even Logan couldn't save her.
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"You're packing?" Piotr asked.
"Yup. I got somewhere to go." John said, stuffing more clothes into his rucksack.
"You're going now?"
John nodded.
"You got to say goodbye to the Inner Circle. They have to grant you permission, otherwise you can't leave. The guards will stop you."
"Already done that."
"Well… I guess this is goodbye, comrade."
"Yea." John said and picked up the bag and slung it over his shoulder.
Piotr shook his hand. John walked out of the room. He came back in.
"Don't tell anyone. Especially… especially Wanda." He gave a small cough and left.
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Rogue lay on her bed. She knew it was wrong, but she was falling for Remy. He was a thief, she was an Assassin, and their relationship would be forbidden. And what will Logan say? He would probably kill her.
And the worst thing of all, she wanted to stay with the Thieves. Of course her loyalty was with the Assassins.
She made a decision. She went into Logan's study.
"Logan."
"Ah, just the person I wanted to see."
"Logan, ah'm going back."
"Going back where?" He asked, surprised.
"The Thieves."
"Rogue? Why on earth would you want to go back there?"
"Ah didn't get any information yet, so mah mission isn't completed yet."
"That doesn't matter. Anyway, we have more important missions."
Elder Ferdinand came in, a grave look on his face.
"Is something the matter?"
"Basil said to tell you that Lenny was killed."
"Lenny? Roberta's nephew?"
"Yes. A Thief did it. Octavos saw the whole thing."
Logan looked angry. "They come to our territory, they kill our people. They'll pay." He stood up and stalked out of the room. Rogue and Ferdinand followed him.
Basil was waiting for Logan.
"What should we do?" He asked the chief.
"Today's incident means we'll have to send someone to the Thieves. They are getting dangerous. We need another spy."
Rogue, who was standing behind Logan, stepped forward. "Ah'll do it."
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"What were you thinking!" Logan cried out when they had gone back to his study.
"Yah said tah make yah and mom proud." Rogue answered him.
Hank sighed. "Let her go, Logan. She's old enough."
"Yes, but why would you want to go back?"
"Mah heart is still with the Guild, Logan. Yah needn't worry about that."
"No, that's not the problem. It's…"
Hank silenced Logan. "Go pack, Rogue. You're leaving soon."
Rogue went out. Logan turned on his brother.
"Hank!"
"It's not time for her to know the truth."
"Why ever not! We said we would tell her on her graduation day."
"Things have changed, Logan. I know what she's thinking. She has to learn her lesson."
"What lesson?"
Hank shook his head. "That's a secret."
Logan yelled in frustration. "I hope you're right."
Hank sighed. "Me too." Hank had been observing Remy and Rogue. He saw the way they looked at each other.
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John looked back at the Guild. It was a tiny dot in the distance. He felt a little sad about leaving them. The Assassins Guild was his home for four years. He bonded with the Assassins. They were his second family.
Rogue walked down the path. Logan, Wanda and Hank were there at the gates to see her off. They saw Chief Basil walking towards them.
"The Guild owes so much to you. This is all we can give."
Basil dropped something small and heavy into Rogue's hand. She gripped it hard. It was cold and pointy. She opened her hand and her eyes widened.
It was the Golden Crossbow! The tiny golden crossbow gleamed in the sunlight. Tears flowed. It was an honour to own the Golden Crossbow. Only the most worthy and loyal Assassin was given one. The last one to be given out was ten years ago. Basil had gotten it when he single-handedly killed a brigade of Bandits including their leader who were trying to break into the Assassins Guild. He was badly hurt, but the Guild was safe from intruders. He was nominated for Chief afterwards.
Hank patted her shoulder. "Time to go, Stripes." He said. Chief Basil nodded and headed back to his tower. Logan gave Rogue a locket.
"It belongs to you now."
Rogue wiped away her tears. "Yeah. Goodbye."
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Voila! How did you like it? A bit long, eh? Very long. Hmm, next chapter, the chapter you've been waiting for. ROMY!
Please review, thank you!