In a world that hates and fears mutants, Magneto's Brotherhood of Evil Mutants is proving to make things all the more difficult for Professor Charles Xavier, who has a vision of humans and mutants living together in peace and harmony.

Recently, the Brotherhood's shape-shifting co-leader, Mystique, has adopted Anna-Marie D'Ancanto, a young mutant from the south with ability to siphon the energy and memory of anyone that she touches. Unfortunately, Anna-Marie's powers manifested after having kissed her very first crush, a boy named Cody Robbins. Ostracized by her peers and unaccepted by her father, the teenager ran away from home. She was found by Mystique who offered to adopt her as her own. As part of her training to become a member of the Brotherhood, Anna-Marie absorbed the memories of Warren Worthington, Jr. out of effort to aid the Brotherhood in taking down presidential-hopeful Senator Edward Kelly.

Issue 11: Rogue Recruit Part 2

The Chart House Restaurant – Weehawken, New Jersey

For Warren Worthington III and Candy Southern, they both didn't have too much time to have a night off due to them being college seniors at Pace University. However, their night off was Friday nights, which meant every Friday night going out to the Chart House in Weehawken, New Jersey, where they had the best steak and seafood in the city. Warren decided that that night was the ideal night to propose to Candy. He'd had the ring for a good month, and after talking with Scott earlier, he decided that he didn't want to waste one more second with his girlfriend.

"So, War, you told me that your first Danger Room session was a success," Candy said with a smile.

"Yeah, I don't think it can get much better than that," Warren said with a smile in his girlfriend's direction as he took her hand. He had the ring in his jacket pocket. Tonight was the night.

"Well, that's one thing to celebrate tonight. And considering the fact that we graduate in December," Candy added.

"Yeah, and that means Tony Stark will be entrusting you and me as the CFOs, that's something I can say I never thought would happen. I wish that my parents could be as proud," Warren said.

Candy nodded; however, she didn't want them to spoil their Friday night dinner due to talking about how Warren's family had tossed him out. Candy proceeded to take a bite of her stuffed flounder before sipping her white wine.

"So, War, aside from us being hired by Tony Stark to be the CFOs of X-Corporation, what other plans are we making, for us, for our future?" Candy asked him, her blue eyes meeting Warren's.

"Well, Candy, I can say, that no matter what the future holds for the two of us, all I know is that I want that future to be with you," Warren whispered to her softly as he reached into his jacket pocket for the ring that he had brought to propose to Candy with. However, that was the moment his cell phone started to ring. "Sorry; gotta take this, hun."

Warren pulled his phone out and saw that Tony was calling him. "Hey, Tony. It's date night tonight," he said.

"Yeah, Warren I am sorry to interrupt. I know it's your night off with Candy, but, you gotta get back here to X-Corp right away. This is important," Tony said.

"Mr. Stark, can it wait?" Warren asked.

"No. It cannot wait, because it concerns your old man," Tony said.

"What is this about my father?" asked Warren, not even attempting to hide the bitterness in his voice.

"Kid, just get here, alright?" Tony asked.

"Okay." Warren hung up the phone, turning to Candy apologetically. Candy gave him an understanding look. Warren then turned to their waiter. "Hey, Jason. Sorry, but, you're gonna have to pack our dinner to go, again."

X-Corporation Tower – Professor Xavier's Office

For Professor Charles Xavier, he always had had his fears that Magneto and his Brotherhood of Mutants would rise one day in attempt to try and overthrow the human population of the world. However, he did not think that it would be taken this far, but that did not mean he was surprised in the least.

He sat in his office with Tony and Pepper, awaiting Warren's arrival with Candy. Scott, Jean, Bobby and Hank were also present. Xavier hadn't told them much; all they knew was that Warren had to be present to hear the news of what had happened. Before they knew it, Warren and Candy were in Xavier's office, Candy in Warren's arms before he set her down.

"Why do I feel like I just got called into the principal's office?" Warren asked.

"Warren, this is serious. This is a problem. It's Magneto's Brotherhood. Their ranks, as you know, are growing in numbers and followers, and they seem to have a mutant with them who can siphon others' memories and energy. I was monitoring them through Cerebro because I was worried that something like this would happen. They broke into Worthington Industries to force information out of your father regarding Senator Kelly's itinerary for his press conference next week," Xavier said.

"Great, something I was very well hoping not to be involved with. What do you want me to do?" Warren asked, not thrilled about where this conversation was headed.

"We need you to see if you can contact your father somehow and find out where Senator Kelly is having that press conference. If the Brotherhood is going to be there, we will need to do something about it," said Tony.

Warren burst out laughing, needing to wipe a tear from his eye. "Ha, ha, ha . . . please tell me you're joking Mr. Stark!" he barked, furious at the thought of needing to confront his father after years of not speaking to him. "The last words my father said to me were, "You're dead to me." So therefor, that's not going to happen."

"Warren, we know your father is the last person you'd ever want to see or speak with, but, you're going to have to do this, somehow. You need to find a way to do this," Hank said.

"No, Hank, my answer is no! Okay? My father betrayed his own blood and threw me out on the streets like I was garbage to him! If the professor didn't find me, I would have been dead, because I was an arrogant, idiotic spoiled frigging brat. There! I can admit to what I was, and guess what? I own it!" Warren spat.

"Come on, War!" Bobby said. "You cannot hate your parents for the rest of your life. Trust me when I say that, because my parents probably hate me now too because of my mutation!"

"Bobby –!" Warren started to say.

"Warren, take this from somebody who doesn't have parents," Jean said. "Okay? Scott and I's mom and dad are dead! We will never see them ever again. You however, have a chance to prove to your parents that they are wrong about your mutation and that you're trying to use your powers to do good!"

"Jean's right, War," Candy pointed out.

"Guys, it's not that simple, and you know it. You know my family history, I told you and Scott that from the day I first met you, Jean," Warren said. "My parents, they failed me . . . they despise who I am and what I am and they tried getting me to change for the sake of being part of the family business. As far as I know, I do not want a relationship with them. They're scum on the bottom of my shoe."

"Warren," said Jean. "I think it's time that you try and learn to forgive a little bit here."

"Jean's right, Warren," said Professor Xavier. "Forgiveness can go a long way and it's easier to do that than hold grudges."

"Exactly, kid," Tony stated. "War, you shouldn't follow by my example of hating your old man because he threw you out. Be better than me."

"Why should I? Tony, you can't even forgive your own father, and he's dead!" Warren said in a harsh tone.

"So how's about you try forgiving before it's too late?" Pepper suggested to him.

Warren swallowed, taking in the words of his new friends and his mentors. They honestly did make a point when they told him that he should try to forgive a little bit and let that weight get lifted off of his chest. He looked over at Candy, who gave him a look of pleading as she grabbed hold of his hand, giving it a squeeze to show her moral support.

"Alright. I-I can try, but, I cannot make any promises," Warren said. "I can guarantee you my dad won't be willing to talk to me."

"It won't hurt to try at all," Scott said.

Outside Worthington Industries Factory – Downtown Newark, New Jersey

The Brotherhood found they were outside a factory that was owned by Worthington Industries, the exact place that they were going to hit next week when Senator Kelly had his press conference.

"Are you sure that this is the place, Rogue?" asked Mystique.

"Positive," Rogue said with a nod. "Ah'm sure of it. It's a factory owned by Worthington Industries. Ah've had a taste of what Worthington Jr.'s memories of Senator Kelly are. He's up that man's ass. There's no way that this won't be where he'll be holding his press conference."

"Alright, so this is how it's going to go down. We hit Senator Kelly next Friday at the press conference, which is taking place at twelve noon. Rogue, you will be staying behind at the Brotherhood house. The rest of us can handle it ourselves just fine," said Mystique.

"Ya mean you don't need meh to –?" asked Rogue.

"No, not yet . . . you're not ready to be out in the field just yet. This was just your first taste at being on a mission. This isn't your first mission; this is just your first training on how to control your powers. Your time one day will come," said Wanda with a small smile in Anna-Marie's direction. She slung an arm around the Southern bell's shoulders to reassure the girl that her time will come.

X-Corporation Tower – Warren's Room

Warren found himself on his cell phone for over an hour, trying to contact his father. But, just like he expected, his parents were not picking up the phone . . . neither were any of the butlers or maids that lived at the Worthington mansion. Warren huffed and puffed, trying to call again and again. He was so furious that his father was still the pig-headed jackass he was all those years ago. It made him sick to his stomach the more he thought about it. He was sick of this whole thing, sick of what his father was . . . he couldn't tolerate it for more than a minute.

"Dad, look, it's me. It's Warren. Listen, I know you do not want to speak to me or see me . . . you made that very clear when you tossed me out. But, this is important! The Brotherhood of Mutants they're planning to attack Senator Kelly at the press conference next week we do not know where he's having the press conference but if we do not find out, he's going to be in danger and it'll just get worse and worse for mutants everywhere! Pick up, God dammit you mother fletcher!" Warren shouted into the phone as he heard Scott, Jean, Bobby and Hank outside his room.

"Any luck?" Jean asked him.

"No. It's just like I expected. My dad's too pig-headed to try and do the right thing. He's got his head up his ass!" Warren said, exasperated as he shook his head. "He's still the same pig-headed asshole he was all those years ago when he threw me away! He'll never change! I mean, the man's pushing fifty years old, and they say when a person reaches that age they're most likely not going to change their ways."

"Try again," pleaded Bobby.

"How many times do I have to try before I realize that my mother and father aren't going to give a shit?" asked Warren. "For all I know, they're probably enjoying this right now; they like the idea of things getting worse for mutants . . . they're disgusting!"

"Warren, you can't just roll over and play dead!" said Scott.

"I know that, Slim!" Warren ran his hand over his face and through his hair, shaking his head. "It's just . . ."

"Yeah, yeah, I know; it's frustrating the shit out of you. You're projecting on a thousand loud speakers," Jean told him bluntly.

"Jeannie –" Warren said.

"Never give up on something that you can't go a day without thinking about," Hank said. "Winston Churchill . . ."

"Hank, enough with the philosophy lessons please!" Warren begged. "You're a walking fortune cookie! Has anybody told you that before?!"

"Look, we're just saying that you shouldn't just give up this easily," Jean pointed out to him.

"And if I do, you're more than welcome to use me as a whipping post," Warren said.

"Well, if you cannot reach your parents at home, what else can we do?" asked Bobby.

"How's about paying them a visit at work?" suggested Scott.

"No fucking way, Scottie. It ain't happening," Warren cried. "It will be a cold day in hell the day I walk into Worthington Industries ever again!"

"Well you have to!" Scott declared. "So suck it up, and man up!"

Warren stood there, taking in Scott's words. The fact that Scott was standing his ground and not taking Warren's self-pity was something that a thousand words couldn't describe. He breathed out a sigh. He knew that if he showed up at Worthington Industries, he'd most likely get thrown out, but, he knew that at this point, they didn't have too much of a choice.

"Alright, I'll-I'll see what I can do. I can almost guarantee you that I won't be welcome back to my parents' company ever again, but, I will try. I just . . . I can't this weekend. I've got tests to study for, and throughout next week, I've got school and I've also got training. It'll be tough, but I'll try," Warren said, giving in. He knew that his friends were right . . . he had to give in and admit that, because all he could do at this point was surrender.

Outside Senator Edward Kelly's House – Westchester, New York

After the Brotherhood of Mutants had attacked Worthington Industries and went to the place where Senator Kelly was going to be holding his press conference, they just knew that they were not done yet. They now found themselves outside the senator's home in Westchester County, New York. As far as they knew, he was staying in a hotel somewhere for the weekend with his family, so therefor, the timing was perfect. However, Quicksilver couldn't resist running inside to check.

"Nobody's home," he said.

Mystique stayed at Rogue's side as she nodded for Scarlet Witch to wreak havoc on the senator's home, but she also knew that this was the opportunity to train Rogue on how she could absorb mutants' powers in addition to their energy and memories. It was vital, because Mystique kept telling the young mutant that before she knew it, the "most important mission of her life" would be coming. And Rogue, being the scared, naïve teen that she was, was going along with it, because she felt as though she owed Mystique for taking her in and offering her a place in a group that she could belong in.

Wanda proceeded to use her powers of manipulating probability and telekinesis to fire several hex bolts towards Senator Kelly's estate, managing to knock down several bits and pieces of the house, such as windows and bricks. Mystique then nodded for Anna-Marie to absorb Avalanche, and then Pyro. Rogue took her gloves off and proceeded to absorb Lance and John, and Mystique proceeded to guide her.

"Now, Rogue, concentrate everything that you have, my child," Raven whispered in a deathly calm voice.

"Are ya sure about this? Ah-Ah mean this is somebody's house," said Anna-Marie.

"Rogue, when the Brotherhood leaves a message, we like to make sure that it's loud and clear. Imagine what Senator Kelly would do to our homes; to us if he's elected as president! We're already fucked with President Osborn in office!" Wanda pointed out.

"Seriously Rogue, you better not be flaking out now," Toad said to her.

Despite her hesitation, Rogue proceeded to take some control and use Avalanche's telekinesis to tear apart the huge house before her, and then using Pyro's pyrokinesis to set the house ablaze. Blob then proceeded to run headfirst into the house, breaking it down further by using his overly-large body size to his advantage. Toad however just stood off to the sidelines with Raven, Pietro and Kid Omega, grinning in amazement. That was the moment Pietro proceeded to step forward to congratulate Rogue on her success, a wide smile on his face as he looked at Anna-Marie in pride.

"Congratulations, Rogue. You managed to successfully conquer your powers on the first day, and prove your loyalty to the Brotherhood. Well done," he said, leaning a hand on the younger girl's shoulder.

Rogue just smiled in return towards Pietro; however, she was still debating internally whether or not she was actually doing the right thing in the first place.

Up next: Striking Senator Kelly

A/N: Also, on my blog, MakeupGeek Comics, I uploaded an official character biography page for the main characters of Peace in Our Time. If you wish to go over there, feel free to do so. Again, be sure to follow, favorite and REVIEW for more. Reviews are much so needed for this series to prosper; it only takes one minute of your time, so please review! Excelsior!