Chapter Two: King of the Cage

And here's Chapter Two, the introduction of Wolverine! By the way, if it seemed like I was bashing Jean in the summary of last chapter, I wasn't. Sorry if I left that impression.

So, I didn't get any reviews since I posted the first chapter. No worries, but I would still like some feedback! Tell me what you think so far, or ask questions you might have about the story! As long as you don't mind waiting a week for a reply, as I'd like to give shout-outs.

By the way, I saw Ralph Breaks the Internet last week! I love the first movie, and I enjoyed this one just as much!

Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men.

About eight months later, Marie found herself in Northern Alberta, Canada, in Laughlin City. In those long months, she grew more and more afraid of herself, having learned that she had the awful ability to hurt people just by touching their skin. And somehow, she had David's thoughts and memories bouncing around in her head. She didn't know how or why, nor did she care. All that she knew was that she was a monster, a danger to everyone around her. She knew that her parents were afraid of her, too, even if they didn't say it.

David had been in a coma for three weeks. When he woke up, he didn't want to talk to Marie at all, which led her to make an ultimate decision. She couldn't risk the possibility of putting anyone else through the same pain, especially her parents. So she packed what she could, covered every inch of her skin except for her face, and fled her home town.

She became the Rogue.

After being dropped off by a gruff truck driver, Rogue walked into a tavern, seeing a crowd gather around a giant metal cage. She watched as two dangerous looking men haul an unconscious man out of the cage. She kept her hood up, knowing she was not safe.

"Gentlemen!" the announcer was saying into his microphone in the middle of the arena. "in all my years, I've never seen anything like this." The crowd around Rogue shouted in response. "Are you gonna let this man walk away with your money?!"

As the spectators crowed their disapproval, Rogue suddenly noticed the shirtless man with sideburns in the cage with his back to her, appearing to catch his breath. One brave spectator stood up declaring, "I'll fight him!"

The mysterious fighter took a swig of his drink while the crowd cheered the new fighter on.

"Ladies and gentlemen," said the announcer, "our savior!" Covering his microphone, he leaned in to the new fighter saying, "Whatever you do, don't hit him in the balls."

The fighter shot back, "You said anything goes."

"Anything goes, but he'll take it personal," the announcer clarified. He stepped away as the bell was rung.

The fight started off rather unfair, in Rogue's opinion. The new fighter didn't bother waiting for the apparent champion to turn around and began kicking and punching him against the fence of the cage. The crowd was roaring, still cheering on the new fighter. The champion had fallen, but was still being relentlessly kicked. Rogue found herself hoping that the champion would get up and defend himself, but then thought that perhaps he couldn't. He appeared to be weak and tired. As she pondered this, he slowly stood up, growling while holding his stomach.

And then, he threw a punch back. Rogue was surprised, not only because he had indeed gotten back up to fight, but because she heard a peculiar metallic sound as he effortlessly fought his opponent. She winced as the new fighter fell to the floor of the cage; every hit the champion had landed sounded excruciating.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the announcer declared to the booing crowd, "tonight's winner and still King of the Cage, the Wolverine!"

While the Wolverine lit a cigar, Rogue couldn't help but be drawn to him. Something was telling her that, somehow, he was like her.

Like her, he was different.

After the fight, everyone either left or went to get a drink. The announcer began counting the money from all the bets at a table, while Rogue sat at the bar with a glass of water. She looked at the tip jar, which had a sign that read, 'Tipping is NOT a city in China'. The bartender stared at her as he cleaned a glass.

"You want something new, honey? Or are you sticking with water?" He slid the tip jar away from her. She said nothing.

"I'll have a beer." Rogue looked to her left. It was the Wolverine. He sat a few feet away from her and stuck his cigar in his mouth. He looked up and saw her staring at him. She blushed and looked away. As he paid for his drink, they both listened to the TV.

"Ellis Island, once the arrival point for hundreds of thousands of American immigrants, is opening its doors again," the TV announcer was saying. "Preparations are nearly completed for the United Nations World Summit. With nearly every station confirmed, the event promises to be the largest single gathering of world leaders in history. The leaders of over two hundred nations will discuss issues ranging from the world's economic climate and weapons treaties to the mutant phenomenon and its impact on our world stage."

At the word 'mutant', both Rogue and Wolverine looked up at the TV. Rogue considered herself a mutant, but did the Wolverine? She looked at him again curiously.

"Many American legislators have contended that debate over mutant issues should be the primary focus of what is, on the surface at least, a strictly diplomatic affair."

As the Wolverine watched the TV, Rogue saw the fighter from their last match walk up to him and tap him on the shoulder. "You owe me some money."

Wolverine turned to look at him as his friend said, "Come on, Stu. Let's not do this."

But Stu didn't listen. "No man takes a beating like that without a mark to show for it." Wolverine just rolled his eyes and turned away.

"Come on, buddy. This isn't gonna be worth it," his friend tried again. But Stu just glared at Wolverine.

"I know what you are," he whispered in his ear.

"You lost your money," said the Wolverine. He was quiet, but the tone in his voice sent shivers down Rogue's spine. "You keep this up, and you'll lose something else."

Stu turned away, but instead of leaving him alone, he brought out a knife.

"Look out!" Rogue screamed. Wolverine immediately stood up and pushed Stu against a wall. His left hand held him in place, and his right... Rogue couldn't believe her eyes. His right hand had two large, sharp-looking metallic claws extended from his knuckles, which were positioned on either side of Stu's neck. She then saw a third claw from between them slowly extend towards his throat, the tip gently brushing it.

For several seconds, nobody moved. Then a shotgun was heard being cocked. The Wolverine turned his head slightly and saw, from the corner of his eye, the bartender aiming the gun at his head. "Get outta my bar, freak!"

Rogue was scared. While she was not being threatened by anyone, she couldn't help but fear for the Wolverine. But he looked far from afraid. Without taking his gaze or claws off of Stu, he stuck his left hand behind him and sliced up the bartender's shotgun with a new set of claws. He kept them aimed at the bartender, almost snarling. He looked between the men, then looked at Rogue, who looked frightened yet curious.

Eventually, the Wolverine drew back his claws, seeing that he had an audience. He said nothing as he slowly walked out, right past Rogue. She looked after him, then looked at the small crowd. Not caring that they were watching her, she got up and ran after him.

And there's Chapter Two! Just a reminder that this is going to be Rogue/Cyclops, since I know that there are Wolverine/Rogue shippers. She's not attracted to him, but she's still somewhat drawn to him, seeing as he's the first mutant she encountered.