Rogue lay on the ground gasping for air. Her limbs were bursting with pain. She felt another sharp pain in the side of her head. Blood poured from her mouth. She spat on the ground and looked up. Mystique sneered at her, yellow eyes gleaming.

'You just going to lie there?'

'I'M TRYING!' screamed Rogue.

'Doesn't seem like that too me.'

Rogue stood up. So far the only thing keeping her alive was her reflexes. But that was not what Mystique wanted. They were camping near the place where all her experiments took place. Magneto stayed in his tent planning the attack. Mystique had taken it upon herself to try and force Rogue to use a power, any power. Pyro was still asleep. She could feel pain shoot through her ribs. They were broken. She was weak, worthless. She felt another sharp jab on her back. She screamed out loudly unable to contain herself. A few mutants nearby sniggered. Mystique turned her on her back. Rogue looked up at the gleaming yellow eyes. Mystique swung her foot backwards. She was about to give Rogue a sharp kick when Pyro grabbed her from behind.

'Leave her alone.' He whispered.

Mystique wrenched herself from Pyro's grip. She looked at him then shrugged leaning against a tree.

'Pathetic.' She muttered.

Pyro leaned over Rogue. He started to wipe the blood away from her face. She felt herself slipping slowly into darkness. Then she felt her heart pound. No it would not end this way. A memory came back from when she was little.

'You have to focus my dear. Push the memories aside and focus on the power itself. How does it feel when you use that power? But also focus on that person. You're not Marie anymore. You are that person. Now try again.'

She thought, focused all her energy. Logan. She thought about him and how she felt when using his power. The pain started to subside. She felt his anger, his energy flow through her. From what seemed like far away she heard a gasp. She pushed herself up.

'Mystique!' she called out.

Mystique looked up. Her eyes surveyed Rogue's body. Slowly she started to smile.

'Excellent! Move away Pyro.'

Pyro stood in front of Rogue.

'What! So you can beat her to death again.'

'I said move.'

'No.'

Mystique took a threatening step forward. Pyro didn't move. Rogue stood up slowly and put her hand on his shoulder.

'It's ok.' She whispered.

She moved his face so that he was looking straight at her. She was still covered in blood but she felt no more pain. Pyro stared at her. Finally he shook his head and turned away. Then he stopped. He pulled something out of his pocket, walked up to her, and pushed it in her hand. He leaned in close and whispered,

'Kick her ass, Rogue.'

He walked away smirking. She turned to face Mystique.

'You ready?' asked Mystique.

Rogue opened her hand. Inside was Pyro's Zippo lighter.

'You bet I am.'

The plan was that they would barge in and take what they need. Rogue was to do what she had to while the Brotherhood continued with Magneto's plan of action. They stood outside ready to attack.

'You have two hours before we destroy the place. Make sure your out by then.'

Rogue nodded.

'See you back at camp.'

She headed to the left. Pyro was waiting for her at the tunnel. They climbed in and closed it behind them. Then they waited.

BAM

'That's the first explosion. Go.' She whispered.

He nodded and headed off.

'O.k. Kitty I'm going to need you for this.'

She thought about the perky little brunette. She remembered how easily it was to phase through the car. Slowly she approached the wall. She reached out her hand. It went straight through the wall. She pushed away the memories and voices flooding through her mind. She ran avoiding all the chaos. Left, right, left, left. She saw fire through the corner of her eye and smiled. Finally she found it. There was a black door with men armed with guns. She hid not wanting to cause an alarm. Slowly one by one they seemed to investigate the various explosions. When only one was left she walked out, ignoring the bullets going through her. She walked through him and into the door. A satisfying thud told her he'd fainted. There was a man cowering behind the desk when he saw her he rose, backing into a shelf, gun in his hand.

'Who are you? Get out!'

'Marie.'

He stopped and looked at her.

'What?'

'Marie. That was my name. Remember?'

'Was?'

'Before I escaped.'

'Impossible. You could never…'

'Walk through walls?'

He seemed confused. He sat down shaking his head. She sat down opposite him.

'How?'

'I've learned to control my powers.' She said simply.

'That's excellent news.'

'No it's not.' She whispered.

'No?'

'I've killed people. Some deserved to die but the other's didn't.'

'You did become quite close to them. All those "subjects", for want of a better word, we should have never have put them in the cell next to yours. We don't make those mistakes anymore.'

'I'm sure there are plenty of mistakes still made.'

'Well those that were made back then can be rectified.'

Rogue looked up at him anger boiling inside of her. She didn't reply but looked at the floor.

'How did you escape?'

'After Mrs Basset died I experienced a sudden burst of energy. Unintentional at the time but never the less…'

'So you're the reason the lab blew up.' He gasped.

She nodded.

'We thought it was a machine backfire.'

She looked at the time. She had half an hour left.

'Why have you come back?' he asked.

'To show you I was not a failure.'

'No, I see that now.'

He smiled at her.

'I suppose you had something to do with the intrusion.'

He waved his hand casually towards the explosions. She nodded again.

'I found someone who had a better purpose for your equipment.'

'What would that be?' he asked leaning forward.

'To turn all humans into mutants.'

'Ah…but don't you remember that my research is incomplete?'

The corner of her mouth twitched but she made no response.

'So you did not tell them that the mutation would be extreme.'

Rogue sat perfectly still. She made not a single movement, trying to conserve her energy.

'I do not understand, Marie.'

'I had to give them something in return.'

'What do you get out of this?'

'I get to kill you myself.'

For a moment there was panic in his eyes. Then he laughed.

'No, I do not believe that your…ah, 'accomplice' would risk life and limb for a machine that might work.'

'It will work.'

'But…'

'It will work because you know how. You know exactly what's wrong with it. And what you know soon I shall know too.' she said impatiently.

He stood up at his desk, gun dangerously at the ready. He was shaking uncontrollably.

'No please…'

'You took away my life. You killed my parents. Not only that you killed others who were innocent. Then when everything didn't go your way you made me think I was useless. I watched you discard the bodies of those who were my friends. Remember?'

She extended her hand. The gun began to melt in his hand.

'Sebastian?' he whispered.

'I have obtained many powers but also now because of you I have many memories.'

'It was all for you.'

'I JUST WANTED TO BE NORMAL.'

'But you liked the powers, I saw it in your eyes then I see it in them now. You crave that feeling, you enjoy the life force of others.'

'ALL BECAUSE OF YOU!'

'No Marie…'

'MY NAME IS ROGUE.'

She put her hand around his neck. He tried to take it away but the life force drained from him. Memories flashed through her mind. A young boy being cornered by a gang of teenagers. People being dragged from their homes. A little girl sitting alone in her cell trying to use a power not her own.

'I am what you made me.' She whispered as his eyes rolled back and finally he became limp.

She dropped him. Slowly she focused. She pushed the memories to the back of her mind. She turned to the bookshelf and pulled out a thick red book. She smiled as it swung out the way. Now for the final step.

They had been travelling for a while now. Rogue stood in front telling Magneto how to alter the equipment. Pyro watched as she flipped her hair back. She was so beautiful. She saw him looking and smiled at him. He smiled back but didn't really mean it. This was not the way he had imagined them being together. He loved how she was taking control. But the way there was always this glimmer of anger in her eyes scared him. He had always hoped that she would leave Bobby and they would leave the mansion together. Magneto signalled that they could set up camp again. They were in the middle of a clearing. Pyro began setting up their tent. One of the other mutants helped him. Once it was up he nodded his thanks. He went and sat in the tent. Rogue came in an hour later. She was clutching her head, her eyes screwed up in pain.

'Dam memories.' She muttered.

She lay next to him and put her head on his lap. He began stroking her hair. Slowly she began to relax.

'Hey, Rogue?'

'Yeah?' she mumbled.

'I want you to know that no matter what I'll always protect you.'

'I know.' She replied sleepily.

'And that I don't want to lose you.'

She opened her eyes and looked straight into his. Tears welled up. She grabbed his arm and clung on. She seemed not to be able to speak. But he already knew what she wanted to do. And he knew what he had to do to save her.

They arrived at their destination at midnight. It was an abandoned building just outside of a smile town. Most of the mutants had started to set up. Mystique came in and whispered to Magneto. He nodded. Then he said something back to her. Rogue frowned as Mystique signalled six other mutants to follow her. Magneto turned and smiled at her.

'We have some unexpected guests.'

'Who?'

'The X-men.'

Rogue's fists clenched in anger. She turned but Magneto put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

'Don't worry Mystique can handle them. Besides the machine is almost ready is it not?'

She looked at the machine. It was identical to Magneto's first one except here and there were minor adjustments. Slowly she nodded. Magneto stepped forward.

'Then you may draw my power.'

She looked at him and shook her head. When he frowned she gave a casual flick of the hand causing a metal pole to shoot across the room. He looked stunned but then gave a hearty laugh.

'You truly are extraordinary.'

Logan sniffed the air intently. She was here. He nodded to Cyclops and pointed upwards. Storm looked at the Professor confused.

'Why?' she asked.

'There is a town beyond that hill with quite a vast population.'

'Which means?' growled Logan

'Which means that he knows we're trying to stop him but this time wants to make sure he at least changes some humans before we do.' answered Cyclops.

'Well what are we waiting for?'

Logan began to rush forward but Jean thrust her arm out.

'Someone's coming.'

Logan sniffed the air again.

'Mystique.' He declared, 'What's the plan?'

Cyclops looked at the Professor who nodded.

'We split up. Jean, Jubilee, Piotr and I will take on Mystique. You and Storm go find Rogue.'

'What about the Professor?' asked Jubilee.

'I have something else I must do.'

Logan nodded at the others and then he Storm ran forward. Suddenly a blinding white light rose from the hill spreading over the town. Storm sped up. Mystique's gang came running but a blast of red light told them Cyclops was handling it. Suddenly as they drew closer there was a piercing scream from the town. Logan looked at Storm and saw the fear he felt reflected in her eyes.

Rogue smiled as the screams from the town continued to rise. She threw all the energy she could into the machine. The new and improved rings spun faster and smoother emitting more radiation than last time. Her body felt numb as if slowly it was turning to ice. She closed her eyes so that she could concentrate harder. The memories swilled around her head. She smiled allowing them to fill her head, to fill the silence. She could hear the voices at the back of her mind. They were shouting. Screaming at the top of their lungs for her to stop. But she ignored them. A face showed in her mind. It was Pyro's hurt eyes as he watched her leave with Magneto. She felt a tear roll down her cheek. She shook her head, eyes shut firmly.

'I regret nothing.' She whispered.

She relaxed slowly again. The faces of Bobby and Kitty swam in front of her eyes.

'Nothing.'

Logan shook himself vigorously. He flexed his muscles before cracking his stiff neck.

'You all right?' asked Storm.

He glared at her.

'Took your time didn't ya?'

'You didn't move a muscle.' She smirked.

'Funnily enough that happens whenever I'm around him.' He snarled.

They both peered at Magneto's limp body. Luckily Logan had been with Storm so that she could knock Magneto out while he was being twitched life a ball of string.

'Let's go.' He grunted.

Logan started to move forward. There was another scream from the town. Logan stopped and frowned for a second then he turned to Storm.

'You'd better get down there.'

It was an order not a suggestion. She nodded knowing their time was running out and ran towards the town. Logan hesitated a second then rammed into the door of the abandoned building. It flew away with ease. He looked around. At the top of the building a platform had been built and was now supporting the machine. But it was different somehow. He didn't feel a sense of déjà vu but more an uncomfortable realisation that they had seriously underestimated Rogue. He began climbing up to the machine. The stairway was horribly mangled and twisted. Someone didn't want them to get to her. He swung himself swiftly towards the machine. As he looked up he froze. Rogue was looking up with the most ghostly expression on her face. Her body was tense and rigid but her face was relaxed and an eerie smile sat lightly on her face.

'Rogue?' he whispered.

The smile stayed but her body clenched. The rings spun faster.

'Please…'

Her eyes snapped open. She did not look at him. Her smile was no longer peaceful. It was a malicious, tense smile. He couldn't stand it. He rushed forward releasing his claws. He leapt at the machine. The rings broke apart and exploded with force. He was thrust backwards into the wall. The light from the machine went away. He waited until the pain in his back subsided. Slowly Logan got up and walked towards her. She was lying underneath the rubble, her body twitching slowly. He pulled her out gently careful not to injure her. A trickle of blood ran from her mouth. He wiped it away.

'Kid?'

Her breathing began to slow. Her eyes still lay open but didn't move.

'Come on kid. Don't give up!'

'I…' she stuttered.

Her eyelids began to flutter. He knew he was losing her. He knew he should heal her but another part knew it wouldn't be safe.

'It's Ok, Rogue.'

He leant down and kissed her forehead. He lingered for a moment. He didn't feel the familiar pull of her power. Just a slight shiver ran through his body. Suddenly his nose twitched. He sniffed and let out a low growl. He put down Rogue's body and turned to face Mystique. She had Magneto's arm around her neck. As soon as she saw Logan she hurried off. Anger ripped through him and he sprinted after Mystique wanting nothing more than revenge. She was running fast, dragging Magneto with her.

'Logan!'

He turned to see Storm running towards him.

'I have to get Mystique.'

'No, Scott's set a trap for her.'

Logan sighed. He walked slowly back to the building.

There was a sound in the distance. Without warning the building burst into flames.

'NO!' roared Logan. He stumbled forward. But Storm leapt in front of him.

'What are you doing?'

'She's still in there.'

Shock crossed her face but Storm didn't move.

'I think this time it's to late.'

He started forward but then dropped to his knees. He felt Storm trying to help him up. He saw tears running silently down her face. Then he felt a more familiar hand touch his back.

'Come on Logan.' She whispered.

He got up slowly allowing Jean to lead him away.

Storm watched as her class filed in. Her heart lurched as her eyes brushed over four empty seats. Three dead, one lost. They couldn't find Pyro and the Professor had advised them not to. They had had a memorial service for Rogue. Not all the students had been there. The ones who didn't know and the ones who forgave her had come. Storm couldn't go through with the lesson. Not with those empty seats bringing all the emotions back. She set them work and stepped out for a minute.

'Storm?'

She looked to her left and saw Logan.

'I'm OK. Just needed some air.' She whispered.

Logan nodded. She knew he was sad but wouldn't want to spill his heart.

'I don't understand. Why'd he do it?' she whispered.

'Magneto?' asked Logan

'Pyro! He loved her. But then, with the building…'

'Some things are always complicated.' Whispered someone.

Storm and Logan watched as the Professor came towards them.

'What John did may not make sense now. But I think when the time is right all will become clear. Now Storm I think your class is waiting and Logan you have a session in the danger room with Piotr. If you excuse me, we have some new arrivals.' Said the Professor.

Storm watched as he went. Logan sighed then turned and left. Storm stood for a moment, and then smiled, entering her classroom. She didn't linger on the empty seats but on the seats full of student's eager to learn.

Ok that was long. Thanx for the reviews and advice everyone. Sorry if this isn't excellent but I tried my best. Didn't know how to end this, so decided to end with Storm just answering why the building was on fire-sort of. Thanx again. Umm…The end? (Wait 'til next year…)