CHAPTER 6:

TOURNAMENT

GUEST STAR: Warren Worthington III, played by Alexander Ludwig

Laura Lex Kinney, played by Isabella Moner

"Yah tellin' me John is back on the wagon—" Rogue paused. Wanda decided to tell her of all days; John was back to his old ways. To make matters worse, she asked their youngest sister for advice. Reader, it's better than Pietro, Wanda's twin, but come on, Lyla? She's a bad case in judgment, and Rogue could easily name a few reasons.

"—Or is it off the wagon?"

Speaking of Wanda's annoying twin, Pietro stepped behind her to put in his two cents, "Off the wagon, right?" he was in Genosha, with his father, for reasons unknown, without any desire to know, but he said this day was more important. The X-Nerds being out in their place was something he had to see in person.

Wanda rolled her eyes at the topic as she pressed the doorbell to the mansion. "

"Can we please talk about this another time? They're right behind us."

Meanwhile, right behind the trio, Remy pat John's shoulder. The poor boy looked like his puppy was run over by a truck. They were close when Magneto chose them to fight alongside him. He, Remy, watched John spiral out of control. He watched him get thrown into an insane asylum, fire, and near death. There isn't a thing Remy doesn't know about John.

"Y' can't blame her," Remy said.

John's shoulders slumped; "Oi' know. Oi can't lose her. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Remy sidestepped him and shrugged, "But y' ain' been the best thing that happened to her."

John opened his mouth to speak when the blue, furry doctor of the X-Men popped open the door.

"They're already at the field if you wish to take the dirt path. It should lead you to where you need to go."

Rogue smiled at him genuinely. "Thanks, Dr. McCoy."

He dipped his head in response, then shut the front door.

The others around him complained. He didn't mind the walk as long as John behaved and stopped pouting.

SOUNDTRACK: Not in the Mood by Lil Taj

The first to see the Brotherhood coming was Kitty. Of course, she went straight to Lance, both blushing profusely.

Scott and Jean were close behind.

Rogue sighed in displeasure.

"I'm surprised you came out of your cave." Wow, Scotty has jokes. Who thought?

She, Rogue, tilts her head to the side, studying him. Based on his backward hat, she could tell he was the catcher. Great. He's going to taunt all of them. It won't be a problem for most of her team, but Toad, Fred, and Pietro get flustered quickly.

"Funny," she said blandly.

Logan came to the pitcher's mound calling both the team captains over. He showed a coin, "Let me explain the rules."

"It's baseball; we all get the gist."

"We are also mutants; we often cross the line." Higher than thou, Jean said.

"Jean's right, so if one fight breaks out, we are goin' back to enemies, and we will treat each other as such."

Wanda rolled her eyes, as did Rogue. Logan always threatened a fight. One they could quickly lose, no matter if they have a home turf advantage.

"And powers?" Wanda asked.

Logan snorted, "We have more than enough time for that. We are gonna play old-fashioned baseball. To ensure that, Dr. McCoy created a device for the field to dampen your powers."

Smart.

His dark beady eyes turned to Rogue, "Ya our guest, Heads or tails?"

"Tails."

He flicked the coin. It landed on heads.

Excellent.

"Ya have 5 minutes to convene with ya team. X-Men up first."

After five minutes, Fred Dukes took the pitcher's mound, Lance, his catcher. Both are slow on their feet, but Lance has quick reflexes and watches everything. Suitable for Blob's unaware personality.

Her faster players, Pietro and Remy, were stationed at first and third base, Wanda at second. Tabby is shortstop to help where needed. Rogue put herself, John, and Toad in the outfield.

To start the game, Cyclops was up at bat. Of course, the fearless leader had to start. Who is she to stop his ego? Lead from the front mentality.

In the stands, Xavier watched the game beside Storm. His head tilts back, soaking up the loving rays of the sun. he never comes outside anymore. Too busy teaching or observing the other's lead. New Year's resolution, go out and enjoy life more.

"Do we have you to thank for such a sunny day?" Xavier asked Storm.

She giggled and shook her head, "I am not, no sir."

A great day regardless.

Stronger in numbers. It keeps the humans from picking them off one by one. does dream consist of this: mutants coming together as a united front?

"The Brotherhood scored again."

He isn't surprised; Rogue keeps them in shape. How? He never understood. They don't have the land to run them or the technology to train. How does she do it? He'll ask her when all the bickering and egotistic games are over. Though, he may consider doing a yearly tournament with trophies and all. Build his students' confidence and teach them humility and the fruits of losing. Everything is a life lesson, win and or lose.

"What is the score?"

"4 Brotherhood. 2 us." Storm sighed.

He shook his head.

The game ended abruptly, thanks to a man's shadow appearing above the pitcher's mount. Rogue glanced above, muttering. Xavier wasn't sure what was said, but he could imagine it wasn't appropriate.

The young man landed on the mount, smiling ear to ear.

Cyclops came from his position as catcher, sticking his hand out, "Angel, what we help you with?"

A few Christmases ago, Angel, also known as Warren Worthington III, ran into Scott and Rogue. Both stayed in town during the holiday season. Xavier wanted to recruit young Warren, and Scott was bored. He sent him out and talked to the lad. Meanwhile, Rogue showed up and tried recruiting him for the Brotherhood. Charles wasn't sure if Mystique charged Rogue to add him to the ranks or Magneto.

Together they tried recruiting him, but Warren refused.

He, Xavier, haven't heard from Warren since that Christmas.

"Sorry to interrupt," Warren said, winking at the younger students. They giggled and swooned. "I need to talk to Rogue."

She crossed her arms, "This couldn't wait?"

Instead of responding, he took her arm, ushering her away from prying ears.

Wanda leaned against Blob's arm, "Don't worry, this happens all the time."

In agreement, Ororo nodded her head. She rested her elbow on Logan's sturdy elbow.

"Her and angel?" Scott sounded hurt by the idea of Warren and Rogue spending alone time together.

"Oh, that's right,t we haven't told you.…." Wanda said with a big smile, "Warren ended up coming to our side."

Scott raised a brow, pouting.

"Rogue told me about that Christmas. She also told me you were quite annoying."

"Were?" Pyro interjected, "Yo' sayin' he ain' now?"

Some of the younger students snickered at the joke. To keep further taunting, Scott pointed toward the dugout. They complained but followed directions.

Xavier refrained from the constant insults to study Warren and Rogue. Their conversation didn't seem romantically motivated. If he isn't mistaken, she and Gambit are involved but he could be reading into things. Excuse him, reader; he's not up to date on the latest gossip.

Rogue pat Warren on the arm.

He took off into the sky while she came over, deadpan.

"Brotherhood, head home; we have somewhere to be. Mystique's orders."

"Do you need extra hands?" Xavier offered. Part of him was curious.

"This don' concern y'all. If it has to do with the bombings, we will loop yah in. until then, we are leavin'."

"Tomorrow is the rescue mission." He won't tell anyone reader, but he's interested in how Rogue will have her team rescue people. They aren't the hero type. Good on Scott for bringing in one of the X-Men's core strengths.

Rogue popped up a thumb. Her back turned.

"Did you pick up anything they said?" Scott asked Logan.

The stout man shook his head, "Only bits and pieces. Somethin' about money."

"Professor," Scott started to loop in Xavier, "what do you wish us to do?"

He watched the Brotherhood retreat home, "Be on standby. If Mystique is involved, it will not be pretty, but all we can do is see what will happen."

Rogue gave Mr. Robert Kelly props. He did well for himself. Once the principal of Bayville High now, the favored winner of the Mayoral election. Good for him.

Stepping out of the shadows into the dimmed-lit living room, Rogue glanced up at Freddy chewing on an apple. Figures. Interrogations make him hungry. She could go for an apple, too. Dammit, focus.

Wanda updated her the security cameras are neutralized, thanks to Tabby and Toad. While Avalanche stood guard outside, ensuring no unwanted guests made an appearance.

Kelly, spoke nothing but hate toward her kind. Rogue's hardened eyes glared at the restrained man. She hated the man when he became the high school principal, after her mother. To be fair reader, she has a problem with authority, including her mother. He tried having them expelled from the school. And when he couldn't do it himself, he manipulated a few of her teammates to try and get the X-Men to use their powers to get expelled. Of course, it didn't work. When fighting for something other than themselves, the X-Men come together and win.

Rogue stepped in front of his glorious 75-inch television. Her back pressed against the white-painted fireplace.

"Mr. Kelly," She cooed, "It's time to wake up."

Slow, his eyes fluttered open, squinting. Pietro zipped over and put them on his face, allowing the mayor select to see clearly. He began to struggle against his restraints tied behind a chair.

"Ah, don't think Ah look that bad." She turned to Wanda, "Do Ah look bad?"

Wanda shook her head, "I think you look great."

"As Ah thought." Rogue tilts her head to the side, studying Mr. Kelly. Always be respectful reader, no matter how much she hates the man.

Kelly's shoulders slumped, accepting his situation, "What do you criminals want?"

Pietro gasped, offended.

Rogue refrained from snickering at his mock shock. She said, "We aren't criminals, Mr. Kelly. Sure, some of us destroyed a soccer game—"

"Which we apologized for!" Pietro interjected.

"However, we kept our 'criminal' ways out of yah lil' election." She tilts her head to the side, "since yah signed a contract with Lord Magneto of Genosha."

Kelly's eyes went wide with shock.

He's right. He believes no one knew about the secret meeting. No one did until he destroyed their contract by funding the FOH.

"Before yah deny it, we have people hiding in plain sight," Rogue stated plainly. "We get ahold of bank records easily. What we know, Mr. Kelly, yah fundin' the human terrorist group known as the Friend of Humanity."

He wanted to deny it all. Yet, he couldn't. The lies were out in the light. Afraid of them killing him, he thought it best to let her continue with her truths.

Rogue pushed off the fireplace, "My theory, sir, yah fund them so they can go to the polls and vote for yah and yah administration."

"Once elected, your administration can work with the FOH to irradicate the mutants. You want to start with the X-Men, Brotherhood, and Genosha. Because if common mutants have hope, they can fight you and your laws." Wanda finished for Rogue.

"Before yah ask how we know that…d.o Ah have to remind yah…we have friends everywhere."

Rogue took a step closer to Mr. Kelly. as if she was going to pass on the plague; he tried backing away from her. Pietro steadied him by gripping the back of his neck.

"It's yah lucky day, Robert." She hummed, "Yah can tell us where they will strike next and who's in charge."

He swallowed. His throat dry, "I-I don't know. I get an encrypted text telling me a bank account and when to pay. I-I swear!" Tears began to brim his eyes, scared for his life.

The contract would become void if she killed him, and nothing would stop hell from flying over to Genosha to start a war.

Rogue squatted before him, taking his chin in hand. She made sure he saw her blazing eyes.

"We will be in touch, and if yah know who is in charge of the FOH, pray to God we don't find out."

She looked behind Pietro.

"Untie him." Her eyes narrowed to Kelly, "Not a word of this,s Mr. Kelly. Yah never know who's watchin'."

The moment he looked down at his bruised wrists, they vanished.

Hopefully, he'll call who's in charge, and they can get this investigation over and done with.

SOUNDTRACK: Indestructible

"The idea is simple." Logan stood on the gazebo overlooking the waterfall. The two teams, X-Men and Brotherhood, stood together to listen to the rules. Rogue and her team showed up around 11 am for breakfast. Xavier and Logan asked about yesterday's end to the baseball game, but she shut it down quickly. It wasn't their business. Their truce wasn't broken; all they needed to know.

"Each person you save adds points. Adults are 2 points. Kids are 3, old people 4, and families considered 5. Pets are bonus points." A sly smile climbed on his lips, "Prepare ya self for any other obstacles."

Excellent, Rogue mumbled to herself.

Should she be surprised? No. Not in the slightest. It wouldn't be the X-Men without flare.

"Powers are allowed," Logan added.

Once he was finished with his little speech, Rogue turned to her team.

"Toad, Pietro, and Ah will be the rescuers. Wanda, Freddy, Tabby, and lance, offense. Protect and save as many people as possible. Need help? Ask."

"I can't wait to kick their asses."

Rogue shook her head, "This is training for us. Ah get it. We are considered villains. But we trade lives. Nor do we put civilian lives in danger. That's not our way. If the X-Men need help, do it. Be the bigger person. We can fight them tomorrow during tag."

Wanda being her partner, Rogue turned to her, "Leave John on the plane he went on last night. Ah need yah mind here."

"Already done," Wanda reassured.

…

The game started about 10 minutes ago. Somehow Pietro ended up lost and fighting alongside a new girl. Wolvie had some explaining to do. The girl had two claws in each hand and one in each foot. Like her father? She's quiet, grunts, and stabs things. No matter to him; she's helping him rack up points faster.

Destroying another gunman, the walk around the woods was silent when he finally said, "Do you have a name? It's just that if I am going to fight alongside you, we gotta get to know each other, yeah?"

She glanced over her shoulder, glancing at him.

Pietro noticed within the 5-second stare down she had hazel green eyes. Odd for someone of Latin community. Her hair is also lighter than Logan's by a fraction. Honestly, the only resemblance is in mannerisms and powers.

She growled, snapping him back to reality, as she threw her tattered jacket over her shoulder.

"Your favorite jacket?" He asked.

"My only jacket." She huffed.

Pietro nodded, keeping in stride alongside her. They trekked through the woods together, searching for anyone else who needed saving.

"So," He whistled, "Your name?"

Sharp, she said, "X-23."

"Quicksilver."

Silence fell between them once again. It took a few minutes when he said, "Wolvie is your pop?"

Her nose scrunched by the suggestion.

To be fair, he felt bad for asking such a question. That's a cruel punishment dawned by God himself. Like, dude. Could you imagine what life would be like?

Then he mentally paused, realizing Stahrwass was the daughter of Wolverine. Damn, he needed to send condolences once they're done here.

"If you're asking if Wolverine is my father, the answer is no." She stepped into the shrubbery, "I'm his clone."

He stopped, bug-eyed.

"Oh, is that all?" He muttered.

Her head poked through, head tilted, "You stopped. Is there danger?"

Pietro shook his head, "nope, not at all."

His chances of getting with him are gone.

…

Rogue slid behind a car as a tanker flew past her head. Porcupine will drive her crazy if he ignores what he's doing. The more damage he causes, the more people will need saving. Being this challenge is about saving people, Logan didn't say put them in danger.

Rogue poked her head over the car's hood, searching for any threats created by her partner. The coast was clear.

Standing, she dropped on her back as a spike flew past her head. Oh, that does it. She propped back to her feet, growling.

The simulation disappeared, but Rogue was too focused on plucking every spike from his body. He nearly killed her with no warning. No heads up. No watch your head. What the hell was he shooting at anyway?

"Are yah out of yah mind?!" She shouted, marching toward him.

Scott stepped between them, but Rogue shoved into his broad shoulder.

"Yah nearly got me killed twice. Porcupine! Twice! How do yah not know the rule of being aware of yah surroundings?!"

She turned her anger toward Storm, who flew down from the pavilion. Rogue wants to blame Xavier, but he isn't in the room teaching the X-Men how to use their powers. It's all Storm, Hank, and Logan.

How Evan is allowed in the field in the first place crazy.

"Cool it, Rogue." Scott shoved her with his arm.

The Brotherhood swarmed her, ready for a fight if needed.

"He is dangerous in the field! He nearly killed me!"

"Why were you in my line of fire? Huh?" Evan stepped up, but Pietro shoved him back with speed.

"Don't even try it, Daniels."

"Hey, if you don't like we train, leave," Scott shouted.

"Fine by—" Rogue stopped when her phone buzzed against her pocket. Pulling it out, she saw the message. A smile climbed on her face.

Her eyes looked to Scott and Logan, "What if Ah told yah? Ah, know where the FOH gathers?"

ROMY: Gambit made John think about what he was doing to Wanda. But not much Romy in this chapter.

JONDA: Again, not much but mentions here and there

OC/OC: MIA.

LANCITY: there is some blushing involved.