Author's Note: Hey everyone! I'm sorry about the last chapter I'm thinking about redoing it. Anywho! Here's the next chapter! This has a lot of Rouge/Fireblade moments so for those of you that like them enjoy! ALSO Thank you to everyone one reviewing!
ban- I'm glad! Hope you enjoy this chapter. Thank you for letting me shorten it! -hands cookie-
martshi3- I'm glad that your back to reading it, and hope I make the rest of the story to fit what everyone wants!
Laceylou76- Ha ha yes the idea of the teenagers on the other line came to me in a random plot bunny it, it apparently worked well! Whoops! I didn't mean to make it out to Remy hating New Orleans, just those that lived in it, hehe sorry for that! He still loves New Orleans.......-twitches- Didn't mean to confuse you...-.-' Lol the ending was suppose to be completely sudden and random so I hoped you liked it.
MelissaRM- Lol yes she did!
sailormoon846212- I actually haven't really thought about it, lol this plot came to me at random and I didn't really have it planned out, so it may be quite long I hope that's not a problem! Will do, though I won't be able to PM you til my laptops fixed, sorry.
Fox Adler- Thanks! hope you enjoy this chapter!
P.S. This chapter takes place the night before chapter 12 and during/right after chapter 11.
Chapter 13- Where Art Thou Fool?
The feeling of marsh beneath Rouge's feet had sudden lessened and the ground had leveled slightly signaling that fact that she was nearing the entrance gate. Focusing her sudden surging powers towards her hands, she could feel it quickly inch up her arms and through her palms into her fingers. Forcing the dark red sparks away from herself she watched as they over took the gate and crushed it with a resonating crunching noise. A loud cracking sound echoed through out the swamp land as the two gates fell, broken, twisted and contorted into shapes unrecognizable compared towards its original whole.
Stopping, by instinct, she began listening carefully, concentrating fully on the sounds of nature around her. She could hear the silent song of crickets, the bubbling of water, and the loud clomping of human feet following far behind.
Pushing off of her left foot she shot out towards the road way, not concerned about the risks of being on her own in such a dark and desolated place. Her mind was to occupied with the rapid rush of thoughts of others in her head, some she had never met, and some that she knew like the back of her own hand. She could hear the light chime of Elle's laugh, mixed along with a cocky grin of a certain orange haired Australian and a dark chuckle of a blonde headed Angelina.
She could feel the sharp pain of invisible metal knives bursting forth through her knuckles, burning with pain and rage. The physic pull of every living being connect to her, their constant habits making themselves vividly clear in her hazy mind. She could feel her body bursting with speed, adrenaline, and the phasing of her body through the many solid objects she had passed through. The feeling of pure unchained power was undeniable and exhilarating, yet terrifying and frightening all the same. Rouge didn't know whether to cry in misery or laugh in mirth.
She pressed on, her body moving with the many motions that her mind commanded. Jump, duck, dodge, slow, turn, faster. She could see the bright lights of the city flash on and off before her, creating a blinding effect that made her eyes water in pain. She could hear the terrified shouts of people surrounding her, hearing the sound of their foot falls as they quickly fled away from her. Though most of all she could feel the emotions they gave way, each pulsing with one thought, monster. She felt tears boil in her eyes, monster? A sudden rage that wasn't her own shot through her, and before she knew what was happening she could feel herself floating and suddenly silence. Only the sound of her powers and frantic heart beating in one, she closed her eyes she was no one, nothing, and sadly she was content with that.
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Keir growled in annoyance, apparently no one had spotted two young teenage twins running around the ghetto's of New Orleans. He had hit every bar and store from one side of the city to the next and had still yet to find anything on two auburn haired twins, one with green eyes and the other with white streaked hair, and in his opinion hard to miss.
Sighing he nodded his head in thanks to the woman, who, in return, puckered her lips and winked at him. Grinning with his most flirting smile he tipped his invisible hat at her in a farewell gesture before turning and fleeing away into the dark night of the Cajun capital. Stepping outside of the bar he felt the soft wind of the swamp land dance over his cheek before disappearing into thin air.
He turned and began picking his way down towards the corner and away from the bar, lost without any leads as to what to do next. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he began replaying what little he remember of his confrontation with Eclaire, hoping to find some clue as to help him.
She had given him the look of annoyance and mistrust when had first confronted her. He had thought she would have at least been reasonable and listened to what he had to say, but no she had lost her composer and had thrown him in the pool, she'd always had a short temper to begin with, and never took well to taunting. After that though things went hazy except for the kiss, it was unforgettable, the way her lip fell into place against his own like a missing piece of a puzzle long broken. He could still in that moment taste the slight tinge of cinnamon and smell the fragrance of rain that followed her wherever she went, and he had found himself immensely addicted to it.
He shook his head violently, no he wasn't falling for that same grimy tomboy that liked to play in the dirt that had been his partner in crime, it was just his emotions of not seeing her and believing her dead for so long, yes that's what it he thought with reassurance, I have so many different options available for me. Take for example the woman in the bar she was beautiful even if in a hookerish sort of way, way better than long lush locks of white/auburn hair and a feisty temper and mouth to match. He groaned in annoyance, okay so maybe he had a little thing for the sheila, but it wasn't much.
Keir was suddenly and brutally pulled from his own little ravine of denial when the sudden screams and cries of people broke through the sound barrier. Instinctively he rushed towards the source only to find himself being trampled as men, woman, and children alike fought and shoved past him in panic stricken fever.
Raising an eyebrow he pressed his body up against the stone building, away from the swarming crowd and began picking his way against the constant wave of people rushing against him in an opposing current. He fought against it for a time until it suddenly died down, no living being within sight. Pushing away from the wall he rounded the corner and took in a sight that was menacing and angelic all the same.
Eclaire was suspended in air, her body covered and protected in a huge circle of red kinetic energy popping and sizzling, while smaller more defined lines raced around it, making it resemble Saturn in a very demonic and hellish sort of way. He watched in pure fascination as the kinetic energy seeped from the mass and began slinking and making their way towards him.
"Ahh shi..." a sudden burst of energy shot past his head, startling him and causing him to fall crashing towards the ground. On instincts his body suddenly became wrapped in thick coils of glowing blue flames that danced in protection around him, viciously fighting off the foreign attackers. Regaining his composure he shot onto his feet and allowed a blue ball of pulsing flame to appear in his hands before shooting it out towards the growing red mass. As soon as the flames hit though they were extinguished and absorbed.
He couldn't help but gawk, great he had found the girl, but in what state? Oh just one where she was content with murdering him and seemed to have no idea she was attempting at doing so. Rolling off towards the side, he missed as a sudden bolt of blue flame shot back towards him and frying the spot that he had once stood. Oh and apparently she now had control over his powers just peachy.
Racing forward a sudden idea hit him and he concentrated all of his strength onto a power long dormant in his body. Smiling as he felt the strong power course through his body. he willed the dark blue matter in his palm to shoot out and engulf the large red orb.
It quickly came over the orb, he smiled, so maybe being able to access his mothers powers weren't such a bad thing in certain instances, though he could already feel the toll it was taking on his body. Damn it, he inwardly cursed as he focused more intently on diluting her powers, she was resisting against it flawlessly and if it didn't break soon he would lose consciousness. Trying to keep his wits about him he Then without warning something broke in her defenses and he watched in pure amazement and relief as the blue matter quickly over came the red only leaving a certain sheila floating mid air. Though suddenly her levitation stopped as her body rushed towards the ground.
With speed and agility that could have rivaled a panther's, even in his weakened state, Keir slid in underneath the girl and caught her gently in his arms. Standing he adjusted her weight before looking down and feeling his heart swell. In sleep Eclaire was angelic, her once normal hard features, constant scrowl lines, and cocky grins were replaced by delicate lines that made her look vulernerable and fragile. Damn emotions he thought bitterly.
He held her for a time simply overlooking her, and letting his mind play over random things that would need to be tended to, when suddenly her eyes shot open, crimson on black, and anger burning in their very depths. Oh bloody....
Keir was fully aware and certain as to what had just happened as his body slid across the pavement, an undeniable pain pulsing through out his shoulder and jaw. Damn that girl had an arm on her. He watched as her dark and menacing form closed in on him, her anger coming off of her like a light house in the middle of the night; he resisted the urge to laugh, she was playing hard to get.
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Rouge couldn't help but growl in anger. What was that damn aussie doing with her?!? and more importantly, how in the world had she ended up in his arms, with him staring at her? Nasty pervert, she thought numbly, feeling the familiar control of her powers move through out her fingers.
Reaching down with able fingers she pulled him up, face to face, but a good foot apart, knowing his tendency's. That smart-ass grin that only Keir could have held title too appeared and Rouge had to resist the urge to slap him into next week.
"What are you doing here dundee?" She hissed, her gloved hand drawn and ready to strike at a moments notice. He laughed.
"Well I was about to ask you the same thing, sheila." Rouge looked at him in confusion, something wasn't adding up quite right. That's when it all suddenly fell into place and she relinquished her hold on the poor Australians throat as she fell back onto the ground her mouth hanging slightly agape.
"W-what happened?" She asked almost pleadingly, her demonic eyes glancing up into Keir's own vibrant lime. He simply shrugged his shoulders before reaching down and offering the stubborn girl a hand.
"I'm not sure, but whatever it was you tore this street a new one, mud rat." Rouge's eyes tore from his own gaze and began to glance around. She had to hold back the cry of surprise as she took in the sights of the busted windows, scorched buildings, and much random debris strewn along the street. She slowly felt her mind return to the moment when she lost control and when her power surge had come forth. She could still hear the faint whisper of voices echoing through out her head, and instinctively she reach up and clung to it willing them away, slowly but surely they disappeared.
"Oi are you alright Sheila?" Rouge looked up into the vibrant eyes of Keir who had knelt down next to her, a comforting gloved hand on her shoulder and she felt herself do something she would have never dreamt of in a thousand surplus years, she felt trust. Nodding her head she grabbed his hand and allowed him to pull her up. Once she was on her feet though he began to waver on the spot and Rouge had to reach out and stable him.
"Well dundee what do we do now?" She asked her brows slightly lifted. As the Australians mouth opened to answer though another cruel voice cut in, as a low clapping sounded through out the abandoned street.
"Well done Allerdyce, I'm surprised you were able to suppress so much power." The man watched as a look of pure horror and defiance came over the boys face, making him want to laugh out in amusement.
"Ah do you not remember me Keir? I surely would have thought you would have remembered the one who saved your pathetic infant life." Keir looked as though he was about to burst into angry tears and attack in pure rage but somehow he managed to hold it in and whisper.
"You, your the one that did this." The man laughed as he revealed himself from the shadows, causing Rouge to growl in anger. He was the one that had been hunting after her sister and herself for the better part of four years.
"Sinister." Rouge hissed, her ever vowel dripping with poison. He could only smile and bow slightly, his pale skin shimmering sickly in the dim street lights.
"I'm honored you remember me, Rouge or if I may say 'Eclaire' seeing as that's what everyone is calling you as of late." He smiled menacingly before stepping closer towards the two mutants, his hands extended in front of him as if though offering a truce.
"Now we have one of two options, you may come peacefully and your little boyfriends life shall be spared or," His wicked grin grew as men in black uniforms appeared around him along with several other cloaked figures, obviously mutants, "You can fight and he'll meet an early grave, and such a fine specimen I would rather not waste. Please choose quickly." He crossed his arms waiting for an answer.
"Or I'll take option three," Rouge murmured, suddenly her arms shot out and the earth beneath her began to shake completely catching the men off guard, knocking several over.
"Run!" Grabbing Keir's arm they both shot through the city streets running with grace and speed that could have rivaled even Pietro.
"Where'd you learn to do that! It was like Avalanche back home!" Keir looked at the strained look on the girls face. She glanced at him in annoyance, but no the less answered the question.
"Apparently I stole it from his, cause he was in my head about oh say twenty minutes ago and his real name is Lance Alvers." Keir felt his heart leap in hope, she'd gotten her memories back! And somehow Lance's powers but that didn't matter at the moment.
"So you remember?" She looked at him and scowled as they shot around a corner. Pulling her body up into rhythm with his own she forced herself not to shove the cocky idiot down and to leave him to the lions.
"Negative retard! I don't remember your retarded ass or anyone by the name of Alvers for that matter," She groaned in annoyance before continuing, "But I'm obviously stuck with you at the moment so I'm going to make due with what I have." Skidding around another corner she took in a sight that provided mild hopes to her hopeless case. She would have known that Tricolour anywhere.
With skilled hands she swiped the keys from Fireblade's pocket before throwing herself onto the bike. Skillfully with practiced hands she shoved the key into the ignition and twisted, within moments she had revved it to life. Shooting an urgent gaze towards the Australian she motioned for Keir to get on.
"Oh no sheila, you are not driving my bike, move." Keir's arms crossed firmly over his chest, and it took all of the waning self restrain she possessed not to curse the boy for all of his non existent worth.
"Get. Your. Aussie. Ass. On. Now." Rouge's eyes were flaming a dangerous color, but Keir wasn't about to back down, though that wasn't until the sound of shouting and footsteps could be heard. He groaned in defeat, this girl was bound determined to kill his ego wasn't she. Slipping on the back of the bike, he gripped the back seat cover as she shot off.
Keir felt his balance suddenly fail for a moment and he found his grip around the waist of a certain loud mouthed Cajun. He quickly pulled away, trying to hide his hurt pride. He was being out driven by a girl, and had almost been thrown from his own bike all in the same instant, it was enough to knock any man from his soap box.
He felt the speed of his bike accelerate, pushing itself to out run the men pursuing them closely. Apparently Sinister had upgraded his men's equipment seeing as they now possessed car, fast ones at that, and were quickly gaining ground on the unfortunate duo.
"Merde." Rouge barked, turning her head slightly she took in the sight of the men quickly gaining on her. Racking at her brain she came up with a sudden rash decision, that if it did not succeed would put both herself and Keir six feet under. A bullet whizzed past her head, okay so she had better chances with her bright idea. Pushing herself away from the handle bars she flipped over Keir's shoulders and landed in a crouched position on the back of the bike.
Keir seeing her sudden change in tactics slid forward and caught the handle bars in his hands bringing the loose bike back under control. Taking a moment to glance back he quickly caught her gaze and watched the silent message being sent his way. In understanding he slowed the bike slightly and stabled it. He watched as her hunched form straitened slightly and gloved fingers began to glow red. Sparks began to dance at the pursuing cars tires, blowing them and sending the hunks of metal spiraling off towards the side. He felt her body slip back down behind him and her arms lock securely around his waist. He resisted the urge to grin stupidly at the thought that her arms were around his waist.
They raced away for a time the demolished cars of Sinister's men nowhere in sight. Keir could feel his hopes rising when suddenly the roaring of other motorcycles could be heard cutting in behind them. He watched in mock horror as several bikes appeared, carrying the mutant servants of Sinister.
"Looks 'ike we 'ave some followers Sheila." He could feel her swift nod on his back, and her hands loosening from around his waist. Her body twisting around to send another shower of sparks at the hunters. Though to their misfortune managed to avoid all of them, receiving a few chose key curse words from Rouge. Looking ahead he watched as the sight of the river grew closer into sight a draw bridge lay strait ahead.
"Shoot off towards the bridge, we can cross it before it opens and hopefully lose them." Silently agreeing he pressed his precious bike towards it's limit speed in an attempt to cross the raising bridge. His hopes were diminished as he watched the bridge begin to climb up to an impossible angle. We'll never make make it, he thought sourly, but we can't fight them off neither, not in the state we're in. He felt Rouge's hands dig into his sides and her words echo right behind his ear.
"Keep going! It's our only shot!" She shouted, He shook his head in defiance.
"No, we won't make it we'll drown!" He shot back the bike still traveling at dangerously heighten speeds. He felt her hands dig into his sides harder, causing him to wince in pain.
"We've better chances with that than them!" He could feel one of her hands loosen from his waist as she motioned frantically behind her. He sighed in defeat knowing she was right, and hoping with his entire heart that it would work.
In one swift motion the bike suddenly flew away from the oncoming enemies and onto the ramp, and began it rapid rush against gravity's pull on it. He watched in disbelief as they cleared the gap barely, but felt his heart twist when Rouge's hands came undone from his waist as she fell backwards towards the rushing river. Her once unbreakable courage was gone and now replaced by fear as she began her rapid descent backwards and as a high scream escaped from her lips.
In one swift motion he threw himself from the bike and began the fall towards the rushing water. Straitened his body, his bike long forgotten, he will gravity to pull him towards the falling girl. He watched as she hit the surface of the water with a sickening snap, and as she was pulled underneath no signs of her resurfacing. Capturing a mouthful of air, he prepared his body for the sudden onslaught of water and held his arms out ahead of him ready to break the surface.
With a sudden whoosh of air his body broke through the barrier of water; he fought against the great urge to release his breath as the rushing waves hit him full on and the icy feeling began to seep to his very bone. Glancing around frantically he looked for an sign of the girl. None came as he felt the current pull him further down. Struggling to pull himself back up, he fought against the currents and resurfaced for just a moment, before allowing the currents to pull him back under.
As he went under for a second time he felt his heart beat sickeningly in his chest, fearing the worst for the girl. As he was about to give up his search though a lock of auburn hair caught his attention, and he rushed towards it. He looked in mock horror as the girls body was whipping in and out of the currents obviously unconscious.
Reaching out towards her, he barely caught her hand and began pulling her towards himself. Once she was securely in his arms he shot up towards the surface, he breath about to escape from his lungs. Keir's head suddenly broke from beneath the water as he began to gasp filling his oxygen deprived lungs to the brim. Pulling Rouge up with him, above the rushing currents he allowed for her head to rest against his shoulder. He waited for a moment before he realized a key factor that sent off every alarm in his body into over drive.
She wasn't breathing.
"Shit!"
Author's Note- Cliffhanger! Muhaha! Please review! I know the ending was a wee bit rushed but I really wanted to get this chapter out today.