Author's Note- Yay! Chapter 21 finally!
Ban-Thanks! lol as for Rouge you'll have to wait and see.
Courtney Summers- Here's you update!
the-writing-vampire- Thank you! I really appreciate you complimenting on my writting. Lol I'm glad you liked the last two chapters and they come out towards you liking. Heres the chapter I think everyones been waiting for the confrontation between Rouge/Rogue and Remy it was fun to write to say the least. Once again thank you for the questions they keep me on track. -sorry if this seems short I'm in a bit of a rush-
Chapter 21: Crossroads of Destiny
"You've got to be kidding me." Rouge said, completely dumb folded at the sight of the mansion before her. She felt a comforting grip on her shoulder and had to resist the urge to run in any other direction that was directed at the mansion. Looking up her eyes collided with beautiful lime and she felt her heart flutter, how she hated but adored that feeling.
"Not at all luv, can't believe you don't remember it." With gentle hands he pushed her forward and placed a hand on the small of her back sending shivers up her spine. His hand quickly stole away from the sensitive spot and came to rest in her own. Squishing it gently he saw the slightest change in her demeanor and inwardly smirked, claiming the unofficial victory as his own.
Wanda paid little attention towards the actions of the two teens as she stepped forward and let out a slow sigh through her nose. The past two days had played out in thick unsortable chaos that left even Pietro's head spinning at its constant rate. Willing her hand to raise she clicked the speaker button and waited a moment. No reply came, growling she tapped it twice her patience growing thin. Suddenly a chiming voice came over the line and Wanda wanted nothing more than to turn and stride away, but looking onto the girl at her left she knew no such option was possible.
"Who is there?" Wanda scowled in disgust, she hated the Summer's boy just as much as she hated his parents. Sighing she plastered a fake smile on her face before responding with her most delightful tone.
"Abel*, this is Wanda Maximoff-Allerdyce, I came to speak to Professor Xavier." A low snorting sound came over the line and Wanda cringed resisting the urge to send a hex bolt through the speaker. She felt a calming hand land on her shoulder and settled for sighing in annoyance, stupid husband she thought bitterly.
"Come in." With ease the towering gates swung in and Wanda motioned for Keir and Rouge to lead the way. As the two took the first steps in, Pyro's hand immediately found Wanda's and they followed at the youth's heals.
Pietro rolled his eyes in annoyance before trailing behind the four the retreating figures. The Speed Demon wasn't thrilled about speaking with the X-men nor offering his services in protecting the brat that had his nephew wrapped around her little finger; but to save himself from being hexed into next week and or being burnt to a crisp, he really didn't have a choice in the matter.
As he followed after the group a sudden involuntary shudder raced up his back and the memories of the girl unfolded in his mind for the billionth time that day. Watching her memories had first been like an out of body experience for him, like he was on the side lines watching the same re-run a hundred times over. Seeing such pain and anguish had made his insides turn to mush, he knew those said feelings better anyone, and he felt a strange pang of emotion run through him, sympathy. He scowled, damn kid, he thought angrily knowing that karma had more fun ruining his life than helping it.
What comes around goes around,Pietro growled at the whispering voice of his conscious and shoved it towards the back of his mind, knowing full well it was telling the ugly truth. Mindlessly his fingers caught the tie to his coat and he began to twist it, trying to reveal the annoying and nagging feelings coursing through his system.
Rouge felt the soft tug of the grass beneath her feet and felt her stomach swell, just watching as mutant children ran playing like it was nothing out of the norm sent a wave of jealousy coursing through her system. What she would have given to have had a care free life. She laughed in spite of herself, she was playing the pity party card and being selfish, how shallow can I be? She thought blandly her hands twitching mindlessly at her sides, no wonder Elle was the golden girl.
Walking closer towards the playing children Rouge took notice that they were using their powers openly, and felt her jaw fall slightly. She could feel envy coming off of her very being and it was agitating her. Shaking her head she forced her focus towards the ground and finished the last few steps towards the entrance in a matter of three long strides. Stopping she took a deep breath and looked at the door, knowing something lay before that door that would alter her very reality, not that it hadn't been warped already.
The door gently opened and much to her surprise revealed a red headed boy with sparkling blue eyes and a blank look that had stick-in-the-mud written all over it. The boys gaze traveled over the group standing before him. Once his gaze landed on Rouge though he couldn't seem to break it. In a swift motion he was down the stairs and standing a few feet from the girl his blue eyes glaring through her dark sunglasses. She smirked, irking the boy he stepped back and growled, obviously he didn't like the fact she had a mental shield, and a damn good one at that.
"Why are you here? The Brotherhood isn't Welcome." At this Keir stepped up and Rouge had to suppress a giggle as the boy took a step back. In all of his glory Keir stood a few inches shorter than the boy before her and had a slighter build, but the look of superiority on his features made the boy look puny compared to Keir. Rouge felt a rush of emotion, wait was that....pride? She shook her head, she really needed to lay off of the energy drinks.
"Are you certain of that, Abel? Cause last I checked Xavier welcomed us with open arms." At that he groaned in frustration, and in his role as a lap dog bowed his head in respect.
"I'm sorry," he said apologizing though the tone was far from convincing, "We have just been in a slight uproar as of late several events have occurred and it had proved problematic for our emotions and the team. Please follow me." At this Keir smirked and sent Rouge off in a round of laughing.
"Mon Dieu, that was impressive I must say." At this Keir beamed and motioned for Rouge to follow him up the stairs. As she came into the entrance way many different gazes were sent in her direction. Ignoring them she followed closely behind the boy dubbed Abel into what appeared to be a meeting area.
"This is the war room, please make yourselves comfortable, Professor Xavier will be here in a moment." Nodding Keir grinned and pulled out a chair motioning for Rouge to sit, who in return rolled her eyes and slid into one beside it.
"I'm not that helpless." Keir rolled his eyes and mumbled something under his breath that oddly sounded like 'feminazi'. Taking a seat next to Rouge Pietro couldn't help but look from the corner of his eye and watch. Having seen the inner depths of her mind he had a whole new understanding of the girl and much to his displeasure had to admit she had a good way of handling it, hell he was surprised she hadn't already gone off the deep end. He also wasn't exactly thrilled about the guaranteed reaction she was going to have when she saw the set of southerns know as her parents, with all that pent up rage and hatred he would be surprised if there was a mansion left standing after it all.
"Rouge," Wanda's voice carefully pried, "I'm going to find the Professor, and bring him here..." her voice cut off but quickly resurfaced, "please promise me you'll at least give them a chance to speak with you, they deserve that much."
"No promises." Was Rouge's sharp reply causing Wanda's head to fall in defeat, that girl had a rebellious streak in her.....
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The Night Before
"Pietro!" Wanda's feet barely touched the ground as she raced over towards her brother with an unconscious Rouge in his arms, "What happened!"
"We had a tea party and went dancing with elves." Was Pietro's smart-ass reply causing his sisters brow to furrow in irritation. "What does it look like Wanda? She passed out, but not before giving me a fraction of her conscious!" Wanda opened her mouth about to reply when a panting Keir and Pyro suddenly rounded on them. In an instant Pietro's load was relieved as Keir brought her into his arms and held her close worry written across his features.
"What happened?" John questioned between his pants, his eyes were clouded over in confusion.
"Well I was about to get to that before you came racing down the street." Pietro rubbed his forehead and fell back against the tall tree that was behind him. "Wanda, I don't know how to explain this but when she touched me I drained her memories her mind and I saw her past, she has no idea who we are."
"Your certain?" Wanda questioned her voice thick in anxiety as she looked the girl over, eyes watching the slow and steady rise and fall of her chest.
"A hundred percent, though there are memories of Keir but their fuzzy." Keir's ears perched up at this and his eyes made contact with his uncles.
"Tell me what you saw." It was more a command than a request, opening his Pietro was about to respond when another wave of dizziness hit him and he went tumbling forward. In a moments notice Pyro had caught him and had his arm around his shoulder supporting the weakened speed demon.
"I vote we get back to the house before finishing 'his." John calmly stated, receiving a sharp nod from both Wanda and Keir. They began trekking back towards the boarding house. Pietro looked at his sister pleadingly then glanced at Keir. It took her a moment to sort out what message he was conveying but once she got it she didn't hesitate to fill it.
"Keir get Rouge on back towards the house, we won't be far behind." At this Keir's tense stance lightened and his pace quickened suddenly, his body quickly becoming a dot on the horizon.
"Well mate best tell us what you can't say in front o Keir." At this Pietro sighed and pushed away from the Pyromaniac and landed on the ground, thankful to be in a sitting position.
"Wanda I never thought anybody could be more screwed up than you, apparently I was wrong." At this Wanda knelt down in front of her brother and gripped his shoulders forcing his face to rise and look at her.
"What did she show you?" Wanda questioned, her hands shaking slightly. Pyro had moved from his standing position as was currently leaning against a tree, his lighter flipping open and closed at a constant rate.
"Friends of Humanity tried to kill her about half a dozen times, shes almost drowned twice, her mind in a twisted web of broken minds and," He groaned not wanting to finish the sentence.
"And what?" Wanda questioned much softer this time, even though she and Pietro had a dark past they had grown over there differences for the most part and sincerely cared for one another now, well for the most part.
"About six months ago she contracted the Legacy Virus." Wanda felt her mind whirl and she fell from her kneeling position back onto her butt. Pyro's hands faltered slightly causing him to almost lose his grip on his lighter.
"And that's only half of it."
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Wanda felt numb as she entered the office of Xavier himself. Looking around she took in the sight of several mutants that she remembered distantly. Not stopping his conversation Xavier took little notice of Wanda's appearance in his actions but in her mind she could already began to feel him probe.
Wanda welcome, it has been a time.
Yes it has look Xavier I've got some important information that needs to be discussed this second and-
Wanda, are you certain its her?
A hundred percent, theres no doubt.
Very well.
"Everyone I must ask that we continue this meeting later, there are more pressing matters at hand." The other mutants nodded their heads in respect and quickly disperested from the room. Charles hands came up and folded beneath his chin, his old blue eyes watching Wanda's every action.
"Where's Rogue and Remy?" Was Wanda's distant question. Xavier sighed and ran a hand over his bald head, more a motion of habit than of any importance.
"Louisiana, their on their way back now and if my calculations are correct they should be here within the hour." Wanda sighed, feeling her heart give a heavy tug as it constrited in her chest.
"Good, they need to see her...." Wanda's hand came to rest on her hip as she averted her gaze.
"They found Isabella." This caused Wanda's head to shoot up, shock playing in her eyes, "but Sinister got his hands on her first, they were certain Rouge was dead according to Mystique."
"Mystique is the reason this mess started." Wanda growled, wanting to strangle said Mutant for her actions.
"It was for their protection." Xavier reasoned his tone never rising, but staying constant.
"Protection my ass...." A loud yelp came from down the hall and Wanda's gut twisted. Glancing towards Xavier his eyebrows furrowed together so closely they resembled one as opposed to two.
"Go, I will follow." Wanda was already sprinting down the hall after go had left his mouth.
"So much for a happy reunion."
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Rouge watched in amusement as Pyro and Keir played chess with flames pieces, their hands not once being marred by the flame. In interest Rouge's eyes never left the sight of the chess battlefield and had to inwardly roll her eyes at the nerdiness the two showed when sporting a victory. One of Keir's knights raced forward and stabbed a javelin through John's pawn making it fall to its knees then dissipate into thin air.
A low shuffling sound sounded off in the distance but Rouge paid it little heed as she turned her attention back towards Pietro. His once bright face was now showered over in shadows, and caught in a permanent scowl. She knew he had a dislike for her, which she didn't really care about, but by his actions she could tell there was more to the story than he was letting on.
"Pietro I-" but before her sentence could be completed a blue man appeared suddenly in the middle of the table, his face caught somewhere between anger and happiness. Glancing around he locked his sights on Keir and grinned, paying little heed to either Pietro or Rouge.
"Keir, Pyro vhat are you doing here?" He asked in a curious tone. Keir chuckled and let the chess game evaporate into thin air before pointing over Kurt's shoulder.
"Bringing your niece home." Jumping Kurt turned and gasp his body suddenly ridgid. Rouge had taken off her glasses when they had entered the room revealing her naked eyes to the world and her thick hair was for once let down from it tight prison and fell down her shoulders in thick locks, their was no hiding her true appearance. In a moments notice Kurt fell flat on his rear and stared at the girl in disbelief.
"Eclaire?" He asked in a strange tone making Rouge stand and step back slightly, "Eclaire? Oh Mein Gott it really is you!" Before Eclaire knew what hit her Kurt had pulled her in a tight embrace and began spinning her around. She groaned in irritation, why did people have to be all touchy feely.
"Elf? What in high heaven are you doing?" A stern voice came making Rouge's heart stop, she knew that voice. Kurt suddenly stopping spinning her a smile a mile wide on his features.
"Logan! It's Eclaire!" The man's jaw seemed to fall slightly as he took in her appearance. He sniffed the air once and confirmed his suspicious thoughts.
"STRIPES! GUMBO!" He yelled his eyes never once leaving the girl.
"Oh would you like relax Logan, they went up to their room and-" Kitty's jaw hit the floor. She stood stunned for a moment before racing towards Kurt and phasing the girl through his arms. In a swift moment she had the girl wrapped tightly in her arms and refused to relinquish her hold.
"Elf get Stripes and Gumbo in here now. " Was the harsh and barked command of Logan which Kurt quickly followed popping out of the room. Beast Storm and Mutiple had made their way into the room, looks of awe on their features but unwilling to test the temper of Kitty as she held her 'niece'. Kitty stood with her arms wrapped around Rouge for a time before Rouge snapped out of it and pushed away from Kitty. Kitty's eyes took on a certain look of hurt as she stepped forward trying to grab the girl again.
"What is with you people and the whole touchy feely thing?" Rouge moaned, her hands held up in front her attempting to ward off the people standing before her, "I haven't the slightest idea as to who the hell you are."
"Eclaire?" Kitty said gently, "Please you have to remember me, Aunt Kitty remember? I use to put you in those frilly dresses you hated?"
"Pyrde just stop." Pietro said heartlessly his eyes glancing over his cuticles, "She has no memories of you. Any of you for that matter." Kitty's face scrunched up in anger but before she could retaliate Keir had sent a fire ball in his direction making him have to jump off towards the side.
"What the hell do you think you doing pip squeak?" Pietro yelped on his feet in a flash. Ignoring his uncle Keir made his way towards a weary looking Rouge whose eyes were wide as saucers as she tried to put the pieces together, it was just too much.
Stumbling backwards a few steps Rouge felt herself collide with something hard. Looking up she gasp her entire body suddenly setting on fire, red on black eyes clashing with red on black.
"Oh Merde." The two said in unison.
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In a moment of rash emotion Rouge pushed herself away from the man and against the nearest wall, her eyes refusing to break their locked gazes.
"Eclaire?" The man asked softly, his eyes wide in shock. Rouge felt her breathing suddenly quicken as she slid down towards the ground her hands gripping at her hair.
"No this can't be happening, no, no, NO!" Rouge suddenly jerked off towards the side and buried her face into her hands, wishing for it all to go away.
"What in the world." Rogue asked as she walked into the room. Taking in Remy's paralyzed form her eyes followed his along with everyone else's gaze and landed on the girl. She felt her heart shred down its seam. There in the floor sat her baby, her precious Eclaire alive and breathing.
"Aire?" Rogue asked silently her hand extended towards the grounded girl. Rouge's emotions were a whirl wind of color anger, sadness, happiness, resentment it was all very confusing. Sitting for a moment Rouge debated on whether crying or not but decided against it knowing full well that she had played this scenario out in her mind more than once. Rising to her full height she pushed her shoulders back and locked eyes with both the man and the woman.
"Go fu-" Before Rouge could finish her comment though Keir's hand came over her mouth. Suddenly a sharp pain shot through his hand and he yelped, she bit him!
"Keir you low life pain in the ass, let me say what I want to. I'm not here for some damn happy reunion I'm here to find Elle and I'll be damned if I don't." Keir pouted at her but for once it didn't lower her shields instead it got him a dirty glare and a snort.
In a rapid motion Wanda skid into the room her brow covered in sweat as she raced towards the center of the room.
"W-wait hold on." Wanda held up one finger, her form was bent over and gasping breaths wracked her body. "Rouge let me explain, errrr introductions... Well shit! I don't know where to start." Wanda hit the ground her eyes watering slightly from her rapid sprint. In a swift motion Keir pulled his mother up into a standing position, everyone's eyes were on the young teenage girl who looked somewhere between crying and yelling.
"Look," She said her hands clenching at her sides, "I'm not this 'Eclaire' everyone says I am, my name is Rouge and my sisters name is Elle and I was told I could find help here." Her eyes keep trying to avert themselves from the couple but she couldn't seem to break the stare.
"Actually dear one you are Eclaire, your name was just changed for your protection." Everyone's attention suddenly turned towards the woman standing in the center of the room. She stood around five foot six and had light blonde hair that clashed with her stunning blue eyes, she was draped in a white cotton dress.
"Oh now you decided to show up Angelina," Rouge's hands began emitting a crackling energy, "I outta kick your sorry ass from here to next Tuesday." At this Angelina smiled before letting it drop and shifting her gaze towards the hawk flying into the room. In a moment of shifting motion the hawk became 'Carla' before everyone's eyes.
"Oh and look its Carla, my other piss poor guardian!" Rouge threw her hands up in the air before turning around and beating her head against the wall.
"Good to see you too Rouge," Mystique hissed her red hair shimmering in the bright light, "Though I would like to know why you disabled my protection bracelet, you had me convinced you were dead."
"Ding ding! We have a winner!" Rouge shouted slapping her hand above her chest anger growing on her features. "Good lord, where is the rum when you need it?" The majority of the room raised an eyebrow at the girl. "Never mind."
"You always did have a smart mouth on you." Mystique muttered, her hand mindlessly running through her hair.
"And you always had a big ass on you so we're even." Rouge stated matter-of-factly. Kurt burst out laughing at this, getting a menacing glare from Mystique as she looked her back side over. "Okay look I just want to find my sister, I want nothing to do with my shitty parents, either set," Her eyes roamed over both Rogue and Remy as well as Mystique and Angelina "I just want to find my sister."
"Which we can help you with Rouge, but" A new voice chimed from in, a man in a wheel chair rolling in flanked by a red headed woman and a man with strange sunglasses, "I request you at least allow your mother and father a chance to tell you their side of the story, and allow us to test your DNA." Rouge hissed and pinched the end of her nose.
"Sure why the hell not, but I can't promise nothing will be blown up in the process."Keir placed an arm around her shoulders which she quickly grabbed and threw him over her shoulder.
"And you dundee you have a better chance of surviving in a nuclear explosion." At this Remy and John both let out sharp laughs.
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"So your telling me that all of the stuff you told me was fake?" Rouge asked incredously, her hands shaking in slight shock. Angelina nodded her head before bowing it slightly obviously in remorse. "Well that sure does clear up a lot." Standing Rouge brushed off her jeans before walking over and sitting down in between Remy and Rogue. In the process of coming to said conclusion she had managed to blow up several objects, attack both Mystique and Remy, and hide behind Wanda at least twice.
"Looks like I owe both of you an apology." Rogue smiled tears shimmering in her eyes as she pulled Rouge into a tight hug which immediately made her body go stiff.
"Rogue, err mom can you please not do that." Rouge gently pushed away from the woman, her green eyes puffy around the edges.
"Why?" Rouge sighed and scratched the back of her neck.
"I can't touch people, my mutation won't allow it." Uncovering her hand she showed her nude hand to her mother. "I touch you once and ever thought, emotion, or thing you ever felt will belong to me. Plus I'm not a big fan on the whole touchy feely business." At this Rogue laughed and she pulled her daughter back into a tight hold refusing to let go.
"Well sugah Ah had the same problem but Ah learned ta control it, as for the touchy feely business ya'd better just get use ta it." At this Rouge groaned and slumped forward slightly. Remy laughed before fuzzying up her hair getting a menacing glare in return.
"You'd better watch it pere or it won't end happily for you." Remy couldn't help but grin in pure enjoyment, how he had missed torturing his little Eclaire, well technically Rouge now. He inwardly growled he didn't like that name and was bond determined to get her to change it back to Eclaire.
"Well mon fille you've said such threats before but nothin eva happened." Rouge reach out and with swift fingers she gripped his ear and twisted it causing a loud ringing shout to come from him. "Okay! Okay Ah'm sorry ange no more ah promise!" Rouge let her hold on the mans ear go and smirked as he crabled it with his right hand. Rogue had to stop herself from staring, she had Remy's smirk down to a tee.
"Uh hem," Mystique started, her face caught in its usual emotionless stare, "Me and Angelina have a few things we must tend to, but we will return in time to help find my other granddaughter." With the the red headed woman strode from the room with a pissing and moaning Angelina following behind.
Leaning back Rouge put a hand over her eyes and groaned. "Look I know bonding and crap is great and all but I really need sometime to sort things out may I be excused?" Both Rogue and Remy were relutant to let her go but once Wanda's voice rang out they knew they couldn't stop it.
"We understand go on ahead." Nodding her head Rouge stood to leave but not without Wanda's voice finishing, "Please take someone with you though. With the bounty Sinisters got on your head, we can't afford to lose both you and Elle." At this Rouge cringed and had to stop momentarily to even out her breathing. Ever since she had learned of Sinisters actions she was ready to take the mutant head on by with the constant denials of the team she knew she wouldn't be able to unless she left on her own.
"I know." Rouge stated calmly as she reach down and grabbed Keir's hand dragging the boy along behind her. A audible snort came from Remy and Rogue had to resist the urge to smack him.
"What is your problem Swamp Rat? We have one of our girls back and you concerned bout the fact that shes got a boy with her?" At this Remy mumbled something incoherently before standing and walking in the opposite direction. "Where do you thahnk your goin Remy?"
"Get something ta drink chere." He lied, he knew a quick wrap around so that he would be able to spy on the two teens.
"Oi mate wait up I'm goin with you." Pyro jumped up from his seat and quickly shot after the Cajun. Both the Scarlet Witch and Rogue looked at one another before shaking their heads.
"Should we interfere?" Wanda asked ready to get up and follow after the nosy men.
"Nah, Aire will put 'em in their place if they get to annoyin." Rogue smirked, pride filling her every word. Eclaire had grown up just as she had always thought she would, indepent, strong, smart mouth, and more than capable of putting someone in their place.
"Rogue," Wanda's tone suddenly turned serious.
"What is it Wanda?" She asked, not wanting her picture perfect moment ruined.
"Rouge gave her memories to Pietro the first night she was with us and we figure out somethings about her you might want to know." At this Rogue's back straitened.
"Tell meh." Wanda ran a hand over her worn jeans before looking over towards her silent brother.
"You want to start Pietro?" The speed demon looked up through blood shot eyes and snarled.
"What is there to tell Wanda?" He asked angrily, the girls Psyche was getting to him more so than it should have, "the fact that she was almost molested by the F.O.H., the fact Sinister wants her as a weapon? Or better yet that she has the Legacy Virus?" Rogue felt her heart stop. No this couldn't be happening no not again she couldn't lose her.
"Pietro!" Wanda snarled shooting up onto her feet her hands glowing blue, "What is wrong with you?" At this the speed demon shot up and stood toe to toe with his sister, towering over her.
"The truth! The fact that the kids dying, and that she wants to fight but knows full well you aren't going to let her!" Pietro's hands balled up into fist, "She wants to go down fighting and I can't blame her. Her destiny's already written in stone might as well let her do what she will with the time she has left." And with the Quicksilver disappeared. Wanda sighed and turned towards her old friend whose eyes were hollow.
"Rogue." Wanda started.
"Don't Wanda Ah don't care what they say Ah'm not losin her again and if that means going ta the ends of the earth Ah will." Rogue stood and turned to head towards the kitchen, Wanda was beside her in an instant.
"I'm with you the whole way, I can't watch Keir break again," Wanda flipped her hair, "Or lose my daughter in law." Rogue smirked at the comment. The two finished their walk in silence looking for the only men who had any hope in helping them, Beast and Xavier.
Author's Note: Woot! There's part one done, I was having some serious issues getting this chapter out but I think it came out okay (I hope so anyway) anywho please read and review! Next chapter will be up shortly brace yourselfs! ;P
Abel - (pronouced Able) Son of Jean and Scott Summers, old friend of Elle's not so much of Eclaires, (will be explained in later chapters) Age- 19