Rogue walked through the empty halls of the subbasement. It had been a few hours since the teams return with the data for Hank, who was now working on a cure for them. Rogue had left the medical bay half an hour ago and was now roaming around the subbasement. She couldn't stand sitting in the medical bay anymore, waiting to die. It was bad enough she caught a glimpse of her mutated self from the reflective instruments, she didn't want the others seeing how she'd reacted.
Ahead of her, Rogue heard voices from the briefing room. She knew that's where everyone had gone. Hank said he'd made a discovery with the vaccine, but he'd said nothing more until the meeting. Rogue staggered forward, hoping to listen in.
"It's remarkable. The designer made the virus and antivirus paradoxes. In one instant, a single drop of the virus could kill the host within weeks and about thirty cc's of the vaccine would cure them. However a single drop of the vaccine applied to the virus without a host, kills the virus instantly, making it as harmless as rain." Hank explained.
"How long do you estimate time wise, until you've copied the antivirus?" Xavier asked.
Rogue hear Hank sigh. "I've read through all the data I need. I estimate two days tops. However, I am unsure of its effectiveness."
"I doubt you'll get a complaint from the kids." Logan grunted.
"Hank, forgive me, but I sense you have more news." Xavier stated.
"Indeed I do. It's about Rogue." Hank said.
Rogue moved closer to the door.
"What is it?" Logan asked.
"I've noticed that upon administering the virus, the children's powers were all immobilized. As a result, their mutation came as a result. However, in Rogue's case, only her powers were immobilized. It is quiet possible she still retains all the powers she's absorbed." Hank explained. "That is also, the only explanation to her difference of the virus than the others. Logan's healing must be keeping the virus at bay, but not completely purging it from her system."
"So, you're saying zhat…Rogue might still have some power in her?" Kurt asked.
"Theoretically. I have not asked to test it, in fear of exhausting her." Hank replied.
"Before we get carried away, Mystique has discovered some disturbing information while infiltrating the facility." Xavier said. Rogue heard typing in the room. "It would appear that Professor Howard has mass produced the virus and will disperse this virus to the entire state of New York in less than six hours. This is the same man whom we believe infected Rogue with the virus." Xavier said.
"And with no antivirus completely created, it might be a one way mission." Hank stated.
Rogue heard someone stand from their chair. "One way mission or not, we can't let that virus infect more mutants." it was Scott. "I'm in."
"Count me in too." Jean said.
"Like, you're not leaving me out.' Kitty stated.
"I am in as well." Piotr said.
"Moi aussi." Gambit called.
Rogue closed her eyes. " Ah'm in too." Rogue opened her eyes and moved into the doorway. She looked at everyone's shocked faces, expect Logan and Xavier, their's were of disappointment.
Hank stood from the table. "Rogue, what are you doing out of the medical bay?"
Rogue turned her eyes to the floor, not wanting to answer the question. It was bad enough they'd seen her now.
"There's no way you're going anywhere stripes." Logan said.
"Logan, Ah ain't letting anyone else risk their lives. Ah'm already infected, so there's nothing' lost there." Rogue replied. She walked further into the briefing room.
"Which is exactly why you are remaining here." Hank stated.
Rogue closed her eyes. She focused on Jean and the table.
"Jean!" Scott called.
"It's not me." Jean replied.
Rogue opened her eyes. The table was floating in front of everyone. Rogue lowered the table back to the ground. She looked to Piotr. Her skin slowly turned to steel, covering her completely.
"Looks like Hanks theory was correct." Xavier said.
Logan grunted. "Yeah, and unfortunately, that makes her our best defense against the virus as well."
"It would appear so." Xavier replied.
"Wait, so like, Rogue's going now?" Kitty asked.
"We don't have much of a choice. With what Rogue's got in her arsenal, she's our best chance of stopping the virus." Logan explained.
"It's possible I might be able to create a temporary viral relief for Rogue from the antivirus we already have." Hank suggested.
Xavier nodded. "Very well Hank. Begin work on that and let me know when you've finished. The rest of you, prepare yourselves. You leave once Hank has finished."
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Rogue sat on her bed. She stared at her full-length mirror. She hardly recognized the person anymore. Granted, the clothes were hers, but the body seemed absolutely different. Black veins through ghost white skin. Hollow black iris's with foggy white surrounding. Even her hair had changed from the intense color to a faded look.
Rogue grabbed her boots from the floor and slipped them on. She latched up the boots and stood in front of the mirror. She wore a black tube top shirt that hung to her body. A black vest covered her shirt, she sipped it up completely. Her black leather boots were well hidden beneath her dark blue jeans. She strapped steel shin and knee guards onto her pants, something she copied from Gambit. Rogue picked up a pair of short, black leather, fingerless gloves and slipped them on, securing them tightly. It was a step up form her newest uniform and it was possibly the only moment in her life that Rogue could wear something without sleeves. Rogue picked up her belt from her uniform and fastened it around her waist. She stared at the steel 'x' on her buckle.
A knock on her door alerted Rogue. She turned to the door as it opened. Gambit stepped into her room. "Beast's all ready fo' y'."
Rogue nodded. She walked pasted him, unafraid of making contact. Gambit followed her closely. They walked into the elevator for the subbasement. Rogue could feel Gambit watching her, but she did her best to ignore his eyes. She slightly mused to herself. She'd asked him multiple times to join them, and now that she's dying, he finally joins them.
The doors opened and they stepped into the hall. Hank was waiting for them in the medical bay. He held a small black pouch in his hands. He looked up at the doors opened with Rogue and gambit entering.
"I have managed to create three vials of antivirus for you. It's not much, but it was the best I could do with limited time. Use one now…and the others in battle." Hank explained. He passed the pouch to Rogue. She fastened it to her belt.
"It'll do fahn Hank. Thanks." Rogue said. She picked up one of the vials and injected the antivirus into her system. She instantly felt the effect.
"You'll know when you need to take it, trust me." Hank said.
Rogue nodded.
"Good luck." Hank said.
Rogue smiled and headed for the door. Logan met her and shook his head toward the hanger. "Time to go."
The X-Fighter had been built when the team grew larger. It seated the team of twelve easily with room for cargo and other passengers in the back. The Fighter was prepped and ready for take off. Rogue took her seat behind Kitty. Kurt was seated beside her. He watched her with worried eyes. Rogue gave him a small smile, trying to ease her brothers fears. Logan took the pilots seat with Orror as co-pilot. Scott and Jean took the seats behind them. Piotr was seated next to Kitty. Warren, Gambit, and X-23, and Evan were in the last seats behind Rogue.
"Home base, this is X-Fight." Orror said.
"You are clear for take of X-Fight. Good luck to you all." Charles said.
"Hang on." Logan called.
The cockpit was silent as Logan started take off from the hanger. Never had tension been more high and urgency been more needed. Within hours, every mutant could be infected and unless Hank could recreate the antivirus, there would be no cure. They were all risking their lives in a possible one-way mission with limited information.
Yeah, nothing to be scared about.
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dun dun dunnnnn...here comes my favorite part. FIGHT!!!
i own nothing
