Disclaimer—As much as I wish I did, I honestly don't own this stuff.
Chapter 18-Table Manners
"Happy Turkey Day, losers!" called out Toad bouncing down the stairs and onto the couch. Lance made a face and scooted closer to Rogue who was trying to read a book.
Pietro groaned. "Man, its Thanksgiving and we don't got any food."
"Didn't take you for a holiday type of guy, Speedy," murmured Rogue putting her book down.
"I'm not, but usually there's food on Thanksgiving, and in case you hadn't noticed, we're a little short on food right now. Where the hell is Mystique anyway?"
Lance shrugged. "Don't think she's coming back anytime soon. Damn bitch, couldn't even give us a call to let us know she was on a mission or anything."
"I'm hungry," moaned Fred clutching his growling stomach. The boys snickered, causing Rogue to glare at them darkly.
"Ya know, it's one thing for Mystique ta go off ahn leave us alone, but she coulda at least left us some money to get by," growled Rogue crossing her arms across her chest.
"Bet there's some moolah in her room," said Toad. The teens glanced up at the ceiling each contemplating whether breaking into Mystique's room would be hazardous to their health later on. Rogue got to her feet and marched up the stairs towards Mystique's room. Lance and Pietro were hot on her heels.
Rogue tried the doorknob but found it locked. "Freddy, Ah need ya for a second!"
Fred made his way up the staircase and nodded in understanding as Rogue pointed at the door. He made a large fist and thrust his hand through the wooden door. Rogue waited until he had removed his hand from the hole before putting her hand through to unlock the door. She smiled in satisfaction at the resounding click and pushed the door open, hitting the wall with a shudder. Rogue walked over to Mystique's dresser and began rifling through the doors until she came upon a large wad of cash tucked away in between some shirts.
"So who wants a turkey dinner tonight?" she asked waving around the money with a smirk on her face.
At a Local Restaurant:
"Yo, waitress, I'm gettin' a little hungry over here. Why don't you take our orders?" demanded Toad trying to gain the attention of the waitress as she served the other customers in the restaurant. The Brotherhood had finally found an open restaurant and had been waiting for the last thirty minutes for someone to come and take their orders.
Fred pounded the table with his hands, sending the waitress scurrying back into the kitchen. The rest of the customers tried to hide themselves by hunching down in their seats. "Service sucks here," muttered the oversized teen.
"No shit," agreed Pietro twirling a fork in his hands. "What's the dealio? It's not like we've ever been here before. Have we?"
"No," replied Lance cracking his knuckles. His temper was rising fast at the lack of respect they were receiving. Something was off kilter here, and he wanted to know what it was.
Rogue narrowed her eyes as she studied the customers in the restaurant. She snuck another glance at the doorway leading to the kitchen and gasped when she saw a semi-familiar face peering out carefully. "Dammit!" she cried out getting to her feet. Lance and Pietro jumped up, waiting for an explanation.
"Freakos?" queried Toad looking around with wide eyes.
"Mutant haters," she hissed. "Looks like this place is being run by those hooligans Ah ran into last week. The ones torturin' the little boy."
"Well, now, this is interesting," murmured Pietro. "They must recognize you, Roguey."
"Oh Ah bet they do. Ahn if they know what's good for them they better get their asses in gear ahn get us some food."
After a minute, the petite waitress was pushed back into the dining area. She slowly made her way over to the Brotherhood, stammering as she spoke. "So-sor-sorry, but we-we can't ser-serve y-you to-today. We-we don't serve mu-mutant lovers. You'll, you'll have to leave now."
Rogue cocked her head to one side, trying to decide upon a good course of action. She didn't want to throw a fit, but if these people didn't know they were mutants, then there was no reason to not serve them. Mutant lovers, what a load of crap, she thought to herself studying the trembling figure before the group.
"You ain't gonna serve us? Just 'cause we don't have a problem with mutants?" asked Pietro going for a somewhat diplomatic approach.
"Forget it boys," interrupted Rogue, warding off the inevitable. "There's no point in trying to talk sense with these hypocrites. Ah say we find somewhere else ta eat. Some place better than this hellhole of a dump."
"Good idea, I ain't about to kill myself eating this shit," added Lance knocking a customer's plate to the ground. The customer whimpered and scooted closer to his companion as the Brotherhood made their way out of the restaurant. As the glass door shut behind them, the group heard three little words that pushed them over the edge.
"God damn freaks."
Rogue gritted to her teeth and swirled around to face the loathsome restaurant. "Did Ah just hear what Ah thought Ah heard?" she hissed to her friends.
"Yeah, someone just called us freaks," retorted Lance sharply.
"We ain't gonna let 'em get away with that, are we Roguey?" asked Toad scratching the back of his head.
"I think we need to teach these guys a lesson," admonished Fred.
"It's your call, Roguey. Whaddya want us to do?" Pietro glanced over at Rogue. The southern teen was still staring at the restaurant intently.
"It's Thanksgivin', do whatever the hell ya want," decided Rogue acerbically. Her mind was busy recalling Mississippi where she had first been labeled a freak of nature. She was tired of being labeled beforehand. It was high time people found out what pre-judging was all about.
Xavier's Mansion:
"Pass the potatoes!" hollered Jamie from his seat in between Kitty and Kurt. Bobby chuckled as he handed the potatoes over to the pint sized mutant.
"Man, look at all this food," sighed Kurt, "I'm in heaven."
"Like stop drooling and pass the corn," said Kitty rolling her eyes.
"Hey, Aunty-O! Are there any more rolls left?" called out Evan from the end of the table. Jean smiled as she exchanged a glance with Ororo. Using her telekinesis, Jean passed the bowl of rolls down to Evan.
"Hey, four eyes, you gonna finish that piece of turkey?" demanded Logan gruffly. Scott made a face, but handed the piece of meat over to the older mutant. No use in fighting for it, there was plenty more left over.
"I do believe that this is the best Thanksgiving we have ever had," murmured Ororo watching the students eat and banter playfully.
Xavier nodded in agreement. "Yes, it seems we will finally be able to get through a holiday in peace."
"I wouldn't be to sure about that, Professor," chuckled Jean, "it's been too quiet lately. Halloween actually went by without a ruckus this year. I'm starting to get nervous."
"Wouldn't worry if I were you, Red, the Brotherhood is being run by Rogue right now. That girl ain't about to make a mess of things while the whore is MIA," replied Logan between bites of turkey.
"Logan, really, watch your language!" scolded Ororo.
The older mutant shrugged and continued to speak. "Rogue isn't stupid. She has a temper, but I think she can handle it. 'Sides, it's a damn holiday, even those screw-ups know not to do anything dumb."
"I think you're giving Rogue too much credit," said Evan. "She gets pissed pretty easily. And if she gets pissed, you know Lance and them aren't gonna just stand by and watch."
Scott shook his head. "I have to agree with Logan. Rogue's smarter than that. But I'm worried too. It's been a while since we've heard a peep from the Brotherhood. I wish I knew what they were up to, but whatever it is it can't be good. With Mystique missing the Brotherhood is a ticking time bomb."
Xavier was quiet as he listened to his students. As he was about to say a few words Cerebro's alarms began to sound throughout the mansion. It seemed trouble was finally at hand.
"Professor, what is it?" asked Bobby. The Professor closed his eyes as he let his mind wander through Bayville. And there he found what had triggered the alarm.
"Apparently, the Brotherhood has decided to stage a scene today. They are currently terrorizing a local restaurant. Alright, X-Men, suit up. I believe today we will need all of your strengths to stop the enemy. Jamie, you and I will stay here while the others go on this mission."
"I don't get to see Rogue fight? No fair! She's the best fighter in the whole world!" pouted the small boy jumping up in his chair.
"Yeah, if you aren't the one getting beat up by her," muttered Bobby fingering the spot where Rogue had hit him a few weeks ago.
"Aw man, and I was just getting started with all the food," groaned Kurt looking at his plate forlornly.
"Don't worry, kid, we'll be back in time to eat again. Gotta keep in shape if you're gonna be an X-Men," said Logan as the group began to file out of the kitchen.
At The Restaurant:
Rogue watched with disinterest as Lance let loose another tremor, shaking the building around like a beach ball. She allowed herself to smile as she heard the shrieks of fear coming from the people still inside the restaurant. This was what Thanksgiving was all about.
"That's enough!" shouted a deep voice. Rogue and the rest of the Brotherhood turned to see who was yelling at them. Down the street stood Wolverine, Cyclops, Spyke, Nightcrawler, Storm, Iceman, Shadow Cat and Jean Grey—all in their infamous black uniforms.
"Well, well, well," murmured Pietro grinning like a wild man. "Look who decided to come out and play. You guys are just in time for best part of the course."
"Yeah, patty cakes," added Fred slamming a fist into his hand with a loud smack. Toad and Lance nodded in agreement as they turned to face the X-Men. Rogue's face tightened as she made her way over to her teammates.
"Who wants ta go first?" she challenged silkily.
"I don't play nice, kid," threatened Wolverine shooting his adamantium claws out to their full lengths.
"Well now, sugah, I wasn't askin' ya to." Rogue barely moved a muscle as Wolverine launched a fist her way. She didn't have to. Fred easily shoved the older mutant to the ground with one hand before going to stand over him.
"I hate kids," growled Wolverine as he jumped back to his feet. Fred chuckled darkly, awaiting the next move.
Rogue turned away from the feuding pair to look over at Pietro, Iceman, and Spyke. The two X-Men had teamed up to try and bring the speedster down. Rogue shook her head and quickly kicked the Iceman in the kneecaps, sending him to his knees with a cry of pain. She lodged her knee into the side of his face just as Spyke came at her with two bone-life staffs in his hands. Rogue shifted her attention over to the dark skinned mutant as Iceman fell to the ground in a bloody heap, losing his ice form. With a flick of her wrist, Rogue sent Spyke flying over her head in a flip, forcing him to land on his back hard with a loud crack.
"Amateurs," she muttered to herself as she picked up the bone staffs and twirled them around in her hands. Behind her she could hear the Nightcrawler headed her way. Rather than turn to meet his attack she waited until he had poofed out from behind her to re-appear right in front of her. Nightcrawler was caught off guard as Rogue cracked one of Spyke's bone staffs over his head and another in his gut. The blue creature of the night felt his breath rush out of his lungs before he too toppled to the ground. Rogue dropped the staffs to the ground and wiped her hands before turning to see what else could be done.
Lance and Cyclops were battling head to head with their powers, as Jean and Storm tried to slow Pietro down. Wolverine was still busy with Fred, who was trying to sit on the beastly X-Man. This meant there was only one X-Man left. The Shadow Cat.
"I really don't like you," hissed Shadow Cat as she and Rogue faced each other.
"Feelin' is mutual. Ah hate you," returned Rogue casually. Shadow Cat took a deep breath as she studied the southern mutant before her. She knew that against the Rogue, she didn't stand a chance.
"Why are you like this?" whispered Shadow Cat inching a step backwards.
"That's what Ah do, or hadn't ya noticed?" Rogue shot out a fist causing the petite brunette to stumble backwards in pain. Shadow Cat clutched a hand to her cheek, blinking back tears as Rogue rounded on her once more. The second punch got her squarely in the jaw. Shadow Cat felt herself slip on a rock and down to the ground. Rogue came to kneel beside the younger girl with a shake of her head.
"Ya ain't ready ta fight a real battle, sugah. If ya cahn't handle meh, what makes ya so sure ya cahn handle the real thing down the road?" murmured Rogue as she slipped off a black glove.
"You know what's coming?" asked Shadow Cat with fear radiating off her skin like a second uniform.
"Ah cahn't see the future, now cahn Ah?" Rogue placed a hand on the other girl's hand, draining some of her powers as she continued speaking. "But from what Ah heard, y'all are in for one hell of a fight. D'ya think you're ohn the right side?"
"Kitty!" Jean's scream sliced through the air as her comrade fell back to the ground with a groan and Rogue stood up once again. The red head sucked in her breath as she locked eyes with her enemy. Rogue's emerald green eyes were as cold as ice. Jean felt a shiver go down her spine; soon the fire she held deep within her was aching to be free.
"No! I won't let you get away with this!" shrieked Jean hoarsely. She flew into the air using her powers to lift a nearby car off the ground. With her mind she tossed the car Rogue's way, but Rogue simply used Shadow Cat's powers to let the vehicle phase right through her. Jean let out another irritated cry and sent more vehicles flying towards Rogue.
The girl has gone crazy, thought Rogue to herself as each of the vehicles continued to phase through her. Rogue gritted her teeth and steadied herself for the next onslaught from Jean. However, Jean had other plans in mind. Enraged that Rogue was dodging her every throw, the usually level headed X-Man picked Rogue up off the ground with her telekinesis.
"Hey now, if ya wanna fight then lets fight!" shouted Rogue as she rose into the air. Glancing down at the ground, the brunette began to lose her temper. "This is cheatin' ya damn bitch!"
"I'm going to get through to you one way or another!" swore Jean placing a hand on her mind while using the other to steady Rogue in the air. Rogue's eyes widened as she remembered Jean's threat in Louisiana.
"Jean! Stop it!" ordered Cyclops from the ground. The battle had momentarily stopped as the fighters each looked up into the sky at Rogue and Jean.
"The moment Ah get mah hands ohn ya, Jeanie, Ah swear ta god Ah'll make ya wish you had never been born!"
Rogue's words were barely out of her mouth when a large body came hurtling itself out of the trees and into Jean, tackling her to the ground. Rogue gasped, but instantly maneuvered herself to land on her feet as Jean's mind let go of Rogue. Once on the ground, Rogue looked over to see Sabertooth standing over a dazed Jean Grey.
"Whiskers?" asked Lance in shock.
"Oh, now this is what Thanksgiving is all about," growled Wolverine extending his claws out to attack Sabertooth. Rogue's face was dark as she made her way over to Jean. With her still ungloved hand, Rogue grabbed Jean around her neck, lifting her partway off the ground. Jean tried to fight Rogue off, but the other girl was just too strong for her. Gasping for air, the red head felt her powers, as well as her consciousness leave her body.
"Are ya sorry now, Jeanie? 'Cause Ah sure as hell ain't a very forgivin' person," said Rogue through gritted teeth. Jean didn't say a single word as she finally blacked out, but Rogue continued to hold on. She was past pissed. She was ready to kill.
"Let her go!" demanded Evan. He shot another bone stake towards Rogue, slicing directly over her hand around Jean's throat. Rogue winced in pain, but let Jean fall to the ground still alive.
A blue aura emanated from Rogue's body as she slowly began to grasp some of the extent of Jean's powers. With a cynical laugh she floated into the air, bringing each of the conscious X-Men still left along with her.
"Put us down, Rogue! You don't hafta hurt us!" pleaded Iceman. Nightcrawler nodded and tried to teleport away, but his powers were useless against Rogue. The X-Men had been rendered useless as Rogue blocked their powers from being utilized.
"This is pointless, Rogue," called out Storm in a soothing voice. "Violence gets us nowhere."
"Ahn yet, y'all would have just let Jeanie try to take meh out. It's a good thing Ah don't hold grudges, or Ah'd be worried if Ah was one of you." Rogue smirked in triumph as her eyes glinted with pure malice. "Oh wait, Ah lied. Ah do hold grudges."
With those words Rogue sent the X-Men flying through the air and into trees, buildings, and pavement. As her enemies tried to get up for another fight, Rogue began to hurl anything and everything in sight down upon them.
Cyclops barely managed to shoot a flying tree into tiny pieces as Nightcrawler somehow teleported himself out of harm's way. Iceman iced the large semi in place before it ever reached him. He glanced over at the unmoving body of Shadow Cat beside him and gave a sigh of relief when her chest moved, indicating she was okay. Meanwhile, Storm weakly called forth a fast moving breeze to keep a large trash receptacle from landing on her and Spyke. Wolverine wasn't so lucky with the billboard that Rogue had drifted in his direction, but his healing powers quickly set in, allowing him to struggle back to his feet.
"Leave…my…friends…alone." The feeble voice came from Jean. Rogue glanced over at the red head and smiled.
"Guess Ah didn't hold ohn long enough."
"Your loss, not—" Jean let out an ear piercing scream as Rogue used Jean's own powers to go inside her mind. Rogue shook her head of the images and feelings that came rushing into her head. Both girls were breathless. Taking another deep breath, Jean tried to tap into Rogue's mind, but drained of her powers, and with Rogue wielding them the fight was pointless.
Rogue and Jean locked minds, until Jean finally gave way with a second cry of anguish. Rogue placed a hand to her temples, wiping the sweat away. The part of Jean she had drained was fighting to take control of her mind—to wipe away the barriers Rogue had somehow made inside her head.
In the distance, sirens wailed signaling an end to the battle between the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants. Sabertooth growled as he began to force the rebel mutants into a retreat. Lance tenderly picked Rogue up into his arms just as she began to drop to the ground. Within a matter of seconds, the Brotherhood was long gone.
"C'mon, we gotta get out of here before the cops swarm the place," urged Wolverine as he scooped Jean into his arms. Cyclops and Kurt were supporting each other as Iceman picked up Shadow Cat. Storm and Spyke silently followed their team mates away from the battle zone. The fight was over, and it wasn't exactly clear which side had one.
A/N—Oy veh, I can't believe how long this chapter took for me to write. I have a hard time conveying the battle scenes into words…but I hope you guys can get the general idea. Anyway, I'll try to update ASAP, but family is due for a visit this weekend…if I don't get anything else up before Thursday, then be patient. Thanks.