Chapter 5
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Rogue knew she would be dead soon. Maybe it was better this way, she hadn't had much of a life since that day. She was shocked when her own father tried to molest her. At first she was grateful to be a mutant, able to protect herself from him. But even though she'd been the victim in that, people blamed her for nearly killing her father, they were so quick to assume the worst when he did die. Rogue was a child, and they sought the death penalty. Living on the run, always in danger of being recognized. She had contemplated suicide before, but feared God would send her to Hell for this. Hopefully God recognized a difference between suicide and sacrifice. There were ofcourse those who believed all mutants were damned to Hell, Rogue hoped that they were wrong, she would likely find out very soon. Xavier's school had been better, but it couldn't last. The more Rogue thought about it, the more likely it seemed that Magneto had manipulated her into volunteering to take his place in the machine. But she didn't really blame him, and her choices had been limited since the day she was born. At least this way she could die for her people.
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JJ had been feeling sick ever since that night. He wasn't entirely sure what had happenned, he knew it involved that girl, the rest was pretty hazy. It wouldn't have been the first time he got high and did something he shouldn;t have with a girl, but he had never been this woozy for this long. JJ suspected that the people were mutants, and he had been taught to hate mutants. He feared what would happen if his parents found out, they would almost certainly disown him. But he couldn't stay this sick forever, and the local hospitals weren't exactly mutant friendly. JJ had heard about professor Xavier and his school, how he took in mutants who had nowhere else to go. And right now, JJ had nowhere else to go.
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In the final preperations before the battle Avalanche briefed Magneto about the progress of his team.
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Avalanche: Pyro and Gambit are ready. Rogue's part is small, she's ready. But Blob and Toad aren't ready, they'll just slow us down. What about Sabertooth and Mystique?
Magneto: They're ready. You're certain that Toad and Blob aren't ready? Or are you just worried about them?
Avalanche: You said yourself that the area is mostly abandoned, you only need us for security. Five people for security seems more than enough.
Magneto: Perhaps. If things go smoothly you five should be more than enough. But how often do things go smoothly.
Avalanche: That's my point. Toad and Blob, they're not ready for anything this important. I know that sacrifices have to be made in war, but we can't expend soldiers recklessly. Victory or defeat, we need soldiers after who believe in the cause.
Magneto: When I relieved my son of command I feared I had made an error. But it seems you're a good leader. Willing to make sacrifices, but only when neccessary. It's good to know the next generation will have good leadership when my time comes to an end.
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It was the middle of the night, and Rogue was trying to sleep. It was difficult, considering that it was less than three days before the operation. She still feared death, even though she believed it would be for the best. Gambit and Mystique woke her up.
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Rogue: What is it?
Gambit: There's been a change of plans. The heat's on, we need to get you to a secure location before the operation.
Rogue: Okay.
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Rogue went with Gambit and Mystique. They were quick but quiet when they left this house. In all the rush, Rogue never asked where the other members of their team were going. In three days she would be dead, she just had to stay alive until then, and make certain she was at the old office building when the time was right. It wasn't so bad, one last road trip, as far as last meals go fast food burgers were good. Rogue saw a billboard during this road trip. It had a picture of a red-skinned baby with horns, clearly meant to represent a mutant made to look like a demon. The caption said "That baby you abort might be a mutant. Fight for abortion rights." Rogue doubted is was a coincidence that many of the anti-mutant groups were also supportive of abortion. They wanted pregnant women to abort children who might be mutants. Rogue's own mother said she wished she had aborted her rather than give birth to a mutant. Rogue took this time to write a final letter to her little sister. She hadn't seen her sister since Rogue was arrested for murdering their father. Did she hate Rogue? Or did she sense what he had planned to do? Was she grateful to her big sister for protecting her? Rogue would never know, but she hoped that her friends would deliver this message after she was gone. But after more than a day on the road, not even stopping to sleep, Rogue realized they were driving further away from New York. The operation was time specific, they had to be in New York tomorrow night for the summit or they would lose their opportunity. Then, the car began to veer off to the side of the road. Gambit tried to stop it, but no success. He realized that there was enough metal in this car for Magneto to control it, and suddenly he and Mystique were very nervous. Sure enough this car drove into the woods, Magneto and Avalanche were waiting for them, and Magneto looked angry.
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Magneto: Rogue, did you chose to go with these two?
Rogue: They said the police were coming, that I was being taken to a secure location.
Magneto: Mystique, Gambit, what do you have to say for yourselves?
Gambit: We're not going to let you hurt this girl.
Magneto: Gambit it is well known that you have a weakness for beautiful girls, but I thought you understood.
Gambit: I was a thief and a scoundrel, but I never killed anyone.
Magneto: And Mystique, does Rogue remind you of the children whom you abandoned?
Rogue: What is he talking about?
Mystique: I've made mistakes, but I don't want to see you die Rogue.
Avalanche: Sacrifices must be made in war?
Gambit: As long as our great fearless leader doesn't have to make them.
Magneto: Someone must lead our people into the new world. Charles doesn't have what it takes to do what must be done. Rogue, you volunteered to take my place, has that changed?
Rogue: No, I'm still willing to make this sacrifice.
Magneto: Very well, then we must be off.
Avalanche: What about these two?
Magneto: They betrayed me, and tried to take Rogue's choice away from her. That cannot go unanswered.
Rogue: Please don't hurt them.
Magneto: I supposse we should not waste our strength fighting them. But you two are not welcome in my Brotherhood anymore.
Rogue: One last thing. My letter to my sister is still in the car. Will you two make sure she gets it?
Mystique: Ofcourse.
Rogue: Thank you.
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Rogue went with Magneto and Avalanche, ready to die for Magneto's cause.
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JJ went to professor Xavier's school, begging for help. Xavier took him in, tried to treat him, but he feared there was nothing he could do. With JJ's permission Xavier probed his memories, few of them good. He had a history of harrasing women, and mutants. One night JJ was unlucky enough to harass Rogue, who was under Magneto's protection. Magneto kidnapped JJ, Xavier couldn't see much, JJ was drugged for most of it. But whatever he did, Magneto tried to turn JJ into the very thing he hated the most, a mutant. But it was unnatural, JJ's body was rejecting it, he was not likely to survive much longer. Xavier wondered, was this Magneto's big plan, to turn as many people as possible into mutants? How many would survive and how many would die like JJ? There was only one way to know for certain, and Xavier feared that Eric was ruthless enough to find out.
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Kurt came to see JJ. He knew JJ was not a good person, but his time was almost over, and noone deserved to die alone.
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JJ: That girl, she was your friend?
Kurt: She was, I like to think she still is.
JJ: She wasn't the first girl I wouldn't let go, I didn't think she'd be the last. So why are you being so nice to me?
Kurt: I would hope that, if I were on my deathbed, that someone would try to comfort me.
JJ: Even if they were the enemy?
Kurt: Even if they were my enemy.
JJ: I'm scared. My dad said all mutants are damned, and now I'm a mutant.
Kurt: Maybe you should be more concerned with your actions.
JJ: Then I'm really screwed.
Kurt: We are all sinners in need of God's forgiveness.
JJ: Will you pray with me?
Kurt: Ofcourse.
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Kurt and JJ began to pray together. But within a few minutes JJ died. His body didn't just die, it dissolved into water. It was clear that whatever Magneto was doing, some would not survive the procedure. Kurt was not a priest, but he performed the last rites for this man. He finished by saying "May God have mercy on your soul."
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Wolverine finished his most recent fight. He won. They paid him, after charging him for use of the shower and the towel. After that Logan had enough for another night in his Motel 6 and about a day's worth of groceries. It wasn't much, but it wasn't the first time he lived day to day. To his surprise an old enemy returned. It was Mystique, she and Wolverine had their issues from when he had been an Xman. She brought her new friend Gambit.
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Wolverine: What do you want?
Mystique: Your help.
Wolverine: You're either desperate, or you think I still have amnesia.
Mystique: We're desperate, and hoping you can forget old times a little.
Gambit: Our friend Rogue, Magneto's plan involves killing her.
Wolverine: And you two have a problem with that?
Gambit: I like her. Only problem is she wants to die.
Mystique: And you'll probably get to fight Sabertooth again.
Wolverine: That's tempting. But why not ask the Xmen for help?
Mystique: You know that Charles and I have our issues. And the fact that he respected Rogue's decision to leave. You think he would drag a girl back to his mansion against her will.
Gambit: And you know how he plays by the rules, how long before the police find Rogue and look into her past. Xavier wouldn't rat her out, but if he alerts the authorities, and they talk among themselves...
Wolverine: I see your point. For better or worse the three of s might be her only chance to survive.
Mystique: So you'll help us?
Wolverine: Sure, I got nothing better to do these days.