CHAPTER 2: PEACE
Guest Starring:
Magneto: Claes Bang
Mystique: Rebecca Ferguson
Robert Kelly: Noah Emmerich
The game plan's simple. Lie low until tomorrow's summit. Then, the Brotherhood will sit in and watch Mayor Keller squirm. Study his unease. And then they will grab him and question him about the bombing. If he plays hardball, so can she, and she will make it hurt. The Black King said no killing, but a few fingers won't hurt anyone.
As Rogue stepped into the warm and welcoming Geneva safehouse, she wearily set her heavy bags by the entrance. Wanda and the other team members followed closely behind, their fatigue evident. Lance couldn't help but grumble a few choice curses in Tabby's direction, seemingly convinced she had packed her entire wardrobe for the trip.
"Are you seriously considering wearing those jeans and that shabby brown vest tomorrow?" Tabby asked, exasperated, as she tossed a strand of hair behind her shoulder.
Lance sighed and then dropped the bags onto the polished oak floor. "I've got nice clothes," he muttered.
Tabby lowered her sunglasses to give him a critical once-over, her eyes expressing clear judgment.
Rogue shook her head and walked into the living room. John was sprawled on the couch, with his feet on the coffee table, laughing hysterically at some cartoon or whatever he's into.
"Johnny." Rogue greeted.
"Roguey."
Wanda reclined on the couch next to her partner, leaning her head against his shoulder. Although she smiled, the sparkle in her eyes appeared dimmer.
Behind the cream couch, Rogue glanced up at the 75 inch-tv, "Is Remy with yah?"
John shook his head, "Nah, he's with the tin-man and furball t'night."
Furball as in Sabertooth. Mama's babydaddy.
Rogue had always accepted her mother's partners without question. Sabertooth had always been an odd choice Rogue never understood. However, as she looked at Lyla, the spitting image of her father, the pieces fell into place for Rogue. Lyla possessed gold-flecked eyes, sun-kissed skin, honey dirty-blonde hair, and an unmistakable animalistic aura. Mama has a penchant for enigmatic and sadistic individuals, regardless of gender.
"Make sure ya'll rest. We have a full day 'morrow."
They refuse to pay attention. This is an unfamiliar city in an unfamiliar country. They will explore the city, attend a party, and then sleep through the summit. Rogue is making an effort to improve the reputation of the Brotherhood. Instead of being seen as a joke, she wants them to be taken seriously. It was a difficult task to get this group of difficult people organized. However, with Wanda's assistance, she managed to do it. Now, Magneto and the Inner Circle trust them. All they have to do is maintain the hard work.
She sighed and strolled down the hallway, passing the cozy kitchen. Rogue entered the first bedroom on the right. It was a compact yet comforting space with a simple bed, a dresser, and an attached bathroom. It provided a peaceful sanctuary for her to rest. Her phone vibrated as she unpacked her belongings in preparation for a relaxing bath.
She didn't bother checking the caller ID as she brought the phone to her ear. "Ah'm crushed yah ain't here to see me, mon amour," she effortlessly rolled the French off her tongue.
"'Pologies, mon cherie." Remy chuckled on the other side of the line, "I have work t'night."
"A shame," She purred, "Ah was hopin' to enjoy a nice bath with yah."
The absence of his words almost compelled her to offer an apology for playfully teasing him. Their demanding professions often separate them more often than they can be together. Despite the challenges, they both knowingly committed to this when they started. She finds the situation quite difficult to bear most of the time, and she is sure he feels the same. However, there is a particular enjoyment in playfully teasing him.
"Yer playin' a dangerous game, Anna-Marie."
"In all seriousness, are yah comin' here tonight?"
He sighed, "I'll try, mon tresor. But make sure y' get some rest."
If he is not planning to visit tonight, she might join her team and enjoy some fun in Geneva. After all, a little partying won't hurt anyone.
Last night, despite the team's camaraderie, it was a terrible decision to go out. As she stood on the second-floor gallery, overlooking the chaotic scene of the untied nation assembly, her eyes struggled to focus. The intense lights only intensified her headache, but she ignored it.
"Of course you're here," Cyclops's irritating voice was utterly predictable. Mr. Perfect never passed up a chance to find fault and disparage her.
She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of meeting his gaze. "can say the same about yah, shuga."
He peered over the rail, "What's Magneto up to?"
She hummed and shrugged as Tabby spotted Mayor Kelly on the far left side of the building. Rogue focused on him. "Yer goin' to have to find out," she said, ruffling Cyclops' feathers.
He grabbed her wrist, "Don't play games with me, Rogue."
She smiled at him and then peered over his shoulder. Mrs. Perfect watched with a curiousness written over her face, "If Ah were yah, Ah'd let go. Yer makin' a scene."
Cyclops loosened his grip.
With a casual "see yah later One-eye," she gracefully settled into her seat between Wanda and Lance. Tabby positioned herself before them, keeping a keen eye on the Mayor. While Wanda remained focused on the security detail, Kitty completely absorbed Lance's attention. Rogue subtly trailed the X-Men to ensure they were unaware of her intention to approach Kelley for a civil discussion – if he could even grasp the concept. She observed Xavier wheel over to Magneto for a cordial exchange with old friends before finding his place in the pews, followed by his loyal supporters.
Her gaze shifted to Remy's magnetic presence. He responded with a swift smile and a wink.
The spell was broken when the assembly speaker said, "Ladies and gentlemen, please find your seats so we can get started in 5 minutes."
The X-Men followed the speaker's instructions and found their seats. They aren't super heavy today. Just a few off the main roster while Evan and Kurt were in New York City setting up their new home.
The team was taken aback when Xavier revealed they were relocating to the city. He explained that their adversaries were also moving and asserting their unwillingness to retreat was necessary. Additionally, it seemed logical since most criminal activities occur in the city. However, Xavier clarified that this move wasn't permanent. He mentioned a plan to form a Gold and Blue team when the New Mutants were older and more experienced. One team would be stationed in New York City, while the other would be based in Bayville.
A perfect retirement plan.
Despite his attempt to appear calm, it was evident that Scott had just engaged in a heated conversation with the leader of the Brotherhood. Scott's emotions were written all over his face, impossible to conceal.
"Professor, are you alright?"
He inwardly smiled at Jean's gentle tone. "I'm okay. Has Scott let slip what he and Rogue were discussing?"
Jean quickly glanced at Scott before shifting her gaze up to Rogue. "He mentioned that he's unsure about their intentions, but it doesn't seem promising," she conveyed.
"I concur. But we can't act too hasty."
Hours passed, and Magnus and his Acolytes behaved like Rogue and her Brotherhood. Not a peep. Not a step out of place. Nothing came of the summit, either. There were arguments about what to do with the mutants, and Magneto gave them the option to send them to Genosha. More arguments. A never-ending circle.
During a recess, Jean pushed him near Magnus and his bride, Raven, disguised.
For once, his oldest friend didn't wear his anti-telepath helmet. Instead, he wore an all-white suit with a striking magenta tie to match his snowy hair. His ice-blue eyes skimmed toward Xavier and then back to the refreshments.
"It's alright. I can trust you muddling through my mind. I learned how to block you out from going too far." Magnus reached out.
"The Brotherhood?"
Magnus smiles handsomely, "Here on their own. I have not charged them to be here."
"Do they no longer take orders from you?" Xavier asked.
"They do. Just not today." He nodded to Jean and himself and then returned to his seat.
Is Magnus implying Rogue's gone well, rogue, or is she working for another?
"Let's make sure we keep a close eye on the Brotherhood," Xavier said to Jean as she pushed him back toward their seats. She gave a soft nod and relayed it to the rest of the team.
Thank God the summit's over.
Lance and Tabby dozed off several times while Wanda carefully applied a fresh coat of black polish to her nails. Meanwhile, Rogue was glued to her phone, exchanging a flurry of text messages with Remy, whom she was meant to rendezvous with outside. Despite her repeated attempts to reach him, the swamprat was nowhere to be found.
The goddess of the skies strolled over in her elegant black pantsuit, her cascading snow-white hair creating an enchanting contrast. As if blessed by the divine being she served, a radiant sun aura encircled her, illuminating her presence.
"Looking for Remy?"
Rogue fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Ah'm guessin' yah are too."
"No, I just saw him," she said, shaking her head. "He's walking with Magneto to the car." Storm joined Rogue, standing beside her and observing the people exiting the building. "The X-Men are feeling wary," she commented.
"Wherever Ah am, that's not my house. They're suspicious." Rogue muttered.
"They know you aren't here under Magneto's order."
Sooner or later, they were going to figure it out. They're not too dumb or slow. "Do they know what we're here for?"
"No. But if you start killing–"
"We ain' here for that. Emma said no and has her guard dog now to do such a biddin'." Rogue sighed and looked up to her fri–Storm.
She momentarily contemplated Rogue, then returned to meet with her team.
Shit. Rogue cursed under her breath, the smug smile wiped off her face. She couldn't stand being rushed, but now they had to up their timetable.
Thank goodness Tabby can hack into the Mayor's laptop and see his schedule. It looks like he rented a restaurant for dinner—just him, she told Rogue.
It's a bit sad but okay.
Lance and Tabby took care of the security outside and in the kitchen, allowing Rogue and Wanda to stroll right in.
As Rogue entered the opulent restaurant, she couldn't help but scoff. The sight of the Mayor seemed like something out of a clichéd movie scene. There he sat, accompanied by a much younger blonde.
Wicked satisfaction spread across Wanda's face as she slyly snapped a photo with her phone, intending to use it for blackmail against the Mayor. She left behind the bar with a mischievous smirk, deftly scanning the shelves for something specific.
Rogue hastily seized a chair, its legs scraping against the pristine marble floor. The piercing sound made Mr. Mayor and his mistress grimace as they watched, causing his face to turn noticeably pale.
She approached the mistress with a broad, knowing smile, carefully positioning the chair beside her. "Robert, Ah expected more from yah than resorting to cliches," she reprimanded with a hint of sadness. Disappointment etched her features as she placed a gleaming knife onto the pristine white tablecloth.
The little dove said nothing, afraid she'd say the wrong thing and get herself killed. Smart girl.
"Gone and cheated on your wife again, huh? With one of Emma's girls?" Rogue whistled and glanced over at Wanda at the bar. "Can yah believe that?"
Robert's eyes grew heavy with anger, "What do you want?"
"It must be love," Wanda remarked as she mixed drinks behind the bar. "It's the oldest tale in the book, and she probably doesn't even love him."
Rogue turned back to Robert, "Such a cliche." With a quickness, she grabbed the mistress's face, the knife inches away from her lips. "Unless yah want her mouth carved open, how's about yah start talkin' to me about the bomb yah let go off in New York City."
Panic began to sink in, but he didn't say a thing.
"I think he thinks you're bluffing," Wanda called out.
She grabbed the girl from the back of the head, pushing her closer to the knife.
"I didn't know about a bomb."
Rogue continued to move the girl's head. A droplet of blood from the corners of her mouth dripped to the hilt of the knife, "Fine! I received a call from an anonymous person asking me to find a nobody to drop off a package at the hotel. I did that. I didn't know it was a bomb."
She nodded and let go of the mistress, and pointed the knife toward him, "Bettah, be lucky yah have payments to make, Mr. Mayor, or yah woulda been dead." Rogue glanced around the empty room, "Ah'm assumin' there ain' any cameras. To hide yer sin from gettin' out."
Robert nodded his head.
The mistress tried backing away. Rogue grabbed her wrist and slammed the knife through the girl's hand.
"Andrea Stillia," Wanda sipped her cocktail, "the White Queen is unhappy with you. I don't know what you did, but she's asking you to return home."
Andrea gurgled with a pained strain, "P-Please, don't make me go back. I-I can't go back." Rogue tilted her head, smiling, "Ah know, shugah. That's why yah ain' goin' back." In an instant, the poor girl's head dropped to the table. Crimson soaked the white tablecloth.
Robert's eyes were wide with shock.
Rogue slid her chair back to keep the blood from sticking to her. Her dark eyes slid to Robert, "Yah betray the Club again, Mr. Mayor; yah fate will be much worse." She got up, holstered her gun, and ripped her knife from Andrea's hand.
"You mutants deserve what's coming! You're all animals!"
Rogue's smile twisted into a sadistic expression as she confronted him, "Then why did yah choose to ally yerself with us and run for Mayor?" Without waiting for his response, she strode to the car with Wanda. Lance handed her a phone, and Tabby drove them back to the safe house.
"Is it done?" Emma asked on the other side.
"He got the message."
"And Andrea?"
"Dead."
"Excellent."
Rogue gently handed Lance his phone and closed her eyes, feeling a sense of relief washing over her. She knew she could finally sleep peacefully tonight, as Remy had promised to come by before their departure tomorrow.
"What now?" Lance asked.
"We wait."