CHAPTER 4:

Intel


The screams, cries, pleas were muffled. Rogue watched the small building burn to the ground. It wasn't an explosion, as Kitty explained. Molotov cocktails were thrown into the apartment. Humans and mutants alike were burnt to crips and or outside, clinging for breath. Chaos swirled around her, but she could focus on the corpses on the ground, covered by blankets to keep their dignity.

As Emma, the facility's proprietor, conversed with the management, her countenance wore an inscrutable, cold expression as she carefully deliberated her next steps. This demeanor was one that Rogue had become familiar with over time—a look that led many to perceive Emma as self-centered and solely focused on monetary gain. And they weren't wrong. She's vain. Regarding mutant relations, the White Queen demonstrates deeper care and consideration than the rest of the Circle.

The remaining members of the X-Men swiftly arrived at the heart-wrenching scene, ready to assist. As Storm erupted into the sky, rain cascaded from above, and the raging flames dwindled. Kurt teleported inside to aid in the search for survivors, while Jean followed closely behind, using her telekinetic powers to help clear away the debris. Meanwhile, Evan positioned himself at the entrance, guiding people out of the fiery chaos and into the refreshing autumn air.

Rogue's eyes met Lyla's, who was at Emma's side, and then began to help with search and rescue.

After everything calmed and people were out and safe, the cops finally decided to show up. And then the firefighters. Emma was livid. She marched over and began to make them feel less than. Small. Good. They deserve the anger, the hate. People died because they refused to help a mutant center.

Xavier and Scott Summer decided to take advantage of the distraction and speak with Rogue.

"Who's that?" Scott asked toward Emma.

Rogue ignored his loaded question and looked them over, "No one. What do y'all want."

"Thank you."

Rogue blinked, "For? Helping people?" Scott opened his mouth to say something snarky, but she stopped him. "Contrary to what y'all think of me adn the Brotherhood, we help people less unfortunate. We just do it differently than y'all." Her head tilts to study them, "Y'all want somethin'."

"I'd like your help tracking down who's behind this," Xavier offered. He tried smiling, but it felt wrong.

"A team up?"

Scott reluctantly nodded.

Rogue considered it for a moment and then smirked, "No. We don't need yer help."

She was at a crossroads, uncertain about how to approach the situation. The X-Men had access to resources that the Brotherhood lacked, and utilizing them could greatly benefit her long-term. However, a part of her wanted to see the Brotherhood members struggle. She yearned for Scott to humble himself, to kneel, and plead for her help.

Scott sighed, "But we need your help."

Rogue's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't anticipated such swift groveling. Before she could respond, Lyla dashed past them, with Logan in hot pursuit.

She excused herself and went up to Emma.

"What is goin' on?"

Emma threw her hands up in frustration. "I don't know, but I'm sure your sister will fill me in the morning, and I'll pass the information on to you," she said. She turned to Rogue. "You two should make amends, and I can stop being caught in the middle."

Rogue snorted, "We are not at odds."

As if she could smell her bullshit, Emma looked to her princess, and together they took their leave. "Fix your house, Rogue," she called from behind her shoulder before getting into her white limo.


Logan didn't expect anyone else to sense some kid with a gray cap filming the entire mess. He sniffed him out after Ororo's rain. And then, he took off. Big surprise, they all take off after they watch their deeds. But it wasn't because he was satisfied with his work. No. One of the blonde chic, Emma, he can't remember her name. Terrible woman. Pretty to look at but terrible. Anyway, one of her workers, who he recognized from the party, took off after the boy. She ignored the people calling after her.

Logan smirked. Recognized the animalistic nature that took over. Could you join in?

He chased after them. The neighborhood is oddly quiet for a city that never sleeps. Oh well. Odd, the kid moved toward the main street. He wanted lights to get lost in the crowd. He'd stick to the shadows and avoid curious glances if it were logan. Before he could reach the main street, the girl shoulder-checked him into someone's lawn. Poor kid's face skid across the grass. She didn't give him time to recover or try and run. Her knee pressed against his spine.

"Move, and he'll gut yah like a fish."

Southern, like Rogue.

For emphasis, Logan's long, adamantium claws slipped from his knuckles close to the boy's face.

The kid nodded.

The girl pulled away from him but held onto the back of his jacket collar and pulled him back to the center. He tried to resist, but she was too strong.

Logan settled beside her, reaching into his flight leather jacket to pull out a cigar. A Canadian patch adorned the shoulder, one of his few keepsakes from the great war.

"Yer Stahr's friend."

She didn't glance over his way. Instead, her nose scrunched at the scent of his cheap cigar, and she nodded. "Yeah."

"How is she?" Logan's relationships with his children are complex. His eldest, Daken, harbors deep hatred towards him, while Laura, his clone, works through their shared issues. Stahr, the middle child, takes after her late mother, who was kind but unforgiving once offended. Stahr's mother, Serenity, died at the hands of Sabertooth, leaving her in the care of the grandmother who kept Logan away. Stahr longed to be with her father, but Logan could only promise to take her "soon," a promise he repeatedly broke. Eventually, on her 15th birthday, she asked him to stop visiting, weary of the disappointment. Logan honored the request and hasn't seen her since her 17th birthday.

"Fine." the kid said in short. "Thought she said she didn't want to see yah anymore."

It was his turn to shrug, "She's my kid. Of course, I ain't gonna listen."

"Hmm." She hummed.

The destroyed center came back into view as she carefully set the student down on the sidewalk. The Brotherhood and X-Men swiftly surrounded him.

"Who's going to do the interrogation?" Evan slipped his hands into the cozy warmth of his navy blue varsity jacket, feeling the soft fabric against his skin. The bold X symbol adorned both shoulders, standing out in stark contrast against the dark blue material.

"Ah don't want this piece of shit's memories and life runnin' 'round in my head."Rogue stepped back next to the girl, and Logan tilted his head in surprise. As he observed them, he couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance between the two. Could it be possible? Mystique having another child out there? But the girl didn't resemble Raven; instead, she bore a striking resemblance to–

Jean stepped forward and squatted before the boy on the curb. "I'll do it."

Nervous, the kid pushed back from Jean's hands, but she latched onto his head. Her eyes shut, and she got to work.

Logan's ears picked up Rogue and the girl's silent conversation.

"What are ya doin' here, Lyla?" Rogue asked.

"Protectin' Emma's interests. This is her place of business. Well. one of 'em."

Rogue huffed, arms crossed, "Yah get anythin'?"

"Nah, but he's a stupid college student. Ah doubt he did this without gettin' paid."

Jean's eyelids fluttered open, her gaze quickly locking onto Logan's intense eyes. She then shifted her gaze to Xavier, silently relaying the shocking events unfolding. Ryan Jackson, a struggling student at NYU, had been lured with a tempting offer of $1500 to carry out a sinister act at the human/mutant center and record it. His nefarious plans were abruptly disrupted when he saw Logan and Lyla swiftly closing in on him, prompting him to retreat. Ryan's smug expression melted away, replaced by an expression of pure dread as a crimson dot materialized on his forehead. Before Logan could even make a move, Ryan dropped on the grass. Blood pooled from the bullet lodged into his skull, leaving everyone stunned.

"Shit!" Rogue grumbled and cast a frustrated, angry glance at Ryan's body. Her eyes were filled with frustration and simmering anger. "Yah were only lead yah piece of shit."

"Have some fucking respect, Rogue. He just died." Cyclops touched Rogue's shoulder, but the girl responded by shoving him back while Rogue was talking to her. "And who is this?" Scott snapped.

"This is Lyla. A friend of the Brotherhood who was just leavin'."

Lyla glanced around at everyone, then took out her phone to give her boss, Emma, an update.

Scott redirected his anger toward Rogue and then Ryan's lifeless body. "What do you have us getting into?"

"Me?! Y'all blamin' me? Just five minutes ago, y'all came to me and asked for a teammate, and the moment it went sideways, y'all wanna blame me?!" Rogue snapped.

Before things grew, Logan stepped in to defuse the situation. "It ain' anyone's fault. Why don't we all go our separate ways? Tomorrow, we can figure out what happened."

As Rogue shot a fierce glare at Scott, a silent nod indicated her readiness. She fell into step with the other Brotherhood members as they approached the awaiting car. In response, Scott mirrored her actions, joining the other X-Men as they headed in the opposite direction.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Logan crouched next to Ryan, "What is goin' on?"


As Rogue entered the massive oak-paneled office of Xmanor number two, she was immediately struck by the sense that she had been summoned to the principal's office. With his gentle smile and crinkles near his eyes, the dean tried to maintain a light and approachable demeanor. Her favorite teacher, known for his unwavering support, stood ready to speak on her behalf.

Seated across from her, the teacher who had witnessed the altercation sipped on a cup of tea, the steam rising in lazy swirls. The other students involved, Scott Summers and Jean Grey, exuded palpable disappointment, their expressions a mixture of frustration and hurt. The atmosphere in the room crackled with tension as Rogue prepared to address the situation that had led her to this daunting meeting.

It felt like she never left Bayville High.

"Ah'm honored y'all moved to the city because y'all missed lil' ol' me." She spoke in a soft, melodic voice as she fluttered her eyelashes. Fed up with the lukewarm, unpleasant tea, Rogue placed the cup on the transparent coffee table and sank back into the plush leather couch.

"You came by with some news?" Xavier asked, steering the conversation before an argument broke out. Look at him, the peacemaker.

"A friend of mine called," William Shaw, the youngest son of the powerful Shaw family, has an uncanny ability to irritate her. His persistent nature makes it seem like he can't handle being told "no." "He has a club near the university where the two idiots were seen partying."

"A club?" Scott scoffed.

Xavier always tries to handle things calmly, but Scott always seems to be looking for a fight. It's frustrating because she can't figure out why. They used to be such good friends in high school. What changed between them? It wasn't the Brotherhood - he knew she was calling the shots. Was it because of her crush? Did he find out and tell Jean? Or did Jean confess to him? It was just a silly crush, nothing serious, but it's always been a sore spot for her. Rogue could see his loyalty to Jean even before he did, but she couldn't help but fall for him. But then Remy came into the picture, and Scott was forgotten. There were days when she missed their late-night conversations. Or a wave in the halls. Now, he's cold and distant.

"Yah don't have to come, Scooter." She sarcastically mumbled, "Though it may help yah loosen the stick shoved up yer a–?"

"That's quite enough." Ororo scolded. Her eyes narrowed at Rogue in a silent reprimand.

Rogue took the hint with a smile and turned back to Xavier, "Ah thought Ah'd let y'all know since we are partners in this."

"Please send the information to Scott or Jean, and we'll make sure someone can accompany you tonight."

She gave the professor a soft smile and then navigated her way out of the office and outside.

Wanda patiently waited against her scarlet red sporty BMW—a Christmas and apology gift. John, overdoing it on Thanksgiving, totaled Wanda's old car. So, to make up for it, he gave her the BMW. She forgave him the next day, but she forgave him when she saw the car. Rogue didn't understand. He'll continue the behavior. Magento will always come first, Wanda second. It's unfair, but what can she say or do that she hasn't already?

"How'd they take it?" Wanda slid into the driver's seat when seeing Rogue climb into the passenger seat.

"Like Ah thought they would."

"And did they suspect anything?"

"Nope."

Okay, her visit at X-Manor2 wasn't about the team-up. There is a meet-up with William tonight, but she wants to scope the manor. She wants to see what they have and if any information about the case is lying anywhere. They have about as much to go on as the Brotherhood—nothing.


After last night's shit show, Emma received a phone call from William Shaw. Not wanting to deal with him, she delegated the meeting to Lyla. This arrangement suited her just fine. William was known for providing the best party favors, but only after first taking care of business matters.

Lyla stood in front of her mirror, carefully examining her reflection. She added a final touch to her outfit by placing a vibrant red baseball cap on her head, strikingly contrasting her black shredded oversized jeans and crisp white tank top. Satisfied with her look, she nodded in approval and entered the hall.

Lyla was starting to descend the stairs when she heard Winters' door creak open. She poked her head out, giving her a once-over. "Planning on bringing someone home? I just want to be sure to wear my headphones."

Lyla smiled at the seriousness in her voice.

"Nah, Ah'm gonna talk with the white bishop." She tilted her head to look over Malakai, "Y'all haven't met, have yah?" Lyla stepped in front of Winters' door. She didn't wait for a response, "Get dressed yer comin'."

"I wasn't invited." Winters sighed.

"Just did. Now, get dressed. Yah got thirty minutes. Ah'll be in the living room," Lyla said as she shut the door and went downstairs. Uriel stood up upon seeing her, but she gestured to him to sit back down. "We're waiting for the princess."

He smiled slightly, "You're starting to like her."

With a bored expression, she lazily waved her hand toward him and rolled her eyes, "It's a misconception Ah don't like her."

"So," He sang.

Here we go, Lyla thought with a sigh.

"Why do you treat her the way you do?"

"Indifferent?"

Uriel's stare conveyed an unmistakable sense of disbelief, snorting.

Lyla harbors no feelings toward Winters; they are simply colleagues. Emma has asked Lyla to instruct the princess in using her powers and familiarize her with the Inner Circle. Lyla was tempted to argue that it was the court's responsibility, but she held her tongue, not wanting to worsen Emma's already agitated state during their phone conversation.

"What are yah tryin' to do?" Lyla sighed.

He spread his arms across the couch and absentmindedly toyed with the leather, "Just curious, that's all."

Her eyes, filled with suspicion, narrowed as she locked her gaze on him, desperately seeking the truth. At that moment, Stahr walked into the living room. Her gentle, soft blue eyes shifted back and forth between Lyla and Uriel.

"There a reason we aren't on our way to the White Tiger?"

"We're waiting on the princess," Uriel smiled.

Stahr blinked, dumbfounded. "You invited her?"

Uriel answered for Lyla, "She did."

Stahr appeared on the verge of speaking, but Lyla interrupted her when she caught a whiff of coconut, a familiar scent. Lyla moved from the couch and headed towards the foyer, "Let's go."

"Are we going to fit in your car?" Winters asked.

Uriel nodded as he brought up the rear, saying, "Yeah, Lyla's truck finally arrived last night, so we can go on family trips."

Ignoring them, Lyla turned slightly to glance at Stahr, "there a reason yah in such a hurry to talk to Will?" Even just mentioning his name made Lyla cringe. She'll admit, though, he's an actual smooth operator. He presents himself one way, but people don't realize his true cruelty until it's too late.

"Your sister adn the X-Men are on their way to talk to him."

Lyla came to an abrupt halt and pivoted to confront Stahr, "Why?"

Stahr shrugged, "I'm guessin' the same reason we're going."

She has to deal with William, her sister, and the stupid X-Men.

Joy.


In the bustling parking lot of the White Tiger, Rogue's intense gaze fixated on the X-Men who had ventured out for the night, leaving behind their other teammates. The rhythmic music emanating from the venue caused Evan's head to sway in time while Kurt, adjusting his image inducer, nodded in sync with the beat.

Jean emerged from Scott's shiny cherry-red 1962 Jaguar convertible, her tantalizing dress perfectly complementing the car's striking paint job. Then, Rogue glanced over at Scott, contrasting her boyfriend's simple attire of plain jeans, a white t-shirt, and a leather flight jacket with Jean's vibrant energy. On the other hand, Remy always impeccably matched Rogue's vibe whenever they ventured out together. It was clear that Scott was breaking an unwritten rule by not syncing his style with Jean's.

She reminded them, "See if you'll ask the workers if they've seen Ryan around and if he talked to anyone out of the ordinary."

Scott raised a brow over his sunglasses, "And what will you do?"

"Ah have a meetin'." As he opened his mouth to continue, she spun around and briskly strode around the club's corner. The pounding rhythm of the music grew louder, permeating the air. It wasn't her preferred genre, but it resonated with the crowd. After all, William was a Shaw, adept at understanding how to capitalize on trends and turn a profit.

The rest started to break away from her and join the lengthy queue that extended down the street. She watched in terror as her eyes grew wide. "What are yah doin'?"

"Getting in line."

She grabbed Kurt's wrist, shaking her head, "We don't do that."

They hesitated, their eyes blinking rapidly, but no words of disagreement escaped as they reluctantly trailed behind her. As they reached the entrance, a towering and imposing figure loomed over her, blocking their path.

"Rogue!" He grinned brightly, "It's so good to see you."

She tilted her head slightly, allowing her hair to fall to the side, revealing the pitch-fork brand prominently displayed behind her ear, and she felt a wave of relief as the others behind her remained silent.

He glanced at the brand, smiled, and then opened the door. The music hit her like a physical force, causing her to stagger. Kurt and Evan's faces lit up with wide grins as they fumbled in their pockets for their wallets. The imposing figure of Guido, the bouncer, shook his head disapprovingly. "Yer wit' her. You don't need ID." He waved them through.

As Rogue passed by, she gently patted him on the shoulder before walking down the dimly lit hall. Jean followed closely, her curiosity evident as she prepared to voice the question on the tip of her tongue.

"Ah don't wanna talk about it."

"Was it forced on you?" Jean subtly asked.

"When Ah say Ah don't want to talk about it, Ah don't want to talk about it." Rogue snapped and thanked God they had made it to the main floor.

In contrast to the luxury of the other establishments in the white court, William's two-story brick building is unassuming and nondescript. Inside, it's packed with people, some high, some drunk, and some both. The music pulsed through the air, enticing her to join the revelry, but she remained rooted to the spot, reluctant to be swept away by the allure of the night.

Pointing across the room where the DJ booth rose above the crowd, Rogue said, "To the right is the bar. Y'all can start there."

She didn't wait for acknowledgment to see if they heard her over the roaring music.

FREAKY-Offset Ft. Cardi-B

Wanda, in her swaying velvet red knee-high dress, collided with Rogue. "So you've brought the X-Men after all?"

Rogue casually linked her arm with Wanda's, and the two ascended the stairs concealed in the club's kitchen. It was a more discreet route, minimizing the risk of encountering drunken mishaps that could lead to a confrontation. As they reached the second floor, isolated from the hubbub of the club, Wanda pushed open the door. The air was heavy with a blend of cigar smoke and the unmistakable scent of sex.

"Just for appearances."

Did she mention William's a prick and a perv?

No?

Now the readers know.

In the dimly lit room with its deep brown hues, Rogue entered and glanced downward. A one-way glass floor allowed a view of the club below. Soft lighting permeated the room, illuminating a pool table at the center and a bar behind Remy's seat.

With a look of concentration, Remy focused intently on his hand of cards while William sat across from him. Piotr and John were seated around the table, adding to the tense atmosphere. Unnoticed by Remy, she quietly approached from behind, her hand running down his chest as she discreetly observed his cards.

Wasn't Piotr supposed to have a date with Kitty? She made a mental note to ask about it later.

To Remy's right sat Warren Worthington III, an influential investor and a member of the exclusive Hellfire Club. On the opposite side of the table sat Uriel Worthington, his brooding younger brother. She had only met him once before, and the encounter had been fleeting and hardly memorable. Finally, Lyla sat focused on her cards, a cigar clutched between her teeth, adding an air of intense concentration to the scene. Rogue kissed Remy's cheek and then strolled to the pair of leather couches facing each other—a leather ottoman table between them. She settled next to Wanda.

Over her shoulder, Rogue called out to Will, "Did you invite the entire circle to this meeting?"

"Just the underlings," William replied.

Stahr Howlett was sitting on the adjacent couch, wholly absorbed in her phone. Two unfamiliar people were seated beside her, catching Rogue's attention. "Who are they?" she asked, gesturing towards the couch opposite Wanda and her.

William tossed his cards onto the luxurious mahogany table, signaling his loss in the hand, and gracefully rose from his cushioned chair. As he stood up, a poised server approached, offering him a crystal clear glass of aged scotch. Accepting the drink with gratitude, William made his way over to the other side of the room. He quietly positioned himself behind the elegant couch and, with a subtle gesture, directed her attention toward the girl on the left.

On the left, he began with a lovely blonde. Her emerald eyes were as wide as a doe's, and her makeup blended seamlessly with her complexion. "Meet Lina Falk, heiress of the New York Assassin's Guild," he introduced. Then, gesturing to the far right, he indicated a figure with striking, bright blue eyes that seemed to scrutinize Rogue intently, attempting to gauge her. "And there we have Malakai Winters, Heiress of the Seattle Assassin's Guild and current white princess."

"Nice to meet y'all."

In unison and blandly, Lina and Malakai said, "We've met."

"Oh. Ah'm sorry. Ah ain' good with names or faces."

Lina confidently gestured for Malakai to continue despite any reservations, and Malakai responded with a gentle smile, acknowledging her understanding. The other players at the pool table abandoned their game as Remy emerged victorious with a royal flush. Gracefully, Remy guided Rogue off the couch and settled into her vacated spot before seating her on his lap. Nestled close to him, Rogue delicately traced her finger along his chiseled jawline.

"Finally, everyone is present. Shall we commence with the meeting?" William motioned towards a closed wooden door at the end of the hall. The group rose from their seats and followed William as he led them into a private, dimly lit office. A diligent staff member closed and locked the door behind them, ensuring their privacy for the upcoming discussion. Keep the prying ears and eyes out.


It was nearing 3 AM. No one else was in the building because the club had closed about an hour ago. But Guido, the bouncer, stayed to wait alongside them. What on earth had taken so long? The small group got some information after prying and getting drunk.

His gaze quickly shifted to Evan, hunched over the bar, sipping water slowly. Despite being warned against excessive drinking, Evan did not heed the advice. Not a problem, though. Scott planned to teach him a lesson—tomorrow morning, an intense Danger Room training session would cure his impending hangover.

At midnight, they obtained crucial information about a group of students at NYU known as the Friends of Humanity, who were actively spreading hate against mutants in clubs and bars. The recent tragic death of a desperate student named Ryan joined the group for money.

At 1 AM, Jean attempted to use her telepathic abilities to contact Rogue and signal that it was time to leave. However, there was no response. As the club closed at two, Kurt and Evan tried calling her on her cell phone and Wanda's, but they received no answer.

Here they are, at 3, waiting for her or Wanda to show their faces.

Finally, 3:30 hit and movement.

Piotr Rasputin marched down the stairs with a big smile. Jean and Kurt rushed him with a hug. Evan tried to wave, but he belched instead. Guido grabbed a trash can from behind the bar and handed it over.

"My friends!" He scanned each of them, "What are you doing here?"

"We could ask you the same," Jean Sai said, removing herself from the group hug and stepping back beside Scott.

"A meeting." He pointed over his shoulder to the stairs.

"We're waiting on Rogue."

Piotr blinked, "She left about 30 minutes ago. She said she left you all a voice mail telling you she knows who's behind the bombing and the fire and she'd get with you all tomorrow."

Scott's ears burned red. His frown deepening, "There's no way. We've been trying to contact her for the last three hours."

Piotr shrugged, "That's what she told me to tell you if you were still here." he waved at Guido, "But I must go. I have a test to study for."

Scott pulled his phone out of his pocket and listened to the voicemail. Sure enough, Rogue reached out. She said she'd get with them later tomorrow to compare notes.

"Let's go home."

"The best thing you've said all night, man," Evan handed Guido the trash can and peeled off the bar to follow after Scott.

"You alright?" Jean asked from beside him, running a thumb over his hand.

"Fine. just annoyed and tired."

Why didn't she say anything beforehand? Why didn't she come down and tell them she was leaving?

Then it clicked.

If Piotr was here, so was Gambit, her boyfriend. He'll tell Xavier that the Acolytes are in town—much later tomorrow. He needs to sleep.


The meeting was excruciatingly dull. She didn't want to hold up the X-Men. Piotr offered to let them know to leave if they couldn't reach her voicemail. She was almost nodding off; it was around 3 a.m., and the meeting continued. Finally, on money distribution for contracts, just as she thought it was done, William dropped a bombshell, stunning both her and Lyla.

It couldn't be.

It wasn't true, but one look on William's face told her otherwise.

"I'm sorry you had to find out this way, but Cameron Hodge is behind the bombing and fires. He's the mastermind behind FOH."

Cameron Hodge, Warren, and her brother, Graydon, were college roommates. She had only met him a few times when Graydon brought him home for Christmas. Mama had mistaken him for Graydon's boyfriend, but he was actually just gathering information about the mutant family.

"And is Graydon involved?" Lyla asked.

How could she ask that? Of course, he isn't!

William shrugged, "We know someone is supplying him with weapons for his next step, and there's a bigger boss, but it's unlikely it's Graydon."

Good. now, "How do we take this fucker out?" Rogue hissed.