Disclaimer: I own nothing except my imagination
A/N – Okay, this is finally it. The last chapter of my story. Just one thing you should be aware of – I suck at writing action scenes. I love the battles and stuff, but my true talent is writing heart wrenching, sappy romance. So, I apologize in advance if this chapter may not be up to expectations. I'm not sure if anyone even reads this Author's Notes, but there is something important I'd like to stress out so PLEASE READ THIS! I'm concluding this story with a whole bunch of various mutants, some that are completely just my imagination. They will be mentioned as well as the some other popular superheroes like Spiderman, the Fantastic Four etc., but don't expect them to have some big role. When you picture the fighting scene in your head while reading this (just something I do while reading or writing something), see it as just the people fighting in the background along with other nameless heroes and villains. This chapter centers on Rogue, Remy and a few other selected characters, the others are just here for the effect, maybe I'll give them an occasional line, but nothing more. This is just something I wanted to mention in case someone gets confused with me mentioning all those superheroes and not dealing much with them. I'm not sure if you guys understood any of these bunched up words here, but I hope you got the idea… :D – Okay, this is finally it. The last chapter of my story. Just one thing you should be aware of – I suck at writing action scenes. I love the battles and stuff, but my true talent is writing heart wrenching, sappy romance. So, I apologize in advance if this chapter may not be up to expectations. I'm not sure if anyone even reads this Author's Notes, but there is something important I'd like to stress out so I'm concluding this story with a whole bunch of various mutants, some that are completely just my imagination. They will be mentioned as well as the some other popular superheroes like Spiderman, the Fantastic Four etc., but don't expect them to have some big role. When you picture the fighting scene in your head while reading this (just something I do while reading or writing something), see it as just the people fighting in the background along with other nameless heroes and villains. This chapter centers on Rogue, Remy and a few other selected characters, the others are just here for the effect, maybe I'll give them an occasional line, but nothing more. This is just something I wanted to mention in case someone gets confused with me mentioning all those superheroes and not dealing much with them. I'm not sure if you guys understood any of these bunched up words here, but I hope you got the idea… :D
And, yeah. One more thing. In this story, Rogue absorbed every X-man at least once along with some other mutants.
Notes on reviews:
LovableRogue – Well, being aware of my ever-present romance obsession, it might just end like that…still, I am affected a bit by this crazy weather so the ending might be a bit uncharacteristic for me…Hope I didn't make you wait too long this time!
Chrosis – This actually was really cool information! I didn't know about that:D Still, I know you know what I meant. (does this sentence make any sense at all??)
Anyway, I hope you like this chap!
Remy'sRose – Well, it seems like kind of a small punishment for her…I know it seems sadistic but I really don't like her! Still, she might get seriously, unstably dangerous…This gives me some new ideas…Anyway, she's definitely not going to be on anyone's way once I'm finished with her…:evilgrin:
Chica De Los Ojos Café – Thanks! I'm glad you liked it so much!
Professor Horatio Hufnagel – Hey! I see you found this story as well! Lol I'm glad you liked the Bella part 'cause I was a bit sceptic when I wrote it. I was afraid it might have been a bit too dramatic and clichéd. I was actually considering on rewriting it, but I gave up in the end. I'm really happy people actually liked it! And don't worry; all the fanfics have at least something similar. There are so many of them, it is almost impossible to think of something that wasn't used before, so don't worry. I didn't think, not even for a second, that you were copying me. :D Or we really may be sharing a telepathic connection… Next I'll try to manipulate the minds of the people that surround me. :insert evil laughter here:
Anyway, your review made me very happy! Good luck with trying not to cry on this one, tears are already streaming down my face as I'm writing it (hence the numerous grammar and spelling errors – the screen is really a big black and white blur to me at the moment), but I usually get over-emotional for no particular reason at all so…Enjoy the show!
musagirl15 – Yeah, that's what made me go 'Woohoo!' and bounce around happily all day long…:D I'm glad you liked it!
Mystical Sand – Nah, Belle is still too stupid for that. But I don't think she'll make anymore trouble for the time being. And I simply love to write emotion-filled Remy! I know he is not really the one to cry, but it just felt so right writing him like that…And I'm also glad you liked it too. :D Hope you enjoy the rest of it!
Southern Loner – Thanks for your review!
enchantedlight - :D Thanks!
"talking"
'thinking'
--flashbacks--
song lyrics
CHAPTER 18
TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY
'Magnus, I am going to need your help. The situation with Apocalypse is getting serious. Please join me in front of my mansion if you are willing to help me.'
Charles was rereading the message he sent to Magneto for the millionth time since the Blackbird started towards New York. He was wondering will his old friend forget about their differences and join him in saving the world once again. After all, this wasn't the fight for the dream anymore. This was a fight for pure survival, that raw instinct an ordinary human being controlled with his reason when able to and allowed it to take over when in need.
They left New Orleans in a hurry. The LeBeaus, Mattie and Bella simply gathered a few most important items before joining Remy and the others in the jet since they were assured to have everything necessary waiting for them in the mansion. Hank sat Remy in the corner while checking up his condition once again and giving him some vitamin shots to boost his strength and concentration. The others either sat still on their spots or paced the length of the jet nervously. After half an hour, Scott's tired voice informed them over the speaker that they were about to land in Westchester in a few moments.
The first thing that everyone noticed was the rather large group of various mutants gathered in front of the main entrance. Kurt teleported next to them the second everyone exited the jet.
"Vat is vrong vit mein Schwester?" he asked through his thick German accent.
"Nice to see ya too, preacher." Wolverine answered, but there was no lightness in his tone. "She's got herself in trouble, but we're here to get 'er out of it." He added while tapping Kurt's shoulder comfortingly.
They turned towards the entrance from where Jubilee ran to meet them, all other gathered mutants turning to greet the legendary X-men. Unshed tears glittered in Charles's eyes when he saw how many people answered his plea for help. Bobby 'Iceman' Drake came towards them, wearing his old X-man uniform, and bowed slightly to shake his hand, turning to face the others shortly after that.
"Thank you for coming Bobby." Xavier uttered
"I'm glad I can help." He answered with a reassuring smile.
The other mutants started to approach, all smiling friendly and expressing their pleasure to be of help. Colossus greeted all of his old 'comrades', Archangel stood next to Psylocke a bit distanced from the group, but his gaze gave away not only his usual urge for revenge on Apocalypse, but also a dose of reasonability and worry. Betsy just smiled and greeted the professor telepathically.
Suddenly, a cracking sound was heard as everything metallic started to quiver at the arrival of the master of magnetism. Charles looked up and saw Magneto descending in his magnetic force field.
"Magnus!" sincerely, Charles didn't expect him to come so soon, even though he hoped he might show up eventually.
"Even though we differ in our beliefs, Charles, it would be a great loss for the world to stay without the famous pacifist Xavier and his X-men as it would be a great loss for me to stay without such a worthy opponent. Your students helped me on certain occasions; I consider it my duty to repay it to them."
Gazing thankfully up to his old friend, in the gathered crowd he noticed his children, Pietro and Wanda and his face lit with hope. His eyes circled over the grounds once again as he noticed some more people gathering. He spotted Forge with his team, Iron Man and his co fighters, the Fantastic Four and Spiderman among others. His smile got brighter and he cleared his throat before speaking:
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice. However, it is a sad occasion for this kind of meeting. I do not know if you are aware of what is going on so I will try to explain it in a few words. One of my students, Rogue, is possessed by a very powerful being by the name of Apocalypse. There is a prophecy saying that she might be the key either for his defeat or the increasing of his power. I must admit that we knew about the danger her possession might cause, but unfortunately, we didn't react in time. So, our mission is to try to get her own personality back or…I'm afraid there is no other solution but to destroy her." Whispering started spreading through the crowd and Remy's surprised voice interrupted the professors' monologue.
"What're y' talkin' 'bout! We can'…" a firm but soothing grip on his wrist stopped him. Charles looked up at him and Remy could notice the pain his own words caused him. He didn't want to harm Rogue; he was just trying to prepare everyone at the worst. Still, Remy wasn't yet ready to accept the possibility of killing the love of his life.
"It might not be necessary!" the professor continued "But I must warn you that it might be crucial for the salvation of the world as we know it! I must be sure…" he paused looking at Remy again "…that each and every one of you is ready to put his or hers personal feelings aside and act on what is the best for the others…Even if it means sacrificing someone we know and care about." Remy diverted his gaze from the professors and looked down, his fists clenching and unclenching spontaneously, his eyes flashing with painful realization that tonight, he might just lose everything that makes his life meaningful. The professor's voice continued to echo in his head as he understood he wouldn't be able to kill his chere if there is no hope for her salvation anymore. He would let her kill him first just so he wouldn't have to face the rest of the life without her.
"This will not be an easy fight. It will be dangerous; it will surely be a lot of casualties, so it is my duty to ask you to rethink your decision. None of you is obligated to come." Charles finished looking with anguish over the gathered heroes.
Another wave of whispers circled the crowd, but no one backed away or left. Bobby, who already joined the other X-men next to the professor, eyed the 'audience' and said:
"I think everyone is in."
A loud cheer of approval was heard.
"Thank you all once again. Now, since there are a lot of us, Scott and Ororo will form you into several teams. Remy, you come with me inside. While I escort your family towards their rooms, you go with Hank into the med bay for another quick examination."
Remy snapped out of his thought and nodded lightly as the small group made their way through the crowd listening to the cheers of support and optimism directed towards the infamous heroes.
"Look professor Grey…urm, Summers, I don't mean to, like, disrespect or anything, but you can't stop me from going!" a high pitched voice was heard from somewhere in front of them, distanced a bit from the others and hidden from view by several mutants that blocked their way so they could personally express their support to the professor.
"You didn't get my point. I can't stop you from going, but I …" Remy and the others recognized Jean's voice as they finally came through the crowd and stumbled upon the two females debating a few feet away. Jean spotted them and turned to look at the professor with a tired look that begged for help. "Professor, please." She said with a sigh
"Katherine." He addressed the younger female and her lively eyes turned to face him, her brown pony-tail brushing over her neck as she turned her head towards the approaching people. She was dressed in something that looked like a home-made uniform, actually, more like a combination of her training outfit and a couple of stylish accessories. That was something she used to wear when Rogue invited her over for a light Danger Room exercise.
"Mr. Xavier." she said, her cheeks a bit flushed from the effort she made to stay polite to one of her school teachers but to still make her point. Her eyes darted from him, over Hank, to Remy. She quickly eyed the other people remembering she probably had met them that day Remy returned, at the mall, but recognizing only the blonde that seemed to have suffered a nervous breakdown. "I really don't want to be rude, but Mrs. Summers doesn't allow me to …"
"How did you find out about this?" he interrupted her, keeping his tone gentle
"Oh, don't blame Jubes because of it! It was all my fault!" her voice got that high-pitched tone again. She knew the professor didn't allow Jubilee to go on dangerous missions because of her still inexperienced powers and Kitty knew she as well had very little experience in battles. "I called because I wanted to, like, hear are there any news about Rogue and than she told me what's going on."
"Katherine… Kitty, " Charles tried to sound soothing and not like an overprotective parent.
"Look, I'm really sorry, but I'm so going with you guys, no matter what you say. Rogue's my best friend and she's got me from a whole lot of troubles and that's what a duty of a best friend is! Now she's in trouble and I'm gonna help whether you like it or not!" she almost screamed the last part
"I see some of our Rogue's stubbornness has passed on to you. I remember you being such a meek and polite girl when your parents first brought you to the School wanting you to attend my University." He chuckled softly before sighing and adding defeated "I can't forbid you to come, but I must ask you to be extremely careful. You are after all very inexperienced in battles."
Kitty smiled wide. "Don't worry sir. Rogue and I used to train together in your mansion. I really improved my powers. I can phase bigger objects very well now and I even learned to phase other people, just ask Gambit, and on top of it all, I can walk through things, for God's sake, I'm, like, almost invulnerable!" She spurted out so fast it took the others some time to catch up on her words. Her face was glowing with pride and self-esteem and they simply had to smile at her determination and innocent bravery. Charles looked at Jean whose face was also graced with a small smile before turning to face Kitty once again.
"I am sure you are right." He sighed again hoping he is making the right choice of allowing both Kitty and Jubilee to go, but still aware he couldn't do anything to stop them, his soft smile slowly replaced by a frown. "Now go you two. Scott and Ororo are forming the teams already." He added before leading his small group towards the mansion.
The Blackbird tore through the midnight sky as they headed towards the location Cerebro detected as Apocalypses last whereabouts. The half-ruined pyramid just a bit away from the famous ones in Giza. The jet landed with envious grace on the soft African sand. Three more similar planes landed nearby and the air was filled with soft hissing of the doors opening.
The whole army of heroes didn't even get the chance to exit the jets when they already heard the malicious laughter of their opponent.
Apocalypse was approaching the stunned mutants slowly, clapping his hands in mock applause. "Well, well, well. Sincerely, Professor Xavier, I overrated you and your pitiful little team. I thought you would be here sooner…Ooooh, don't tell me you didn't know I was expecting you?!" he laughed again so hard it almost sounded like he was going to choke. Wolverine narrowed his eyes dangerously.
"You done here, bub? You think we can get to the action part now?" he said through gritted teeth while unleashing his claws with a characteristic 'snickt' sound.
Another wave of evil laughter circled the area before Apocalypse answered.
"It would be my pleasure…"
Almost out of nowhere, Apocalypses group of enslaved mutants appeared behind him. They divided as if trying to let someone through and soon everyone could see three of his Horsemen; War, Famine and Pestilence, approach through the crowd on their metallic horses. They stopped a bit in front of everyone else. Wolverine already opened his mouth to make a comment on Apocalypses sense for dramatic when they noticed a couple of shadows coming out from the crowd as well. A small gasp circled the area as they finally came into view. Rogue, or at least the force that occupied her body, exited the shadows and came to stand next to Apocalypse, Mystique right at her side. She was dressed in the same deep green dress only without the gloves. She didn't say anything; she simply stared up front with her emotionless eyes. Mystique gloated instead. She placed her arm around her shoulders and the rest of the X-men flinched as they noticed their bare skins were touching and that nothing happened. Apocalypse had apparently given her something she had longed for with all of her being – an ability to touch, a control over her powers.
"Not even your little army of the 'good guys' will be enough to stop my daughter." She yelled, an evil half-smile curving her lips.
"Wanna bet?" Logan was already starting to get impatient.
"Rogue's comin' back wit' us." The three cards Remy gripped between his fingers were threatening to explode any second.
Another burst of laughter escaped Apocalypse but he got serious again in a matter of seconds. With a few short movements of his hands, his followers scattered over the area and Rogue, along with the other three Horsemen, rose slowly into the air.
"Alright. Teams, form a circle around them!" Cyclops shouted leading his team to their position. Each of the five teams consisted of approximately twenty fighters under the leadership of Cyclops, Storm, Magneto, Spiderman and Jean. Their strategy was simple. The main goal was to reach Rogue who was in the middle of their formed circle.
And so the big battle started. As the victims were falling on both sides, Apocalypse simply stood in the middle laughing, not even trying to attack.
Remy had no other motive than reaching the woman that hovered above everyone in the middle of the fight. Being assigned into Scott's team, he simply ignored his leader's yells when he left their formation and made his way towards the centre. He already used all of his cards, not bothering who was he throwing them at. His already battered old trench coat earned a couple of more holes. It sincerely didn't matter much to him. He hardly even noticed the pain in his bruised limbs or the lightheaded feeling caused by his recent state of coma. He was motivated only by the will of his heart and the power of love he felt for her.
At some point during the battle, Kitty Pryde almost wished she had listened to the professor and Jean and simply stayed at home. She loved Rogue dearly and wanted to help her, but she was in her phased state almost all the time trying to avoid all the hits and attacks directed towards her and she felt extremely weak. She felt as if she was more of a burden to the whole team because she wasn't able to lay a single hit on anybody. She was just running around, trying to not get herself killed. Almost crying from desperation, she dodged another attack and made a clumsy step which made her trip and fall to the ground. A sharp wave of pain through her side caused by the large boulders she fell on reminded her she had materialized for a moment to regain some strength. Another boulder came into her line of vision, rapidly approaching her fallen form as Blob lifted it and directed it towards her. Closing her eyes and lifting her hands in front of her face, she concentrated all of her remaining strength to phase again, praying silently it works. A few moments passed and she heard the large stony mass whiz through the air somewhere in front of her, than suddenly crash against something. Opening carefully one eye at first, she noticed a large shadow leaning over her. Her heart rate quickened for a second but than she took notice of the two muscular arms supporting themselves on the boulders she was laying on, silvery moonlight reflecting on their metallic surface. A face of their owner emerged from the shadow and a relieved sigh escaped her mouth.
"Are you alright, little one?" a concerned frown was over the equally metallic face of Piotr 'Colossus' Rasputin.
"Yeah, thanks to you! Man, that's what I call great timing!" Kitty couldn't hide her enthusiasm not only for being alive and in one piece, but also for talking to the guy she had a crush on for months. So what if they were in the middle of a battle. That's how all the great movie romances occur.
"I did not see you for a while. I got worried." He muttered through his cute Russian accent while helping her get up and she could almost swear she saw a blush creep under his metal cheeks.
She shot him one of her sweetest smiles, but immediately grimaced as she placed her weight on her left leg. She felt his grip on her hand tighten and his worried gaze fix on her again. She shook her leg a bit and tried stepping on it again. This time it didn't hurt as much. She smiled up to Colossus.
"It's just the leg I fell on. Nothing serious."
He returned her smile, but the next second Jean's voice echoed through their minds. They quickly ran towards the rest of the team.
"The professor just spoke to me telepathically." Jean shouted as they struggled to fight and listen to her at the same time. They were all positioned next to the pyramid. "In there…" she tried to be louder than the sounds of battle, pointing on to the pyramid. "…in one of the rooms, is an amulet that increases Apocalypses powers. If we get it and destroy it, we might weaken him." She finished.
"How are you planning on getting it without him noticing, luv?" Betsy pulled out her psychic blade out of another villain while pointing on Apocalypse standing tall and leaning over everyone.
"I can get it!" Kitty saw her opportunity to do something useful. "I can phase through this wall. He will, like, never know."
Jean reconsidered her offer for a moment. "Alright Kitty." She said eventually. "But be very careful. We don't know what's down there. My psychic scan showed no life signs, but I might be wrong."
"I will." The young girl replied and took a big breath before slowly pushing her hands through at first; making sure her powers recovered enough, than her whole body.
The wall wasn't as wide as she expected it to be. She was on the other side shortly. Swallowing hard, she gazed around into the darkness. That all-familiar feeling of fear clutched her stomach. She blinked a couple of times to get her eyes used to the darkness and started towards the center of the pyramid slowly, keeping her senses sharp. Jean gave her some directions mentally and she did her best to follow them in complete dark. She reached the central room soon with nothing and no one blocking her way so far. It was almost too easy. Entering the room, she in deed found the amulet inside a weird looking box on the stone altar in the middle. Next to it was a dent in the solid rock shaped like a human hand.
"That's probably the mechanism that opens the box." She said aloud to break the cold silence around her. A small smile curved her lips as she realized that any other way of opening it probably activates a trap. Still, just to be safe, she picked up a small rock from the ground and clutched it in her hand while phasing both of her palms through the box. Biting her lip and slowly touching the surface of the black gem of the amulet, she muttered under her breath.
"I watched Indiana Jones for, like, a million times. And I learned there are always more booby traps around one artifact." In one swift moment she replaced the amulet with the rock she picked up and phased it out of the box. Smiling to herself she slowly turned and hurried to get back outside. Suddenly, a loud thundering noise made her stop in her tracks. A heavy boulder rolled in front of the only door and something started to fall on the floor. When she took a better look, she realized it was sand coming through the holes in the walls, and its level was rising fast. Clutching the amulet tighter in her fist and ignoring the slight burning she felt, she started running back as fast as she could. Every room she passed on her way out was being filled with sand. Finally, cool breeze of the desert night touched her cheeks and she fell on to her knees suddenly very thankful to hear anything, even the horrible screams that followed any battle.
"Great work, Kitty!" Jean was right next to her. Kitty dropped the amulet on the ground, still trying to regain her breath, and smiled weakly. Jean picked it up carefully sending a telepathic message to everyone to try and destroy it in any way possible.
Kitty felt another pair of hands on her shoulders and turned to see Piotr again. His concerned frown deepened, but she tried to assure him she was fine with another smile. Standing up on her shaky legs, she felt his fingers brush over her still clutched fist and she opened it slowly. He transformed back from his metallic form and his, still large, hand touched the place where the amulet's power burned her skin gently. She winced a bit, but still managed to smile a bit brighter.
"I'm fine. Really." She whispered.
"Colossus, stay with her until she recovers a bit, will you?" Jean ordered with a soft smile appearing at the look of the young couple…
However, her smile faded away as she clutched her head in agony. Lifting her head up, she saw War has snatched Psylocke and directed his attack at full power on her. Being a telepath as well, Jean could sense a part of her pain. Betsy tried to materialize her blades, but the pain was just too much. She slowly felt her consciousness slipping away…
Warren hovered high above everyone sending his projectiles towards anyone who came to him near enough. He was the first who managed to reach Rogue's position.
"Rogue!" he shouted to get her attention. She turned around, charging at him, but he dodged her attack. "Listen to me; you've got to fight for control! I know what it's like to be possessed!" he tried to reason with her
"How many times do I have to repeat that Rogue is not here anymore!" she screamed before directing another attack towards him. He avoided it once again and his eyes suddenly caught a glimpse of a familiar figure falling from enormous height rapidly towards the ground.
"Elisabeth" he whispered, his heart suddenly beating frantically against his chest.
"Stupid humans and their feelings." He could hear her cold voice laughing behind him, but he was already flying rapidly towards Betsy's falling body, praying to reach it in time.
"Hey, where are you going!?" Spiderman shouted as he noticed a member of his team flying at the completely opposite direction, away from their position. But Warren didn't hear him. Suddenly, nothing mattered anymore, not the battle, the team, the formation, not even Apocalypse. His mind was directed only on the woman that has been his loyal friend for months and was now depending on him to save her. He speeded up a tiny bit more and managed to snatch her mere inches above the ground. He rose up towards the sky again cradling her safely in his arms.
As the pain stopped, her breathing returned to normal and she began to come slowly to her senses. Her eyelids fluttered open and the first thing she noticed was a pair of azure blue eyes gazing worriedly down on her. The wind raced around her head blowing her hair, which glowed almost purple in the starlight, in a million directions. She forced a small smile while tucking a shiny strand behind her ear and whispered.
"What do I owe the rescue to?"
"Oh, just the fact that I finally learned to appreciate what I have." He smiled back while squeezing her a bit tighter to himself and eyed the area looking for some hidden place where he could take her to recover.
Rogue was still gazing after Warren, that weird feeling of love still nagging her in the back of her mind when a sudden chill flushed over her already cold skin. She spun around taking her fighting stance and smirked maliciously to Storm who hovered just a few meters away.
"Child, please, I do not want to harm you."
"Oh, well, that's just too bad, 'cause Ah wanna harm you, sugah." She mocked Rogue's Southern drawl and allowed a short laugh to escape her lips. She had already absorbed a couple of mutants, never caring were they Apocalypses or Xavier's men, and she used their powers combined with her permanently absorbed ones. That way she was practically invincible. Her whole body got surrounded by flames as she used Sunfire's 'borrowed' powers and she directed them towards the white-haired woman in front of her.
Storm managed to avoid all of her attacks, some using the power of the elements and some by simple dodging and speed. Still, she couldn't bring herself to attack her by full power. One of the reasons was that she wasn't completely sure can she even control it and the other was her firm belief that the real Rogue was still somewhere inside that body. So she simply tried to distract her with lightning and gusts of wind trying to get close enough. However, after surrounding them both in mist, hoping it might slow her down enough to put a hold on her, Storm didn't realize Rogue foresaw her intentions which gave her an opportunity to strike her from behind. As the wind goddess lost her control and began her fall towards the sands beneath them, Rogue reached down after her, indenting to absorb some of her power, but she failed to catch her. However, she didn't manage to make another attempt as she had to turn to return the attacks directed against her. She sent another wave of fire that cleared the remains of the mist Storm created and the battle continued.
Magneto's team made the biggest progress towards the centre of the circle they formed. His magnetic powers showed quite effective and with the magnetic field surrounding him, no one could harm him. Logan, being assigned to his team, stayed close behind. Part of his yellow and black uniform was torn and there were blood trails all over his body – combined blood of both him and his opponents. His healing factor, however, took care of his wounds so he could continue to slice his way mercilessly. He was the first to notice the mist gathering on the sky and a figure dressed in pure white falling through it mere seconds later. An animalistic roar tore his throat as he jumped forwards and hurried towards his fallen goddess paying no attention who was he cutting in the process.
"Storm!" he gasped as he threw himself on the ground next to her. She managed to regain some control and slow down her fall so she didn't seem to have any severe injuries. "You okay, darlin'?" he tried to keep the emotion out of his voice. However, as soon as her lips curved into a small smile, his guard simply evaporated.
"I am fine, Logan. Thank you." She said, her throat suddenly feeling dry, her voice coming out hoarse and low. A couple of explosions nearby sent a cloud of dust and gravel in their direction and Logan pulled her towards a somewhat shielded area, protecting her instinctively from the sharp shards of rock that rained around them with his body.
As they finally reached their shelter, her slender fingers dared to slowly trace a rather large cut he received over his forearm.
"Don't worry 'bout that." He whispered noticing where her attention had gone as the wound started closing right in front of her eyes leaving only a few drops of blood as a reminder. She forced another shaky smile, but her head still stayed bowed, her eyes still focused somewhere next to him.
Logan couldn't tear his eyes away form her. His gaze traced every line of her graceful face and body. A strange feeling rose deep inside him, a feeling of overwhelming relaxation that flushed over him every time he laid his eyes on her, a gentle urge to hold her every time she was feeling weak. He realized he hasn't been able to divert his mind form this woman for a while now. The woman that held the power of the strongest hurricane in her hands, but whose heart was warm and kind as the softest summer breeze. Logan has cared deeply in his life, felt strong affection, even love, but this kind of love, so gentle and innocent, he hasn't felt in a long time. The kind of love that actually urged him to be a better person, to finally let go of the past bitterness and enjoy his life. His eyes traveled over her chocolaty face shadowed with silky white hair and noticed a single tear making its path through the dust on her face. It never traveled long enough to fall. His thumb was there to wipe it away. Her light eyes rose to meet his and his hand on her face tilted her head up as his lips came crashing down on hers.
Moments lasted an eternity as they shared that long wanted kiss. Finally, they had to break away for air.
"Wha…What was that for?" the goddess of his heart was trying to catch her breath opening her eyes slowly only to find his already gazing down at her. She needed an answer, praying for the one she wanted to hear.
"No better time than this to show how you really fell, right?" he breathed, feeling as if a great burden has been lifted off his chest. His eyes searched hers hoping to find something that spoke for her feelings. His heart started beating again when her lips curved into another smile, this time, with more lightness in it.
"I shall avoid the obvious movie reference Rogue would normally add." She spoke sensing that he needed to hear something, anything at all, and delaying her moment of confession for a few more seconds. She lifted her hand and her fingers brushed over his cheekbone as she whispered.
"And simply say that I love you too."
"You said it, darlin'. If we survive this, there's no takin' it back." He tried a lighthearted joke, but not even he smiled at it. Her hand still stroked the side of his face as she spoke.
"Agreed. No taking it back."
No further words were necessary. With a simple small nod and another short kiss they stood up and Wolverine jumped back into the battle with a growl and lightning divided the night sky as Storm rose up followed by a gust of sand disturbed by the wind she had command over.
Rogue was getting tired. Not even all the powers she absorbed could last forever and it wore her out. She was starting to be aware that it was exactly their intention to make her tire herself and than use the opportunity to attack her. Suddenly, air was filled with mist again and she became painfully aware of her sudden inability to move. Death in her head became distracted and, for a second, her real self almost managed to turn the odds in her favor in the battle she has been slowly losing ever since she found out Apocalypse tricked her into joining him. However, the second ended, and she was rudely shoved in the back of her own head once again, remaining there under a constant threat of being completely erased from her own mind.
Still, even immobile, Death was difficult to beat and she knew it. But she couldn't understand why was she unable to break the telekinetic force that didn't allow her to move.
But, help came from the most unusual ally. A couple of small explosions around her feet made Susan Storm break her concentration and the field she kept Rogue in faded.
" 'M sorry chere, but I can' let y'hurt her." The blonde turned towards the voice. "Lemme try talk t'her. If it don' work, den Remy gonna help y'destroy her."
Remy shuddered as the words passed over his lips, but it was the only way to make the others back away from Rogue long enough for him to try and get her back.
She looked down at the events from her position high above everyone, still surprised that the man she tried to kill just a few hours ago was actually helping her. The memory she absorbed from him still flashed through her mind occasionally and she remembered. He loved Rogue. He loved the woman whose body she occupied. He looked up and motioned for her to come down. All kinds of feelings started raging through her body, feelings she wasn't accustomed to. Curiosity got the best of her and she gracefully landed in front of him. He didn't move, didn't even flinch and that amazed her even more. Was he prepared to face even Death itself for the woman he loved?
"What, you didn't suffer enough energy loss for the day?" she asked matter-of-factly.
Remy simply ignored her vicious comments. "C'mon Rogue, I know y're still in dere, chere. Fight!"
A wave of hysterical laughter exploded out of her. "You…really…think…she is still here?" she tapped her finger on her temple trying to speak through bursting laughs. Remy acted as if he didn't notice.
"I saw it in y'r eyes, y're in dere somew'ere. Y'can still take over!"
"Shut up, you're annoying me!" she shouted sending a supersonic wave towards him, but it didn't hit him that hard. Somehow, she couldn't force herself to strike harder. There was something in his eyes that made her feel...something. Something that made her think about what she was doing.
Letting out a silent groan of pain, Remy lifted himself off the ground lifting his gaze once again towards her. "Use y'r memories, use ma memories. Y're a fighter, chere! Get 'er out of y'r head!"
Another blow sent him crashing down to the ground again, and he suddenly became very aware of the pain he was feeling all over his body.
She started to get uneasy when he didn't get up after another attack so she came a bit closer. It was the moment he was waiting for. Collecting the last ounces of strength he got left, he launched himself on to her and pinned her to the ground. Her eyes widened in surprise and she wanted to break free. She could have easily, but somehow she couldn't get her powers to work. First she tried her super strength, than she tried to burn him alive by turning on the fiery aura she absorbed, but nothing happened. As if something in her head blocked her access towards all of her absorbed powers. Maybe it was Rogue fighting for control again or maybe it was…something else.
She didn't have the time to dwell over it for his face started approaching hers rapidly and before she could even blink, his warm lips were over hers. She could have easily absorbed him, only… she didn't actually want to. These feelings she felt made her somehow… complete. Maybe those were actually Rogue's feelings she was feeling, but maybe they weren't all hers after all. His kiss made her skin tingle and it sent millions of tiny explosions all over her body. She almost screamed in frustration when his lips finally parted from hers. She wanted to taste him some more. It was like a drug and now that she has tried it, she wanted some more and more and more, it never felt enough for her.
He licked his lips slowly trying to get some air and whispered, his breath warming her icy skin.
"Don' tell moi y' didn' feel dis. Please c'me back t'me chere. I can' lose you. I love y'."
She could almost feel her pupils narrow as she looked into those burning rubies he called eyes. It wasn't because of her. She wasn't supposed to feel those feelings. The kiss wasn't meant for her, it was for Rogue. It was for that girl that longed for his kiss for so long, a girl that sacrificed her body and allowed this evil essence to posses it to save the ones she cared about. And now this essence developed feelings of its own thanks to this body and received a sign of love never meant for it receive. She could feel Rogue getting louder in her mind and the feelings of hatred and selfishness wanted to shut her up forever and give in to those new sensations. However, a small part of her filled with compassion awakened as she looked closer up into Remy's eyes. Behind his self-assured words, he was deeply insecure, afraid she may really be gone forever. Look of such painful desperation was in his red pupils as with every second that passed, that tiny sparkle of hope slowly faded.
She felt something warm in the corner of her eye as a lone tear made its way over her temple to her hairline. Closing her eyes slowly she finally managed to whisper:
"You can't lose what was never lost."
At that, sudden force erupted out of her and he was blown away from his position on top of her landing a couple of feet away. Some black aura appeared around her and she levitated a couple of feet above the ground before the aura that surrounded her turned into a cloud of black smoke that erupted from her mouth and nostrils releasing her body to fall back on the ground with a muffled thump. The smoke circled the area and headed directly towards the pyramid, straight to the amulet Jean and her team were trying unsuccessfully to destroy. It didn't mind who it was destroying in the process and everyone who it passed through simply got absorbed in it. Jean quickly threw herself out of its way while Kitty did her best to phase both her and Colossus. The smoke crashed down on the amulet Jean dropped in haste and the black gem quickly absorbed it in. However, with the remaining memory of what happened; the essence cracked a hole in the amulet that gave it life. The ground shook and blinding light emitted from the crack shimmering for a few seconds before disappearing, leaving a now slightly burnt amulet with a dull grey cracked stone in the middle. In the distance, Apocalypse stumbled.
As the sudden earthquake shook the ground under their feet distracting most of the surviving fighters, Remy crawled over to Rogue's lifeless body. Cradling her in his arms, he pressed his fingers on the side of her neck checking for pulse, immediately felling a gentle pull of her powers due to his ungloved index finger. He removed it the very next second as he has already felt the steady beating of her heart. Letting out a shuddering breath, he pulled her closer to him trying to give her some of his warmth. His heart started beating normally again when she fluttered her eyelashes stunning him yet again with her bright eyes. They were the same vibrant green as before, although a little exhausted.
"Remy?" she whispered hoarsely, her throat dry. She felt so weak she barely found enough energy to speak.
"Oui, chere, Remy's 'ere. An I'm never leavin' you 'gain." He pulled her into a firm embrace and could feel her heart beating in unison with his. He pulled away again indenting to get her the hell away from here when suddenly everything went dark.
Rogue clutched the sides of Remy's trench coat, savoring the feeling of being in his arms again. They slowly parted and she lifted her gaze to meet his, when he yelped in surprise and something blew him away and made him crash against the other wall of the pyramid. She screamed his name in horror as she recognized the malicious laughter behind her. Turning her head slowly she found herself eye to eye with Apocalypse whose right hand still fumed from the power that just erupted from it.
"So I see you managed to fight my control yet again." His voice was not filled with usual irony. "That is just too bad. Looks like I'll have to destroy you after all." He added and his hand started glowing again as he prepared for another attack. She quickly rolled away, but unfortunately, not quick enough and the attack sent her flying into the same wall. The sound of the sand under his approaching feet was the only sound she heard as she lied at the foot of the wall, curled up in pain, trying to get used to the feeling of being hurt and bleeding. Her eyes were focused right in front of her, on her hand in front of her face and the drops of blood trickling over her fingers and drawing patterns over the sand under her. She swallowed hard, preparing herself for the final blow, giving up on any hope of rescue what-so-ever. However, fate decided it wasn't her time, at least not quite yet.
Suddenly, she felt as if the pain was beginning to subside gradually. Her half-closed lids snapped open and she could see the cut over her wrist heal right in front of her eyes.
'What? You thought I was gonna let you die just like that, kid?' her lips curved into a small smile when she recognized Logan's voice. She was accustomed to the constant noise in her head, but the voices were never directed towards her before. And the powers she absorbed in the past never used to reappear all of a sudden before.
'Ah cain't give up. Ah won't.' she thought as the last cut on her body healed leaving nothing but trails of dried blood. She rolled to the side quicker this time, avoiding another attack, and rose up in the air hovering around Apocalypses head.
"Do you really think that you will be able to stop me? In the state you're in?" he yelled, already getting really frustrated for not being able to terminate her faster. And with the destruction of the amulet he was getting weaker and he needed to recover.
"With the little help of mah friends… yeah, Ah do!" she screamed and made him lose his balance while Jean's voice encouraged her.
'We will always be here to help you, Rogue.'
She was using all the X-men strength combined, attacking, avoiding, teasing him, but it didn't seem to be enough and she was getting more and more tired. She wasn't sure how much longer she was able to last.
His hit came unexpectedly. She oversaw him coming and the next thing she saw was the ground approaching her rapidly again. The voices in her head continued to support her, but instead of encouraging her, it just diverted her concentration. She tired to teleport away, but it didn't work. She tried to phase through the ground and confuse him that way, but Kitty's voice just wasn't strong enough anymore. Wolverine continued to heal every wound she received, but none of the others seemed to be absorbed enough times to remain equally strong in her mind. She almost lost hope, fully aware that her own raw strength wasn't nearly enough to defeat him. She needed something more, a more powerful attack, but she was so tired and her head hurt so much. However, a small noise reached her ears, a soft buzzing sound somewhat familiar to her. And she was getting warm. Lifting her eyes to where her hands were, she noticed the sand under her palms glow a soft orange.
'Mon coeur, ma vie, I'll always be wit' y' in y'r heart.'
She lifted her eyes and for the first time noticed just how many people had given their lives for this battle, for her. Tears welled up and she focused on Apocalypse again.
"This is foh all the innocent people you killed, ya monster!" she growled as her eyes started glowing along with her hands.
"You can't possibly be that stupid to use absorbed powers on their full strength when not …" he started but was interrupted by the entire air around him staring to glow. The particles of air got charged with kinetic energy and everywhere he turned, it felt like a million explosions tore his body apart.
It seemed like everyone simply froze in their tracks the second Apocalypses unnatural scream tore through the air. But opening his mouth was just another mistake he made. As he breathed in, the kinetic energy filled his lungs and, after another blood-freezing scream, he fell crashing on the ground, his insides completely blown up.
And as the first rays of the dawning sun appeared on the horizon, with a gentle smile playing on her dark-red lips, Rogue fell on the ground next to her opponent. Pink and golden beams illuminated her pale skin making it glow divinely as the dying moonlight played with the shades of her hair. But her eyes didn't open to welcome the victory.
The survived slaves of Apocalypse ran in fear the second they saw their master fall and the army of heroes didn't bother pursuing them. They scattered over the area trying to help anyone in need. Storm hovered towards Apocalypses lifeless body and fell on her knees next to Rogue. Her trembling fingers pressed her wrist, than her neck, than her wrist again in desperate search for any life signs. She felt hands pulling her up and saw Hank kneel in her previous position, putting the injured ones before his own wounds as always, and checking her life signs. Turning around she fell into Logan's firm embrace allowing the tears to fall and feeling his mingle with hers on her cheek.
"It's not her body that is damaged. It is her mind." The professor hovered from out of the Blackbird and towards his gathered students. Hank nodded and motioned for someone to pick her up and carry back to the jet. Weak from his own injuries, the Beast with the heart of gold has already seen so many dear friends dead or severely injured in the past few minutes that he was at complete loss of words. He turned to Remy who lay a few feet away unmoving. Inhaling a shuddering breath, he rapidly approached the young man's body and turned him around gently. His chest was burnt from where Apocalypses attack had hit him and blood was dripping from his nose and mouth. However, his chest was raising and falling in ragged breaths and he was heaving slightly trying to get enough air. Hank's heart rate quickened. He needed immediate medical assistance. Picking him up, he yelled for the others to continue searching for survivors as he ran towards his spare medical supply inside the jet.
The first thing he acknowledged when his eyelids fluttered open was the dull wave of pain the blinding lights of the med bay caused him to feel. He groaned and cleared his throat a bit to get rid of the metallic taste of dried saliva and blood in his mouth. He tried to get up but a sharp wave of pain through his torso stopped him as well as a pair of furry blue hands.
"Keep still Remy."
"What happen'?" he whispered, his voice still hoarse from not using it for a while.
"I take it you remember the fight." At his nod, Hank continued "You got hit pretty badly and suffered a mild concussion. You have been unconscious for a couple of days now."
Remy closed his eyes slowly and leaned his head back on the pillows. Suddenly he remembered seeing Apocalypses twisted face seconds before he lost consciousness.
"Where is she?" he whispered
"Who, Rogue?" Hank answered hesitantly
"O'course Rogue. Who'd y'think!" Remy snapped opening his eyes and glaring in frustration.
"Well, Remy…" Hank stopped not sure how to break the news to the recovering Cajun.
"Well wha'!?" he yelled, his voice quivering in fear "Don' tell moi she's…I mean, she was fine…" he grabbed Hank's hand looking him in the eyes hopefully, obviously not ready to accept the fact that she might be gone.
"She is not dead, Remy. At least… not physically." One short look into the younger man's eyes and Hank was on the verge of tears. So he diverted his gaze and continued. "However, mentally, she is completely ruined."
"I gotta see 'er." Remy muttered while throwing the covers off him and breaking his way out of bed and next to Hank ignoring the throbbing pain through his chest and both arms.
"Remy wait! Remy, you're still weak from the medication! …She is still alive only because of the machines!"
He didn't hear him. Didn't want to hear him. Marching stubbornly over to the other occupied bed in the room he stopped in his tracks just a few feet away from it. A small gasp escaped his lips as he saw her frail form and tears stung his eyes when he took note of all the tubes and needles sticking out from her. The brain function monitor showed only one endless green line. Bowing his head and clenching his fists, he allowed the tears to fall as Hank placed a hand gently on his shoulder.
"I am so sorry, Remy."
"How…? I found 'er. She got free o'dat possession. I …"
"I know, but after you got knocked out, she fought Apocalypse all by herself. She defeated him eventually, but…at the cost of her own life."
Remy remained silent so Hank continued with the diagnosis.
"The professor tried everything he could to return her mind in its previous state. Unfortunately, she has remained like this since the battle. There is a weak chance that she might wake up some day, but… she will remember nothing at all. Complete amnesia. We would all be complete strangers to her."
Messy strands of brown hair shadowed his face as he uttered:
"But I…I love her."
"I know, my friend." Hank swallowed his own tears trying to appear strong. "We have honestly tried everything. Everything but…"
"But what?" Remy's head suddenly bolted upwards, a small spark of hope lighting in his eyes. Hank sighed realizing that in his attempt to consult a friend he has probably said too much and given him false hope.
"The professor mentioned something about trying to get into her mind and finding her psyche, but it is impossible, Remy. It is only a theory; no one has ever done that before."
"Den we'll do it." He yelled with determination. "I gotta find de profess'r." He added before running out of med bay.
"Remy, wait!" Hank yelled after him, but was unable to stop him. "Good God, don't let there be more tragedies in this house." He whispered with a sigh while crashing down in his chair tiredly.
"Gambit, Remy, please listen to me." Charles tried to calm the distressed Cajun. Remy took a few deep breaths and sat down into the offered chair, finally shutting up so the professor could explain him everything.
"Hank has already told you about her state, hasn't he?"
"Oui."
"Now listen. This 'procedure' you are talking about isn't that simple as you may think it is. It takes minimum two psychics to scan her mind and someone must get inside. In her case, the only safe way to be inside her mind is for her to absorb the persons' psyche. However, there is a high possibility that person will end up trapped in her mind forever. And the odds that it actually works are almost ignorable. And, of course, if it doesn't work, the disappointment is going to kill you."
"So w'at de problem. We got two psychics, you an' Jean." He was persistent as hell.
"Remy, we also need someone willing to risk his life and go into her mind."
"I do dat."
"No. I can not allow it." Charles stated firmly. "First of all, you have not even recovered from your injuries and second of all, I will not risk another life again."
"Don' y'understand?" Remy stood up again and leaned over the table towards the professor. "I ain't got not'in' t' lose 'cause… without Rogue, I don' have much of a life."
A half an hour of negotiations and various proposed conditions later, Remy returned to the med bay followed by Charles, Jean and Logan who refused to say behind once he heard what was about to happen. Remy's jaw stiffened and his fists clenched instinctively the second he noticed a blonde haired boy sitting next to Rogue's bed. Guessing it is best to interfere before it gets too late, Jean stepped in.
"Remy, look, your family is here. They refused to leave until you recovered. You should greet them." She nearly pushed him on the other end of the room where Jean-Luc and Henri were, clearly surprised for not finding Remy in the bed.
"Oh, Cody, would you be a dear and please leave us with Rogue? We have some more examinations to run." Her voice was lined with false cheerfulness.
"B..but Ah…" Cody drawled turning to the redheaded telepath
"Thank you!" she cut him off, grabbing his arm and pulling him out of the room. "Remy!" she shouted again, already getting impatient.
He muttered a few more short lines to his father and brother and asked them to leave now. In a couple of minutes, the room was quiet again and the small team took their places around the Southern Belle's bed.
Logan stood in the foot of the bed trying to stay calm and reasonable. Hank adjusted all of the machines and stood prepared to help in case anything went wrong. Jean and the professor sat each at the opposite side of her head and linked their hands over it closing their eyes. Remy sat next to her and pressed his bare palm to hers, applying just enough contact for him to stay in her head long enough, but still not to be dried out fast. With his last conscious thoughts he prayed desperately to be able to find her…
Suddenly he found himself on an endless field. The depths of her mind. He circled the area with his eyes, but found no sign of any life at all. Not even the voices of the people she absorbed. Sighing deeply, he started walking in a random direction hoping he might get lucky and stumble into something that might direct him to her.
After what seemed to him like hours of walking, he found himself in front of a large metal gate. What was even weirder, when he opened them, there was no longer the calming green of the endless vegetation, but the garden he entered was completely covered in deep snow. He followed the path towards something that looked like a labyrinth. While he was standing in front of it, thinking whether to enter it or not, his ears picked up a faint whimper from somewhere inside the labyrinth. His heart raced as his hopes rose. Maybe it was her. Running through the snow covered corridors, he took random turns relying only on his sense of hearing. Finally he spotted a figure crumbled in the snow, a distinctive white stripe on her auburn curls making his heart beat even faster as he rapidly approached her.
"Chere! Dieu, I finally found y'." he muttered while trying to catch his breath, a smile of insane happiness lighting his face. However, it faded the second her gaze rose to meet his. Her gorgeous green eyes were filled with confusion… unrecognising… fear.
"Wh…Who are ya? Whadda ya want from me?" she tried to stand up clumsily and stumbled backwards. His hand reached for hers and grabbed her wrist stopping her from falling. She tried breaking free, but his grip on her tightened.
" 'M sorry, chere, but I can' let y'go."
"Let me go!" she screamed while struggling to get free of his grasp. "Who the hell are ya?!"
"M' name's Remy. 'S a long 'n complicated story, but le's jus' say I know y'better den anyone." His voice was calm and soothing. It made her relax a bit. And his touch was so warm…
"But I don't know ya." She whispered
"Y'know me now, chere. I jus' introduced m'self." He smirked and his demonic eyes sparkled. He had the most unusual eyes, but she couldn't stop thinking of how pretty they were. And there was something familiar in them, too. Something she couldn't quite define. "What're y' doin' here p'tite?" came his question. His grip on her wrist loosened a bit, but he was still holding her. And they were so close it distracted her.
"Ah..Ah dunno." She confessed "Ah'm actually… not quite sure where 'here' is."
She was completely confused. No wonder professor couldn't detect her psyche.
"D'you know who y' are?" he asked again
"A…Anna? Ah think muh name is Anna."
That smirk reappeared on his face and his fingers loosened just a little bit around her arm.
"Well Anna, 'M gunna let y'r hand go, but y' have t'promise moi y' won' run away, 'kay?"
She nodded and suddenly felt very cold once his warm fist released its hold on her.
"Why are ya here?" she asked with uncertainty. "An' where are we in the first place?"
"We're in y'r mind. Y'r name…y'r real name is Anna, but everyone knows y'as Rogue. Y'r a mutant an' memb'r of de team called de X-men. Dere was a fight an' it left y'like dis. Wit' no memory o'what happen'd. Dat's why I'm 'ere t'get y'back."
"But…why would you do that f'r me?" she questioned. He simply smiled knowingly.
"Can' y'guess, chere?"
She dropped her gaze instantly. His face seemed to start a whole avalanche of flashes through her head. And the image of him had the most dominant position.
"Now…" his voice reached her ears again "D'you rememb'r anyt'ing?"
"Ah…Ah have those flashes…occasionally. Like parts of some movie or somethin'."
"Whadda you see?" he lowered his voice to a whisper.
As if on cue, the white walls of the iced labyrinth suddenly got filled with pictures. Suddenly everything started falling into its place.
flash
Little Rogue standing next to her father on her mother's funeral.
flash
Teenage Rogue sitting alone at lunch in the school cafeteria, some girls passing by pointing at her and laughing. She pulls her sleeves a bit more to hide her bruised skin.
flash
Rogue walking in her Sunday dress by the river, next to her is a blonde haired boy. They kiss; the boy falls unconscious on the ground. She screams in shock than cries hysterically until people gather and she runs away.
flash
A chubby man with thick auburn hair and beard slams her over the face. She clutches her swollen cheek as blood runs from her nose mingling with her tears.
'Muh own flesh an' blood! A filthy mutant! You ain't muh daughter!'
'Daddy, please…' she cries, her auburn and white curls covering her beaten face.
flash
She runs away from that little house next to the river. With every step she takes, a part of her bruised body aches. On the bus station she meets a woman with blonde hair and kind eyes. She is nice to her. She wants her. She loves her.
flash
She holds on to another woman in the aeroplane. The woman goes unconscious just like Cody. She wants to let go, but her momma is telling her not to. Pain is consuming her. Pain and fear.
flash
She runs away again, but this time a man finds her. Or maybe, she finds him. He is bald and sits in the weirdest looking wheelchair she had ever seen. His voice is gentle and soothing. He offers her to forget…
flash
There is someone new in the mansion for dinner with them. A young man. He has thick brown hair and the most unusual eyes. And he smiles so sweetly. But, his behaviour is arrogant and so she treats him coldly. Still, there is something that can't make her stop thinking about him.
flash
Lifting herself from the dust she has fallen in, her eyes search frantically for him. The underground explosions shake the earth and she finally realizes she can't fight her feelings any longer. At her great relief, he emerges from the hole Cyclops made and she flies into his arms hugging him firmly, his red-on-black eyes smiling at her as always.
flash
It takes her a lot of effort not to shake from paralyzing fear. She is powerless and at the mercy of Sinister and his men.
'Take her next' a cold voice sends shivers down her spine
'Be brave, chere. Gambit never say dis to another woman b'fore. Gambit loves you.' Just the sound of his voice is enough to make her heart beat again. His lips touch hers and she loses herself in the feeling. Even when they take her away she can still taste him and she is not afraid anymore. Even if she has to die, at least she will know how a kiss from the love of your life feels like…
flash…
flash…
flash…
Falling on to her knees, she screamed clutching the sides of her head as the flood of memories attacked her.
"Y' alright, chere?" Remy asked worriedly
"Ah…Ah remember everything" she whispered looking him in the eyes. "Ah remember everything, Remy."
Back in the med bay
"For God's sake, do somethin' Hank!" Logan was getting frustrated. Time has passed and still nothing happened. "At least get the damn Cajun away!" he turned towards the wall and kicked it in fury. "Rogue would kill me for allowing somethin' like this." He muttered. "If the Cajun dies, she's goin' after him, y'know?" he shouted again
"And when I shall die, take him and cut him up in little stars, and he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will fall in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun. 1 After all that's happened, they sure picked a time to play Romeo and Juliet…" Hank muttered more to himself and checked the machines once again. Neither of them noticed that Remy's hand wasn't holding Rogue's for a while now.
Meanwhile, in Rogue's mind some things started to change. The ground they were standing on started shaking and she held on to Remy tightly. His long arms surrounded her and he whispered in her ear as everything started spinning around her head.
"Don' worry. Everyt'ing gonna be fine." His voice was comforting, but she couldn't help but notice how it quivered with uncertainty.
"Ah'm scared Remy, don't leave me!" she pulled herself closer to him "Ah love ya."
His fingers brushed over her cheek cupping her face and tilting it up.
"Now don'cha forget dat, chere." He smiled weakly and she noticed how pale and weak he looked.
"R..Remy?"
His lips pressed on to hers ever so gently. His feather-like kiss lasted for a couple of moments until she noticed he was fading away. Clutching his arms tighter, she desperately tried to keep him by her side, but with another soft smile, he simply slipped from her fingers.
"No!" she screamed "Ya said y're not gonna leave me!" her voice echoed through the cold emptiness that surrounded her. "Ya promised." She let out a broken whisper as the darkness claimed her.
The painful blinking of neon lights she welcomed. Fluttering her eyes open, she stretched a bit, as if waking from a pleasant slumber.
"Thank Heavens. I thought you were both lost." Hank breathed with relief and smiled widely.
"Yeah, thank Heavens." She whispered wondering at what cost did her consciousness return to her. However, she didn't know Remy has already recovered from his brief coma so they sent him to the rec. room not to be in anyone's way here. It was said that Rogue should wake up in some time and that the professor and Jean still have to scan her mind to make sure everything is okay. No matter how long he argued, he was outnumbered and Logan practically dragged him out.
"Where are you going?" Hank asked as Rogue started to rip the covers off her.
"I gotta get out of here. Stretch my legs a bit. If I stay in this position a minute longer, I'm gonna freak." She muttered.
"And you will get out Rogue, but I would just like to have a word with you first." The professor stepped in. With a deep sigh, she nodded and remained in the seating position; her legs hanging a few inches above the floor. Though impatient to find Remy, she smiled briefly and listened to what the professor had to say.
I'll be your dream
I'll be your wish
I'll be your fantasy
I'll be your hope
I'll be your love
Be everything that you need
The rec. room was full, as usual. However, all the occupants seemed to be a bit depressed. Jubilee was flipping through the TV channels dejectedly, glancing occasionally towards Storm and Wolverine sitting together on the sofa. His arm was around her shoulders and her head rested on his chest. Her legs were crossed and her heel was tapping against the coffee table impatiently. Nightcrawler was pacing by the bookshelf trying to appear as if he was simply studying the titles. Scott was leaned on the frame of the doors that led on the terrace exchanging a couple of words with Jean-Luc and Henri from time to time and Remy was sitting in a nearby chair, his head hung low, his fingers tapping over his knees in a nervous rhythm. That is how Rogue found them when she finally entered the room.
"Hey you guys. How're y'all doin'?" she whispered, supporting herself on the wall. All heads turned towards her and bright smiles lighted their faces. Everyone bolted from their positions to greet her, but Remy was the fastest. He grabbed her around the waist and hugged firmly, lifting her up from the floor and spinning around. She buried her face in his shoulder as a smile lit her pale face. When he finally released her, she met his gaze and whispered through a smile. "Thank you."
His lips broke in a smile that couldn't be seen on him for a long while. Opening his mouth to say something, he suddenly stopped himself when he noticed her face fall and her gaze fix somewhere behind him. As she pushed herself away from him a bit, he turned around to where she was looking at and noticed Cody standing a bit further away, watching them.
"Ah…" she whispered returning her attention to him.
"I understand chere. Go." He told her with a smile while stroking her hair gently. She smiled back and slowly made her way towards the blonde.
I'll love you more with every breath
Truly, madly, deeply do
I will be strong
I will be faithful
'cause I'm counting on
A new beginning
A reason for living
A deeper meaning, yeah
"Cody, Ah.." she started but he interrupted her
"So, this is Remy?"
"Yeah." She admitted diverting her eyes from his. While trying to think what to say next, his next question came.
"You love him, right?"
"Yeah…yeah, Cody, Ah do." She whispered even quieter "Ah'm so sorry." She looked him in the eye again, her vision blurred with unshed tears.
"It's okay, honey." He said taking her hand in his. "I kind of realized already ya ain't in love with me anymoah." She bowed her head again. "Ah can see ya really love this guy and Ah want ya to be happy… Ah'll leave tomorrow."
"Cody…"
"No. Ah cain't stay. Take care Rogue." He smiled weakly before kissing her knuckles and turning away.
"You too." She replied, a couple of tears rolling down her cheeks as she watched him leave. Wiping them away she turned around and entered the room again forcing a smile as her friends practically jumped on her from joy.
I want to stand with you on a mountain
I want to bathe with you in the sea
I want to lay like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me
Remy watched this little exchange with the corner of his eye while standing with his father and brother a bit further away.
"So, how's Belle doin'." He asked just to start some kind of conversation.
"Not so good." Jean-Luc replied with a sigh "Mercy an' Mattie took 'er back t' N'Awlins in dis hospital Marius has connections in. She tried t'kill 'erself two days ago, Remy. Cut her wrists. She's fine now, but…"
"She did dat jus' t'make Remy feel guilty f'r de rest of its life." Henri added while rolling his eyes. He never liked Bella.
"Henri!" his father scolded him "Even if it be de truth, it's not nice t'say it."
"W'at 'bout her…y'know, mental state." Remy asked again. He couldn't help not to feel sorry for her.
"Very unstable. Dey say it might possibly develop int' schizophrenia."
Remy sighed, remaining silent for a few moments, and looked back towards the hall only to notice that Rogue isn't there anymore. Circling the room with his eyes, he saw her escaping the thrilled crowd of mutants and going out on the terrace.
"Go on now. I like dis one." Jean-Luc patted his shoulder with a mischievous grin. He grinned back and hurried over the room.
And when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky,
I'll make a wish send it to heaven
Then make you want to cry
The tears of joy for all the
pleasure in the certainty
That we're surrounded by the
comfort and protection...
She was standing supported on the filigree balcony, enjoying the feeling of the late-summer breeze caressing her skin, when a pair of arms circled her waist from behind. She smiled with her eyes closed, recognizing his smell and warmth.
"What are y'thinkin' of, chere?"
"Mmmm…nuthin' much." She licked her lips and opened her eyes leaning back into his embrace. "Just about how much Ah love ya, swamp rat." She added, her smile deepening
"Y' didn' forget." His breath tickled her ear as he spoke
"How could Ah evah." She whispered equally low
I'll be your dream
I'll be your wish
I'll be your fantasy
I'll be your hope
I'll be your love
Be everything that you need
I love you more with every breath
Truly, madly, deeply do...
A couple of more moments passed without them saying anything when she finally spoke again.
"The professor wants to send be ta Scotland."
Remy opened his eyes and a frown crossed his face.
"He wants Moira ta treat me just in case muh mind ain't healed completely." She added, her eyes opening as well as she studied their interlinked fingers on her stomach.
"Den I go wit'you." His breath danced through her hair again and her lips curved into another delicate smile. "From now on, I go wherever y'go."
The wind blew a bit harder and she buried herself deeper into his embrace.
"Ahlright than. If ya say so." She whispered smiling wider as the sun slowly started to set in a variety of colours. She squinted her eyes towards it and he studied the lines of her face through half-closed lids. Life had never looked so beautiful to neither of them before.
I want to live like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me
-THE END
1 - quote from W. Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'
A/N – Well, this is it…It was really long, but I didn't want to split it into any more chapters. My baby…:sniff: And yeah, I know I made Rogue, like, hyper powerful and that Apocalypse can't really be destroyed, but this is fan fiction after all…
I don't know if anyone even bothers to read anything after the last line, but still I'm writing.
First of all, I want to thank everyone who took time to review my story. This fic was the first longer story I ever wrote and the first story I dared to publish. Your support really helped me build my self-esteem and finally build enough courage to join the journalist group in my school. And what do you know, my articles are the most commented ones…;D
Special thanks to those who were with this story from the very first chapter, but also to those who discovered it later and took time not just to read it, but to warn me on things I was doing wrong. In English I was always excellent in vocabulary, but grammar was always my weak point, it still is. However, even though I always had an A in English, my teacher noticed I got better especially in the essay tests. And it's all your doing:D
I'll stop the babbling and this 'thank you' monologue 'cause I'm starting to feel like I just won an Oscar and I'm pretty close to bursting into tears AGAIN right now (also due to the perfectly sappy Romy ending I made).
I just wanted to ask you one more question, at least you guys who didn't stop reading this after the first few sentences. I have been thinking for a while now to do an X-men crossover with some popular movie. You know, cast the X-men as characters and alter the plot a bit to suit them. I was just wondering what you think of it and what movie would you suggest me to do. I have a few ideas in my mind, but it still needs to be worked on. If you have some thoughts of it, just leave it in your review.
Well, that's it from me! Happy holidays y'all!
Some songs that inspired me for this story:
Savage Garden – Truly madly deeply
James Blunt – Tears and Rain
James Blunt – Goodbye my lover
Placebo – Song to say goodbye
Placebo – Sleeping with ghosts
The Beatles – Lucy in the sky with diamonds
The Beatles - Anna
Franz Ferdinand – Can't stop feeling
Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody
The Darkness – Love is only a feeling
R.E.M. – Losing my religion
R.E.M. – One I love
R.E.M. – Drive
R.E.M. – Imitation of life
Garbage – Cherry lips
Gwen Stefani – Cool
No Doubt – Don't speak
The Doors – The End
The Doors – Touch me (totally Romy song – first verse: 'C'mon now touch me, baby, can't you see that I am not afraid…')
The Doors – Waiting for the sun
U2 – One
Guns N Roses – Don't cry
Bon Jovi – Bed of roses
Bon Jovi – I'll be there for you
Bon Jovi – This ain't a love song
Maroon 5 – She will be loved (I'm not sure why, but this song simply screams 'Rogue and Remy' to me…)
Hinder – Lips of an angel
Goo Goo Dolls – Iris
Janis Joplin – Piece of my heart
Animals – House of the rising sun
3 Doors Down – Here without you
3 Doors Down – When I'm gone
The Calling – Stigmatized
The Calling – Wherever you will go
Snow Patrol – Chasing cars
Coldplay – Green eyes