Disclaimer:
All of the recognizable characters belong to Marvel. I'm
not going to make any money from this. And it's pointless to try and
sue me, which will never happen because nobody from Marvel will probably
ever read this, but I don't have any money anyways.
Well, for those of you who are reading this, I hope you like it. I love
to get mail so tell me what you think. Go ahead, be honest, I can take
it. Enjoy!
Family Reunion
kelle36@hotmail.com
Introduction
She sits alone in her room, as usual. Who else was there for her to sit
with? Her father very rarely came to visit her anymore, not since her
mom died. Her aunt would come every once in a while and promise that
she would take her away. But she never did. She was sick and tired of
being locked up here like a prisoner. She decided that if her aunt did
not come in the next day, then it would be time for her to try and
escape on her own.
Part 1
She sits on the roof. Alone. But that's how she wanted it. She wanted
some time to herself. Time to think. The others just didn't understand
her. They didn't understand how much a simple touch could mean. They
all took it for granted. And Remy, he took it as a joke. Why was he
always egging her on. As if he wanted to be put in a coma. Some days
she just couldn't handle it. All she wanted was to be able to touch
someone without the fear of killing them. Was that to much to ask? Even
a simple handshake would be gratifying. She couldn't even hug anyone.
It wasn't so much her fear, but the others around her to. She noticed
how they were all antsy around her. How they all kept themselves at
arms length. It didn't matter how much clothing she wore, they would
still be slightly afraid of her. It just wasn't fair. Of course, what
was it Mystique always said. 'Life's not fair. Get over it.' What a
deep little bit of logic.
Rogue's thoughts were interrupted by a sound behind her. She turned her
head to see what it was. At first she didn't see anything. Just the
darkness that was surrounding her. But then, as she looked closer, she
could make out a form in the shadows. Who would be up here at this time
of night?
"Hello Rogue." Said the shadow. Rogue didn't recognize the voice.
"Who is that?" Rogue tentatively asked.
The figure seemed to shake its head sadly. "Darling Rogue. I thought I
taught you better than feeling sorry for yourself, and brooding off by
yourself."
"Taught me?" Rogue whispered. Then the figure stepped out into the
light. First she saw a blue skinned leg appear, then a strip of white
material. Then she stepped fully into the light. "Mystique? What do you
want?"
"What a nice warm welcome for you mother." Mystique said sarcastically.
"What, no hug?" Mystique held open her hands as though she fully
expected her to come and embrace her.
"Stop it. What are you doing here?" Rogue asked.
"Why I came to take you home, daughter." She said.
"Ah am NOT your daughter. And Ah am home."
"This is not your home. And you will come with me, one way of another."
Mystiques smile was wiped off her face when she said this.
"What? Are you expecting ta fight me?" Rogue laughed.
"No, daughter, *I* will not fight you." Then she looked over her
shoulder and nodded. Rogue got ready for a fight. But nothing came.
Except a piercing headache, then darkness.
**
Mystique caught Rogue as she fell to the ground. She turned to look at
the man standing behind her. "You didn't hurt her?"
"No. She is merely unconscious. I will proceed with the rest when we
return to base."
"Good." Mystique 'morphed' into Angel, took Rogue in her arms and took
off. "Lets go."
**
"What's the matter honey?" Scott asked as he sat up in bed.
"I, I don't know. I just suddenly woke up." Jean said confusedly.
"Did you have a bad dream? Something happen on the astral plane?" Scott
tried.
"I don't know. I, guess it could have been a dream. I thought maybe I
sensed someone in trouble." She looked down at her husband. "I guess it
must have been a powerful dream, wish I could remember what it was."
And then they both laid back down to sleep.
**
"Now you're sure you can do this?" Mystique asked.
"Yes. I have done this before. It takes but a minute and it is done.
No pain." The man standing next to Rogue's bed assured Mystique.
Mystique walked up to him. "If this so much as gives my daughter a
headache, I'll kill you." She warned. "Proceed."
The man kneeled next to Rogue's unconscious form and closed his eyes. I
wish there was some way of guaranteeing of what he's doing in there.
Mystique thought as she watched him work. If this works, I'll finally
have my daughter back. And not to mention have the perfect weapon
against Xavier and his little X-Brats.
"Done. She will sleep for a while. But when she wakes up she will have
no memory of the X-Men." The man explained.
"She will remember me as her mother?" Mystique hopefully asked.
"Yes. I have left all of the motherly thoughts and memories. As well
as added a few extras."
"You have done your job well. But I believe I asked you to put hatred
where there was love for the X-Men."
"I did. But she does not remember who they are. Just that there is a
strong hatred for them. You will have to educate her on that." He saw
that Mystique was getting angry with him and quickly tried to fix it.
"Madam, it was impossible to leave her memories of them intact while
also trying to erase her feelings for them. I did the best I could."
He saw her physically calm down and let out a sigh of relief.
"And how do you suggest I 'educate' her?" Mystique asked referring to
his previous statement.
"I have put her in a sort of hypnotic state right now. I suggest that
you sit down and tell her everything you want her to know about the
X-Men. When she wakens, she will believe all that you told her to be
true." He explained.
"Fine. Now go." Mystique ordered. She was losing her patience. "Talk
to me later of your payment."
He left with no further argument. And Mystique was thankful for that.
She went over to Rogue's bed and knelt. She looked at the sleeping
form. She looked so peaceful. "My daughter," she whispered as she stoked
her hair. "Can it be true? Will I finally have you back?"
**
"Where is she?" Cyclops asked impatiently. "Even Gambit's here." Jean
put an arm on his shoulder to comfort him.
"Patience, oh husband of mine. She probably just slept in." Then she
smiled. "After all, she's only five minutes late."
"Will you call to her?" He asked his wife referring to her telepathic
abilities.
"Scott, why not use the intercom? You know how Rogue hates it when
anyone 'pops' into her mind. Even if its just a wake up call." Said
Jean.
Scott gave an exasperated sigh. Then went to call Rogue on the
intercom. He tried twice, there was no answer. He reported this to
Jean. "What do you suggest now?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe sending Ororo up to get her?" Jean said in
that quiet way of hers.
"Fine." Then he turned to the group of assembled X-Men. It was another
early morning session. Everybody was just standing around chatting and
yawning. He looked around and called Storm over to him.
"Yes Cyclops?" she asked.
"Would you please go and see what's keeping Rogue. There's no answer
from her when I try calling." He asked.
"Of course Scott." And then she left. Scott waited rather impatiently
for her return. When Storm returned alone, he was not happy. He waited
until she walked up to him. "Well, where is she?"
Ororo shrugged her shoulders. "I do not know. She was not in her room.
And it did not look as though she had been there all night." She
stopped to think a moment. "You do not think something has happened, do
you?" she asked worriedly.
"Don't worry Storm." Jean said. "Rogue's gone off before. She always
comes back though, right?"
"Yes. But she always tells somebody before she leaves. She has never
left us unannounced." Storm countered.
"Maybe she told Professor Xavier. It is possible that he forgot to
mention anything to us." Then she turned back to her husband. "Scott,
why don't I go and ask Professor Xavier about this. I still have to
talk with him about last night. You can go ahead without me."
"You go ahead. But I think that I'll just reschedule the session." Then
he looked out at the less than enthusiastic crowd. "It doesn't look
like much is going to happen now."
**
She was free! She could not believe how easy it had been. She had
simply slipped out the window and ran. It was so east! Why hadn't she
tried this years ago. The only problem now was where to go? Might as
well keep walking and just see where my feet lead me. She thought to
herself.
**
Jean found Professor Xavier in his study. He looked up when he saw her
come in. "Hello Jean. Danger Room session over so quickly?"
Jean walked up to his desk and took a seat in front of it. "Actually,
Scott canceled it."
He looked surprised. "Oh, why?"
"Well, that's part of why I came to see you. It's Rogue. She didn't
show up this morning and when we sent someone to get her she wasn't in
her room." Xavier waited for more. "Well, Rogue's gone off before, but
she's always told someone where she was going. So we were thinking that
she told you but you forgot to mention it to Scott."
"Rogue hasn't talked to me about any trip. Have you asked Ororo or
Gambit? Maybe she told them something." Professor Xavier suggested.
"Storm's the one that we sent to get Rogue. She has no idea where she
could have gone. And we asked Remy, he said she didn't say anything to
him." Jean paused here. "Professor, something isn't right here."
"How do you mean?" he asked. Then she explained to him about what she
had felt last night. He said that he too had felt the blast and had had
the same thoughts as her. They should probably try to find the
individual that it was aimed at. After having discussing this for a
while Xavier asked. "Could it be possible that Rogue and this event are
connected?"
"But who would want to capture Rogue? Sinister is more interested in
Scott and myself. Apocalypse is gone as far as we know. Mystique has
been captured."
"Actually Jean, Mystique has escaped." Professor X informed her.
"Do you think that she would come after her?"
"It is possible."
"But how? Surely Rogue would not go back with her willingly."
"No, I don't think she would. But Jean, we still don't know that Rogue
was taken. And if she was, we have no proof that it was Mystique that
took her."
Jean stood up then. "Well, we'll just have to get some proof, now won't
we?" She smiled and then left the room. Leaving the Professor wondering
just what she meant by that remark.
**
It had been several hours since Mystique had first brought Rogue to this
room. During that time, Mystique had filled Rogue's mind with every
little fact that she knew of the X-Men. Their looks, their names,
powers, backgrounds. She told her of their fears. She told her of how
they fought, some of their special tactics. She told her the layout of
the mansion, were everything was, who's rooms were who's. Everything.
After that she told Rogue about her 'cousin'. And about their plans to
'rescue' her. Then, when she finished with that, she had told Rogue
about why she was here. She made up a fight in which Rogue had fought
valiantly, but had been overcome by the X-Men. And how she was now
resting until she could rise and challenge them again.
And now she waited. There was nothing more to tell. As she waited for
her daughter to wake up, Mystique surveyed the room she was in. It was
a small, plain room. There was a sink and a mirror on one side of it.
On the opposite side was the door. In the corner was the one bed, where
Rogue now lay. Next to the bed was a small night table that now had a
book and a pitcher of water with a glass next to it. Mystique had
brought the chair that she was now sitting in from outside. This will
not do at all, she thought. Rogue deserves much better. But Mystique
had just recently escaped, and her other hideouts were not quiet ready
yet. But they would be soon. She had men working on them now. Soon
enough her and her daughter would move into it. And maybe by then they
would have a new recruit. Mystique thought about her young 'niece'.
She would be the newest member to the brotherhood, that is if she could
ever get her out of that damned house. Nothing to worry about, she told
herself, soon enough she would have her, then they could all move into
the hideout and live together as one big family. Rogue would have her
old room back, a new friend, and everything would be perfect. Well,
there was still the matter of the X-Men, but other than that,
A small noise broke into her thoughts. Mystique brought her attention
back to the form laying on the cot. Rogue stirred.
"Rogue? Rogue are you okay?" If that bastard hurt her. . .
Rogue's eyes opened. She looked a little dazed and confused. Then her
eyes fell on Mystique. This was it. The moment of truth. When she
spoke, Mystique thought she would explode she was so happy, "Mamma?"
It worked! I can hardly believe it! I will have my daughter back!
Mystique got control of her emotions. "Yes daughter. Are you feeling
all right?"
Slowly, Rogue sat up in her bed. She put her hand to her head,
obviously dizzy. "Could Ah have a glass a water?" Mystique poured some
water from the pitcher on the night-stand and handed it to Rogue.
"Thanks." Rogue stood and looked around the room. "What're we doin'
here?"
"Don't you remember?" God, if the hypnosis didn't work, she'd be
screwed. "You were injured in battle with the X-Men." At the mention of
that name Rogue's face turned into a scowl. It worked! Mystique hid her
excitement and continued on with her story. "They followed us so I
couldn't bring you back to the house. We landed here, it's underground
so they can't trace us." Rogue excepted this explanation.
"When can we go home?" she asked as she washed her face in the sink.
"Soon, daughter, very soon. Then we shall start your training sessions
again."
"Ah don't need trainin' sessions. Ah can take those wimps down now!"
Rogue yelled. Mystique hid a smile. Everything was working perfectly.
**
It had been just about two days since Jean had announced Rogue's
disappearance. Jean hadn't reported back to him since. Xavier had just
begun to think about what Jean was up to when he heard a knock on his
door. "Come in." He called. When the door opened he was somewhat
surprised to see Jean. "Have you been working on finding Rogue?"
She walked in and sat down in the same chair. "Yup." She simply smiled.
Was he going to have to pry the information out of her?
"And?" he started.
She smiled. "And what?"
"Jean, you know what. Did you go and get the proof you wanted?"
"Yup."
"And what exactly did you do?"
"I got Logan." She explained. Which really didn't explain anything.
"Logan?"
"Yup." *Come on Jean, tell me already.* He scolded mentally. "All right
all right. I wanted to get proof that Rogue didn't go off voluntarily.
So I asked around to see who was the last one to see her, and where they
saw her. Well, Gambit said he saw her on the roof late last night. So
I checked around and turns out that was the last anyone ever saw of her.
So then I asked Logan if he would go up on the roof with me. I had him
go up there to see if he smelled anything weird or unusual. Luck had it
he did. He said he smelt Mystique, a bit of Angel which really didn't
quite smell like Angel, and some one he didn't know."
Xavier was surprised. "Well, you make quite the detective." He kidded.
Then he remembered the seriousness of the situation and the smile
disappeared from his face. "But seriously Jean, do you realize what
this means?" He paused to think about the information just given to
him. "Jean, this still does not prove that Rogue did not go off
voluntarily."
"I doubt that Rogue would ever leave with Mystique voluntarily!" Jean
said in Rogue's defense.
"I know, but we still have to consider the possibility. After all, isn't
she Rogue's surrogate mother?"
"Yeah, but hasn't she detached herself from her. Isn't that all behind
her now. I don't think that Rogue would switch sides so quickly. She's
worked hard to gain our trust. Why would she throw it away so quickly?"
Jean said.
"You make a good point." Then he considered it. Se has worked hard,
hasn't she? No, I don't think she would throw it all away. "I agree.
We will assume that Mystique has taken Rogue. If that is the case then
we should inform the others of what we know immediately. And I shall
put Cerebro on a constant search for her." Jean nodded and left to get
the others for the meeting. Xavier was not looking forward to telling
everyone the news. But the sooner the better.
**
Mystique and Rogue had moved into the house late yesterday afternoon.
They were all settled in now and were enjoying a nice breakfast. Rogue
was being rather quiet, and Mystique had to wonder if her memory was as
gone as he had promised. Was she starting to gain some of the old ones
back? I hope not. That would interfere greatly with her plans.
Mystique decided to see why her daughter was acting so. "Rogue, dear, is
something the matter?"
Rogue looked up from her plate at the mention of her name. "No, not
really." She mumbled. Then after another silence she spoke up again.
"Mama, when am Ah gonna get another try at those x-wimps? It's been a
full day an' Ah'm all bettah. Ah can take 'em, jus' give me another
chance." She pleaded.
Mystique smiled. So this was why her daughter had been so quiet. Not at
all what she had suspected, actually, it was much better. This was
going to work out perfect. "Do not fear Rogue. I have a plan. It
shouldn't be to long before you get your chance. Be patient. But first
we have other things to deal with."
"What's that?" Rogue asked.
"We have a new member of the family to go and pick up." Mystique
smiled.
Tune in next time to see what happens!
Until then, have a hap-hap-happy day!
Part Two
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