CHAPTER FIVE: GONE ROGUE

Louisiana, New Orleans, October 12, 2006

It was the biggest bash of the year for the students of St. Anne High School. The entire freshman class was in an old boathouse, and the party was in full swing.

Outside, on the dock, leaning against the railing, looking at the stars, was a young girl, 15 years old, fairly tall, and of average frame, with mid-length auburn hair, with two white streaks in the middle, falling down over her forehead, and green eyes. Her light skin was lighter due to her make-up, her lips a light shade of violet, and she was clad in a black tank-top under a green, transparent blouse, with a black miniskirt and black leggings.

“Hey, Rogue.”

The girl – Rogue – smiled, as Cody Robbins, the star quarterback of the St. Anne Gators, the boy she was currently dating, walked up to her. Cody was tall and well-built, with short, blond hair and blue eyes, wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt under his letterman jacket. Cody was the most popular guy at school, but unlike some, the popularity never went to his head; he was the nicest guy she’d ever met, and he never pressured her for anything throughout their relationship.

“Hey.” Rogue replied, her voice holding a Southern accent, like everyone around here.

Cody smiled. “Care to dance?”

“Love to, sugah.” Rogue replied. Cody’s smile grew; their hands met, with one of Cody’s resting comfortably on her waist, the other holding her hand, with Rogue’s free hand on his shoulder, and then they began to just move with the music.

After a few minutes, Cody looked into her eyes. “Rogue...chere...why won’t ya tell me your real name?” he inquired.

Rogue just smiled coyly. “Ah’ll only tell that to the man Ah love.” she replied.

Cody smiled. “Will you tell me, one day?”

Rogue smiled. “Ah don’t know.” she answered. “Ah’ll just have ta see...”

No more words were needed. Slowly, they moved closer to each other, until their lips touched...

Rogue felt a surge of alarm, as something just...went off inside her; she felt images surging into her mind – images of Cody. She broke the kiss...and nearly screamed in horror, as she saw Cody, eyes rolling up in his head, pale as a ghost, collapsing as she let go of him.

Rogue didn’t know what to do. Panicking, she ran out through the party, out the door, running away as fast as she could run.

Someone was watching Rogue as she fled the party.

From her vantage point in a tree, as a crow, Mystique dropped down, returning to her natural form, smiling. “It’s time.” she said to herself, before she assumed another form.

Wolverine’s form.

Her change complete, Mystique – as Logan – ran after Rogue...to make sure Xavier didn’t get her first.

Xavier Institute

Deep beneath the Institute, the Professor, Storm, Wolverine, and all the X-Men – including Kitty – had gathered in the control room overlooking the Danger Room.

All except one.

Kitty felt her heart quicken as she saw Clark – Superman – walk out into the Danger Room, in his uniform. Everyone in the control room – except the Professor – was in uniform, too, including her. Kitty now wore a black bodysuit, with a triangle down the mid-section, like Jean’s, except hers was light blue. It also had a yellow-lapeled collar, and she wore yellow gloves, with light blue, shin-high boots. It was her new uniform, to go with her new code-name.

Shadowcat.

There was someone else in the control room, too: a tall, broadly-built man, with short, black hair, and dark eyes framed by glasses, and he wore khaki pants, and a navy t-shirt under his white lab-coat. He was Mr. Henry “Hank” McCoy, one of the Professor’s friends.

“Charles, I’m glad you called me here.” Mr. McCoy said excitedly. “Mr. Kent’s abilities are amazing! I can’t wait to see them in action!”

The Professor smiled. “I hope this lives up to all our expectations.” he said. “This will be the second time we’ve tried to accurately assess Clark’s abilities.”

“Zhe second?” Kurt asked. “Vat happened to zhe first?”

Kitty hated to admit it, but Kurt kinda creeped her out. It wasn’t because of how he acted; he had to be one of the sweetest guys she’d ever met. He was just...blue. Kitty hated herself for thinking that way; she was trying to deal with it.

Scott chuckled. “When Clark first came here...we had no idea how powerful he was.” he said. “He...kinda...”

“...broke the Danger Room.” Jean finished, smiling. “Completely by accident, of course!”

“He broke zhe Danger Room?!” Kurt laughed. “Mein Gott, zat’s got to be a first!”

Just then, they heard Clark’s voice over the inter-com. “Are you guys still talking about that?” he laughed – he’d heard them. “How many times does a guy have to say he’s sorry?”

Chuckling, the Professor replied, “Well, Clark, now that we have a better idea of what you’re capable of, we hope to accurately gauge the limits of your powers.”

Clark just smiled. “I’ll do my best, Professor.”

Quickly, before the Professor shut off the inter-com, Kitty cheered, “Go, Clark!!”

Smiling, Clark said, “Thanks, Kitty.”

Kitty was glad that Clark couldn’t immediately see her, due to the fact that she was blushing. She was seriously crushing on the handsome Kryptonian, no doubt about it.

It was so amazing, the fact that he was an alien. He had been sent to Earth, to escape the destruction of his home world. It was like something from a movie.

The Last Son of Krypton.

Just then, the Danger Room began to change, its holographic emitters activating. It was go-time for Superman.

Silently, Kitty wished her hero luck...even though she knew he hardly needed it.

Slowly, the Danger Room went from silvery metal to city streets, as Superman found himself in the middle of a huge metropolis.

Suddenly, he felt a light tap on his back; turning, he saw about a dozen or so automated drones, armed with laser rifles. They’d been shooting at him.

The drones kept firing, their shots bouncing harmlessly off his chest. Superman quickly remembered his objective in this simulation: to prevent damage and loss of life to the city.

Those guns had to be dealt with before he stopped the drones.

Like lightning, Superman zipped through the drones at incredible speed, snatching their weapons as he did, until all the drones were disarmed. He quickly crushed the guns into one big metal pile, and then, with the same speed, demolished the drones.

“Help!!”

Quickly, Superman flew across the city, tracking the owner of that cry to an abandoned alley, where a gunman was holding up a young lady. Superman quickly shot down, grabbed the gunman by the scruff of his collar, took the gun away from him, and flew off, stopping to deposit the gunman in the custody of a street patrolman.

Just then, he heard people on a nearby street start screaming, and saw why: a bill-board on top of a building had come loose, and was about to fall. Superman instantly flew up to the sign, catching it, and put it back, using his eye-beams to weld it securely back in place.

Suddenly, he heard a tell-tale cracking noise from far away. Flying to its source, Superman saw that the dam was breaking, threatening to flood the entire city.

Taking a deep breath, Superman let loose a huge gust of his freezing-breath, freezing the entire lake solid, halting the tides of the flood, before he used his eye-beams to weld the cracks in the dam shut.

‘Okay,’ Superman thought, ‘what next?’

THUD.

‘I had to ask.’ Superman thought, as he turned...and saw a huge, hulking robot, over fifty stories high, stomping through the city, citizens fleeing in its path.

‘Well, that’s original.’ Superman thought with a smile, shaking his head; he knew who was goofing with the controls. ‘Kurt, you nut! You’ve been watching too many sci-fi movies!’

Superman flew after the robot, firing his eye-beams, searing holes in its armor. In response, the robot fired a huge missile at him; Superman easily evaded it, but the missile continued on...

...heading for a hospital.

Instantly, Superman broke off his attack, and flew after the missile at top speeds. He quickly caught up to it, and flew under it, pushing up, and altered the missile’s course, as it missed the hospital completely. Once it was high enough, Superman fired his eye-beams, incinerating it.

Spying a construction site, Superman flew down, grabbed a large steel girder, and picked it up, flying towards the robot, and then threw it with the accuracy of an Olympic javelin-thrower, piercing the robot’s skull, hitting its CPU. Instantly, the robot just stopped, standing there like a monument, now the world’s largest paperweight.

“Excellent, Clark. That will do.”

Superman touched down at the Professor’s voice over the inter-com, the Danger Room deactivating, the holographic city vanishing. Then, Cyclops and Jean walked into the Danger Room. “Good job, Clark.” Cyclops said, smiling. “The training-program you designed worked perfectly.”

Clark just shrugged. “It was just a copy of the training program I used to use in the Fortress.” he said. “No big deal.”

“Well, it certainly works.” Jean said. Chuckling, she looked up at the control room, and called out, “Until somebody decided to start goofing with the controls!”

Bamf!

Nightcrawler appeared in a cloud of brimstone. “Aw, come on; I just vanted to see if Superman really could take on a giant robot!”

“Well, now you know.” Superman said, chuckling. “No harm done, I suppose.”

“Clark, you were awesome!!” Shadowcat exclaimed as she ran into the Danger Room. “And the way you took out that robot...it was just incredible!!”

“X-Men, report to the control room; you should all take a look at these results.” came the Professor’s voice on the inter-com. Cyclops and Jean headed out of the Danger Room, and Superman followed them, with Shadowcat following, as Nightcrawler ‘ported himself to the control room.

In the control room, the Professor, Storm, and Wolverine were waiting for them, with Hank looking at a computer screen. “Clark,” the Professor said, smiling, “we have the results of the simulation, as well as those of the examination you completed earlier.”

Clark chuckled. “So, what did Mr. McCoy find?” he joked; Hank – an avid scientist – had been thrilled to be able to conduct an examination of a “real, live, alien.”

Hank gestured to the computer screen, which showed an image of a person, filled in with various blues, greens, yellows, oranges, and reds. “This is the readout from a bio-energy scan; it’s a new technology developed to measure the relative energy levels in mutants.” he explained. “This readout is from Scott’s most recent simulation.” He brought up another readout, almost identical to the first. “This is Jean’s readout,” he brought up another one, “this is Kurt’s,” and he brought up yet another, “and this is Kitty’s.” All the readouts looked alike.

His eyes lit up. “And this, Clark, is yours.” He brought up one more.

Everyone gasped in amazement: Clark’s readout showed almost entirely red and orange. “Whoa...” Cyclops murmured.

Nightcrawler let out a low whistle.

Jean didn’t speak.

Shadowcat started to open her mouth, but then closed it again.

“Your medical scans shed light on your internal processes, Clark.” Hank continued. “Essentially, your physiology and anatomy are practically identical to that of an average human’s: nervous system, respiratory system, digestive system, circulatory system...for the most part, you’re exactly like an average human male.”

“So, what’s the difference?” Cyclops asked.

“This.” Hank said, gesturing to another screen; this screen depicted an X-ray image of a person’s – Clark’s – outline, with numerous, spherical organs dispersed throughout his body.

Jean blinked. “I’m guessing that those aren’t lymph nodes.”

“No, they’re not, Jean; I have no idea what they are.” Hank agreed. “However, I have an idea of what they do; I subjected Clark’s energy-scan to a finer scale.” He tapped a few keys; the energy-scan now showed mostly red and orange, but with numerous spherical patches of very dark red dispersed throughout. Hank tapped a few more keys, and the two scans moved together...overlapping each other perfectly.

“Whatever these organs are, they seem to form a kind of internal ‘energy transfer system’.” Hank said. “Clark, you said that your body draws strength from the sun, correct?” Clark nodded. “Well, based on this data, I’d say that these organs are how you do it! It’s absolutely fascinating!”

“Wow.” Clark said; he’d often wondered exactly how his powers worked.

“‘Wow’ is putting it mildly!” Hank exclaimed. “Clark, this system is your primary metabolic system; your digestive, respiratory, circulatory systems...they’re all just ‘back-ups’ to this system! You don’t need to eat, you don’t need to drink...Clark, you don’t even need to breathe!”

“Whoa! Zat is cool!” Nightcrawler said. “Kinda veird...but cool!”

“Furthermore, this system interacts with your other biological systems; it converts food directly into energy – absolute efficiency, something that no other organism on this planet can boast of!” Hank exclaimed. “It seems to be also capable of doing the reverse; it can make everything a cell needs – glucose, amino acids, nucleic acids...everything! All you need is solar energy! Your body’s immune system also seems to derive energy from this system; scans of your immune cells show higher levels of immune cells than any other human, but with no signs of inflammation! Your body must be capable of neutralizing any pathogen or cancer cell that invades or forms almost instantly! I bet not even the Ebola virus or the HIV can phase you! And through this system, none of the ‘negative’ nutrients can work – fats, cholesterol – since they all get burned off and reassembled before they can do any harm!”

Shadowcat lightly frowned. “Okay, no offence Clark, but that is so not fair!”

“To put this into perspective,” Hank finished, “Scott, your powers also draw from the sun; your body takes in solar energy, and re-channels it through your eyes. Basically, you’re a kind of ‘solar battery’.”

Cyclops chuckled. “Yeah, with no ‘off-switch’.”

“Clark, however,” Hank added, “takes in solar energy, and can convert it directly to matter, or transfer it around his body, converting it to other forms as he needs to; he’s a living solar reactor.”

“Thanks for the science lesson, Hank,” Wolverine said, “but I’m still waitin’ for the bottom-line.”

The Professor chuckled. “The ‘bottom-line’, Logan, is that, due to the tremendous amount of raw power that Clark has, it’s quite likely that he is mostly – if not completely – immune to X-Gene powers.”

“You know, that kind of makes sense; it explains why the Professor and I can’t hear his thoughts.” Jean observed. “Telepathy works by us picking up thoughts – changes in electrical activity in the brain. We can’t read the thoughts of animals, like dogs or cats, because there is so much less activity; their mental ‘frequency’ is too low.” Turning to Clark, she added, “You, Clark, are in the opposite extreme; with all that activity in your head, your ‘frequency’ is too high.”

“Wow. That is pretty interesting.” Clark said.

“Okay,” Cyclops said, “time for some team-work simulations.”

“Aw, come on, Scott! We’ve been running these ever since we got back from school!” Shadowcat cried.

“Ja, man! It’s zhe veekend!” Nightcrawler protested.

“The first team will be...Kurt, Kitty, and Clark.” Cyclops said.

“I’m in!” Shadowcat chirped.

Suddenly, an alarm went off. “I’m afraid the simulations will have to wait.” the Professor said. “Cerebro has just detected a new mutant signature.” He moved to a console, bringing up the data. “Rogue, 15 years old, in Louisiana, New Orleans. Her power is that of life-force absorption; a touch of her skin enables her to draw the energy and memories from the one who touched her. If the person is a mutant, it also allows her to temporarily assume their powers.”

“Whoa, that could be dangerous.” Cyclops said. “She could use any mutant’s power.”

“Which is precisely why you must find her first.” Xavier said. “I’m also detecting other mutant signatures in Louisiana, but I can’t locate them; it’s possible that others are after her, as well.”

“Who?” Jean asked.

“I’m not entirely sure.” Xavier said. “I may have an idea...but I don’t want to say until I’m positive.”

“Professor...what are you hiding from us?” Cyclops asked. “Why won’t you tell us?”

Xavier looked terribly haunted. “Because I fervently hope I’m wrong.” he admitted.

“I know of someone in New Orleans; a friend.” Storm said. “I can contact him, let him know to meet us there; he should be able to help us.”

“Good idea, Storm.” Xavier agreed. “Now, go, and find our little Rogue.” At that, Superman and the X-Men, including Storm and Wolverine, raced to the Blackbird.

As they headed through the hallway, Cyclops glanced to Superman. “Looks like this’ll be your first team mission, Clark!” he said.

Superman grinned. “Wouldn’t miss it!”

In minutes, they reached the Blackbird’s hangar, and the X-Men all got into the plane, with Superman remaining outside. As the Blackbird began to take off, Superman took to the air, flying beside the Blackbird, as they headed towards New Orleans.

Rogue didn’t stop running until she was far away from the party. She just wandered around the neighborhood, trying to figure out what on Earth had happened.

She barely realized it when she stopped by a house she had never seen before, walked up to it, took the spare key from under the mat, unlocked it, and headed inside.

She walked up to a bedroom, and looked around.

She saw all sorts of trophies and awards on a shelf overlooking a desk.

...she could remember getting one plaque for a First-Place win in Public Speaking...

...she’d gotten an MVP trophy for that pass in last year’s game...

...and that certificate was for being on the honor roll for several years in a row...

Rogue shook her head to clear it. ‘What the...Ah neva did any of that stuff! Cody did!!’ she thought. She looked around; this was Cody’s house! How had she gotten here?! Suppressing a horrified sob, Rogue ran down the stairs.

“Lost, are we?”

Looking around, Rogue screamed as she saw a burly-looking man in black and orange tights...with metal claws extending from his knuckles!!

The man roared in feral rage, and slashed at her. Rogue managed to duck under the attack, and ran for her life. She kept running, even after she was out of Cody’s house.

She never wanted to see that maniac again.

After Rogue fled from her, Mystique resumed her natural form; her plan was working perfectly.

‘I am sorry, my dear Rogue, but this is for your own good.’ Mystique thought to herself. ‘I won’t lose you to Xavier.’

With that, she changed into a crow, and flew out of the house, to track Rogue from the air.

The Blackbird silently touched down in a clearing outside Louisiana. Cyclops was the first one off, as Superman touched down a few feet away. As the others got out, Cyclops looked around. “So, Storm, where’s your friend?” he asked. “Wasn’t he supposed to meet us here?”

Superman closed his eyes, listening. He opened them. “He’s already here.”

“Tres bien, mon ami.” (1)

Cyclops and the others turned, in time to see a 16-year-old young man, with short brown hair and light skin, wearing dark glasses, clad in a black bodysuit under a long, brown trench-coat, with a metal bo-staff casually held behind his head, walk over to them. “Ain’ no-one ever been able t’ hear Remy when he tryin’ t’ be quiet ‘bout where he is.” the young man said in a Cajun accent, a confident smile on his face. He tipped his staff in salute.

Storm smiled pleasantly. “Hello, Gambit.” she said. “How are you?”

The young man – “Gambit” – smiled, and walked towards Storm. “Oh, Remy be okay, considerin’.” he replied. He took Storm’s hand, and kissed it. “And you, Stormy, are tres belle, comme toujours.” (2)

Storm laughed. “You haven’t changed.” she said. “You were a flatterer four years ago, and you’re a flatterer, today.”

“I’m guessing you’re Storm’s friend.” Cyclops hazarded.

The young man bowed. “Je suis Remy LeBeau, mais, pour mes amis, je m’appelle Gambit.” he said. (3)

“Remy’s aunt is an old friend of mine.” Storm explained. “It was through her that I learned of his mutation; Remy can charge any object full of kinetic energy and convert it to an explosive.”

“Guilty as charged.” Remy – Gambit – said. “Or, dere’s de short version: wit’ one touch, Remy can blow merde up.”

“So, why hasn’t the Professor tried to recruit you?” Cyclops asked.

“Prob’ly ‘cause o’ how Remy was already...’employed’.” Gambit said. “Y’ see...for most o’ his life, Remy was a member...o’ de T’ieves Guild.”

Jean was shocked. “You’re a thief?” she asked, a touch of scorn in her voice.

Remy looked a bit insulted. “Oui, Red, Remy be de best damn t’ief in Nawlins’.” he said. “Didn’ ‘ave much choice; Remy’s real folks ‘bandoned ‘im when he was only a bebe. Remy picked pockets for ‘is whole childhood...’til he picked de pocket o’ Jean-Luc LeBeau, head o’ de Guild. Back den, Remy ‘bout figured ‘is number was up, but Jean-Luc took Remy in, an’ taught ‘im ‘ow t’ be a real t’ief.”

Jean looked horrified. “I’m sorry...I didn’t know.”

Gambit just shrugged. “In de long run, it prob’ly still wasn’ a bright idea.” he admitted. “See, to stop a war wit de Assassins’ Guild, mon pere decides to stop de feud by marryin’ his son – Remy – to de daughter of de head o’ de Assassins’ Guild – Belladonna Boudreaux...conveniently forgettin’ dat Remy might wan’ t’ ‘ave a say in de matter. Merde, dat Belladonna was one belle femme, but she ‘ad t’ be de bitchiest woman on de face o’ de planet, an’ she ‘ated Remy’s guts. Remy sure wasn’ gonna suffer de likes o’ dat, so he lit on outta dere...an ‘e’s been hidin’ out from de Guild for de past few months.”

“Wow.” Shadowcat said. “But...why did your parents abandon you?”

“Well, Petite, Remy can’ say for sure,” Gambit said, taking off his glasses, “but if ‘e ‘ad t’ guess, it be on account o’ dese.”

His eyes were completely black, with red irises.

“Whoa...” Shadowcat murmured.

“Ocular melanism...” Superman said, “...a build-up of melanin – pigment – in the eye. I’ve heard of cases of it...but never one so pronounced.”

“Well, someone been doin’ ‘is homework.” Gambit said. He glanced to Superman. “If Remy ‘ad t’ guess, ‘e’d say dat you be dis ‘Superman’ in all dem legends dat Remy keeps ‘earin’ ‘bout.”

Jean arched an eyebrow. “Why do you talk in the third person?”

Gambit looked thoughtful. “Why, Remy don’ rightly know, chere. Guess it jus’ be a Cajun t’ing.”

“Well, we’d better get moving; we have to find this ‘Rogue’.” Cyclops said. “Superman, you and Storm should take to the air – see if you can spot her.”

“On it.” Superman said, as he took to the air, followed by Storm, flying ahead of them.

“I’ll see if I can sniff her out.” Wolverine said, and he ran off ahead of them.

“Okay, then – everyone else, fan out.” Cyclops instructed. “We should be able to spot her if we spread out.” At that, the group spread out, and began to move through the brush, looking for Rogue.

They had been searching for about ten minutes, when Superman reported, via his communicator, “I think I see her! She’s a few miles ahead, heading for a cemetery!”

“Get to the cemetery, and wait for us there; we’ll follow her on foot – going in from the air might scare her!” Cyclops replied. “Okay, people, let’s move!” With that, they all ran towards the cemetery.

Wolverine met them at the cemetery gates, as Superman and Storm touched down. “Okay,” Cyclops said, “everyone head in, spread out, and if you find her, try to keep her calm. We don’t want to...”

But he was cut off as a tremor shook the earth.

“Well, who do we have here?” came a voice, as Lance – Avalanche – stepped into view, wearing a dark blue bodysuit, with reinforced chest padding, grey boots, and a glass dome over his head. Then, Toad – in the armored uniform he’d worn when he’d infiltrated the Institute – hopped out next to him.

“Lance?!” Shadowcat cried. “What’re you doing here?!”

“Hey, pretty Kitty.” Avalanche sneered. “A friend of mine told me that you X-Geeks were looking for a new recruit...”

“...so we figured, hey, why not see if we could snatch her first?” Toad finished. “The new Brotherhood of Mutants could always use new members!”

“Cyclops,” Superman said, “you’d better go on ahead.”

“Oui.” Gambit agreed, casually retracting his staff and tucking it into his coat. “Me an’ de big guy, we t’ink we can ‘andle dese chumps.”

Superman turned to Shadowcat, smiling. “You up for it, Shadowcat?”

Shadowcat beamed. “You bet, Superman!”

Avalanche glowered at Superman. “I was hoping you’d say that, Super-dork. I’ve been itching for a second crack at you.”

Toad, however, wasn’t so bold. “S-Superman?!” he cried. “Whoa, Lance, y-you never said that he was the guy you tangled with!”

“Oh, for the love of...will you quit whining, Tolansky?!” Avalanche snapped.

Cyclops nodded to Superman. “We’ll find Rogue.”

Jean smiled. “Don’t kick their butts too hard.” she said. With that, the rest hurried into the cemetery, leaving those three to handle the “Brotherhood.”

As Superman, Shadowcat, and Gambit were left behind, Avalanche started to form an earthquake. With one mighty foot-stomp, Superman canceled it out, sighing. “Can’t you try something new, Lance?”

Avalanche smirked. “Like this?” he shot back. “Toad!”

At once, Toad hopped at Superman, and fired a huge glob of goo, completely covering his face.

“Oh, gross!!” Shadowcat cried.

“Merde.” Gambit said, grimacing. “Dat be nasty.”

“Ha!!” Toad declared. “You were right, Lance! What a total chump! What a...” but he froze...as he saw two glowing red eye-spots appearing in the slime.

Instantly, the hardened goo blasted apart as Superman’s eye rays incinerated it, his face none the worse for wear...with an annoyed expression on it.

Toad smiled sheepishly. “Uh...about that ‘chump’ crack...completely out of line!”

Superman then saw the tree directly behind Toad...and extended his hand to Shadowcat. Shadowcat took it, and Superman quickly spun her for a throw, and sent her flying like an arrow towards Toad, who screamed. But instead of hitting him, Shadowcat phased through Toad, turning as she passed through...to rebound off the tree, and tackle him to the ground, before cartwheeling right back to where she’d started from. “We did it!” she cheered. “That move worked!”

Superman then spied Avalanche getting ready for another quake. With one powerful foot-stomp, Superman caused Avalanche to bounce right off the ground. As the earth-shaking youth landed, Superman stomped again, sending him bouncing a bit higher. After two more bounces, Superman zipped over to where Avalanche landed, casually reached over, his hand inches from Avalanche’s chest...and just flicked him with his finger.

That tiny flick had more than enough force to send Avalanche flying, to land hard on the ground; he’d be sore, but otherwise okay. Superman inhaled, and blew his freezing-breath, coating Avalanche with enough ice to keep him there for a little while, but not enough to give him so much as a cold. “Just chill there for a little while.” he said.

By then, Toad had started to get back up. Shadowcat ran at him, and dove for his ankles, phasing as she grabbed them...and trapping his feet in the ground, phasing out of the ground as she did.

“Merci, Petite.” Gambit said, before smiling slyly at Toad...and taking out a deck of playing cards from his coat. “Feel lucky, mon ami?” he asked. He drew five cards from the deck. “De game be de five-card draw, deuces wild.”

The five cards instantly began to glow a blazing white, and Gambit flicked them at Toad with the accuracy of a darts champion. The cards exploded in fair-sized blasts, sending Toad flying, knocking him out; he’d be okay.

“Desole, mon ami.” (4) Gambit said, putting his deck away. “Dealer wins. Guess it ain’ y’ lucky day.”

“We won!!” Shadowcat cheered. “We rock!”

“It’s not over, yet.” Superman said. “We still have to find Rogue. Let’s go.” With that, he ran into the cemetery, followed by Shadowcat and Gambit.

After they’d split up to search the cemetery, Jean tried to scan for Rogue with her telepathy, but the girl’s confusion made it difficult to zero in on her; not only that, a thick fog was rolling in.

Suddenly, Jean saw her, running through the rows of graves. “Wait!!” Jean called, running after her. “We want to help you!”

Rogue stopped, turning around, looking terrified. “W-Who’re you?!” she cried.

“My name is Jean Grey.” Jean said. “My friends and I have been looking for you, Rogue.”

“H-How do ya know about meh?!” Rogue demanded.

“Please, we just want to help you.” Jean soothed.

“If ya want ta help meh, then just keep that lunatic away from meh!!” Rogue cried.

Bamf!

“Jean, I’m not having any luck...” Nightcrawler began, but paused as he saw Rogue. “Oh. Uh...Guten Tag, fraulein.” he greeted. (5)

“AAAAHHHH!!!” Rogue screamed. “W-What the..?!”

“No, it’s okay!” Jean assured her. “This is Kurt; he’s one of my friends!”

“Jean, I’m pickin’ up her scent!” Wolverine called as he came into view. “She’s right about...”

Rogue let out a blood-curdling scream. “GET AWAY FROM MEH!!” she screamed, and she pushed Kurt out of her way...

...her bare hand connecting with his face, by accident.

Nightcrawler went limp, falling over, as Rogue ‘ported away, sing his power.

‘Scott, get over here! Kurt’s down!’ Jean telepathically cried. In seconds, the others, including Scott, had gathered around their fallen friend. “I lost sight of Rogue.” Jean said. “She used Kurt’s powers.”

Just then, Superman, Shadowcat, and Gambit ran up to them. “Kurt!” Shadowcat cried, kneeling by her friend. “Hang on, fuzzy!” She looked to Jean. “Is he okay?”

Jean gently touched Kurt’s mind...and nodded. “He’s just unconscious.”

“We lost track of Rogue.” Cyclops said. “Dammit, we can’t see in this fog!”

“She isn’t far.” Superman said, listening. “She’s near an old warehouse, at the edge of the cemetery, a few feet east of here.”

“You go on ahead.” Cyclops said. “We’ll follow on foot.” Superman nodded, and flew off, as the others followed, with Wolverine lifting Nightcrawler onto his shoulders before following.

Nearly in tears, Rogue ran far away, coming to an old, abandoned warehouse, just outside the cemetery gates. She climbed over the gates, and darted into the warehouse, to hide. She climbed the stairs to the second floor, standing under the big hole in the ceiling, before she decided to hide in the shadows in the corner of the room...

“Please, miss, don’t be afraid. We want to help you.”

‘H-How’d they find meh so fast?!’ Rogue mentally wailed. She turned to face her pursuer. “Just leave meh alone!” she yelled at the guy. “First Ah get chased by some nut with claws, then Ah get ambushed by a blue thing, an’ now Ah’m talkin’ to a guy in a Superman costume!” She started to back away.

The guy noticed. “Miss, please, that floor...it isn’t safe...” He started to move towards her.

“Just leave meh alone!!!” Rogue screamed, as she took another step backwards...

...and the floor gave way.

Rogue screamed as she began to fall...and stopped as the stranger grabbed her hand, stopping her fall. “Easy, now; I’ve got you.” he said, smiling gently. “I won’t let you fall.” Then, as if she weighed nothing at all, he pulled her back up.

“Don’t touch meh!!” Rogue cried, yanking her hand out of his grip. “Everytime someone touches mah skin...” Then it hit her.

He’d held her bare hand...and nothing happened.

Slowly, gingerly, Rogue reached out...and touched the stranger’s nose with her fingertip.

Nothing.

Slowly, she touched his nose for a few seconds longer.

Still nothing.

Then, taking a deep breath, she touched her hand to his face.

Zip.

“Oh mah Gawd...” Rogue murmured. She looked at him carefully. “What...are you?”

Just then, a very angry-looking Jean came storming up the stairs. “I tried...” she hissed at Rogue, “...I tried!! But some people just won’t be helped!!”

“Jean!! What are you doing?!” the guy yelled. “We’re supposed to be helping her!!” Then, the stranger paused, looking at her.

Rogue swore she saw his eyes flash electric blue.

“Wait a minute.” the guy said, his eyes narrowing. “You’re not Jean. Who are you, lady?!” At that, “Jean” froze, startled...

...and then another Jean came up the stairs, followed by a few other people in suits, too. “Rogue, please don’t be...what on Earth?!!” the second Jean cried, as she saw her duplicate.

Angered, the guy turned to the first Jean, inhaled, and then blew.

A gale-force wind filled the room, slamming the first Jean into the wall; as she hit, she cried out...in a different voice.

Slowly, the first Jean began to change...into a blue-skinned, red-haired woman.

“A shape-shifter...” the guy with funny-looking goggles murmured.

At that revelation, everything made sense. “You...” Rogue said, her eyes narrowing in anger, “...it was you!! You were the one chasing meh!!”

At her anger, the blue-skinned woman looked hurt, saddened...and then she glared at the one who’d exposed her. “You ruined everything...” she hissed, standing up.

The stranger glared back. “I don’t know who you are,” he said firmly, “and, frankly, I don’t care. But I don’t ever want to see your face again. Now, get lost.”

The woman glowered at him. “You...” she spat, “...just made the biggest mistake of your life.” With that, she changed into a crow, and flew away.

Now Rogue looked among these people. “You...weren’t tryin’ ta hurt meh?” she asked.

Jean – the real one – smiled, and shook her head no. “We want to help you, Rogue.” she said.

“We’re from the Xavier Institute, where mutants like us learn to control our gifts.” the goggles guy said. “We wanted to ask you if you were interested.”

Rogue gulped. “And...if Ah say no?”

The burly guy – the real one – chuckled. “We’d be disappointed, Stripes, but we’d respect your decision.”

Rogue lightly smiled. “Whah not?” she said. Then, she turned to the stranger with the X-ray eyes. “Who are you?” she asked. “Ah just wanna know.”

The stranger just smiled gently, looking at her as if she already knew.

It hit her like a ton of bricks. “Oh mah freakin’ Gawd...” Rogue murmured, “...that ain’t a costume...you’re the real Superman...”

“Pleased to meet you, Rogue.” Superman greeted. “Now, let’s get out of here, okay?”

Rogue smiled back; somehow, she knew she could trust these people.

“Okay.”

It hadn’t taken them long to get back to the Blackbird.

Superman watched as the others made preparations to take off, and then heading back outside to bid farewell to Gambit.

Gambit, however, had spent the time talking to Rogue. “Remy t’ink he see why dey wanted t’ help y’, chere.” Remy said smoothly. “One look at y’ an Remy would’ve walked t’rough Hell for y’.”

His Cajun charm, however, was wasted on Rogue. “Ah ain’t yer ‘chere,’ Swamp-Rat!” she snapped. “Gawd, can’t ya go annoy someone else?!”

Remy wasn’t deterred at all. “Belle, puissante, et fiere...” he sighed, one hand over his heart, “...Remy t’ink he be in ov’r ‘is ‘ead!” (6)

Chuckling, Cyclops, said, “Well, it’s time to get going.”

“Are you sure you won’t come with us?” Storm asked. “The Professor would love for you to enroll!”

Remy took another look at Rogue. “Dat be one temptin’ offer...mais non, desole.” he replied. “Remy kinda like ‘avin some freedom jus’ t’ do ‘is own t’ing, for de time bein’.” He nodded to Superman. “‘Sides, all dat Good-Samaritan, do-o’-die, death ‘fore dishonor hero t’ing ain’ for everyone.”

Superman chuckled. “Well, that’s a shame. You’d probably be pretty good at it.” he said.

Remy shrugged. “Peut-etre.” he admitted. “Maybe later, den. Remy’s got a few t’ings dat he got t’ ‘andle ‘fore he t’ink o’ anyt’ing else.”

“Well, it was nice working with you.” Cyclops said. “Our door’s always open.”

“Be seein’ y’.” Remy replied. Turning to Rogue, he smiled, and added, “An’ Remy definitely hope he be seein’ y’ later, cherie.”

Rogue’s eyes narrowed. “Can Ah drain him? Please tell meh Ah can drain him.” she growled. Remy just laughed, and walked into the shadows, disappearing. Then, the rest of the X-Men – including Rogue – got on board the Blackbird, and the plane took off, with Superman flying beside it, heading home.

Once all the X-Men had returned to the Institute, along with Rogue, they had told Charles what had occurred. It had badly shaken him. ‘So, it was her that I sensed there...’ he’d thought. After musing on what this meant, Charles decided to tell them.

Currently, Charles, Ororo, and Logan had gathered all the students in his office, once they’d had time to don their street clothes. “So, Professor,” Scott began, “who was that blue woman?”

Charles took a deep breath. “Raven Darkholme...A.K.A ‘Mystique.’” he said. “She’s arguably one of the most ruthless, most elusive, most dangerous mutants I know of. Her ability enables her to shape-shift, to assume any form she so desires, for as long as she desires...and she is perfectly willing to assume any form, use any means necessary to achieve her goals.”

“And she wanted ta scare meh away from joinin’ ya.” Rogue said. “Whah?”

“I do not know why, Rogue.” Charles admitted. “I simply shudder to think what might have happened if Clark had not been present with his X-Ray vision to expose her.” He looked to Clark. “Now that we know Mystique is out there, Clark, your abilities will be more vital than ever, for Mystique has the ability to elude telepathic probing – including Cerebro – completely...which makes you the only one of us capable of exposing her.”

Clark nodded. “There’s more, isn’t there, Professor?” he asked.

Charles sighed. “Although Mystique herself is a significant threat...what she represents is more frightening, still.” he said. “You see...Mystique is a known colleague...of Magneto.”

“Who??” Jean asked.

“Erik Magnus Lensherr.” Charles said. “He’s one of the most powerful mutants in the world. His power gives him control over magnetic fields...making him the ‘Master of Magnetism’.” Charles closed his eyes. “He was my friend, and my trusted, and respected colleague. We once sought to help young mutants together.”

“What happened?” Kitty asked.

Charles took a deep breath. “My philosophy is that mutants and humans can live together in harmony.” he said. “But Erik...he believes that mutants are the next stage in evolution, and that humans will never accept us...and so, we must force them to accept mutants. His philosophy states that humans are inferior...and expendable. He believes that a war is coming, between humans and mutants...and he intends to make sure that mutants win.” Charles closed his eyes. “I tried to get him to see reason, that his way will only lead to pain, and suffering...” he whispered. “His philosophy...will all too easily lead to an anti-mutant backlash, where mutants will be hunted down...or worse.”

“That’s part of what you were afraid of with me, wasn’t it?” Clark asked.

Sadly, Charles nodded. “Where Mystique is, Magneto is never far.” he said. “I do not know what Erik is planning, but, for the sake of this world – human and mutant alike – he must not succeed.”

Scott was the first to speak. “We’ll stop him, Professor.” he said.

Clark nodded. “Whatever he’s up to, it’s not going to happen.” he agreed. All the others nodded in agreement.

Charles smiled. “Thank you all.” he said softly. “I am honored to have each and every one of you – and all those yet to come – as my students.” Smiling, he finished, “That’s enough for now. You should all get some rest.” With that, the X-Men all headed out of the office, leaving Charles alone with his thoughts.

Rogue was sitting on the balcony outside the second-floor window of the main hall, in her usual outfit, except now she wore black gloves. She sighed sadly to herself; her prognosis looked grim...

“Can’t sleep?”

Turning, Rogue saw Clark – Superman – standing behind her, wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt, looking like anyone else.

Rogue shrugged. “Nah.” she said. “Ah’m just thinkin’ about everything that’s happened.”

Clark nodded. “It can be a lot to take in,” he admitted, “but I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it.”

Rogue snorted. “Doubt it.” she said. “Ah heard what the Professor said ‘bout mah powers; they’re uncontrollable. Ah’ll neva be able to touch anyone without killin’ em.”

“Then you also heard that the Professor will do everything he can to help you gain control.” Clark parried.

Rogue turned an incredulous eye to Clark. “How the hell do you do that?”

Clark looked confused. “Do what?” he asked.

“That! Somehow find a way to make everything positive!” Rogue replied.

Clark just shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Rogue sighed. “No offence, Farm-Boy, but Ah don’t see any reason to be positive ‘bout mah powers.” she said. “You just can’t understand...”

“...because they’re dangerous.” Clark finished.

Rogue stopped. “Excuse meh?”

Clark looked haunted. “You know these powers can be dangerous, that they could hurt someone – possibly someone you love – if you’re not careful.” he said. He looked right at her. “Rogue, I’ve had my powers ever since I was a baby. Ever since I was old enough to walk, I’ve been terrified of hurting someone with them. I have that fear now, to this very day. I had to hold back, every single day of my life.”

Rogue looked at him; he wasn’t lying. “How did ya deal with it?”

Clark sighed. “It’s simple in theory, but in practice, it’s a lot harder.” he said. “You just go one day at a time, Rogue. It’s hard, but it works.”

Rogue half-smiled. “Thanks, Farm-Boy.”

Clark smiled back. “Any time, Stripes.” he replied. “Good-night.” With that, he turned to go.

Rogue just smiled as he left. ‘Ah can’t believe Ah’m thinkin’ this,’ she thought, ‘but that man has ta be the best damn hope this whole planet’s got.’

“You lost Rogue.”

Mystique scowled as she spoke to Magneto on her phone. “Maybe I wouldn’t have lost her,” she hissed, “if someone had told me about that ‘Superman’!! He saw through me, Lensherr! He just looked at me and he knew!!”

“I was not aware of this.” Magneto replied. “He saw through your shape-shifting?”

“Yes.” Mystique said bitterly. She had intended to infiltrate the Institute, perhaps even impersonate Xavier himself...but with that Superman’s vision watching the Institute, it would be nigh impossible.

“This is very troubling, Raven. Without Rogue, we have no way of countering his power.”

Mystique scoffed. “Even if we had her, it would have made no difference. I saw him touch her – no effect whatsoever.”

That actually silenced Magneto. “You’re...certain?”

“Absolutely.”

“I must confer with my associate, Raven. I will contact you later.” With that, Magneto hung up.

“Problems?”

Standing in the home of Destiny – her old friend, now in her late forties – Mystique sighed. “Irene, why didn’t you warn me?”

“Raven,” Irene said gently, “I’ve been warning you for the past nineteen or twenty years.”

“About what?!” Mystique snapped. “All you’ve been going on about is that...stupid...” her voice trailed off, as Irene smiled knowingly. “Wait...are you saying that...this ‘Superman’ is..?”

“...the Child of the Star.” Irene finished. “Who else could it be?” She sighed. “For the past twenty years or so, I’ve been getting bits and pieces of that prophecy. I knew that this Superman had to be him...for when I first heard about him...the prophecy finished itself, in my mind. I could see the entire thing.”

Mystique was amazed. “What did it say?” she asked.

Destiny took a deep breath, and began to recite:

“‘All of you now, from near and from far,

mark well the Child that comes from the Star!

Great power he has, which no man can match,

the dark he will fight, and swiftly dispatch.

Death will fall from the sky, with unquenchable fire,

but the Child will strive on, and shall never tire.

Monsters shall rise, in a world full of hate,

yet the Child will bring light, to challenge this fate.

Another will come, with might equal to he,

but he will still win, in ways we can’t see.

And all around him, mutantkind shall unite,

to drive back the dark, in a terrible fight.

And hope shall be gone, as victory seems far,

but hope shall return, with the Child of the Star.’”

Her prophecy finished, Destiny said, “This was the first time I had ever heard such a prophecy.”

Mystique was astounded. “So...Superman – the Child of the Star – is an alien?”

Destiny nodded.

“Does Magneto know about this?”

“Almost certainly.” Destiny said. “I once told him part of it...the last few phrases, ‘And all around him, mutantkind shall unite.’ That certainly got him excited.”

Mystique smiled. “I imagine it would have.” she agreed.

“I’m certain that Magneto will actively try to recruit Superman in the near future.” Destiny said.

Mystique frowned. “If that prophecy is true...”

“It is.” Destiny said.

“...then Superman has a very important part to play in things to come.” Mystique finished.

That fact did not bode well with her.

Author’s Note: Just in case none of you speak any French or German, I roughly translated some of the phrases Remy and Kurt used.

(1): Very good, my friend.

(2): …very beautiful, as always.

(3): I am Remy LeBeau, but, to my friends, I am called Gambit.

(4): Sorry, my friend.

(5): Good day, Miss.

(6): Beautiful, powerful, and proud…

If you already understand the phrases, just skip this note.

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