The X-Men: Darkness Surrounding - Part 4

Author:  AeLonwyne

Disclaimer:  Rogue and the X-Men are the property of Marvel

The phone rang several times before it was finally answered.  “Melina Raven.” A voice stated.  “Mystique?”   “Rogue?   Daughter?  You never call me."  Mystique was obviously shocked.   “Who is Feirdras, mamma?” Rogue’s question was met with silence.  “Raven,  tell me!” Rogue demanded using the other woman’s first name.  “And who is the chosen one?”

There was  an audible sigh from Mystiques end.  “The chosen one would probably be you, daughter.  As for Feirdras… Stay away from them.”   “Ah can’t do that momma.  They have mah friends.”  “No!   Stay away from them. They will destroy you!"  “Mamma.” Rogue interrupted. “What do they mean by Chosen one?  And why will they destroy me?”

"Before you were born, your father made a pact with a warlock.  I do not know all the details, however I did know that you were to be given to this cult, Feirdras.   I took you and left Germany and never saw your father again.  Last I heard he had been killed, because he hadn’t handed you over.”  “Wait. Mah father?  You… Ah… ah…”  “I beg you daughter, stay away from them.”

After a few moment Rogue managed to gather her thoughts, “Ah’m sorry momma Ah can’t you will have to understand”  “Rogue ple…” Rogue hung up the phone effectively cutting her mothers plea,  and stared blankly at it.  A hand fell on her shoulder, startling her, and she spun around.  It was Bobby, actually standing up on his own despite the pain he was surely in.

Rogue sighed, trying not to look as upset as she felt, it didn’t work.  “It will be ok Rogue.”  Bobby said reassuringly.  Rogue forced a smile, though she didn’t believe him.  Logan and Kitty crept up, and Rogue looked at them.  “How ya feelin’ Kitty?”  “Better. I think. Thanks.”

    * * *

“Where are they?”  Shreah Treunberg slammed her fist against her oaken desk.  The door opened, “Moonreve!  Where the hell have you been?” Shreah demanded, her accent less apparent with her anger. M’lady they put up more of a struggle than was anticipated.  Though we have managed to secure the ones called Storm and Nightcrawler.

There was a pause, and Shreah looked thoughtful  “I suppose that vill have to do. She vill take the bait, and I vill get my way.  The master vill have his bride.”  “M’lady why exactly does the master want this particular… human?”  Andrel Moonreve asked as she pulled out a compact mirror and gazed into it.  Her green eyes were still perfectly lined in black, and her bloodred lipstick was smudgeless.

“She was promised to him, many years ago by her father, he wants only what is rightfully his. Though I believe he has come to love her too.” Shreah replied mindfully.  Andrel shifted her gaze from the compact to Shreah, finding the woman’s words hard to believe.  She snapped the compact shut, and slipped it into her pocket, “M’lady the hostages are being locked up now.” Andrel said changing the subject.  “Were there any wittness’?”   Shreah asked.  “Yes.  Two, they were injured, but alive to tell the woman of us.”  “Good Rogue will be on her way soon then.  Put your men on their guard, and be well prepared.”  Andrel bowed her head in acknowledgement, and quickly took her leave.

    * * *

“Ya feelin’ any better Kitty?” Kitty glanced up wearily, “I’m getting there.  Though I wish I had the number of that bus that hit me.”  Rogue half smiled, and nodded.  “We’ll have it for you soon enough.” Bobby told her. “Ah’m gonna head to mah room for awhile.” Rogue said and hurried from the room.  She sprinted down the hall and up a few flights of stairs. She had to do something it was driving her nuts, not to mentioned she had a nagging feeling that she knew where to find her friends, and that she could free them.

She rushed into her room, and began shuffling through her closet, before pulling out a fresh costume.  All black with a hood, matching mid-thigh length boots, and skintight gloves.  The only color was a red X on the palm of the left glove.  Making sure the door was shut and locked, she slipped into it quickly, and tugged on her boots, and gloves, before tying her hair back in a ponytail.  With a sigh she glanced in the mirror, and departed from her quarters.

Rogue hastily made her way down the hall, nearly colliding with Colossus. By the grim look on his face, Rogue guessed he had just been briefed on the recent events.  In their brief pause in the middle of the hall Piotr took in her appearance, and the determined look on her face.  “I hope you are not planning to run off on your own and fight these people.” He didn’t even need to say anything to her, he knew.

"Excuse me Piotr, I have to go.” She replied refusing  to look at him, and tried to move past.  “No!”  He said grabbing her arm, “Wait for the rest of us, it is foolish to rush headlong into trouble.”   “Ah cant stand by and wait Petie.  Kurt and ‘Ro are part o my family, my friends.  Ah cant leave em with those people.  If I don’t go they could be killed.”  Piotr shook his head, “Do not do this Rogue…” Rogue interrupted, telling him about the conversation with Mystique.

“Still I say you should wait, and we all will go after our friends.  Please Rogue, running headlong into battle, alone, will only get you killed.  Wait…please.”   Rogue was silent, and Colossus watched a mix of emotions wash over her.   Sighing she hung her head briefly, “Alright.” She whispered.   “Let me know when everyone is ready.”  “Of course, You will be alright?” He asked before continuing on down the hall. “Yeah, Ah’ll be fine.”

When he was out of sight Rogue leaned back against the wall and slid to the floor, trying not to cry.  The feeling that she needed to leave was overwhelming, as if someone was pressing their own will upon her.  She knew Piotr was right, but the feeling that she had to go, grew stronger, like water pressing painfully upon her lungs as if she were deep sea diving
without gear.  It was painful.  She had to concentrate to keep from running down the hall and jumping out the window, and go to her friends.

    * * *

A short time later, Piotr left his room, intent on rounding up his teammates and forming a plan to rescue Storm, and Nightcrawler, not to mention making sure Rouge hadn’t taken off.  He rounded the corner, and stopped in his tracks.  Rogue was still where he had left her in the hallway but was now slumped over on the floor.  Fear began to rise within
him, and he hurried to her side.  When he reached her, he was relieved to find that she was only sleeping. Twin tracks down her tanned cheeks told him that she had been crying, before she fell asleep.

Piotr scooped her up gently, and carried her to her room.  He placed her on the bed in the corner, and covered her with a blanket, before quietly closing the door behind him.   He tried to formulate a plan as he made his way quickly down the stairs, while simultaneously worrying about Rogue. He didn’t remember seeing her like this, well at least since not in the last several years.  Something was wrong. And it wasn’t just Ororo and Kurt’s kidnapping either.

To be continued...