Like Mother, Like Daughter

[Deleted]

Raven was so proud of the woman that Marie had become. She was strong, and proud of who she was. Of her abilities. When Raven found her, Marie had been a scared little girl who was only starting to come in to her abilities. But just as she was taught when she was young, Marie needed to embrace who she was, and Raven was just the person to show her the way. Now, Marie was twenty-five and she was just the person she was born to be. Raven couldn't have felt more pride if Marie was born her own. 

"You remember the plan?" Raven, or Mystique as she was known in the mutant world, asked her adopted daughter as the two of them gazed up at the tall building before them. From the outside, it looked like another plain skyscraper that blended in with the rest of them. But on the inside... it was far more sinister. There were several mutants held in a closed off part of the building being tested on like lab rats. Mystique had narrowly escaped the place many years ago, before Marie had came in to her life. Now it was time to free the others that were held captive, since she had the help she needed. 

"You knock them out with your special little touch, and I'll take their identity. Work that Southern charm if you have to.. I know you can do it well." She smiled proudly. "Once i'm in, I'll give you the signal. You follow, and we'll get in to their computer system. Hopefully then, we can shut the power to the cells down, and it will allow everyone to escape." She inhaled deeply, and then slowly exhaled. "Are you sure you're ready for this, Marie?" 

[eloquentnovelist]

Rogue stood outside the building with her mother, unflinching as she gave the height a once over. Cake. With the two of them working together, this heist was going to be easier than cutting a slice of pecan pie. Dressed typically in hood and cloak, Rogue had her hands at her sides, gaze narrowing at the entrance they were about to take. She was focused. Knowing that people like her were being held captive was not something she would ignore. She had power and she would put that power to good use. If that meant taking out a few humans, then she would. What kind of people would hold people captive for being gifted? It made Rogue angry.

"Ah remember..." Mystique recited it again and oh course, Marie didn't interrupt. Mother knew best and she was just as worried about Rogue she she was about the prisoners that were being held in that building. "Ya do what ya do and ah'll do what ah do. Ah'll take down security, you slip past and head to the containment cells. Ah promise, ah'll be right behind ya." Once her touch was out to use, Rogue knew back up would arrive in droves. It wouldn't be a fair fight but it didn't mean she would lose the fight. Mystique raised her to be strong, trained her to be a fighter. She crossed her arms and smirked, giving a slight tease. "Momma, ya worry too much. Ah can handle this."

She was head strong, heart strong, country girl strong. The combination of strengths were deadly. Without another second to pass by, she took a step forward and approached the building ahead of them without even looking back. Her walk wasn't one of an uncertain girl, the one she use to be. Instead, Mystique would witness a calm and confident saunter,p resembling that of a wild cat stalking its prey.

Yanking at her right glove, she pulled it off and tucked it into her belt for later and entered the building. The guard at the desk stood up and held his hand out.

"Woah miss! You can't be here! This is a classified area."

Rogue cocked her head to the side. "Calm down, Sugah. Ah just need a phone. Mah car broke down down the road and ah think there's someone following me, mind if ah use yours?" The guard clearly didn't care too much about the woman's well being. He approached her and yanked her by the wrist.

"Get out, you can't be here!" He was walking her to the door and when stopped moving with him. His hand slipped from her wrist and took her bare hand. The pull began and Rogue blinked, taking in the information on the area, the underground specifically. They weren't just holding people. They were experimenting too. The man fell to the ground, out like a light when Rogue let go of his hand and motioned for Mystique to head on in.

Rogue walked over to the guard's desk and pulled up some files to dig around.

[Deleted]

"I can't help it, my girl. You're my pride and joy." Raven was kind of a hard ass, but when it came to Rogue? She was absolutely pudding. The girl could do no wrong in her eyes, and she couldn't have imagined a better daughter. Taking a deep breath, she gave a nod. "Alright. Go get 'em." 


Rogue made Mystique so proud. She watched the confident saunter, and she made sure to position herself in a spot that she could stay hidden, yet still watch - just in case something had gone wrong. She was confident in Rogue's abilities, but like Rogue said - she worried too much. It didn't take long for Rogue to show her that there was indeed nothing to worry about, as the guard was now lying unconscious,  and Rogue was motioning for her to come in.

Mystique quickly ran inside, and immediately tugged the guard behind a desk where she stripped him down and took on his form. She put on his uniform quickly - she was used to hustling with this kind of thing - and she smoothed down her starchy blue shirt. "You try to hack in to the system while I go to the door of the lab. Meet me in five minutes.. be safe, My girl." 

She kissed Rogue's forehead, letting her lips linger long enough for Rogue to steal  her abilities in case she needed to shift forms to not get busted. It didn't bother Mystique too much. She had cell regeneration that made the transition easier. Not to mention, it was brief. Once she regained her composure, she rushed off in the body of a rather out of shape guard. 

[eloquentnovelist]

Rogue would never admit it but inside, she beamed. Her mother had always praised her for a job well done and even though she was fully capable of handling herself, she still worried about her darling girl. Perhaps Rogue was still a scared fifteen year old girl in Mystique's eyes. It's what mothers did. Rogue would never know. Being a mother just wasn't in the cards for a woman who couldn't touch someone without killing them. Life had something else in mind when Rogue was brought into the world with the gifts she was blessed with.

Rogue handled the guard with ease. Men were all the same. At some point, they all tried to invade her boundaries and touch her. Joke was on them. She didn't willingly touch the man. He did it all to himself. Rogue's gift was a powerful tool that could be highly weaponized. It wasn't anything to be embarrassed about. It was a gift. The man was on the floor and Mystique made her entrance, ravaging the man of his clothes and security codes as she say at the desk and went through the computer systems.

"Be careful. Somewhere in here, they've a testing facility. They've been experimenting on mutants, Momma. They're likely to have weapons that could take us down." Rogue pointed to the screen with an ungloved hand. "There. Sub basement. There's a facility with several specimens for testing. We should hit that up last." Rogue turned to head out when Mystique pressed a kiss to her forehead. She smiled a warm smile, a smile that illuminated her face. No one willingly touched her that knew her gift. Except Mystique. It's what made their relationship so unique. Raven really loved Anna Marie, even if she was considered a dangerous and deadly force. Her mother didn't see that. She saw a charming little girl from the south that was spit out of her life. "You too, Momma. Five minutes. Ah'll be there."

Rogue turned back to the screen and started going through codes for security. 

[Deleted]

The thought of the testing facility made her sick. It was absolutely revolting that someone could run experiments and torture people, just because they were different. Just because normal humans didn't understand. Mystique nodded when Rogue showed her where the spot was that they should hit last. "Good idea." Rogue was smart. That's how she had to be, though. And very quick on her feet as well. Mystique soon headed toward the lab where she used the previous guard's identity to place her hand inside of the fingerprint scanner. Once it was opened, she had gained access to the lab. 

It only took her a few moments for her to slip inside, and since it was closed down, no one was working. Thankfully. This gave her time to get in to the computer inside of the lab, and working with Rogue, the mainframe was soon broken in to. The cages began to unlock, and Mystique began to lead the weak mutants out of them. She knew Rogue would soon be in there to help her, but they had to move swiftly. They had several areas of mutants to rescue, and not a whole lot of time. Eventually, there would be alarms, and police. 

Hopefully they'd get out before they got caught. 

[eloquentnovelist]

Rogue dug through the files.

How long did this facility have test specimens? It was hard to tell without spending more precious time on the system. First, she needed to disable the mainframe for security. 

Rogue ran ran through the encrypted files, cutting off the power to the hydraulic locks on the cages and confinement a of the prisoners. Mystique might have reached them by now to start rounding up anyone who might be useful in their corner. They would be free to go of their own will, but they would still need to band together to get out.

"Almost done... Just one more minute." 

Moments later, all main power was cut from the building. Emergency flood lights came up. All security systems were rendered powerless and with that, Rogue tugged on her glove and pushed away from the computer desk, taking off in a run to go aid and assist Mystique.

But no more than a few strides and the sirens were already approaching. She needed to reach her mother before backup separated them.

Bursting into the containment area, Rogue shouted to get Mystique's attention. "They're coming for us! Get this group out, ah got the next group."

[Deleted]

The group was being herded easily enough, but it was still going to take a few minutes to get them all out of the building. There were some strong enough to walk, and to even carry others, so that was definitely helpful. When the alarms started to sound after the power had gone out, Mystique felt her heart pounding quicker. Thankfully, she saw Rogue sprinting toward her, telling her that she'd get the next group. "Be careful!" She called to her as she steered the group of mutants toward the corridor that led to the main foyer where the doors to the outside were. 

She knew that they'd likely have to fight. Obviously they were going to get busted, but she was prepared for it, and she knew that Rogue would be, too. It was time to shove the motherly nerves away, and let her dear girl do her thing. She was strong, and brave and she'd do wonderfully. She was already leaps and bounds away from the shy southern belle she once was when she was fifteen. She could see much of herself in Rogue. Perhaps that's why she was so confident that she'd be okay. 

Mystique managed to get the others out of the building, and now it was time for the next level. They were so close to the final floor... that would be the toughest. They'd likely have to carry all of those poor souls. 

[eloquentnovelist]

Rogue entered the room completely, just as Mystique escorted the first group outside. She was a practical woman and knew that she couldn't take on the world alone. She needed help if she was going to get those poor souls in the sub basement out alive. "Listen up! You're free! But ah need some able mutants tah come with me and help the others trapped in the basement. After that, you're free tah go as ya please." Rogue demanded attention, commanded it as she removed the confines to some of the other confines. She assisted in walking, moving, in order to gain rapport among the group that Mystique didn't get to.

"The rest of ya, get out quickly. They're sendin' people in after us and they WILL use deadly force. Stick together, protect each other." The group scrambled around her, but the woman was as cool as a cucumber. She simply stood in the middle of the room as they swarmed past her when two men stepped up beside her. 

"We wanna help." 

Rogue nodded in thanks. "You come with me. And you, go outside and make sure these mutants get out alive. Find mah mother. She's blue, name's Mystique. Ya can't miss her. Bring her to the sub basement and we'll finish this place off together, ya hear?" The tall man nodded and rushed out, directing the group out while Rogue and the shorter man went through the halls and arrived at the elevator.

Outside, the tall man had his group escorted out in droves. "Mystique! Your daughter is waiting inside!" The man called to her, spotting her from a distance.

[Deleted]

Mystique and Rogue had done missions together before, but usually it was Mystique who took charge. Rogue was twenty-five now, and it was time for her to learn to take over. It was hard for Mystique because she was  used to taking care of Rogue, but she knew it was time to let her fly on her own and take leadership. A few mutants stuck with Mystique to help out while other able bodied mutants helped the others to get them out of harm's way. Several were already outside. As Mystique stood with the small group who were willing to help her and Rogue, she heard someone calling for her. 

She couldn't stop the grin that formed on her lips. That was her girl. Starting a little army. She was so proud. Mystique gave a firm nod and ordered the others to follow her. As they all reached the sub basement, her and  Rogue were finally reunited. She would wait until they were safe to tell her how proud she was of her for keeping her head on her shoulders so well. For now though, they were on their guard.  As they started to free the mutants, footsteps could be heard running toward them. "Go!" She told the able bodied mutants. "Keep the weak ones safe! We will hold off the humans!" She gave a look to Rogue, nodded, and then she ran toward the sounds of the guards running toward them.

The moment they were face to face with them, Mystique was staring down the barrel of a gun - albeit very brief. She lifted her leg, kicked the gun out of the man's hand, and started to pummel anyone who got in her way using a series of kicks, flips, and punches. There were quite a few, but she knew that her little girl wasn't so little anymore, and that she had a handle on the situation. 

[eloquentnovelist]

Rogue took the elevator down with the other mutant she partnered up with. "Be sure your skin doesn't touch mine. Mah mutation'll knock you on your ass." The man chuckled. "Maybe I would enjoy watching you knock me on my ass."

Rogue smirked and held back a chuckle. It was nice to joke a little in the face of danger. The elevator stopped at the sub basement but the doors had been programmed to remain closed without a key. "Pardon me, miss." The mutant shifted into rock form and body slammed the elevator doors before prying them open and allowing her to pass before he made his way into the lab.

Rogue looked at the lab, the tables were full of operating instruments. Some mutants were dead. The lab had jars of pieces of specimen that were being preserved. Rogue pressed the back of her hand to her mouth to suppress a gag before shaking her head and moving to the cages. She heard pleas for help and it nearly broke her heart. "We're here tah help. Everythin's gonna be alright. Just stay with me."

She went through, cage by cage and started releasing the prisoners with the help of her partner. Mystique's voice made Rogue look up and wave to her mother. "Momma! We're almost done here!"

Rogue made her way to one of the tables that had a weak mutant woman on it and began to unhook huge straps. How long was this woman sedated and strapped down? Was she even alive?

Like she had heard Rogue's internal question, her eyes shot up and the woman reached up and grabbed Rogue, cupping her cheeks and pulling herself close to her. "Don't leave me! Please!"

The assault of memories began. Try as she might, she couldn't shake the blonde woman. "Momma!" Rogue shouted for Mystique's aid but saw she was busy holding off guards. Rogue panicked. She needed to help Mystique. But she needed help too. "Let go! Please, let go!"

[Deleted]

Impressed was an understatement, if Mystique were to speak of how she felt at this point. Everyone had been hard at work, helping to get other mutants out of the building while the stronger ones assisted herself and Rogue. However, of course the homo-sapiens had to come in and ruin everything. This was what she lived for, though. She, and another one of the mutants who had invisibility were busy pounding on the guards when Mystique heard Rogue calling out for help. This was her weakness. "Keep them held off!" She ordered, and the mutants did as they were told. 

When she spotted Rogue, she saw someone was holding her by the face. "You must let go! We will save you, but you must let go of her!" Mystique called pleadingly to the woman. She pulled Rogue back, away from the woman and she looked at her. "Rogue, my girl are you alright?" She then looked at the woman who was lying on the table to see if she was still breathing. It wasn't Rogue's fault...she couldn't control it. She was once more distracted when someone yelled to Mystique and Rogue "The humans are down! Hurry!"  Mystique untied the woman, and flung her over her shoulder, and grabbed Rogue by the gloved hand. "We must hurry, my darling." 


With that, she, and the others, ran as fast as they could, back up to the main floor of the building. 

[eloquentnovelist]

The woman threw her arms around Rogue, her cheek nuzzled up against hers. What sort of trauma had the woman been through that she was too afraid to let go of Rogue even though she was being drained. "STOP IT!"

Rogue was on the ground when Mystique reached her. Her skin felt alive, like there was a humming on every inch of her. Her head felt several sizes too small and Rogue shook her head. "It hurts."

Mystique was plowing through though, freeing the woman that had just been absorbed and yanking on Rogue's hand. She could fret about the damage done later. There were so many people relying on them to lead them out of this place.

Rogue saw the memories... Granted they were fragments that needed to be out together, but the vivid details of what had gone on in that building... It made her stomach sick. She ran anyways. She could be sick later, not now. She couldn't be the weak link that dragged them down.

Once on the main floor, they were greeted with a S.W.A.T. team. Rogue stepped forward, wiping the sweat from her brow. "Go one guys... Ah got this. If Ah'm not outside in fifteen minutes, get out of here. Don't come back."

Rogue was ready to fight. Even if it meant she would be left behind.

[Deleted]

One of the more bulky male mutants took the woman from off of Raven's shoulder so that she could run back to check on Rogue. Just as she was only a few feet away, S.W.A.T decided to drop in to wreck their day. "I'm not leaving you to do this alone, Rogue!" Mystique called over the crowd. She managed to weave her way through the mutants that were escaping, even though she had to keep stopping to fight the homo-sapiens off who were trying to stop the liberated mutants from getting outside.

Unfortunately, crowd control had begun to set up shop both inside by the doors, as well as outside. With a quick look back to Rogue, Mystique had no choice but to rush toward the S.W.A.T squad to start pummeling. She had help, of course... and at this point, with all of the mutants' combined abilities, the squad outside was being destroyed as well. Luckily the only ones left inside were Mystique, Rogue, and the stronger mutants that decided to stay to help them fight. 

There was something wrong with Rogue, and even though it was weighing on her mind, she had to concentrate. If she allowed herself to let her mind wander, one of the bullets being fired would have hit her as she was doing several flips and tumbles down a corridor that led to the back of the building. That was where she'd go to find another exit plan. Perhaps one of the S.W.A.T team's helicopters.