The young woman's name is Rogue. She has another name, but hasn't even revealed it to those she trusts most. In addition to being a mutant with the ability to absorb the memories and abilities of anyone she comes into physical contact with (an ability which she has, as of yet, been unable to control), she also possesses the abilities of flight, near-invulnerability, and superhuman strength. Abilities she permanently gained after prolonged contact with Carol Danvers, the former Avenger known as Ms. Marvel (now called Warbird).

While she no longer experiences the memories of Carol Danvers, the powers still remain. And although she hates the way she gained them, she can't deny the fact that they are a blessing. A fact which becomes ever-more apparent as she dives straight into one of the attack droids, ripping it apart with her gloved hands.

"Rogue!!" a familiar Cajun accent shouted. "Behind you!!"

Rogue instinctively grabbed a chunk of the destroyed robot, and hurled it behind her, at another incoming one.

She looked at her savior. Remy LeBeau-thief, charmer, mutant, hero-also known as Gambit, with the mutant ability to charge any object with biokinetic energy, which can be explosively released. Alongwith Rogue, Gambit is a member of X-Men Omega, a second X-Men team formed after the death of the X-Men's founder, Professor Charles Xavier. And although she would sometimes refuse to admit it, he's also the man that Rogue's in love with. However, this recent transition, the Professor's death, Gambit's role in the Mutant Massacre, Rogue leaving him stranded in Antarctica, and many other things have begun to slowly come between them. But Remy keeps trying, he won't give up that easily. A part of her hates him for that, and a part of her loves him for it. It's hard for her to figure out which one.

"Rogue!! Get down!!"

In the instant that Rogue turned, she noticed a missile flying right at her!! Then, in a flash of pink energy, it vanished.

Rogue turned her attention to the X-Men's newest and youngest member, who had been the cause of it.

Clarice Ferguson, a teenage girl with teleportational abilities that could be channeled through the javelins she carried in a quiver.

"Thanks f'r the assist, Blink," Rogue shouted to her. She silently kicked herself for screwing up like that. She had been too immersed in her own thoughts and not concentrating on the battle at hand. Bishop would most-likely NOT be pleased. The time-lost mutant was now the new leader of X-Men Omega, and he seemed a lot more serious about his duties than Storm, or even Cyclops did.

"I can't believe I've got you people watching my back," Shard said, dropping down from the ceiling. She was Bishop's sister as well as a teammate of his in the XSE in the future. However, she died, but was reborn as a photon-based lifeform. Now, she is little more than a hologram, with her ability to generate bio-electric energy, as well as the power to control her density (an aspect of becoming a photon-based lifeform).

"It's a good thing I'm dead, or else I'd be in a lot of trouble," Shard finished, as she delivered an energy blast at another robot.

"Shard!" Bishop shouted from inside the control booth. "Where are Quicksilver and Psylocke?"

"Wish I knew," Shard said. "But I've got no idea. They're nowhere on the grounds."

"All right," Bishop said. He hit a few controls, and the remaining robots shut down. He then stepped out from the booth and faced his team.

"Rogue, you were careless back there," he said. "You need to stay alert. If it wasn't for Blink's intervention, you would be dead by now."

"Cut her some slack, mon ami," Gambit said. "We all been through a lot lately."

"I don't want excuses, LeBeau, I want results. You all opted to follow my version of pursuing the Dream rather than staying with Cyclops. Now, you'll have to deal with my methods of leadership. You wouldn't last ten minutes in the XS-"

"Well, excuse me, but last time ah checked, this ain't th' XSE!" Rogue exclaimed. "It's th' X-Men!! An' this is how we've been operatin' since long before ya'll came from the future!!"

"Times have changed, Rogue," Bishop said. "If we wish to make a difference, we must be ready fo-"

"Ah'm only here ta help people, Bishop! Ta fight f'r the dream that the Professor left us. Ah'm not interested in becoming a soldier, if ah was, ah woulda joined X-Force when Cable first started it. Ya still got a lot t' learn about leadin' the X-Men, sugah."

With that, Rogue flew out of the room.

"Remy, perhaps you could talk some sense into her," Bishop said.

"Don' t'ink dat's gonna be so easy," Gambit said. "Rogue been t'rough a lot, lately. My trial, Magneto comin' back, Joseph dyin', Marrow's betrayal, an' now de Professor's death an de factionin' o' de team. 'Sides, she don't seem that anxious ta talk ta me."

"I think Rogue's recent trials and troubles are the least of our problems..."

The entire team turned to see Psylocke stepping out of the shadows.

"PSYLOCKE!!" Bishop exclaimed. "Where have you been? You missed the training session!! And where's Quicksilver?!"

"Give me a chance to explain, Bishop," Psylocke said. "Lockjaw, one of the Inhumans, came here. Quicksilver teleported away with him. He told me not to follow, but I was suspicious, so I did anyway. When I arrived at their destination, I found Quicksilver addressing Fabian Cortez! Cortez kidnapped Crystal, Pietro's wife. He wants to use them as bait to lure Magneto."

"Cortez... wasn't he killed by Exodus?" Blink asked.

"How'd you know about that?" Bishop asked.

"It's a... long story..." Blink replied. "But, how come Cortez is still alive?"

"Dat's another long story," Gambit replied. "All I know is dat he an' some Acolytes attacked de X-Men jes' before Magneto came back. He high-tailed it outta there once we beat de Acolytes."

"Whatever the case, Pietro needs our help now," Shard said. "So, let's saddle up."

"What about Rogue?" Blink asked.

"Lemme handle Rogue..." Gambit replied.

Rogue stood on the roof, overlooking the grounds. Warren's Colorado estate was impressive--not to mention secretive. It was very secluded in the Rockie Mountains, perfect for the X-Men to operate out of. Once Forge helped whip up some training facilities, the team could have this place rival the X-Mansion.

But, she didn't want to be in a duplicate of the X-Mansion. She wanted to be in the X-Mansion. She wanted things to be like they were. Back in the days when they were actually allowed to have downtime, when they were allowed to have fun. It almost seemed that it was heading in that direction, but life has a way of kicking you when you're down. Especially with Rogue.

Rogue.

She thought about that name. A rogue is someone who's rebellious. Is that the kind of impression she wants people to have of her? As someone who's rebellious? As someone who doesn't care about anyone but themselves?

Yet, was it better than the name she did have? The name that was tied to her past?

Yes. She doesn't even need to think twice about that answer. Rogue's past was filled with abuse. And she didn't want to explore it. Perhaps that's why she kept so much secret from the people who are the closest thing she's ever had to a family, including Remy.

She thought about Remy LeBeau, the man she loved. He has a dark past as well. He worked for Mr. Sinister, one of the X-Men's oldest and deadliest enemies. He was responsible for forming the Marauders, a deadly group of mutants. He was also responsible for the Mutant Massacre, in which the Marauders killed dozens of innocent mutants living in the sewers--mutants called Morlocks. And he's currently a thief. How could she ever be with someone like that?

"'Cause mah past ain't so charmin' either..." she said under her breath. "Face it gal, ya made some bad choices, too. Ya'll were part o' Mystique's Brotherhood o' Evil Mutants."

She sat down on the roof and hugged her knees close to her chest. The air was cool, but her insulated costume and leather jacket was enough to keep her warm. Still, she could feel the chill on her face.

"Rogue...?"

She recognized the voice immediately.

"Go'way Remy..." she said. "Ah wanna be alone right now..."

"I understand that, but we got other matters t' deal with."

"Whaddaya babblin' about?"

"It's Quicksilver. He's facin' off against Cortez. De others're waitin' f'r us. We best hurry on our way."

Rogue stood up and walked past Remy. She avoided his red eyes completely.

"Here's the drop-off point. Don't let me down, Creed."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah..." Creed replied. He looked over blueprints and schematics of the estate. He pulled the headgear of his brown and gold costume on. "I'll have 'em all on a silver platter waitin' f'r ya. I'm lookin' forward ta gettin' revenge on th' Cajun."

The chopper lowered to the ground, and Sabretooth leapt out, into the snow-covered fields.

He broke out into a run. The estate was about three miles away. It usually wouldn't take him much longer than 15-20 minutes, but this damn snow would slow him down.

It doesn't matter, though. The trek was worth the end result. He could already begin to taste the blood. And it made his mouth water.

"The signal should be reaching Genosha by now..." Cortez stated. "Now then, it's time for the grand finale!!"

Energy began to build up in Cortez's hand, and Quicksilver knew he didn't have much time left to think. He turned to look at his wife, the Inhuman known as Crystal. She was still unconscious. At least she was still alive, and that was the important thing.

Before the energy could reach the X-Man, a power blast struck him, sending Cortez flying into the wall.

"WHAT IN BLAZES WAS THAT?!" Cortez exclaimed, slowly getting to his feet.

He saw some kind of portal open. Before it stood six figures. He recognized a few of their numbers--Bishop, Gambit, Rogue and Psylocke--X-Men. The other two women were unknowns. One was black with blond hair and a similar uniform to Bishop's, as well as the same M tattoo over her left eye. The other had pink skin and red hair, dressed in a green uniform.

"I told you I didn't need any help, Psylocke," Quicksilver said. "Although I'm glad you decided to ignore me...."

"Anytime Pietro," Psylocke said.

"You're too late!!" Cortez shouted. "The signal has already reached Genosha, and Magneto should be here within moments!!"

Magneto? Bishop thought. We cannot stand up to the two of them right now, we've had no training as a team.

"You think you're the only one who brought back-up Quicksilver?" Cortez asked. "Allow me to introduce my newest recruit..."

There was a sudden burst of flame. In the center of it was an Eastern-Indian man with short, black hair and a goatee.He was wearing an Acolyte uniform, similar to Cortez's.

"I'd like to introduce you to Thunderbird!!"

NEXT ISSUE: Can the X-Men stand up to the combined forces of Thunderbird and Fabian Cortez? And what does Sabretooth have planned?