Beyond Evolution

Number Five - Untouchable

First Published: May 2002
Stars: Rogue
Writer: Devin Grayson
Art and Colors: Udon, Long Vo, Charles Park and Saka of Studio XD
Letters: Randy Gentile
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Associate Editor: Brian Smith
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas
Pages: 23

For more information about this comic, including scans of the first four pages visit Toon Zone!

Summary

As we join the X-Men, they’re exercising in the danger room, but this time, the exercises are of a whole other kind. Wolverine’s letting the kids practice CPR, and it’s Scott and Jean who are demonstrating, much to the hilarity of Kurt – Ooh! Ooh! Can the fuzzy man give it a try? - , the boredom of Evan and the general dismay of Rogue – she can’t do CPR because she would have to touch and then… yes. And she’s taking it hard, very hard indeed.

Cut to somewhat later, at Bayville High. Rogue’s talking to Risty, and Risty’s asking her about life at the Institute, how it is and so. Rogue answers it’s just perfect, but her looks belie her real sentiments to Risty: she’s looking with envy at Scott and Jean. Risty tells Rogue she knows she’s lying, and that Scott doesn’t care about her, only about Jean. Rogue tells her that she’s mistaken, but Risty answers she’s dreaming. As she leaves Rogue, Risty – in reality Mystique – realizes her plan is going to be much easier than she had thought.

Cut to the Brotherhood Boarding House, and Pietro is trying to egg up the others, as they are taking it easy – ‘Come on, you guys! How are we ever gonna show up those stupid Xavier Institute kids if we just sit here all day?’ – As Mystique suddenly shows up. She briefs her students about her plan – Mystique: “Today’s lesson: Psychological warfare.” Toad: “Aw, yeah, coolio! Time to drop some serious plague on the High School!” Pietro: “That’s germ warfare, you idiot.” – And she tells her from now on, they’ll have to get on to friendly levels with the Rogue. As the Brotherhood tells her that’s a bad idea, and that she’s way to ‘chummy’ with the X-Men, Mystique tells 'em that “by the time she’s finished with her, Rogue won’t want a thing to do with those brats…”

Cut to the Institute, and Kitty gets a phone from her mum. Kurt answers and gives Kitty the phone, but it makes him think about his mum. As Rogue tells him she also knows it would be nice to get a phone from her mum, Kurt answers he doesn’t see Mystique doing that. Rogue responds Mystique wouldn’t even know anything about being a mum. She tells Kurt not to worry about it, but he can’t help it…

The next day at Bayville High, Rogue’s staring at Scott, and Jean tells her Scott’s bound to notice her if she keeps staring. As Rogue apologizes for not noticing Jean, she begins snapping at Rogue that she’s too focused at Scott that she hasn’t realized she – a ‘silly little goth sophomore he can’t even touch’ – hasn’t a chance at winning Scott’s heart against her, and that he’s only nice at her because he feels sorry for her.

When Jean (?) leaves, the Blob tells Rogue she shouldn’t bother about Jean and that he wants to support her. Cut to the Danger Room, later that day, Scott and Rogue are exercising, but Scott has just lost his visors. As he’s grasping for them, Rogue tells him he’s got no time for that, and that he’ll have to fire on her directions. He doesn’t want to do it, for fear of hitting Rogue, but as she desperately asks, he fires – and a yell can be heard. Scott thinks his worst fear has been realized – “I knew it. I knew this would happen! Only a matter of time before I hurt someone I…” – but as he finds his visors, he discovers Rogue had only ‘teased’ him. He can’t laugh about it, and when Jean enters, thinking just the same and telling Rogue they need to have a conversation; Rogue responds Jean “can stuff her conversation”. She walks out angry, just as Evan’s picked up by his mum. Kurt’s looking on…

Cut to Bayville High Library, the next day, and as Rogue’s reading, Scott – Mystique, actually – comes walking in and before Rogue can say him anything, Scott tells her she shouldn’t push her luck, as Jean is his girlfriend. “Remember, kid, never let them know you care.” Pietro tells Scott to leave her alone. He then tells Rogue that she’d better ignore him, and that she’s always welcome with the Brotherhood. Cut to the Institute, at night, and as everyone’s asleep, Rogue’s packing…

Somewhat later, and Rogue arrives at the Brotherhood Boarding House, and ‘incidentally’ the Brotherhood is ‘waiting’ outside. As they welcome her, she asks if it’s alright for her… And Mystique tells her it is alright. She asks her to tell something about her, but Rogue doesn’t really know what to say, as “it’s been a pretty bad week.” Mystique says she understands, as she’d been living with people who took advantage of her. “Remember, kid, never let them know you care…”

Suddenly, Rogue realizes what’s happened. Jean, Scott, they all were Mystique. She wants to leave, but Pietro stops her. “Sorry. Psychological warfare time is over. Now it gets physical.” He shouldn’t have said that, because the next moment, Rogue’s gotten physical, and she uses Pietro’s powers to dodge the attacks of the other Brotherhood members. As Mystique steps in to stop the Rogue, Rogue touches her… Cut to the Institute, and the Rogue’s returned. But as she enters the Institute, she realizes she’s got Mystique’s powers…

Moments later, in Kurt’s room, ‘Mystique’ suddenly stands over Kurt’s bed. “Remember, son, I’ll always care…” As Kurt looks up and thanks her, she’s gone. Rogue returns to her room, and nobody there ever knew she had left…

Summary written by Nikko for -