Chapter 35
"What do you want, Odin?" I turn and a woman with half of her head shaved while the other half had long hair storms into the room, not noticing me despite my height. My breath catches in my chest as I recognize her and Loki stays close to me.
"Hello, Solstice. It has been quite a long time."
"Hey, Frigga. Nice to see you. What do you want, Odin?" He motions toward me and she looks at me, looking me up and down. "You made Heimdall bring me here because of a giant Ravager? Are you kidding me?"
"Look closer, dear." She looks at me again and I look at her, crossing my arms slightly.
"She has cool tattoos. What's your name?"
"Uh, which one?" I ask awkwardly and she looks at me like I'm stupid.
"What the heck do you mean?"
"Well, there's my current name that I chose, the name my grandparents gave me, and the name my mother gave me..."
"Give me all of them. Come on, I don't have all day."
"Right, right... Um... My current name is Rogue, the one my grandparents gave me was Andrea, and the one my mother gave me was... Raziah..." She glares at me then at Odin and glares at me again, coming over to me.
"I don't know what he paid you, but this isn't funny. I'm leaving." She starts to leave and Odin motions for me to stop her somehow.
"Your name's Solstice and you were adopted by a couple on Earth in Colorado who raised you like their own flesh and blood," I say suddenly, not knowing any other way to stop her, and she freezes. "When you turned twenty, you decided to adopt a little girl and named her Keiko. Your adopted parents adopted one of her relatives and treated him almost as well as they treated you. About three years later, you met a guy that called himself Star-Lord and you spent a week together. Nine months later, I was born and you got a cabin in the mountains. Keiko was learning to play piano and would let me practice with her. One day, you got me a little violin so that I could make music like she did and... And we all got this picture taken in front of the cabin. A... A week later, the Skrulls caused a car accident and... And I don't know what happened after that... Other than the fact your adopted parents adopted me and Keiko. And they... They did a lot of crap to me. I-"
"Shut up." I close my mouth with an audible click and she turns to look at me, pissed off as she stalks over to me. "How do you know all of this? My daughter died."
"You would call me your sweet baby Razi."
"I said shut up."
"Keiko would call me Razi."
"Stop talking!"
"Then fucking believe me!" I take the picture out of my pocket and she snatches it from my hand.
"How did you get this?" She snarls and I look at her.
"I visit the cabin every December for Christmas. The first thing I did with the violin was play Congratulations with Keiko." She punches me in the stomach and sends me flying.
"MOM!" I get off of the floor and make sure the kids stay where they are.
"You hid all of your makeup in the top of your closet." She stalks over to me and punches me in the face.
"Shut up!"
"You made sure I knew my Dad was from the stars. Keiko made sure to tell me all the time." She swings for me again and I catch her hand, looking at her. "I am Raziah."
"Prove it," She growls and I look at her. "Something my girls loved more than anything was to sing. So, sing. Also, what's my favorite song?"
"The one you'd sing to us when we went to sleep and, if we weren't nearly asleep, we'd sing with you. It was the one about mountains, valleys, and rivers."
"Which one is that? It's been a while," She sneers and I look at her. "And for all I know, you could be a Skrull." I roll up the sleeve of my injured arm and grab my knife from between my shoulder blades, cutting my arm enough to show blood.
"That enough proof I'm not?"
"I'd love to hear the proof that you're my daughter." I had always done my best to avoid listening to that song and could barely remember the words. "Well? Sing the first part of the song."
"I... I don't remember the words well enough..."
"Try anyway."
"Um... Listen, baby-"
"Sing the words, don't speak them."
"What's the point of doing either of them? My voice has changed since the last time I sang around you! I have tried proving it to you! I can't do any more to do that because I barely remember you! Even with all of the fucking memories that came when I got the life source you left in the middle of that fucking lake in a damned treasure chest!" She looks shocked and I look at her, trying to keep my head on straight. "If you don't believe me, that's fine... Tex, Doc. You guys got any DNA tests?" Tex nods and comes over to us. "What you need for it?"
"Blood, spit, 'air, skin cell." I hold my knife out to Tex and he takes a swab of blood off of it before I wipe it off, putting it back. "Ah need some blood from ya, Ma'am," He says to her respectfully and she looks at him in disdain. I take out my other knife and cut her arm lightly, holding the bloody knife out to Tex. He takes a swab of it and goes to the ship to run the test.
"Seriously?" I wipe my knife off and put it up. "If you are my daughter, where did you learn to use knives?"
"Your parents are dead. So is Keiko... They died when I was ten and your parents sold me to the Skrull for a crate of liquor."
"That jab at Blue for being the same as the ones selling you for liquor makes sense now," Rocket mutters and I shrug one shoulder, arm still hurting like Hell.
"First Mate of a Ravager crew caught me before I could run into their burning house and he and his Captain helped me meet my Dad. They taught me how to use knives, blasters, and numerous other weapons as well as how to pilot a ship."
"Cap'n!" Tex comes back and we look at him as he comes over, handing me the holopad with the results. I look at it and hand it to her when I'm done.
"Here are the results." I go back over to Loki and he looks at me, worried since I had a blank face.
"The results?" Solstice drops the holopad and I can feel her eyes on me.
"You are Razi..."
"I go by Rogue nowadays," I say shortly and turn to look at her. "You could've just fucking listened to me. I don't lie about that type of shit." She looks at me and I cross my uninjured arm across my chest to hold the bicep of my injured arm.
"Watch your language." I drop my arm and glare at her, making her take a step back.
"You've been alive for thirty-one years. I was abused by your asshole parents for seven years and bullied mercilessly by kids, teachers, and your adopted brother, getting the crap beat out of me every single fucking day. Then, I had to live with the fact that I probably caused that damned accident because I distracted you while you were driving and the fact that I kept surviving when I shouldn't have, with the accident then that damned fire. I've had to deal with so much bullshit since I was fucking three! And you've been up here as a Valkyrie with fucking Gods! You don't get to tell me to watch my fucking language!" My eyes glow slightly and her eyes widen a bit. "You weren't there when I needed you... You weren't there when I wanted you... I got raised by people who didn't even know me and had no obligation to raise me... You are my Mother, but I doubt that you're my family anymore..."
"Razi-"
"That isn't my name anymore," I bark and she shuts up. "My name is Rogue."
"You only have one name?" She asks in a teasing manner and it pisses me off. "What have you been doing with your life and why do you have Ravager Flames on?"
"My name is Rogue Quill Obfonteri Udonta Fletch. I am the Captain of the ship the Shadowblade, one of the One Hundred and One Ravager Clans."
"There are only a hundred, though..."
"Not anymore! I was raised by the Guardians of the Galaxy, the Udonta, both of the Ogord, and Charlie-27's Clans."
"A Ravager ship is no place for a child!"
"Dad turned out fine and so did I!" She comes toward me and sees the kids.
"They kidnapped both of you! Who kidnapped these children? Come here," She tries to beckon Gamora over and I knock her hand down, standing at my full height as I get between her and my kids.
"Do not talk to my children," I snarl and she looks at me, shocked.
"You have that many children?"
"Yeah, the Kree are real innovators when it came to making my life a nightmare. And now, I've got the Skrull breathing down my neck."
"Why?"
"Your parents sold me to them for a crate of liquor, since it seems that you've already forgotten."
"They... they would never have done that..." She rubs her face slightly and I look at her, going toward her.
"Why the Hell would I lie about any of this? Do you seriously think that I don't have anything better to do with my time than stand around and talk to someone who was never there when I needed her?"
"I had my own issues going on!"
"Like what?"
"The Skrull! When they caused the accident, they took me as a slave! I only managed to escape due to sheer luck and the fact that I was useless to them!"
"How long were you with them?"
"I don't know. I visited Earth again and... Everyone I cared about was dead or thought that I was while they said you were missing and probably dead. Do you have any clue what that's like?"
"I had one person take care of me and care about me from when I was three to when I was ten. And I couldn't save her. I couldn't save anybody... I had to watch their father turn into dust on Terra because the Kree and Skrull destroyed the planet housing his life source... My brother and I had to watch Dad and his Mom die because of the Kree... After I had just gotten saved from the Kree! Do you have any clue what that is like? Watching as everyone you care about dies a slow and painful death while you can't do anything about it? Do you know what it's like to have an entire state hate you for something you control? Do you know what it's like to have an entire planet hate you because you couldn't protect people? Having someone look at you like you're going to snap at any given moment, lose control, and kill everyone around you because that's what you were forced to do? Being forced to fight for your life and killing numerous people for others' entertainment? Do you?"
"No, I wasn't a battle slave. But you were... Right?"
"Right. I was a punching bag on Terra and became a thief."
"I always had high hopes for you," She says sarcastically and coldly but I don't react.
"I'm getting married soon."
"Isn't it a little late for that?" I can't take it anymore and just punch her in the face, knocking her onto the floor.
"Their father was my husband before he died... Three annual cycles, or years, ago. Give or take..."
"You move on quickly. Did he not matter to you at all?"
"That comment confirmed it."
"What?"
"You may be my mother, but you are not my family. And you haven't been for a long time. I don't want you anywhere near me or my family. So how about you go back to wherever it is you came from and we leave each other alone." She stands and looks at me.
"Razi-"
"That may have sounded like a suggestion, but it wasn't. Get away from me. Now." She looks at me and I glare at her coldly before she nods slightly, leaving.
"Heimdall! Send me back!" I hear her get transported away and Loki gently touches my arm. I jerk away from him inadvertently and he raises his hand slightly.
"It is alright, Rogue," He whispers and I rub my face slightly.
"I need to sit down... And a stiff drink..."
"I would like to extend an invitation for you all to join us for our evening feast. Please," Frigga says with a soft smile and I just felt too drained to do much arguing.
"Sure... Thanks..."
"Mother, is there somewhere that she may sit?"
"Of course. Follow me, dear. Just you." I follow her and she leads me to someone's Quarters.
"Wow... This place is as big as my Controls..."
"They are my chambers. You may sit on the bed. Is there anyone you wish to see?" I put my head in my hand and think.
"Loki, for sure... And... Tex and Doc, please..."
"Of course, dear."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"I would rather you call me Mother than that, dear. Since I am going to be your Mother soon enough. I am sure Odin would enjoy having another daughter."
"Another?"
"Yes, Hela. Our first child. She died in battle. It was honorable."
"Oh. I'm sorry for your loss..."
"It is quite alright, dear. Now, no more of this Your Majesty nonsense. Call me Mother. Yes?"
"Um, alright. Thank you, Mother..." She smiles gently at me and it puts me at ease.
"You are most welcome. I will bring the three that you have requested in shortly. Is there anyone you would like to see first?"
"Doc and Tex first, please. I would like to be able to have control of both my arms before I see Loki..." She nods and smiles gently at me again before leaving.
She leads Doc and Tex in a few minutes later and closes the doors behind her when she leaves. "Damn, Cap'n."
"Yeah..." They come over and work on fixing up my arm and ribs, after helping me out of my duster, despite my weak arguments over them being fine. I'm glad the two of them don't listen to me this time...
"If you say that you're fine one more time, I'm going to channel my inner Udonta with a belt, Rogue," Doc warns simply, pissed, and I look at them, shocked. "Try me."
"Got it, Doc..." The two of them finish fixing me up by putting me under to fix my arm and I welcome the sleep.
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When I wake, Doc and Tex were still there and they look at me. "We were able to fix the bone in place so that it could heal. It did so immediately after we put the bone where it belonged. Your ribs fixed themselves without any interference from us. Your head has healed and I recommend cleaning it up. Alright?"
"Sounds good, Doc. 'Preciate it." They nod and leave.
Frigga brings Loki in and he comes over to me, gently cupping my face as he sits on the edge of the bed. "Are you alright, my treasure?" I lean into his touch and that gives him all the answers he needs.
"I will be sure you are collected for the feast."
"Thank you, Mother," Loki says and Frigga leaves, easing the doors shut behind her. "What do you need from me, Rogue?" I wrap my arms around him and he rubs my neck gently. "I see... Lay down." I do as I'm told and he lays next to me, pulling me close to him. I rest my ear over his heart and my arm across his stomach while he rubs my shoulders. "Just breathe, my treasure. It will be alright. You can let go and fall to pieces. Do you know why?"
"You're here to catch me and put my back together," I whisper and he continues to rub my shoulders.
"Correct. Do you need help with it?" I close my eyes to relax a bit and my breath hitches slightly as I start to cry. "There we are. I have you." He rubs my shoulders as I cry into his chest and whimper softly, going through so many emotions while he lets me do that.
"She..."
"Shh. No need to talk. Just allow your emotions to flow. I have you." He rubs my back still and I cry for a bit longer before I calm down, rubbing at my face slightly with the rag he hands me. "Better?"
"Yeah," I murmur and he rubs my back more, moving his hand to the back of my neck. He squeezes it and I peek at him, seeing that he didn't look too happy. "Messing with your Father wasn't a great idea..."
"No, it was not. Sit up, please." I do and he stands. "Sit in the middle of the bed, after taking your boots off." I unzip my boots and set them on the floor, sitting in the middle of the bed. "Back straight and eyes forward." I do as I'm told and he comes into my line of sight. I look at him and he gently cups my face. "If having your eyes forward is too difficult, keep them closed," He says gently and I take a moment before I close my eyes. "Good girl. You will sit here for a short amount of time to allow you to gather yourself and to atone for not heeding what I said. Are we clear?"
"Yes, Loki," I say softly and he hums softly. What I would call him had become too awkward for both of us so we agreed on just Loki for these types of things.
"Good girl." He kisses my forehead and I hear him walk away but stay where I was because he told me to. I listen to him walk around and can feel myself starting to relax more, just straight vibing during this.
After about five minutes, I feel Loki's hands on my shoulders and he kisses my cheek gently. "You did very well, Rogue. Thank you. You may open your eyes now." I do and he rubs my shoulders gently. "Are you feeling more energized now?"
"Hmm... Yeah..." He stops rubbing my shoulders and I look at him.
"Good." He kisses me gently and I return it, relaxing more. "Mother will be back shortly to collect us for the feast. There will be drinks."
"How stiff?"
"Immensely."
"Dope." He chuckles softly and pulls away from me when the doors start to creak open, looking toward it.
"Well, you two look comfortable," Martinex smirks and Yondu was behind him, smirking too.
"We gittin' in yer way 'a summin'?"
"In my Mother's chambers? No, you are not." He gets up and hands me my boots as I swing my legs over the side of the bed.
"You were getting her comfortable, though." Loki rolls his eyes at him and I pull my boots on, zipping them up easily as my pants go inside them since they blend. That and the pants are tight at the bottom so it's easier to keep them in the boots. "What was he getting you comfortable for, Rogue?"
"None of your damned business, Sparkles." I stand and pull my duster on, adjusting my neckerchief while the two of them snicker a bit.
"Please attempt to speak civilly while the feast is occurring," Loki pleads slightly and I look at him.
"We do. All the time."
"You threaten to kill and eat each other while cursing each other out whenever you speak. How is that speaking civilly?"
"It's our version of civilly. If we aren't, mainly me, something's wrong. We're Ravagers. It's what we do." I smile charmingly at him and he looks at me for a moment before sighing, shaking his head slightly.
"You are impossible."
"Yet, you agreed to marry her."
"Ain't sure why ya did tha'," Yondu smirks at me and I roll my eyes while Loki glares at them. "Jus' kiddin', Boy."
"You know how to get to where this thing is getting held?" I ask, changing the subject, and Loki nods, looking at me. "Lead the way. I'm hungry and I bet Quill is being a tyrant without you." He leads the way and we follow a little ways back. I hit both of them in the head and lengthen my strides to catch up with Loki, avoiding their attempt at retribution.
"Rogue."
"Yes, Loki?"
"I expect you to behave yourself while we are feasting with my parents."
"I'm offended that you think I wouldn't." He looks at me with a raised eyebrow and I tilt my head slightly. "OK, fair point. I promise I won't steal anything else."
"Excuse me?" He stops, fixing me with a glare, and I hold my hands up slightly, chuckling nervously.
"Kidding. I didn't steal anything. Yet..."
"Rogue," He growls in a warning and I smile apologetically.
"I won't steal anything, Loki. I promise."
"You better not." He resumes his pace and I walk next to him, noticing the other two had nearly caught up. "I would hate to have to tan your hide around our families." The other two howl in laughter and I don't respond, blushing a bit. "Are we clear?"
"Crystal clear, Loki."
"Good. We are here so you two imbeciles may wish to control your laughter." I smile a bit as they sputter and Loki leads the way into the room the feast was in. "Welcome to the Grand Hall."