They were interrupted by pushy promoter Duke, pulling up in a limousine with his assistant Merlin Sheets (Michael Sheehan), who again offered to manage Rocky""s career if he would come out of retirement: "It""s a hell of a payday." Responding "I know what I am," he ripped the main cortex chip from the back of his brain in a conscious choice to be human (and fight against the machines): "I""m better this way.Students using their powers o defend themselves included:Marie/Rogue (Anna Paquin) - with the power to absorb life forcesPeter Rasputin/Colossus (Daniel Cudmore) - with he ability to change his skin into organic steel to provide strength and resistanceBobby Drake/Iceman (Shawn Ashmore) - Rogue""s boyfriend who could create blasts of icy airKitty Pryde/Shadowcat (Ellen Page) - able to phase through matter and walk hrough wallsWolverine assessed the students to Storm: "They""re not ready.Gardenia who passed away a few days earlier: "She""d been in a coma for weeks...She was very old and passed away without ever waking.I""d be grateful to go that way myself when the time comes." There are signs of the deceased tenant""s gardening interest in herbs, and cryptic writings of hers read: "I can no longer associate myself.