A/N:  I own nothing.  All characters used belong to Marvel, including the Phoenix and Rachel Summers.  I'm just playing with them.   I'll have them back before bedtime.

The Future:

The Fifth Year Since the Institution of the Rebellion (5 A.R.)

            America.

            Once, the word had brought about images of golden streets, of full plates and eight-hour work days.  Once, people snuck through checkpoints just to set foot on the "Land of the Free."  Once.

            But that was long ago.

            America.

            Now it means death.  Green fields are long-since scorched.  No longer can they produce food for the hungry.

            And there are masses of the hungry.

            Sentinels changed that.  At first, they only went after the dangerous mutants, the terrorists and robbers.  And some protested, but most felt it was for the best.

            And then they went after the ones who were thought to have pro-mutant sympathies.  And the protests grew louder, but the people kept voting to keep the program.

            And then, all at once, they were after every mutant, every man, woman, and child, who carried the X-gene, latent or not.

            And the directors went to shut the program down.

            They were killed.

            And the heroes that were left tried to shut the Sentinels down.

            They dropped like flies.

            Finally, America was dead. 

            But some remembered a Dream.

            And they decided to make it a reality.

            "Cyclops!  Down!"

            Scott Summers ducked, allowing the energy beam to pass over him.  ~Thanks, my love.~

            Across the battle field, Phoenix—Jean Grey-Summers—smirked as her fire bird glowed across the sky, striking Sentinels down like ants.  ~That's how it works, Scott.  You save me, I save you, we both save her.~

            Blasting a group of Flatscans—a term that once meant all Humans, now only those who fought with the Sentinels—Scott sent his wife his worry.  ~Should we do this, Jean?  Is it right?~

            ~No.  But we have no other choice.  This way, at least she lives.  And so will Bobby, Rogue, Storm, Warren…they'll all live, Scott.  Kitty and Piotr's babies might live.~

            Scott felt the rage build up in him as he remembered the look on the Rasputins' faces when their three children had been taken away.  ~And Colossus' sister.~

            ~Illyana…the Phoenix sees a dark future for her, no matter what.~

            Scott's end of the link went silent. 

            ~Scott?~

            ~Don't tell Piotr.~

            ~I haven't~

            "Come on, Summers, move it!"

            Scott looked up to see Magneto, old but still fit, holding a path clear for them.  He let loose one last blast, then ran towards it, Jean following him.

            They entered the compound, running full speed, hoping to get there in time.  Cries were heard as the ran, but there was no time to free anyone else. 

            Feeling her husband's distress, Phoenix sent to him.  ~Remember, Love, we do this right and they're all free.~

            ~I know.  But…~

            The thought was left unfinished.  There was nothing else to say.

            "Phoenix!  Cypher's down, Karma's injured.  Shadowcat and Colossus are taking them out."

            "No!"  Scott sent firmly over the com.  "We need more time!  Can you give us five more minutes?"

            There was silence over the line.  Then the voice that Scott now recognized as belonging to Psylocke returned.  "Daytripper's set up a shield to protect them, Husk's going in for her."  More silence, then, "Amanda says her magik can't hold forever.  You've got your five minutes, but make it count."

            "Roger." 

            Throughout the conversation, neither Jean nor Scott had stopped moving.  Finally, Jean stopped in front of a door.  "Open your eyes, Hon, cause this is it."

            Scott grinned as he cut loose, letting the raw power of the sun flow from his veins and out of his body.

            The door slammed back.

            They were in the Hound room.

            Quickly Scott ran to the fifth cell.  And there she was, just where Kitty had said she'd be. 

            Rachel.

            His daughter.

            She opened her eyes, so like Jean's it made his heart stop.  "Daddy?"

            "Shh, Baby.  We're here.  It's time."

            She wobbled to her feet.  Seeing she was weak, Cyclops lifted her into his arms.  He ran to where his wife stood, telekinetically holding the door shut.  She glanced at them, sending her daughter a strained smile.  "Hey, Ray.  Franklin sent his love." 

            There was no time for further conversation.  Releasing her grip in the door, Jean grabbed her husband and daughter.  Using the powers of the Phoenix, she opened a portal and pushed them through.

            "Kurt, like, give it back!" Kitty shouted, her face red with anger.

            Kurt Wagner laughed as he swung from the ceiling fan, reading her journal.  "Ah, liebling, don't you vant me to tell Colossus that you find him 'hot'?"

            "Kurt, just give the gal her journal," Rogue ordered from her seat on the couch.  "Ah can't hear the TV."

            Suddenly, there was a burst of light in the room. 

            "Vhat—?"

            "Hey!"

            "Dammit!"

            The light ended as quickly as it started, but it left something behind.  Actually, three somethings.

            Kurt, Kitty,  and Rogue stared at the three bodies on the floor.  As one, the thought together, ~PROFESSOR!~