She takes to the air knowing trying to catch Anya would be faster. Barreling right into her. Her hands around her throat the next moment. Knowing the only way to protect those she cares about from this poison is to snuff it out. The jolt comes out of nowhere. She only realizes too late that it is Anya's last move at self-preservation.
She is sent flying because of it. She screams out in pain; looking down to see a spear of sorts sticking out between her chest and right shoulder. She attempts to pull it out. But it is stuck in too deep. Anya is standing over her. Alex and Danvers join her. She feels Scott is in trouble. Throwing her well-being away. And possibly long shot all at once. She moves from one location to the next.
She sees her beloved brother on the ground. Blood coming out of an eye socket. And a hole where one of his eyes used to be. Logan hovering over him. She shoves him out of the way. Taking him in her arms. "What have you done?" She sees Jean and Sinister behind them. She attempts to stand but falls due to the pain.
Sinister tries to help her up. She pushes him away. "My beloved daughter. You should never have returned here. Especially with that wound. If you don't get that removed soon, you won't last long. And honestly that isn't something I can allow. Do you think it coincidence that I found you and your brothers that night so long ago? Your family's genetics has too much potential to go to waste." He says.
They are joined by her other sibling. Along with Danvers and the Bedlams' and the Guthries, who are there simply as observants. She is struggling to breathe and stay conscious at this point. Even with the Phoenix tied to her. "Let Jean go. And you can have me instead." She says. She manages to start standing her hand on her leg as her movement is still lethargic.
She feels Logan gape internally. They have never warmed to one another. And while loyal, her making such a sacrifice is unexpected and foreign to him. He quickly makes the opportunity to move forward. Not wasting it and letting his gratitude go to waste. Nor planning to leave her because of it. She succumbs to the pain sinking to the ground.
She struggles to get her bearings. Despite knowing she is fading fast. Her expression hardens. "Before you take me hostage, I must pay you in kind. So, you know that I would never go kindly." She says. A smirk greets her face. As her eyes light up, illuminating yellow. The screams distant as Anya is turned to ash. Not realizing that a savior came from the most unlikely of places, at least for Logan. Before she passes out the next moment, Logan catching her before she is ripped from his arms.
She awakens to be greeted by Jean. She looks around. And realizes that they are now both captives. She attempts to speak. But her mouth is so dry nothing comes out. She reaches out with her mind. Knowing the Shadow King won't mind or report a simple conversation. 'What happened?' She asks.
"Logan tried to reach both of us. He had you first, since you were closer to him. And was about to help me. Danvers and the others had formed a barrier between us. He had been ready to fight when Victor Creed came out of nowhere. Evidentially, he had been tracking us on Magneto's orders. In case anything went wrong. He quickly talked sense into Logan. That taking all of them on would get nowhere. We would all be taken hostage or worse. And what would be the point in trying to save me, if we all wind up dead."
She turns her head after Jean stops speaking to her. Both remain staring at one another. They remain like this for some time. What else can they do? They are both in restraints. Their arms held over their heads. As well as their feet being bound. "It is good to see that you and Ms. Grey are awake." She turns to the voice.
Greeted by Hank McCoy. "I hadn't thought it possible but you have become even more depraved. A true beast. Now you need to find a beauty." She responds. "The same could be said for you and Ms. Grey, Mrs. Maximoff. You think you could keep your defection and marriage secret. For the time being I have decided to keep this information secret.
And as for the comment you made, you should take a look in the mirror. I have marked your face the same way I have Jean's. Permanent tattoos as a remainder as to who holds sway over our kind." He tells them. She reaches out, trying to shut the Shadow King down. Before making the move she and Jean can break out when the explosion occurs.
Sinister walks in with her brothers the next moment. Scott rushes to her side. Sinister turns to the scientist. "Let her go. I can guarantee that she won't retaliate. Not with her brother around." She is released. "Welcome back to the team, my daughter." Essex tells her. "I will be back for you".
She tells Jean before she and the others leaving the other woman to the mercy of the madman. Knowing going with them for the time being the best bet until she comes up with a better solution than guns blazing. The less suspicion cast on her the better, easier to keep her true agenda hidden. Helps that Anya and Beast kept their mouths shut.
She remains in Sinister's army. Keeping quiet about eventually getting Jean out. Time goes by. And while they may keep her at arm's length, they aren't excluding her either. She is patrolling with Scott and Alex when it happens. She picks up the mental signature just as the person comes upon them. Scott and Alex act according to their conditioning. She halts them.
"Rachel, move." Her brother and leader says. "No, Scott. Christopher Summers." "How do you know my name?" He stops and looks to each. The truth speaking to his heart. The words out before he contemplates the circumstance. "Rachel?" She moves forward at this. "Yes, papa. It's me." He tightens his hold on her. His face leaning on her shoulder.
They have taken him back to her quarters. "You all have grown up to be fine adults. And I never thought I would see you three again. You did a good job of watching out for your brother and sister, Scott. I am sorry that your mother isn't here to see how you all have turned out." He says. Rachel is trying to assess the scars and wounds on him. "I always knew that I would see you again." She tells him.
"Your brothers' powers are easier to see. What exactly can you do, Rachel? And I know you have some kind of ability. The three of you have always been too special to be like everyone else." Their father tells them. Her eyes begin to glow. "I can do better. I can show you." She projects first his memoires, then theirs. Masking her time with the Xmen from Alex.
"How do we get this entity out of him?" Scott asks about seeing a glimpse of the Brood. "At this point, we can't. Not without killing him. Nor…" Alex interrupts her. "We can't just do what you are asking?" She shoves him out of the way, as Christopher lunges at them. Scott makes his move, blasting their father into the inferno that has grown behind them.
Alex curses both of them. She feels regret about what had to be done. Just like she knows her beloved brother is as well. She and Scott let Alex rant, knowing that he had every right to do so. She and Scott leave their younger brother alone. To wallow in his grief. Knowing that she has to make her move soon. Even if for Scott, she knows that she can't stay here too much longer. Not without being caught.
He enters the room. "You've been quiet for days now. Rachel, what is wrong? I haven't even been able to pick up your internal thoughts and feelings. Please talk to me. We have always been close. Except lately, you have been so distant. Ever since you have come back. What has been going on with you? "He asks.
She turns her back, looking out the window. "So much has changed in such a short period of time. I've become a fugitive hiding in enemy territory. Basically, married the first man to pay attention to me. Lost my child due to the torture Sinister and McCoy put me through, to keep my abilities and cover hidden" She tells him. As she crosses her arms, hoping to keep her grief together and at bay.
He approaches her. Taking him into his arms. The lengths that she has built her emotions, in order to keep the harshness of this world from consuming her. The tears aren't able to be contained, despite her effort. He tightens his hold on her. Kissing her temple. Maintaining the comfort and support an older sibling is supposed to.
